A review by booksalacarte
Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.75

4.75⭐️2🌶️

Young adult rom com

High school  Mc’s

Gamer group

🏳️‍⚧️ side character rep

Forbidden love

I’ve really come to enjoy Kristie Boyce’s YA rom-coms, and this one was no exception. The covers are always adorable, and the charming, youthful nature of her stories never makes me cringe. Instead, they take me back to my own teenage years with a sense of nostalgia.

This book strikes the perfect balance for a YA rom-com. The maturity level feels just right—age-appropriate yet sweet, with moments of steaminess that never go too far. Boyce handles more serious themes like friendship dynamics, aging grandparents, sibling affection, and adjusting to a new town with great care. I especially appreciated how well the story portrayed the experience of being a non-athletic, slightly eccentric teen just trying to make and keep friends. It felt both relevant and authentic.

The characters really shine, and the side characters are a joy as well! I particularly loved the grandma—she added such a delightful touch to the story. In fact, I’d happily read an entire book about the kids helping senior citizens play D&D. That concept is pure gold!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Childrens/Delecorte Press for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.