This Winter

Solitaire #0.5

by Alice Oseman

A short story, based on characters from Solitaire – praised as ‘The Catcher in the Rye for the digital age’ — The Times

I used to think that difficult was better than boring, but I know better now …

I’m not going to think about the past few months, about Charlie and me, and all of the sad. I’m going to block it all out. Just for today.

"Happy Christmas," I say.

The festive season isn't always happy for Tori and her brother Charlie. And this year's going to be harder than most.

Genres: Young Adult, LGBT, Romance, Contemporary, Queer, Fiction, Mental Health

120 pages, ebook

First published November 5, 2015

About the author

Alice Oseman is an award-winning author, illustrator, and screenwriter, and was born in 1994 in Kent, England. She has written four YA contemporary novels about teenage disasters: SOLITAIRE, RADIO SILENCE, I WAS BORN FOR THIS, and LOVELESS. She is the creator of LGBTQ+ YA romance webcomic HEARTSTOPPER, which is now published in physical form by Hachette Children's Books, and she is the writer, creator, and executive producer for the television adaptation of HEARTSTOPPER, which is set to be released on Netflix.

Alice’s first novel SOLITAIRE was published when she was nineteen. Her YA novels have been nominated for the YA Book Prize, the Inky Awards, the Carnegie Medal, and the Goodreads Choice Awards.

Alongside writing and drawing, Alice enjoys playing the piano semi-proficiently, Pokémon games, and purchasing too many Converse.

Find Alice on Twitter and Instagram @AliceOseman.

Reviews

[Alice Oseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Winter has been re-released as an illustrated paperback!!

This story features:
- Narration by all three Spring siblings: Tori, Charlie, and Oliver
- Many illustrations by me!
- Christmas angst
- Discussions of mental health recovery
- A little bit of family drama
- A boy who really just wants someone to play Mario Kart with him
- A tiny dog (and a slightly larger dog)

I hope you enjoy it!

[Kat]

fucking OW

[Kai Spellmeier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Solitaire novella. And I still need more Nick&Charlie in my life!
I just love how sarcastic and real the characters are, so very relatable, emotional and well, not directly funny, but entertaining for sure.

Find more of my books on Instagram

[daph pink ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

what the hell was I even thinking When I decided to read it after solatire , I am crying , this was too much , like wtf! I should have read everything in order , I started with heartstopper then other books then solatire then novellas , now all these events are messed up ! I just want to read everything all over again!

[oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

me reading heartstopper: no fears
me reading heartstopper after reading solitaire and the novellas: ONE FEAR

[s.penkevich [mental health hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

The days have grown shorter and the weather has grown colder so it helps to keep a little warmth alive inside. Luckily Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper universe is a perfect spark to light your heart and we can head into the holidays with her charming novella This Winter. It captures the Christmas season in all its messy glory: being tired and annoyed while family ‘seem determined to be friendly and fun all the time,’ spending quality time with loved ones, mental health struggles, and what holiday would be complete without one shouting match with a parent. Oseman excels at balancing the sad with the adorable and This Winter is a delightful treat that gives us the perspective of all three siblings, Tori, Charlie, and Oliver, to help make the season bright.

This is an older little novella, originally marketed as a Solitaire novella but now repackaged with new art on the cover and in the pages. Taking place around the time of the 4th volume of Heartstopper following Charlie’s eating disorder, This Winter takes a look at mental health and the emotional road to recovery. This is extra hard during the holidays when emotions and excitements are high.

‘When people know you're mentally ill, most people either wanna ignore it completely or they treat you like you're strange, scary, or fascinating. Very few people are actually good at the middle ground.’

We see both Tori and Charlie trying to cope and I’m always reminded that Oseman does an excellent job at presenting mental health in productive ways and addressing the anxieties over self-doubt and being unsure how to act around others just as much as they are unsure how to act around you. As Nick puts it, the issue of being ‘so scared of being a burden that it makes you terrified to ask for help.’ I enjoyed the frustrations of the siblings with cousins that are a bit too nosey and bubbly, I enjoyed Nick being a stand-up boyfriend as always, but the loveliest part of all is we get a bit of Oliver’s perspective.

‘Charlie and I have discussed at length how it's possible for Oliver to be related to us, since he's the literal embodiment of joy and we're both miserable fucks. We concluded that he must have got all the happy genes.’

