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Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki
254 reviews
letiross's review against another edition
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia and Vomit
enchantedsleeper's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
I read this in an evening and a morning because I enjoyed it so much. The artwork is lovely, and I particularly liked the way the world around Freddy literally comes to life with inanimate objects talking - I didn't exactly get why, but it was a cool touch.
At times I found Freddy's tunnel vision towards Laura Dean aggravating - I wished that her friends could have been more upfront with her, and said "look, this girl treats you terribly, why do you keep going back to her?" Or spelled out more than she'd been behaving like that herself, just plain ignoring them. But she came to her senses finally.
I would have liked the subplot of the Seek-Her to get more resolved, and I wouldn't have minded spending longer in the aftermath of post-Laura Dean, especially spending more time with Freddy's friends (who are awesome characters) now that she's actually paying attention to them. But it was an uplifting and feel-good ending, and the moment where Freddy finally *did* break up with Laura Dean was very satisfying.
At times I found Freddy's tunnel vision towards Laura Dean aggravating - I wished that her friends could have been more upfront with her, and said "look, this girl treats you terribly, why do you keep going back to her?" Or spelled out more than she'd been behaving like that herself, just plain ignoring them. But she came to her senses finally.
I would have liked the subplot of the Seek-Her to get more resolved, and I wouldn't have minded spending longer in the aftermath of post-Laura Dean, especially spending more time with Freddy's friends (who are awesome characters) now that she's actually paying attention to them. But it was an uplifting and feel-good ending, and the moment where Freddy finally *did* break up with Laura Dean was very satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
finally got around to reading this, and laura dean keeps breaking up with me imo is a graphic novel w/ great art meandered by an important though frustrating story.
this book is effortlessly queer and it's great to see how everyone's so comfortable w/ their queerness, though some realistic homophobia exists as well. however, my fav thing abt this book is the art, how valero-o'connell is able to strike the perfect balance of simplicity and detail in her lineart, in addition to a distinct sense of place and great composition + transition. The usage of pink - either for emphasis or separation - in certain panels and scenes also injects a refreshing and effective pop of color that not only complements but also elevates the story.
speaking of story, it's certainly an effective one as it makes me wanna tear my hair out. the toxicity and emotional manipulation in freddy and laura's relationship is very realistically depicted, and thus frustrates me to no end. the book's subject matter and themes are certainly important, esp considering its demographic, however the main characters and their dynamic exasperate me too much to glance at this book and not have some sense of irritation bubble up. i also wish the ending was a lil longer to see freddy and her friends beyond the toxicity imposed by laura's presence, just to balance things out a bit.
overall, this graphic novel is one that sheds some crucial awareness on emotional abuse in relationships - all the more rare bc it's a queer one between girls - and the art's certainly lovely, but i personally dislike some of the characters and their dynamic to be able to say w/ my whole chest that i like this book, thus the 2.75 rating.
this book is effortlessly queer and it's great to see how everyone's so comfortable w/ their queerness, though some realistic homophobia exists as well. however, my fav thing abt this book is the art, how valero-o'connell is able to strike the perfect balance of simplicity and detail in her lineart, in addition to a distinct sense of place and great composition + transition. The usage of pink - either for emphasis or separation - in certain panels and scenes also injects a refreshing and effective pop of color that not only complements but also elevates the story.
speaking of story, it's certainly an effective one as it makes me wanna tear my hair out. the toxicity and emotional manipulation in freddy and laura's relationship is very realistically depicted, and thus frustrates me to no end. the book's subject matter and themes are certainly important, esp considering its demographic, however the main characters and their dynamic exasperate me too much to glance at this book and not have some sense of irritation bubble up. i also wish the ending was a lil longer to see freddy and her friends beyond the toxicity imposed by laura's presence, just to balance things out a bit.
overall, this graphic novel is one that sheds some crucial awareness on emotional abuse in relationships - all the more rare bc it's a queer one between girls - and the art's certainly lovely, but i personally dislike some of the characters and their dynamic to be able to say w/ my whole chest that i like this book, thus the 2.75 rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Abortion
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Adult/minor relationship
quotestation's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me is heavier than expected!
If not for a few things, I would be convinced Mariko actually knows me personally and all the details of my crappy first relationship (I even had the same age as the MCs).
