Graphic novel about a high school girl playing hockey who falls for a bi drama boy? Yes please! I related to the story on so many levels, and it quickly became one of my absolute favorites.
Synopsis
From the Publisher Marketing:
It should have been a night of triumph for Alix’s hockey team. But her mean teammate Lindsay decided to start up with her usual rude comments and today Alix, who usually tries to control her anger, let it finally run free. Alix lashes out and before she knows it, her coach is dragging her off Lindsay, and the invitation to the Canada National Women’s U18 Team’s summer camp is on the line.
She needs to learn how to control this anger, and she is sure Ezra, the popular and poised theater kid from her grade is the answer. So she asks for his help. But as they hang out and start get closer, Alix learns that there is more to Ezra than the cool front he puts on. And that maybe this friendship could become something more….
No, that’s an opinion, Greg. It is your shitty opinion that expressions of affection between two people of the same gender are gross.
I hope someday you learn the difference between facts and opinions. And also develop better opinions.
Pucks, Drama, and All the Feels
Faith Erin Hicks hits it out of the park (or should I say scores a game winning goal?) with Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy, a young adult story that packs heart, humor, and a heavy dose of teenage soul-searching into one delightful package.
Alix, a competitive hockey player with a laser focus on leading her team to greatness, is our fearless heroine, and Ezra, a theater kid with a flair for the dramatic and an uncanny ability to make you laugh, cry, or cringe (sometimes all at once), is our kindhearted hero. They’re about as opposite as you can get, but when an unexpected run-in forces their worlds to collide, magic happens. Not the kissy kind, mind you—this isn’t about romance (at first)—but the kind of friendship that reshapes how you see the world and yourself.
Alix isn’t just a “hockey girl.” She’s fierce on the ice but vulnerable off it, wrestling with the pressure to always perform to the highest standard. Meanwhile, Ezra hides his insecurities behind his dramatic exterior, navigating the turbulence of high school relationships and creative ambition. Hicks doesn’t just write characters; she creates people—messy, flawed, and endlessly lovable.
At its heart, Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy is a celebration of identity and connection. Alix and Ezra’s friendship is the story’s cornerstone, showing how people from totally different worlds can teach each other, challenge each other, and maybe even save each other. Hicks makes their dynamic feel so real it hurts (in the best way), with banter that’s laugh-out-loud funny one moment and heart-clutchingly tender the next.
But what really sets this book apart is its subtle, powerful message about diversity—not just in the traditional sense but in personalities, passions, and life experiences. Alix and Ezra’s journey together is proof that stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to the most rewarding relationships.
Hicks’ writing is whip-smart and packed with emotional resonance, capturing the chaos, awkwardness, and unexpected beauty of teenage life. Whether she’s serving up comedy gold or poignant introspection, every word feels authentic. And let’s not forget the artwork—Hicks’ background in graphic novels shines through with expressive, dynamic descriptions that leap off the page.
Bottom line? Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy is the kind of book that made me turn to my husband, shove it into his hands, exclaiming, “This is us!” It’s a celebration of friendship, self-acceptance, and the joy of finding your place in a world that often feels like it’s pushing you to the sidelines. Whether you’re into hockey, theater, or just great storytelling, this book is a total win. Do yourself a favor: pick it up, fall in love with Alix and Ezra, and let Hicks remind you why we need stories like this.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Celebration of Books 