Where to Start Reading the Osemanverse
For readers diving into Alice Oseman's interconnected literary universe (affectionately dubbed the "Osemanverse"), the single best starting point is Heartstopper: Volume 1. This graphic novel introduces the core relationship between Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson and serves as the perfect entry point. From there, reading the main graphic novels in numerical order is the simplest way to follow their story.
However, because Charlie, Nick, and their friends first appeared in Alice Oseman's debut novel, Solitaire, and have since starred in multiple novellas, the timeline is actually spread across several books. While Oseman has stated that all of her books can be enjoyed as standalones, following a chronological path helps readers experience the character arcs, holiday milestones, and emotional developments exactly as they happen in the characters' lives.
The Ultimate Chronological Reading Order
If you want to read the graphic novels, novellas, and novels in timeline order, this is the most popular and recommended route for fans:
- Heartstopper: Volume 1 (Graphic Novel) – The meet-cute and early friendship of Nick and Charlie at Truham Grammar School.
- Heartstopper: Volume 2 (Graphic Novel) – Follows the development of their feelings and Nick's journey coming to terms with his bisexuality.
- Heartstopper: Volume 3 (Graphic Novel) – The group's school trip to Paris and the challenges of coming out to wider groups.
- Heartstopper: Volume 4 (Chapters 1 to 5) (Graphic Novel) – Covers the summer and autumn. Read up until the beginning of the winter holidays.
- This Winter (Novella) – This short prose book takes place during the Christmas holidays of Volume 4. It focuses on the holiday from the perspective of Charlie, his sister Tori, and their brother Oliver, highlighting Charlie's mental health recovery.
- Heartstopper: Volume 4 (Chapter 6 onwards) (Graphic Novel) – The final section of Volume 4, following Charlie's return home and the steps toward recovery.
- Solitaire (Novel) – Focuses on Charlie's older sister, Tori Spring, as she deals with school mystery group Solitaire and her own mental health. The events of this novel overlap significantly with the late stages of Volume 4 and early stages of Volume 5.
- Heartstopper: Volume 5 (Graphic Novel) – Explores the next steps in Nick and Charlie's relationship as they look towards university, intimacy, and growing up.
- Nick and Charlie (Novella) – Set as Nick prepares to leave for university, this novella explores the couple's fears of a long-distance relationship.
- Heartstopper: Volume 6 (Graphic Novel) – The upcoming sixth and final graphic novel volume, concluding the main visual narrative.
Publication Order of Heartstopper & Associated Books
If you prefer to read the books in the order they were written and published, you will see how Alice Oseman's writing evolved. She wrote the prose novels first before translating the characters into the graphic novel format. Note that this order will jump around the timeline, as the graphic novels are prequels to the prose works:
- Solitaire (Novel) – 2014
- Nick and Charlie (Novella) – 2015
- This Winter (Novella) – 2015
- Heartstopper: Volume 1 (Graphic Novel) – 2019 (originally serialized as a webcomic starting in 2016)
- Heartstopper: Volume 2 (Graphic Novel) – 2019
- Heartstopper: Volume 3 (Graphic Novel) – 2020
- Heartstopper: Volume 4 (Graphic Novel) – 2021
- The Heartstopper Yearbook (Companion) – 2022
- Heartstopper: Volume 5 (Graphic Novel) – 2023
- Heartstopper Official Fan Cards (Companion) – 2024
- Heartstopper: Volume 6 (Graphic Novel) – Expected July 2026
Chronological Caveats and Overlaps
While the chronological order provides a smooth narrative line, there are a few overlaps to keep in mind. The novella This Winter is deeply intertwined with the events in Heartstopper: Volume 4. Reading This Winter right before or during Volume 4 is recommended to fully appreciate the seasonal transitions and the emotional depth of Charlie's mental health journey. Furthermore, Solitaire takes place concurrently with these events but has a noticeably darker, more cynical tone, as it is told from Tori's point of view rather than the optimistic perspective of Heartstopper.
The Standalone Osemanverse Novels
Several other novels by Alice Oseman are set in the same universe but follow different main characters. You can read these at any point without spoiling Nick and Charlie's storyline, though you might spot fun cameos and references:
Radio Silence (2016)
This novel stars Frances Janvier and Aled Last. In the Heartstopper graphic novels, Aled is a quiet friend of Charlie and Tao. Radio Silence gives him a starring role, exploring academic pressure, identity, and platonic love. Because Aled's character was developed in this novel before his role in Heartstopper was fully fleshed out, there are minor characterization differences, but it remains a fan favorite.
I Was Born for This (2018)
A story about fandom, fame, and belief, told from the perspectives of a fan of the band The Ark and one of the band members. It takes place in the same universe but has minimal connections to the main Heartstopper cast.
Loveless (2020)
Drawing on Oseman's own experiences, this novel explores asexual and aromantic identities through the story of Georgia, a university student discovering her orientation. It is a standalone story set in the shared Osemanverse.
Adaptation Differences: Webcomic, Book, and Netflix
The hit Netflix adaptation of Heartstopper, written by Alice Oseman, is highly faithful but makes a few key changes to the cast. The most prominent change is the character of Aled Last. Because Oseman wanted to preserve the distinct narrative of Radio Silence and avoid having to adapt its plot in the show, Aled was replaced by a new character named Isaac Henderson. Isaac serves as a wonderful addition to the group, bringing his own quiet love of books and an asexual-aromantic storyline to the screen. Additionally, the show introduces new characters like Imogen Heaney to add drama and perspective to the teen romance.