Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki
Freddy loves her girlfriend Laura Dean, but their relationship is full of confusion and unpredictability. Every few weeks Laura breaks up with Freddy, then proceeds to get back together with her. It's frustrating, but even after Laura kisses another girl Freddy continues their relationship. When a crisis strikes one of Freddy's friends, she isn't there for her, as she's too preoccupied with Laura Dean.
Genres
Queer, graphic novel, contemporary, young adult
Description
All Freddy Riley wants is for Laura Dean to stop breaking up with her.
The day they got together was the best one of Freddy's life, but nothing's made sense since. Laura Dean is popular, funny, and SO CUTE ... but she can be really thoughtless, even mean. Their on-again, off-again relationship has Freddy's head spinning — and Freddy's friends can't understand why she keeps going back.
When Freddy consults the services of a local mystic, the mysterious Seek-Her, she isn't thrilled with the advice she receives. But something's got to give: Freddy's heart is breaking in slow motion, and she may be about to lose her very best friend as well as her last shred of self-respect. Fortunately for Freddy, there are new friends, and the insight of advice columnist Anna Vice, to help her through being a teenager in love.
Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O'Connell bring to life a sweet and spirited tale of young love that asks us to consider what happens when we ditch the toxic relationships we crave to embrace the healthy ones we need.
Review
In this graphic novel, the difficulty of leaving toxic relationships is explored. It's a very short book but an important one. So many teenagers, especially girls, suffer from low self-esteem and believe they aren't worthy of someone that treats them with love and respect. Being in love doesn't make for a healthy relationship, but it can be incredibly hard to move on, especially if you can't imagine finding someone better.
I loved the focus on friendship and how being in a toxic relationship harms not only yourself but those around you, as Freddy fails to be there for a friend that really needs her. Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me is a powerful reminder of what toxic relationships can do to your life, and the importance of strong friendships. It's a highly important message, and the ending empowers Freddy and shows how you can move on past a relationship that consumes your life.