Heartstopper Volume One by Alice Oseman Book Review

“I fell for a straight boy . . . haha. . .”

(pg. 161)

About

Author: Alex Oseman

Genre: LGBTQIA+ Romance Comics

Series: Heartstopper volume one

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More Heartstoppers Book Reviews

Volume Two (coming soon!)

Volume Three (coming soon!)

Volume Four (coming soon!)

Synopsis

Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more…?

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. 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.

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…

Review

Spoilers Contained Below

To the ones who stop our hearts,

I saw Heartstoppers literally everywhere on bookstagram for the past however many years. I guess it wasn’t until last year that I really paid attention to how much I’ve been seeing Heartstoppers on bookstagram because I really really really REALLY was like, “Well, I want to read that now.” So, I bought Heartstoppers this year because it looked like a fun time and the covers were stunning and looked so fun. How could I not want to buy and read these books, right?

I can thoroughly, a 10000000000% say I FREAKING LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!!!!

Heartstoppers definitely stopped my heart more times than I could count 💗!

I finally understand the hype, the excitement.

It’s such a fun, incredibly sweet, gushy, soft, lovely, adorable, beautiful, romantic, and beautiful time. I just loved every second I spent reading this book 💗💗. I really did not want it to end.

You can imagine my horror at the ending 🙈!!!! If you. know, you know.

GOSH.

It was just so good.

If you didn’t know, Heartstoppers is a comic book, so there wasn’t super duper heavy reading, which is nice for the days or times where I’m like I don’t want to read a lot of words but I want to read an amazing story. I want to start by saying I really loved the artistry. It was simple, but cute and it gave me all the feels. As someone who loves to draw, paint, and craft, I have mad respect for anyone who is an artist no matter how you create something. In more recent years, people have been SMASHING it with digital art. I mean, have you seen all these illustrated covers these days? Absolutely smashing the game. I for the life of me cannot create digital art to save my life 😂. I’m exaggerating. But I’m not the best at digital art and much prefer hand drawn art because I’m better at that. But I feel like if I learned more about Procreate or other art platforms and practiced more how to use the features, colors, and tools, then I think I could actually be pretty good at digital art. I think it’s just the idea of learning a whole other platform to draw or paint that intimidates me because with hand-drawn art, all I have to do is use a pencil or pen and draw as opposed to figuring out which kind of pencil or what line or graphic I want to draw with on Procreate. It’s a lot of work, so I always give so much credit and have mad respect for digital artists.

I loved loved loved the artistry Alice Oseman has because it was super detailed, yet simple. I loved how I could really see and feel the emotions from the characters. I also loved the detail of the backgrounds or even the white space in how Alice Oseman drew petals or falling leaves. I think that was such a wonderful way to create a mood and use up space. I also liked that there wasn’t much of a color palette because it added to the simplicity of the story; so not being super colorful was fine by me because the story was still phenomenal. I liked how she also used shades of blue to emphasize the mood or coloration during some parts. I appreciated the little emojis within the word bubbles because it just felt like a cute tidbit to how the characters felt. I loved the creativity with how some of the comic boxes mimicked torn paper or how some comic boxes would layer on each other to match the chaos or excitement of the scene. I liked how there were boxes that featured whole text to mimic text messages . That was a super fun touch! I also adored the setting/mood and outfits.

The book itself is a pure work of art and Alice Oseman should be incredibly proud 💗.

I remember when I was in elementary school and was obsessed with comic books, I would draw my own comic books and I remember it taking FOREVER because I had to sketch the comic, then outline it, then color it. Then I had to think of the story and the writing and then the creativity behind it. And then there are a bajillion things to color because you have to color the people, the background, and sometimes you have to color all of that the same color a bajillion times over. It’s a fun time, but a tedious time. Again, mad respect.

Also, besides the art, the storyline was incredible. I loved loved loved loved loved loved LOVED it.

It was just SOOOOOO CUTE 💗🥺!

I mean, Charlie was sooooo adorable. He was like a sweet little cinnamon roll cupcake bean I wanted to wrap in a hug and protect from the world. He was soooo cute. What a sweet softie. And what a cutie! 😆 I want to be his best friend! He just seems like the sweetest, most likable person ever.

And then Nick was literally a sunshine teddy bear with how big/tall he was and how big-hearted he was. He was incredibly sweet and it was just so much cuteness to handle.

