Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me

By Mariko Tamaki

From award-winning creators Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell comes one of the decade's most celebrated and acclaimed YA graphic novels about toxic relationships and queer first love. Winner of the Eisner Award, the Ignatz Award, and a Michael L. Printz Honor Book, this story is perfect for fans of Heartstopper and This One Summer.

Laura Dean is the most popular girl in school—funny, confident, and impossible for Freddy Riley to let go of. Being chosen by Laura Dean feels like a dream, but staying with her is another story.

After another painful breakup, Freddy’s best friend Doodle takes her to a psychic, who gives one piece of advice: end things for good. But no matter how much Laura Dean hurts her, Freddy keeps getting pulled back in. As the relationship begins to cost her friendships—especially with Doodle—Freddy starts to question what love should really look like and whether she’s brave enough to choose herself.

With gorgeous illustrations and compassionate storytelling, this modern classic explores:

• Toxic relationships and emotional growth
• LGBTQ+ teen identity and queer romance
• Friendship, boundaries, and self-discovery
• Mental health, empathy, and finding your voice

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

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Published May 7, 2019

304 pages

Average rating: 7.03

32 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

empressrashida
Jan 23, 2025
8/10 stars
Having been in a toxic relationships this was a really good depiction for this age range. Yes the first 2/3rds was painful to read but it's the reality of being in a toxic relationship and the domino effect of it.
Catherine Lanyon
Aug 22, 2024
10/10 stars
This had a nice moral of what it means to be a good friend and how a relationship should make you feel.

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