Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman
Series: Heartstopper #1
Genre: LGBT | Graphic Novel | Contemporary
Length: 288 pages
Published on 7th February 2019 by Hodder Childrens Books
Purchase: Amazon
Alice Oseman: Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Copy won in a giveaway from the publishers
Synopsis: Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more…?
Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn’t been too great, but at least he’s not being bullied anymore, and he’s sort of got a boyfriend, even if he’s kind of mean and only wants to meet up in secret.
Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He’s heard a little about Charlie – the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months – but he’s never had the opportunity to talk to him. That is, until the start of January, in which Nick and Charlie are placed in the same form group and made to sit together.
They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner…
From the author of Solitaire and Radio Silence comes a bind up of the first two chapters of Heartstopper, an ongoing webcomic.
Back in December the wonderful staff at @5GetBookish hosted a giveaway for the 12 days of Christmas and the only one I entered I won! It was the YA giveaway because d’uh thats what I read most of.
I ended up with a duplicate so I passed that on to a friend but the others I’m very excited about.
The first I picked up has been this book, Heartstopper. I had the intention to read a few pages to help me feel relaxed and have an early night due to an early start the next day.
An hour and a half later I’d completed the book!!
I was very sleepy the next day but it was worth it.
Heartstopper is my first Alice Oseman book even though I’ve now met her twice. I’m glad that I’ve finally read something because she was very lovely to talk too both times I met her.
This is a companion graphic novel to her book Solitaire as it follows some side characters from that. I can safely say you can read this without having read Solitaire as its very easy to follow and is set before Solitaire too I believe?
Anyway the art itself is v cute and fluffy, a v loose kind of style that lends itself very well to the characters and story. Looking back at the cover now I can see how Charlie and Nick’s slightly different posture tells us a little about them.
My favourite thing about this story is that we get to see a story from someone who is already comfortable with their sexuality and from someone who is new to all this and questioning their sexuality! Stories like this really mean a lot as there are plenty of young teens who might be unaware there is more to life than being straight and that its okay to be queer.
This is genuinely such a sweet and fluffy read about friendship blossoming into something more, but volume one is very much the early stages of this Something More so don’t pick it up expecting a fully formed relationship, yet.
This isn’t a criticism though, its handled well and shows both of the boys’ development and questioning whether something is happening. Its also very subtle and cute.
From past experiences I’d say it really explores a new crush really well and I found myself feeling similarly to Charlie as the story progresses.
My favourite thing was to notice the subtle ways Nicks change in feelings are shown, there will be times when we see him smiling away at Charlie and fihgsca its cute okay!!
The best possible thing about this is that if you do want to read it now you can as Alice posts its on tapas so you can read and support her even now.
My only concern with this is that go in knowing that there is some on page sexual assault and the start of the book features Charlie in a very shitty relationship, but him coming to terms with this and standing up for himself to end it was nice to read.
I’d rather end it on a positive note, so I’d also like to mention how much I enjoyed reading their interactions with other friends as it means we get to know them better and also see why the Charlie + Nick duo works so well.
I want to continue reading this but I think for now I’ll wait for physical copies.
Northern Plunder 
Oh this is an anticipated read for me this year!! I’m glad you enjoyed it 💕
Good well balenced review, sharing now.
Ah, I was just looking at picking this up and I’ll have to now!!
Aah I’ve just written a review about this one! I bought this from Alice’s shop after reading Solitair and I’m in love <3 I've been also reading the webcomic because I'm too curious, I just need the rest of the story now :') Charlie's shitty relationship and more of the things he's endured, or at least the aftermath is also slightly featured in Solitaire. I loved that book too but it's really emotionally heavy. If you're up for that I definitely recommend it! (and also This Winter and Nick and Charlie!!)
Amazing review! This looks so good and I’ve been debating on picking it up but I keep putting it off because I hadn’t read any of her regular books yet, so I was super excited to see you mention that you thought it could be read without reading Solitaire first! Though, I really do want to get at least one of her books soon and try it since I hear so many people rave about Alice’s writing!
Ah thank you! I definitely feel more likely to read her books now, it was a lovely intro to her work for sure.
Just look up and I can only get it in kindle sadly but I’ll still read it. It sounds soo good owo
Yeah i mentioned its not out yet but you can read it online on tapas (link is in the blog post) and Tumblr
Oh that’s super nice!
But I would still would like to get a copy. Maybe I can order it from my comic book store or book depository…
This looks like such a cute read! Gonna be picking this one up, and a great review as always! :)
ooh please do, if u wanna borrow mine lemme know and ill bring it sunday
Excellent review :) I thought Heartstopper was a bit like a hug. I really want to just read it all on tapas, but I also want to wait for print versions haha.
Cora | http://teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Yes it really is like a hug indeed. I had sucha great evening with it. So far im being good and not continuiing it online but i had a quick glance and there seem to be the odd one off short stories within that i dont think were in the print one so i might have to go back for those
Awesome review! This cover is super cute too 😊
thank you!
Awe looks lovely indeed!
I’m definately look forward to trying and read more graphic novels this year, and this one looks like itd be a good start! I read radio silence from her last year and just adored it !! Definately wanna read more of her work.
I’m dying to read this, heard nothing but good things about it!
I started reading the webcomic online and I got quite a ways in, didn’t want to stop reading but I want the book in my hands! I’ll wait for the book to be available and then read the whole thing..☺️ it’s so adorable and sweet!!