Charlie and Nick together was JUST TOO MUCH CUTENESS TO HANDLE!!! *MELTS*

Sooooo cute. I would like to apologize in advance for how much I’m going to preach how cute this book was, but I’m not mad at it.

I really don’t see how anyone could bully sweet Charlie Spring. I think it should be illegal to bully Charlie because he’s a literal angel in my eyes. But I know why he got bullied and I don’t approve. I feel like that’s rough to go to an all boys school and that people found out he was gay and they teased him about. He loves who he loves and I still don’t see why people think that’s wrong or feel the unnecessary need to be mean to others who love who they love. I wanted to hug Charlie because he didn’t deserve that kind of hate or exclusion.

Charlie also deserved better than Ben.

I cracked up when Nick said that because I feel like it should be a meme I use now whenever I highly dislike a character.

Anyway, don’t even get me STARTED on when Ben literally sexually harassed Charlie. I wanted to fight someone.

furious with Ben for pulling one on Charlie and pushing him up against the lockers and forcing him to kiss him. I wanted to throw a fit. I also felt disgusted and wanted to cry for Charlie because no one should ever have to experience that kind of harassment from anyone, or any harassment for that matter.

Honestly, seeing Charlie’s tears broke something in me.

I was proud of Charlie though when he stood his ground before Ben tried to pull something on him. I liked that Charlie recognized how Ben was using him because Charlie was the only openly gay person at their school and it felt like Ben was gay or bisexual and was using Charlie to explore those feelings. But it felt like Ben was leading Charlie on because they would kiss and it would seem romantic, but then Ben would go off and be with his girlfriend, so it wasn’t fair for Charlie who thought Ben and him were a thing. And honestly, Charlie deserved better than Ben. He deserved someone he didn’t need to hide/sneak around with or someone he would always be second with because Ben was still figuring out who he was.

I mean, Ben can explore his sexuality but he shouldn’t use Charlie to do that or string him along because that’s not fair or right.

It’s also not fair or right to harass someone like that for whatever reason. Not at all. I don’t know Ben and he seems like a grade A a** but I feel like there could be more of a story there because of how hurt people hurt people. So I feel like Ben’s only a bully because maybe at home, he’s not accepted as who he is or he’s afraid to come out because of his family pressure or society pressure. So he reacts by being a bully to Charlie and using him. I don’t know. But I feel like I could understand Ben. I don’t like him, but I get it.

While I’m talking about the people I didn’t like, let’s mention Harry. What an a** hat too 😂.

He didn’t deserve that 16th birthday party, the prick!

What a JERK!

I wanted to step on him like he was the gum beneath my shoe! He needed to get off his high horse! I know he’s rich, but doesn’t mean he needed to be an a**hole.

I freaking CHEERED MY HEAD OFF when Nick popped off on him! You go Nick! You tell him 👏🏼!

I found it funny how Nick is self-aware enough to know all his friends are—as he says—dickheads, yet he still hangs out with them 😅. Bro, get better friends. There are non-dickheads out there in the world, I guarantee you.

Like good old Charlie.

I love Charlie. How many times am I going to say that? I don’t know, enough times as I want 😂.

I loved when they started to notice each other more with Nick noticing Charlie at PE and asking Charlie to join Rugby. I loved loved loved how excited Nick was to teach Charlie about rugby and to have him on the team. The moment when Nick told Charlie to tackle him?????? Was I the only one freaking out?????? 😆 I mean, physical contact??? I freaking loved how Nick had his arms splayed out and was basically like come at me bro 😂.

But I also loved loved loved their GOOFY A*** GRINS AT EACH OTHER!!! I will compile a collage of their GOOFY A** GRINS at each other throughout the book because I literally couldn’t handle how they smiled at each other. I mean, I saw how much they liked each other. It was just sooooo adorable the way they both lit up like the freaking star on top of the Christmas tree whenever they talked to each other or were near each other. It was like they knew the sun shined out of their butts or something. I loved them.

Also, how they looked at each other? I need someone to look at me like that 😰.

