Bittersweet story that I know and I heard a lot, but still even in a funny way I think this comic empowers women a lot, so it was a worth story to read.

Storia dolce amare che conosco bene e che, sebbene utilizzi un fumetto, credo sia fondamentale da leggere per il potere che, alla fine, attribuisce alle donne.

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

There is a lot here to love with Picault's examination of relationships and norms. Told in a clear and clean style that captures your attention while also encouraging you to question your own life choices. The illustration work is very clean with the use of duotones to easily point out the focal points of each panel. Perhaps the only fault is that the handwritten text can be a bit difficult to follow at times; distracting in a way that pulls one out of the pathos of the characters and their lives. But the wonderful depth and clarity makes this a beautiful read from start to finish.

Story: Claire is a thirty-something neonatal nurse who balances the stress of her job with dating and hoping to find the right partner to finally settle down. As her friends and coworkers all begin to marry and have children, Claire becomes frustrated with her inability to find someone who wants a long term relationship. Eventually she meets Franck, a confirmed bachelor who has decided that "one is as good as another" when it comes to staying with just one woman. But both Claire and Franck have expectations in a relationship and they soon come in conflict. How much compromise should Claire and Franck make for each other and how much of their own happiness should they be suppressing for the other's comfort?

In many ways, this does feel very French - examining and addressing issues of gender identity and expectations in relationships that feel more European than North American. But they are no less rich for the keen insights provided as Claire goes from partner to partner, 'dreaming' of how a future could be with that person even as reality comes back with a harsh slap in the face.

Too often a story like this would be sterile or one sided - more message than interesting storyline. But Picault has so many beautiful moments and so much emotion that this never feels false or forced. Instead, it is a compelling read - a tale you want to see where it will go. And although this is from a female perspective, Picault doesn't spare the women nor is this about men bashing despite the gender inequality conversations within. Claire's optimism and patience are contrasted by the many types of women around her, all of whom are very complicated. The focus is always on their relationships: how they interact with spouses, exes, sons.

The illustration work is perfect - easy to follow with expertly colored panels that draw the eye to the important aspects. As well, this is beautifully paneled, with the layout beautifully coming to fruition from start to finish of the moral: the answer was there all along. Each page was a treat - from the mundane act of getting ready to a little neonatal hand reaching up between the care of the nurses. So many simple things with so much emotional resonance throughout. Picault does an excellent job of letting every day objects become indicative of issues that Claire is refusing to face; there are just so many themes throughout and so many layers that reword upon rereads.

At its heart, this is perhaps the simplest of tales with the deepest of resonances. It's not about Claire finding the right guy so much as it is about Claire finding herself and understanding what truly makes her happy. It's a masterful tale in its simplicity and a very rewarding read. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

This was a emotional read. I have more feelings than words right now... Everyone should read this.

Claire is yum. She's got curves, she's got brains - and she doesn't bitch and bitch and BITCH about men like some of her girlfriends. But she's not got a fella, until she meets a potential The One, and gives it almost three years of go. There clearly is give and take in any relationship, and a lot more taking and giving if you're a fertile woman, and Claire's examples of that make for a very good book. Some people have said it's a bit man-bashing; well I see some characters are but I found the book to be successfully in tune with its narrative, and not beholden to any message, feminist, anti-men or otherwise. Partly that's down to the way the intimacy of it all - Claire slobbing out in sweat pants, Claire pulling the day-old knickers on for the morning-after cuppa, and suchlike - shows Claire as a real woman. In fact she's such a nice character I almost felt disappointed and jealous when she hooked up. But hey, I could never have her, she would never have me - but as long as we love ourselves with enough room to love others too we'll all be better off. I was better off on reading this, for it's attractively presented, and both smart and warm. A bit like Claire... Four and a half stars.

**Thank you NetGalley for this unlocked PDF!!!**

This is a wonderful graphic novel for women. Although men, you might learn a thing or two in here. Claire is a thirty-something neonatal nurse, hoping she'll find the right man. She keeps putting herself out there, and really just putting out, hoping he's the one.

Will she get her happily ever after? Or will she find her good enough for now?

I really enjoyed this and read it in only a few hours. I like that I can read this one again and again. I hope to see more from Clare or this author. It is based in France, maybe Paris? So that different culture is interesting, as well.

I think the art is sweet and I love the black and white with pops of creamy yellow, but I never found myself fully invested in this story.

This book was so relatable, you would think it weren't a translated work. Cheers to everyone who don't want to settle for a half-open cabinet.

"I can't live like..a halfway open cabinet" Claire says at one point in this story.

This is the story of Claire, a neonatal nurse, in her early 30s, wondering if she will ever find the love of her life. It goes through her many loves, and her friends and family that surround her. The whole story takes place over a three or four year period, as she goes along with what she has, and then, when asked how she feels, she says the line above.

This is important because her latest love has a cabinet with a shelf that is just in the wrong place. At first she bangs her elbow on it, until she moved it, and then the cabinet can't open all the way. This little irritant, like a bit of grit in an oyster, keeps pressing on her, along with all the other things that are driving her crazy, until she realizes what she has to do with her life (and perhaps there is a pearl that develops from her choice). As her sister tells her, "What ever you decide will be the right choice."

