YA Books Blog, Book Recommendations, Book Blogging Tips
3 reasons to read Alice Oseman's Heartstopper (just.do.it)
Hi friends! Today I’m going to be reviewing something a bit different…. Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper, an adorable webcomic you WANT to be reading, just trust me.
The book
Alice Oseman, Heartstopper : Volume One, Self-Published, October, 2018.
Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn’t been too great, but at least he’s not being bullied anymore, and he’s sort of got a boyfriend, even if he’s kind of mean and only wants to meet up in secret. Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He’s heard a little about Charlie – the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months – but he’s never had the opportunity to talk to him. That is, until the start of January, in which Nick and Charlie are placed in the same form group and made to sit together. They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner…
Please note that this is a review for the physical copy of Heartstopper, volume one only, that contains the first two chapters of the story.
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It’s not a secret : I’ve been loving everything Alice Oseman does and all of her books are on my favorites’ shelf, from her really, really good debut, Solitaire, to her sophomore novel Radio Silence that just spoke to my heart, to her latest book, I Was Born For This, which I ADORE with all of my heart. A little while ago, Alice Oseman launched a kickstarter campaign to self-publish her Heartstopper webcomic as a graphic novel, a story with two secondary characters of her first novel, Solitaire, as the leads. I couldn’t support the project at the time, so when the author sold more copies of it earlier this month, I jumped on the opportunity. I REGRET NOTHING.
Heartstopper may be the softest, sweetest graphic novel you’ll ever read
Heartstopper tells the story of Charlie, openly gay, anxious and adorable little bean and Nick, soft, adorable enthusiastic rugby player as they meet each other and slowly fall in love. The start of their relationship is one of the best romantic starts, ever. From strangers to friends to slowly crushes and feelings growing, it’s the perfect friends-to-lovers trope, that evolution from friends to something more and it made my heart melt.
Heartstopper also deals with less fluffy topics, such as figuring out your sexuality, questioning and bullying.
At the beginning of the graphic novel, Nick is said to be straight and, as the story goes on and he spends more time with Charlie, he begins to question his sexuality, trying to understand his bisexuality and so on, something that was slow and well-done in the first chapters of the comic along the growth of their relationship. The graphic novel also tackles on bullying, as Charlie had to deal with a lot of bullying before the story starts – you can see its consequences in other people’s looks and remarks every now and then, not always that great and heartbreaking for little Charlie, at times. Yet, that sweet adorable little bean is strong and needs hugs okay.
Heartstopper is beautifully drawn and written
The graphic novel volume one has over 200 pages, yet, just like any graphic novel, it reads itself fairly quickly. Alice’s drawing is so good, her characters coming alive on the page, conveying all of the right emotions and dynamics and I loved it. Also there is Nellie the most adorable dog of all times.
Heartstopper is the perfect comfort read, one that will make you smile and make you care for these characters so, very very much. It’s soft and adorable and heartwarming and I’ll always be recommending it.
Final rating: It’s a HURRICANE!
Trigger warnings:
Emotionally abusive relationship One incident of a non-consensual kiss Brief references to past homophobia, including uses of homophobic slurs Brief references to past bullying
Fantastic review 🙂
I thought Heartstopper was excellent, I pick it up every time I need a smile. It’s so freaking cute.
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk
Heartstoppers is amazing, I’ve read it online on tapas, but that’s never the same thing as reading a hardcopy. Pretty jealous of your copy I must say 😛 Thanks for sharing 🙂
Agree, it’s such a great story, I love it! <3
If I'm not mistaken, there are still copies available online on Alice Oseman's shop (https://www.aliceoseman.com/shop) 😀
I literally just read this online the other day and I loved it SO MUCH!!!! Nick and Charlie are adorable, and Nellie is the most adorable dog. I think I am going to have to order the physical copy from Alice’s website, as I can’t wait for the official publication next year. <3
I LOVE Heartstopper!!! ??? I love being able to read it as it updates, but I also really want to own it as a physical book too! ? Nick and Charlie are such dear characters
Aahhh I love this review, Marie!! I absolutely ADORE Heartstopper; it’s such a sweet, fluffy, and heartwarming graphic novel. ? I completely agree with all your points; it makes my heart so happy! I really need to catch up on it someday, ahh. (And I love Nellie too!! She’s the cutest.)
