If you have yet to jump on the Heartstopper band wagon, this summer might be the perfect time for you to hop aboard. The second season of the Netflix series based on this charming YA graphic novel comes out on August 3rd. It arrives with a lot of anticipation too as the first season was a critical darling, rating a whopping 100% on Rotten Tomatoes! I recommend both a viewing of the show and a reading of the endearing books by Alice Oseman. 

Heartstopper Volumes 1-4 (the fifth book is due out in December 2023) tell the love story of Nick and Charlie, two classmates at a British all-boys school. In the rom-com tradition of a meet-cute, Nick and Charlie get randomly assigned to sit next to each other in homeroom at the start of the January term.  At first, they appear an unlikely couple as Nick is a seemingly straight jock and captain of the rugby team, and Charlie is a more sensitive, self-proclaimed “nerd” who has recently experienced bullying for being gay. Their differences quickly come to complement each other, and they become fast friends…and then of course, more than just friends. The Heartstopper graphic novels are an enjoyable read on so many levels, they lovingly depict LGBTQ+ romances and tales of friendship, along with honest portrayals of the mental health issues facing many teenagers these days. 

The illustrations in the graphic novels are beautifully detailed and Oseman cleverly uses texting screens as an effective way to narrate the story and relay characters’ back stories.  The images are black and white with shades of aqua and often have a cinematic feel as they read like scenes from a movie. Oseman’s drawings are very emotive, especially in depicting the mannerisms of these two boys. With Charlie’s messy hair and slouched posture, you can easily visualize the awkward movements of teenagers. 

Oseman should be applauded for her excellent secondary characters as well, like Charlie’s straw-sipping older sister, who comically pops up out of nowhere with her lemonade in hand and has a very acute take on situations. Nick’s Mom seems to really see him, even before he realizes his bi-sexuality for himself or comes out to her. She and Charlie’s father are presented as non-judgemental and as a soft place to fall for these kids, which is such a refreshing take on the “parent” character. Elle, Charlie’s transgender friend—who, in the first book, makes the move to the adjacent all-girls school—is an elegant portrayal of someone charting a new path. Her character really blossoms as the story continues too. There are so many characters to love in this series, it’s definitely hard to chose a favourite! 

Oseman is a young author, having started to write Heartstopper at the age of 22. It began as a webcomic and became wildly popular. Oseman knows how to work social media: she crowd-funded the original run of Heartstopper: Volume 1.  Now in her late twenties, Oseman has become a very successful author, illustrator and now she can also add screenwriter to her list of accomplishments, as she wrote all eight episodes of the first season of the Netflix show.  Heartstopper is a captivating depiction of the excitement of crushes and young love, and if you are a romance fan, certainly well worth a read!