Heartstopper is a series of graphic novels set in an English high school that follows teens Nick and Charlie, who meet by chance at their school. On their path to friendship and love, they discover who they are, both individually and together, during this pivotal time in their lives. This series as a whole is cuteness personified. It will make you want to grab a cup of coffee, snuggle up in bed, and read about cute British boys falling in love. While the series does keep itself very light-hearted as Nick and Charlie navigate their ever-changing feelings and social lives, it uses the veil of fluffy romance to discreetly tackle many serious issues that the characters go through. There are trigger warnings for bullying, homophobia, biphobia, non-consensual kissing, eating disorders, self-harm, and anxiety, among others.
Even though the characters go through heavy and, at times, dark experiences, the heart of the story is always about learning the best ways to cope with those moments and find a path towards healing. The main theme woven throughout the series is finding love in your life through friendship. We watch Nick and Charlie help each other, gain help from others, and also learn to help themselves through everything they deal with in their teen years. If you’re a fan of fluffy romance centered on young love or simply want something that will be a comfort to you and maybe even something you can see yourself in, try out the Heartstopper series!