HEARTSTOPPER show review + books to read after watching! (spoiler free)

hi everyone!
i have been looking forward to this show for so long, i can't believe it's finally here and i watched it!! it was so amazing and i just had to talk about it with you all!
thanks for watching!
– theresa ♡

BOOKS MENTIONED:

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 intro
02:22 overview
04:17 themes
10:09 characters
19:30 book recs

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social media:

sapphic book club and community space:

affiliate links:

[emmaward]

I really liked how the show handled Tara being secure in her relationship and her sexuality, but still afraid to use the word "lesbian".
I remember when I first came out at 16 I was so confident in my attraction to other girls / women, but I avoided using the word lesbian as much as possible. I called myself "gay" and it took me a long time to be comfortable with anything else. I think it's an overlooked part of coming out in a lot of sapphic stories and it was nice to see it reflected on screen.
Here's hoping the explicit and joyful rep in Heartstopper helps the next 16 y/o lesbian come out ☺

[emmaward]

Also I want to recommend Check Please by Ngozi Ukazu! It was originally a webcomic (which you can still read in full online for free), but it's also been traditionally published by First Second Books.
It's about a gay male figure skater joining his college's ice hockey team and falling for the team captain, a prodigy player who he assumes is straight (spoilers, he's not!). It also has this wonderful theme of friendship, as the team live together and spend hours every week training and playing. Coming out becomes a theme later on and then we also get the interesting intersection with professional sports and how being openly gay can affect a career. Ultimately, it's a happy story with lots of loveable characters and it really vibes with Heartstopper! I think you would really like it :)

[robinhd]

I loved your review on this and I'm going to rewatch the series again. I'm kinda going through what Tara experienced in the show and I hope to grow more confident and be able to use the word lesbian on myself more often and actually feel totally comfortable using it. Looking forward to your next video <3

[saramendes]

Just discovered your channel recently. I loved Heartstopper. Season 2 has just begun production and I am so excited to see what comes next 😘

[megmarie]

i love how articulate you are in all your videos <3 lovely as always! also i love your shirt omg

[noraclement]

I LOVED Heartstopper soooo much!!! I’ve not gotten a chance to pick up the graphic novels yet, but I sure will now! Also thank you, Tao’s hair is an absolute goddamn tragedy

[Kitkatscanread]

Loved this video! I agree with you on so much!

[jaydas]

I loved the show so much, I first read the comics so I was really excited for the show. I thought it was very well done and a faithful adaption.

[absinthe]

(started watching but I'll comment when I'm done watching the show, commenting now so the youtube algorithm is nice to you)

[hannah-wdqn]

another book recommendation: date me, bryson keller! it is the perfect mix of heartstopper and to all the boys i’ve loved before. bryson is a literal angel 🥰 it’s my absolute comfort book, tho it does deal with forced outings and being gay in a religious family, which hurt so bad but (for me) didn’t take any of that fuzzy feeling away

[catkelso]

great video and you look so lovely ❤❤❤