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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I loved and hated it. I was yelling at the book. She should have told her go get a life. True Friends are better then shitty girlfriends or boyfriends.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Visuals that are warm, soft, clean, and lush all at the same time illustrate a compassionate story of emotional manipulation, heartache, and solidarity.
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What does it mean to love someone if it only hurts you every time you go back?
Love the aesthetic of the visuals. Fine lines, considerate use of color, and well-illustrated. Cute character designs.
I love the advice-column writing interspersed throughout the novel. It connects the narrative and we can directly see what the main character feels. I do wish Anna Vice was used more as a storytelling device, as her inclusion feels random and disconnected to the rest of the characters.
The characters really got on my nerves in a purposeful way. The main character is supposed to be a bad friend, Laura Dean is supposed to be toxic yet complex. I wish we saw more of Laura Dean—the story is more explored through the main character's interactions with her friends. It would be cool to see a novel telling Laura Dean's side of the story.
Overall, a cute graphic novel that follows a satisfying plot.
Love the aesthetic of the visuals. Fine lines, considerate use of color, and well-illustrated. Cute character designs.
I love the advice-column writing interspersed throughout the novel. It connects the narrative and we can directly see what the main character feels. I do wish Anna Vice was used more as a storytelling device, as her inclusion feels random and disconnected to the rest of the characters.
The characters really got on my nerves in a purposeful way. The main character is supposed to be a bad friend, Laura Dean is supposed to be toxic yet complex. I wish we saw more of Laura Dean—the story is more explored through the main character's interactions with her friends. It would be cool to see a novel telling Laura Dean's side of the story.
Overall, a cute graphic novel that follows a satisfying plot.
Made for a fun afternoon. The art is gorgeous. The writing is solid, though I found the fragmented advice column hard to follow at times. The story is relatable, but I'm at a point in my life where I'm tired of stories centered around high school.
Inclusion is nice, even if that inclusion is basically just an episode of Degrassi.
You know when you are young and you are in your first relationship that you know isn't working? You need to break up with them but ripping that band-aid off hurts. So you try to make it work, you tell yourself this relationship is actually fine. And it just becomes toxic.
This is what this comic is really about at its core, and I think I'm just at an age where that kind of story isn't really for me anymore. For me, the characters aren't relatable, they are frustrating because I'm an adult that has already learned these lessons.
Art is great. Story might have been great if maybe it had another volume to stretch its legs.
You know when you are young and you are in your first relationship that you know isn't working? You need to break up with them but ripping that band-aid off hurts. So you try to make it work, you tell yourself this relationship is actually fine. And it just becomes toxic.
This is what this comic is really about at its core, and I think I'm just at an age where that kind of story isn't really for me anymore. For me, the characters aren't relatable, they are frustrating because I'm an adult that has already learned these lessons.
Art is great. Story might have been great if maybe it had another volume to stretch its legs.
**spoilers below**
Wow, this has been on my tbr for A WHILE, and I'm so glad I finally got around to picking it up.
The art in this was literally phenomenal, I think I might actually be frothing at the mouth. Definitely going to pick this up again just to do some studies of some of those pages because WOWOWOWOW. The panelling?? The compositions??! The lineart?!!!!! THE EVERYTHING?!?!?!?!?!!
'Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me' follows Freddie Riley and the entanglement she unfortunately finds herself in with fellow classmate Laura Dean.
Their relationship is definitely the farthest thing from healthy. This spans from them constantly being on-and off, usually as a result of a flimsy reason Laura Dean would provide (not that one needs a 'grand' reason or anything to break up with someone, but there was definitely a pattern in which Laura Dean would keep breaking up with Freddy but would keep constantly seeking her out), to numerous instances of lying and cheating. Just... yikes - all around.
Freddy, however, can't seem to deny Laura Dean whenever she seeks her out again.
I really liked how the author's exploration of their unhealthy relationship, and showed how it not only affects Freddy and her self-esteem and mental health - but the relationships she has with those closest around her - and we see her gradually growing apart from her best friends as she continues to put Laura Dean first.
Freddy appeared to both thrive and wither under Laura Dean's attention. Laura Dean was portrayed to be quite a 'fleeting' character, always just beyond Freddy's grasp - despite them being in a relationship, which would explain why Freddy would keep cancelling or forgetting plans with her friends when Laura Dean called - if just for a moment to bask in Laura Dean's love and attention - no matter how short-lived the moment may be.
