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.

I was pretty impressed! The story follows two kids who (obviously) fall in love, but also they deal with complicated issues every teen has to face at some point: peer pressure, belonging to a group (and choosing that group), the relationship with their parents, what do they envision for their future and what are the chances of it becoming a reality. These are hard themes to talk about in comic format! And yet, it was done; maybe not with the depth I would have loved to see, but it was really well done!
It was also sweet and heartfelt, and reminded me a lot of Alice Oseman's and Rainbow Rowell work.
Thank you Netgalley and First Second books for the chance to read it!

I really loved this! I like that Alix and Ezra are total opposites and are passionate about very different things (hockey, theater) yet that doesn't keep them from becoming friends (and more!). Alix is definitely a loner due in part to the bullying she experiences and how that's shaped her self image. Ezra has also been bullied (and still is) but he's found a way to clap back without losing his temper. As the story unfolds, I became more and more impressed by these characters and the things they've had to deal with. There's family troubles, friend drama, and more. As more problems arise, Alix and Ezra have to put what they've learned about managing conflicts and relationships into practice. Sometimes there are missteps, but I love how hard they work to be honest and communicate their needs. Drama aside, there's so much about this graphic novel that's simply fun and a joy to read! I loved all the skating and hockey montages, the theater kids joking around and making props, and the adorable romance between Alix and Ezra. Sweet, empowering, and full of heart.

I love Faith Erin Hicks. I love hockey. I love sweet romances between two absolute goober character. So I knew I would love this. And I did! But I also loved the inclusion of som heavier topics like bullying, domestic abuse and anger management. This graphic novel is very layered and complex but also sweet and lovely and I highly recommend.

In this heartwarming high school tale, we delve into the sweet, feel-good romance that unfolds between a girl who's passionate about hockey and a theatre-loving queer individual. It's a classic case of opposites attracting, beautifully portrayed in this graphic novel that will surely resonate with fans of Heartstoppers. What truly captured my heart was the setting in British Columbia, with its delightful Canadian references, and I must applaud the skillful portrayal of the themes surrounding bullying and anger management in the story.

First off, let me say how much I enjoy reading Faith Erin Hicks. Her graphic novels are always fun and I am never left disappointed. Now, let me word vomit how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book specifically. Hockey romances are on trend right now and while I do love them, the glaring thing that seems to dominate all of them is that the hockey player is always male. This book spins that trope on it's head with the hockey player being female and the male lead being a drama boy. The book also does a great job of handling the coming out process and how not everyone feels the need to announce their sexuality. This is one of my favorite graphic novels I've read this year and I need more standalone titles from Faith Erin Hicks.

3.5 stars

This was a cute story and I enjoyed the characters a lot. It felt like the storylines didn't have any resolution really and the art style wasn't my favorite.

*Thank you netgalley and first second books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

This is a very cute coming off age graphic novel. Faith Erin Hicks incorporated many timely themes; acceptance of your self and being accepted by others, making peace with your parents, sexuality, and being kind to others. I enjoyed reading it thank you for the opportunity

Thank you to First Second for the egalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this graphic novel. I just wanted to cry sometimes I was enjoying it so much. Alix (hockey girl) and Ezra (Drama Boy) were delightful. I felt very understood in the writing of Alix’s character and her anxiety. I just wish it was longer. I think there are some things that could have been fleshed out with a little more story.

Cute, stylish, and fun little graphic novel!

I went into this one as a new reader of this author/illustrator and I was pleasantly surprised with the sweet little ya romance. I really liked how both the sports and theater were portrayed. The stereotypes were switched around which added a new flare.

And I really loved the artistry of this graphic novel!

Arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

First second books continues to kill it! Faith Erin Hicks shoots and scores! See what I did there? This was exceptionally good fun. The art is expressive and the trick with the coloring, or lack there of is brilliant. There are so many great lessons for teenagers, and adults in here, but it doesn’t preach. It knew where to start and where to end. Mic drop right there. Thanks to Net Galley, Ms. Hicks and First second for the arc.

Very cute and sweet! I enjoyed the switched-up gender roles and the exploration of fluidity and sexuality. The art was my favorite part. But I loved the characters and their dynamics too.

Sweet and wholesome graphic novel. I devoured this in one sitting and was left feeling so good. It's funny but also heartfelt. I wanted it to never end.

I've really enjoyed Faith Erin Hicks' previous books so I knew I had to give this one a shot. This was an enjoyable YA romance with lots of discussions about topics I didn't expect.

I enjoyed the talk of sexuality, anger management, and the people we let into our lives. There's not quite enough space to really explore this topics to their full potentials, but Hicks does a good job of broaching them in an authentically teenager-y way and hitting some of the important parts.

