What do you think?
Rate this book
Until We Meet Again: A Graphic Memoir
A poignant and vividly illustrated graphic memoir about a young woman's search for belonging as her immigrant family moves between Canada and China.
Lily isn't sure where home is anymore. Her family is constantly on the move, resettling in different towns across Canada and, eventually, in Shanghai, China. Her father plays the role of primary caregiver while her mother is absent for long periods of time. When she reappears, her strange behavior turns Lily's life upside down. As Lily enters her college years, she strives to better understand her family and her place in the world. But can she escape the inherited trauma passed down by her immigrant parents?
Lily isn't sure where home is anymore. Her family is constantly on the move, resettling in different towns across Canada and, eventually, in Shanghai, China. Her father plays the role of primary caregiver while her mother is absent for long periods of time. When she reappears, her strange behavior turns Lily's life upside down. As Lily enters her college years, she strives to better understand her family and her place in the world. But can she escape the inherited trauma passed down by her immigrant parents?
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
September 18, 2025
yes I read this in 20 minutes, yes i cried, and??
first of all the illustrations in this book are beautiful. they show the meaning behind the text in ways that wonderfully and gracefully elevate the story, like the string being cut at the end of the book. and oh my goddd this book was emotional. the revelation she had about "karmic retribution" for not understanding her mentally ill mother, causing her to become like her (for a moment) was heartbreaking yet so real.
I recommend if u want a quick emotional, beautiful story
4.5/5⭐️ (rounded)
thank you Netgalley eARC for this copy!
first of all the illustrations in this book are beautiful. they show the meaning behind the text in ways that wonderfully and gracefully elevate the story, like the string being cut at the end of the book. and oh my goddd this book was emotional. the revelation she had about "karmic retribution" for not understanding her mentally ill mother, causing her to become like her (for a moment) was heartbreaking yet so real.
I recommend if u want a quick emotional, beautiful story
4.5/5⭐️ (rounded)
thank you Netgalley eARC for this copy!
September 21, 2025
I absolutely loved this memoir graphic novel. The art is gorgeous and vibrant, and the story is told with such beauty and honesty. I deeply admire the author’s strength and vulnerability in sharing her story, especially given the stigma surrounding mental health in Chinese culture. Her struggles with her mother’s depression are really conveyed with such raw emotion. Being torn between loving her, not wanting her in her life, feeling regret for not trying to support her more… Her relationship with her father is equally moving - admiration for his resilience and ability to adapt with the weight of family expectations.
This memoir weaves together themes of love, grief, depression, and hope in a way that feels both deeply personal and oftentimes relatable.
Lily’s childhood was undeniably difficult but through therapy, self-acceptance, and reflection she has really built a life that’s inspiring.
Thank you to First Second Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This memoir weaves together themes of love, grief, depression, and hope in a way that feels both deeply personal and oftentimes relatable.
Lily’s childhood was undeniably difficult but through therapy, self-acceptance, and reflection she has really built a life that’s inspiring.
Thank you to First Second Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
July 30, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
Until We Meet Again by Lily Kim Qian is a memoir graphic novel that discusses the impact of mental health on children and how it affects them into adulthood. In her early childhood, Lily’s family lived in Canada and seemed to be living the perfect life, until her mother's mental health took a turn for the worse and her parents got a divorce. As an adult, Lily has her own struggles with depression and the scars that her childhood left behind.
One of the things that really hit home for me is Lily’s complex relationship with both her parents because it really reflects my own relationships with mine in ways I very rarely see in media. Like Lily, I think my father made mistakes, but he did the best he could with what he was given and I can acknowledge that there will always be the scars left by my mother, but she was not well and that wasn't her fault. I think that, as a society, we have to acknowledge more that sometimes the mother is not suited to be a parent and sometimes that's not her fault and she needs more tools and support so she can have a relationship with her children because it doesn't mean she doesn't love them. But, sometimes, the mother just should not be the person put in charge of caring for a child no matter what toxic femininity or society claims.
Growing up, talking about depression was just not a thing people did, as if it was a disease that could be caught just by saying it exists. The discussion around the stigma of mental health in China felt deeply familiar, especially in how that stigma impacts a parent in ways it might not impact younger generations when they realize they also have a mental illness. The shift towards acceptance from the people around Lily in America compared to how her mother was treated years earlier in Canada and then in China and Lily questioning whether things would have been different if her mother had more support is something I think a lot of us in a similar situation struggle with. The what ifs keep us up at night and can contribute to depression, but they can also lead towards coming around to forgiveness and understanding.
The color palette is deeply saturated in a way that I can only describe as ‘dream-like.’ The colors are bold and feel carefully chosen to show the darker and lighter moments of Lily’s childhood and the chaos her mother's mental health placed on the lives of her family. Warmer colors are used more strongly during the happier moments of Lily's life and darker colors are strongly associated with the darker moments. There's so much contrast between orange and blue and each instance makes the page pop.
I would recommend this to fans of memoirs discussing how mental health of a parent impacts children and readers of graphic novels looking for something addressing the stigma mental health carries in China
Until We Meet Again by Lily Kim Qian is a memoir graphic novel that discusses the impact of mental health on children and how it affects them into adulthood. In her early childhood, Lily’s family lived in Canada and seemed to be living the perfect life, until her mother's mental health took a turn for the worse and her parents got a divorce. As an adult, Lily has her own struggles with depression and the scars that her childhood left behind.
