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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I wanted so badly to love this book. The premise sounded so good and the cover was so cute I thought for sure it would be amazing....However, this book spent so much time in the D&D world that it took away from the actual story. I wanted more from the main characters as they seemed interested on their own. I found myself spacing out every time they went into the D&D realm, which was far too much of the book to justify finishing the story. Maybe it gets better towards the end? Idk but I couldn't push through any further. And it's not for lack of the D&D realm being boring, but that I couldn't focus going from two totally different worlds. I think if it was purely about the D&D realm or purely about the real world characters I would have loved this book as both on their own were ok, but together it made it very hard to enjoy. I'm sure some people will absolutely devour this book. It just was not for me.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cute premise but I didn’t get attached to a single character. The MMC was almost off putting to me at times.
emotional
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
So this is basically my dream D&D romance. It has everything I want out of a D&D romance, and even some things I didn’t know I wanted but am so happy I got:
- it’s about adults with lives and jobs and obligations who also play D&D
- nobody felt like a trope or a stereotype
- the conflicts (more on that later) felt realistic to me and not stupid - no misunderstandings or bad communications leading to pointless disagreements
- a fair amount of spicy spice
- no third act breakup
- the structure is SO cool - most of the book is the romance blossoming between Sadie and Noah, but there are also several chapters dedicated to the campaign they’re playing, written fully like a fantasy book. It’s like two books in one!
Really, there was nothing not to like about this. The romance was sweet and heartfelt, the friendships that bloomed were healthy and supportive, and the inner world of Sadie felt very fleshed out and relatable.
However - uuggghhh. I kind of struggled with it? I genuinely feel so awful saying this because it is pretty much a perfect book. But Noah was just, like, too perfect? He had zero character flaws. None. And I felt not getting his POV was a miss. On the surface, there was just nothing going on there. He talked a bit about his history and the reason for his rambling ways, and he described having this pent-up restless energy but he then spends the entire book being delightfully and contradictorily patient and gentle. His restlessness and his urgency to keep moving and even his eventual interest in leaving town soon don’t seem to be an actual problem that needs to be solved. I just kind of waited for him to decide to stay, and knew it would happen, and at no point did I feel like the stakes were at all high for him.
Also, this is yet another book that maybe suffers from the millennial pipe dream of “leaving behind a well-earned career to become a full time artist and work in a bookstore”. It’s lovely to think about, and as a millennial, I still dream about it sometimes, but literally the job she was being courted for really did sound like it was going to enable her to set better boundaries and choose her own adventure more in a healthier work environment, but she had burned herself out so hard I guess she was just forever changed, which is totally a thing that happens but still kind of felt…I don’t know, a little like she couldn’t have it all? It’s just kind of a bummer of a thing to keep reading in books, FMCs who can’t or won’t figure out how to have a badass career AND be happy.
So yeah. For all of the above, a 3.75. A fabulous read if you want low-stakes, a completely non-problematic low key boring male lead, and a good hearty dose of truly excellent D&D narrative.
I’d love to play in one of Liam’s games. What a guy. Let me know when his book is out, I’m all over that.
- it’s about adults with lives and jobs and obligations who also play D&D
- nobody felt like a trope or a stereotype
- the conflicts (more on that later) felt realistic to me and not stupid - no misunderstandings or bad communications leading to pointless disagreements
- a fair amount of spicy spice
- no third act breakup
- the structure is SO cool - most of the book is the romance blossoming between Sadie and Noah, but there are also several chapters dedicated to the campaign they’re playing, written fully like a fantasy book. It’s like two books in one!
Really, there was nothing not to like about this. The romance was sweet and heartfelt, the friendships that bloomed were healthy and supportive, and the inner world of Sadie felt very fleshed out and relatable.
However - uuggghhh. I kind of struggled with it? I genuinely feel so awful saying this because it is pretty much a perfect book. But Noah was just, like, too perfect? He had zero character flaws. None. And I felt not getting his POV was a miss. On the surface, there was just nothing going on there. He talked a bit about his history and the reason for his rambling ways, and he described having this pent-up restless energy but he then spends the entire book being delightfully and contradictorily patient and gentle. His restlessness and his urgency to keep moving and even his eventual interest in leaving town soon don’t seem to be an actual problem that needs to be solved. I just kind of waited for him to decide to stay, and knew it would happen, and at no point did I feel like the stakes were at all high for him.
So yeah. For all of the above, a 3.75. A fabulous read if you want low-stakes, a completely non-problematic low key boring male lead, and a good hearty dose of truly excellent D&D narrative.
I’d love to play in one of Liam’s games. What a guy. Let me know when his book is out, I’m all over that.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Love love love this!! D&D Romance is my new favorite sub genre. The MMC are so swoony and I love the chemistry he has with the FMC. Definitely will be picking up the sequel.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Five stars!
This book is so uniquely written and I’ve never read anything quite like it! It’s BOTH a contemporary romance and fantasy romance rolled into one experience.
You don’t have to understand the intricacies of Dungeons and Dragons to enjoy the fantasy parts, because they’re easily explained within the text. It was easy to follow and was such a fun read. Definitely makes for a great palate cleanser between heavy books.
Highly, highly recommend this one!
I received an e-ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This book is so uniquely written and I’ve never read anything quite like it! It’s BOTH a contemporary romance and fantasy romance rolled into one experience.
You don’t have to understand the intricacies of Dungeons and Dragons to enjoy the fantasy parts, because they’re easily explained within the text. It was easy to follow and was such a fun read. Definitely makes for a great palate cleanser between heavy books.
Highly, highly recommend this one!
I received an e-ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for a fair and honest review.
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5 ⭐️ 1.5 🌶️
I wasn't entirely sure about this book at first, but the idea of a cute, romantic and nerdy D&D based book pulled me in and I had to give it a chance.. and am I glad I did!!
I wasn't entirely sure about this book at first, but the idea of a cute, romantic and nerdy D&D based book pulled me in and I had to give it a chance.. and am I glad I did!!
I really enjoyed the aspect of a story within a story and getting to watch Sadie and Noah, flirt and fall for each other during their campaign and irl!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content