A review by cait
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

challenging emotional funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.0

 Why does he always say hello to me every single morning? Is it a joke? Is it like the guys who used to bully me last year all over again? He's probably just making fun of me. Why else would he talk to me? He's not even in my year group. He probably thinks I'm gonna hit on him or something.

I almost DNF'd this, but then I didn't, and I'm glad.

Heartstopper is wholesome and genuine in its storytelling. We follow two boys, Charlie and Nick, as they are randomly assigned as seatmates in class. The two are very different: Charlie is a skinny underclassmen who experienced bullying after being outed as gay while Nick is a popular upperclassmen who plays on the lacrosse team, but that doesn't stop the two from slowly becoming close friends.

It's hard to say too much about this story other than that I really enjoyed it. Their friendship and their feelings towards each other are so genuine and pure. There is something so wholesome about the way these two defend and support each other, how they bring out the best in each other, how they give each other courage and insight into their own identities.

I get the hype on this one. I really do. 
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