It was great to read a queer book with similar elements to Bridget Jones, I felt so many emotions whilst reading this book!

Sweet teen comedy that over promises and under-delivers

It’s possibly the fault of the marketing people, but this ain’t no Bridget Jones or Heartstopper. It is its own thing, a gentle teen comedy with a self-obsessed teenage (aren’t they all?) hero, caught between two handsome boys, neither one of which might be gay, but Patrick—that is, Patch, doesn’t let that get in his way. One way or another, he’ll have a boy on his arm for prom.

BTW this is set somewhere in the UK, and prom is a relatively new name for what we used to call the school disco, a hideous coming-of-age rite of passage that no-one should ever suffer through.

Not as funny as its been sold as, but Patch makes it worth a read: three stars.

A fun teen book that I couldn't stop laughing at. Being older than the characters in here, it reminded me what it was like to be a teenager and the social unawareness that comes with that.

A fun coming of age story I would shelf alongside Heartstopper and Everybody's Talking About Jamie (if that was a book and not a musical)

Harry Trevaldwyn’s debut novel is a hilarious and heartwarming coming-of-age story that will instantly charm readers. Patch, the protagonist, is a flawed yet endearing teenager—full of ego and innocence—balancing humour with moments of vulnerability. His over-the-top behaviour and comically awkward moments, like gossiping with teachers over biscuits, had me laughing out loud repeatedly.

The book masterfully balances comedy with tender coming-of-age moments. As Patch matures throughout the story, his flaws are addressed without compromising his core personality. The supporting characters are equally entertaining, adding richness and relatability to the plot.

Harry’s comedic writing is sharp, warm, and effortlessly captures the relatable struggles of adolescence. The humour and emotional depth will resonate with both young readers and adults alike.

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King is a must-read for anyone who enjoys witty humour and heartfelt moments. I can’t wait to see what Harry writes next.

This was a fun, light read, something like Heartstoppers. It is written with the ‘voice’ of a 16 year old boy with all the angst that entails.

This is the year that 16 year old Patrick decides that he will have a boyfriend and share his first kiss. To this end he gives himself the nickname Patch, and he is very excited when two new boys join his drama group – one of whom is American. Unfortunately they aren’t the only people to join the drama club – his arch nemesis decides to rejoin too.

A sweet romcom with some teenage angst, and a good insight into teenage friendships and falling out.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7230774588
https://maddybooksblog.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-romantic-tragedies-of-drama-king-by.html

From the beginning, I enjoyed this book and could picture the characters. Excellent writing and a great binge read.

Patrick, or Patch as he's decided to be called, is in the lower sixth form (so 16/17?) and determined to get a boyfriend by the end of the next drama club show (when they have a "prom"). When two boys join the club, there's much excitement, but watch out, here's Patch and Jean's old frenemy, too ... There's not a lot new here if you've read a lot of YA fumbling for love novels, but it's sweet and Patch does learn; there are also some amusing asides thanks to his best female friend who is a better ally than he is. I'm sure younger readers will be glad to find themselves and their alternating confidence/awkwardness represented here. I'd have preferred a few more details about the older characters but would the actual audience?

Blog review: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2025/01/15/three-netgalley-reviews-by-ashenden-trevaldwyn-and-su/

While I've definitely aged out of being the target audience for this book, it was still a lot of fun. Teenage me would have loved it. Patch Simmons is a real character - a show-off through and through, a tendance towards being self-centred but sweet at the heart of it all. He's spending this school year trying to be the lead in the school show while getting himself a boyfriend. Between figuring out who likes him, falling out with his best friend and trying to stand apart, none of it runs smoothly. A light and funny read.

This book has stolen my heart. I'm sorry, but I NEED Patch to be my new best friend, I live for the level of dramatic he is in everyday life. As a theatre kid myself I have been through many show romances and cast fallouts. This book is so perfectly portrayed of what its like as a teen in amature dramatics.

This is a YA romance book (I know, not my usual thing) following Patch who is on the hunt to find himself a boyfriend!

I was in dire need of something easy and needed a little break from thrillers and this has done the trick.

The humour reminded me a little bit Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging. This was so easy to read and I flew through it!

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King is a fresh and funny coming of age story about Patch - a young queer boy who loves drama club and is determined to have a boyfriend by prom. Two new boys and his arch nemesis, Tessa, join drama club in time for the new production of Sweeney Todd and much drama and hilarity ensues. This is targeted as YA fiction but I think anyone would enjoy this original, funny story which is full of heart.