This is a perfect little seasonal read that will hit all the feels and keep you warm inside on a cold December day. A bit short and light compared to other works, but Oseman always knows how to make me happy and I hope this book can make you happy too. Happy holidays, friends!
3.5/5

[not my high · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW: zaburzenia odżywiania, SH

Już wiem, że będę wracała do tej nowelki w każdą zimę, żeby poczuć się mniej samotnie.

To nie tylko uzupełnienie i rozwinięcie historii postaci z "Heartstoppera", ale także ogromne wsparcie dla osób zmagających się z zaburzeniami odżywiania i ich bliskich.

Uwielbiam książki, które wzruszają, uczą i bawią!

[Lucy Tonks (the invisible life of a reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

”When people know you're mentally ill, most people either wanna ignore it completely or they treat you like you're strange, scary, or fascinating. Very few people are actually good at the middle ground.”


This was just what I needed to read at time. Even though this is just a novella as all books by Alice Oseman this book deals with some heavier topics. The author has never been the one to shy away from them and she isn't starting to now.


Trigger Warnings: mental health, eating disorder, referances to self-harm, ignorant views regarding mental health.


This books takes place a few months before the beginning of Solitaire. This winter has been a tough one for Tori, Charlie and Oliver Spring and they are just trying to get through Christmas Day without stirring up any drama.


This book is mainly focused on Charlie's and Tori's mental health and if you've read either Solitaire or Heartstopper, you might know more about what's been happening with them. They are both dealing with a lot, especially Charlie, and in here we see how ignorant people can be when it comes to mental health and how they would either choose to ignore it completely or just being ignorant and not knwing the first thing about mental health.


I love both Charlie and Tori a lot. I've always felt like I related with them quite a lot and just seeing something extra, a novella wth both of them. I just love them and I would read any book that Alice Oseman publishes where they are present.


This novella was re-published in 2020 in paperback form and now we have illustrations through out it done by the author. I love Alice Oseman's art so I was so happy seeing it here.


This is not that easy of a read. None of Alice Oseman books really are, but they all deserve a read as she tackles a lot of things that teenagers deal with nowadays, in a way that I've never relly seen done before.


”While there'll be good days and bad days, I can get better.”


_______________________________


I just loved this novella so much. Seeing a bit more of the charatcers from Solitaire and Heartstopper was amazing!
RTC.

[paula ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

SUCH A SWEET short story!! I loved all three POVs of the Spring brothers. Maybe I would have preferred to read it at Christmas, but well, I loved it anyway 💜

[Romie · Rating 5 out of 5]

why yes, i'm crying:)

[Flo Camus · Rating 4 out of 5]

[4.0⭐] 𝙀𝙨𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙤 es una novela escrita por Alice Oseman en el año 2015. La historia se centra en la navidad de la familia Spring, en donde se verán retratadas las adversidades que existen en ella: Charlie acaba de salir del hospital y pareciera ser que su familia no sabe cómo lidiar con este tema. El joven solo busca tranquilidad y pasar inadvertido, algo realmente difícil cuando eres el único en la familia que es abiertamente gay y que acaba de salir del psiquiátrico. Para su suerte, siempre podrá contar con Nick para poder refugiarse y sentirse seguro. 


Lo primero que tengo que mencionar sería que esta historia no es para gente sensible; trata temas como el bullying, los trastornos alimenticios, la autolesión, la discriminación, entre otros. Eso sí, estos temas los toca de una manera sutil, empática y seria para no pasar a llevar a nadie.
Hay una narrativa muy ágil y un lenguaje fluido, así que logra que el lector se transporte de inmediato a este mundo y se sienta involucrado. Desde el inicio, se lanzan muchos mensajes para reflexionar sobre las temáticas que se han mencionado con anterioridad, esto con la intencionalidad de que el lector se comprometa tanto emocional como mentalmente con la historia. 

Esta obra está contada con tres puntos de vista; el de Tori, Charlie y Oliver. Considero que este ha sido un completo acierto de parte de la autora ya que podemos conocer con profundidad los pensamientos de los tres jóvenes. Tenemos visiones más maduras y también infantiles sobre esta situación que se está viviendo en la familia, así que tenemos todos los puntos de vistas y perspectivas posibles sobre este conflicto. 

Me ha gustado el concepto de Alice en este libro; tiene diálogos, narraciones, ilustraciones y viñetas. Esta mezcla de elementos logran que sea una lectura sumamente grata y dinámica porque, tal y como mencioné con anterioridad, conocemos mejor a los personajes, pero tampoco pierde la esencia de 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙧 tras tener estas ilustraciones en momentos claves de la historia. 


