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.

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King follows Patch as he navigates his senior year of highschool. Patch has one main goal for senior year: get a boyfriend in time for prom. Sadly, there are very few candidates for the role: meaning zero. At least Patch still has drama club where he plans to finally play the lead role, whoever that may be. When in walks two mysterious strangers. Peter who has just moved to New York from the UK and his best friend Sam. Each of these boys would make a perfect boyfriend to Patch... if only he could decide which one to chose!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Patch was fun and although he made mistakes he did his best to try and fix them. The romance was very slow-burn, but I am ultimately happy with how it concluded. An enjoyable read for fans of YA for sure! I look forward to what Trevaldwyn writes next.

This latest entry into the gay YA genre follows the classic trope of the naive teenager who learns from his mistakes, becomes more self-aware in the course of the book, and finds a boyfriend. I loved the author's breezy, high energy, and often laugh-out loud funny writing. I will look forward to more from this author.

That said, I had a few issues with the book. First, as others have noted, the main character, "Patch" is too unlikeable. We want to root for him but he is too self-centered and treats everyone in the book pretty badly. Other characters, particularly his best friend Jean, come off as doormats (or like Sam and Peter, underdeveloped). We only get Patch's first-person view and all he can talk about is himself -while often funny, being inside his head is not a pleasant experience. We don't get the sense that while he wants a boyfriend, that he really cares enough about other people to make that happen. The plotting was a bit wonky as well. The musical is glossed over. The rehearsal process could have been a great place for Patch's character to develop empathy and really connect with others. We finally get a bit of this when Patch soothes Sam's nerves before the opening night. The author throws in an additional boyfriend possibility in the last few pages--why? We are actually never sure why either boy is interested in the self-absorbed Patch. Why do Patch and Jean cook horrible food? And Patch's lists get tiresome.

I think bottom line, the author writes well and with wonderful bursts of humor. The plotting and the characters need more work. And crucially the book needs more heart.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the pre-release copy. Below you'll find my honest review:

Not gonna lie, for the first 40% of this book or so, I found the main character absolutely insufferable. It dragged for me because I didn't like him enough to want to keep going. But the premise was intriguing enough, and the side characters/love interests were pretty good, so I pushed through. I'm glad I did, because eventually, the main character actually starts to GROW as a person and it was a joy to "watch" the process.

It was also really cute, and wasn't smutty at all. Just adorable high school nerdy gay kid finding himself and his first "love" while learning about life and relationships of all kinds. Quite a chaste book, but perfect for YA readers.

Definitely recommend. I'd read something else by the author in the future, for sure.

Four stars!

This was so much fun. The characters were adorable and hilarious and the story is perfectly paced. Highly recommend for fans of YA, you'll be smiling throughout. A must read for fans of Simon James Green. I can't wait to read more from this author and I'd happily read more about these characters in future books.

3.5 stars

This is a solid debut from Trevaldwyn, who not only writes a memorable character in Patch but who also does an exceptional job of narrating the audiobook (which I received thanks to Libro.fm).

Patch is the titular drama king, and readers should know that Patch's drama is not confined to the stage; it really lives at the core of his being. As a result, spending so much time in his head, as readers of this book do, can become intentionally exhausting at some moments. Folks looking for a more settled, mature character won't find that here. Be prepared to dive right into the drama, as promised. While this approach may frustrate some, it'll likely also be the central selling point for others. It definitely made the read more enjoyable for me.

While I was always invested in Patch's outcomes, I did want a bit more depth in the relationships between Patch and various secondary characters. The romantic tragedies are also only "tragic" by the standards of a very young, inexperienced person, and this made it a bit tough to get as engaged with this motif as I'd have liked.

Overall, this is a fun listen. I'll recommend it to students looking for a book that features a character with a big personality and a lot of learning ahead.