This book is hilarious from the very beginning to the very end! Patch is one of the nicest people that you would ever meet but he is cutting with a mean steak in him. This mean streak also turns out to be kind and loving.
The author writes this book in a modern way that makes you feel as though you are part of the circle of friends

I have followed Harry since Covid and loved his hilarious videos, which send up self-unaware personalities such as ‘guys girl’ and ‘quirky girl’.

I had therefore greatly anticipated this novel, and I wasn’t disappointed. I might not be the target audience for this teen Rom Com, but I absolutely loved it.

I read this diary-style account of a charming, funny and self involved young man in a couple of sittings. It was packed with witty lines, tender moments and a cast of supporting characters including Jean, his best friend, and his cutting English teacher who were great foils for our hero. The most fun I’ve ever had reading!

Thank you for this advanced copy.

A very funny story with a great big heart! I laughed, I cried and I couldn't stop reading!

I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for further stories from Harry!

Very funny, and the main character is surprisingly engaging considering he's completely self-obsessed. The writing style is accessible and personal, while the characters feel both ridiculous and true-to-life. The plot was somewhat predictable, but that actually worked because the setting was such an inverted trope: it took the typical High School Musical scenarios and set them in a run-down British suburb, and the result was hilarious.

This book had a great plot with ifun characters. The title represents the story beautifully .This author is new to me so I was unsure what to expect, I’ll definitely look out for more books.

This book was lush. The nostalgia it stirred up! Although this is a children's/ young adult book and I sadly no longer fit into that criteria, I still related so hard. I grew up reading the Georgia Nicolson books and this is very Georgia-esque. So funny, silly and dramatic, but it also felt so real and wholesome. It has an innocence and purity that I feel like you don't see that often in teen entertainment anymore. I will definitely be recommending this!

Completely enchanting. laugh out loud funny, occasionally very poignant and funny exactly what the world needs right now. Patch is ready for his first boyfriend and sets about making it happen with such blind enthusiasm, naivety, blissful confidence and deluded empathy that even while we expect things to come crashing down around him, we also know he will prevail and get a happy ending - albeit not the one he necessarily expects. He is so wonderfully self obsessed, a terrible friend and exhausting son, but also so full of love and good intentions you just won’t care. this book is a little bit of feel good heaven.
it’s also bloody refreshing to read a story about a gay teenager with absolutely no identify conflict, or even coming out trauma (in fact he enjoyed it so much he has done it four times). He’s not quite sure what’s expected of him as a gay teenager, so he’s writing the rules for himself.
This one is screaming out for a film or TV adaptation z can’t wait

Honestly, I do not usually read young adult fiction. However, I find the author of this book delightfully funny and I'm glad to say that his debut fiction book is just as delightfully funny as he is. It follows Patch (short-ish for Patrick), an overly-confident teenager who desperately wants to become an actor but is stuck in what he sees is a cultural wasteland but is actually just suburban England. I definitely knew people like this - I potentially was like this, but with significantly less self-confidence. This is the perfect book to read if you (like me) just need something funny and sweet and Heartstopper-esque that's going to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It has some wonderfully touching moments, points where I genuinely laughed out loud, and a lovely supporting cast. Also, I do think that Patch may be the gay successor to Georgia Nicholson. Honestly, if you gobbled up those books when you were a teenager, read this book. Also double-y read it if you were in a drama club / remain obsessed with theatre to this day.

It may be almost ten years since I left secondary school, but I still found plenty to love in here. A really fun debut.

HARRY TREVALDWYN – THE ROMANTIC TRAGEDIES OF A DRAMA KING ****
Said Drama King – drama in both senses of the word – is one Patch Simmons.
As the story opens, he’s unceremoniously dumping his French pen pal because he needs to search for a boyfriend and doesn’t have time for both. He’s also prone to making lists, the first of which is “Why Prom is the PERFECT time to have a boyfriend”. You see what I mean about drama? No exclamation marks a la Trump, but plenty of words in capitals.
As someone old enough to be Patch’s grandfather, I am not the target audience but I have to confess I enjoyed the merry-go-round of family and friends and potential lovers. Patch is deliciously oblivious of his shortcomings which makes his problems so much more fun for the reader. He’s a youthful Bridget Jones. Anyone who loves Heartstopper would love this. The author not only has created a witty and interesting character, but he keeps him going the whole time. It’s not his diary, but it’s told so much from Patch’s POV that it might as well have been. It’s a delight.