However, this also resulted in feelings of insecurity and paranoia, as well as an onslaught of constant overthinking regarding her relationship and her standing with Laura Dean.
It was very satisfying to get to see Freddy's growth by the end of the novel, never has a break-up been so satisfying, god.
Mariko Tamaki had me wanting to fight a 17 year old, Laura Dean has to be one of the most frustrating characters I've come across in a while.
Me and Laura Dean squaring up while the author lives her best life:
The scene where she texted Freddy that she had an 'emergency'?!! OOOOOOOOH that made me so angry!!
Despite me not really connecting to the characters the most, I don't think that really affected my enjoyment of this graphic novel. Reading this was such a carthartic experience, and I think I have the art to thank for that (Rosemary Valero-O'Connell, I love you).
I usually find that it is quite difficult to have the most fleshed out characters and plots in graphic novels, especially stand-alones, so I can't really fault the novel on that aspect.
Anyways, I'm really glad I finally picked this up - this has made me rediscover my love for graphic novels, can't wait to get back into reading them : )
(Sapphic Book Bingo 2022 Prompt: Established Relationship)
Wow, this has been on my tbr for A WHILE, and I'm so glad I finally got around to picking it up.
The art in this was literally phenomenal, I think I might actually be frothing at the mouth. Definitely going to pick this up again just to do some studies of some of those pages because WOWOWOWOW. The panelling?? The compositions??! The lineart?!!!!! THE EVERYTHING?!?!?!?!?!!
'Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me' follows Freddie Riley and the entanglement she unfortunately finds herself in with fellow classmate Laura Dean.
Their relationship is definitely the farthest thing from healthy. This spans from them constantly being on-and off, usually as a result of a flimsy reason Laura Dean would provide (not that one needs a 'grand' reason or anything to break up with someone, but there was definitely a pattern in which Laura Dean would keep breaking up with Freddy but would keep constantly seeking her out), to numerous instances of lying and cheating. Just... yikes - all around.
Freddy, however, can't seem to deny Laura Dean whenever she seeks her out again.
I really liked how the author's exploration of their unhealthy relationship, and showed how it not only affects Freddy and her self-esteem and mental health - but the relationships she has with those closest around her - and we see her gradually growing apart from her best friends as she continues to put Laura Dean first.
Freddy appeared to both thrive and wither under Laura Dean's attention. Laura Dean was portrayed to be quite a 'fleeting' character, always just beyond Freddy's grasp - despite them being in a relationship, which would explain why Freddy would keep cancelling or forgetting plans with her friends when Laura Dean called - if just for a moment to bask in Laura Dean's love and attention - no matter how short-lived the moment may be.
"I honestly don't want to talk or think about her ever again.
Except
Everything leads back to her.
Including me."
However, this also resulted in feelings of insecurity and paranoia, as well as an onslaught of constant overthinking regarding her relationship and her standing with Laura Dean.
It was very satisfying to get to see Freddy's growth by the end of the novel, never has a break-up been so satisfying, god.
Mariko Tamaki had me wanting to fight a 17 year old, Laura Dean has to be one of the most frustrating characters I've come across in a while.
Me and Laura Dean squaring up while the author lives her best life:
The scene where she texted Freddy that she had an 'emergency'?!! OOOOOOOOH that made me so angry!!
Despite me not really connecting to the characters the most, I don't think that really affected my enjoyment of this graphic novel. Reading this was such a carthartic experience, and I think I have the art to thank for that (Rosemary Valero-O'Connell, I love you).
I usually find that it is quite difficult to have the most fleshed out characters and plots in graphic novels, especially stand-alones, so I can't really fault the novel on that aspect.
Anyways, I'm really glad I finally picked this up - this has made me rediscover my love for graphic novels, can't wait to get back into reading them : )
(Sapphic Book Bingo 2022 Prompt: Established Relationship)
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book made me glad I haven't been through a break-up in over a decade. It quickly brought back the emotions of what it feels like though and it's a shitty thing humans deal with. Otherwise, I loved the representation in this book just not so much the plot. However, I definitely see where it can send an important message to people going through similar things.