racheljoreads 's review for:

Roll For Romance by Lenora Woods
5.0
adventurous funny 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: No

Roll for Romance is a delightful blend of contemporary and fantasy romance, told through a dual-storyline Dungeons & Dragons campaign. This slow-burn is packed with nerdy charm, heartfelt moments, and a party of memorable characters. Grab your copy and roll out on July 15!

Sadie, burned out from her NYC job, moves to Texas to room with Liam, her childhood bff/DM, while hoping to recover and rekindle her creative spark. Noah, taking a break from van life, makes a pit stop to help his old CU Boulder buddy run a brewery and figure out his next adventure.

What makes this book stand out is that D&D isn't just a nerdy hook, it's a clever storytelling device: the campaign parallels the characters' real lives and their in-game personas development, adds to the themes of found family, small-town connection, and how to discover or experiment with another version of yourself.

You don't need to know D&D mechanics to enjoy the rich world-building or recognize that, like in life, sometimes you just get a bad roll of the dice. The supporting cast shines too, especially Liam and Morgan, who totally deserve a side-quest of their own (Maybe book two or bonus chapters?!)
Whether you're a die-curious newbie, a seasoned DM, or just love a smart, slow-burn romance with humor and heart, Roll for Romance is a campaign worth rolling initiative for. Bonus XP for diverse characters, emotional growth, and joyful geekery.

Big thanks to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for the ARC and the opportunity to share my thoughts!