Review by Booklist Review
Set in England, this antic novel finds that queer 16-year-old Patrick (Patch) and his fortysomething divorcée mother have one thing in common: both are desperately looking for a man. Patch, our drama king, vows to find a boyfriend by the time prom rolls around, and it seems he might have found Mr. Right in Peter, the new kid in school who is (gasp) an American living with a friend (Sam) while his parents divorce. Peter is bi, but to Patch's horror he falls for Tessa, Patch's bête noire. In short order our hero manages to jeopardize his friendship with his bestie, Jean, and sabotage a budding (platonic--or is it?) relationship with Sam, leaving him all alone by the telephone. What to do? Things don't look promising, because, let's face it, not only is Patch preternaturally dramatic, he's also a bit of a ditz, albeit a likeable one. Don't worry, there are no tragedies here, just a mostly successful comedy with an agreeable plot and likable characters. Readers will take Patch to their hearts.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
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. (Jan.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
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
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A gay, British 16-year-old decides that this school year, it's time to get a boyfriend. Patrick Simmons has rebranded himself as Patch ("more characterful and mysterious"), taken wisdom from his single mum's self-help books, and is determined to have a boyfriend before Prom (which is really just an after-party for the Drama Club), all with his incredibly supportive best friend, Jean, by his side. Drama Club is the perfect place to find potential prospects, and although Patch's mood is soured at first by the arrival of his former-friend-turned-nemesis, Tessa, it perks back up when two new boys, Sam and Peter, join as well. Both seem like good options to Patch at first, but as the club's production ofSweeney Todd gets underway, Patch's usual exuberant confidence is shaken by shifting friendships and crushes. Patch's first-person narration is laugh-out-loud funny, and although he can be self-involved, his big heart shines through, making him an endearing and engaging lead as he learns and grows. The story succeeds as a sweet romance while also subverting expectations and giving equal weight to the importance of friendships in a thoughtful and moving way. This tale is distinctly and charmingly British, yet it's an ode to queer theater kids everywhere--particularly those with big personalities. Main characters present white. A winning debut: the perfect blend of hilarious and heartfelt.(Romance. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