One of the things that really hit home for me is Lily’s complex relationship with both her parents because it really reflects my own relationships with mine in ways I very rarely see in media. Like Lily, I think my father made mistakes, but he did the best he could with what he was given and I can acknowledge that there will always be the scars left by my mother, but she was not well and that wasn't her fault. I think that, as a society, we have to acknowledge more that sometimes the mother is not suited to be a parent and sometimes that's not her fault and she needs more tools and support so she can have a relationship with her children because it doesn't mean she doesn't love them. But, sometimes, the mother just should not be the person put in charge of caring for a child no matter what toxic femininity or society claims.
Growing up, talking about depression was just not a thing people did, as if it was a disease that could be caught just by saying it exists. The discussion around the stigma of mental health in China felt deeply familiar, especially in how that stigma impacts a parent in ways it might not impact younger generations when they realize they also have a mental illness. The shift towards acceptance from the people around Lily in America compared to how her mother was treated years earlier in Canada and then in China and Lily questioning whether things would have been different if her mother had more support is something I think a lot of us in a similar situation struggle with. The what ifs keep us up at night and can contribute to depression, but they can also lead towards coming around to forgiveness and understanding.
The color palette is deeply saturated in a way that I can only describe as ‘dream-like.’ The colors are bold and feel carefully chosen to show the darker and lighter moments of Lily’s childhood and the chaos her mother's mental health placed on the lives of her family. Warmer colors are used more strongly during the happier moments of Lily's life and darker colors are strongly associated with the darker moments. There's so much contrast between orange and blue and each instance makes the page pop.
I would recommend this to fans of memoirs discussing how mental health of a parent impacts children and readers of graphic novels looking for something addressing the stigma mental health carries in China
August 12, 2025
Beautifully illustrated graphic memoir. The art style, use of color, and bold lines enhance the minimal words. The novel tackles complex relationships and emotions in a sophisticated yet simple way. At its heart, it is a book about self-discovery and coming to terms with the realities of mental illness and healing. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys memoirs or graphic novels.
Thank you, NetGalley and First Second, for an ARC of this novel! All opinions are my own.
Thank you, NetGalley and First Second, for an ARC of this novel! All opinions are my own.
December 28, 2025
This beautifully illustrated memoir had me hooked from the first page.
The art is definitely the highlight for me! The colors were absolutely beautiful, and the lack of line art and textures of the brush makes each page look like a painting that should be in a museum!
The book itself was beautiful too, the hardships Lily faces at such a young age are so heartbreaking, and her being moved around from place to place with little to no say in her own life.
It felt very real, which is what you want from a memoir!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. all opinions are my own.
The art is definitely the highlight for me! The colors were absolutely beautiful, and the lack of line art and textures of the brush makes each page look like a painting that should be in a museum!
The book itself was beautiful too, the hardships Lily faces at such a young age are so heartbreaking, and her being moved around from place to place with little to no say in her own life.
It felt very real, which is what you want from a memoir!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. all opinions are my own.
April 15, 2026
Thank you so much to Fierce Reads and NetGalley for the eARC.
This graphic novel memoir was so beautifully crafted, in both writing and drawing. The art style was stunning, and I continuously found myself staring at the pages and getting lost in the colours.
I deeply admire how vulnerable the author is in writing this memoir. The book deals with mental health and generational trauma, all through the eyes of a girl growing up in an ever changing environment. It was deeply emotional, and my heart broke for her as she struggled to understand her mother’s journey with mental health and eventually her own.
Though a very quick read, it felt incredibly important. It portrays the effects mental health of parents has on children and highlights the stigma mental health has in China, all in an art style that has a dream-like quality, perfectly depicting what goes on in your head. I definitely recommend it as a quick read for a new perspective.
This graphic novel memoir was so beautifully crafted, in both writing and drawing. The art style was stunning, and I continuously found myself staring at the pages and getting lost in the colours.
I deeply admire how vulnerable the author is in writing this memoir. The book deals with mental health and generational trauma, all through the eyes of a girl growing up in an ever changing environment. It was deeply emotional, and my heart broke for her as she struggled to understand her mother’s journey with mental health and eventually her own.
Though a very quick read, it felt incredibly important. It portrays the effects mental health of parents has on children and highlights the stigma mental health has in China, all in an art style that has a dream-like quality, perfectly depicting what goes on in your head. I definitely recommend it as a quick read for a new perspective.
April 22, 2026
I received this book from Toppling Stacks Tour in exchange of an honest review.
So my tour stop is a 15 reactions post and will go live in 3 days! But a small review, a heartbreaking, emotional damage-filled graphic novel about a girl, her family (her mom with her mental illness, her dad who tries hard but is also constantly moving them around), about growing up in so many places, learning new language, about family and culture, about self image, and much more, this ruined me and I cried, I screamed, I wanted to step into the story and just give the girl a big big hug. I really loved every moment in this one even if it was hard to read. It pulled me in and didn't let me go until the end, I was constantly hoping it would all end good. And the art, OMG OMG that was so pretty. This is not your standard graphic novel/comic, it feels more like an artwork with a story intertwined. Hope that makes sense, I am still not doing OK after reading! I would HIGHLY recommend this one to all.
