Heartstopper: Volume Two by Alice Oseman | A Book Review (2025)

Reading a series that skillfully evolves its storyline and utilizes its characters for new developments is always an enthralling experience. It’s fascinating to be part of a narrative where familiarity blends seamlessly with unexpected and captivating elements. This is what elevates a book, making it not necessarily the best, but certainly a better one.

A prime example of this is the Heartstopper series, the second installment authored by the talented writer, Alice Oseman. Oseman has once again showcased her narrative prowess, reminding me of her remarkable ability to craft characters that resonate deeply with my own life experiences. These characters have become close to my heart, speaking volumes in ways that feel personal.

In the first book bearing the same title, Volume One marked a fresh beginning and introduced new dynamics into what seemed like the budding of a unique romantic relationship between two characters.

Charlie, a character who exudes silence, shyness, intelligence, and a friendly, kind nature, openly embraces his sexuality, despite having endured relentless bullying. The torment ceased only when he found solace among the right people. Then there’s Nick, the charming, attractive jock of the school, a dream crush for many, who has yet to explore his own sexuality and feels an inexplicable connection with Charlie.

These intricacies were explored in the first book, and Volume Two delves even deeper into what remains to be discovered about each other on a more personal level. What sets these books apart is their ability to create a sense of home and offer characters with whom we can connect on a personal level, whether relating to our own lives, those of loved ones, or even imagining alternate perspectives. It feels like a rewarding experience.

The essence of life lies in exploration. This exploration can take numerous forms and lead to countless possibilities. Exploring life encompasses everything, from understanding ourselves to the people around us, forging new connections, and sometimes venturing beyond the boundaries of human-centric experiences. Such is the beauty of exploration.

With these thoughts in mind, let’s now delve into the opinions I formed while reading this book and explore my emotions during the journey. If you’re concerned about encountering any spoilers, I recommend reading the book first and returning here later to compare our perspectives. Rest assured, I’ve taken care to avoid revealing any significant plot points. So, let’s dive into this article and gain a comprehensive understanding of the book from my perspective. Shall we begin?

About the book, “Heartstopper: Volume Two” by Alice Oseman (taken from goodreads.com)

Nick and Charlie are best friends. Nick knows Charlie’s gay, and Charlie is sure that Nick isn’t.

But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is discovering all kinds of things about his friends, his family … and himself.

Heartstopper: Volume Two by Alice Oseman (Heartstopper #2)

Genre: Comic, Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary
Page Count: 320
My Rating: 4.8/5

Opinions Formed while Engaging with the Book

Let’s dive into this book. I’m reading it right after finishing the first volume of Heartstoppers, so if you’re curious about that, check out my previous article. Anyway, let’s get started.

Charlie, I completely understand where you’re coming from, but can you just pause for a second?

This is adorable, like really adorable.

I wish my feelings were as calm as yours seem to be about this. It’s giving me hope, although it may not materialize anytime soon. But let’s remain hopeful; after all, what harm is there in hoping?

Of course, it’s quite evident… but seriously, why are we wired like this?

Hahaha… Charlie has undergone quite a transformation; this new Charlie is winning my heart. I don’t recall this part from the series, so it feels fresh to me. Hmm…

Indeed, it appears that your characters have evolved over time. Now Charlie comes across as more confident and talkative, while Nick is apologizing excessively, much like Charlie did in the beginning. Let’s see which direction this river of change will flow in.

This is amazing.

Page 341 is incredibly captivating. I’m getting goosebumps. This is simply astonishing.

I’m considering revisiting the series once again. I miss it. My affection for Nick and Kit is undeniable. It’s surprising how attached I’ve become to these fictional characters. Nick might just be my favorite character among all the books I’ve read so far. He’s simply incredible. I’m absolutely in love with this book.

I just looked up (checked out) Kit Conner… Monkey closing it’s eyes emoji…

This is adorable, and it’s making me blush. I now find myself yearning for someone or something like this. Ahhhhhh.

And I definitely identify with Ravenclaw…

BLUSHINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

Page 554 in my book is truly awesome. Fidaa!

Already done? This book was a quick read, like super quick. I wish it were a bit longer and more extensive. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book. It conveyed so much more than the series, highlighting the magic of reading compared to watching. But after finishing these enchanting volumes of Heartstopper, I’m definitely going to rewatch the series. I know exactly why I adore Nick and Kit the most. It makes me feel cute. This whole experience is just adorable, and I’m relishing it. Heartstopper is an incredible series, and I’d enthusiastically recommend it to anyone. It’s a beautiful love story. I just hope that if the series continues, it follows their relationship through all stages of life and doesn’t remain confined to teenage love or school romance. I want to see them grow older and lead a happy life. This book is making me feel much better. It’s time for me to start living my life, actually.

