
Why Are We Like This? Stories of Transformation is a book about the transformative power of Heartstopper®. It explores the driving forces behind the extraordinary response to the Netflix series, based on the Heartstopper® books, that started as a niche project designed for young LGBTQIA+ viewers.
This book includes 50 inspirational stories from Heartstopper® fans. Their powerful narratives illustrate how telling a hopeful and sweet story for marginalised characters, with an authentic and LGBTQ inclusive cast, can have a deeply meaningful, life-changing effect on people’s lives.
A portion of the proceeds from Why Are We Like This?, which celebrates the transformative power of Heartstopper®, will benefit Rainbow Railroad, a global not-for-profit organisation that helps at-risk LGBTQI+ people get to safety worldwide.
The hardcover edition for Why Are We Like This? Stories of Transformation will be released in 2026. We invite you to join our mailing list below to receive updates about when it will go on sale. In the meantime, it is available as an eBook and paperback.
The special limited edition quickly sold out.
There are 50 inspiring stories of transformation from Heartstopper fans all over the world, as well as the authors' stories too.
No. This fandom is all inclusive, and many fans are not part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We have received stories from allies and non-LGBTQIA+ individuals who were equally touched by Heartstopper®.
Rowan is a transgender gay man in his early 50’s. He is a certified life coach, passionate about empowering and guiding his clients through personal challenges, with particular focus on identity issues. Rowan grew up in Germany, studied English Literature and French Linguistics at University of Heidelberg, and recently rediscovered a love for writing. Based on his own metamorphic experience, he felt compelled to investigate the alchemy of Heartstopper® and understand the transformative spark that motivated him and other fans to find more joy, fulfillment, and connection in their lives. By sharing these stories, he hopes to inspire more people to overcome fear, pursue happiness, and live authentically.
George has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from New York University and St. John’s University, and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Santa Monica. The focus of his postgraduate work was on personal development and transpersonal psychology. His education and devotion to helping others enabled his counseling practice to assist clients in achieving their highest potential, especially those in the LGBT+ community. In addition to advocating for resources for PWA, he worked on a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored AIDS research project at Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center in New York. George is searching for the commonality in our experiences that answers the fundamental Heartstopper® question: why are we like this?
Heartstopper® is a registered trademark of Netflix Studios, LLC.
This book is neither authorised nor approved by Netflix Studios LLC or Alice Oseman. This is the official website for Why Are We Like This? Stories of Transformation.
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