A review by danilo_syrtis
This Winter by Alice Oseman

emotional informative sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

It’s Christmas! Sadly, this does not mean that all is well. After a horribly uncomfortable Christmas dinner, Charlie fights with his mother and then – despite Tori asking him to stay – leaves to go to Nick’s instead, leaving his siblings alone with their parents and their extended family … 

I’ve never read Heartstopper (although I plan to), but I at least read Solitaire before I ever read This Winter, and before rereading it in February, I watched seasons one and two of the Heartstopper series, so I guess I know at least some of the relevant background. 
As with Nick and Charlie, I do not have that much to say – I enjoyed reading this novella very much (although I am not usually one for novellas or slice of life), but it is short. I appreciate how realistic the depiction of people dealing with another person’s mental illness is – some people are helpful, some try their best, but ultimately end up being unhelpful, and some either do not know or do not care to actually try getting over their prejudices. Some passages are uncomfortable to read, but that is by design (and I think Alice Oseman handles them with care without necessarily sugarcoating anything). I also like how every (main) character has their own agency that is easily understandable. And once again, the illustrations are really beautiful! 
The one thing that I did not completely like is the ending. It felt a little abrupt to me and one of the more interesting moments – in my opinion – basically happens off-page, which I find frustrating. 
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