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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
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.
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Give me all the D&D romances please! Every time I see an announcement for one I get so excited and this one definitely lived to my expectations. I loved the characters and the friendship they formed through playing a game that I love so much! It was amazing to see our FMC Sadie really let go of things that were not serving her and find her true passion. My favorite part of the book though was how the scenes from the D&D game were written! They were done so well and it really felt like getting two stories in one. To make this book even better, no third act break up! Definitely recommend this one for Dungeons and Dragons fans and for those who just love a good group of friends finding their way through adulthood!
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
3.75⭐This was so fun! I love when nerds fall in love haha. I adored the D&D aspect and loved that we got to read about their campaign within the book. However, I feel like it kept pulling me out of the story when it switched from the D&D campaign to their real life. I almost would’ve preferred if the D&D campaign had been its own book? It was different, and I still liked it, but it did get a little whiplash-y when you’re reading a contemporary story and then suddenly you’re in a fantasy world. I fear my brain doesn’t work that fast sometimes 🫣.
Overall, I enjoyed it and absolutely loved the nerdiness of it all! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dell Romance for letting me read an advanced copy of this book!
Overall, I enjoyed it and absolutely loved the nerdiness of it all! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dell Romance for letting me read an advanced copy of this book!
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Two words. Hot. Nerds.
This book had a really unique style to the writing. There were essentially 2 stories simultaneously going on: the contemporary romance and the D&D game. Within the book there are moments that are novelized game play and we get the FULL game story in addition to the main storyline. I thought this was awesome!
Personally, I actually found myself more invested in the D&D story for a majority of the book but I did really like the ways the adventuring party adventured in real life. There were so many enjoyable nerdy aspects to this book including everything from a bar with tavern vibes to cosplay to fanart.
Flirting through roleplay is one of the nerdiest things this book does but it's also completely iconic. There is a fanfiction nod with this element and some of their dates are simply watching anime or other cute nerdy things. It was both relatable and adorable.
This story isn't just a romance - it's a book about friendship and found family. There is something so special about finding your place and your people! The small-town theme is strong as well and so sweet. I liked all the little places we explored in the book and how all the people and places were such a huge part of Sadie's life by the end of the book.
I can't wait to read more from Lenora Woods!
Thank you to Dell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 💕
This book had a really unique style to the writing. There were essentially 2 stories simultaneously going on: the contemporary romance and the D&D game. Within the book there are moments that are novelized game play and we get the FULL game story in addition to the main storyline. I thought this was awesome!
Personally, I actually found myself more invested in the D&D story for a majority of the book but I did really like the ways the adventuring party adventured in real life. There were so many enjoyable nerdy aspects to this book including everything from a bar with tavern vibes to cosplay to fanart.
Flirting through roleplay is one of the nerdiest things this book does but it's also completely iconic. There is a fanfiction nod with this element and some of their dates are simply watching anime or other cute nerdy things. It was both relatable and adorable.
This story isn't just a romance - it's a book about friendship and found family. There is something so special about finding your place and your people! The small-town theme is strong as well and so sweet. I liked all the little places we explored in the book and how all the people and places were such a huge part of Sadie's life by the end of the book.
I can't wait to read more from Lenora Woods!
Thank you to Dell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 💕
I know nothing about D&D but its creative, and story based, oh there are dice too! I do know that romance isn’t the same for everyone…sometime “the one” is a man who is a golden retriever (not a real one!) and owns a collection of dice for D&D. “Roll for Romance” is love story about starting over, that life changes and it should be embraced, fandoms, and nerd culture.
Cute read if you need something by the pool.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for an advance review copy of this novel.#RollForRomance #NetGalley
Full disclosure: I read this as an ARC.
I really enjoyed this cozy, low stakes, realistic, and nerdy romance!
I thought the the switching between the real life POV and the D&D game POV was unique and supported both Sadie and Noah finding themselves, and each other. It was great to experience a tabletop RPG from a newbie's perspective.
Sadie's experience with her job in New York and her subsequent move to Texas was a great representation of mental health struggles. Noah's experience over-correcting after his life out of college was quite relatable.
Not only did I really enjoy this book, but it made me want to join a TTRPG game again!
funny
lighthearted
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