Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman

 

In my Goodreads reviews, I'm trying to give credit to the people who encouraged me or inspired me to read a particular book, but in the case of Heartstopper, it was recommended to me by so many people that I actually lost track of who was first. Heartstopper is the adorable story of two boys named Nick and Charlie. Charlie is a shy but popular boy who has just come out to his school as gay, and Nick is an equally popular rugby player. The two of them become friends and then, maybe, something more, and that's really all this graphic-novel is, but their interactions are so wholesome and sweet that it becomes super life-affirming and uplifting.

I normally read darker romances but I thought Heartstopper was really well done. It captures the highs and lows of high school so well, as well as the uncertainties of first love and figuring out what you want in a relationship, learning to stand up for yourself, and falling for friends. It actually reminded me a lot of some of the older shoujo manga I used to love that had the whole "opposites attract" thing going, specifically Mars, which had a quiet artist falling for a race car driver.

Anyone who enjoys really wholesome romances that deal with real issues will love this. I went in with pretty low expectations and basically ended up loving it.

4 out of 5 stars