Despite me giving the book a 3-star review - and I'll explain why - this was, unfortunately, a DNF for me.

When first reading what the book would be about, I was honestly intrigued by the plot-line. I have been attempting to read more LGBTQ+-focused novels this year, as a person in the community myself, but I was unable to continue after the first few chapters. The book wasn't bad per se, but I do think that this is intended for a much younger audience than myself. The emotional maturity of the MMC was not it for me, he irritated me so quickly and his personality was something that I couldn't move past.

This might be an amazing book to someone else, and it sounds interesting enough to catch someone else's eye, which is why I don't feel like a 1-star is deserving.

Beyond adorable, I truly laughed out loud more times than I can count with this fabulous book. The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King is perfect for whatever ails you as Harry Trevaldwyn combines sharp wit with heartwarming moments beautifully. Patch is the wonderful hapless star of this book and you can't help but root for him to find that fated soulmate no matter what happens. And plenty does! And often! Yet it doesn't dissuade Patch from trying his best and grasping any sort of happiness he can find.

Secondary characters like his well-meaning Mum and his bestie Jean, (a true standout imo) round out a story filled with mirth, mayhem and heart. You'd think a book about a young man simply trying to find a prom date would be simple and kind of dry but this author knows how to entertain and I guarantee you'll be crying tears of joy over and over again and gain an ache in your stomach from chuckling so hard! This book is a true delight and I'm forever glad I was able to read it and have a blast while doing so.

I look forward to more from this talented author and happily give The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King a big 4 stars! You don't want to miss this one,

Take the over the top bubbly, with a strong dollop of over-compensation of Lindsey Lohan’s character in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen and mix with the sweetness and forever (or for now) someone eagerness of Jane the Virgin and you’d have Harry Trevaldwyn’s Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King. Patch has decided this is the year he’s finally going to have a boyfriend and with the help of his BFF, Jean, it’s definitely, totally going to happen for him. Just as soon as he figures out if it’s Peter or Sam. First crush. First unrequited lurve. First dating confusion. Mixed together to make an enjoyable read.

if you’re looking for a distinct voice, classic examples of teen melodrama, and a chaotic protagonist that will keep you laughing throughout the entire thing, then this is the book for you.

Patrick, or Patch as he asks to be called in a quest to be a new him, is really funny. he’s the perfect blend of earnest, delusional, self-aware, and desperate. he’s extremely realistic and easy to root for, even when you’re rolling your eyes at his antics. all of the characters are great, and they do a great job of building this world and creating a real community that helps this story flourish.

Harry has written a wonderful, funny, and witty story about friendship, romance, forgiveness, and taking it easy on yourself. i spent a good bit of it cringing, but in the best way. like how a true messy teenager should be read. it's so so so good. a fantastic read.

Thank you to St Martin's Press for this aARC. Ya know, this was a middle grade book that wasn't meant for a 29 year old to relate to. The main character reminded me a lot of Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries book series in that he was a bit of an overwhelming pain but that's what a teenager IS, he doesn't know any better to not be. It was nice that the communication in the end worked it all out, this was a perfectly good read!

This was a hilariously delightful read. It read as your typical teen rom com but what a fun narrator we got in patch, and we all deserve a Jean

This delightfully charming and funny teen rom-com features some of the most grounded and endearing teenage characters I’ve encountered in a long time. At its heart is Patch, a queer teen boy who longs for a boyfriend and hopes to make a mark in his drama club’s production of Sweeney Todd. He’s incredibly relatable—rambunctious, earnest, and full of heart.

The supporting cast, from his close friends to new acquaintances, adds to the hilarity and warmth of the story, delivering plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. I especially loved the storytelling format, which begins with Patch writing a letter to his pen pal, immerses us in the ups and downs of his life, and concludes with another letter that ties everything together beautifully. This structure made the story feel even more personal and engaging. Overall, it’s a heartfelt and entertaining read that perfectly captures the humor and drama of teenage life.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. I enjoyed this book and read it in one day. I liked the storyline and the character development. I would recommend this book.

Im not quite sure what I went into this expecting, but it had a premise that initially caught my attention, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver. The concept of exploring the chaotic love life of a self-absorbed protagonist could have been fun, but the execution felt lacking. The main character’s drama and emotional ups and downs quickly became repetitive and, at times, exhausting.

While there are some humorous moments, the overall tone felt uneven, switching from lighthearted to overly dramatic without much balance. The character development also left a lot to be desired, and I struggled to connect with the protagonist, who often felt more frustrating than sympathetic.

Overall, The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King didn’t live up to my expectations. It had potential but fell flat, and I found myself wishing for more depth and consistency. 2/5 stars.

