3 Stars.

Thank you NetGalley for the earc in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this with very little knowledge of how D&D works, I have never personally played it, but know plenty of people that really enjoyed it. I was able to overlook my complete ignorance to the game most of the time and still find this story enjoyable.

I haven’t read a gamer book yet so I was excited to dive into this world. This book did not disappoint. I loved the communication and love between the characters and hope there is a spin off book in the future!

Roll for Romance was a solid nerdy, slow burn romance that had me wanting to get my guild together to play DnD immediately. I loved the idea of the switching perspectives between reality and her character in DnD as we were able to see her growth in both ways and how much that character helped her shape her new strength. Would definitely read more from this author.

3.75!

This was such a cute sweet treat of a story! It had its cheesy moments here and there, but honestly, it became a part of the vibe after a while so I just went along for the ride.

I loved seeing the characters not only as their D&D personas but also as real people outside of the game. The dynamic of watching their relationship evolve in both worlds was really fun and wholesome. It was cute to see how the way they interacted with each other in the game sometimes mirrored, and other times contrasted, how they connected in real life. It created this really cool, layered experience, where their romance developed not just through their actions as adventurers but also in their personal lives.

The blend of fantasy and reality made their connection feel even more genuine, and by the end, you couldn't help but root for them. The whole thing was an enjoyable ride that balanced humor, tenderness, and the thrill of both the game and their relationship.

There were some aspects that felt a little underdeveloped in the characters. Specifically with Noah, he was just so perfect that he genuinely didn't seem real. I would have loved a little more vulnerability from his character and some more flaws.

Also, there were aspects of the Dnd scenes that felt a little confusing. Because there isn't much world-building like there would be in a real DND campaign or in a full fantasy book, it felt a little confusing. Especially since in DND, you have notes that you can look off of to remind you of characters. I wished there was a mixed media element where we could have looked at Sadie's notes as a key in the beginning or peppers throughout the book.

Overall, I enjoyed this one!

Also, ty Netgalley and Dell for the e-arc!

Lenora Woods' Roll for Romance delivers a refreshing and charming take on the romance genre, seamlessly blending small-town charm with the fantastical world of Dungeons & Dragons. The story follows Sadie, a New York marketing professional forced to rebuild her life in a quiet Texas town, where her best friend Liam introduces her to the captivating world of tabletop role-playing. Through the game she meets Jules, Morgan, and Noah, who quickly become a second family for her. Sparks fly between not only Sadie and Noah, but their D&D characters Jaylie and Loren as well.

What truly sets this book apart is its unique narrative structure. Woods masterfully weaves together Sadie's real-life experiences with her D&D character, Jaylie. This dual storyline is not only entertaining but as the story continues, the two worlds become increasingly intertwined as the lines between reality and fantasy blur. This clever approach adds depth and intrigue to the familiar romance trope.

The slow-burn romance is expertly executed, building tension and anticipation throughout the story, culminating in a satisfyingly spicy conclusion. Even as a non-D&D player, I found the game-related aspects of the book engaging, making D&D feel less intimidating and more approachable.

Roll for Romance is a delightful blend of contemporary romance and fantasy, perfect for readers looking for a lighthearted and engaging read. Lenora Woods has crafted a unique and enjoyable story that successfully captures the magic of both small-town life and the imaginative world of Dungeons & Dragons. If Woods continues to explore the world of nerdy romances, I will be eagerly adding them to my bookshelf.

“Roll for Romance” by Lenora Woods blends real-life love with the fantasy world of Dungeons & Dragons. It follows Sadie, who joins a D&D campaign after a career setback and connects with Noah, both in-game and in real life.

For readers unfamiliar with D&D, the game elements may feel a bit dense, but many found it an accessible introduction. While the romance is sweet, the story leans heavily on the D&D aspects, which might appeal more to fans of the game. However, even without prior knowledge, the character dynamics and friendships add charm to the novel.

Who actually falls first? Because honestly it felt mutual. I loved the friendship in this story as well.

Sadie is tired. She’s worn out. She needs… change.
Noah is different. He’s respectful. He’s a breath of fresh air. Oh. And hot.

After her best friend Liam friendly forces her like all besties do, to take a much needed step back Sadie finds she might not have thought her life out as thoroughly as she thought.
While visiting she joins in her bff’s fav past time, D&D.
Now she’s rolling for initiative for hopes of something to make sense soon.
As she’s figuring it out she didn’t realize she rolled for romance with the new guy in town.

