Thank you to Netgalley and Europe Comics for the eARC.

The art style was absolutely gorgeous, but the plot didn't work the way I had hoped it would. I'm unsure if it was just the plot or specifically the fact that it was translated, but the plot itself progressed in a very clunky, odd way that took me out of the narrative. Making Marie's blindness the "villain" in the text was also not the best look. The ending also came too soon and left too much open-ended -- Marie's story reached its peak, but what about Victor, who is supposed to be our protagonist??

I recieved this book for free in exchange for a review.

This short story was beautiful! I'd have loved to see it expanded.

This was lovely and warm, with lush illustrations. I was so pleased to see that Marie got her own plot outside of her blindness - it didn’t define her and I loved that. super cute.

Beautiful


Thank you soooooo much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this book💗
"I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

I don't know if this was a lost in translation kind of problem, but most of this book seemed to be disconnected and not really thought out.
I did not like the main character, and his love interest and co-protagonist was okay at best. The plot was predictable and not my favourite in general, it was a bit too basic.
I appreciated the blind/sight impaired rep, but that was about it.
The art style was nice, if a bit "already seen", but at least I really loved the use of colour.

Okay, but honestly, this graphic novel was so beautiful. I loved the story and the art work so much.
I know you are supposed to say more in a review but I just don't know what else to say. It was beautiful, it was wonderful, and well, well worth the read.

The portrayal of blindness in My Heart in Braille makes me feel squirmy. Sure, a kid who's losing her sight is going to be scared and resistant to change, but making a disability out to be more or less the villain in this story sends a pretty harmful message which I doubt disabled people are going to appreciate. The notion that Marie-Jo has to choose between being a blind person or being a musician just wasn't believable to me. After all, "blind school" isn't tantamount to doom — it's the place where people learn how to be independent.

(3.5) this was such a cute, heartwarming story — I only wish it was a little longer! The art style was amazing, and I spent ages just gazing at each panel in awe. The story was simple and easy to follow, aimed at younger children even though the characters are 14/15. I wish we could have seen more of Victor and rock, as well as some of his friends, but I understand that this is just part of a larger story to come.

This book is such a beautiful and extraordinary story of friendship and love where two people help each other to achieve more than they could individually. It is one of those hugs of a book. The graphics are 10/10 giving an almost halcyon vintage feel to what is a timeless story. I would recommend it to anyone I read it in one sitting. If you like coming of age stories this is a must for your TBR pile trusting you also like a graphic novel. 4.5 stars.

This was a very cute story that was told through beautifully done illustrations. The only thing that I did not really like was how fast the storyline progressed. To me it felt like one second Marie was helping Victor study, and the next she was telling him she loved him. (This book is only 78 pages.)

Other than that, I connected with Victor and his struggles in school and not feeling good enough because of it. I also really liked how the relationship between Victor and Marie was portrayed, even though it was quite short.

The cover of this book is beautiful- the art is amazing- the story adorable.
I really liked this book and the representation however there were some things I didn’t enjoy quite as much.
Marie seemed a relatively fleshed our character compared to our male mc victor who had lots of story points that were mostly brushed away with little explanation- I would have also liked more on Victor’s band, especially as Marie plays her cello for him and she doesn’t even know he is in a band.
The other thing is although the art is beautiful, the font made this short book a more difficult read for me. With the female mc having visual problems and the male mc being hinted to have learning difficulties of his own including problems reading, I would have liked more thought to be put into the font to make this story more accessible. I’m dyslexic and I’m not saying every book should use the typical dyslexia friendly font but especially the first few pages were a very hard read for me and took away some of the immersion from the story.
Other than this, I really enjoyed this cute story : )

Thanks to netgalley, the publisher, and the authors for the arc.

This book was a delight to read. Not only is the art style incredibly beautiful and draws you in with the cheery colours and the intricate detail, but the story itself is charming.

The writing is very easy to read, so this book is perfect for the YA audience, but it's also super quick and enjoyable for all audiences. Viktor and Marie-Jo were interesting enough to want to know more, yet I did wish we learned more about Viktor's backstory, especially in relation to his concentration and learning issues. It did feel as though some plot points had been forgotten about mid-way through, however as someone who has not read the original piece this was based on, I'm not sure if this is a reflection of this piece.

The side characters were a good part of the story, and overall I enjoyed the disability representation in its various forms. Like I said, I wish it went into Viktor's brain fogginess more but I understand the focus was on Marie-Jo's degenerative condition. I think it was especially important to highlight how Marie-Jo could be independent and important in her own way, from playing the cello to memorising poems to not have to depend on others to do all the work, but also acknowledged in the story that it's okay to ask for help.

Very decent piece for a quick night read.

I adored this story. I love that Marie brings out this part of Victor that has been laying dormant for so long. It pained me to see him in those moments when his self-esteem was the lowest. I do wish that Victor's story had finished in a better way that resulted in him experiencing lasting positive change, whether Marie was with him or not. But otherwise, this was such a lovely story.

