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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
5 stars
A sweet romance where two people looking for a home amidst upheaval find love together both in and out of game. I really connected with Sadie's burnout plotline and her constant fight to keep a career or a city that you aren't even sure you ACTUALLY want. I also completely understand her instant attraction to burly man with a red beard and a man bun, that would be my ultimate weakness too girl. I loved how soft Noah was despite his size and appearance and of course his complete nerdiness. Sadie and Noah also communicated REALLY well which I greatly appreciated yet there was still a 3rd act conflict, one that made sne to the story and the characters. Getting to see the characters' characters fall in love within the D&D campaign was a delightful addition as well. Not to mention, I really enjoyed that story too especially the cliff hanger. I really hope we get another book in this world (maybe the DM and the new player?) so we can see where the campaign in Hell takes that story. I also hope anytime there is an integral side character who is married means we might get a marriage on the rocks story in the future because those are under rated.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC, I had a great time!
A sweet romance where two people looking for a home amidst upheaval find love together both in and out of game. I really connected with Sadie's burnout plotline and her constant fight to keep a career or a city that you aren't even sure you ACTUALLY want. I also completely understand her instant attraction to burly man with a red beard and a man bun, that would be my ultimate weakness too girl. I loved how soft Noah was despite his size and appearance and of course his complete nerdiness. Sadie and Noah also communicated REALLY well which I greatly appreciated yet there was still a 3rd act conflict, one that made sne to the story and the characters. Getting to see the characters' characters fall in love within the D&D campaign was a delightful addition as well. Not to mention, I really enjoyed that story too especially the cliff hanger. I really hope we get another book in this world (maybe the DM and the new player?) so we can see where the campaign in Hell takes that story. I also hope anytime there is an integral side character who is married means we might get a marriage on the rocks story in the future because those are under rated.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC, I had a great time!
Sadi and Noah were cute, but too slow to get to the real romance in my opinion.
The first 60% felt more like a D&D/self-discovery book than a romance with a side of life change. Sadie and Noah felt younger than they were, and I was missing the maturity and honesty one has when they get older.
I did love the D&D aspect of the book, which, as someone who has only heard about it and never played it, says something about Lenora's writing.
Overall, I didn't dislike the book; it was just not for me.
Also, had to mention the incredible cover art, because as a visual girly, that's the first thing that drew me in!
The first 60% felt more like a D&D/self-discovery book than a romance with a side of life change. Sadie and Noah felt younger than they were, and I was missing the maturity and honesty one has when they get older.
I did love the D&D aspect of the book, which, as someone who has only heard about it and never played it, says something about Lenora's writing.
Overall, I didn't dislike the book; it was just not for me.
Also, had to mention the incredible cover art, because as a visual girly, that's the first thing that drew me in!
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I thought this was a very cute story, and I loved the addition of scenes from the actual D&D campaign, instead of just being a story *about* people who play D&D. The writing was well done, wasn't clunky in any spots, and the pacing flowed well. It was also clear; I was never confused about how much time had passed, although I also was surprised to realize that the entire summer had flown by throughout the book's pages. Well done on that balance! A personal preference would've been to see more of the other players and their blossoming friendship with the main character, but I know it would be hard to rectify that additional page count needed with the dual storyline. The romance between Sadie and Noah is believable and adorable, not quite a slow burn but also not insta love thankfully. As a bonus, there is NO third act breakup, and the couple talks through things together (communication, imagine!). So it hit all the right notes for me there.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The cover and the concept had me very excited for this book. However, in execution I enjoyed everything but the romance book. This is Lenora Woods' debut book and she does have a good voice, and I'm looking forward to her book in the future.
Summary: Sadie has moved from NYC to a small town in Texas temporary for the summer while she's lost her job. She stayed with her high school best friend, Liam. He's a high school teach and off the summer so he's started a D&D group for newbie. He encourages Sadie to join and she meets Noah, and their connection grows in real life and in the story.