So my tour stop is a 15 reactions post and will go live in 3 days! But a small review, a heartbreaking, emotional damage-filled graphic novel about a girl, her family (her mom with her mental illness, her dad who tries hard but is also constantly moving them around), about growing up in so many places, learning new language, about family and culture, about self image, and much more, this ruined me and I cried, I screamed, I wanted to step into the story and just give the girl a big big hug. I really loved every moment in this one even if it was hard to read. It pulled me in and didn't let me go until the end, I was constantly hoping it would all end good. And the art, OMG OMG that was so pretty. This is not your standard graphic novel/comic, it feels more like an artwork with a story intertwined. Hope that makes sense, I am still not doing OK after reading! I would HIGHLY recommend this one to all.
March 10, 2026
thank you so much NetGalley for the advance copy!!
this graphic memoir was BEAUTIFUL! the art style was lush in richness and the story was raw and honest. i will always be one to read about being asian american and the struggles of being an immigrant and this one checked all the boxes for me!
this graphic memoir was BEAUTIFUL! the art style was lush in richness and the story was raw and honest. i will always be one to read about being asian american and the struggles of being an immigrant and this one checked all the boxes for me!
April 24, 2026
The illustrations, combined with the story, depict it in a way that spilled out of the page and made its impact on my heart. The illustrations were almost like a painting that shared the modern dilemma one faces when it comes to mental health and an identity crisis.
September 12, 2025
*thank you to Netgalley and First Second Books for the eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.*
I knew from the first page of this graphic novel that it would be a good one, full of emotion and relatability. The themes of a mother/daughter relationship damaged by mental illness from the perspective of the daughter are very close to me. It felt like a mirror to some of my own experiences, including the anger, pain, trauma, and grief for what could have been. Very good read, beautiful, thoughtful art, and overall 4/5 stars!
I knew from the first page of this graphic novel that it would be a good one, full of emotion and relatability. The themes of a mother/daughter relationship damaged by mental illness from the perspective of the daughter are very close to me. It felt like a mirror to some of my own experiences, including the anger, pain, trauma, and grief for what could have been. Very good read, beautiful, thoughtful art, and overall 4/5 stars!
September 29, 2025
A beautifully illustrated look at metal illness, divorce, and cultural expectations that shaped the author throughout her life. Moving and honest.
August 16, 2025
Until We Meet Again is a memoir graphic novel, depicting the life of author Lily Qian. She provides us insight into her mental health growing up, both her triumphs and struggles with living up to the expectations set by those around her. She is able to recognize these patterns and ultimately start on the path to healing herself.
I felt connected to her character, especially when it comes to growing up in an Asian household, where mental health issues are viewed as weakness. The graphics perfectly suited Lily’s writing style and I could easily picture myself in those moments.
Thank you to the publisher for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I felt connected to her character, especially when it comes to growing up in an Asian household, where mental health issues are viewed as weakness. The graphics perfectly suited Lily’s writing style and I could easily picture myself in those moments.
Thank you to the publisher for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 25, 2025
The thing about memoirs is that they’re someone’s story so there’s nothing for you to comment about the plot. It just is.
Until we meet again tells the story of the author growing up in Canada and China, and her family’s struggles with belonging and mental illness. I found myself relating to her a bit, having dealt with family members with severe mental illness like her mom, and having dealt with depression myself like the author, but I felt that something was lacking. It feels like just a brief overview of the authors life, like she’s giving me a brief summary of her life as we chat over drinks. I wanted the story to have more depth.
That said, the use of color is great and I liked the author’s art style, it complemented the story seamlessly. It was a nice read.
Until we meet again tells the story of the author growing up in Canada and China, and her family’s struggles with belonging and mental illness. I found myself relating to her a bit, having dealt with family members with severe mental illness like her mom, and having dealt with depression myself like the author, but I felt that something was lacking. It feels like just a brief overview of the authors life, like she’s giving me a brief summary of her life as we chat over drinks. I wanted the story to have more depth.
That said, the use of color is great and I liked the author’s art style, it complemented the story seamlessly. It was a nice read.
April 29, 2026
"I got used to the notion that nothing would stay for long in my life"
I was welling up with tears the entire time, this hit far too close to home and was, also, just sad! It had such a maturely hopeful ending and there were so many quotes that felt like an arrow to the heart. PLUS THE ART??? I'm going to be recommending this left and right when it comes out next year
I was welling up with tears the entire time, this hit far too close to home and was, also, just sad! It had such a maturely hopeful ending and there were so many quotes that felt like an arrow to the heart. PLUS THE ART??? I'm going to be recommending this left and right when it comes out next year
April 25, 2026
Artist Lily Kim Qian shares her a memoir of her life up until this point, from her childhood as a daughter of Chinese immigrants in Canada who moved between big cities and rural towns out West, her parents troubled relationship and her complicated relationship because of her mother's untreated mental health issues, her many moves over the years around Canada, and eventual move to China before going to New York for art school. She then shares her own mental health challenges during covid and her time in art school, and how she made it to a healthier place today and able to make this book.
