Book Review: Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

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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. 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.
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…

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My Review:

Heartstopper is one of those books that has been making its rounds all over Bookstagram and I finally got around to picking it up. I was hooked from the first page.

Charlie, the protagonist 14, mature and gay. He knows who he is and has survived some pretty intense bullying at his school. Nick, on the other hand, is in the year above, and straight. The two characters are in the same form at school, and slowly their friendship begins to grow and evolve.

The side characters are super supportive friends, family and a dog! The problematic characters get called out in this novel, and it is so apparent that their actions are shitty and won’t be tolerated. I will advise that there are scenes of sexual assault within this story.

The artwork of this graphic novel is very cute, and fluffy. The story was easy to read and it left me wanting more. You can read Heartstopper online here.

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