In the beginning I liked Sadie + Noah connection. As it went on, it felt very juvenile. They would do a lot of “talking“ through their characters via text rather than saying how they felt. I like a golden retriever MMC , but Noah was just too much at times. We didn’t get to see his full rounded character until about like 85% through the book.
Also, they’re just like one too many comments about how big/strong/towering Noah is compared to Sadie. A personal description I don't enjoy reading over and over again.
Despite those negative comment, I really liked everything else. Sadie‘s arc of her figuring out if she wants to return to New York and her corporate job or stay in Texas and pursue her art was well done. Woods did a good job depicting the downfall of a perfectionist ideals and going through the motions because it’s what you’ve been told is success.
I also enjoyed her friendships and the D&D session were fantastic. There were many plot twists in the sessions that I didn’t see coming. I think it’s also a good intro for somebody that doesn’t know D&D. Woods explained what the characters are and they don’t work through a lot of of the clunky mechanics. Woods tells the session as a narration so you can so like a new person could see the potential of a D&D session.
I think this book would’ve benefited from aging down a lot of the characters. I am biased with like a chronic disorder, but I just couldn’t get past a lot of Noah and Sadie‘s discussions and being like OK but like what about health insurance so if they were highschoolers/college like I think it would’ve benefited from more of that tone.
As I mentioned at the beginning, Lenora Woods does have a good voice for a debut. I’m excited to see what she comes out with next.
Thank you Random House for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Summary: Sadie has moved from NYC to a small town in Texas temporary for the summer while she's lost her job. She stayed with her high school best friend, Liam. He's a high school teach and off the summer so he's started a D&D group for newbie. He encourages Sadie to join and she meets Noah, and their connection grows in real life and in the story.
In the beginning I liked Sadie + Noah connection. As it went on, it felt very juvenile. They would do a lot of “talking“ through their characters via text rather than saying how they felt. I like a golden retriever MMC , but Noah was just too much at times. We didn’t get to see his full rounded character until about like 85% through the book.
Also, they’re just like one too many comments about how big/strong/towering Noah is compared to Sadie. A personal description I don't enjoy reading over and over again.
Despite those negative comment, I really liked everything else. Sadie‘s arc of her figuring out if she wants to return to New York and her corporate job or stay in Texas and pursue her art was well done. Woods did a good job depicting the downfall of a perfectionist ideals and going through the motions because it’s what you’ve been told is success.
I also enjoyed her friendships and the D&D session were fantastic. There were many plot twists in the sessions that I didn’t see coming. I think it’s also a good intro for somebody that doesn’t know D&D. Woods explained what the characters are and they don’t work through a lot of of the clunky mechanics. Woods tells the session as a narration so you can so like a new person could see the potential of a D&D session.
I think this book would’ve benefited from aging down a lot of the characters. I am biased with like a chronic disorder, but I just couldn’t get past a lot of Noah and Sadie‘s discussions and being like OK but like what about health insurance so if they were highschoolers/college like I think it would’ve benefited from more of that tone.
As I mentioned at the beginning, Lenora Woods does have a good voice for a debut. I’m excited to see what she comes out with next.
Thank you Random House for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"Roll for Romance' is a nice addition to the romance genre. Sadie has run out of luck in NY and flees to a friend's place in Texas. Through her friend's D&D campaign, she meets Noah and sparks eventually fly both in real life and in the game. The characters are well-developed, and I enjoyed the prose. 4.5 stars
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Have you ever played D&D? Me neither but you don't need to be familiar with the game to enjoy Roll for Romance, a slightly spicy romance between two characters who meet over a D&D game.
Sadie has just lost her job in NYC and has gone to visit her BFF at his home in Texas while she recovers and licks her wounds a bit. While there, he ropes her into his newest D&D campaign along with some other folks in the small Texas town, including the handsome bartender Noah.
The book blends the story of Sadie, Noah, and their friends with the story of their D&D characters as they complete quests in the fantasy game. I really appreciated exploring both stories alongside each other. Also loved the little nod to online role playing (the not spicy kind!).