Ohhh Dezzy thank you so much! I’m so happy you like it as much as I do. I also need to catch up, it’s such an adorable story. Nellie is the cutest ever ❤
Ahh this post just warms my heart Marie, and you shared such good reasons to read it! Heartstopper is the best and it makes me so happy that you’re spreading all this love for it?
I thought about contributing to the Kickstarter campaign that was going around and being shared on Twitter, but then money became tight and I just sort of forgot. But I am glad you love it so much. I might catch up on it on Tumblr 😀 <3
I also wanted to pitch in when the Kickstarter campaign was going on, but couldn’t at the time. I’m so happy that Alice put her extra copies for sale. It’s such a beautiful webcomic, makes me smile always 😀 ❤
Well I have Alice Oseman’s other books (her full length novels) on my TBR list so I may as well add Heartstopper as well! 😀 This sounds amazing, and the fact that you rated it so highly means I need to get around to this soon too. I haven’t read many graphic novels but this sounds like my ideal story, a fluffy contemporary but which highlights important topics at the same time.
Great review Marie. 🙂 <3
omg this sounds so cute and amazing and i can’t believe i hadn’t heard of it before??? i LOVE comics and graphic novels so much. they really help when i’m struggling to read anything else. i’ve recently gotten into web comics so this is like such good timing (even though i struggle with the one page updates bc i’m impatient lmao). i’m definitely checking this out right now.
Ahhhhhh this makes me so, so happy ❤ I hope you had some time to check it out and that you’re enjoying it so far, it is such an adorable webcomic, I love it so much ❤
Thank you Lauren!!
I’ve read a bit of heartstopper and it’s ADORABLE. Hopefully I can find the physical copy sooner or later and read it properly, maybe once Hachette publishes it. I love how enthisiastic you were in this review!
It really is adorable! ❤ Alice Oseman still sells some of her available copies on her website (aliceoseman.com) if you can’t wait, though the international shipping fees can get a bit expensive :/
thank you so, so much Shanti!! ❤
Ugh Heartstopper is so amazing! I also got a copy through the Kickstarter, and though it was not cheap to ship internationally, it was SO worth it. I love Radio Silence too, so I’m super excited to read more of Alice Oseman’s books.
Agree! The international shipping wasn’t cheap at all, but I just had to do this exception for this one. It’s such a wonderful webcomic and ahhh I love these characters so much ?
I hope you’ll get to read more of Alice’s books soon – I loved her latest, I Was Born For This, SO much! 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment ?
Um, yes, I need this. Volume 1…does that mean we’re getting a sequel?! And that dog is adorable. Love dogs in books.
-Lauren http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
I am hoping we do! The story is way ahead of this book in its digital version (on tumblr/tapas), but I’m hoping we’ll get to read it too in a physical copy. I love Alice’s art so much and this story is ADORABLE ❤️
Thank you so much Lauren!
Ah I loved reading this blogpost! I love Alice Oseman’s books and I am so excited to read this one as well. I love her illustrations and her characters. Hopefully I’ll be able to buy and read this one soon <3
I have rarely seen you reading graphic novels and this made me really happy to see that you read one 😀 Heartstopper definitely sounds like a cute read and the fact that it is free to read, I can give it a try. Thank you for introducing this to me 🙂
Yeees, I rarely read graphic novels, but I had to get that one. I love everything Alice Oseman does and I adore Nick and Charlie SO MUCH they’re adorable. <3 I hope you'll give it a try and will love it! 😀
I REALLY want to read this, but I’m not sure if I can without having read Solitaire? I am planning to read Solitaire since I loved I Was Born For This, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. Great review like always Marie! 🙂
Oh you can without having read Solitaire! It’s a completely different story. The only thing linking it to Solitaire, really, is the fact that the main character’s sister, Tori, is the main character in Solitaire. So seeing her in the comic is fun and good, but really her story isn’t part of this story at all 🙂
Thank you so much!! I hope you’ll read it soon, it’s so adorable, I have a feeling you’d love it ❤️
This sounds soo adorable and fluffy and just what I like so I can’t wait to get my hands on this one 🙂 (and pick up the rest of Alice Oseman’s books since I’ve only read one and LOVED it)
I received an ARC for this one and I’m excited about picking it up, especially after your review Marie! The fact that it’s adorable and has a dog has already sold me lol.