Finalmente, puedo decir que es una obra muy rápida de leer y sencilla, pero que trata temas realmente fuertes. Con 𝙀𝙨𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙤 logramos adentrarnos a los pensamientos de la familia Spring y llegamos a conocerlos de mejor manera. Recomiendo su lectura a cualquier fanático de 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙧. 

[tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

▶24/12/2023
·˚*୨୧꒰ 3 stars ꒱୨୧*˚·

"I used to think that difficult was better than boring, but I know better now. There have been a lot of difficult day. There have been too many difficult days."

This is a novella, based on characters from Solitaire mainly Charlie Spring and his sister Victoria. It was a cute little story, though nothing big happened here but it was still very enjoyable since I love the characters so so much💛it was cute to see how Tori cares for her brother, like actually cares. She tries her best to make him comfortable even though they are both having a hard time. And she puts him as a priority, tries to listen to him and understand him as much as she can☹️ I envy their sibling- relationship.


play‎𝄞

LET ME DOWN SLOWLY
Alec Benjamin ♥︎
⇄ ◁◁ 𝚰𝚰 ▷▷ ↻
⁰⁰'²⁵ ━━●━━───── ⁰²'⁰⁸


"I think sometimes," says Nick, "you're so scared of being a burden that it makes you terrified to ask for help. But you have lots of people around you that would be there for you, if you opened up about what help you need."

I loved Nick and Charlie's relationship as well, they're so cute and they care so much about each other. They're disgustingly sweet😔💞
and I love it


TWs: there are mentions of ED, depression and past self-harm. References to time spent at a psychiatric ward and ignorant views regarding mental illness.

Nothing detailed though, I'd say it was similar to Heartstopper's style, very delicate and soft.


OVERALL: I would recommend it if you already read something by Alice Oseman and especially after reading Solitaire

⋆꙳•̩̩͙❅*̩̩͙‧͙ ‧͙*̩̩͙❆ ͙͛ ˚₊⋆

▶22/12/2023
pre-review:
finally reading something Christmas related!!🥳 (Lmao there's only two days left)

[Melina Souza · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When people know you're mentally ill, most people either want to ignore it completely or they treat you like you're strange, scary or fascinating. Very few people are actually good at the middle ground.
The middle ground isn't hard. It's just being there. Being helpful, if help is needed. Being understanding, even if they don't understand everything."

Esse conto me deixou com vontade de entrar e abraçar o Charlie, a Tori, o Oliver, o Nick e o Henry (o pug).

[Anniek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these siblings together!!

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I think I would have liked this more if I listened to it after reading 'Solitaire', but still enjoyable and I loved getting more Charlie and Nick! A nice, quick, holiday listen!

Audio book source: Audible (purchased)
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Holly Gibbs, Sarah Ovens, Hew Parmenter
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary YA
Length: 1 hour and 2 minutes

[Catherine (alternativelytitledbooks) - in a book slump :( · Rating 4 out of 5]

So after finishing Heartstopper: Volume Four and immediately jumping on the hold list for Heartstopper: Volume Five, I started to wonder how LONG I'd have to go through Nick and Charlie withdrawals. 😭

I'd initially stayed away from this novella for the time being because I haven't yet read Solitaire and was worried that this might be TOO tied into that story and to Charlie's sister Tori for me to dive in yet.

But then...a small Christmas miracle in the form of s.penkevich's review of this one, which revealed that this story is essentially set in BETWEEN books 4 and 5 of Heartstopper. And to cap it off...this one's a CHRISTMAS story! 🤩 🎄

This is a multiple POV novella with comic excerpts tossed in, and getting to hear from Charlie's sister Tori AND 7 year old Oliver as they celebrated Christmas was nothing short of delightful. Even though this particular Christmas is tough for all, with Charlie home from the in-patient facility where he received treatment for his eating disorder, Oseman manages to infuse these 100 pages with love, hope, and of course, a dash of Christmas magic.

4 stars

A special thank you again to s.penkevich and his review that encouraged me to pick up this novella now: it was the perfect gift! 😊 🎁

[Virginia Ronan ♥ Herondale ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m on BookTube now! =)

”Charlie and I have discussed at length how it’s possible for Oliver to be related to us, since he’s the literal embodiment of joy and we’re both miserable fucks. We concluded that he must have got all the happy genes.”

