A review by brassmonkey
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Read this because I was curious how relatable everyone found it. They're right- but that's pretty much all it has going for it. They're relatble because they both only have a handful of personality traits we can look past to impose ourselves onto. What is Nick, other than bisexual, French, and a rugby player? What is Charlie, other than gay, a drummer (referenced once), and mentally ill? Please, name one other personality trait they have other than being teenagers because I read those books searching for them.
I'm sure when I first came out I would've clung to this like a lifeline, but I'm just not the right demographic anymore, and I've read too many good queer books to be effected by surface level coming out storylines. Also, coming of age plotlines about teenage guys discovering their sexualities just never rub me the right way when written by women.
I know I'm being bitchy about this, and it is a nice feel-good story if you just want to read about two guys falling in love, but I can't help but feeling disappointed.
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