Belle of the Ball

I stumbled (as I do) across Mari Costa's graphic novel "Belle of the Ball" last night, and I'm OBSESSED.

["High-school senior and notorious wallflower Hawkins finally works up the courage to remove her mascot mask and ask out her longtime crush: Regina Moreno, head cheerleader, academic overachiever, and all-around popular girl. There’s only one teensy little problem: Regina is already dating Chloe Kitagawa, athletic all-star…and middling English student. Regina sees a perfectly self-serving opportunity here, and asks the smitten Hawkins to tutor Chloe free of charge, knowing Hawkins will do anything to get closer to her.

And while Regina’s plan works at first, she doesn’t realize that Hawkins and Chloe knew each other as kids, when Hawkins went by Belle and wore princess dresses to school every single day. Before long, romance does start to blossom…but not between who you might expect. With Belle of the Ball, cartoonist Mariana Costa has reinvigorated satisfying, reliable tropes into your new favorite teen romantic comedy."]

There was a small moment or two of mean-girl-ness disguised as kindness, but Regina (and Chloe) had a redemption arc. And Hawkins had a confidence arc.

This novel was equal parts adorable and meaningful. Every character learned more about themselves, their wants/needs, and their thoughts on the future. They stubbornly grew into better, more caring, more true-to-themselves people. There were so many cringe moments (hello, high school awkwardness), but soooo many sweet moments. All of the meaningful glances, pink blushes, and feelings-filled smiles.

I looooooved this graphic novel. You have to check it out!!

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