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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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:
Complicated
I DEVOURED this book. Literally could not put it down and finished it the same day i started it. Roll for Romance felt cozy. I was curled up on my couch with the blankets, smiling and kicking my feet reading about these characters. When it was over, I was satisfied with the ending, but I still wanted to read more about the group of friends playing Dungeons and Dragons. I loved this book and smiled the entire time I was reading it.
Lenora Woods does an amazing job of pulling you in and keeping you hooked, right up to the very end. Roll for Romance was well written. It was easy to follow, while still painting a great picture of what was happening. One of my favorite things about this book is, and I'm not quite sure what to call it, but the dual worlds we followed as readers. Not only were we following Sadie and her friends in real life, but also the epic quest of their D&D characters. I was worried that since I didn't know much about D&D, I was going to have a hard time following the story. That wasn't the case at all. Part of that is because what was explained was explained well (the players are all new to D&D), but also because a solid chunk of the time the group was playing D&D, we weren't reading about them playing, but rather like we were reading a second book following the group of. adventurers. I was just as invested in what was happening in the game world as I was in Sadie's story. Not only did I want to read more about Sadie and her friends, but I wanted to read more about their D&D characters. I would LOVE to have that story really fleshed out and get to read that story as its own novel. Almost like an interconnected series kind of thing. I'd read that so fast.
I have this knack for picking up books that tell me exactly what I need to hear, when I need to hear it, and Roll for Romance was no exception. Sadie's character, and her career questions/struggles, really resonated with me. She was a likable, funny, and inspiring. She made me feel like if she could face her issue, I can face mine. And Sadie's friends are just as well written and captivating as she is. I loved getting to know Noah with Sadie. I also loved getting to see her friendship grow with the other players and getting to know them along the way.
For me, this was a 4.25 star read. I can't wait to start recommending this book to my friends.
Lenora Woods does an amazing job of pulling you in and keeping you hooked, right up to the very end. Roll for Romance was well written. It was easy to follow, while still painting a great picture of what was happening. One of my favorite things about this book is, and I'm not quite sure what to call it, but the dual worlds we followed as readers. Not only were we following Sadie and her friends in real life, but also the epic quest of their D&D characters. I was worried that since I didn't know much about D&D, I was going to have a hard time following the story. That wasn't the case at all. Part of that is because what was explained was explained well (the players are all new to D&D), but also because a solid chunk of the time the group was playing D&D, we weren't reading about them playing, but rather like we were reading a second book following the group of. adventurers. I was just as invested in what was happening in the game world as I was in Sadie's story. Not only did I want to read more about Sadie and her friends, but I wanted to read more about their D&D characters. I would LOVE to have that story really fleshed out and get to read that story as its own novel. Almost like an interconnected series kind of thing. I'd read that so fast.
I have this knack for picking up books that tell me exactly what I need to hear, when I need to hear it, and Roll for Romance was no exception. Sadie's character, and her career questions/struggles, really resonated with me. She was a likable, funny, and inspiring. She made me feel like if she could face her issue, I can face mine. And Sadie's friends are just as well written and captivating as she is. I loved getting to know Noah with Sadie. I also loved getting to see her friendship grow with the other players and getting to know them along the way.
For me, this was a 4.25 star read. I can't wait to start recommending this book to my friends.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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:
Yes
This was an okay read It’s one of those books they’re have a story in another story. We have the fmc that had work burnout which led to a breakdown and the loss of her job. She meets this group of friends that become found family and are into Dungeons and Dragons which I had never heard of lol. The romance was really cute, the mmc is a cinnamon roll and such a green flag especially when it comes to communication. This is set in a small Texas town and I loved seeing the fmc find herself and come to terms with the career choices she wants to have. This is a slow burn that definitely pays off with steamy moments. The issue I had was with the fantasy story aspect of dungeons and dragons they was a huge part of the book. It kinda threw me off and I think I’m just minor really into story’s of story’s that much. Overall this was an okay read that I would rec. Thanks to Dell for this arc for an honest review!
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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:
No
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
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
I liked it, I thought it was pretty cool that the game play was put into the story as well.
I loved the romance and how it bloomed naturally and I really enjoyed the characters. The found family dynamic was great.
I loved the romance and how it bloomed naturally and I really enjoyed the characters. The found family dynamic was great.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Found family and cosy romance and dungeons and dragons. What’s not to love?!
For me, it was heavy on the d&d but that’s the point. I can see that if you are not used to campaigns and a little of the lore behind these types of games, it might not be the romance you are looking for.
But if you want to give it a go, you love a little fantasy mixed with your romance, and want a cosy read, you will not be disappointed.
Thank you for the arc :)
For me, it was heavy on the d&d but that’s the point. I can see that if you are not used to campaigns and a little of the lore behind these types of games, it might not be the romance you are looking for.
But if you want to give it a go, you love a little fantasy mixed with your romance, and want a cosy read, you will not be disappointed.
Thank you for the arc :)
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
I was granted an ARC of this book by NetGalley. Roll for Romance will be published 7/15/2025
Where to start? I LOVED this book. It might be in the top 10 books for my 2025. I tend to pick a romance novel because the plot is just separated enough from reality to be fun. Scenarios that you probably wouldn't outside of a TV show or movie. But this story was so real and so relatable in all the best ways. There was no forced conflict, no miscommunication that could've been solved through a text. It was about a girl who'd worked too hard for too long healing from burnout and finding her joy. And about two people falling in love.
Where better to start than with the players? Sadie, who recently finds herself without a job finally agrees to stay with her longtime best fried Liam in Heller, Texas, to take some time to recover and find herself again. And play D&D while she's there. We are then introduced to the other members of the campaign, Jules, Morgan, and Noah (the love interest). I love how everybody felt like fully realized people, they had lives and personalities and were so well fleshed out. We got to see a peek into their lives outside of the game without slamming the brakes on the whole reason we're here, the romance! The fact that they all became friends outside of the game was so nice.
I loved the chemistry between Sadie and Noah. I know I keep saying this, but, it just felt real! It wasn't insta-love like you see so often. They liked each other, but it was nice to watch it grow from a friendship to love. They clearly care so much about each other and I LOVED that they talked about the things that they were worried about when their relationship did start to get more serious. And for them to be so supportive of each other, you can just tell that Noah is Sadie's biggest fan when it comes to her art.
Now, let's talk about the D&D portions of this book. They were amazing!!! It was obvious that not only does Lenora Woods play D&D, she LOVES it. The story telling for the game sessions felt like she must have had Matt Mercer and Brennan Lee Mulligan on freaking speed dial or something. She smartly used Sadie being new to the game to slip in explanations of certain game terms like "roll for initiative" and "roll at disadvantage". It felt like I was right there next to the group playing the campaign with them. And to have those poor babies fight a BEHOLDER?!?!? Lenora, you are vicious. I gasped so loud when I realized it was behold, it startled my cat from her nap. So....you owe her an apology, I guess.
I also love that she focused on something that I think a lot more people are dealing with lately, burnout. Sadie had worked herself to the bone in her old job. To the point where one day, she just didn't go into work. Or the next day, or the day after, for two weeks. Burnout can be such a scary thing to deal with, especially if you feel like you're doing it all on your own. I loved the quote Liam used early in the book "We can't control the wind, but we can adjust the sails."
There was so much I just loved about this book, I will definitely be re-reading it. In fact, I pre-ordered it before I even finished it.
If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would. Thank you for this book, Lenora. And please, PLEASE write another one. I need to see what happens between Liam and Marcus!
NAT 20!
Where to start? I LOVED this book. It might be in the top 10 books for my 2025. I tend to pick a romance novel because the plot is just separated enough from reality to be fun. Scenarios that you probably wouldn't outside of a TV show or movie. But this story was so real and so relatable in all the best ways. There was no forced conflict, no miscommunication that could've been solved through a text. It was about a girl who'd worked too hard for too long healing from burnout and finding her joy. And about two people falling in love.
Where better to start than with the players? Sadie, who recently finds herself without a job finally agrees to stay with her longtime best fried Liam in Heller, Texas, to take some time to recover and find herself again. And play D&D while she's there. We are then introduced to the other members of the campaign, Jules, Morgan, and Noah (the love interest). I love how everybody felt like fully realized people, they had lives and personalities and were so well fleshed out. We got to see a peek into their lives outside of the game without slamming the brakes on the whole reason we're here, the romance! The fact that they all became friends outside of the game was so nice.
I loved the chemistry between Sadie and Noah. I know I keep saying this, but, it just felt real! It wasn't insta-love like you see so often. They liked each other, but it was nice to watch it grow from a friendship to love. They clearly care so much about each other and I LOVED that they talked about the things that they were worried about when their relationship did start to get more serious. And for them to be so supportive of each other, you can just tell that Noah is Sadie's biggest fan when it comes to her art.
Now, let's talk about the D&D portions of this book. They were amazing!!! It was obvious that not only does Lenora Woods play D&D, she LOVES it. The story telling for the game sessions felt like she must have had Matt Mercer and Brennan Lee Mulligan on freaking speed dial or something. She smartly used Sadie being new to the game to slip in explanations of certain game terms like "roll for initiative" and "roll at disadvantage". It felt like I was right there next to the group playing the campaign with them. And to have those poor babies fight a BEHOLDER?!?!? Lenora, you are vicious. I gasped so loud when I realized it was behold, it startled my cat from her nap. So....you owe her an apology, I guess.
I also love that she focused on something that I think a lot more people are dealing with lately, burnout. Sadie had worked herself to the bone in her old job. To the point where one day, she just didn't go into work. Or the next day, or the day after, for two weeks. Burnout can be such a scary thing to deal with, especially if you feel like you're doing it all on your own. I loved the quote Liam used early in the book "We can't control the wind, but we can adjust the sails."
There was so much I just loved about this book, I will definitely be re-reading it. In fact, I pre-ordered it before I even finished it.
If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would. Thank you for this book, Lenora. And please, PLEASE write another one. I need to see what happens between Liam and Marcus!
NAT 20!