Oh my goodness. This was amazing. I cried my eyes out in the end. After having only read Sheets last week, it was so perfect picking Delicates straight up.

Although for the most part, I didn't feel as connected to the story as I did with Sheets, about 75% in the story started to come together and it really hit me in the feels. This is a very beautiful but touching middlegrade novel surrounding friendship, grief, mental health, family and the hardships of being a kid in school.

I love the illustrations as well, just think the graphic novel is so beautifully done and very colourful. Despite having some darker topics at its heart.

TW: Grief, loss of a parent, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, bullying.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

I loved the first book in this series, so I was so excited to see that it had a sequel. It picks up almost as if no time was lost. I like how the story followed the insecurities of the girls but gave them the room to kind of explore and find themselves. It is very relatable to other teens. The ghost aspect keeps it engaging all the way through. I enjoyed it, and middle school readers will as well.

This graphic novel was truly something special! Not only were the illustrations excellent and the characters were adorable, but the overall theme of this book was well executed in a friendly way for younger audiences.

This story really emphasized the desire for us to fit in, to the point where we lose sight of our true selves. This story educates about bullying and the long term affect it can have, especially on our youth, and that is an important message to share.

The art style in this is really cute and fun. And the story is a great one too. Everyone feels alone sometimes and the way the author relates this to being like a ghost is great. I actually think I enjoyed Delicates more than Sheets. I'm definitely looking forward to more stories from Brenna Thummler.

“For a freak who sees dead people, I’ve been pretty blind to what’s in front of me. Last year, I was the one who felt like a ghost. How did I end up on the other side? You never know what’s going on inside someone else’s head -- how they’re hurting -- even if you put the hurt there yourself. Maybe we need to stop thinking only about what we see, and focus on learning what is actually there.”

Delicates, the sequel to Sheets by Brenna Thummler, continues to follow the life of Marjorie Glatt just as she starts her 8th-grade year. She’s been accepted by the popular kids but worries that everyone will discover that she is a freak with ghost friends that help run the family laundromat. Eliza Duncan, a fellow 8th-grader, feels just as out of place and seeks solace in her photography. Marjorie, a guilty bystander, must figure out how to mend the harm that Eliza endures along with healing a scarred family and balancing a ghostly relationship.

Delicates was even more powerful than Sheets. This stunning -- seriously, stunning -- graphic story captures exactly what it feels like to be invisible and in middle school. Marjorie’s character is just beginning to shape what her values are and who she wants to be as she grows up. Eliza, though, was my favorite. Her passion for photography and the fact that she stood behind her beliefs no matter what was inspiring. I liked watching the character growth, the realistic portrayal of friendship, and honest family dynamics in Delicates. Wendall, as always, will be my favorite sheet ghost of all time.

I loved the importance stressed on taking care of your mental health and that it is ok to ask for help when you need it, even if you can’t find the right words at first. Heavy thematic elements like bullying and suicidal thoughts are dealt with in a compassionate way. This will be an excellent addition to my early High School classroom when the physical copy is published.

[CW: bullying, suicide/suicidal thoughts, death of a parent, depression.]

Like the first in this series, this one was also hard hitting, Dealing with subjects of bulling and suicide. It was handled well though, the beautiful colour palette complimenting the sensitive topics and the ending uplifting. The focus was less on the sheet ghosts in this one which was a little disappointing but still a great read for young and old.

I wish that I could live in a world designed by Brenna Thummler. I spent so much time just staring at each page because they were so beautiful.

Delicates takes all of the best parts of Sheets and just turns it up to 11. It tackles a lot of issues and lets the reader sit with each one of them for more time than I expected from a graphic novel targeted towards young people. I wish that I had been able to read this story at Marjorie's and Eliza's ages, and I know that young readers are lucky to have it now. (Also, Wendell continues to be one of my all time favorite ghosts!)

Another phenomenal title from Brenna Thummler, only further establishing her place as one of the greatest writers and illustrators out there at the moment. Much like the first installment in the series, DELICATES tenderly explores the many ways there are to be lonely and the impact finding the right person may have. Furthermore, this graphic novel attempts to get at the heart of the ways people may let themselves down once the world has done them wrong one too many times, as well as the ways to pick yourself back you. As heartwarming as it is heartbreaking, I loved every moment of it.

The art is just as fantastic in this as it is in Sheets. The story was a really important one and I think it did a really good job portraying a realistic view of what 8th grade is like and how suicide ideation and bullying are real issues for kids growing up.

Delicates is the perfect sequel to Sheets, both novels by Brenna Thummler. Delicates brings our favorite characters from Sheets back for another story, this one with more depth and a strong message. In this story, Marjorie learns what is truly important in life and what is worth fighting for as she navigates her friendships and family. We are also introduced to Eliza, a character who believes in ghosts, loves photography, and is quite lonely. Thummler handles hard topics with care in a way that readers will empathize with. I would recommend this title to readers!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is the sequel to Sheets. I l adore Sheets and I think I might've loved this one even more. The story is perfectly portrayed through the art. It is just such a beautiful novel with a wonderful message.

