JANUARY 2023 - AudioFile
Narrators Joe Jameson and David Stagg tenderly deliver this touching audiobook. Nick, voiced by Stagg with optimistic confidence, can’t stop talking about how excited he is to start university. Charlie, voiced by Jameson with breathy uncertainty, fears facing his last year in high school without his boyfriend. Nick can’t tell what’s going on as Charlie’s anxiety spirals out of control, and the two wonder if their relationship can survive long distance or if they should just break up. Both narrators have British accents, and their timbres complement the differences in the emotional ranges of both boys. This charming audiobook is an essential listen for fans of the popular Heartstopper series. A.K.R. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
Praise for the Heartstopper series:
New York Times Bestseller
USA Today Bestseller
National Indie Bestseller
American Booksellers Association Indie Next Pick
YALSA Great Graphic Novels Selection
YALSA Quick Pick for Young Adult Readers
"Absolutely delightful. Sweet, romantic, kind. Beautifully paced. I loved this book." — Rainbow Rowell, author of Carry On
"You'll smile watching Charlie and Nick open up to one another, and sigh as they tiptoe into romance… falling in love doesn’t get more charming than this." — Ngozi Ukazu, New York Times bestselling author of Check, Please!
★ "Incredibly lovable from start to finish." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Realistic yet uplifting, this tale of self-discovery will make readers' hearts skip a beat." — School Library Journal
"With all the blushing and awkward glances, it's difficult not to be charmed… The romance and realistic fiction will draw readers in to this sweet story." — Booklist
"Will win readers with its sweet romance, its queer-friendly storyline, and its light-touch relationship drama… This graphic novel lives up to its heart-stopper title." — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"I was blown away. It's very tender, real, and wholesome. I read each book in one sitting." — The Nerd Daily
JANUARY 2023 - AudioFile
Narrators Joe Jameson and David Stagg tenderly deliver this touching audiobook. Nick, voiced by Stagg with optimistic confidence, can’t stop talking about how excited he is to start university. Charlie, voiced by Jameson with breathy uncertainty, fears facing his last year in high school without his boyfriend. Nick can’t tell what’s going on as Charlie’s anxiety spirals out of control, and the two wonder if their relationship can survive long distance or if they should just break up. Both narrators have British accents, and their timbres complement the differences in the emotional ranges of both boys. This charming audiobook is an essential listen for fans of the popular Heartstopper series. A.K.R. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2023-03-14
In this novella addition to the Heartstopper graphic novel series, English teen boys Nick and Charlie face a new challenge—sustaining a long-distance relationship.
At the end of the summer, Nick will leave for university a couple of hundred miles north in Leeds. He can’t wait for independence and an escape from his hometown. As much as Charlie wants to support his boyfriend, every time Nick mentions his plans, Charlie sinks deeper into anxious thoughts about a whole year apart. All of Charlie’s followers on Tumblr say their breakup is inevitable, which doesn’t help. Determined not to make Nick feel bad about his insecurity, Charlie tries to distract both of them from the future and the upcoming changes. Chapters switch back and forth between Charlie’s and Nick’s perspectives. Each time Charlie swallows his anxiety and lies to Nick, he feels worse. The steady buildup of tension drives the story forward at a fast pace. Returning characters and references to past events from the comic series receive some introduction and explanation for new readers, but familiarity with the previous volumes or the live-action Netflix series provides beneficial context for characters’ relationships and the central conflict. Illustrations throughout capture romantic and emotional moments. Although presented in a different format from the rest of the series, this appealing addition strikes the same balance of engrossing drama and gentle love.
Sweet and idealistic. (cultural notes for American readers, character information and sketches) (Romance. 14-18)
