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nataliapassos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Homophobia and Biphobia
emmehooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness and Eating disorder
Moderate: Self harm and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Homophobia and Biphobia
sudatot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Eating disorder, Biphobia, and Self harm
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Homophobia
marissalt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Self harm, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts
jacob_dion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Moderate: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Biphobia, Homophobia, Outing, and Panic attacks/disorders
sammymilfort's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Medical content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Eating disorder, Dysphoria, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
annasbuecherbeet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Bullying, Biphobia, Self harm, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Outing
kelly_e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Author: Alice Oseman
Series: Heartstopper #4
Genre: YA Graphic Novel
Rating: 5.0
Pub Date: May 6, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Realistic • Hopeful • Heartfelt
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Now that they are officially a couple, Charlie feels ready to say those three little words: I love you, but doesn't want it to be too soon.
Nick's been feeling the same, but he's got a lot on his mind - not least coming out to his dad, and the fact that Charlie might have an eating disorder.
As summer turns to autumn and a new school year begins, Charlie and Nick are about to learn a lot about what love means.
💭 T H O U G H T S
In Heartstopper: Volume Four the main focus is on Charlie's mental health, specifically his eating disorder, OCD, and self-harming. It is all handled with sensitivity and compassion by the author. The loved one/caregiver/friend perspective was a welcome addition, as there aren't a lot of books that show what it is like to love someone struggling with mental illness. It shows how you can feel so helpless and want to help, but that all you can really do is show up, be supportive, and love them. There is so much character growth, and what it truly means to be there for one another.
Alice Oseman details the realities of recovery in a realistically way, demonstrating that there is so linear progression, but rather that it is something that must be tended to and worked through throughout our lives.
The wholesome characters, the personal banter, the exploration of queerness, the depiction of mental illness, and the beautiful love story continue to make this unlike anything I've ever read. And throughout the whole thing, the illustrations continue to convey so much of the story, which seems highly appropriate for such an endearing and heartfelt story.
I am so glad this series exists! For me, this installment really hit home and was the most emotional to read, as I have been in Nick's shoes - having to watch the one I love struggle with mental illness. I laughed, I cried, and I swooned as this is one of the healthiest portrayals of romantic love I've come across in my reading life. I am eagerly anticipating Volume Five, but know I won't be ready to say goodbye to Nick and Charlie when it ends, and I know this will be a series I come back to time and time again.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• graphic novel enthusiasts
• young adult mental health workers
• everyone!
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Love can't cure a mental illness."
"But also knowing that sometimes people need more support than just one person can give. That's love darling."
Graphic: Eating disorder, Self harm, and Mental illness
Moderate: Transphobia, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Biphobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Outing and Bullying
OCDtorismazarine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Biphobia, and Bullying
kristyderp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Eating disorder, Confinement, Mental illness, and Outing
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Biphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Sexism