The Sweetness Between Us

by Sarah Winifred Searle

Overview

From the creator of The Greatest Thing, a new YA graphic novel about a boy with a chronic illness and a newly turned vampire finding what they need in one another, perfect for fans of Vampire Academy.

Perley and Amandine are both starting their Junior year late. Perley was diagnosed with diabetes over the summer and has to worry about what this means, both for him and for his family’s finances. Amandine is part of a venerated family of vampires, but was turned much sooner than expected after a car accident nearly killed her. When their worlds collide as they make up the time they missed, their fast friendship quickly turns into something more. Amandine sipping Perley’s blood holds benefits for the both of them, but it also sets them on a path that could spiral out of control. Will they be able to get their lives back to normal? Or will both have to figure out new ways for their “normal” to look?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250406323
Publisher:	First Second
Publication date:	10/22/2024
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	105 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

Sarah Winifred Searle originally hails from spooky New England but currently lives in sunny Boorloo (Perth, Australia). Their first award-winning graphic novels were Sincerely, Harriet (Graphic Universe, 2019) and Patience&Esther: An Edwardian Romance (Iron Circus Comics, 2021). Their First Second books are The Greatest Thing (2021), Ruined (2023), and The Sweetness Between Us.

Editorial Reviews

★ 07/22/2024

After separate medical emergencies result in teens Perley, a human, and Amadine, a recently turned vampire, missing the first few weeks of school, they find themselves thrown together in tutoring to get caught up. The pair slowly bond as they adjust to their new normal, in which Perley must navigate the cost of managing his diabetes and Amadine must contend with physical side effects from her turning. When Amadine offers to help Perley test his blood sugar, their relationship blossoms into something more intimate. But as the two grow increasingly dependent on each other, Amadine and Perley must find a way to untangle their relationship from their conditions before resentment sours it forever. Searle (Ruined) delivers a stunning graphic novel romance with a thoughtful supernatural spin. Soft lines and muted colors convey Perley and Amadine’s gentle yearning for each other and their longing for a sense of normalcy and equilibrium; this empathetic and expressive style extends to the characters’ dialogue. Perley is depicted with pale skin and Amadine is Black. Ages 14–up. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"Searle delivers a stunning graphic novel romance with a thoughtful supernatural spin." –Publishers Weekly, starred

"A cozy paranormal romance that’s full of heart and humor." –Kirkus

"A charming, paranormal graphic novel about falling in love and learning how to create healthy boundaries within relationships." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

10/01/2024

Gr 7 Up—Maine high schoolers Perley and Amandine connect after health issues force them both to start the school year late. Perley is struggling to manage his blood sugar and cope with the cost of medical supplies after receiving a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, while Amandine is adjusting to life as a new vampire after an accident gave her great-aunt special permission to turn her. When Amandine learns that vampires have the ability to taste glucose levels, she offers to test Perley's blood to save him money and give herself an energy boost, but this arrangement is complicated by the teens' growing feelings. Despite Perley and Amandine's connection over their shared struggles, the two realize their relationship needs to depend on more than blood to survive. Perley's passion for knitting and work on his family's farm, alongside Amandine's love of sports and introduction to vampire culture, add richness to the plot as the two begin to accept their new realities. Full-color artwork enhances the story, which will appeal to readers who enjoy supernatural romance and stories of self-discovery. Amandine is Black and has Acadian heritage; Perley is white and Jewish. VERDICT A charming, paranormal graphic novel about falling in love and learning how to create healthy boundaries within relationships.—Emily Yates

School Library Journal

2024-08-03
In Maine, a newly diagnosed diabetic and a newly turned vampire form an unlikely connection.

Perley and Amandine both missed weeks of school during their junior year. Perley had a health crisis that led to the discovery that he has Type 1 diabetes. After Amandine was in a serious car accident, she received a blood transfusion that turned her into a vampire but saved her life. The teens bond as they catch up on missed schoolwork and reflect on how different their lives have become: Perley lives on a family farm and needs to be more mindful about physical labor, while Amandine loves field hockey, but her photosensitivity prevents her from playing. After Amandine attends a first aid course and discovers her ability to accurately taste blood glucose levels, the friends decide this is the perfect solution: The vegan Amandine could use the energy boost from real blood, while Perley can save money on testing strips and stay on top of his readings. A sweet romance blossoms between them. Both teens have concerned and supportive parents and friends. Importantly, the book also discusses the various ways that chronic illness has an impact on daily life. Clear dialogue bubbles make for an easy reading experience, and the soft color palette adds an appealing warmth, as do the adorably fluffy farm animals. Perley is Jewish and reads white, while brown-skinned, black-haired Amandine is from a multiethnic Cajun family.

A cozy paranormal romance that’s full of heart and humor. (minicomics, character sketches)(Graphic paranormal. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews