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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
medium-paced
An unemployed Sadie Brooks finds herself flying from NYC to small-town Texas to spend the summer with her best friend. While this could be an opportunity to relax and take some time for herself, Sadie cannot help but continue to worry about the ways her life seems to be falling apart. So when her friend invites her to join a new Dungeons & Dragons campaign that he's DMing, Sadie knows it's just the kind of distraction she needs. After all, what better way to escape the life's problems than by diving into a fantasy world?
Sadie is such a relatable character, with her fair share of struggles and triumphs, which made her so easy to root for. I loved seeing her slowly open up and find herself through the weeks of the campaign, gaining friendships and confidence as the time passed. As a romance, I especially liked her easy banter and openness to adventure whenever she was around Noah. Their relationship didn't feel rushed or overly complicated and dramatic, but rather they fit together like two puzzle pieces.
As for the D&D aspects themselves, they were such a fun addition! I adored that the scenes were told through the eyes of the characters, allowing the reader to feel more connected to the events of the story Sadie and her friends are creating. Not that I don't enjoy watching others play, seeing the rolls and reactions, but I think when it comes to novels and the written format, Woods made such a smart choice.
Overall this was a delightfully nerdy, sweet, and heartwarming romance and I cannot wait to see what Woods has in store for us next!
Thank you too Ballantine, Dell, and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sadie is such a relatable character, with her fair share of struggles and triumphs, which made her so easy to root for. I loved seeing her slowly open up and find herself through the weeks of the campaign, gaining friendships and confidence as the time passed. As a romance, I especially liked her easy banter and openness to adventure whenever she was around Noah. Their relationship didn't feel rushed or overly complicated and dramatic, but rather they fit together like two puzzle pieces.
As for the D&D aspects themselves, they were such a fun addition! I adored that the scenes were told through the eyes of the characters, allowing the reader to feel more connected to the events of the story Sadie and her friends are creating. Not that I don't enjoy watching others play, seeing the rolls and reactions, but I think when it comes to novels and the written format, Woods made such a smart choice.
Overall this was a delightfully nerdy, sweet, and heartwarming romance and I cannot wait to see what Woods has in store for us next!
Thank you too Ballantine, Dell, and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods was a cute D&D-themed read. I enjoyed how the roleplaying was woven into the story, though at times it was a bit confusing to keep track of which characters were playing which roles. I think the game world scenes would’ve been easier to follow if they had been written in third-person POV instead of from Jaylie (Sadie)’s perspective.
Outside of the gameplay, I didn’t really feel much romantic tension between the love interests. It was hard to separate their side-roleplaying—where they start to genuinely like each other—from the main game they were playing and their real-life interactions. That blurred line made the romance feel less grounded for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book felt like both an adventure and also snuggling up at home with a cup of warm tea. It’s full of heart and magic and I’m sad I’ll never be able to read it for the first time again. I’ll be thinking about Sadie and Noah (and Jaylie and Loren) forever.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods was a cute book with a fun premise, with most of the action taking place in a small Texas town between Sadie, her best friend Liam, brewery employee/nomad Noah, and the rest of their beginners D&D group. The fun part is the fantasy that takes place within their gameplay.
For me, the main story line was lacking in any tension. It was just a little too much Adrift Girl Has Crush On Cute Boy and not a whole lot more. I also think that since the real world story is fully in Sadie's POV, it would have been cool to have the game play be either in Noah's character's perspective or fully 3rd person omniscient.
This was a sweet story, just not a lot of there there beyond the D&D aspect.
For me, the main story line was lacking in any tension. It was just a little too much Adrift Girl Has Crush On Cute Boy and not a whole lot more. I also think that since the real world story is fully in Sadie's POV, it would have been cool to have the game play be either in Noah's character's perspective or fully 3rd person omniscient.
This was a sweet story, just not a lot of there there beyond the D&D aspect.
3.5 stars
This was a really charming read. I especially loved Sadie's character and how we got to learn about her past, her desires, goals, and dreams. I connected with her a lot and really enjoyed reading about her friendship with Liam and the D&D group.
To be honest, the D&D storyline within the book wasn't quite for me; it took me a while to get into it. This also affected the romance, which went hand-in-hand with that part. I didn't feel like we got to know much about Noah until much later in the book, and I struggled to connect with his character and his relationship with Sadie.
Overall, I'd say it's an entertaining and cute story, but it just wasn't exactly for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was a really charming read. I especially loved Sadie's character and how we got to learn about her past, her desires, goals, and dreams. I connected with her a lot and really enjoyed reading about her friendship with Liam and the D&D group.
To be honest, the D&D storyline within the book wasn't quite for me; it took me a while to get into it. This also affected the romance, which went hand-in-hand with that part. I didn't feel like we got to know much about Noah until much later in the book, and I struggled to connect with his character and his relationship with Sadie.
Overall, I'd say it's an entertaining and cute story, but it just wasn't exactly for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Lenora Woods has crafted not one but TWO incredible stories in Roll For Romance: one of Sadie and her friends in the real world and one of Jaylie and her adventuring party in the fantasy world of Dungeons and Dragons. I tore through this book, thoroughly invested in both storylines. Sadie's struggles in her professional career really resonated with me and her determination gave me hope. And Jaylie's journey had me rapt from the group's first gaming session. This book was an adorable romance story and an action-packed adventure rolled into one. I cannot wait to see what Lenora is writing next!
I had a lot of fun with this book. I loved the vibes. It was very fun and fluffy, but also still tackled some very real situations, both in life and Dungeons & Dragons.
I think the thing I appreciated most about this book was the balance between the story of Sadie (our FMC), and the story of Jaylie (her D&D character). I was surprised that we got to live the D&D game through Sadie’s character’s POV, and I absolutely loved it! Woods had me invested in both stories. I didn’t feel that one ever took away from the other. Both stories felt delightfully complete. And I want more! What happens next!
I really enjoyed Sadie’s journey through the book. Watching her dig her way out of burnout and finding what brings her joy healed a part of me, I think. It was so real. I also loved watching her reconnect with her best friend and finding her people.
I am a sucker for friendships in books, and Woods provided some wonderful side characters. It was fun watching this new friend group bloom. Liam really knows how to pick 'em. I want more! I want to go get margs with the girls. I want to go to Alchemist. I just loved them all! The friendships in the book really came through for me. And the last like 10%, that’s what sealed the deal.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I think the thing I appreciated most about this book was the balance between the story of Sadie (our FMC), and the story of Jaylie (her D&D character). I was surprised that we got to live the D&D game through Sadie’s character’s POV, and I absolutely loved it! Woods had me invested in both stories. I didn’t feel that one ever took away from the other. Both stories felt delightfully complete. And I want more! What happens next!
I really enjoyed Sadie’s journey through the book. Watching her dig her way out of burnout and finding what brings her joy healed a part of me, I think. It was so real. I also loved watching her reconnect with her best friend and finding her people.
I am a sucker for friendships in books, and Woods provided some wonderful side characters. It was fun watching this new friend group bloom. Liam really knows how to pick 'em. I want more! I want to go get margs with the girls. I want to go to Alchemist. I just loved them all! The friendships in the book really came through for me. And the last like 10%, that’s what sealed the deal.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
*4.5
These little cuties. Everyone knows that they should be together and that made my heart happy. The D&D play was inserted in really well and I was invested. It was nice to see her fall back in love with creating art and although we can't see the mural she made I just know it was beautiful.
I received an arc through netgalley.
These little cuties. Everyone knows that they should be together and that made my heart happy. The D&D play was inserted in really well and I was invested. It was nice to see her fall back in love with creating art and although we can't see the mural she made I just know it was beautiful.
I received an arc through netgalley.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
📚 Gifted by Random House Publishing | Pub Date: July 15, 2025
Huge thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the chance to read this gem early!
Charming. Delightful. Adventurous. And best of all? No third-act breakup. I’m absolutely thrilled by how much I loved this book.
Sadie is a burnt-out NYC marketing maven in desperate need of a reset. Noah is a charming bartender with a habit of leaving before he can be left. When these two are thrown together in a quirky small Texas town, and into a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, the magic truly begins.
This book had me swooning from the start. It blends heartfelt romance with the joy of collaborative storytelling, toggling between real-life moments and in-game adventures. The result is a sweet, emotionally satisfying story that celebrates vulnerability, connection, and a little bit of nerdy chaos.
✨ Tropes & Themes I loved:
* Fantasy storytelling woven into real life
* Dual POV: In Game / Real Life
* Big city meets small town
* Found family feels
* Soft, steady romance without unnecessary drama
If you’re into cozy, character-driven romances with a nerdy twist and just the right amount of emotional depth, this one’s for you.
Huge thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the chance to read this gem early!
Charming. Delightful. Adventurous. And best of all? No third-act breakup. I’m absolutely thrilled by how much I loved this book.
Sadie is a burnt-out NYC marketing maven in desperate need of a reset. Noah is a charming bartender with a habit of leaving before he can be left. When these two are thrown together in a quirky small Texas town, and into a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, the magic truly begins.
This book had me swooning from the start. It blends heartfelt romance with the joy of collaborative storytelling, toggling between real-life moments and in-game adventures. The result is a sweet, emotionally satisfying story that celebrates vulnerability, connection, and a little bit of nerdy chaos.
✨ Tropes & Themes I loved:
* Fantasy storytelling woven into real life
* Dual POV: In Game / Real Life
* Big city meets small town
* Found family feels
* Soft, steady romance without unnecessary drama
If you’re into cozy, character-driven romances with a nerdy twist and just the right amount of emotional depth, this one’s for you.