alice oseman

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

| piperreads

Rating: 3/5

“You can’t tell whether people are gay by what they look like. And gay or straight aren’t the only two options.”

Heartstopper follows Charlie and Nick, two grammar schools guys who couldn’t be more different. Nick, is a cheerful and soft spoken football player and Charlie is a high-strung over-thinker. For Charlie, school hasn’t been that great especially since he was outed and bullied for months. Nick heard about the bullying but knows very little about Charlie so when the two start talking to one another and get close, will it blossom into something more or will it go down in flames?

While very predictable and a bit cliche, I did enjoy Charlie and Nick’s relationship as it was very cute. I felt for Charlie being outed and bullied as a result because no one should have that happen to them. On top of being outed, he was bullied and that just made things worse for them. The plot has been done a lot of times so it was a bit predictable but a very cute book. Seeing how the relationship progressed through the book was enjoyable with Charlie and Nick getting to know one another and become closer.

A very cute book so if you’re looking lots of fluff and cuteness, you’ll find it in this book!

Loveless by Alice Oseman

| piperreads


Rating: 5/5

“She’s happy with who she is. Maybe it’s not the heteronormative dream that she grew up wishing for, but… knowing who you are and loving yourself is so much better than that, I think.” 

What a cute and endearing coming out story! Loveless is a story about Georgia, a young eighteen year old who struggling to come to terms with the fact that she’s never kissed, never had a relationship, or even a crush. She’s perplexed as to why that is and is trying to make sense of it while she starts at Durham University with her two best friends, Pip and Jason. With a new environment, new friends, and new adventures, Georgia starts a journey of self-acceptance, empowerment, and learns that love is so much more than she thought it was.

I’m a huge fan of Alice Oseman, she’s one of my favorite writers and I was really excited to start this for the LGBTQIA readathon. This was such a beautifully written coming out story and I loved that the main character, George identified as Aromantic-Asexual because that is what I identify as and it’s been a long journey to feel comfortable with that identity. I felt like out of all the characters, I related to her the most not just because of the aro-ace identity but to her personality. As someone who was a very shy, quiet, and reserved, I didn’t enjoy parties and going out and I did some of the same things Georgia did with her friends, Pip and Jason. I think she’s a well written character that teens and others will find relatable.

The secondary characters were well written and had great dynamics throughout the book. The story involves drama just as you would expect but it all works itself out in the end and you get a sense that Georgia is going to continue with her journey of self-acceptance and that something that we can all relate to in our own lives. Definitely would recommend this book to anyone! It’s super cute, real, relatable, and very empowering.