The romantic tragedies of a drama king by Harry Trevaldwyn

Patch (aka Patrick) Simmons is a 16-year-old queer, quirky and larger-than-life character who loves drama (and performance art) and relies on his level-headed best friend Jean. He does tend to plant his feet firmly in his mouth before engaging his brain, and he does love the spotlight, so will carry on regardless bumbling into minor disasters. His aim in this intricate revelation is to share his plan/purpose/endeavour in finding (and keeping) his first boyfriend and experiencing his first kiss. Within school grounds and the drama club we travel alongside Patch on an emotional rollercoaster as he connects and disconnects with friends and fellow performers. Will he ever be successful in love and in life? 

The tone of this book is exceptionally light-hearted as Patch spills everything he is thinking and feeling, sometimes with disastrous consequences. His gay-boy life has all the hallmarks of the stereotypical high school queer boy, with interest in fashion, being noticed, and avoiding anything sporty. He has a close female confidante providing relationship and life wisdom, and occasional fashion advice. Teen friendship and relationship dramas abound, and Patch can be relied on to get things wrong.  Readers who have read Adrian Mole’s revelations will recognise the style of the internal dialogues being unveiled for public consumption. Patch’s inability to recognise his own interpersonal blunders make for entertaining reading. The author has a comedic style with a good sense of the ironic. The main characters occasionally seem younger than their 16 years, but this is a minor problem.   Readers aged 16+ looking for an LGBTIQ focused romance will smile often as they read this book.

Themes: LGBTIQ teen romance, Friendship, Drama and theatre, Humour.

Carolyn Hull