I really liked when Nick was checking out Charlie’s “Facebook” page and messaged him about if he was okay. They had a nice intimate conversation where Charlie felt comfortable talking to Nick about his and Ben’s “relationship.” But I thought it was incredibly sweet that Nick wanted to be there for Charlie and how Charlie felt like he could let Nick in and not feel judged. I also screamed at how Nick gave Charlie a heart emoji ♡. I love to see it 🙈!!!

One of my other favorite parts was when Nick invited Charlie over to his house to see his dog!!! We love a guy who sends you dog pics 😂. Can I just say, the dog was next level adorable!!!!

Also, Charlie and Nick with dogs was like a boost of rainbow serotonin.

I mean, two cuties with a cutie 🐶.

Get you someone who looks good with a dog and who loves dogs.

I loved how Charlie got all dolled up and his sister was teasing him about it. I loved how they both had their goofy, bright grins when they saw each other. I FREAKING SCREAMED when Nick noticed Charlie cut his hair. We love a person who notices all the little things about you!!! Freaking Nick. I love that man. When he touched Charlie’s cheek and hair? *Swoon*

I must say, I liked Charlie with his short hair too. He looked like Charlie 2.0 with that fresh cut and cute goofy grin.

When the mom gave Nick the look and was like, “You look more like yourself with Charlie.” The mom and I know what’s UP!!!! Not Nick staring at how cute Charlie was with Nellie *Sighs* We know you lllloooooveeee him Nick, just love him!

You know what made me cry?

When Charlie was back at home and his sister Tori was there and he was crying and all sad and was like, “I fell for a straight guy.” MY HEART 💔. Charlie 🥺!!!!!! Don’t worry, sweetie he does love you!!!!!!

Also, not me crying when Nick wanted to hold Charlie’s hand when Charlie fell asleep when they watched a movie together. AWWWWW!

I FREAKING CACKLED when after they hugged, Tori went up to Charlie and was like, “I don’t think he’s straight.” 😂

I hope not 😂!

It made my heart swell seeing Nick search about if he was gay or how to know if you are gay because it makes me think about sometimes you just don’t know who you love. And who you love can change as you grow older and figure out more about yourself. I think Nick liked guys and girls, but him liking guys was a whole new feeling for him, one he wasn’t really sure of yet and he didn’t know if what he felt was real. He knew he was feeling something that went beyond just friendship with Charlie, but he didn’t know what else it was. I don’t know what that feels like, but I can only imagine that it must feel hard and strange and uncomfortable to feel like you thought you knew yourself and then to discover more parts that you don’t understand but want to understand. I also didn’t think it helped that they went to an all boy school and Charlie got bullied for being gay. Because Nick was an athlete, I feel like a part of him felt nervous to name what he felt for Charlie because he also might get bullied. As an athlete, that’s also another layer that he has to deal with from his peers.

There was this part where people (Sai, Christian, and Otis ) speculated about Nick and Charlie and the There was this part where people (Sai, Christian, and Otis ) speculated about Nick and Charlie and the coach (Miss Singh) went up to them and said stop talking about their sexuality. She also mentioned how you can’t just look at a person and assume you know who they are, which is entirely true. I don’t think it’s anyone’s business to talk about who they might love or their sexuality because at the end of the day, it’s who someone else loves and chooses not them, so it’s none of their concern. But people like to talk and be all up in each other’s business sometimes. But I felt like the coach could see the spark between Nick and Charlie and didn’t want anyone to take that away from them.

It was super cute when Nick also invited Charlie to douche canoe Harry’s birthday party at the end because Nick knew he was going to have a gosh awful time unless Nick was there. I loved how Nick’s whole demeanor and body lit up when Nick agreed to go to the party. And when they spot each other at the party? Pure magic ✨. That’s how someone you love should look at you every time they see you 👌🏼.

I didn’t want to mention this earlier when I was talking about how much I DETESTED Harry because I thought it would make sense if I talked about it when I talked about the end. But apparently, Nick had liked this girl named Tara Jones since eight year—-the same girl Tao told Charlie about when Charlie sI didn’t want to mention this earlier when I was talking about how much I DETESTED Harry because I thought it would make sense if I talked about it when I talked about the end. But apparently, Nick had liked this girl named Tara Jones since eight year—-the same girl Tao told Charlie about when Charlie said he thought he might have a real crush on Nick. I know Tao probably didn’t mean to be mean to Charlie and rain on his parade—he was probably just being realistic with his best friend and didn’t want to see him hurt—-but I kind of wondered where everyone was getting this information that Nick liked this Tara girl. I have nothing against her, but I could bet my bottom dollar that Nick didn’t like her no more 🤪. Sorry! OOOOH my goodness! When Harry pulled Nick away from Charlie and then accosted Charlie about Nick liking Tara??? I wanted to hit Harry on behalf of Charlie because I felt like Harry was mocking Charlie with that.