This volume continues the story of 8th grader Marjorie, friend to laundromat ghost Wendell, as she struggles to fit in with her sort-of friend group and figure out how to talk to boys. She encounters Eliza, an outcast who spends her time trying to photograph ghosts.
Loved this even more than Sheets, though the first book was also awesome. More, please!

It’s hard to put into words exactly how much I loved this book the illustration style is not only original but is a perfect match for the stories. This book deals with some hard hitting subjects such as bullying and mental health in such a respectful yet impactful way. I really loved Eliza as a character and the glimpses we get into here thoughts throughout the book. Following Marjorie dealing with the grief of losing her mother throughout both books has really touched my heart and although this was not the main plot of this book I liked how it was still an ongoing theme, seeing how she and her family are slowly healing and learning to live without her mum. I really feel this is a great depiction of grief and mental health though a young teenager's eyes.
I don’t want to spoil anything in the book as I loved going in blind but highly recommend this beautiful graphic novel as an amazing sequel to Sheets as well as being a strong book on its own.

So I had no idea this was a sequel. But I absolutely adored this book. All the bullying and not taking a stand. And one little ghost made that change. I love the storyline, the concept of the story and the adorable illustration! I definitely need to purchase the first one and get them both on my book shelf.

Definitely has all the hallmarks of what readers loved about Sheets and will for sure appeal to new readers as well. Its also nice that someone doesn't have to have read Sheets to enjoy this new title. Very helpful in libraries.

Delicates was a wonderful and heartwarming sequel to Sheets. Sheets has a special place in my heart and delicates was even better. I adored this story. It was powerful, a little bit sad, and definitely heartwarming. The color pallet was gorgeous too. I'll recommend to everyone who wants to read a wholesome story.

What a touching and powerful sequel! Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for feedback.

This story is a sequel to “Sheets” and follows Marjorie, Wendell, and Eliza. Marjorie is starting to fit in with a popular crowd, hangs out with friendly ghosts in her family laundromat, and you learn about another character (Eliza) who feels like a ghost most of the time, but loves to photograph the world around her. This story brings some sensitive subject matter to readers, but it’s a great story that sheds light on helping those who don’t know how to ask for help when they are in need of it. Marjorie gets lost in popularity and knowing who’s a true friend or not; in the end, she figures that all out and helps save another friend along the way. This is a story to pick up and will make you turn page after page until you get to the end and sob/smile because it was a great story!

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review :)

Oh my goodness!! I think I loved Delicates more than I loved Sheets, if that's even possible!!

Thummler has such a beautiful way of telling a story through her absolutely gorgeous artwork - they fully encapsulates the characters and their emotions and manages to make the reader feel absorbed in the story. I really just want to give all the characters a big hug. Especially Wendell <3

<i>arc provided to me from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review</i>

I recently read the first volume in this series, Sheets and I did enjoy it but I really enjoyed this one. I think my issue with Sheets was that I was constantly annoyed by the villainous character and that warped my overall enjoyment of it.

But with Delicates, we follow two people and their stories versus just following Marjorie. In this we get to see Marjorie learning to deal with her friends who are bullies and how being silent can be just as bad as participating in their horrible actions.

We also follow Eliza and her dealing with suicidal thoughts, being bullied and overall just not knowing how to deal with everything happening to her. She’s lost in a period of her life where I think a lot of us get lost and need help. I think her story will touch a lot of people and stick with them after they’ve finished this book.

Eliza’s story was super impactful especially with a specific scene near the end of the story. I think the way this was handled was done perfectly and that this representation is important in media, especially in a format that younger readers will have access to. It’s important for everyone but especially younger people who might not know how to reach out or don’t quite know how to grasp what’s happening to them to see Eliza’s story and struggles and be able to relate. And hopefully be able to see that getting help is okay. I definitely think that this story could save lives.

The ghosts were a joy as always, especially Wendell. That end scene was absolutely adorable and was everything I had hoped for for these characters.

Overall, I had a great time with this. The art style was fun, the colors were beautiful and the story had such an impact. I definitely recommend this but do read the trigger warnings first as this does deal with heavier topics that might be triggering to some.

3.5/5 ⭐️

TW: suicide/suicidal thoughts, death, death of a parent, bullying, depression, loneliness.

This book is the sequel to Sheets, which was awesome! And this did not disappoint. This story continues the story of Marjorie, who lives above a laundromat that also just happens to be inhabited by a bunch of ghosts. Her family is still dealing with the death of her mother, and the financial strain of running the laundromat that was her mother's dream. Majorie is also learning to navigate the pressures of school, and trying to decide how she wants to be “Seen”. If she hangs out with her ghost friends, she will be labeled a freak, but if she ignores them in favor of her new “friends” what does that make her?

I love the art in these books so much. The coloring is amazing. I also really love the story, and I hope there are so many more of these to come. This book deals with some heavy themes, but not in a graphic or disturbing way. The ending was sort of uplifting, and I really loved that too.

I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own