A few details in Laura Dean's character made me think she might have something going on with her. Some kind of trauma or bad relationship with her parents, something she should be going to the therapist to talk about. (Pls, that is not an excuse for the relationship they had)
Anyways, much like when I broke up with my sh- ex, I'm happy this had a happy ending
If not for a few things, I would be convinced Mariko actually knows me personally and all the details of my crappy first relationship (I even had the same age as the MCs).
A few details in Laura Dean's character made me think she might have something going on with her. Some kind of trauma or bad relationship with her parents, something she should be going to the therapist to talk about. (Pls, that is not an excuse for the relationship they had)
Anyways, much like when I broke up with my sh- ex,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abortion
zoonewrevues's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abortion and Pregnancy
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
This give me an emotional rollercoaster very akin to how actual high school feels.the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Moderate: Abortion and Adult/minor relationship
kirstym25's review against another edition
emotional
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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Abortion
kurumipanda's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Infidelity
Moderate: Abortion, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia
elwirax's review
reflective
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
2.0
Rep- lesbian Asian MC, Queer SCs
I really loved the art style in this graphic novel and how much LGBTQIA+ and bipoc characters there were. However, I didn't like the overall story/plot that was all over the place. I didn't really like Freddy as a main character, there was a scene where a character was practically forcing their boyfriend to come out which was horrible. Not to mention the multiple cheating scenes and a pedophilic side plot. It was just not my thing.
The author aimed to comment on many topics such as toxic relationships, manipulation, abortion and cheating but because this is a graphic novel, they were not explored in the depth they deserved to be.
The ending wrapped up too well and too quickly despite how heavy these topic were and I think making this graphic novel longer would've helped in terms of a proper discussion.
Given how short this graphic novel was, I felt no connection to any of the characters and if I can't feel that then no matter how interesting a plot may be, I won't care enough in the end.
Overall, not my favourite graphic novel which is a shame as I expected to really enjoy it.
I really loved the art style in this graphic novel and how much LGBTQIA+ and bipoc characters there were. However, I didn't like the overall story/plot that was all over the place. I didn't really like Freddy as a main character, there was a scene where a character was practically forcing their boyfriend to come out which was horrible. Not to mention the multiple cheating scenes and a pedophilic side plot. It was just not my thing.
The author aimed to comment on many topics such as toxic relationships, manipulation, abortion and cheating but because this is a graphic novel, they were not explored in the depth they deserved to be.
The ending wrapped up too well and too quickly despite how heavy these topic were and I think making this graphic novel longer would've helped in terms of a proper discussion.
Given how short this graphic novel was, I felt no connection to any of the characters and if I can't feel that then no matter how interesting a plot may be, I won't care enough in the end.
Overall, not my favourite graphic novel which is a shame as I expected to really enjoy it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Abortion
Moderate: Pedophilia
Minor: Homophobia and Vomit
stwriter92's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I was lent this book by a coworker because our school's GSA had read it as our last book of our book club. Unfortunately, I was not able to read it when the rest of the club was reading it. However, I still wanted to do so and she kindly lent me her copy!
First off, the art was absolutely beautiful. The color scheme of black, white, and pops of pink was gorgeous and truly helped create an appropriate atmosphere for this story.
The story revolves around Freddy Riley, a seventeen-year-old high school student who is in a tumultuous on-again-off-again relationship with Laura Dean. We follow Freddy as she sinks deeper and deeper into this toxic relationship and see in real time how it affects all of her other relationships.
I do think that the character I sympathized with most was Doodle. Perhaps this is because I related to Doodle the most, as I have had to sit to the side as friends have prioritized relationships (healthy and unhealthy) over our friendship. While I understand that this will eventually happen, I still felt the same sting that Doodle feels when Riley constantly blows her off to bend over backward for Laura Dean, who doesn't seem to care for her at all.
One thing I wish was done better was the construction of Laura Dean's character. She felt extremely one dimensional, but I can sort of see why that was. The way that Freddy experiences and views Laura Dean is extremely one dimensional. She doesn't seem to truly like Laura Dean. Rather, she seems to be afraid of loneliness. This doesn't absolve Laura from being a shitty girlfriend (like, a super shitty and toxic one) but I can understand to an extent why her character was not as fleshed out as the rest.
I'd definitely recommend this to anyone. However, it is important to mention that on top of a content warning on toxic relationships, there is a content warning for abortion as well as a mild one on extra-marital affairs. If that isn't your cup of tea, there are many other gorgeous LGBTQ+ graphic novels out there. If you are alright with these themes, though, give this a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abortion and Infidelity
Minor: Medical content, Adult/minor relationship, and Homophobia