This book would have taken bravery to write in sharing her inner thoughts and own struggles, while also being cathartic to help her process the ups and downs of her childhood precipitated by her mother's mental health. This isn't the kind of book you pick up because it is enjoyable, but to honor the one who wrote it, and to better understand and empathize with those with mental health issues. The first thing that struck me about this book was the utterly unique art style for a graphic memoir, but one that absolutely works wonderfully, is eye-catching, and very emotive. Qian is an up and coming artist/author to watch. Hand this to readers who want stories of the immigrant experience, overcoming mental health challenges, unique artwork, and brave memoirs.
Notes on content:
Language: None that I remember.
Sexual content: None
Violence: Qian shares about her mother being forcefully removed from her classroom by a teacher at one point when she was acting unstable. It wasn't really violent, but did involve pushing.
Ethnic diversity: Qian is Chinese Canadian, her parents are Chinese, she has friends in Elementary who are white Canadian and Chinese Canadian, and later in art school who are Americans of a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: Qian's parents got a divorce when she was young and yelling is portrayed with jagged lines in the art. Her mother was homeless off and on during her most unstable years. She was embarrassed by her mother as a child and says she didn't like her, and just wanted to be with her dad all the time. Her mother does eventually get more help and seems to be much healthier. Qian struggled with depression for a while, but got help from professionals before it got too bad.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book would have taken bravery to write in sharing her inner thoughts and own struggles, while also being cathartic to help her process the ups and downs of her childhood precipitated by her mother's mental health. This isn't the kind of book you pick up because it is enjoyable, but to honor the one who wrote it, and to better understand and empathize with those with mental health issues. The first thing that struck me about this book was the utterly unique art style for a graphic memoir, but one that absolutely works wonderfully, is eye-catching, and very emotive. Qian is an up and coming artist/author to watch. Hand this to readers who want stories of the immigrant experience, overcoming mental health challenges, unique artwork, and brave memoirs.
Notes on content:
Language: None that I remember.
Sexual content: None
Violence: Qian shares about her mother being forcefully removed from her classroom by a teacher at one point when she was acting unstable. It wasn't really violent, but did involve pushing.
Ethnic diversity: Qian is Chinese Canadian, her parents are Chinese, she has friends in Elementary who are white Canadian and Chinese Canadian, and later in art school who are Americans of a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: Qian's parents got a divorce when she was young and yelling is portrayed with jagged lines in the art. Her mother was homeless off and on during her most unstable years. She was embarrassed by her mother as a child and says she didn't like her, and just wanted to be with her dad all the time. Her mother does eventually get more help and seems to be much healthier. Qian struggled with depression for a while, but got help from professionals before it got too bad.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2026
⋆˙⟡ 4.75 stars ˙⊹
⋆˙⟡ — i love this <33 ଘ(੭◌ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ♡‧₊˚
203 pages, and 35 minutes of my life. but oh the way i will forever remember this book! an absolutely raw and gut-wrenching story said in the most calmest of pastel illustrations and a serene voice. until we meet again is a memoir written from the heart. the novel isn't anything monumental or life changing, its just a girl telling her life story, and that's what makes this book universal.
thank you to first second books for sending me an arc through netgalley! this does not affect my thoughts about the book in any way. out on april 21st, 2026!
you get to experience her emotions through her words and more evidently through the art. her confusion with scenes that meld into one another, her anger in the reds, her loneliness in all the deep purples. the book explores mental health struggles, complicated parent child relationships, the visceral need for a sense of belonging and just growing up as a kid who moved homes a lot. and at subtly it also explores belonging in a wider sense, how politics and regimes shape families. how it shapes generations. and at the root of it all is art. art that connects lily with her mother, her father, her popo.
anyone who picks up this book will find a piece of themself reflected in here. this novel will leave a lasting impression and it reminds you that to be human is to seek connection. it's learning to empathize and understand others. if you loved this time it's real or midnights with you, this book is for you!
.☘︎ ݁˖ "there's nothing wrong with a cloudy sky," my dad would say. "the clouds may be ever-changing, but the backdrop will always be blue."
⋆˙⟡ — i love this <33 ଘ(੭◌ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ♡‧₊˚
203 pages, and 35 minutes of my life. but oh the way i will forever remember this book! an absolutely raw and gut-wrenching story said in the most calmest of pastel illustrations and a serene voice. until we meet again is a memoir written from the heart. the novel isn't anything monumental or life changing, its just a girl telling her life story, and that's what makes this book universal.
thank you to first second books for sending me an arc through netgalley! this does not affect my thoughts about the book in any way. out on april 21st, 2026!
you get to experience her emotions through her words and more evidently through the art. her confusion with scenes that meld into one another, her anger in the reds, her loneliness in all the deep purples. the book explores mental health struggles, complicated parent child relationships, the visceral need for a sense of belonging and just growing up as a kid who moved homes a lot. and at subtly it also explores belonging in a wider sense, how politics and regimes shape families. how it shapes generations. and at the root of it all is art. art that connects lily with her mother, her father, her popo.
anyone who picks up this book will find a piece of themself reflected in here. this novel will leave a lasting impression and it reminds you that to be human is to seek connection. it's learning to empathize and understand others. if you loved this time it's real or midnights with you, this book is for you!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you netgalley for an eARC of this in exchange for an honest review
Until We Meet Again is a graphic novel memoir focused on Lily Kim Qian’s childhood and how constantly moving and mother’s mental health issues shaped her. For the positives, the artwork is absolutely gorgeous. It had consistent bold shapes, that seemed to be done by or mirror the look of paint markers, that made the illustrations bold and impactful. The flow of the story beautifully moves along at a quick pace, pausing for more impactful moments and smoothly traversing along afterwards. Even with simple scenes where the subjects were in rather stiff basic poses, it didn’t feel lacking artistically in any way.
