Check, Please!

Eric "Bitty" Bittle arrives at Samwell University as a former figure skater joining the men's hockey team. His baking vlogs and Southern charm contrast with the rough-and-tumble hockey culture he encounters at this Massachusetts college. The story follows Bitty's journey as he navigates college life, competitive sports, and his identity as a gay athlete. His relationships with teammates, particularly team captain Jack Zimmermann, form the core of this coming-of-age narrative set against the backdrop of NCAA hockey. Through a mix of traditional comics and social media elements like texts and tweets, Check, Please! explores themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and finding community. The graphic novel format captures both the intensity of college sports and the quiet moments of personal growth, presenting a story about courage both on and off the ice.

Readers highlight the authentic, positive portrayal of college life, hockey culture, and coming-out experiences. Many note the book's upbeat tone and wholesome relationships between characters. Liked: - Clean, expressive art style that conveys emotion - Realistic depiction of social anxiety and personal growth - Humor that balances serious themes - Diverse, well-developed supporting characters Disliked: - Plot developments some found predictable - Romance moves too quickly in later chapters - Hockey terminology can be confusing for non-fans - Some felt the ending was rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (47,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (1,900+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.7/5 (300+ ratings) Common reader comments mention the "cozy feeling" and "comfort read" nature of the story. Multiple reviews note it works for both YA and adult audiences. Several readers report finishing it in one sitting due to the engaging storytelling.

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🏒 Author Ngozi Ukazu began creating "Check, Please!" as a webcomic in 2013, funding its print publication through Kickstarter campaigns that raised over $800,000 combined 🥧 The protagonist's baking videos featured in the book were inspired by real-life YouTube baking channels, particularly those focusing on Southern comfort food 📚 The book won the 2019 Eisner Award for Best Webcomic and the 2020 Harvey Award for Digital Book of the Year 🎓 Ukazu developed the story while researching a screenplay about hockey culture at Yale University, where she became fascinated by the contrast between the sport's aggressive nature and players' off-ice personalities 🌈 "Check, Please!" has been praised for its positive representation of LGBTQ+ characters in sports, helping fill a significant gap in both sports and young adult literature