Heartstopper Books

Originally released as a webcomic, Heartstopper is now an award-winning and internationally bestselling, YA, LGBTQ+ graphic novel series that tells a touching boy-meets-boy queer love story; written and illustrated by popular British YA author Alice Oseman. The series follows the lives of protagonists Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring as they meet, become friends and fall in love. The Heartstopper series is an expanded adaptation of Oseman's 2015 novella, Nick and Charlie, although the characters first appeared in her 2014 novel Solitaire. 

Given its popularity with the YA readers; the Heartstopper graphic novel series has now been adapted into a major live-action Netflix television show starring Kit Connor and newcomer Joe Locke as Nick and Charlie. The books follow the blossoming romance between Charlie and Nick whilst also touching upon other sensitive themes that are very relevant and relatable for teenagers and young adults. The series is a gorgeous coming of age story about love, friendship, loyalty, sexuality and mental illness. 

Despite the highly relatable content for teens and young adults; the sensitive content in some of the later books means we recommend them for readers 13/14+. However we suggest you read them in the order of their release from Volumes One to Four so you enjoy the development of the story in the best way possible. 

Now an award-winning author; the 28-year-old Alice Oseman, of the Heartstopper graphic novels series has written four volumes as part of the series and the next book is scheduled for a release in the year 2023. Oseman has also written several other novels and won several awards; however the four volumes of the Heartstopper graphic novel series still continue to top the bestselling children’s book charts. 

The Heartstopper Series revolves around the relationship between the two protagonist school boys Charlie Spring (year 10) and Nick Nelson (year 11). Whilst Charlie has already ‘come out’ as gay; he is in a difficult, controlling and abusive situation with another boy called Ben who masquerades as straight. Charlie meets Nick when the school experiments with ‘vertical form times’, which include kids from multiple year groups. Charlie immediately develops a crush. Nick is lovely, but he is sporty and popular, everything Charlie is not. Given his athletic personality everyone assumes Nick is straight, including himself! However, as his friendship with Charlie develops they start to feel an undeniable attraction towards each other which leads to a kiss.  

This is where volume 1 ends leaving the YA readers in a moment of anticipation and utmost curiosity about what is to become of their new favourite teen couple. In the following three volumes, Oseman manages to meet the expectations she set in the first book with her sensitivity as a YA LGBTQ+ author. The same is evident in the popularity of the Heartstopper series across the bestselling book charts and now a popular Netflix series.

Through highly relatable experiences, sensitive teen emotions and relevant themes written in the graphic novel format; Oseman has managed to explore an unconventional format with a Young Adult LGBTQ+ novel. Thus making the Heartstopper Series perfect for teens who find it hard to read books in their conventional format. The expressive and warm graphic illustrations make the novels far more easy to savour and manage to appeal to a wider; often reluctant; reader base.