Best Lines from the Book, “Heartstopper: Volume Two” by Alice Oseman

“Why are we like this??”

“I wish being out wasn’t so terrifying to me.”

My Rating Explained

Disclaimer: I categorize my rating system into five distinct categories, with each category receiving a single rating. Each category is accompanied by ten specific questions, each with its own internal marking system. The details of the internal questions will remain undisclosed. It’s worth noting that my rating system for non-fiction and fiction books differs slightly.

I know this is more of a comic than a traditional book, so conventional types of ratings might not entirely align with it. Nonetheless, I will put in all my efforts to provide a sensible review. First of all, the writing style was surprisingly easy to understand, even for a comic. While there were moments when I felt a bit confused, overall, it was quite manageable. The book was engaging and captivating, keeping me hooked.

The author wasn’t afraid to play with words, and although the vocabulary was relatively simple, it felt refreshing. The narration was concise, without any confusion or jumbling. The pacing was well-suited, never leaving me feeling lost. Moreover, I didn’t come across any grammatical mistakes in the version I read, which was a definite plus.

The emotion conveyed through the writing style was intriguing, and the author’s narrative inspired me to try something similar, even though I don’t have the skills to create a comic. In conclusion, the writing style felt unique to the author, earning full points in this category from me.

Moving on to the plot, the beginning was compelling enough to carry the story forward. The plot was well-structured and devoid of unnecessary information. While there weren’t many unexpected twists, the closure it provided was satisfying. The book didn’t necessarily need significant twists; its moderate nature worked well. The ending was also well executed, leaving me with a positive feeling.

Regarding the plot’s originality, I must say it’s one of the most original stories I’ve read. It’s new, catchy, and quite unique in my experience. The dialogue between the characters felt natural and realistic, keeping me eagerly turning the pages.

The effective segmentation of the plot with small breaks helped maintain my interest, though I felt the segments could have been a bit shorter. Overall, the book had a good grip on its purpose, and it significantly improved on giving each character the justice they deserved, a notable improvement from the first book. That’s something I truly appreciated in this book.

Moving on to the characters, I could relate to the main character, and all the characters felt well-established. Witnessing some character development and growth was a positive sign. The book presented a wide range of unique characters, which was again a win-win situation. The depth given to both the main and supporting characters was truly remarkable. I found myself loving this book more than the first. It’s so touching.

The characters felt realistic and relatable, reflecting aspects of reality, including myself and my past. The book’s diverse representation of characters and the values they carried were commendable. Among all the characters, Nick, one of the main characters, left a lasting impression on me, and I fell in love with this character all over again. I think this is an eternal love that I have for this fictional character. This emotional connection and fondness for the characters were delightful.

Regarding entertainment, the book provided ample enjoyment, capturing and maintaining my interest from beginning to end. The emotional connection I felt with the book, as if it were my own story, evoked a wide range of emotions in me. While not everything that happened to Charlie resonated with my life entirely, there were parts that did, and seeing him overcome some challenges made me really happy.

This book also allowed me to escape reality and immerse myself in my imagination, which was truly refreshing and entertaining. I also encountered intense and heart-pounding moments that excited me the most. Some of the new discoveries in the book, especially about dating life and the future, were soothing to think about and added moments of joy.

Addressing the special factors of the book, its themes and messages were meaningful and pertinent to today’s society. The book successfully provided a worthy commentary on human experiences through its characters and storyline, offering valuable lessons without over-exaggeration.

The story offered a fresh perspective within its genre and expertise, introducing several unique ideas. As for the final three rating questions, while the book didn’t make me want to read more from the same author due to my strong attachment to the characters in this series, it doesn’t take away from the author’s talent in writing different stories.

The eye-catching cover truly represented the book and added to its appeal. Finally, this book indeed has everything and is a one-of-a-kind gem, especially for those who enjoy college romance and the thrill of crushes and blushes.

Combining all these aspects, I would rate this book a commendable 4.8 out of 5.0, which speaks highly of its quality. I’m happy with this rating as it reflects the book’s merits and the enjoyment I derived from it.

Bottom Line

In “Heartstopper Volume 2,” Alice Oseman masterfully continues the captivating journey of her characters, blending familiarity with unexpected twists. This installment deepens the exploration of relationships, self-discovery, and the unique bond between Charlie and Nick. The series excels in creating a sense of home and relatability, making it a rewarding read for those who value authentic storytelling and character connection.