Heartstopper: Volume 2

This is so stinking cute! I appreciate the healthy and accepting way Nick's sexuality is handled - almost a treatise on how to not out people and how to respond when they do come out. Also love how the characters actually TALK to each other - no miscommunication trope here.

This picks up a little after the events of volume 1. Charlie is convinced that he has now ruined the friendship between him and Nick by kissing Nick. Nick, meanwhile, instantly regretted bailing on Charlie but is also still overwhelmed by a confusing jumble of feelings. He decides to go to Charlie's and talk to him, only for the two of them to admit that they really like each other and kiss again. They decide to become a couple but keep it between themselves for now, because Nick isn't really comfortable with the idea of coming out yet and hasn't even settled on what label applies to him, although "bisexual" sounds more appropriate than "gay."

The rest of the volume is devoted to Nick and Charlie spending time with each other and just show more generally being really bad at hiding their feelings for each other. As it turns out, however, there are people blind enough to see them making heart eyes at each other and not realize that they're in a relationship. Tao, one of Charlie's friends, is worried that Nick will end up hurting Charlie the way Ben did. Charlie, meanwhile, doesn't mind keeping his and Nick's relationship private, but he's not wild about spending time with some of Nick's friends.

This was not as heavy and angsty a volume as the end of volume 1 made me think it might be. Nick was very worried that he might inadvertently hurt Charlie with his request to keep their relationship secret for now - he's well aware of how Ben hurt Charlie. However, Charlie is keenly aware of how painful being outed to everyone before you're ready can be - he's genuinely okay with giving Nick the space he needs to become more comfortable and figure himself out. Basically, they were two fluffy, cotton candy-sweet guys who fell over each other apologizing for anything they thought might make the other person uncomfortable or upset.

Charlie's friends, for the most part, welcomed Nick into their group activities with open arms. Nick's friends, on the other hand, weren't quite so great. I wonder if Oseman will make the fallout with Nick's friends a bigger deal in volume 3, or whether it will really be as easy as Nick just saying "I'm done with you all because you're horrible to Charlie"? Granted, several of Nick's friends weren't exactly what I'd call "friends," but cutting things off with your entire friend group is still a pretty big deal.

Extras:

Nick and Charlie's idea of casual vs. smart clothes, Nick and Charlie's diary entries about the events at the start of the volume, several character profiles, and a 10-page mini comic about the first time Tara and Darcy kissed each other.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.) show less

Charlie and Nick’s awkwardness continues to be adorable as they navigate the early days of their relationship. I think the thing I appreciate most about this volume is how Oseman handles Nick’s uncertainty about discovering who he is and coming to terms with that and how it’s made very clear that no one should force you or rush you into making these decisions. Each person’s coming out story is different and personal and should be done solely on their terms and when they’re ready. Charlie is understanding and patient and let’s Nick take his time in discovering who he is. It’s so refreshing to see a queer love story told like this. Everyone should be reading this series!

!!Minor spoilers!!

This volume starts off way sadder than I expected, and it immediately set a heavier tone than the first one. Charlie’s insecurity and overthinking are really strong here, and while it can be frustrating, it also feels very real. His thoughts spiral so quickly, and you can really feel how much he doubts himself and his place in Nick’s life.

At the same time, the story is still incredibly soft and sweet. There are so many small, quiet moments that just made me go “nawww” while reading. Nick continues to be caring and patient in such a gentle way, and I really loved seeing him slowly understand his own feelings more clearly.

What I liked most is how the book focuses on emotions rather than big drama. It’s about show more figuring things out, miscommunication, and learning how to be honest with yourself and others. The balance between sadness and comfort worked really well for me.

Even though it’s still a bit dramatic, that actually fits the characters and their age. The overthinking, the fear of being too much, and the constant worrying all feel very believable.

Final Thoughts:
It’s soft, emotional, sometimes sad, and very sweet. A bit dramatic, yes, but in a way that makes sense. Overall, it just made me want to keep reading and protect these characters at all costs. show less

Oh, to be a teenager again!

It’s interesting to read a story so clearly out of your age range… I am very much too old for this. It feels like looking at a mirror at a younger self. I’m suddenly 16 again: I’m newly “out”, I’m virginal to a fault, I’m utterly optimistic and so, so naive… It’s nostalgia-inducing, if anything, but unnerving. I appreciate its existence, despite my traumas clouding it.

At the end of the day, Heartstopper is (fanfiction) fantasy for queer teens: It has one-dimensional homophobic villains, AO3-esque fluff, and thus unfortunately suffers from a female writer who writes her cis-male protagonists as lesbians. They are projection material for the queer (AFAB) reader to prepare themselves for show more their own future relationship and identities. Anyone who has actually weathered the world of relationships (and ones involving people who are AMAB) knows that this is only a shade of the reality. It almost leaves a bad taste in my mouth. show less

This installment of Heartstopper was so adorable and emotional. I cried multiple times reading it, both happy crying (Nick and Charlie are so CUTE together omg) and overwhelmed crying (Nick’s mum’s reaction to her son’s coming out). I am not a regular reader of YA or of stories where a love story is the primary plotline, but I LOVE this series and wholeheartedly recommend it. I requested Volume 3 as soon as I’d finished this volume.

The second volume of the Heartstopper series starts right where the first one left off - Charlie and Nick have become best friends, then kissed, right after which Nick left the room and Charlie called his dad to pick him up, so they are having a rough night's sleep replaying what happened. Very soon, though, Nick comes to Charlie's house and they talk it out, realizing how they misunderstood each other and agree to have a relationship, but keep it quiet at school since Nick isn't sure he's ready to come out.

Like the first volume, the boys are each treated so tenderly as they deal with the anxiety of their relationship, coming out, and dealing with friends and family who may or may not accept them. I enjoyed seeing their relationship show more develop and look forward to seeing what happened next. Incidentally, this is the first graphic novel I read on my Kindle, and I found it seamless with nothing hard to read or make out on the small(ish) screen. show less