Let’s break down this review-

Plot: was it strong? Yes. Were there any slow points? Or did the story self drive? Honestly any ‘slow’ point the story would start to naturally pick up again on its own to drive into the next scene.

The natural switch from in person to in character was dare I say? Perfect. It was awkward and was at the right spots for a scene change. Beautifully placed.

Characters: how were the main characters? They were delightful. They were not unrealistic with how they acted. There was no perfect person in this story. Side characters? Perfect amount of them and they never under or over showed. They blended beautifully.
There was great character growth for our FMC as well. You saw her struggle and over come in the small day to day way we all do. She was us. She was human and relatable.

Spice: started very pg and the characters naturally moved to the spice. Very natural blend and no unneeded smut.

Overall?

Is this the best book ever? No but did I find everything I love about reading in this book? Yes

I was able to emerge myself in this story. I could so easily slip into the character world. I loved everything about the characters. It’s honestly a great one off book or could see a book 2 come into play.

When Sadie's career and life in New York hit a major road block, she decides to spend the summer with her childhood best friend in Texas. While there, she joins his Dungeons and Dragons campaign where she becomes a cleric of the Goddess of Luck and learns about adventure, bravery, and love both in game and IRL. As she begins to settle into this small town and fall for the new bartender, she has to decide if this is just a summer break or an adventure away from everything she's ever planned for herself.

I loved this book! The romance was swoony, the game was adventurous, and Sadie's anxiety over where her life was going was so relatable. I think the author did a great job showing how burnout is more than one moment of everything breaking down but a slow domino effect until you're left floundering and not even knowing how to rebuild. Dungeons and Dragons built so much of who I am and introduced me to so many people in my life. To see it displayed so tenderly and vividly in this book meant more than I can properly put into words. It also felt very accessible though, in that I think someone who has never played D&D before would still understand and enjoy the storytelling moments that break up Sadie's real life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

*Thank you to Netgalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

4.5/5

First and foremost: this is not your average contemporay romance and that’s what makes this more appealing. I really enjoyed being able to immerse into the world of D&D while also seeing the growth of Sadie as she worked through her burnout and learned more about herself and her path forward, as well as how Noah played a part in this and thus having their relationship grow both in-game and IRL.

I don’t think that you ahve to have knowledge of D&D to still enjoy this story, but having that knowledge did make this a significantly more enjoyable story for me.

This felt like a strong debut to me and I really look forward to whatever Lenora does next.

Cute romance about a woman looking for her second chance and a man who can't stay in any place for too long. They meet playing D&D and I honestly really enjoyed that aspect of the book. As someone who's never played before, I was worried that might be overly technical or over my head but it was incorporated in a way that added to my enjoyment of the story!

Sadie Brooks left New York City to move in with her best friend (Liam) who lives in a small Texas town, when she’s let go from her marketing job. She feels unmoored without her life in the city and spends her days sleeping in and doing nothing. Liam convinces her to (finally) play Dungeons and Dragons and puts together a beginners group - Morgan, a bookstore manager; Jules, a music teacher and Noah, a new to town bartender. Sadie builds her character Jaylie, and gives her the characteristics she wishes she had in her real life. As the group embarks on their epic campaign, Sadie and Noah’s chemistry becomes apparent in both real life and in game but Noah has always been a nomad, never staying in one place too long and Sadie plans on moving back to the city when summer ends. Will they find a reason to stick around in Texas or will their adventure together end when the game does?

Tropes

* Friends to Lovers
* Small Town
* Slow Burn
* D&D Role-Playing
* Found Family

I absolutely adored every single thing about this book. Never in my life have I wanted to play D&D and this book has my social anxiety ridden self thinking maybe I could people enough to enjoy it! I LOVE that we got a story within a story by getting to read Sadie & Noah’s story play out but also getting to go on the D&D quest with the characters. I was equally invested in each plot line. I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end. It felt left open for more adventure and I am crossing my fingers that that’s the case 🤞

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing—Ballantine for this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

ROLL FOR ROMANCE is a summer-drenched slow burn romance with a small town back drop and a hilarious cast of characters. ☀️ If you’re a fantasy nerd, you’ll enjoy all of your favorite archetypes and in-jokes. 🏰 It also introduced me to my new favorite trope… one tent. Lenora Woods is now an insta-buy for me. I can't wait for more books by this author!

