Review by Frank Plowright

Charlie’s entire school has been aware of his being gay for a year before he’s sat next to rugby player Nick Nelson. Nick isn’t as certain of his sexuality, and much of Volume 1 concerned his increasing attraction to Charlie, something others could see, but which he didn’t seem to realise, never mind the confusing message it sent. The first book ended with a typical misunderstanding, Charlie convinced he’d overplayed his hand, and Nick still puzzled at the concept that he’s attracted to a boy. Volume 2 largely concerns his coming to terms with this, and readers invested in the cast will be relieved that misunderstandings between Charlie and Nick are rapidly cleared up.

Heartstopper is planned as a five volume series, and Alice Oseman makes the interesting choice of continuing the page numbering from Volume 1, so beginning here with page 265. It’s so obvious, it seems strange there’s nothing in the way of precedent.

While the first volume was entirely natural, there are sequences here where the workings are more apparent. Oseman’s telling a story intended to appeal to young people having their own struggles with their sexual identity, and having set the scene there are moments here when the friendly advice of her inner pastoral care teacher emerges. The first occurrence is Charlie and Nick’s conversation where the whole range of sexual attraction is explained.

As before, this is intended as a rapid, page-turning experience, so the art is kept simple with barely any backgrounds, and dialogue is minimal for the most part. However, that’s fine as people won’t come to Heartstopper to appreciate the art, but to wrap themselves in the captivating story.

With Charlie and Nick having come to terms about their mutual feeling, Charlie’s sixteenth birthday party supplies the opportunity to introduce Nick to Charlie’s friends, who’ve so far been kept at a distance. Whereas the uncertainty generated by Nick in the first volumes came over as entirely natural, the jealousy of Charlie’s friend Tao is exaggerated. It’s consistent with his comments in Volume 1, but because he’s not featured much his reactions are extreme. It leads to a very touching scene, yet one needing more context.

To date indecision has been the biggest problem, but the final third of this volume concerns the neanderthal attitudes of some teenagers to anyone perceived as different, stoking their own self-esteem via persecution. It’ll be difficult reading for anyone who’s experienced similar situations, yet believability is what makes Heartstopper so engaging. A turning point has been reached by the end of this volume, the exam weeks are about to begin, and planning is started for the summer. See Volume 3.

The bonus material includes a second coming out story.