The book explores what it can be like to experience those big life shifts that can happen in our 20's and 30's like job loss, moving, and trying to figure out what our next goals are. All while still being cute and a little spicy.
Overall, it was good read and I liked that it was a little bit geeky without diving full force into nerdom.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine- Dell for the chance to read this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are 100% my own.
Sadie has just lost her job in NYC and has gone to visit her BFF at his home in Texas while she recovers and licks her wounds a bit. While there, he ropes her into his newest D&D campaign along with some other folks in the small Texas town, including the handsome bartender Noah.
The book blends the story of Sadie, Noah, and their friends with the story of their D&D characters as they complete quests in the fantasy game. I really appreciated exploring both stories alongside each other. Also loved the little nod to online role playing (the not spicy kind!).
The book explores what it can be like to experience those big life shifts that can happen in our 20's and 30's like job loss, moving, and trying to figure out what our next goals are. All while still being cute and a little spicy.
Overall, it was good read and I liked that it was a little bit geeky without diving full force into nerdom.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine- Dell for the chance to read this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are 100% my own.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Ballantine Dell & Lenora Woods for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Okay friends- this book is so FUN!
I am not a D&D girlie. I have no knowledge of the game other than people love it and it can be quite deep. To be completely honest- as one should be in a review- I was a little lost in the sauce in the first chapters where the D&D game was playing out- due to my complete lack of knowledge. But then- I caught the vibe- and enjoyed it so much! For a non-D&D person- it was like having a whole separate Romantasy book playout amongst the contemporary romance. And yes- they both shared parallels!
As a LOVER of hobbies- (Hello, Reading! Thank you for giving me so much!) I love that this book was based around a hobby. While it did not compel me to take on D&D life- it made me appreciate it, and its fans, even more. What a valid use of time and generator of community!
Speaking of community- I loved the cast of characters VERY much. I would LOVE a Liam book! Even some Liam POV bonus content from this book would be ATE UP! I would have loved to see his machinations at work- as the Dungeon Master AND matchmaker!
Dnf at 30%
Thanks NetGalley for the arc, but I just couldn’t get into the story
The characters felt so flat and honestly he was a bit of a red flag to me and couldn’t imagine a happy ending for the two.
She only ever talked about her job, we don’t know nothing about her life ??
And I get it, I’m only at 30%. But still
I picked up for a week and every day I had to fight my eyes to stay open after a couple pages
Thanks NetGalley for the arc, but I just couldn’t get into the story
The characters felt so flat and honestly he was a bit of a red flag to me and couldn’t imagine a happy ending for the two.
She only ever talked about her job, we don’t know nothing about her life ??
And I get it, I’m only at 30%. But still
I picked up for a week and every day I had to fight my eyes to stay open after a couple pages
I went into this book really excited for the DnD element but ultimately I didn't love it. I was glad that the characters were able to come together and connect over the game but the actual DnD scenes themselves took me out of the book. Other than that, though, this was a fun read. Sadie and Noah had chemistry, they went on great adventures, and I definitely rooted for their happy ending.
Yes, yes, yes. As a tabletop playing romance reader, this cover and synopsis had me dying to pick up this book, and I am ecstatic to say it did not disappoint. Nerdy? Absolutely. Strong emotional core? Delivered. Swoony romance? Ate it up.
The heart of this book is a contemporary romance, full of all the tension and feelings you’ll want from Sadie and Noah, our MMC. Their feelings are real, their problems and questions form tension that makes sense, and they’re characters you want to root for. What makes this book the perfect fit for the nerdy readers of the world are the scenes written as part of the campaign our characters are part of - scenes in a fantasy world with very real chemistry built between our lead characters.
For all the nerds out there, this is a fun little book. Not perfect, but a great way to lose a few hours and get inspired to join a D&D game if you don’t already have one.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley for the advanced copy.