Noah/Leon is so hot!
Conflict pacing is repetive and low stakes, while the plot flows mediumly.
I love the core friend group.
Yes Shira and Alora! My favorite ship.
Stories about burnout are so vital, especially in a capitalist society.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Wow where to start with this book? I guess with the obvious from the 5 star rating, I freaking loved it! This is actually my second D&D romance, the first being Dungeons and Drama which is YA. One thing unique to Roll for Romance was the storytelling within the game. Having the creativity to create an entirely separate world and characters to build on the primary storyline was incredible and thoroughly enjoyable for anyone who has dabbled in the D&D world before. However I truly believe it is not at all necessary to know any thing about Dungeons and Dragons to enjoy this book, it is just a nice perk. I really love the way that Woods utilizes her prose, everything was described to the point where I could easily visualize the landscapes and layout without being so wordy that my eyes cross halfway through. I would read this book again, hands down. I think I was as disappointed to reach the end as the characters were to finish their campaign.

Identical review currently live on Goodreads, link attached.

Hey Alexa, play Hannah Montana because as a contemporary romance AND romantasy lover, this book is the BEST👏🏼OF👏🏼BOTH👏🏼WORLDS. It was truly like two books in one. We got to see Sadie and Noah’s love story grow but on Sundays? The whole world changes and we get to see the quests of Jaylie, Loren, and the rest of the adventuring party! As someone who loves D&D, I had such an amazing time reading this book and it made Lenora an instant buy author for me!!

I thought this book would be good because I started a job where they all play Dungeons and Dragons and I think it is ridiculous. I was hoping to learn a little. Unfortunately this book did not hold my interest and I ended up DNF it.

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ 𝟒.𝟓 ⇾

𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘺
Sadie is completely burned out from corporate work and at a crossroads in life, but her luck soon changes when she moves from NYC to a small town in Texas and joins her best friend's D&D campaign. Sadie is unsure of many things, but as her relationship with Noah unfolds, she slowly realizes she has to choose between a gloomy familiarity or exciting uncharted territory.

𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 & 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴
I took my sweet time reading this because I was really enjoying it and simply did not want it to end. This story intertwines the real-life romance between Sadie and Noah and the fantastical romance between their D&D characters, Jaylie and Loren.

This was such a sweet and wholesome romance, and I think the author did a great job of balancing both the reality and fantasy storylines, as they were both so engaging. Noah was such a cinnamon roll hero; he was so gentle and always eased her worries, making sure to give Sadie the support she needed, and it was so cute.

Lastly, as a D&D lover, I just want to say don't let the Dungeons and Dragons subplot deter you away from this book. The best way I can explain the D&D portion is like reading an immersive, ongoing romantic fantasy novella within the story.

P.S. Do yourself a favor and sprint to the author's Instagram; the book art is immaculate!

𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘦
🎲 contemporary romance

𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴
💜 slow burn
🎲 small town
💜 found family
🎲 friends to lovers
💜 cinnamon roll hero

Thank you, Netgalley and Random House Publishing—Ballantine, for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! :)

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

I was really excited for Roll For Romance since I don’t typically read romance, but I do love a gaming theme. And in some ways, this book delivered—especially with how it handled the D&D element. Instead of getting caught up in mechanics and dice rolls, the story actually takes you into the game world, which I thought was a unique approach. It made the gameplay feel immersive and alive rather than just a backdrop for the romance.

I also liked how D&D gave Sadie a space to work through her struggles in a way she couldn’t in real life. But despite that, I never really connected with her or Noah enough to be invested in their romance. It felt predictable early on, and the real-world sections of the book honestly just didn’t hold my attention. I almost wished there was more D&D, because those parts were by far the most engaging.

One thing that really didn’t work for me was the role-playing story Sadie and Noah start writing together online. These sections pop up twice, and they felt totally random and unnecessary. By the second one, I just skimmed right past it.

I did appreciate the LGBTQIA+ representation, even if it was mostly coming from side characters rather than the main couple. It was nice to see that diversity present in the story.

That said, I do think this book would appeal to both longtime D&D players and readers with little to no experience. If you’re looking for a fun, light romance with a strong gaming element, it’s worth checking out—I just personally wanted more from the characters and their relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun and unique story! This is my first D&D romance and I really enjoyed it. I thought the author did a great job of developing the two worlds and MC's both in and outside of the game. There had to be a real balancing act when writing this one given that it's kind of a contemporary romance and romantasy rolled into one, and the author did a brilliant job of making both stories captivating. If you're looking for a fun and different slow burn romance with some nerd culture mixed in, this one is for you!