Alice Oseman

If you are interested in young adult romance novels you have probably heard of Alice Oseman's Heartstopper.  There are so many wholesome young adult romance novels out there, but only a fraction of there represent LGBTQ+ romances, and that is why it is so important to show appreciation for the LGBTQ+ authors in the industry. Alice Oseman is one of those authors.

Who is Alice Oseman?

According to her own personal website, "Alice Oseman is an award-winning author, illustrator, and screenwriter (1)." She is the creator of the comic Heartstopper, which was later produced into a show for Netflix, which she was the executive producer for. (1). She found her love for writing through Digimon and Pokémon. The character development within the shows influenced her to start her own 'character writing' (8). Alice said in an interview how when young adult fiction first became popular she was in high school, and given the fact she had yet to see any representation of her life attending a British all-girl school, she was influenced to start writing her first work Solitaire, which she says she started "just for fun" yet it got her thinking that she could do this professionally. It was during her first year in University that it was released, and she hasn't stopped writing since (9). 

Heartstopper (2019)

Heartstopper is a 6-volume long graphic novel series. The novels follow teenagers Nick and Charlie. They meet in school, become friends, and later fall
in love (7).  Every volume of the series follows "ups and downs of first love, friendships, coming out, and mental health." (7). Charlie and Nick were not new characters in Oseman's novel world. They were first introduced in her first novel, Solitaire. While they were minor characters, Oseman wanted to build their story, thus came Heartstopper (6)! When the two boys first meet, they are both new to love and Nick is still coming to terms with his sexual orientation  (7). There are many challenging topics within the novels, for example an article discussed how a major plot point revolves around a character who struggles with an eating disorder (6). The novels show the beauty of friendship and how friends are meant to support one another, not bring each other down. The novels also include side characters Tao Xu and Elle Argent. Tao is Charlie's best friend and Elle is another one of their close friends who recently came out as transgender (6). Tao is in love with Elle and they have their own fully developed storyline. 

Literary Reviews

According to readers, Heartstopper is "a cute romance" (5). They say how they felt every volume had a different, yet important message and each one

had a challenge you see the characters overcome (5). One reader stated how Heartstopper was their first graphic novel and first time reading a LGBTQ+ teen romance, and they enjoyed every last minute of it (3). They said "A sweet story of schoolboy longing and belonging that frames teen life, young crushes and slow build LGBT love." (3). Readers also consider the novels to be wholesome and precious. Another reader states "Hearstopper is the ultimate graphic novel comfort food. It is a bit sad, and very sweet without being sickeningly sweet. It achieves a good balance." (4). It has been said by so many individuals that these novels are fantastic, and are some of the most heartwarming series (2). 

Personal Reflection

I have been interested in the Heartstopper series. I would often walk past the boxed set at Target while browsing for other books, but I never picked them up. After my research, I 100% will be purchasing them on my next Target run.  I love how Oseman has her own fictional world, and how all of her novels are interconnected. It reminds me of one of my personal favorite series, Dream Harbor  written by Laurie Gilmore. I also love how she integrated all sorts of realistic teen drama and life within her novels. One thing I strongly dislike in fiction is when a novel is way un-realistic. What I mean by this is that there are many pieces of fiction I have read that portrays everything as sunshine and rainbows when a realistically awful situation is happening. I like how Oseman keeps her work "real". 

Alice Oseman Homepage : https://aliceoseman.com/.      

Works Cited

(1)“About.” Alice Oseman, https://aliceoseman.com/about/. Accessed 19 October 2026.

(2) “Book Review: Heartstopper by Alice Oseman :: Charles City Public Library.” Lib.Ia.Us, 2026, https://www.charles-city.lib.ia.us/library-news/book-review-heartstopper-alice-oseman. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

(3) “Book Review: Heartstopper by Alice Oseman I VL. Book Reviews.” V.L.Book.Reviews, 2022, https://vicariousliving-bookreviews.weebly.com/blog/book-review-heartstopper-vol-1-by-alice-oseman. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

(4) The Alley-Cat7. “Book Review: Heartstopper (Volume #1) by: Alice Oseman.” The Alley-Cat7, 15 Apr. 2024, https://thealleycat7.wordpress.com/2024/04/15/book-review-heartstopper-volume-1-by-alice-oseman/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

(5) Emma. “Series Review | Heartstopper by Alice Oseman – Never Judge a Book by Its Cover.” Never Judge a Book by Its Cover, 23 June 2022, https://neverjudgeabookbyitscover.co.uk/2022/06/series-review-heartstopper-by-alice-oseman.html. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

(6) Martin, Emily. “Haven’t Read HEARTSTOPPER yet? This Graphic Novel Series Is Soooo Worth the Hype.” BOOK RIOT, 30 Aug. 2024, https://bookriot.com/heartstopper-by-alice-oseman/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

(7) Oseman, Alice. “The History.” Alice Oseman, https://aliceoseman.com/heartstopper/the-history/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

(8) Kirichanskaya, Michele. “Interview With Author Alice Oseman.” Geeks OUT, 23 Dec. 2020, https://www.geeksout.org/2020/12/23/interview-with-author-alice-oseman/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

(9) www.edwardrobertson.co.uk, Edward Robertson. “Interview: Alice Oseman - Blog - Magazine : Mslexia, a Magazine for Women’s Writing and Women Who Write..” Mslexia, https://mslexia.co.uk/magazine/blog/interview-alice-oseman/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.