This was a cute and hilarious rom com about Patrick, a teen boy manifesting that this year he will get a boyfriend. It was full of wit and humor perfect for a YA style read, but also for an adult to read. I enjoyed the banter Patrick encompassed through his different interactions with individual characters. I think the opening was a nice hook, pulling in immediately with the humor. This story had drama, comedy, friendship issues, relationship issues, family issues, self-identity issues. It had a little bit of everything that was a cute and funny read about a boy determined to get his first boyfriend after his penpal was disloyal.

This was a funny, bighearted queer coming of age story about a gay English boy, Patch, determined to find a boyfriend this year at school. Full of heart and humor, this was good on audio narrated by the author and perfect for fans of the Heartstopper books and authors like Jason June. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I though this was charming as hell. What a great outing for this first time author

Patrick/Patch is A LOT, but his character rang true. I've known this guy IRL (especially since I too was a theatre nerd in high school.) Trevaldwyn really captures the essence of high school. Patch is no Euphoria kid. He's an awkward and self-absorbed, (loved those letters to his pen pal!) who's trying very, very hard to be cool. (And he kind of IS cool because he's so totally himself).

All of the friend drama and boy drama was pitch perfect. Loved Patch's friend group. Loved his overly-calculated approach to finding a boyfriend. It's a little easy to see where the book is headed, but PATCH can't see it, so it still makes for a fun, humorous ride.

Extra points for writing well rounded adults too. Patch's mom was cool (I loved Patch following wisdom from his mom's middle aged divorcee self-help books) and the teacher/self-appointed counselor was a delight.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Wednesday Books / NetGalley for the DRC and Macmillan Audio / Libro FM for the ALC! All opinions in this review are my own.

I absolutely loved this book! There were so many moments where I was laughing out loud because of Patch and his antics! While Patch is hilarious, it is clear that he does still have some maturing to do and the author did an excellent job of striking the balance between the two.

While the writing of this book is hilarious in its own right, the narrator of the audiobook did such an excellent job capturing the emotions of Patch. I always love when an audiobook is narrated by its author and this one was no exception!

The main character, Patch, a gay teen looking for dramatic success and for his first love, is, unapologetically, extremely silly. Plus, more apologetically, petty, resentful, and self-centered. At first I was caught up on the immaturity of these unattractive traits, and not expecting to enjoy the story, but it really did grow on me. There was good banter and enjoyable antics, and the pettiness was pretty funny because it was accompanied by a real lack of follow-through, showing that Patch was, generally, his own worst enemy. Patch and all the other characters (particularly the gruff sister and the equally extremely silly best friend) were a lot of fun, and Patch actually did, over the course of his character development, learn to be less of a jerk—without losing the silliness that, I swear, you absolutely come to enjoy.

The sentence in the synopsis that really hooked me was “Whether or not they actually like boys or him is a problem for later.” That sentence alone perfectly sums up who our main character Patch is and the sheer amount of self-confidence he has. Nothing can bring him down, even the crazy amount of publicly humiliating situations he finds himself in (or, more accurately, creates for himself).

However, that same confidence is also what I disliked most about this book. Don’t get me wrong, it was entertaining and caused me to actually laugh out loud a few times (which is very rare for me when reading), but it also led to an underwhelming self-discovery journey. Meaning, I wish Patch had shown more character development. Like learning to take responsibility for his own actions. He gets into a fight with his best friend and, sure, he does end up apologizing with a Big Gesture, but he also never really seems to understand exactly what he did wrong. He just blames a lot of it on the other person. And yet she forgives him anyway? And then everything is all sunshine and roses again? I can enjoy a confident and more often than not self-absorbed narrator, but I wanted Patch to have more depth and I was disappointed that he didn’t.

Overall, though, it was an enjoyable read, which is why I gave it 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, Althea Mignone, and Harry Trevaldwyn for an eARC of The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King in exchange for an honest review. 

Trevaldwyn did a great job of emulating the high school experience with the varying social dynamics and relationships. As someone who spent much time in the theatre department in high school, the rehearsal representation felt very accurate.

I enjoyed reading this novel and reliving my high school theatre days. That being said, the main character is quite self-centered and becomes hard to root for throughout the book. I'm all for flawed main characters, but some of the things he does are a little inexcusable especially when things still work out for him.

I would recommend this book to any high schooler who’s struggling romantically to feel less alone knowing their time will come soon, with the knowledge that this should not be a guidebook on how to get a boyfriend.