I freaking loved how Alice Oseman put a picture of young Tara and Nick to show how different they were when they first liked each other; it helped show how much they had grown as people. I also loved that Tara was queer and was open about having a girlfriend. What I loved most about Tara was how she made Nick feel comfortable to share if things were more serious with Charlie and for Nick to know she was a safe person to talk to if he ever needed someone. I mean, Nick might not have liked her anymore, but I appreciated they still had an amicable relationship. Also, I think knowing Tara was queer and open about it, made Nick feel a little less awkward to know that he also changed in his feelings over the years—-that it’s okay.

When Charlie was left alone and he ran into Ben, I thought something bad would happen. Ben gives me bad vibes. But I’m glad Charlie stood up for himself to Ben. I like a spicy, heated Charlie too. He said, I look like a cinnamon roll and I’m a cinnamon roll unless you freaking touch me!!! He said boundaries and get the heck away from me 👏🏼!!! Good for you Charlie.

I loved when they went to find a quiet place to talk or hang out. I loved that little comic box where Nick’s holding Charlie’s hand and guiding him through the crowd. It reminded me of those cheerily cute couple pictures where the person in the picture has their hand out and on the other side we can assume it’s their partner. I loved how they chased each other into this really quiet, star-filled UTTERLY ROMANTIC room. I also laughed at how Charlie called Nick old 😂. Papa Bear Nick, I tell you.

My heart when they talked about how Nick didn’t like Tara anymore and how he didn’t have a crush on a girl. II loved when Charlie’s face lit up at the possibility that Nick didn’t like just girls because it gave me such positive hopes after doubting for so long that Nick would ever like him the same way.

It just felt like such a vulnerable, open, tentative conversation between each other—-like they were tiptoeing on what to say and Nick was swimming in what he wanted and didn’t know what he wanted to say. If that makes any sense. It felt like a special conversation, one that changed their relationship in all the best ways.

I freaking loved it when Charlie was like, “Would you kiss me?”

I SCREAMED when they kissed!!!! LET’S FREAKING GOOGOGOGOGOOGOGOOOOOO!!!!!!

I loved how there were flowers in the empty spaces like there relationship went from fall—-all tentative and growing and now it was fully blossomed and beautiful. I loved how they kissed one time and then they pulled away and blushed like they didn’t know how to feel. Honestly, this is where words would have helped because I wanted to know how Nick felt because was he freaking out? Did he like Charlie that way? Was it a good kiss? How did Charlie feel? Did he think Nick liked the kiss?

MY FREAKING GOODNESS, when Nick left the room I wanted to throw a fit and drag him back into the room 😂!!!! I’m not joking! How dare he walk away after he just kissed the love of his life and after Charlie had no clue if Nick thought kissing him was a mistake or an accident or whatever?!?!?!!? How could he just up and leave?????????!!!!

Like I get it, Nick was still exploring and figuring out his feelings and probably didn’t want to hide away with Charlie some more in case someone came up and caught them or they thought something truly was going on between Charlie and Nick and Nick wasn’t ready to come out or open up about his feelings (which is perfectly fine). But bro could have at least said, “Hey that was a good kiss or something?” Literally anything but giving Charlie a sheepish a** look and then walking out the room and closing the freaking door, which I can guarantee made a hollowed a** echo as he left Charlie ALL ALONE ☹️. I LOVE Nick, but man he really left Charlie hanging like that. Give the dude some semblance of peace to know that he didn’t imagine what just happened or that wha happened was okay.

BRO, when whoever the freak called out to Nick and was like “Why are you hiding?” I felt an underlying question there 😅. Nick’s still figuring out what he feels, give him a break!!!! Let him kiss Charlie and let them be!!! MY GOSH. And the way Charlie looked up at him like a freaking kicked puppy. My heart 💔

You know what made me thoroughly upset?

