Review By: Heather Kent
Title: Heartstopper: Volumes Two–Four
Author: Alice Oseman
Published: 2019–2021
Genre(s): Graphic Novel, Romance, LGBTQIA+, Contemporary Fiction
Audience: Grades 8–12
Content Warnings: Mental health struggles, eating disorders, bullying
Goodreads Link: Heartstopper Series
Summary:
Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper series continues to follow Charlie and Nick as their relationship deepens and matures. Across Volumes Two through Four, readers watch the pair navigate first love, identity, and mental health, all while surrounded by a loyal group of friends who provide humor, honesty, and support. Their story moves from the excitement of school life and a trip to Paris to the more intimate challenges of coming out, struggling with disordered eating, and learning how to express love authentically.
Review:
Volumes Two through Four of Heartstopper beautifully capture the evolution of young love and the emotional complexities of growing up. Oseman’s storytelling is tender and honest, addressing self-discovery, anxiety, and the importance of mental health in a way that feels both accessible and deeply real. The relationship between Charlie and Nick models healthy communication and empathy, offering readers a meaningful reflection of acceptance and care.
Volume Two explores the uncertainty of identity and the courage it takes to embrace who you are. Volume Three adds depth through the Paris trip, where themes of friendship and belonging intertwine with the realities of supporting someone through private struggles. By Volume Four, Oseman delves into the emotional impact of mental illness and the challenges of loving someone through healing, all while emphasizing the power of honesty and vulnerability.
Oseman’s gentle art style and inclusive representation make this series a perfect choice for classroom discussions on relationships, LGBTQIA+ identity, and emotional well-being. Heartstopper remains a story of love, friendship, and family that resonates long after the final page.