My one critique of the book is a reoccurring theme with memoirs in that the ending always feels incomplete and almost idealistic in the assurance that everyone worked through their issues and it’s all good now. I certainly want that for everyone, but in this instance my final thoughts were more that the author is still too close to the events to be able to step back and put the same sort of analysis and reflection on their college/young adult life as they did their childhood, which left the end feeling a bit shallow comparatively. I’m not holding that against this memoir as this is more a failing of the format/genre itself and not necessarily that Until We Meet Again did particularly poorly with the ending. More that it fell into a familiar pitfall.
Overall I do think this is a worthwhile read and an author to follow for sure, hopefully with a fiction to let them really push their artwork out there.
Until We Meet Again is a graphic novel memoir focused on Lily Kim Qian’s childhood and how constantly moving and mother’s mental health issues shaped her. For the positives, the artwork is absolutely gorgeous. It had consistent bold shapes, that seemed to be done by or mirror the look of paint markers, that made the illustrations bold and impactful. The flow of the story beautifully moves along at a quick pace, pausing for more impactful moments and smoothly traversing along afterwards. Even with simple scenes where the subjects were in rather stiff basic poses, it didn’t feel lacking artistically in any way.
My one critique of the book is a reoccurring theme with memoirs in that the ending always feels incomplete and almost idealistic in the assurance that everyone worked through their issues and it’s all good now. I certainly want that for everyone, but in this instance my final thoughts were more that the author is still too close to the events to be able to step back and put the same sort of analysis and reflection on their college/young adult life as they did their childhood, which left the end feeling a bit shallow comparatively. I’m not holding that against this memoir as this is more a failing of the format/genre itself and not necessarily that Until We Meet Again did particularly poorly with the ending. More that it fell into a familiar pitfall.
Overall I do think this is a worthwhile read and an author to follow for sure, hopefully with a fiction to let them really push their artwork out there.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Until We Meet Again follows an Asian American girl growing up in the aftermath of her parents’ separation, which is caused by her mother’s undiagnosed schizophrenia. After the split, her father gains full custody, and the two move frequently from city to city, creating a life marked by instability, displacement, and emotional distance.
Throughout her childhood and adolescence, her mother drifts in and out of her life, her presence unpredictable and often confusing. This inconsistency deeply affects the protagonist’s sense of safety, identity, and self-worth. As she tries to make sense of her family dynamics, she develops persistent body image issues that become a coping mechanism and a quiet source of control amid chaos.
When she reaches adulthood and attends college, the unresolved trauma of her upbringing begins to surface. She experiences her own mental health struggles, which strain her relationships and lead to emotional isolation. Patterns of loss, shame, and self-criticism repeat, mirroring aspects of her childhood in painful ways.
Over time, however, the novel shifts toward healing. Through self-reflection, growth, and reckoning with her past, she begins to repair her relationship with her body and confront the long-standing damage caused by instability and silence around mental illness. Written by Lily Kim Qian, the novel is an intimate exploration of generational trauma, mental health, and the slow, non-linear process of learning to care for oneself.
Throughout her childhood and adolescence, her mother drifts in and out of her life, her presence unpredictable and often confusing. This inconsistency deeply affects the protagonist’s sense of safety, identity, and self-worth. As she tries to make sense of her family dynamics, she develops persistent body image issues that become a coping mechanism and a quiet source of control amid chaos.
When she reaches adulthood and attends college, the unresolved trauma of her upbringing begins to surface. She experiences her own mental health struggles, which strain her relationships and lead to emotional isolation. Patterns of loss, shame, and self-criticism repeat, mirroring aspects of her childhood in painful ways.
Over time, however, the novel shifts toward healing. Through self-reflection, growth, and reckoning with her past, she begins to repair her relationship with her body and confront the long-standing damage caused by instability and silence around mental illness. Written by Lily Kim Qian, the novel is an intimate exploration of generational trauma, mental health, and the slow, non-linear process of learning to care for oneself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🖼️ enjoy graphic novels
😢 have ever experienced PPD or PPP
📖 like memoirs
🧳 have moved several times in your life
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Lily isn't sure where home is anymore. Her family is constantly on the move, resettling in different towns across Canada and, eventually, in Shanghai, China. Her father plays the role of primary caregiver while her mother is absent for long periods of time. When she reappears, her strange behavior turns Lily's life upside down. As Lily enters her college years, she strives to better understand her family and her place in the world. But can she escape the inherited trauma passed down by her immigrant parents?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
I love graphic novels, and this one was absolutely fascinating. Written in short verse, and more pictures than words, I felt like I was beside the author as she told me her life story. As a mom myself, this was a sadder story for me, as I could relate to both the author and her mother. It must have been tough having a mom dealing with what appeared to be a bad case of PPP, and it upset me that the stigma of mental heath issues caused such a rift in their relationship. I liked that the story, while still actively happening today, ended on a more positive note and showed how getting help is healthy, and shouldn’t be stigmatized. I hope this author puts out more graphic novels in the future, whether memoir or fiction. She’s incredibly talented!
