Synopsis:
In this volume we’ll see the Heartstopper gang go on a school trip to Paris! Not only are Nick and Charlie navigating a new city, but also telling more people about their relationship AND learning more about the challenges each other are facing in private…
Meanwhile Tao and Elle will face their feelings for each other, Tara and Darcy share more about their relationship origin story, and the teachers supervising the trip seem… rather close…?
Review:
It feels safe to say at this point that Heartstopper Volume Three will always be my favourite in the series. I know Volume Six isn’t out yet so that could change but it would need to be insanely good.
The more I read this volume the funnier it becomes that Nick and Charlie are not discreet at all. They’re all over each other all the time, in front of other people too. Plus they’re constantly posting pictures of each other on Instagram. I’ve been with my partner for almost 10 years now and I think I’ve posted like three photos of him.
I will always love the apology from Christian, Sai and Otis. It’s not particularly profound but the “Hi Nick, we know you and Charlie are a thing and that’s fine” bit that they don’t actually say to Nick for certain reasons, is really sweet. Seeing rugby lads be so accepting, not something you see very often in media set in British schools, is lovely and refreshing.
I’d forgotten until now that Mr Ajayi was a teacher at Higgs, not Truham. I’m glad they made that change for the show as it gave Charlie a safe space. Something I wish they didn’t change was replacing Aled with Isaac. Don’t get me wrong, I love Isaac but I don’t get why Aled wasn’t included. Especially as there was spinoff potential with Radio Silence (which I’m yet to read).
“There’s this idea that if you’re not straight, you HAVE to tell all your family and friends immediately, like you owe it to them. But you don’t. You don’t have to do anything until you’re ready” Aled says nothing but facts. He is basically the group’s therapist.
Darcy’s “Oh. You’re being gay. Good job. Carry on” will always be iconic. Volume Three is my favourite instalment purely because of Darcy. Well not purely, I love this for many reasons, but her quips are way too good in this volume. I love that they included all of them in the show.
Someone else that makes this volume incredible is Mr Farouk:
Mr Farouk: I need a drink. An alcoholic drink.
Mr Ajayi: We probably shouldn’t drink alcohol.
Mr Farouk: I need a croissant, then.
I love him in Volume Three but he’s even more iconic in the show. The Paris episodes will always provide great comfort to me.
Reading Heartstopper Volume Three has made me want to watch the show all over again. I’ve only watched season three once, but the other two multiple times. I like to save it for when I’m not feeling great as I know it will make me happier.
Check out Young Creative Press on all socials
You can also check out my StoryGraph here
Like this post? Why not read this one too: Organising My Goodreads #29