Just Between Us: A Graphic Novel
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In this gorgeous debut graphic novel, a teenage girl tries to fall back in love with figure skating without falling for her competition.
Lydia Chen knows how good she is on the ice. Technically perfect, she’s been the one to beat since her debut years ago.
Except now, something is missing in her performances—a spark that’s been gone for a while. Between the constant training, appealing to sponsors to fund her, and the pressure to perform, Lydia’s passion for skating has disappeared.
When her rival Elaine Yee starts training at the same rink, Lydia’s struck by the emotion in Elaine’s routines and unwillingly finds herself getting closer to her as they compete for a spot in the Olympics.
As the tension between them comes to a head, Lydia’s about to find out how a competitor can become an ally and figure out how to feel alive on the ice again in this tender, compelling, and beautifully illustrated debut graphic novel.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
With a magnetic sapphic relationship at its core, Kon's debut graphic novel offers a stirring exploration of the intense world of professional figure skating. Teenage American athlete Lydia Chen is enjoying her status as the top-ranked figure skater in the world. Her peaceful reign seemingly comes crashing down, however, when her coach agrees to train Lydia's rival, Malaysian athlete Elaine Yee, in preparation for the upcoming Winter Olympics. Standoffish Lydia chafes against amiable Elaine, and the two clash both on and off the ice. Lydia is jealous of Elaine's more emotive skating, while Elaine struggles to reach Lydia's technical heights. Their frequent arguing eventually lands them in hot water, resulting in their coach suspending them for fighting. Calling a truce, the girls begin bonding over their love of skating, and soon, deeper feelings spring to life. But Lydia's friends and family worry that this new relationship may distract Lydia, who needs to maintain her ranking to secure financial sponsorships. And as the Olympics draw nearer, the athletes are forced to reckon with their love for skating and each other. Graceful grayscale illustrations accented with sparkling gold highlights emulate the fluid, eye-catching movement of figure skating, culminating in a moving love letter to the sport that will delight newcomers and hardcore fans. Ages 12–up.
Customer Reviews
A long time coming
Something about finally having more rep in media. The story was great and the art was beautiful. Love that it also came out in the best time possible (2026 winter olympics) while saluting the legendary performances (Mao Asada, Kim Yuna, etc.).
In a time where we finally get the actual yuri on ice too.