emminkirjakasa's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Absolutely loved this and read it in almost one sitting. Toxic relationships are always hard, but this one handles the topic so well. The characters were fun and the illustrations so beautiful.
I recommend this a lot, many good topics and lgbtq+ representation.
I recommend this a lot, many good topics and lgbtq+ representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Emotional abuse
kriee's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
jaeski's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"The truth is, breakups are usually messy, the way people are messy, the way life is often messy. It's okay for a breakup to feel like a disaster. It doesn't feel okay, but I assure you it is okay. It's also true that you can break up with someone you still love. Because those two things are not distinct territories: love and not loving anymore."
an important book for lgbtq teens navigating toxic/abusive relationships and breakups. its important for young gay girls to know that sapphic relationships can be toxic or unhealthy too. personally i didn't vibe that strongly with the characters though, and most of it read like messy american teen drama, though realistic bc life is messy.
i really like the message about the importance of friendships, and how sometimes we can neglect our friends bc of a significant other. the advice about breakups is also something i needed to hear.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Minor: Abortion and Adult/minor relationship
sweetsxrrxw's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
one thing i absolutely love to see nowadays in cartoons or comics is diverse characters <3 i don't care if they're extras, seeing hijabis or pocs makes me truly happy :') so yeah, in terms of diversity, this is a 10/10. also the illustrations were really pretty and the pink theme was lovely <3
as to the plot, i love how the story deals with different serious topics. the main one is toxic relationships and how it affects the main character and, eventually, her friendships. laura dean is a perfect example of what a toxic and manipulative partner looks like. this story is basically about slowly being able to cut the person who's hurting you off.
and yeah, i know it is just a graphic novel and that it should only have one focus but there were some other subplots which would have been very interesting to see
however i am aware that this story had one important theme and the author decided to stick to it. that's why really liked that, even though a possible romance with vi was hinted, it was never shown. it's cool that they focused on solely the toxic relationship and the happiness you feel after so many downs and after being able to acknowledge your worth and finally let go
so yeah, this is a really nice read and i encourage every teen who has ever gone through a toxic relationship to read it! :)
ps: another thing i'd like to mention is how the story didn't have any straight token friends. everyone around freddy's circle is queer
as to the plot, i love how the story deals with different serious topics. the main one is toxic relationships and how it affects the main character and, eventually, her friendships. laura dean is a perfect example of what a toxic and manipulative partner looks like. this story is basically about slowly being able to cut the person who's hurting you off.
and yeah, i know it is just a graphic novel and that it should only have one focus but there were some other subplots which would have been very interesting to see
Spoiler
such as chris and buddy's relationship and how they managed to go through their ups and downs or, more importantly, doodle's process of abortion.however i am aware that this story had one important theme and the author decided to stick to it. that's why really liked that, even though a possible romance with vi was hinted, it was never shown. it's cool that they focused on solely the toxic relationship and the happiness you feel after so many downs and after being able to acknowledge your worth and finally let go
so yeah, this is a really nice read and i encourage every teen who has ever gone through a toxic relationship to read it! :)
ps: another thing i'd like to mention is how the story didn't have any straight token friends. everyone around freddy's circle is queer
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit and Homophobia
onion's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Excrement, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Abortion and Pregnancy
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Medical content
ender24's review
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, Pedophilia, Racism, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, and Pregnancy
saucy_bookdragon's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A story with complex characters that accurately portrays an abusive relationship, especially how abusers cut you off from friends, or at least try to. All told with a beautiful art style that uses only black, white, and pink.
TWs: emotional abuse, unplanned pregnancy, drinking.
TWs: emotional abuse, unplanned pregnancy, drinking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abortion, Vomit, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, and Lesbophobia
parasolcrafter's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
this book just feels underdeveloped and bare. i gained almost nothing from it, because everything is just so shallow :/ we know almost nothing abt the characters aside from their names and faces, so they end up feeling very two-dimensional. theyre also just...nor likable? idk, maybe its bc their characterizations are so lacking but the only character i really care abt is doodle. the other two characters are fine, but we know so little about them
also why did the characters act like being 18 is so old??? the characters themselves are 17 and the 18 year olds were like 'im too old for you omg im ancient </3' like. was that supposed to be a joke or something bc it was so weird. 17 and 18 year olds can literally be born a day apart. what on earth
also why did the characters act like being 18 is so old??? the characters themselves are 17 and the 18 year olds were like 'im too old for you omg im ancient </3' like. was that supposed to be a joke or something bc it was so weird. 17 and 18 year olds can literally be born a day apart. what on earth
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
anniereads221's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Adult/minor relationship
infinitefandomstrash's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Vomit