I have never heard of her or this story, but I love the idea of this book, and added it to my amazon wish list! Thank you as always for the recommendation 🙂 xxx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Oh you’re so welcome! Know that you can read it for free on Alice’s tumblr (linked at the bottom of my post), in case you want to try it out too 😀
Thank you Melina! <3
AHHH THIS BOOK. My heart is so full of love for it, and I can’t wait to hold a physical copy of it in my hands – I adore this review, and I’m so, so happy that you love this as well, Marie! You HAVE to read Nick & Charlie as well, if you haven’t, yet. :’) <3
I’ve been hearing about how wonderful Alice Oseman’s books are lately and I know I really need to try one for myself at some point soon. I’m really looking forward to it myself as well. I love the friends to lovers trope, and it overall just sounds so sweet and cute while also delving into some important topics. Great review x
I really hope you’ll give some of her novels, or Heartstopper a try -or all of them! haha. I love all of her work so much, she is so talented and knows how to craft amazing characters, too 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂
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[…] Why I recommend it ? It’s no secret that I adore everything Alice Oseman writes. Heartstopper is her webcomic and it is one of the cutest stories I’ve ever read, the blooming romance between Nick and Charlie making my heart burst every time all over again. A perfect spring read. ? read my review […]
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[…] win over Aman’s family. The popular Netflix series ‘Heartstopper’ (adapted from original series of the same name by Alice Oseman) also portrays gay romance (gay flag: rainbow […]
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Heartstopper is the cutest graphic novel I have read and even though I read it on Tapas, it’s something I wait for.
Agree, it is THE cutest, I love it SO much! ❤️
It’s something I read when I really want/need a dose of cute and adorable. ??
I get that, it always brings all the warm and fuzzy feelings when I need them <3
This looks so sweet. I love the artwork! I do not know how this is my first time seeing this but definitely adding it to my TBR!
I’m so glad to hear this! I hope you’ll start reading it soon, it’s so adorable ❤️
thank you so much Kristin!! ❤️
Fantastic review 🙂
I thought Heartstopper was excellent, I pick it up every time I need a smile. It’s so freaking cute.
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk
Thank you so much Cora! I 200% agree, it’s so adorable and always makes me smile ❤️
Heartstoppers is amazing, I’ve read it online on tapas, but that’s never the same thing as reading a hardcopy. Pretty jealous of your copy I must say 😛 Thanks for sharing 🙂
Agree, it’s such a great story, I love it! <3
If I'm not mistaken, there are still copies available online on Alice Oseman's shop (https://www.aliceoseman.com/shop) 😀
Ooo so there are, thanks! ?
You’re so welcome! 🙂
I love this comic so much i follow it on tapas. I’m buying myself a copy when it comes out
I’m so glad you like it so much 🙂 I think the author is still selling some copies on her website (aliceoseman.com) if you can’t wait 🙂
Great review, Marie! I haven’t heard of this webcomic but it really sounds like a good read! I might give it a shot! Thanks for sharing it! 🙂
Aww thank you Raven! I hope you’ll give it a try, it’s a wonderful read ❤
I literally just read this online the other day and I loved it SO MUCH!!!! Nick and Charlie are adorable, and Nellie is the most adorable dog. I think I am going to have to order the physical copy from Alice’s website, as I can’t wait for the official publication next year. <3
Ahhh I’m so happy you like it as well, Jess! ❤ It is an adorable story and Nellie, ahhhhhh I’m so in love haha. ❤
I LOVE Heartstopper!!! ??? I love being able to read it as it updates, but I also really want to own it as a physical book too! ? Nick and Charlie are such dear characters
Ahhh I’m so happy you like it as well ❤ it is such a wonderful story. I hope you’ll be able to get a physical copy soon 🙂
Aahhh I love this review, Marie!! I absolutely ADORE Heartstopper; it’s such a sweet, fluffy, and heartwarming graphic novel. ? I completely agree with all your points; it makes my heart so happy! I really need to catch up on it someday, ahh. (And I love Nellie too!! She’s the cutest.)