Thanks to Wednesday Books and St Martin's Press for a NetGalley ARC and Libro.fm for early access to the audio as part of their Educator program. I mostly listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author, and thought it was engaging and fun.
This queer YA romcom follows Patch, a high schooler who is over-involved in a drama program, who has decided he is going to find his first love in time for prom. Enter some new drama members, although the identity of his first love doesn't seem to be as important as his looks. Patch's dramatic interpretation of everything going on in his life is hilarious to hear, yet it seems very realistic for a high schooler. I'm surrounded by well-meaning, self-absorbed high schoolers at the school where I teach every day, and in that way the book felt very realistic. I loved getting a really deep dive into Patch's mental space as he contemplates the show, school, his best friend, and his hopeful new relationship.
I recommend this book to YA readers, especially ones who like theater, as I think those readers would be most willing to get behind the "drama king" main character! Patch is absolutely a character that will stay with me - I hope others will enjoy him as much as I did!

“Drama, Cake, and Self-Help: The Deliciously Chaotic Life of Patch Simmons”
1. Will there be drama?
Oh, darling, the drama practically leaps off the page, pirouettes across your brain, and lands in a heap of glittery chaos. Patch Simmons—excuse me, “Patch,” self-styled icon—delivers a level of melodrama so pure and unfiltered that Shakespeare himself would clutch his pearls.
2. Will there be excitement?
Let’s just say, the exclamation point key on my keyboard is exhausted from trying to match the energy in this book! Patch’s narration is an unrelenting burst of enthusiasm, angst, and unapologetic fabulousness, reminding us that life is, in fact, a stage, and Patch is always front and center.
3. Will there be romance and scandals?
Naturally. This is a book where high school romances bloom and wither at a speed that would leave a soap opera gasping. Secret crushes, awkward first dates (are they considered first dates if the date in fact doesn’t know that it is)—Patch’s life is a delightful mess, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
4. Is this a book I wish I had growing up?
One thousand times yes. Patch’s unapologetic queerness and willingness to embrace his true self would have been a revelation. The mix of campy fun and genuine emotional growth makes this story not just entertaining but deeply affirming.
5. Mom’s self-help wisdom corner!
Patch’s mum’s self-help book collection is the unexpected MVP here. Patch regularly pauses his own theatrics to drop nuggets of wisdom like a pint-sized life coach. Who knew “It’s only bloody cake” could simultaneously solve a meltdown and become a mantra for life?
6. The supporting cast
Friends and family bring heart to this whirlwind story, keeping Patch grounded when his drama king tendencies threaten to spiral into full-on monarchy. Their love and support anchor the chaos in moments of genuine reflection.
7. Final thoughts
The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King is a whirlwind of camp, laughter, and heartfelt emotion. Harry Trevaldwyn delivers a YA rom-com that is unapologetically queer, outrageously funny, and quietly profound in all the right moments. Patch Simmons is the hero we didn’t know we needed—a self-proclaimed drama king who reminds us that even when life is overwhelming, there’s always room for cake.

Thank you Wednesday Books, NetGalley, and Harry Trevaldwyn for this eARC!!

This is the story of Patch and his quest to find a prom date. Can he find someone who likes him back? While the "quest for love" trope has been done before, it’s one I usually enjoy. However, for me to love a book, I need to connect with the main character—and unfortunately, I just didn’t like Patch. He came across as overbearing, overly dramatic, and a bit self-important. While I get that some actors might have those traits, spending the entire book with a character like that was a bit exhausting.

The love interest wasn’t well-developed, so I had no sense of what made him special or why I should root for them. The supporting friends didn’t stand out either, leaving me with no one to cheer for. That said, there were some funny moments. I especially enjoyed Patch’s teacher, who was hilariously blunt in her own quest for love.

If you’re a fan of theater and prom drama, this book might still be worth checking out. For me, though, it felt underwhelming overall. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Thanks so much to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the complimentary advance copy of this book!

Patrick (call him “Patch”) is ready for an amazing school year. The thing he’s most looking forward to is finding a boyfriend, one whom he can take to Prom. The challenge is, the only openly gay boys in school are dating each other. So what now?

And then two boys arrive at the first drama club meeting of the year. Peter, an American from New York (fabulous) moved to England to live with his best friend Sam’s family. Patch is determined that one of them will be his boyfriend. (He’s fine with either of them.)

The thing is, Patch is full of personality. Maybe too full? He desperately wants to make a good impression on Peter and Sam but mostly winds up tripping over his words and embarrassing himself. The quest to get one of them to be his boyfriend gets more complicated when Sam doesn’t appear to like Patch, and Peter (who is bi) starts dating Tessa, Patch’s former friend and current nemesis.

As Patch tries to negotiate matters of the heart without tripping over himself, he has his devoted best friend Jean to confide in, as well as Ms. Beckett, a former teacher he’s appointed his life coach. He also relies on his mother’s self-help books, but they’re not particularly helpful in his case.

Patch is one of the most hysterically vain and egotistical characters who made me laugh at every turn. (To try and land the lead role in Sweeney Todd, he decided to shadow some barbers, for example.) This is a fun and sweet book about being yourself no matter how wacky and annoying you might be.

The book will publish 1/28.