🖼️ enjoy graphic novels
😢 have ever experienced PPD or PPP
📖 like memoirs
🧳 have moved several times in your life
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Lily isn't sure where home is anymore. Her family is constantly on the move, resettling in different towns across Canada and, eventually, in Shanghai, China. Her father plays the role of primary caregiver while her mother is absent for long periods of time. When she reappears, her strange behavior turns Lily's life upside down. As Lily enters her college years, she strives to better understand her family and her place in the world. But can she escape the inherited trauma passed down by her immigrant parents?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
I love graphic novels, and this one was absolutely fascinating. Written in short verse, and more pictures than words, I felt like I was beside the author as she told me her life story. As a mom myself, this was a sadder story for me, as I could relate to both the author and her mother. It must have been tough having a mom dealing with what appeared to be a bad case of PPP, and it upset me that the stigma of mental heath issues caused such a rift in their relationship. I liked that the story, while still actively happening today, ended on a more positive note and showed how getting help is healthy, and shouldn’t be stigmatized. I hope this author puts out more graphic novels in the future, whether memoir or fiction. She’s incredibly talented!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you moved around a lot as a child/young adult, had an unstable parent, and deeply feel all that is around you AS WELL as feeling less than and guilty for that, this gorgeous graphic novel is for you.
I deeply felt Lily's story and recognized myself over and over in her story - it was interesting to see on paper so many things I have myself experienced [and have always been unable to fully articulate, especially how I see and feel things] and have felt and still feel.
I really loved how Lily tells her story [and how the illustrations really add to that - I know that I can look back at photos an know EXACTLY how I was feeling at that time because it has never really left me]; straightforward and unapologetic, yet also with hope that the person reading will both understand and be empathetic to all she has gone through.
What I truly loved about Lily's story though was her honesty, transparency [even when it was difficult] about her mixed feelings in regard to her mother [both from when she was growing up and now], but most of all, all the beautiful hope and encouragement she leaves the reader with, It helped me feel like I could keep moving forward and continue on.
A truly gorgeous book that I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lily Kim Qian, and First Second Books/First Second for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I deeply felt Lily's story and recognized myself over and over in her story - it was interesting to see on paper so many things I have myself experienced [and have always been unable to fully articulate, especially how I see and feel things] and have felt and still feel.
I really loved how Lily tells her story [and how the illustrations really add to that - I know that I can look back at photos an know EXACTLY how I was feeling at that time because it has never really left me]; straightforward and unapologetic, yet also with hope that the person reading will both understand and be empathetic to all she has gone through.
What I truly loved about Lily's story though was her honesty, transparency [even when it was difficult] about her mixed feelings in regard to her mother [both from when she was growing up and now], but most of all, all the beautiful hope and encouragement she leaves the reader with, It helped me feel like I could keep moving forward and continue on.
A truly gorgeous book that I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lily Kim Qian, and First Second Books/First Second for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 18, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ebook in exchange for an honest review.
4/5 stars
This memoir stuck with me. I actually reread it before writing this review because I couldn’t quite nail down what I was feeling. In some ways, this is phenomenal. The color palette and art style prove to be amazingly versatile and suit a number of different moods throughout the story. Some of the imagery was incredibly striking and evocative. At the same time, though, there were some odd details that I couldn’t understand why they were included, such as the fact that a deer shed an antler in their backyard the day they moved in. Sometimes it felt like it breezed over long periods of time and I couldn’t get a sense of how much time was actually passing.
Overall, I think I’m left with a very positive impression of it. I think that it has a lot of interesting things to say about generational trauma and mental health, but I almost wish it had narrowed the view in a bit more and spent more time in specific stretches of time.
I also had a hard time reading the text on some of the spreads. The dark grey color did not stand out well against the dark or busy backgrounds and I often had to squint and lean in to read it.
4/5 stars
This memoir stuck with me. I actually reread it before writing this review because I couldn’t quite nail down what I was feeling. In some ways, this is phenomenal. The color palette and art style prove to be amazingly versatile and suit a number of different moods throughout the story. Some of the imagery was incredibly striking and evocative. At the same time, though, there were some odd details that I couldn’t understand why they were included, such as the fact that a deer shed an antler in their backyard the day they moved in. Sometimes it felt like it breezed over long periods of time and I couldn’t get a sense of how much time was actually passing.
Overall, I think I’m left with a very positive impression of it. I think that it has a lot of interesting things to say about generational trauma and mental health, but I almost wish it had narrowed the view in a bit more and spent more time in specific stretches of time.
I also had a hard time reading the text on some of the spreads. The dark grey color did not stand out well against the dark or busy backgrounds and I often had to squint and lean in to read it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Genre 📚: Memoir, Nonfiction, Graphic Novel
CW ⚠️: Parents fighting, messy divorce/custody battles, depression, ED, body image issues
Rating ⭐️: 5/5
Until We Meet Again is a gorgeously illustrated memoir, following Lily Kim Qian from birth to young adulthood. From Canada to China, and eventually, to the US. She has a very dreamy, visceral art style that depicts all the complicated emotions she went through. Having to listen to her parents argue, having to jump from household to household. Then having to navigate her mother’s mental health struggles while also trying to navigate her own.
