The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King

Starred review from December 1, 2024

Gr 8 Up-British 16-year-old Patrick (who goes by Patch) is in search of his first boyfriend, and he needs to have one before prom in December. Enter Sam and Peter, who have both recently joined the after-school Drama Club; Patch can't decide which one to choose. He isn't even sure that they are also attracted to boys, but one of them just must be the right guy for him. Patch quickly falls head over heels for Peter, the newly transplanted American who, as it turns out, is still reeling from his breakup with his girlfriend back in New York. Further, Patch has convinced himself that Sam doesn't care for him in the slightest. Amid preparations for his upcoming performance in Sweeney Todd, Patch learns the painful difficulties of building, breaking, and mending relationships. In his debut novel, Trevaldwyn successfully captures the intense, and often rushed, emotions that come with being a teenager. Patch and supporting characters all read as white. VERDICT This reads like a car wreck sitcom: impossible to look away from in the best way possible. It is difficult to imagine fans of Heartstopper not loving Patch and his larger-than-life personality on the quest for love.-Zach Basler

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 14, 2024
Actor Trevaldwyn crafts a sparkling debut starring an aspiring teen actor living in small-town England. Gay 16-year-old Patrick “Patch” Simmons has decided it’s time to get a boyfriend. He sees potential
in New Yorker Peter and his English best friend Sam, two newcomers to his community drama club. Though initially torn between the two, Patch endeavors to pursue the more outgoing Peter, but his confidence is shaken when Sam is cast as the play’s lead, Patch’s dream role. Then Patch’s former friend turned nemesis, popular girl Tessa, rejoins drama club and catches Peter’s eye at a party. When Patch has a falling-out with his best friend Jean after catching her bowling with Tessa, he tries befriending Sam, hoping that he can help Patch understand both Peter and Jean’s choices. Witty prose keenly captures Patch’s over-the-top reactions and the beleaguered yet loving friends and adults caught in his schemes. It all culminates in a frothy and formulaic tale overflowing with hasty—and messy—decision-making, misunderstandings,
reconciliations, and sweetly budding romance. Characters read as white. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jessica Hare, The Agency.