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Heartstopper Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Alice Oseman
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Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start Heartstopper by Alice Oseman with "Heartstopper: Volume One", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

The complete reading order for the Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.

Reader's Guide

This series spans 5 main titles released between 2019 and 2023. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.

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Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Heartstopper: Volume One"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

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Community Consensus

Medium Debate

"The discussion focuses on the challenges of reading series where publication order differs from the fictional chronology. While some readers advocate for starting with publication order to avoid spoilers (as originally written), others strongly recommend chronological or timeline order for specific series (such as Shannara and the Elric Saga). The consensus is series-specific, with no universal rule."

Key Reddit Advice

For the Shannara series, read in timeline order: Start with the Word and the Void series, then Genesis of Shannara, then Chronicles of the Black Staff, and finally the main Shannara books. For The Chronicles of Narnia, read in the original publication order, starting with The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe. For the Elric Saga (Moorcock), chronological order is suggested.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Heartstopper conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Heartstopper. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Heartstopper: Volume One" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Heartstopper" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "Heartstopper: Volume One"Explore all by Alice Oseman

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended. Compare →

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order5 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
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1

Heartstopper: Volume One

Pub: 2019

Heartstopper: Volume One collects the first twelve chapters of Alice Oseman's graphic novel series. It follows the tentative friendship and growing romance between Charlie Spring, a shy, introverted student, and Nick Nelson, a popular rugby player, as they navigate school life, self‑discovery, and the challenges of coming out in a supportive, inclusive environment.

2

Heartstopper: Volume Two

Pub: 2019

Plot details hidden until you finish "Heartstopper: Volume One".

In the second volume of Alice Oseman's beloved graphic novel series, Charlie and Nick navigate the ups and downs of their blossoming romance. As they confront personal insecurities, family dynamics, and the challenges of coming out at school, their bond deepens. The story blends heartfelt dialogue with expressive artwork, capturing the tender moments of first love, friendship, and self‑discovery.

3

Heartstopper: Volume 3

Pub: 2020

Plot details hidden until you finish "Heartstopper: Volume Two".

Nick and Charlie continue to navigate their budding romance as they face new challenges at school and at home. Nick grapples with his family's expectations while Charlie deals with his own insecurities, and together they confront issues of identity, friendship, and mental health, deepening their bond and setting the stage for future adventures.

4

Heartstopper: Volume 4

Pub: 2020

Plot details hidden until you finish "Heartstopper: Volume 3".

Charlie and Nick deepen their relationship while confronting new challenges: Nick’s family dynamics, Charlie’s lingering trauma, and the pressures of university life. The volume explores themes of love, identity, and mental health with the series' signature warmth and humor.

5

Heartstopper: Volume Five

Pub: 2023★ 4.46

Plot details hidden until you finish "Heartstopper: Volume 4".

*Now an acclaimed live-action Netflix series!* Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the fifth volume of the much-loved Heartstopper series, featuring gorgeous two-color artwork. Nick and Charlie are in love. They’ve finally said those three little words, and Charlie has almost persuaded his mum to let him sleep over at Nick’s house. He wants to take their relationship to the next level... but can he find the confidence he needs? And with Nick going off to university next year, is everything about to change? By Alice Oseman, winner of the YA Book Prize, Heartstopper encompasses all the small moments of Nick and Charlie’s lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us. Contains discussions around mental health and eating disorders, and sexual references.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Heartstopper series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Heartstopper?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Heartstopper: Volume One" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Alice Oseman intended.

Can I read Heartstopper books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Heartstopper universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.