Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman

20 reviews

jstilts's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring slow-paced
  • 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

2.75

Another essential volume of Heart stopper, it's nevertheless not quite as good as the first and third volumes which stood on their own really well. We further explore Nick coming out to his family, Charlie's mental health journey and milestones in their relationship both large and small.

Charting Charlie's mental health is particularly well done - it strikes a fine balance between not sugar-coating the issues yet neither does it mine them for grim drama. It's a smacks a little of a "public information announcement" but frankly if you know someone who needs help but isn't seeking help, putting this sort of wholesome and fact-based examination of a journey towards recovery into their hands would be a good move.

Again this book ends well enough that it would be a satisfying ending to the series - and for once I don't really know what's likely to be covered in the already announced Volume 5. I plan to find out!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

devynreadsnovels's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

robinks's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective sad 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

5.0

Weeee reread as Volume 5 is being shipped to me! It was also nice to see which parts of this made it into season 2 of the show and what remaining content we might see in season 3.
I also really appreciated Oseman’s portrayal of inpatient psychiatric treatment.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

mfrisk's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This is another great read in the series which goes a bit more in depth on topics of mental illness, codependency in relationships, and navigating difficult family and friend relationships.

 I enjoyed this one for the most part but similarly to the last book felt like some topics as explained felt like the characters should already have had more base knowledge on as teenagers in high school. One example in this read I can think of is the page where both Nick and Charlie are wondering if boys can have eating disorders. Moments like these sort of take me out of the story a bit because it seems odd the characters wouldn’t know or understand that at their age and having grown up on the internet. That’s not to say some things can’t still be new to people - but I would think the conversations could go a bit further. 

Otherwise though I really loved this book and that it emphasized that romantic relationships aren’t the end all be all and that mental health is a journey and not a one-episode arc. Those themes to me were really great messages. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

virgilvenus's review against another edition

Go to review page

1.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ninahuynh's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced
  • 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

This was quite the adventure! I am so glad Charlie sought help and took care of his mental health. Seeing that he took the initiative to seeking help and stayed at a psychiatric hospital and how Nick does his own research and approaches the subject in a sensitive manner is such a great example of a healthy romantic relationship and good representation of how this situation can be handled. I like how Nick's mom understands him and his want to help Charlie, even offering to help Nick find a way to start the conversation. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kbairbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced
  • 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

I love it. I freaking love it. This needs to be schools reading materials. This is exactly what everyone should be reading. Absolutely brilliant and I cannot wait for number five!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ruthiedr89's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

just_a_reader17's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

micapellin's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • 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


Expand filter menu Content Warnings