Got approved for a galley on Netgalley and read it straight away!

More of a 3.5/5 stars - mostly because this feels very unfinished as a complete story arc. The issues with the emotional abuse from Alix's teammates/her movement to another team with no one but Ezra to back her up really needed more of a resolution, imo. But I liked the development of Alix and Ezra's relationship and really hope that there's another volume in this story.

Content warnings: a lot of this book deals with Alix being emotionally abused by her teammates on the hockey team (which is not resolved to my satisfaction, imo, her coach SUCKS), biphobia

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Amazing action art. I love the grace and flow of the skating in the hockey scenes. I could really see Alix's love for the sport. But everything else in the book is handled too easily. There are a lot of conflicts, but everyone apologizes and it's all ok. The romance in particular didn't click for me. It's too convenient, and I didn't see why the two cared for each other beyond proximity.

Book Review of Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy by Faith Erin Hicks

Cover Story: To the Point
BFF Charms: Yay x2
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Talky Talk: Short and Sweet
Arty Art: Emo(tive)
Bonus Factors: Opposites Attract, Sexual Identity
Anti-Bonus Factor: Abuse
Relationship Status: Permission to Hug?

Content Warning: Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy features a flashback scene in which a man abuses his wife and his child is forced to take action. These images, while not graphic, might be triggering for some readers. Additionally, there are instances of bullying and homophobia.

Cover Story: To the Point
I appreciate how this cover is pretty on the nose—these characters, clearly, are the titular Hockey Girl and Drama Boy, and their hand-holding indicates that they might be more than friends. It also gives perspective readers an idea about Hicks’s art style before they dive in.

The Deal:
Alix loves playing hockey, but she hates her team captain, who is out to make her life miserable. When the taunting forces Alix to take drastic measures, she must figure out how to keep her cool under pressure, or she’ll lose the things he loves most. Enter Ezra, a drama kid who keeps a level head in the worst circumstances, and perhaps someone Alix can enlist to help her learn some zen.

BFF Charms: Yay x2
Both Alix and Ezra are people I would have totally hung out with in high school. Ezra more than Alix, as my social circles were the music/drama variety, but I went to a small school and so also often hung out with the jocks. I’d be envious of Alix’s skills and Ezra’s confidence, but I think I’d have things to offer them as well. Either that or I’d just be a groupie. I’d be fine either way.

Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Alix and Ezra fall in like quickly, and while it makes sense for this shortened format, it does seem a little like instalove, given that they barely know each other at the start of the book. Is it still cute? Yes. Am I still rooting for them? 100%.

Talky Talk: Short and Sweet
Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy is shorter than I both expected and also would have liked, even for a graphic novel. That said, it’s still a sweet story, punctuated by Hicks’ flair for the emotional (more on that below) and characters who feel wholly real. When Alix struggles to understand her mother’s lack of support, you feel it. And when Ezra has to come to terms with the fact that he hurt a friend, you hurt right along with him.

Arty Art: Emo(tive)
Although Hicks does a great job with the written part of this book, where she really excels is the art. I’ve long loved her style, which really gets to the heart of the matter. The panels aren’t overly detailed, and she uses a striking mix of scenic backgrounds and white space (i.e., panels that focus solely on the character+dialogue and have solid color backgrounds). Her character’s emotions practically leap off the page.

I liked the limited color palette used in the book as well. For a book that’s in part about hockey with many panels that show an ice rink, using an icy blue as pretty much the only color other than black, white, and grey is a clever choice.

Bonus Factor: Opposites Attract
I adore a story in which two seemingly incompatible people find feelings for each other. On the surface, Alix and Ezra are very different people, and folks outside of their duo don’t get their attraction at all. But all that matters is what they feel! (And, really, they’re not all that different when you get under the surface.)

Bonus Factor: Sexual Identity
Most people think that Ezra is gay, as he’s dated boys most recently. But he’s actually open to dating folks of all gender expressions/identities. He doesn’t know what to label himself, but he doesn’t see that as an issue. He likes who he likes, and that’s a beautiful thing.

Anti-Bonus Factor: Abuse
Ezra reminisces about his terrible, abusive father and a specific, super traumatic event from his youth. I was glad to read that, after this event, his father is out of the picture, but it’s hard to read/see nonetheless. As any sort of abuse always is.

Relationship Status: Permission to Hug?
You’re very sweet, Book, and more nuanced than one might expect. Our time together felt rushed, but there’s something about you that makes me feel like we’d be good friends. I hope you feel the same, ’cause if you don’t, this is gonna get real awkward.

I'm not big on love stories but this book is doing far more than a simple romance. It's a deep exploration of character and what motivates behavior. It encourages a degree of introspection that we don't often see in love stories.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. A cute romantic sports graphic novel.

