ok so as a preface to this review: I've never read (or experienced an adaptation of) emma, so this will just be a review based on the merits of this graphic novel as itself and not as a retelling.

i... did not really like this at all. i do not like any of the characters, and not in a "they're complicated and i appreciate that"-way, they're just all flat and boring. the main character is just mean, and at times borderline malicious with some of the choices he makes. i understand that he's got his own self-confidence issues but it barely even makes an appearance in the story and has no bearing on the plot or romance - so like, what was the point? why place emphasis on it if not to use it? or at least have a tender moment with the main couple? did i just skip pages accidentally or something?

also, the chemistry between the endgame romances is meant to be assumed - the authors seem to think that you'll simply see their romance without them doing very much to prove it. yes, davi and evan (? i forgot his name. wow) are childhood friends, but

they don't really get much time alone together to talk and learn about EACH OTHER instead of speculating on other people's issues and arguing about whether or not someone else was gay. you are not given very much as a reader to feel like they actually love each other, just that they have a connection of some kind as childhood friends.

overall a pretty boring and emotionally uninspiring romance. 

the lesbian couple literally doesn't get ANY time at all - they just happen off the page at the very end while the main character worries about whether his bi friend is gonna be sad that he bagged "her crush". there's not even another lesbian in the book to balance it out. just het girls and their jock boyfriends. and they don't get very much time at all either! they barely get time to explain to the main character how it felt when he was super mean to them.  they're just there to be haha funny "token" gay has "token" het girlfriends. who do nothing. don't even get to show that friendship, actually. 

what struck me was that the main character really doesn't get time to understand where he went wrong, he just... apologises. no scene to show how he makes it up, or that he's really learned. just a load of scenes of him saying sorry. the bare minimum will do, i suppose. the social media aspect is also weird and never really gets to be part of the plot - i thought it'd be more of an element but i guess not ?? like ?? why wouldn't he use it for matchmaking or whatever ??

so. overall this novels greatest problem is pacing. everything is fast fast fast, and doesn't leave for moments of contemplation. it would benefit from a few more pages but frankly i'd prefer if they overhauled the whole thing. would've benefited from another round of editing in the storyboard phase. or whatever that is when it comes to graphic novels. i've forgotten 75% of this novel and i finished it just this morning. oh dear