I haven’t been this upset since Allegiant or Lord of Shadows or Crooked Kingdom, but my gosh, when Charlie starts to cry and sobs about how sorry he was, my heart shattered for him. I felt like a mess. I felt like someone dropped me out of a plane and let me splatter on the ground. MY BABY 🥺💗. He probably felt like he royally screwed up because he kissed Nick and he took his shot and then Nick walked away and left him all alone without saying anything. I would have felt the same freaking way as Charlie, like Nick didn’t like me anymore or that he wouldn’t want to be my friend. I think that sucks because they were friends before they were whatever they wanted to be now, and if Nick didn’t want the same thing, Charlie probably felt like he also lost a good friend. I wanted to hug our little bean. He had nothing to be sorry for! Nick said he wanted to kiss him and so he did—-it was consensual. But that’s so rough, not knowing how Nick felt afterward because Nick didn’t openly say he liked guys and that made Charlie feel like he messed up or made Nick do something he didn’t want to do.

I don’t know, I felt terrible and gosh darn awful for Charlie. When he cries, it feels like a personal attack in the heart.

You know when I flipped the page and saw that there was no more, I felt attacked. WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT’S ALL THERE IS TO VOLUME ONE?!?!?!!? HOW DARE Alice Oseman END THE BOOK LIKE THAT!!!??

I was livid 😆.

My gosh. You don’t just have Nick walk away and not say anything to Charlie and then have Charlie sobbing uncontrollably because he felt like he messed up and then call that the end. NOOOO.

I was Shook.

I didn’t know what to do with myself.

Honestly, if I read this book when it came out, I would have been unstable to a fault because I needed to know what happened next and how out Charlie was holding up and what the heck Nick was doing and what he was going to do now that they kissed—-now that things had obviously changed between them. A sis needed to know like a sis needs water and food to live.

But I had a sneak peak in the back of my book, so I wasn’t super duper unstable . . .unsatiated, yea. But at least I got a glimpse of what happened next. I can’t imagine the person I would have become if I had to wait for volume two to come out 😂.

Let’s just say I was sobbing for Charlie and wanted to hug him. Poor thing was clutching a teddy bear and crying into his pillow 😭!!! My big old softie! MY BABY. And then Nick’s over here regretting leaving Charlie for his dickhead friends and then later that night wants to text Charlie. He said he was confused and sorry.

Bro, I was confused too. Why you walk away like that?

I don’t know.

I need volume two.

I ordered all the volumes.

I’m committed.

I’m in it.

I’m obsessed.

Wow.

Nick and Charlie for the win!

I want them to DTR or to at least open up about their feelings to each other in the next book. I also want to see more of Charlie’s friends and not Nick’s friends because Nick needs better friends. I would also love to see Charlie’s family because they seem super lovable and interesting. Or I like the sister so far because she’s funny. But I just want more Charlie and Nick cutie moments and hand holding, kissing, GOOFY grins, sparkle eye looks, and teasing each other. They are soooo cute together and I don’t see them not ending up together because of how well they work together, how comfortable they are around each other, and how they look at each other like the sun shines out the other’s butt.

They are too cute.

There I go again with that word.

What a book 💗.

I finally understand the hype.

A real Heartstopper if you ask me 😉

What was your favorite part of the book? Least favorite part? What did you think of the book? 

Who is your favorite character from Heartstoppers so far? I can’t choose between Charlie or Nick because they are both super cute and lovable. But Charlie is my marshmallow blanket bean and I would protect him at all costs. Nick can protect himself 😂 (Charlie can too but I want to protect him).

Let me know below in the comments as I love hearing from you all 💕

I hope you have a beautiful day whenever and wherever you might be reading this 😊.

And as always, with love,

Rating

5 Full Rainbow Hearts

Characters: Charlie is my softie sweetie and Nick is my big-hearted teddy bear. I just want them to be together and to be happy.

Plot: Utterly cute, adorable, gushy, romantic, sweet, fresh, delicate, and magical. A real show stopper and heartstopper or a book.

Artistry: Simple, but yet detailed and cute! I loved the different elements Alice Oseman plays around with with the background, the empty space between comic boxes, and the different ways she uses the comic boxes to tell a story. Also, I loved loved loved the goofy grins on Nick and Charlie’s faces, keep them coming 😊

Romance: Charlie and Nick sure do stop my heart in more ways than one 💗