Book 809: Heartstopper, Vol. 3 (Heartstopper #3) – Alice Oseman

[Check out my updated (Feb 2022) response to Heartstopper Vol. 3 here.]

Well, my organized reading list has already been disrupted. I pre-ordered this back in December and didn’t really forget that I ordered it, but forgot when it was supposed to arrive. So, when it arrived while I was out of town last week I knew I couldn’t put off reading it—and frankly I’m impressed I lasted the four days I did!

These are so stinking adorable. I can’t believe I’ve managed to keep myself from finishing the series on the website, knowing it’s there! So, kudos to me for having some self-restraint in some part of my life 😀 If only I could figure out how to do that with food . . . I know for sure there’s at least one more, I’ve ordered it already, but I’m not sure how many more she’ll squeeze in between this and Solitaire.

By time Solitaire happens, Charlie and Nick are an established couple and, in this series, we’re seeing them and experiencing their navigating the first few months as a couple. Each book appears to cover roughly a month (or 6-ish weeks), so we grow with them. Check out my response to Volume 1 and response to Volume 2. I didn’t re-read them all this time, but I will for the fourth installment!

This one takes place at the end of their school year and into the summer. They’ve been together a few months and Nick came out to his mom at the end of the last novel. They’re now trying to navigate when (or if) they should let others know they’re dating.

Charlie, having had a bad experience before Volume 1, is much more hesitant than Nick. In his own way he’s trying to protect Nick, but ultimately harming himself by not eating and worrying too much. Nick, the sporting lad that he is, takes things in stride and is gung-ho about being his authentic self, but shows a lot of self-restraint as he and Charlie navigate it.

I continue to adore the storyline, but where Oseman really excelled in this one is with the extended cast of minor characters. I mean sure it feels like EVERYONE is somewhere on the rainbow spectrum, but I am here for it. I think back to those I gravitated to and who gravitated toward me and how many of us ended up somewhere on the rainbow spectrum or were just open and accepting and I’m like DUH, this makes sense.

I loved the side story between Tao and Ellie and the teachers, but Nick and Charlie’s just made me melt. Their kisses and whispers and Nick trying to take care of Charlie, but doing it with Charlie’s permission. And the tension, OMG the tension between the two. Oseman is showing a lot of restraint having them keep it incredibly PG, but slowly including more innuendos and having them blush and ultimately have a serious conversation about being ready, it’s just so wholesome and perfect.

Bonus picture of the famous bookshop Shakespeare and Company from their Paris trip. I loved the setting of this novel and the fact it forced more of the friends into the storyline and the navigation of coming out as a couple and Nick as bisexual.

Recommendation: READ THESE BOOKS, NOW! If you can’t afford it, they’re available online (tapas.io link). These are seriously some of the most adorable, wholesome comics you could ask for. And they deal with some pretty heavy subjects without 1) talking down to the reader; 2) sensationalizing any of it; 3) trivializing any of the issues/concerns; or 4) brushing them off (like homophobia—Go Charlie!, That speech was awesome and door slam were perfect!).