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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This was a perfectly fine romance book. It didn’t knock my socks off, but it was also pretty good. I appreciated the lack of third act breakup. I think this will be a great read for anyone who’s a big D&D fan.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Plot: Our FMC has been run ragged in NYC and has just been let go from her job. Her best friend talks he into spending her summer with him in a small town in Central Texas to get away from it all. He also convinces her to finally give D&D a try with a group of other newcomers to D&D. As our FMC learns to deal with no longer working at her fast paced marketing agency in NYC she learns to love D&D but struggles with making choices for her future in the job market and in love.
Overall thoughts: As a D&D nerd I absolutely loved this book. I love how beautifully the author switched back and forth between the real world and the story being told in the game. It's like we got 2 books in one. I also found all the characters (both in and out of the game) utterly charming. The MMC is an absolute delight and I'd like to know where I can pick one up. The author is clearly from Texas and her descriptions of Texas heat and humidity ("the Texas summertime heat is like a slap in the face...") made me feel like I was right back there. Also I always play clerics in D&D and it was lovely to see some cleric representation in a book!!
I also really loved how the author wrote both old and new friendships. The decade long friendships leading to serious razzing all with a note of love. The new friendships exploring new grounds and giving space. It was beautiful.
However, as someone who went to high school in a small Texas town and someone who currently resides in NYC for the last 5 years I had a few things that struck me about this book that took away from it being a perfect 5 star. New York is great. It has it's issues but it's not as bad as the book makes it seem. It dose seem like the author hasn't lived there for long period of time though. Maybe I'm wrong but that's how it comes across. I also felt small town Texas was painted in too charming a light. I know it's just a book but even just a hint at the bigotry is not enough. It's real, it's there, it's scary. Maybe it's because I'm a liberal, queer, Jewish woman but it did spark a bit of unease at how easily the bigotry of the TX small town was brushed under the rug to make the town so quaint. I never truly felt safe in a small TX town. However, it is just a book. And clearly the author loves Texas and so many of my friends and family do as well. Just needed to note that as how both locals were described did take me out of the story as I have personal connections to both.
What made my weirdo heart happy:
D&D, cats, coffee, nerds, & flirting!
"I doubt either of our characters are a high enough level for nacho-sorcery."
Overall thoughts: As a D&D nerd I absolutely loved this book. I love how beautifully the author switched back and forth between the real world and the story being told in the game. It's like we got 2 books in one. I also found all the characters (both in and out of the game) utterly charming. The MMC is an absolute delight and I'd like to know where I can pick one up. The author is clearly from Texas and her descriptions of Texas heat and humidity ("the Texas summertime heat is like a slap in the face...") made me feel like I was right back there. Also I always play clerics in D&D and it was lovely to see some cleric representation in a book!!
I also really loved how the author wrote both old and new friendships. The decade long friendships leading to serious razzing all with a note of love. The new friendships exploring new grounds and giving space. It was beautiful.
However, as someone who went to high school in a small Texas town and someone who currently resides in NYC for the last 5 years I had a few things that struck me about this book that took away from it being a perfect 5 star. New York is great. It has it's issues but it's not as bad as the book makes it seem. It dose seem like the author hasn't lived there for long period of time though. Maybe I'm wrong but that's how it comes across. I also felt small town Texas was painted in too charming a light. I know it's just a book but even just a hint at the bigotry is not enough. It's real, it's there, it's scary. Maybe it's because I'm a liberal, queer, Jewish woman but it did spark a bit of unease at how easily the bigotry of the TX small town was brushed under the rug to make the town so quaint. I never truly felt safe in a small TX town. However, it is just a book. And clearly the author loves Texas and so many of my friends and family do as well. Just needed to note that as how both locals were described did take me out of the story as I have personal connections to both.
What made my weirdo heart happy:
D&D, cats, coffee, nerds, & flirting!
"I doubt either of our characters are a high enough level for nacho-sorcery."
Will I read more books by this author?: Yes. Absolutely.
Would I recommend this book to a friend?: Yes. Absolutely. Especially to fellow D&D nerds.
[I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.]
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
I loved this story so much. You get the best of both worlds: a fantasy story where two characters fall in love, and a contemporary romance where the same happens.
This one really hit me where it hurts in the best way. They’re both running from something that happened to them that feels like their fault and they’re doing so in very different ways.
Noah is almost literally running, constantly moving from one place to the next, never able to settle down anywhere, feeling like he has to be the life of the party or be left behind.
Sadie had something happen at her dream job and ended up no longer working there. She went into a deep depression from that and her best friend tried to rescue her by bringing her home with him to another state and playing a game of DnD with a group of new friends to take her mind off it while she recoups. She’s struggling with not knowing what the future holds and feeling out of control, she’s paralyzed by having to make a decision in her life that will change everything she’s seemingly worked so hard for up until this point. She feels incapable, defeated, and worn down. She uses her character in DnD to play through some of these problems in a character that has traits she wished she could embody more of.
