Heartstopper: Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper: Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

Release Date - May 5, 2020

Publisher Website - Scholastic
Publisher Social Media - Twitter

Pages - 288 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**borrowed from library**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. A sweet and charming coming-of-age story that explores friendship, love, and coming out.

Shy and softhearted Charlie Spring sits next to rugby player Nick Nelson in class one morning. A warm and intimate friendship follows, and that soon develops into something more for Charlie, who doesn't think he has a chance.

But Nick is struggling with feelings of his own, and as the two grow closer and take on the ups and downs of high school, they come to understand the surprising and delightful ways in which love works.

There are some books that leave you feeling happy and light. They are a tiny jolt of sunshine and offer you exactly what you need when you read them. Heartstopper is exactly this kind of book. 

This is a snapshot of your first crushes and all the highs and lows that come with them. It captures the thrill of crushing on someone with the anxiety of if they will like you back. Charlie and Nick's tentative and adorable steps to liking each other are instantly recognizable to those who have experienced the same emotions. 

This cast of characters is instantly loveable. It is the type of story where you need to be invested in the characters and this definitely succeeds in making you care. I left volume one wanting to both know more about the characters and continue the story.  

A graphic novels artwork can be flashy and eye catching but if it doesn't match the story being told it will not work. This has a fresh and clean art style. It allows the story to take central focus while still offering so some artwork. It works with the plot and enhances it where it needs to. 

The sweetness of the story is woven with some storyline that have the potential to dig deeper and make the next volumes feel a little more heavy. Any good romantic plot line has obstacles to overcome before the couple can have their happy ending and I expect this to be no different. I also anticipate that this will remain charming and sweet throughout.

If you are looking for a fast read that will compel you to pick up the next volume as soon as you can and leave a smile on your face I highly recommend this one. This is one of the few graphic novels that I will continue on with and check out the second volume.