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.

Not my usual genre but sometimes you need a good chuckle. This book certainly gave me plenty of those. What a delight

Thanks for the opportunity to review

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.

I am never sure about reading humorous books as one person's sense of humour doesn't always match another persons. However, in this case, I did enjoy the humour in this book.
'Patch' Simmons is an openly gay 16 year old who has determined to have a boyfriend to go to the school prom with. When not one, but two possible candidates arrive at the drama club the game is on as Patch sets his sights on one of them. Things of course don't go to plan. In his own mind, Patch has everything worked out - what to say, wear, do etc - but in reality, it's a different story, leading to many comical situations.
Patch has some lovely, supportive friends who put up with his eccentricities and are there to pick up the pieces (barring the odd misunderstanding).

Besides appreciating the humour, I also found it very refreshing to read a YA book with not an 'f' word in sight. I will be recommending this to my student readers.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

"The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King" is an entertaining and sweet first book that's as funny as Bridget Jones, but appropriate for teens. Harry Trevaldwyn gives us Patrick "Patch" Simmons, a gay (and out) teenager navigating complicated friendships while looking for his first boyfriend.

This book is full of queer teenage joy, offering a refreshing escape from typical coming-out narratives. The supporting cast is well-crafted, each bringing their quirks and humour to Patch's world. Trevaldwyn's writing is clever, with great lines like "Patrick, it's only bloody cake!" that show (or remind one) what it's like to be a teenager. There is a wonderful twist on the classic big romantic gesture that I absolutely adored. You really can't help but root for him and his dramatic ways.

Patch's journey is full of laugh-out-loud moments. Whether he's chatting too much with a favourite teacher, plotting with friends, or being a bit too full of himself, he's always entertaining. His big personality and confidence make him fun to follow, even when he's being over-the-top (which is always).

This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a good laugh, a cute romance, and characters who aren't afraid to be themselves. It's bound to be a hit, and I can't wait to see what he writes next!

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Books | First Ink & NetGalley for an eARC copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Patrick has decided to reinvent himself and that he needs a boyfriend. He nick names himself Patch as he thinks this is ‘cool’ – although then needs to convince his Mother and friends to use it. He ditches his long-term pen pal as a relationship going nowhere, but hits a hurdle with lack of available outwardly gay boys to date in his year at school.
However, two new students start at school and join drama club. Patch sees this as his chance to decide which of these two lucky boys he’ll choose.
Patch is over-confident and much of the humour comes from this and his blindness to see he looks totally ridiculous. His saving grace is his incredibly supportive best friend Jean and its only when Patch realises this can his life start to follow a more even keel than the choppy path his instincts take him down.
Some great characters and teen friendship portrayed in a realistic humourous story.

Love loved this book.. "It's only cake!"
Remember the drama of a high school love life .. where everything was heightened expotetentially and then multiply that .. welcome to the world of Patch!
Patch has never had a real boyfriend, never been kissed but this year things are going to change.. in a big way, even if this means he has to "come out" repeatedly!

Very enjoyable YA novel.
Patch and his friends make easy reading and his drama is very believable.
Would recommend this novel.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC

This was such a fun relatable novel for teens to navigate gate things and make them feel less alone with plenty of laughs and drama along the way!