Trigger warnings: self-harm, mental health, eating disorder, homophobia, queerphobia, ignorant views regarding mental health troubles

I have no idea how Alice Oseman is always able to pack such a punch, but it happened once again and this 160 pages novella hit me right in the feels! I kinda went into this blind as well and the only thing I knew was that it plays around Christmas and is a novella that’s set right before “Solitaire”. Also, and I didn’t know that when I watched the TV show, they actually made an entire episode out of this short story and included it in the third season. I remember watching the TV show and wondering where that entire episode came from, because I loved it, but couldn’t for the life of me, remember ever reading it before. Well, I suppose now I know!

”That’s the other thing they don’t get. They think eating disorders and mental illnesses can just be fixed at the drop of a hat. They don’t understand that it’s a process. That it takes time and treatment and effort and bad days and good days.”

One of the many things I loved about this short story and that’s always among Oseman’s fortes was the way mental health was addressed and handled. I think many people are still ignorant to the struggles that come along with suffering from a mental illness and Charlie’s family is no exception to the rule. There are family members that are trying their best to help him like Tori and then there are relatives that make it worse and don’t really understand the difficulties Charlie has to face. Well, and then there are those that are completely ignorant and think it’s not that bad and that an eating disorder is like the flu and you’ll eventually get better after a couple of days. Oseman doesn’t shy away from calling out ignorance like that, though and I absolutely love the author for that!

”I hate the way people react when they learn Charlie spent a few weeks as an in-patient. As if it’s the most horrific thing they’ve ever heard. It’s because it automatically makes them think mental asylum and crazy people, instead of treatment and recovery and learning to manage an eating disorder.”

Mental illnesses need to be destigmatized and every book written by Alice Oseman is working towards that goal. They are all a step in the right direction and raise awareness to this important topic! The fact Charlie’s stay as an in-patient was a good experience for him and actually helped him cope with his eating disorder only emphasises that stance and I can’t stress this enough: I think this rep will help so many people! Not only the ones who actually need help but also those who are trying to support their loved ones but just don’t know how. To make the struggle of people with mental illnesses visible goes a long way!

”That stuff just happens, like diseases or cancer. So it’s not his fault. Actually, I think it was probably my fault it got so bad. When I noticed that something was off with him, I didn’t tell my parents and I didn’t ask him what was wrong. I didn’t talk to him enough. I didn’t do enough.”

Charlie isn’t the only one who needs help, though and it broke my heart to see the beginnings of Tori’s growing problems. She’s blaming herself for how bad things got with Charlie and thinks it’s her fault because she didn’t talk about it with him. It’s a theme that’s picked up in “Solitaire” again and Tori goes on her own journey of self-discovery that comes with an entirely new set of troubles she has to face. Still, the sibling relationship between those two is so wholesome and I just love how much they care about each other. <333 As long as Charlie and Tori stick together they’ll always make their way. I won’t lie, though, the moment Charlie ran out on Tori was a blow to the heart and physically hurt me. It made me so sad that they just weren’t able to express how they felt. They are both awkward teens and they’ve been through hell and back, so the fact they just couldn’t find it in themselves to talk it out was just heart-breaking. Relatable and understandable, but still painful af!

”I think sometimes,” says Nick, “you’re so scared of being a burden that it makes you terrified to ask for help. But you have lots of people around you that would be there for you, if you opened up about what help you need.”

Thankfully Nick Nelson isn’t only an angel but also the voice of reason and managed to mediate between the two siblings. He’s the best boyfriend ever and I’m pretty sure Charlie knows exactly how lucky he is to have him! XD It was really nice we got to see some precious Nick and Charlie moments as well and I personally loved that Nick’s family (or at least most of it) was happy for them and immediately accepted Charlie as a new extended family member.

