Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Krawczyk
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet couple faces upcoming separation in engaging novella.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In NICK AND CHARLIE, it's exam time for the couple and their friends. Nick's celebrating the end of high school and looking forward to going away to university. Charlie, who's a year younger, is worried about the couple's ability to continue their relationship long distance. When he gets drunk at a party and hears that another couple in their circle is splitting up, Charlie picks a fight with Nick. After the couple's fight and confusion about breaking up, they don't talk for several weeks. Will Charlie have the courage and humility to own up to his fears and mistakes? Will Nick be ready to hear what Charlie has to say?
Is It Any Good?
This short and sweet novella will definitely appeal to fans of the Heartstopper series. In Nick and Charlie, the couple struggle with how to feel about Nick going off to university and an impending long distance relationship. Readers may relate to the end-of-school-year stress of exams and the unknown changes when a partner or close friend moves away. The feelings are somewhat realistic, but Charlie is over the top at times. His immaturity and the couple's several weeks of not talking seem overly dramatic given their honest and open communication in previous volumes. Overall, however, the endearing couple and their supportive family and friends keep readers engaged. Fans will be interested to see how the story and relationship move forward.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about separation in Nick and Charlie: A Heartstopper Novella. Charlie and Nick plan to continue their relationship long distance when Nick goes away to university. Have you ever been separated from a good friend, romantic partners, or family member? Were you able to continue the relationship? How did it change?
Charlie gets drunk and starts a fight with Nick at a party, which results in them not talking to each other for a few weeks. It'll take honest communication and humility for them to get past their argument. Who takes the first step? How?
The series takes place in England. In this volume, there's a nine page section, "Some Bonus Explanation for American Readers," Did you learn anything about the British school system or British customs or slang? What did you find most interesting?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Humility
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic
- Publication date : January 3, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 176
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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