By Harry Trevaldwyn (author) Part of the Patch Simmons series
"Adrian Mole for the TikTok generation: this laugh-out-loud rom-com romp is a life-affirming joy."
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June 2026 Debut of the Month
Harry Trevaldwyn’s The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King , first book in the Patch Simmons series, is likely to be loved by anyone who has a heart and sense of humour. YA rom-coms have rarely been so relentlessly funny and authentic. I laughed, I cried, I cried laughing, and I defy any 13+-year-old (including adults) to not have the same response.
Patch (don’t call him Patrick!) is determined to bag himself a boyfriend by the end of the year, and it seems his luck is in when two new boys, Sam and New Yorker Peter, join his drama club. But despite his best manifesting efforts, Patch’s road to his desired relationship nirvana is anything but smooth, with more heartache hitting hard when he falls out with Jean, his best friend. Huge-hearted, with a sequinned “Viva La Vulva!” bag, and bedroom festooned with inspirational LGBTQ+ allyship memos, Jean is an absolute joy.
Alongside being endlessly entertaining and of-the-moment, The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King also tackles timeless coming-of-age themes with tremendous heart, including friendship, the pain of falling out with your bestie, the longing to find that special someone, and the joy of feeling totally comfortable in your skin, even as you wobble a little on the road to becoming an adult. There are also some very cute moments, and excellent observational details, especially when it comes to showing how you can never really know the complexities of what people are thinking or feeling. All of which means, The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King will be adored by fans of exuberant YA rom-coms — think Adrian Mole , meets Bridget Jones , meets Georgia Nicolson.
The first YA novel from actor and comedien Harry Trevaldwyn. Georgia Nicolson meets Bridget Jones in this wonderfully hilarious rom-com.
Read the full description
Patch has decided that this is the year he will get a boyfriend, so it's goodbye to his French pen-pal Jean-Pierre and hello to the world!
Only... finding a boyfriend isn't as easy as he'd hoped, until fate finally intervenes and two new mysterious boys have also joined the drama club: Peter (who’s just moved from New York) and Sam.
Patch is confident that one of them (although either of them will do!) will be his first boyfriend, thank you very much. Armed with his single mum’s outdated self-help books, his over-supportive best friend Jean, his endlessly wise English Teacher and an alarming level of self-confidence, Patch is confident that this mission will be a complete success.
The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King is a heartfelt, laugh-out-loud comedy from rising star Harry Trevaldwyn.
'The funniest person on the internet has written the book everyone needs!' - Jameela Jamil
'One of the funniest, warmest YAs to be published this decade.' - Charlotte Eyre, The Bookseller
'My favourite genre of book is 'Charming Lunatic Complains About Life,' and this is a wonderful entry. Funny and full of heart, Patch is up there with the great whingers Adrian Mole, Georgia Nicolson, and Bridget Jones.' - Monica Heisey, bestselling author of Really Good, Actually
' The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King is nothing short of perfect, a joy from start to finish. Patch is Gen Alpha's Adrian Mole.' - Rebecca Humphries
'Funny, voicey and fresh. Patch makes Georgia Nicolson seem demure and composed' - Elle McNicoll, author of Some Like it Cold
Harry Trevaldwyn is an actor, comedian and writer who has been listed as a Screen International Star of Tomorrow. Initially rising to fame through writing and starring in his own online skits, Harry has since been nominated for Best Debut Writer at the New Voice Awards. His acting credits include Ten Percent, The Outlaws, How To Train Your Dragon, My Lady Jane and The Acolyte and he has multiple writing projects in development with leading production companies. He has worked with the Soho Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and the Bloomsbury Theatre. The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King is his first novel.
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Closing date: 04/10/2026
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The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-18 years old
The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King features in the following genres: Featured Books for 13+ readers, Featured Books for Young Adults, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Funny, Romance / Relationship Stories, School Stories, PSHE: Sexuality, Gender and Relationships, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s / Teenage fiction: Romance and love stories, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Friends and friendships, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Dating, relationships, romance and love, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Runaways, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: First / new experiences and growing up / coming of age, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: LGBTQ+, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Relationships (non-family / groups)
Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King was written by Harry Trevaldwyn and published by First Ink an imprint of Pan Macmillan
The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King has 338 pages
Yes it is part of Patch Simmons series
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
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