This is very chick lit, and very slow, and all about relationships. It is not quite for me, as not much happens, but followers of chick lit, who also like graphic novels, might enjoy it.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Claire is in her thirties and desperate to settle down and start a family. She is on the dating merry go round and doesn't seem to be able to meet a guy who wants to settle down. Meanwhile family and friends are settling down and having babies, buying homes and getting on with life. Despite her career as a nurse Claire feels left behind and left out.

And then Claire meets a man, moves in with him, and three years down the line she examines if this is what she really wants. Should she settle for less and stick with her partner? Or should she learn to appreciate who she is instead of focusing on some kind of ideal and live her life to the fullest without compromise. Is the man she is with really the man she wants?

This is an interesting comic with good drawings. The storyline is great too and it left me wanting more.

Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exhange for an unbiased review.

A series of sunny-hued panels tell the story of Claire, a neonatal nurse on the hunt for her dream man. At 32, Claire very much feels the pressures that come with a ticking body-clock and often finds herself settling for lack-lustre relationships. Over time she learns the importance of being happy on her own terms.

Limited Edition loudly deals with feminist issues that don’t always align with my own beliefs. Whilst I strongly appreciated the discussion of valuing your self-worth and what constitutes as a healthy relationship, I do think it was rather man-bashing.

Aude Picault uses characters such as Franck to highlight everyday sexism towards women and how often their needs, thoughts and abilities are undermined and underestimated. That being said, the female characters attitudes towards men are not shown to be as problematic or severe, which I found troubling.

There was some other glaring issues, but the final message resonated quite strongly with me. I’m a romantic, often wishing I could hurry up and be in the relationship, have the husband, the white picket fence, the kids and don’t often take time to be happy in the now. If Limited Edition taught me anything it’s to not always think the grass is greener on the other side and to appreciate where I am currently at in life.

Overall I have to give it a 2.5. Although I enjoyed the loose illustrations and related to Claire, the font was disjointedly hard to read at times and I found some of the messages to be quite questionable.

It was really cute, I enjoyed that we followed a neonatal nurse, that was new and creative... and I really really like how it ended :)

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

So this isn't going to be a very nice review at times. I just need to rant a bit.

This book began good, I would have given it a 4 stars at the beginning. The middle was 3 stars, but with the ending and how I felt overall after reading the whole book... 2.5 stars.

This mostly had to do with how I just got tired of all the bitching about men and how terrible they were/are. And then probably calls it feminism. :|

What I liked:
*The art, it was pretty cute and sweet! Plus I liked that the author/artist used limited colours (you just have pink/blue/yellow).
-The MC's job. I have read tons of books, but I don't think I have read one where someone has a job working with preemies.
-Some of those preemie part just brought tears to my eyes. That one scene were the tiny little baby touched her dad's hand just had me in tears.
-That the author/artist didn't shy away from sex scenes (yep, we got quite a few of those).
-I could understand Claire (well... minus the man hating parts) and her quest to find someone perfect for her. I also had my share of bad experiences with men and at times I also wondered if I would ever find someone to spend my life with. I was definitely rooting for her.
-Her dreams about her future kid and future husband. It was just so lovely and I like that it was added to the story.

What I didn't like:
*I did think Jo was a bit overkill on her hubby when they had that baby (those 3/4 pages). The guy is doing his effing best, but all you do is bitch bitch and bitch. Oh no, he forgot things, oh no he bought the wrong things. Heaven, woman, we all make mistakes no need to burn someone to the ground. Be happy he tries! Good grief woman. Plus I am sure the guy is working (given that guys generally don't get a lot of parental leave), do you want him to stop working and do everything, thus meaning that you get less money? I am sure you will bitch about that then. Girl, please. Plus she kept being dismissive about him throughout the book. :|
*Also, if you can't get an orgasm and then just expect boys just have to magically know what they should do or that you have problem? I am sorry, ever heard of opening that mouth of yours and talk to him? I get so unhappy that woman are all boohooing about guys this and that, while never ever really talking to guy in question for about 2 or 3 years of a relationship. *sighs* And sure, eventually she did talk, but it took motivation from someone else to do so (yes, we finally had a woman who understood that men are not (unlike apparent popular opinion) mind readers).
*If your hubby just got home from work, and just wants to sit down for a bit, LET HIM. Instead of constantly getting on his case every time he got home for a busy day of work. Just let him sit for a bit, eat some dinner, and then talk about stuff (and no shouting or cursing or grunting or whatever, just normal talking).
*All the complaining about men throughout the book, I just got so tired about it. Sure, you had some shitty experiences, and yes, sometimes men can be a bit eh, but I am sure we women also make them crazy at times. But oh no, it is all the fault of the men, obviously. *rolls her eyes*
*The part with the store and them buying clothes. Really, is it that OFFENDING when someone asks you girl or boy or tells that something is for girls? Geez Louis, people. Just buy whatever you want, do you need to make rude remarks to someone just doing her job? :|

Sometimes I don't get my own gender (aka women).

The handwriting was a really nice touch to the book, made it more personal, but it was hard to read at times. :(

So yeah, a decent book, but it could be better without all the menbashing.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

Based on the blurb, I was expecting something uplifting. Instead this was depressing and rather repetitive. I feel that the topic could have been handled with more finesse.