Citation: Oseman, A. (2018). Heartstopper: Volume one. Graphix.
Content Warnings: Homophobia, sexual assault, and bullying. Later books in the series focus on eating disorders.
Two boys meet when they are assigned to sit beside each other in class. One of them is gay, and the other is straight, and yet their friendship continues to grow until they both start to wonder if there’s deeper feelings growing towards each other.
Oseman’s graphic novel is a lighter romance, similar in tone to other LGBT webcomics that aim for softer relationships with less implications of mature sexual themes. The story is perfect for audiences looking for cute love stories and written to be enjoyed by both younger and older YA readers. The story can be moved through quickly and may not be ideal for readers who prefer more depth and complexity.
Well-written and illustrated, Heartstopper can leave a warm feeling in even the most hardened of hearts.
Check out our other review of Heartstopper Vol. 1 here!