As well, this went against the grain of gender bias. We had an FMC who was the sports-playing, taller/bulkier one of the relationship. And the MMC was the "nerdy", theater boy. These are only a few superficial things, but there are other specifics that really flipped things on their heads and I appreciated that.

There's quite a bit that happens here and it's not always easy to delve into the nitty gritty with graphic novels. I think this book would have done well as a series. Even though things were tied up at the end, it was only just barely. I would have liked a book or two more to explore things.

Overall, this was really enjoyable! Hicks illustrations are amazing, as usual. This was nearly completely black and white except for pops of blue here and there.

This is a wonderful story about a female high school hockey player who has anger management issues. She seeks help from a boy in drama club who seems to be able to keep cool despite bullying from other classmen. They end up hitting it off and romance ensues. There was a lot to love about this story but I have an extreme dislike for the coach and the captain of the hockey team. The captain's issues were somewhat addressed, but the coach's wasn't. That really didn't sit well with me. Other than that I really enjoyed the story and highly recommend it.

Hockey Girls Loves Drama Boy is a cute YA graphic novel about two teenagers trying to figure out who they are. 💙🩷

When Alix throws a punch at her awful hockey team captain, she is at risk of losing her place at a national hockey camp. So, she needs to find a better way to handle the bullying and anger she feels. When she sees Ezra, resident queer drama boy, exchanging barbs with some jocks she decides she needs his help. As these two begin to hang out as friends, they start to learn more about each other and themselves. Their friendship is really so cute.
I can appreciate Alix wanting to control her emotions better, but her coach never intervened in the obvious bullying between her and Lindsay, and it kinda bothered me. I enjoyed Ezra and Alix starting out as friends and both respecting the other for who they were. It was nice to see the evolution of their relationship.
I was bothered by Ezra's friend Olive. I don't feel like their relationship was established enough for me to think of her as anything other than jealous. Maybe a little more backstory of Ezra's group would have gone a long way. But I do understand this is a strand alone graphic novel that is trying to tell the story in one volume. So details on the main character's family and friends were left out.
I really liked the girl being the athletic, taller one in the relationship and the boy being smaller and more artsy. Also, the bisexual representation from Ezra was so important. He had to keep reminding people that just because he had a boyfriend before liking a girl didn't mean he was gay. He's bisexual. Seeing more diverse couples is always nice.

While I enjoyed the story, the art style was a little too sketchy for me. I liked the added blue to the black and white comic style. But it's not my favorite style.
So, while I think it's a quick, fun read for the YA crowd, I felt some of the connections for the character's relationships were lacking. I needed a little more to be more invested.
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
A huge thank you to Netgally and the publisher, First Second Books, for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy is an adorable YA love story about two unique characters that I haven't seen much in this genre before. It was authentic to the teen dating experience as well as to the experience of existing outside stereotype. I found the illustrations compelling and the discussions of mental health honest. Definitely would reccomend to any young people who don't feel like they fit in.

When Alix loses control after a hockey game win, she turns to fellow student Ezra who always stays cool in tense situations.

Found family, found friends, working through trust and relationships are all huge themes in this beautiful ya romance. I loved the character growth and the pacing, along with each and every character. I think this is such a stunning graphic novel, every bit of it was relatable and kind and good.

Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy by Faith Erin Hicks

releases 10/3/23; thanks to @netgalley & @01firstsecond for the ARC

SYNOPSIS: It should have been a night of triumph for Alix’s hockey team. But her mean teammate Lindsay decided to start up with her usual rude comments and today Alix, who usually tries to control her anger, let it finally run free. Alix lashes out and before she knows it, her coach is dragging her off Lindsay, and the invitation to the Canada National Women’s U18 Team’s summer camp is on the line.

She needs to learn how to control this anger, and she is sure Ezra, the popular and poised theater kid from her grade is the answer. So she asks for his help. But as they hang out and start get closer, Alix learns that there is more to Ezra than the cool front he puts on. And that maybe this friendship could become something more....

THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO: bisexual love interest, girl hockey, discussions of feels, young love, great artwork

CWs: bullying, parent/child tension, unsupportive coach, homophobia, violence (punching), domestic violence (parent x parent; witnessed by child; past & depicted)

>> this story was delightful! it felt light and fluffy even though it addressed some very real, serious issues. i enjoyed the exploration of a new relationship where the male love interest is bisexual and proud. i felt like this was a great lil slice of life and fun to see a girl jock fall for the “gay” drama boy.

So heartfelt, beautiful, and well-written and the two-color illustration style created a stunning effect that made the story even more memorable. Even though it discusses serious topics, this book was genuinely so adorable and sweet. I loved every second!