Charlie and Nick are at the same school, but they’ve never met … until one day when they’re made to sit together. They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is more interested in Charlie than either of them realized.
If you’re in the mood for a cute male/male romance, then look no further. This is the first book in a graphic novel series. It follows two teenage boys that end up falling for each other. They start off as friends, but their relationship continues to grow throughout the story. You can see their attraction growing right before your eyes.
The book is fairly lighthearted, but it slightly touches on consent. Charlie is an openly gay over-thinker, which was fun to read about. He is likable, and I could see why Nick was drawn to him. Nick is a rugby-player with a kind heart. Honestly, him and Charlie make an unlikely pair, but one that fits together nicely.
Sexual confusion is a part of the plot, since Nick is unsure about his feelings for Charlie. Being someone who has never been attracted to boys, he doesn’t understand this newfound connection. He even goes as far to search if he’s gay on Google. Let’s me be completely transparent here – Google can tell you a lot of things, but not how you feel about somebody else. That part is up to you.
“You can’t tell whether people are gay by what they look like. And gay or straight aren’t the only two options.”
Another great point the story makes, is that you don’t need to put a label on yourself. But it’s still okay to label yourself anyway. These days, the focus is on telling people that they don’t need labels, which is amazing. Still, we should make the same effort to let others know that it’s fine to define yourself and your relationship. If you want to, that is
The book talks about the important issues, but in such a fun and easy going way, which is exactly what young people need. They don’t make them a huge focus in the story, but just enough to get the point across.
The is a fast read and a easy one as well. Before you know it you’re at the last page. Alice Osmen has a way of drawing you in with her writing and storytelling. Her book ‘Radio Silence’ is just as amazing. The ending of this book makes you want to keep reading Charlie and Nick’s story.
Overall, I understand all the hype behind these books. And, I hear the Netflix series adaptation is wonderful. However, I am not the biggest graphic novel fan, but the book was so fast paced that I will most likely finish the series. In the comments, let me know what you thought of Charlie and Nick’s love story. As always, you can support my blog by giving it a follow.
Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny