This book review is spoiler free!
Author: Alice Oseman
Series: Heartstopper
Audience: YA
Rating: 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis
Everyone knows that Nick and Charlie are the perfect couple – that they’re inseparable. But now Nick is leaving for university, and Charlie will be left behind at Sixth Form. Everyone’s asking if they’re staying together, which is a stupid question – they’re ‘Nick and Charlie’, for God’s sake!
But as the time to say goodbye gets inevitably closer, both Nick and Charlie question whether their love is strong enough to survive being apart. Or are they delaying the inevitable? Because everyone knows that first loves rarely last forever…
Writing Style
The story is written from the first person. It has two perspectives. Nick and Charlie. The book also contains a few illustrations.
Characters
Charlie Spring
Charlie is seventeen and in a relationship with Nick. He’s naturally quiet and shy. He has a hard time with his boyfriend going to university after the summer.
Nick Nelson
Nick is eighteen and in a relationship with Charlie. He likes rugby. He will start with his study at the university after the summer.
Conclusion
Best of YA books was kind enough to send me a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Nick is going to study at university after the summer. He’s already looking forward to it and talks about it constantly. Charlie is a little less enthusiastic about this since the university is far away. He’s worried that a long-distance relationship won’t work, but is afraid to discuss it with Nick. This creates tension. Will their relationship last?
It’s been two years since Nick and Charlie have a relationship. They have matured and that is very noticeable. Alcohol and sex are mentioned in passing in this book and Charlie even gets drunk.
Unfortunately, growing up also means that there is tension due to plans for the future. That is evident in this book. But how do you discuss something like that? Nick and Charlie both struggle with this. Nick and Charlie are called soulmates, but Alice Oseman keeps it realistic in this novella.
TW: alcohol consumption, anorexia, sexual content
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