The romance was really well done as well, there’s no third act break up! They communicate with each other and while they are really scared to be vulnerable, they take that chance with each other and talk about things that are big and scary and important.
This book really has everything I want in a romance book. And I’m so happy we FINALLY have some adult DnD romances happening! I need more of these in my life and I’m so glad this one exists. It’s a phenomenal debut novel.
This one really hit me where it hurts in the best way. They’re both running from something that happened to them that feels like their fault and they’re doing so in very different ways.
Noah is almost literally running, constantly moving from one place to the next, never able to settle down anywhere, feeling like he has to be the life of the party or be left behind.
Sadie had something happen at her dream job and ended up no longer working there. She went into a deep depression from that and her best friend tried to rescue her by bringing her home with him to another state and playing a game of DnD with a group of new friends to take her mind off it while she recoups. She’s struggling with not knowing what the future holds and feeling out of control, she’s paralyzed by having to make a decision in her life that will change everything she’s seemingly worked so hard for up until this point. She feels incapable, defeated, and worn down. She uses her character in DnD to play through some of these problems in a character that has traits she wished she could embody more of.
The romance was really well done as well, there’s no third act break up! They communicate with each other and while they are really scared to be vulnerable, they take that chance with each other and talk about things that are big and scary and important.
This book really has everything I want in a romance book. And I’m so happy we FINALLY have some adult DnD romances happening! I need more of these in my life and I’m so glad this one exists. It’s a phenomenal debut novel.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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 has one of the best representations of burn out that I've read in quite a while.
Lenora Woods has gifted us with a super fun frame narrative making this story a great combination of fantasy/litrpg and contemporary romance. I found myself fully engaged with the role playing aspects as well as the blossoming romance between 2 of the players.
Sadie had been wrung out by her marketing position in NYC and retreated to small town Texas to stay with her best friend for the summer. Noah has lived a life of constant motion going from one adventure to the next his entire adult life. Noah's most recent adventure is opening a brewery in the same small town.
This was the slowest burn with a fantastic payoff. I found myself getting so impatient, but I'm telling you when the romance heated up I was fanning myself because it was so hot!
My only note is that the dialogue outside of the DND campaign felt a bit immature for the ages of the characters. It felt like I was reading about college aged kids and not adults in their late 20's.
Overall, Roll for Romance is a unique contemporary romance that is perfect for nerds, but anyone with even a smidge of DND knowledge can enjoy this book. Roll for Romance has the perfect combination of emotional depth and swoony romance. That and it's just plain fun to read!
I read an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review. Thank you to author Lenora Woods, NetGalley, and the publishers, Dell/Random House/Ballantine for the ARC!
Lenora Woods has gifted us with a super fun frame narrative making this story a great combination of fantasy/litrpg and contemporary romance. I found myself fully engaged with the role playing aspects as well as the blossoming romance between 2 of the players.
Sadie had been wrung out by her marketing position in NYC and retreated to small town Texas to stay with her best friend for the summer. Noah has lived a life of constant motion going from one adventure to the next his entire adult life. Noah's most recent adventure is opening a brewery in the same small town.
This was the slowest burn with a fantastic payoff. I found myself getting so impatient, but I'm telling you when the romance heated up I was fanning myself because it was so hot!
My only note is that the dialogue outside of the DND campaign felt a bit immature for the ages of the characters. It felt like I was reading about college aged kids and not adults in their late 20's.
Overall, Roll for Romance is a unique contemporary romance that is perfect for nerds, but anyone with even a smidge of DND knowledge can enjoy this book. Roll for Romance has the perfect combination of emotional depth and swoony romance. That and it's just plain fun to read!
I read an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review. Thank you to author Lenora Woods, NetGalley, and the publishers, Dell/Random House/Ballantine for the ARC!
Oh my goodness, this was cute. It was silly, and cozy, and felt just like sitting down with your friends to play a TTRPG. I liked the mechanism of going back and forth between narrative fantasy and the characters! It was really lovely.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
***ARC Review***
Roll For Romance by Lenora Woods
Release Date: July 15th
Sadie is burnt out after losing her fancy NYC job, so she's taking the summer to clear her head with her BFF Liam in small town Texas. Liam convinces her to join in his Dungeons & Dragons campaign with a few of his friends, where she meets Noah. Noah, much like his D&D character Loren, is an easygoing, adventurous nomad, never staying in one place for too long. But he shows Sadie how to let go and revel in the freedom of the unknown, and through this fun little nerdy game and her new friendships, Sadie finds herself and her happiness.
