So you’ve finished watching Heartstopper. It was an amazing season, and there will be a season two eventually. Sadly, it’s not out yet, and you want something to fill the void Heartstopper left. You can always read Heartstopper online! But maybe you’ve already done that, or you don’t want to spoil it for yourself. Well, you’ve found the right article! Here are ten things to read or watch if you’ve finished Heartstopper.
1. Alice Oseman is an amazing author. If you’re someone that loves the writing style of Heartstopper, then you can try one of Alice Oseman’s books. I’m personally a huge fan of Loveless, but you can check out her website (https://aliceoseman.com/) to see all the other amazing books she’s written! I know it’s not one specific thing, but all of her books are amazing, it’s hard to choose just one to recommend!
2. Young Royals is another great show currently on Netflix! It tells the story of Prince Wilhelm of Sweden and Simon Eriksson falling in love and all the drama surrounding that. It’s great for people who want another light-hearted gay love story.
3. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston is a great book to read if Young Royals sounds good, but you don’t have Netflix. Look no further than your local library (or bookstore) for a copy of Red, White & Royal Blue. It’s a love story between Prince Henry and the First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz. Keep in mind, it is more mature than Young Royals, and contains some scenes that might be considered adult. While I definitely recommend this great book, you might want to make sure you’re comfortable with reading mature things before you pick this one up.
4. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, the 2018 version is an action packed cartoon about She-Ra helping the other princesses to lead a rebellion against the Horde, who are invading the planet. It’s a fun watch full of fun twists and turns, and an amazing group of diverse characters. She-Ra is a good show for all ages, so if you have younger siblings this show is a great pick to watch with the whole family or on your own. I watched this with my own younger siblings, and we all loved it!
5. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is perfect if you’re also a fan of ancient Greece. Be prepared to cry as you read about Achilles and Patroclus in this reimagining of the Iliad. If you want an LGBTQ+ romance that will remind you of Percy Jackson, then this is the book for you! I’ve personally read it, and I did love it. It was a beautiful story. However, I will warn you, there are some things that, like in the Iliad, may be a bit mature for some people. If you’re not sure if you’re one of those people, you should search up the book and decide for yourself.
6. Our Flag Means Death is a great pick for people who love pirates! This show is set in the year 1717, and though not solely focused on romance, the romance certainly doesn’t hurt. This show follows the misadventures of the aristorcrately-gentleman-turned-pirate Stede Bonnet and his crew aboard the Revenge, as they make a name for themselves. I’ve started watching it myself, and though I’m not done yet, I do think it’s definitely worth adding to your watch list!
7. You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson is a great lesbian romance that tells the story of Liz Lighty, who wants to get out of her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. When she’s forced to run for prom queen because she needs the prize money, the only thing that makes it bearable is the new girl in school, Mack, who is also running for prom queen. When Liz falls for Mack, will it crush her dreams or make them come true? Find out in this great novel. I’ve read this, and I loved it.
8. Welcome to Night Vale is a podcast and though you can’t read or watch it, it’s perfect for people who want something fun with no homophobia or things of that sort. Welcome to Night Vale is in the style of a small town radio show, in which weird things are commonplace. The genre I would use to describe this podcast would be comedy horror, so this might not be for everyone. Unlike a lot of shows, this is LGBTQ+ from the first episode alone, and it is actually direct and outright about that. I’m a huge fan of Welcome to Night Vale, and it’s actually currently on-going! There are 215 episodes as of this article being written. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes podcasts.
9. Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker is a fun read for anyone interested in reading about a lesbian witch (with two grandmothers!) and a nonbinary werewolf. This is a graphic novel and the art is genuinely just so adorable. If you’re a fan of witches and werewolves and demons this is perfect for you. I honestly can’t recommend this graphic novel enough.
10. The Owl House is the final show on our list. It follows Luz, a human teenager, who’s accidentally been sent to the world of the Boiling Isles before a trip to summer camp. Though I haven’t personally watched this show, I am planning on doing so soon. From what I’ve heard and seen, it’s a great show that’s definitely worth a watch.