Reviews with content warning for Adult/minor relationship - Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me

"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.

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sweetsxrrxw's review against another edition

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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

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

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onion's review against another edition

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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

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ender24's review

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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

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fieldfarmer's review

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emotional hopeful 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

4.0

This book has some of the most gorgeous art I've ever seen. I absolutely adore the way every single character is drawn, and the pure excitement I felt seeing a fat character in a successful, loving relationship is unmatched. Other than that, the not uniquely queer but too often queer experience of clinging to first loves was captured so well. I loved how Freddy, in her own time, finally accepted the advice of her older queer peers and best friends who just want what's best for her. I also loved how Freddy had to realize the importance of her friendship with Doodle to, in a way, find her courage and self importance to step away and reassess her relationship with Laura Dean. I love finding Freddy's courage with her, and I'd do it all over again.

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saucy_bookdragon's review

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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.

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Reviews tagging 'Adult/minor relationship'

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki

katsmedialibrary's review

rachbake's review against another edition

bookishsapphicshay's review

pmileham's review

sidofherran's review

sweetsxrrxw's review against another edition

onion's review against another edition

ender24's review

fieldfarmer's review

saucy_bookdragon's review