Ohhh Dezzy thank you so much! I’m so happy you like it as much as I do. I also need to catch up, it’s such an adorable story. Nellie is the cutest ever ❤
Ahh this post just warms my heart Marie, and you shared such good reasons to read it! Heartstopper is the best and it makes me so happy that you’re spreading all this love for it?
Ohh I’m so glad you like it as well! It is a wonderful webcomic and deserves all the love ❤
I thought about contributing to the Kickstarter campaign that was going around and being shared on Twitter, but then money became tight and I just sort of forgot. But I am glad you love it so much. I might catch up on it on Tumblr 😀 <3
I also wanted to pitch in when the Kickstarter campaign was going on, but couldn’t at the time. I’m so happy that Alice put her extra copies for sale. It’s such a beautiful webcomic, makes me smile always 😀 ❤
I totally get that!
Well yes Marie it seems uber cute and sweet!
It really is! I hope you’ll love it if you give it a try 🙂
Well I have Alice Oseman’s other books (her full length novels) on my TBR list so I may as well add Heartstopper as well! 😀 This sounds amazing, and the fact that you rated it so highly means I need to get around to this soon too. I haven’t read many graphic novels but this sounds like my ideal story, a fluffy contemporary but which highlights important topics at the same time.
Great review Marie. 🙂 <3
It really is adorable and I have a feeling you could love it, Beth! I hope you’ll give it a try soon ❤
Thank you so much!!
omg this sounds so cute and amazing and i can’t believe i hadn’t heard of it before??? i LOVE comics and graphic novels so much. they really help when i’m struggling to read anything else. i’ve recently gotten into web comics so this is like such good timing (even though i struggle with the one page updates bc i’m impatient lmao). i’m definitely checking this out right now.
Ahhhhhh this makes me so, so happy ❤ I hope you had some time to check it out and that you’re enjoying it so far, it is such an adorable webcomic, I love it so much ❤
Thank you Lauren!!
This book is the purest thing that ever existed on the internet and I love Nick and Charlie so much <3
Great review, Marie <3
200% agree with you, I love them so SO MUCH ❤❤
Thank you!! 🙂
I’ve read a bit of heartstopper and it’s ADORABLE. Hopefully I can find the physical copy sooner or later and read it properly, maybe once Hachette publishes it. I love how enthisiastic you were in this review!
It really is adorable! ❤ Alice Oseman still sells some of her available copies on her website (aliceoseman.com) if you can’t wait, though the international shipping fees can get a bit expensive :/
thank you so, so much Shanti!! ❤
Ugh Heartstopper is so amazing! I also got a copy through the Kickstarter, and though it was not cheap to ship internationally, it was SO worth it. I love Radio Silence too, so I’m super excited to read more of Alice Oseman’s books.
Agree! The international shipping wasn’t cheap at all, but I just had to do this exception for this one. It’s such a wonderful webcomic and ahhh I love these characters so much ?
I hope you’ll get to read more of Alice’s books soon – I loved her latest, I Was Born For This, SO much! 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment ?
MARIE. I am reading Heartstopper on Tumblr and it’s making me feel things. I’ll update you on how I feeeeeeeeeeel.
