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emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I need more Oliver pov
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
Love this fictional family. Perfect cozy holiday read. Short and sweet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Mental illness, Self harm
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a wonderful novella detailing Nick and Charlie's Christmas. There are some difficult themes dealt with in this novella but the writing is great and the characters are lovable. It is a great read for coming out a reading slump because it is short and keeps your attention.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Self harm
dark
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love Alice Osman's books so much. They are one of my favourite authors, so I slowly try to read all of her books. This one was quite a disappoitment. The language was flat and I feel like the whole point of the book is that Charlie went to psychiatric hospital. I mean, it IS an important topic I'd like to dive in more deeply in the story of Nick and Charlie, but I didn't feel it was really covered well. It was just an information given and the source of most of Charlie's problems. But characters were adorable and I appreciate a lot that it was not so sweet, unrealistic, perfect christmas book, where everyone is happy, there are completelly no complications and Christmas solve all problems that people have. This book definitely won't be my favourite but it was a quick and relaxing read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Self harm
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Perhaps more impactful with background material and context? This is my first Oseman and a Christmas vignette on teenage mental health (recovery from an eating disorder and self harm). The writing out of DMs and texts and stream of random thoughts is a bit annoying, especially in audio format. The tone for me is…odd. Silly, then serious, wholesome, then lewd…the story doesn’t go anywhere…unfortunately not for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Self harm
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a short and simple read. It was really cute and heartbreaking at the same time. I like how the story was divided into 3 perspectives. tori and Oliver are amazing. I love them so much! And of course, I love Charlie. Overall, this was a good addition to the Heartstopper universe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Self harm
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
First read - Dec 22:
This winter takes place over the Christmas Day in between chapters 5 and 6 of Heartstopper volume 4. It’s from the perspective of the three Spring siblings (Tori and Charlie mostly) and how they are dealing with the events of the past months - Charlie’s eating disorder, mental health, persons spent as in inpatient. Christmas is usually a stressful time for most families but specifically the Springs and things are a bit tense. It’s made up primarily of text but there are graphic elements too with drawings of the characters and texts so I did miss the graphic novel element of the series but obviously it wasn’t made to be one sooo… ignore me.
I did really enjoy this little novella, with lovely, developed and relatable characters and deals with quite important topics. How improving one’s mental health is shown to not be a clear straightforward trajectory is done very well emphasising the importance of getting help, talking with people and how it’s hard to know how to engage with someone going through it. We also see Nick and little Henry (adorable!!! - but I wanted to see Nellie too) and the relationship between Nick and Charlie being strengthened by their honestly and love for one another. I would have liked for more and for it to be longer but I’ll always say this when it comes to Heartstopper. What it set out to do (show the impact of this [that] winter on the Springs) it did well and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it - totes recommend.
Second read - Dec 23:
Nothing to add just that I once again really enjoyed this and appreciated the written format as I’ve been re-reading the Heartstopper series. Great messages and such lovely characters.
This winter takes place over the Christmas Day in between chapters 5 and 6 of Heartstopper volume 4. It’s from the perspective of the three Spring siblings (Tori and Charlie mostly) and how they are dealing with the events of the past months - Charlie’s eating disorder, mental health, persons spent as in inpatient. Christmas is usually a stressful time for most families but specifically the Springs and things are a bit tense. It’s made up primarily of text but there are graphic elements too with drawings of the characters and texts so I did miss the graphic novel element of the series but obviously it wasn’t made to be one sooo… ignore me.
I did really enjoy this little novella, with lovely, developed and relatable characters and deals with quite important topics. How improving one’s mental health is shown to not be a clear straightforward trajectory is done very well emphasising the importance of getting help, talking with people and how it’s hard to know how to engage with someone going through it. We also see Nick and little Henry (adorable!!! - but I wanted to see Nellie too) and the relationship between Nick and Charlie being strengthened by their honestly and love for one another. I would have liked for more and for it to be longer but I’ll always say this when it comes to Heartstopper. What it set out to do (show the impact of this [that] winter on the Springs) it did well and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it - totes recommend.
Second read - Dec 23:
Nothing to add just that I once again really enjoyed this and appreciated the written format as I’ve been re-reading the Heartstopper series. Great messages and such lovely characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Eating disorder, Self harm
emotional
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Eating disorder, Self harm
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia, Self harm