I love Faith Erin Hicks' work and this is another hit. Gorgeous artwork and emotional, touching young love story.

This is a sweet graphic novel that flips typical gender roles, offering a fresh take on young adult romance. Alix is a fierce hockey player who needs to cool her temper, and Ezra is the calm, collected drama kid she turns to for help. Their friendship—and maybe something more—grows in a genuine, heartwarming way.

Faith Erin Hicks does a great job of breaking down stereotypes, showing a girl shining in a tough sport and a guy thriving in the arts. The story is not just about romance; it's about understanding yourself and challenging expectations. The art is lively and expressive, perfectly capturing the story's emotions and energy.

Overall, it's a quick, enjoyable read that's all about breaking barriers, friendship, and young love. A definite recommend for those into heartfelt stories with a good mix of sports and drama.

5/5⭐️

THIS BOOK WAS SO CUTE. As a hockey fan who also loves musical theatre (and a good queer romance), this was an awesome and joy-bringing graphic novel. 10/10, definitely recommend to anyone and everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and First Second Books for access to this arc!

4.5/5 stars rounded up!

I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Alix and Ezra's friendship then relationship was really lovely and heartwarming. The stereotype reversal of who the hockey player and who the drama lover was really refreshing. I loved the art style and the colour palette, and that it was set in BC! This was a great read

Love this one, from the cast of characters, to the limited colour palette and art style. I was immediately pulled in by the hockey action and team drama. The swooshiness of the skating art is perfect - reminds me of my niece's epic moves on ice. The romance is well-paced, true-to-life, and heartwarming throughout.

Faith Erin Hicks presents another great volume with the added benefit of breaking down some stereotypes in this YA romance graphic novel.

3.5 stars
this was a cute graphic novel about an unconventional relationship between, surprise surprise, a hockey girl and a drama boy. i really like how ezra (the drama boy) explained his identity, and thought he was really good representation for unlabeled queer people. i didn't vibe with the art style in some panels, but overall it was really well illustrated. this was just a very sweet read, good for palette cleansing!

What an adorable story! I always enjoy a well written opposites attract type of story. If you enjoyed Pumpkinheads - I'd say this is a book you should definitely read.

I loved this graphic novel! I really enjoyed seeing Hockey girl navigate through her anger and life, and then seeing Drama boy and their whole romance unfold. It was really sweet.

Alix loses her temper at hockey practice and punches her teammate over "just a joke." Ezra seems like he never loses his temper. Alix, a hockey player, approaches Ezra, a drama club student, for help. What starts off as an awkward apprenticeship turns into friendship and potentially romance. This story touches on bullying, standing up to bullies, and appearances aren't always quite what they seem. Alix knows she has to find a different way to deal with Lindsay and Ezra spends too much time making sure everyone cares. Both learn and lean on each other as they navigate what all this means. A splendid title from Faith Erin Hicks. Absolutely enjoyed it.

really loved this, im into the whole sports romance at the moment and this was exactly what i was looking for, 100% recommend to anyone wanting cute romance.

UGH I loved this so much. It was an easy read and just so enjoyable. I really love Faith Erin Hicks's art style so I already knew I was going to fall in love with the art, but the story itself was also really nice as well. The characters were easy to love and I was rooting for Alix and Ezra the entire time. As a tall girl myself, who also struggled with the being the tallest girl in the school/class and who was always uncomfortable in my skin throughout high school, I felt so seen and understood reading this. And there's a lot in these 300 pages about identity, growing up, and finding yourself. But at its core, it's all about love. Loving others and loving yourself and it was just beautiful to see. At this point, I will consume any content Faith Erin Hicks puts out and I can't wait until her next graphic novel!

Thanks to NetGalley & First Second Books for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Great book! It's a very sweet blossoming romance between the two and how they try to figure out their lives and their identities. Absolutely love the art in this book as well as the expressions of the characters.

This book was adorable. They were parts that highly annoyed me, but the overall story is such a heart beaming, inclusive story that you just want to suck it up. The parts that make me mad was how coach did not stand up for her players even when they said “hey, there’s a problem”. I didn’t like how other people ignored problems, but when Ezra was so warm and welcoming, it was just amazing. Plus, one of my favorite things that Ezra and his friends do is “permission to hug”. It’s such a great lesson. It’s just in there. It’s not bragging, it’s not pretty, it’s just there. There’s tension when you think about following in your mothers or your father’s footsteps, why it works, why it doesn’t. All of that goes in to this book. It’s overflowing and brimming with heart and conscious and love and hope. While they often joke about being Canadian famous, this book will be all the way famous not just in Canada. If you’re a fan of Heartstopper you need to pick this up.