Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki

by Kari Patrick

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking up With Me, by Mariko Tamaki, takes a look at the experiences of 17-year-old Freddy and her relationship with on-again, off-again girlfriend Laura Dean. 


The problem: Freddy really loves Laura. When things between them are good, everything is great; but Laura can be very manipulative. Good times aside, their relationship can’t be described as anything other than toxic. 

After Laura breaks up with her yet again, Freddy consults an advice columnist and a psychic for help on how to finally get over Freddy for good. After deciding what her next steps need to be, Freddy quickly finds herself falling for Laura Dean all over again. Her friends, who have been very supportive, have reached a breaking point though, and, this time around, Freddy risks losing everyone who matters to her if she puts herself back into Laura’s clutches.

This is a story about growing up, falling in love, and setting boundaries, a poignant tale with a diverse cast of characters, all of which are extremely relatable. 

For other graphic novels about LGBTQ+ romances check out Kiss Number 8, by Colleen A.F. Venable; Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu; and Bloom, by Kevin Panetta.