The artwork was beautiful and the story was magnificent. This was an absolute triumph of a graphic novel. It was so heartwarming and sweet.

Appena ho visto il nome dell'autore sapevo che avrei assolutamente voluto leggerlo, qualsiasi fosse la storia. Ho adorato i Diari di Cerise (e piango ogni volta che li leggo e soffro per il fatto che non vengano ristampati e che la serie non sia mai stata conclusa in Italia) e non vedevo l'ora di leggere altro di questo autore.
La storia è narrata dal punto di Victor, un ragazzo che sospetto soffra di ADHD non diagnosticata, che ha serie difficoltà a scuola. Durante il nuovo anno scolastico conosce Marie, una ragazza che si sta preparando per entrare in una scuola di musica suonando il violoncello e che aiuterà Victor a studiare e migliorare i suoi voti. I due diventano più che amici e Marie confessa a Victor del problema alla vista che la porterà a diventare cieca. I due continuano cosi ad aiutarsi a vicenda, stringendo il loro legame sempre di più.
La storia è narrata con la dolcezza e la delicatezza perfetta per queste tematiche delicate, senza trattenersi sulle difficoltà e l'imbarazzo che possono portare molti a comportarsi in modo strano quando incontrano persone con queste problematiche.
I disegni hanno un sapore vintage, dalla palette sotto tono, allo strano mix tra immagini e scarabocchi, come se fosse un diario su cui il narratore scarabocchia i suoi pensieri e ciò che vede. Lo trovo davvero un tocco fantastico.
Se devo trovargli un difetto, forse direi il font davvero troppo piccolo. Per favore non cercate di rendere ciechi anche noi lettori!!!
Spero arriverà in Italia presto (e spero davvero continuino a pubblicare anche i Diari di Cerise) perchè voglio assolutamente comprarlo per le biblioteche dove lavoro!!!

Grazie per avermi permesso di leggerlo Netgalley!!!!

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As soon as I saw the author's name I knew I absolutely wanted to read it, whatever the story was. I loved Cerise's Diaries (and I cry every time I read them and I suffer from the fact that they are not reprinted and that the series has never been concluded in Italy) and I couldn't wait to read more from this author.
The story is told from the point of view of Victor, a boy who I suspect has undiagnosed ADHD, who is having serious difficulties in school. During the new school year he meets Marie, a girl who is preparing to enter a music school playing the cello and who will help Victor study and improve his grades. The two become more than friends and Marie confesses to Victor about her eyesight problem that will lead her to go blind. The two thus continue to help each other, tightening their bond more and more.
The story is told with the perfect sweetness and delicacy for these sensitive issues, without holding back on the difficulties and embarrassment that can lead many to behave strangely when they meet people with these problems.
The drawings have a vintage flavor, from the undertone palette to the strange mix of images and scribbles, as if it were a diary in which the narrator scribbles his thoughts and what he sees. I really find that a great touch.
If I have to find a fault, perhaps I would say the font is really too small. Please don't try to blind us readers too!!!
I hope it will arrive in Italy soon (and I really hope they continue to publish the Cerise Diaries too) because I absolutely want to buy it for the libraries where I work!!!

Thanks for letting me read it Netgalley!!!!

This was a genre I am learning about all the time so I was interested to dive into this one. The artwork is beautiful and the cover is really appealing which is important when you are trying to entice young people to read.

The theme is an interesting one and I thought there was scope to develop the characters a little more but maybe I just like a long read!

This would appeal to my older readers who enjoy relationship themes but prefer graphic novels.

It’s always nice to put something which is visually exciting on my library shelves.

I will look out for more from this author

Thanks netgalley for the manga.

4 stars for me...
I really love the art and the story...also loved the character shown.
It was quite short..could be little longer...nevertheless it was nice read.

Cute art and YA story. Loved the colour palate. I found the writing/dialogue a bit stilted - not sure if this was translated and that made it a bit stiff, or if that was a style choice.

Also: Why the heck is the Turkish dad wearing a fez and dressed like an orientalist painting? Yikes.

Thank you to NetGalley, Europe Comics and Joris Chamblain and Anne-Lise Nalin for providing me with this ARC. This graphic novel had cute characters and an adorable story line. I would have liked to see Victor's character develop more. I loved the art style I do however wish that the story was a little longer.

Thank you to NetGalley, Europe Comics and Joris Chamblain and Anne-Lise Nalin for providing me with this ARC.

I enjoyed My Heart In Braille, especially the art! The illustrator’s art style is so beautiful. The plot was very cute and I found a lot of the characters, specifically the main ones, Marie-Jo and Victor, very sweet.

Some of the issues I have with it are plot holes, like how Marie-Jo’s parents don’t have some of her medical information. Other things I didn’t love came in some of the characters. Some of them seemed to be introduced for no purpose other than being an antagonist in one scene, whereas if they had been introduced earlier it would have made more sense. I also didn’t love how Marie-Jo got more development, or at least got to be herself more than Victor did. I think if anything this book would’ve been improved by making it longer. Overall it’s 3/5 star read for me.