It’s a short but impactful read, as I related to a lot of Lily’s experiences. And though some of it was hard to get through (they hit a little too close to home), I appreciated the brutal honesty. She doesn’t delve too deep, but the images and choice of words are enough; they truly speak volumes. I’m sure many more people will relate and feel validated. For me, the most powerful stories are the ones, like this, that reassure readers they’re not alone in their struggles.
Thanks for the reassurance, Lily. ❤️
**Much thanks to NetGalley and First Second for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Until We Meet Again will be released on April 21, 2026.
CW ⚠️: Parents fighting, messy divorce/custody battles, depression, ED, body image issues
Rating ⭐️: 5/5
Until We Meet Again is a gorgeously illustrated memoir, following Lily Kim Qian from birth to young adulthood. From Canada to China, and eventually, to the US. She has a very dreamy, visceral art style that depicts all the complicated emotions she went through. Having to listen to her parents argue, having to jump from household to household. Then having to navigate her mother’s mental health struggles while also trying to navigate her own.
It’s a short but impactful read, as I related to a lot of Lily’s experiences. And though some of it was hard to get through (they hit a little too close to home), I appreciated the brutal honesty. She doesn’t delve too deep, but the images and choice of words are enough; they truly speak volumes. I’m sure many more people will relate and feel validated. For me, the most powerful stories are the ones, like this, that reassure readers they’re not alone in their struggles.
Thanks for the reassurance, Lily. ❤️
**Much thanks to NetGalley and First Second for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Until We Meet Again will be released on April 21, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoyed this serious, yet ultimately hopeful coming of age graphic memoir. Since the Covid-19 Pandemic, I've noticed that more media is dealing with the breaking of generational trauma. While we've seen the more fantastical versions of that with Turning Red and Encanto, I like that now we are starting to get texts like this that are dealing with the same themes but from a grounded, realistic viewpoint.
Qian shares her story of growing up in an unpredictable and unstable home and illustrates the feelings that illicits beautifully throughout the book. The way she draws herself as a literal and metaphorical lily at times makes for striking images. The contrast that she uses between vibrantly colorful pages and those consumed by blackness also shows the emotional turmoil she endured.
I also really appreciated the normalization of meds and therapy for mental health issues that Qian incorporates into her story. That kind of representation and messaging is vital in nonfiction for teens and new adults.
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Qian shares her story of growing up in an unpredictable and unstable home and illustrates the feelings that illicits beautifully throughout the book. The way she draws herself as a literal and metaphorical lily at times makes for striking images. The contrast that she uses between vibrantly colorful pages and those consumed by blackness also shows the emotional turmoil she endured.
I also really appreciated the normalization of meds and therapy for mental health issues that Qian incorporates into her story. That kind of representation and messaging is vital in nonfiction for teens and new adults.
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 14, 2025
Lily and her father keep moving. Ever since her mother had a mental breakdown, they have found themselves moving from place to place.This makes it hard for Lily to make friends, or even think that anything will last. And when her mother pops back into her life from time to time, she finds this all jarring and even more disruptive.
This is a very touching memoir. Because the author is so young, some things are left open, such as what will happen to her parents now that she is living elsewhere, having graduated college.
Although I didn’t cry, I did feel for Lily and all she had to put up with.
The illustrations are gorgeous, and lovely to look at,as she explains about mental illness, and shows us how it feels, the knots that wind around her, enveloping her thoughts.
Here is to hoping we will get more graphic novels from this very talented author.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 21st of April 2026.
This is a very touching memoir. Because the author is so young, some things are left open, such as what will happen to her parents now that she is living elsewhere, having graduated college.
Although I didn’t cry, I did feel for Lily and all she had to put up with.
The illustrations are gorgeous, and lovely to look at,as she explains about mental illness, and shows us how it feels, the knots that wind around her, enveloping her thoughts.
Here is to hoping we will get more graphic novels from this very talented author.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 21st of April 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Throughout her childhood, all Lily has known is the constant struggle of moving multiple times. From Canada to China and all the places in between, nowhere truly feels like home. Lily witnesses her mother deteriorating through a possible mental illness, as her father works in architecture, yet everything is spiraling out of control, leading to a divorce. Distant cultures meet inherited trauma through foreign foods and the wonderings of who Lily truly is.
This was heartbreaking to an extreme degree. And I was tearing up all the way through. This graphic memoir brings on the agony as it mixes with the confusion of what life means. Lily has witnessed so much in her life and has gone through such an ordeal growing up. Those cobalt blues and peachy reds flow across the pages telling a life story of psychotic breakdowns, college degrees, and generational family. This memoir definitely brings on the tears and the heartache.
Throughout her childhood, all Lily has known is the constant struggle of moving multiple times. From Canada to China and all the places in between, nowhere truly feels like home. Lily witnesses her mother deteriorating through a possible mental illness, as her father works in architecture, yet everything is spiraling out of control, leading to a divorce. Distant cultures meet inherited trauma through foreign foods and the wonderings of who Lily truly is.
This was heartbreaking to an extreme degree. And I was tearing up all the way through. This graphic memoir brings on the agony as it mixes with the confusion of what life means. Lily has witnessed so much in her life and has gone through such an ordeal growing up. Those cobalt blues and peachy reds flow across the pages telling a life story of psychotic breakdowns, college degrees, and generational family. This memoir definitely brings on the tears and the heartache.
April 24, 2026
What an amazing graphic-novel-memoir of the author. It is well illustrated and told. Holy smokes, Lily Kim Qian essentially reps many immigrants’ lives and their struggles. In addition, her story also highlights many people’s experiences with mental-health and the impact it has on all of us. Be ready for triggers! Seriously though I had my “it’s you not me crying” moments after finishing it. It is so raw, poignant and genuine that anyone could literally feel her pain and triumph. The storyline from her childhood to adulthood is engaging with her emotions and strife covering so many issues, identity and relationships. She is basically existing in the “neither nor” universe and the “karmic retribution” as she mentioned in the book. This graphic novel is so easy to read, page turning and most of all the beautiful + colorful images came to life once the story started. It is one of my favorite read this year so far and I can’t wait to share this with my kids and I hope you get the opportunity to read it too.
November 16, 2025
An absolutely beautiful illustration style with fantastic use of color and texture, bringing to mind pastels or block printing. The color changes and more amorphous environments/backgrounds really enhanced different moods in the story. The writing style was not what I usually anticipate from a graphic memoir, as this is told strictly from the author's words and not from conversations with other characters. This does not diminish the book to me, however some chapters felt a little free floating or underdeveloped in relation to the rest of the narrative. A very vulnerable telling of the difficult parts of growing up, moving, and finding oneself while understanding where and who you come from.
I could see this being a great choice for a summer reading list, or a library YA book club. This is one of those books that I hope inspires a young person to tell their own story and find their own artistic style.
Many thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for the digital ARC!
I could see this being a great choice for a summer reading list, or a library YA book club. This is one of those books that I hope inspires a young person to tell their own story and find their own artistic style.
Many thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for the digital ARC!
December 5, 2025
thank you to first second and netgalley for providing an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review! this book was absolutely gorgeous, and i feel like it would be even more enjoyable to read a physical copy and pick up on more of the detail in the illustration. qian is an extremely talented artist, and her work on the book’s cover is what immediately caught my attention (i know, i know, but let me live). the literal and more abstract ways in which she chooses to depict some of the scenes here were incredible. the narration is fairly simple, but it is significantly enhanced by the illustrations (duh, that’s the whole point, but you know what i mean). this was a relatively quick read, but i’d happily read it again in the future. if you like graphic memoirs, this is definitely worth a read when it comes out in april.
this review is also available on instagram here!
this review is also available on instagram here!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC to read and review.
I honestly love memior graphic novels. I feel like the art adds an added depth to the emotions of the story, and this one did not disappoint.
The illustrations in this book were beautiful and added to the complexities of some of the more difficult topics in this book.
This book is about the authors childhood- moving constantly from school to school, her mothers mental health struggles, divorce, custody battles, her own mental health and body image.
There was a line in the book: "I allowed myself to feel, even if those feelings were negative. I realized that sorrow is something that you can't avoid sometimes. And that is okay."
That hit HARD. As a person with mental health diagnosis, and the oldest daughter of divorced parents. I empathized with the author, a few different times.
This was an emotional but beautiful story that I will probably end up purchasing for my shelf.
I honestly love memior graphic novels. I feel like the art adds an added depth to the emotions of the story, and this one did not disappoint.
The illustrations in this book were beautiful and added to the complexities of some of the more difficult topics in this book.
This book is about the authors childhood- moving constantly from school to school, her mothers mental health struggles, divorce, custody battles, her own mental health and body image.
There was a line in the book: "I allowed myself to feel, even if those feelings were negative. I realized that sorrow is something that you can't avoid sometimes. And that is okay."
That hit HARD. As a person with mental health diagnosis, and the oldest daughter of divorced parents. I empathized with the author, a few different times.
This was an emotional but beautiful story that I will probably end up purchasing for my shelf.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4/5 Stars
Lily Kim Qian shares a absolutely beautifully illustrated graphic memoir about her life, her struggles with moving countries, family dynamics, and mental health of both herself and her mother. This story feels as if I got to sit down and have a cup of coffee, getting to know our author over a couple hours. I very much enjoyed it, I related to some of the struggles, empathized with the highs and lows, and consumed it all in one sitting. I highly recommend this book.
The feeling of such an intimate story made me want to ask so many questions! This book could potentially turn into a full length, best selling novel form of memoir and allow those with all the questions get more of an in depth view of everything!
Thank you so much to Lily Kim Qian for sharing your story and to Netgalley and First Second Books, for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Lily Kim Qian shares a absolutely beautifully illustrated graphic memoir about her life, her struggles with moving countries, family dynamics, and mental health of both herself and her mother. This story feels as if I got to sit down and have a cup of coffee, getting to know our author over a couple hours. I very much enjoyed it, I related to some of the struggles, empathized with the highs and lows, and consumed it all in one sitting. I highly recommend this book.
The feeling of such an intimate story made me want to ask so many questions! This book could potentially turn into a full length, best selling novel form of memoir and allow those with all the questions get more of an in depth view of everything!
Thank you so much to Lily Kim Qian for sharing your story and to Netgalley and First Second Books, for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews