Bloom

Kevin Panetta

Book 1 of Bloom

A YA graphic novel about Ari, a recent high school grad who dreams of leaving his small coastal town to chase a music career with his band, but is tied down by his family's struggling Greek bakery. While searching for someone to take his place at the bakery, he meets Hector, an easygoing aspiring baker still grieving his grandmother, and the two slowly fall for each other over long shifts of bread and pastry. Illustrated in blue-toned duotone art, it's a quiet, character-driven story about first love, family obligation, and figuring out what you actually want from life.