This book delivers two romance stories in one! We cycle between a contemporary romance in Sadie's real life and a fantasy romance for her character within the Dungeons & Dragons campaign. I really enjoyed both storylines and found myself invested in both of their worlds!
As the D&D campaign and summer come to a close, Sadie is offered her dream job in NYC and Noah is considering moving on to his next adventure. Will she take the job she thinks she should want in favor of nurturing her art and happiness in Texas? Or will she take a leap of faith and hope Noah will too?
Roll For Romance was fun and nerdy adventure with a side of whimsy. I'd say it's a cozy and wholesome romance story, overall.
4.5⭐ 1🌶️
I read an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review. Thank you to author Lenora Woods, NetGalley, and the publishers, Dell/Random House/Ballantine for the ARC!
Roll For Romance by Lenora Woods
Release Date: July 15th
Sadie is burnt out after losing her fancy NYC job, so she's taking the summer to clear her head with her BFF Liam in small town Texas. Liam convinces her to join in his Dungeons & Dragons campaign with a few of his friends, where she meets Noah. Noah, much like his D&D character Loren, is an easygoing, adventurous nomad, never staying in one place for too long. But he shows Sadie how to let go and revel in the freedom of the unknown, and through this fun little nerdy game and her new friendships, Sadie finds herself and her happiness.
This book delivers two romance stories in one! We cycle between a contemporary romance in Sadie's real life and a fantasy romance for her character within the Dungeons & Dragons campaign. I really enjoyed both storylines and found myself invested in both of their worlds!
As the D&D campaign and summer come to a close, Sadie is offered her dream job in NYC and Noah is considering moving on to his next adventure. Will she take the job she thinks she should want in favor of nurturing her art and happiness in Texas? Or will she take a leap of faith and hope Noah will too?
Roll For Romance was fun and nerdy adventure with a side of whimsy. I'd say it's a cozy and wholesome romance story, overall.
4.5⭐ 1🌶️
I read an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review. Thank you to author Lenora Woods, NetGalley, and the publishers, Dell/Random House/Ballantine for the ARC!
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶
Roll for Romance is a charming, slowburn romance that prioritizes the main characters finding themselves. An introduction of a new hobby(DnD), new friends, and getting out of your daily rut to explore.
Lenora Woods did a phenomenal job in showcasing how DnD can help you work through difficult decisions in your real life while still offering an escape. I loved how she incorporated the campaign by making it a parallel story in the book (dnd days were written from the perspective of the campaign characters). Other dnd themed books I've read have shared the campaigns from a table perspective so it was really neat to be immersed in the campaign as much as you were the romance novel.
If you like Kristy Boyce's YA romances but want something a bit more relatable to an adult, highly recommend putting Roll for Romance on your tbr.
Spice: 🌶
Roll for Romance is a charming, slowburn romance that prioritizes the main characters finding themselves. An introduction of a new hobby(DnD), new friends, and getting out of your daily rut to explore.
Lenora Woods did a phenomenal job in showcasing how DnD can help you work through difficult decisions in your real life while still offering an escape. I loved how she incorporated the campaign by making it a parallel story in the book (dnd days were written from the perspective of the campaign characters). Other dnd themed books I've read have shared the campaigns from a table perspective so it was really neat to be immersed in the campaign as much as you were the romance novel.
If you like Kristy Boyce's YA romances but want something a bit more relatable to an adult, highly recommend putting Roll for Romance on your tbr.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ || ROLL FOR ROMANCE [thank you to Dell Romance and @netgalley for my #gifted copy!]
Title: Roll for Romance
Author:
Genre: Romance
Format: Digital
Star Rating: ★★★★★
ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
This book made me want to go back to my college World of Warcraft playing days more than anything. Ha - AND inspired me to finally pick up Dragon Age: Veilguard. This reminded me of all the fun and great things about roleplaying games and stepping out of your own shoes for a little bit.
But I think my FAVORITE part of this novel was the self-discovery that several characters found through their characters. They made their characters who they wished they could be, and by living vicariously through them in the campaign, they found courage and love in their real lives too. Sadie found herself floundering in her real life - trying to find a new job, somewhere to live, and someone to love - but through Jaylie (her character) she was able to feel someone who was CONFIDENT that they’d found their true path and their true calling…and then find that for herself in her real life.
Plus all of the game references throughout the entire book was so fun. Roll for courage, roll for flirting - like come on! Yes please!
Please just do yourself a favor and read this book. The characters are top-notch, the fantasy mixed with real life is done so well, and I love all of the character development. I can’t wait to read more from Woods!
ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
World of Warcraft
Fantasy Worlds
Fantasy Roleplay
Sunshine MMC
Found Family
Dual Timeline - Kind of?
ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟꜱ:
GR: 4.10⭐️
# of Pages: 368
Pub Date: July 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Dell, and the author for an ARC :) This book is expected to be published on July 15, 2025- look for my review then!!