Books for readers craving the wide-eyed innocence of Heartstopper

Heartstopper #2 by Alice Oseman

If all you want is more of Nick and Charlie, then try reading the rest of Alice Oseman’s graphic novel series. Fans of the Netflix series will recognize a lot of the scenes and visual motifs, but there’s also plenty to discover that’s unique to how this story plays out on the page.

This Winter: A Heartstopper novella by Alice Oseman

For Heartstopper fans who just want to spend more time in Nick & Charlie’s world, this Christmas novella takes readers into Charlie’s family through the eyes of his sister Tori, as they try to find cheer in a season that’s not always a happy one for them.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

British Prince Henry and America’s first son Alex Claremont-Diaz need to resolve their beef for the sake of their respective countries’ “special relationship”—but what starts out as a truce staged for the media soon turns into something more real than either young man could have predicted.

Bloom by Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau

In this graphic novel, musician Ari wants to bail on his job at the family bakery to move to the city and hit it big. He just needs to find a suitable replacement. When he interviews Hector, a born baker if there ever was one, Ari starts to wonder whether he really wants to leave after all.

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

Every September 1, highschoolers Deja and Josiah become coworkers and work besties at a picturesque pumpkin patch in Omaha, Nebraska—and every Halloween they say goodbye until next summer. With both of them starting their senior year, they know this season together at the pumpkin patch will be their last—and Deja has plans to make this year’s Halloween goodbye a night to remember.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Also by Rainbow Rowell, this is the story of young magicians Simon Snow and his roommate Baz (who may be an evil and possibly aslo a vampire, FYI) as they push through their last year at the Watford School of Magicks. Simon is allegedly “the Chosen One” but it’s hard to tell, given how poor his command of most basic spells is, even as graduation day nears.

This magical trilogy spun out of Rainbow Rowell’s novel Fangirl, which also deserves a mention in this list.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

An email that goes astray threatens to out Simon before he’s ready—but if he can keep his feet under him, he might be able to turn this unwelcome series of events into a romance with a guy he can’t stop thinking about.

The basis for the film, Love, Simon.

Right Where I Left You by Julian Winters

There’s a lot going on in this story about best friends Isaac and Diego as they spend one last summer hanging out together before Isaac is swept off to college—like the return of Isaac’s crush at the worst possible moment if his plan for the best BFF summer ever is going to happen. Feelings are hurt, friendships tested, and Diego and Isaac have to figure out who they really are to one another now that they’re not just kids in school.

Icebreaker by A. L. Graziadei

A sporty story about a pair of ambitious hockey players vying for the same prize—a shot at making it to the NHL. Mickey has hockey in his blood, with two generations of pro hockey champions behind him—but his teammate Jaysen is an incredible talent. Competition turns into something else, and these young men are forced to question what they really want, and who’s really on their team.