Heavenly Days

Is it possible to recapture the magic of falling in love? Debut author Frank puts this question at the forefront of this complex and twist-filled trans love story. Elise and Annie strike up a conversation at Cafe Chateau, bonding over how much they miss Magnolias, the spot it replaced (though to their relief, the cake hasn’t changed). Their instant connection and eagerly rambling dialogue leads them to meet up again the next day—and thus begins a giddy seven-day fling. To capture the energizing feeling of a new relationship and avoid the potential anxiety of a sustained partnership, Elise and Annie decide to be together for one week only. As the days go by and the two lovers express their deepest feelings to one another, their looming deadline becomes increasingly hard to bear, raising the question of whether they can commit to a new arrangement. Frank’s sketchy, fragmented lines reflect the fleeting nature of new love, offering only what’s essential in each panel. The plain typeset narration sits, sometimes squished, above the simple art, imbuing the proceedings with a DIY feel. The result is a quirky, ephemeral, and almost otherworldly romance. (Sept.)