Book Review | Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman

A short novella to the best-selling graphic novel series, Nick and Charlie is a must-read for all the fans of Heartstopper.

Nick and Charlie is a spin-off novella from the Heartstopper graphic novels and Solitaire. It takes place about two years after Heartstopper Volume Four ends, but don't worry if you haven't read those yet because it can still be enjoyed without reading those prior.

I personally read this after reading Heartstopper volumes one to four and the transition between stories was seamless.

Check out my reviews for Heartstopper volumes one, two, three and four!

About Nick and Charlie

Everyone knows that Nick and Charlie is the perfect couple. Nick will be leaving for university soon and Charlie will be left behind in Truham Grammar. Everyone's asking if they're staying together, which is a stupid question.

Of course they're staying together.

But as the time to say goodbye gets closer, both Nick and Charlie question whether their love is strong enough to survive being apart.

Nick and Charlie Review

To be honest, I was kind of worried to read about Nick and Charlie in a written form since I've been seeing them drawn out for as long as I've known them. But the introduction of words was so insightful in getting a look into their thoughts and behaviours.

Before, we could see it from their facial expressions, but to a certain extent, their emotions were mostly inferred. With words, you get the exact feelings that these two were going through and what as going on inside their heads.

You don't have to miss them too much though because there are still little graphics of them. We get glimpses of them every few pages or so, which is a fun touch after all those words.

Since this is a novel, I feel like I could understand Charlie on a whole different level in Nick and Charlie. I've been through almost the exact same thing he has and we have such similar thinking patterns, it's uncanny. My heart aches for him.

While Charlie has my entire heart, I also loved Nick. It was so easy to sympathise with him and be on his side when Charlie acted selfishly.

Although the things that these boys go through can be difficult to read about—not going to spoil the book but whenever Nick and Charlie argued, it felt like the world was ending—the closure pays off for all the heartbreak I had to endure. It's so worth it.

My Recommendation

★★★★★ (5/5)

While Heartstopper focussed more on Nick and Charlie as individuals, Nick and Charlie follows these boys as a couple. I think it goes without saying that if you loved Heartstopper, you'll definitely love this one.

Obviously, you'll get more cute Nick and Charlie content, but you'll also be able to see them in a different light. The events in Nick and Charlie are different than what we see them go through in Heartstopper, and I love seeing this realistic part of teenage relationships in Nick and Charlie.

I will also highly, highly recommend that you listen to the audiobook while you're reading it. It seriously elevates your reading experience by a long shot. The narrators, Huw Parmenter and Sam Newton, did such a wonderful job on the this book.

And by the end, this book will shatter you in the best way possible. I had to stare at the ceiling for a good hour or so while I listened to Je te laisserai des mots on repeat.

If you could only read one book from the Oseman-verse, let it be this one.