Conclusion:

“This Winter” was an amazing novella that in spite of its shortness, still managed to pack quite a punch! To be honest, I didn’t expect any different from Alice Oseman, though! If you’re looking for a short story that plays around Christmas and will give you all those wholesome “Heartstopper” vibes you’re craving for, then this one is for you. But don’t worry, it also addresses serious topics like healing, interpersonal relationships and an amazing mental health rep that’s unparalleled. I think if you enjoyed “Heartstopper” and Alice Oseman’s other books then this novella is a really nice addition to the overall storyline. =)

_________________________________

Only Alice Oseman is able to pack this kind of a punch with a mere 160 pages novella.
The mental health rep was amazingly done and Charlie’s and Tori’s sibling relationship is just so wholesome. It broke my heart, though. >_<

Full and short review TCS! Stay tuned!
__________________________________

It’s still March and this means #MinisculeMarch is still in full swing too!
So I’ll just squeeze in another short novella I wanted to read for ages! I recently found “This Winter” in one of my libraries and since it’s one of the few Alice Oseman stories I still haven’t read yet, I decided to go for it now. =)

This obviously plays around Christmas but it’s officially Spring now and since Spring is Charlie’s family name this is enough justification to read it. *lol* To my brain this makes perfect sense.
Anywayyyy! All this to say: I’m gonna read this now. XD

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[Nilguen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first heartstopper novella my Alice Oseman and I loved it! Oseman deals with relevant topics of our age that used to be left unspoken such as anorexia and queer love. Whilst doing so, her story is driven by endearing, heart-winning characters! 🤗
The plot takes place on Christmas. When’s a better time to read this, if not now?

Absolutely fabulous and highly recommended!

Find me on instagram

Thanks to NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

IG: nilguen_reads

[book.olandia]

nie oceniam, bo kocham tych bohaterów i nie chce ich skrzywdzić❤️‍🩹 liczyłam na coś więcej😭

[kezzie ʚ♡ɞ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✩ 5 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼
~
this book made me cry a river,
ig that happens when u relate sm to tori & charlie ❤️‍🩹

[elea ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cute!

[Henk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like gluhwein, a warm bath in the Heartstopper world. Love Tori and seeing a bit more from her perspective and even Oliver has a delightful narrative voice

The story of Charlie handling his eating disorder is depicted well, with a lot of mutual frustration despite well meant intentions. Nick getting a puppy was adorable. Overall a solid addition to the Heartstopper world, even though I had wanted some more background to Charlie his parents.
The author lets Tori say that it’s all about Charlie in recovering from trauma, but seeing once parents as 1) well intended and 2) inherently limited e.g. human is very important, which feels a bit like a missed chance in this novella medium that already plays with multiple perspectives.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't have any excuses for why I waited all this time to read this novella. It was great, I love these characters to pieces and it was so nice to see them again. Tori is such a unique presence and I really missed her. Nick and Charlie are always the cutest and I cannot wait to explore more of their love story, and also Charlie's own personal struggles, in the Hearstopper comic. If you're a fan of Heartstopper and Solitaire you have to read this novella!

[Bibiana In Bookland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es muy cortito y se devora. Está escrito en 3 POV: los tres hermanos Spring. Todo centrado en el día de Navidad y lo que supone para nuestros protagonistas este día, por lo que está lleno de sentimientos. Me ha gustado mucho, aunque se hace muy corto 🥺

[Ri ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I laugh and think for the billionth time how even though I’ve got the worst deal in many parts of my life, at least in this part I’m the luckiest person in the entire world.”

At this point I'll read anything about Nick and Charlie 💘 Also I'm excited for Tori's book now 🤭

[Mariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any of my librarian friends wanna do a girl a solid and fix the page amount for this title lol
It says it has 144 pages but it actually has 43

[jut · Rating 3 out of 5]

we hate this christmas

[♡ Martina ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il Natale non è un periodo felice per tutti!
Alice Oseman attraverso i suoi libri è in grado di parlare di tematiche complesse in modo delicato e toccante. Quando un membro della famiglia sta male non è il solo a sentirsi così ma condiziona anche chi gli sta accanto e questo spesso genera un forte senso di colpa che spinge chi sta male a darsi la colpa della propria condizione e le festività, quando tutta la famiglia si riunisce, diventano un ostacolo difficile da affrontare se non c'è qualcuno affianco che ti sostenga.
Attraverso i tre punti di vista dei tre fratelli Spring possiamo capire quanto il Natale non sempre è un'occasione di felicità.

[Zitong Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just a really nice read, that did touch on important issues despite how short it was. There's not a lot of real substance, it is extremely short, but it does give us more about these characters from Solitaire and Heartstopper. It's a pretty gentle story that works as a fairly wholesome read that most people can get through in one sitting. I also really loved the illustrations in this, they were stunning. 7.5/10

[spillingthematcha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Krótka nowelka, idealna do przeczytania na raz, w zimowy dzień.