Heartstopper remains the 'anti-Euphoria.' It’s a gentle, inclusive, and deeply necessary look at queer joy and the actual work it takes to maintain a healthy relationship.

Volume 5 is a bit more grown-up than the earlier entries, moving into conversations about physical intimacy and the anxiety of the 'next step' (college), but it never loses the sweetness that made the series a hit. If your kid is already into the Netflix show or the previous books, this is a must-buy. It’s essentially the opposite of 'brain rot'—it’s high-protein emotional intelligence in comic book form.