Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me

Mariko Tamaki

May 2019 · Sold by First Second

About this ebook

One of FORBES Best Graphic Novels of 2019
On BCCB 2019 Blue Ribbons List
One of NPR's Best Books of 2019
Booklist 2019 Editors' Choice
One of Bitch Media’s Best Queer YA Novels of 2019

Author Mariko Tamaki and illustrator Rosemary Valero-O’Connell bring to life a sweet and spirited tale of young love in Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, a graphic novel that asks us to consider what happens when we ditch the toxic relationships we crave to embrace the healthy ones we need.

Laura Dean, the most popular girl in high school, was Frederica Riley's dream girl: charming, confident, and SO cute. There's just one problem: Laura Dean is maybe not the greatest girlfriend.

Reeling from her latest break up, Freddy's best friend, Doodle, introduces her to the Seek-Her, a mysterious medium, who leaves Freddy some cryptic parting words: break up with her. But Laura Dean keeps coming back, and as their relationship spirals further out of her control, Freddy has to wonder if it's really Laura Dean that's the problem. Maybe it's Freddy, who is rapidly losing her friends, including Doodle, who needs her now more than ever.

Fortunately for Freddy, there are new friends, and the insight of advice columnists like Anna Vice to help her through being a teenager in love.

Ratings and reviews

I know you need love and kindness at your worst times but it felt lile everyone was unbelievably nice to Freddy when she didn't deserve it. (not to sound cruel) I should be upset with her for neglecting her friendships but instead I feel this weird vibe that's telling me to call everything even just because she sort of did something nice and because Doodle said she felt like she was a better person.

As someone who's been in a few toxic relationships of my own, and whose best friend was stuck in one for YEARS, this comic deeply resonated with me. The art in this comic is absolutely stunning! I love the minimal palette. Pretty fast read, so I would highly recommend giving this one a try. :^)

Do not purchase from the play store. The the two to four page formatting with the google books app or website makes the book impossible to read.

About the author

Mariko Tamaki writes comic books for BOOM! Studios, Marvel and DC Comics. She is the co-creator of the New York Times bestseller, This One Summer with Jillian Tamaki, which received Eisner and Governor General awards, as well as Caldecott and Printz Honors. Mariko lives in Oakland.

Rosemary Valero-O’Connell has done work for DC Comics, BOOM! Studios, CAPY games, and Mondo Tees among others, and her work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators NY, and shown in galleries both locally and internationally.