I’m going to start this review with a petition to stop comparing every single queer YA book to Heartstopper! This book has a completely different tone, which if I had to come up with a comparison for, I would describe as Georgia Nicholson meets Glee (which is a MASSIVE compliment from me c. 2010). It was outrageous, laugh-out-loud funny, and larger than life.

I actually think I enjoyed this book more as an audiobook than I would otherwise. It’s narrated by the author, who is also an actor, and no one else could be better at bringing Patch and his world to life. Patch is hilarious and full of character but did have his moments of frustration or annoyance, and the audiobook narration softened those edges of his character and I think made him more likeable.

Part of the reason the Heartstopper comparison frustrates me (and don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Heartstopper) is that apart from being about queer teenagers, this book is completely different. Patch is out and proud (which doesn’t stop him from accidentally coming out two more times over the course of the book, to much entertainment) and is living his best life. All he wants is a boyfriend by the end of the term! And to play the lead in the drama club production of Sweeney Todd. And for him and his best friend Jean to be inseparable and united against the forces of the other people in their year. This book tends not to venture into the serious or the profound, and honestly? It doesn’t need to. It’s just as important to have queer stories about joy and fun, which is this book from start to finish.

I challenge anyone to listen to this audiobook and not spit-laugh multiple times. Patch doesn’t get easily embarrassed, which gets him into all sorts of situations, and it’s impossible not to be endeared to him – even as you’re yelling at him to see what’s right in front of him!

I received a free copy for an honest review.

A book about a boy figuring out romance at his young age and being absolutely and incredibly dramatic about it.
This is one for fans of Heartstopper for sure!
I am not the target audience for this, but if I was 15 I would have ate this book up!!!
But I still enjoyed it, was giggling throughout and liked the characters and the growth they were going through.
But as a 21yo I found the "plot" underwhelming mostly because there isn't much of a plot.

This book was such a delight. As the name suggests, this book details the dramatic exploits of Patch, in love, friendship, and seeking fame.

Patch’s narrative shines in this book, in a style similar to a young Bridget Jones. Whilst having a fairly healthy ego, there’s a wonderful earnestness and occasional vulnerability in Patch’s story, particularly in his relationships with his peers.

This was a perfect read to enjoy on audiobook. The narrator does a wonderful job of capturing Patch’s sneakiness, emotional experience and tone.

Thank you MacMillan UK Audio for an early copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

What a delight to listen to! Hilarious, entertaining and endearing. I flew through the audiobook and had many laugh out loud moments. I quickly became fond of Patch and invested in his journey. A delight to listen to. Jean is a trooper! Would make for a great series! "It's only bloody cake" will be more new motto for the foreseeable

Patch is 100% the drama. No question.

I'm not sure if it is, but this book feels like the first in a series, there is a lot more the author could explore with these characters and I'd love to see it.

Patch is how I imagine Alan Carr in year 10. It's hilarious and yet so earnest that you feel a bit bad laughing at his pure dramatic nonsense. Bless him, he does get there in the end and the focus on him valuing his friends and trying to grow a bit was lovely.

If this is a series, I'm Team Sam.

*3.5 stars* A funny story that drags you into the whirlwind that is Patch's teenage relationships, both the romance and the friendship. As promised in the title, Patch is very much a drama king and not only because he enjoys acting in plays. This story brings in plenty of humour but will also have you groaning in frustration at Patch's antics. I didn't always gel with his character, who can be incredibly self-involved to the degree it's a little bit painful but I appreciate that's all part of the story and allows him to turn things around and grow as a character through the story. His friendship with Jean is sweet, as these two best friends are as close as can be and despite Jean's personality being a fair bit calmer than Patch's, she is at times drawn into his plots and chaos. This story brings the teenage vendettas, embarrassment, friendship trials, family friction, and crushes that I imagine we can all identify with from our younger years and I had a good time escaping into Patch's world, and all the while rooting for one particular love interest. The audiobook is also fantastically narrated by the author who brings Patch to life with the perfect voice and personality.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

What an absolute dream this was to consume! I had so much fun following Patch through his romantic tragedies and dramatics, and would happily read more from Harry Trevaldwyn!

This gave me Heartstopper meets Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, which I absolutely adored! Although I am older than the intended demographic, I found this so entertaining and fun to read and would recommend it to others wholeheartedly.

Would love to see more in Patch’s world and coming of age adventures in the future, I hope there are plans for a series!

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!

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.