AHHHHH yes please do update me on ALL of your feeeeeeelings, I always have SO MUCH of them whenever I read it. I love it ❤️
Um, yes, I need this. Volume 1…does that mean we’re getting a sequel?! And that dog is adorable. Love dogs in books.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
I am hoping we do! The story is way ahead of this book in its digital version (on tumblr/tapas), but I’m hoping we’ll get to read it too in a physical copy. I love Alice’s art so much and this story is ADORABLE ❤️
Thank you so much Lauren!
Ah I loved reading this blogpost! I love Alice Oseman’s books and I am so excited to read this one as well. I love her illustrations and her characters. Hopefully I’ll be able to buy and read this one soon <3
Thank you so much!! 🙂 you can already read it for free online on Tumblr if you want to, the link is at the bottom of my blog post 🙂
I have rarely seen you reading graphic novels and this made me really happy to see that you read one 😀 Heartstopper definitely sounds like a cute read and the fact that it is free to read, I can give it a try. Thank you for introducing this to me 🙂
Yeees, I rarely read graphic novels, but I had to get that one. I love everything Alice Oseman does and I adore Nick and Charlie SO MUCH they’re adorable. <3 I hope you'll give it a try and will love it! 😀
I read Radio Silence, my first Oseman, earlier this year and LOVED it.
AHHH this makes me so happy. I love all of her books SO much ❤️
I REALLY want to read this, but I’m not sure if I can without having read Solitaire? I am planning to read Solitaire since I loved I Was Born For This, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. Great review like always Marie! 🙂
Oh you can without having read Solitaire! It’s a completely different story. The only thing linking it to Solitaire, really, is the fact that the main character’s sister, Tori, is the main character in Solitaire. So seeing her in the comic is fun and good, but really her story isn’t part of this story at all 🙂
Thank you so much!! I hope you’ll read it soon, it’s so adorable, I have a feeling you’d love it ❤️
Oh that’s good to know! Definitely reading Heartstopper soon then 😀 I have a feeling too!
Yay!! Please keep me updated 😀 ❤️
This sounds soo adorable and fluffy and just what I like so I can’t wait to get my hands on this one 🙂 (and pick up the rest of Alice Oseman’s books since I’ve only read one and LOVED it)
It really was SO adorable and fluffy and GREAT overall, I can’t wait for you to read it, I hope you’ll love it 🙂
Thank you so much! <3
I received an ARC for this one and I’m excited about picking it up, especially after your review Marie! The fact that it’s adorable and has a dog has already sold me lol.
Ahhh that’s amazing! I hope you’ll love it. It really is one of the most adorable stories EVER. <3
I have never heard of her or this story, but I love the idea of this book, and added it to my amazon wish list! Thank you as always for the recommendation 🙂 xxx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Oh you’re so welcome! Know that you can read it for free on Alice’s tumblr (linked at the bottom of my post), in case you want to try it out too 😀
Thank you Melina! <3
omg, I’m definitely going to do that then! Thanks for letting me know 🙂 xx
Of course! I hope you’ll love it 🙂
AHHH THIS BOOK. My heart is so full of love for it, and I can’t wait to hold a physical copy of it in my hands – I adore this review, and I’m so, so happy that you love this as well, Marie! You HAVE to read Nick & Charlie as well, if you haven’t, yet. :’) <3
The physical copy is amazing and just, I love it so much. These boys are everything, really. I need to read Nick & Charlie as soon as I can too! <3 <3
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts about it! It’s so wonderful, and I love it to pieces. <3
I’ve been hearing about how wonderful Alice Oseman’s books are lately and I know I really need to try one for myself at some point soon. I’m really looking forward to it myself as well. I love the friends to lovers trope, and it overall just sounds so sweet and cute while also delving into some important topics. Great review x
I really hope you’ll give some of her novels, or Heartstopper a try -or all of them! haha. I love all of her work so much, she is so talented and knows how to craft amazing characters, too 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂
Aww I’m so glad this was so sweet and I’m super keen on the romance here!! This sounds so wonderful!! Fantastic review! 🙂 <3
This was such a wonderful read, I really hope you’ll give it a try sometime 😀 Thank you! <3 <3