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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
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
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
- I truly love that there are enough queer books out there now that it's possible to have books that show queer people can be jerks, too.
- LAURA DEAN KEEPS BREAKING UP WITH ME really gets into heavy teenage feelings: that feeling that this might be your only chance at love, even though you're so young.
- I loved the art style of this book as well. It's much more detailed than many YA graphic novels are, and I felt it really got some of the emotional nuances across well.
- LAURA DEAN KEEPS BREAKING UP WITH ME really gets into heavy teenage feelings: that feeling that this might be your only chance at love, even though you're so young.
- I loved the art style of this book as well. It's much more detailed than many YA graphic novels are, and I felt it really got some of the emotional nuances across well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Abortion, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Cursing, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content
b_robinson's review
emotional
tense
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
1.25
✨Toxicity✨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Medical content, Alcohol, Cursing, Vomit, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Deadnaming
dhwani's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Medical content, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
danajoy's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read this as an ebook borrowed from my library but unfortunately, the image quality was not great so the text was really difficult to read. I feel like that probably marred the reading experience a lot for me.
I really enjoyed the art style and minimal colour palette. I loved that it is a queer story for teens that wasn't just centred around coming out.
I really enjoyed the art style and minimal colour palette. I loved that it is a queer story for teens that wasn't just centred around coming out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Medical content, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
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