I have never read a book like this before. It was such a fun way to watch the romance between Sadie and Noah. I was concerned at the start that I would get lost in part of the story because I haven't played D&D, but I wasn't at all. The way the author wove in the 2 storylines was seamless and I was able to follow easily.

Here we follow Sadie and Noah fall in love with each other along with their D&D characters fall in love in the campaign. We see Sadie rediscover her passion for art and learn to recognize what she wants and then go for it.

I loved how the story brought in the elements of burnout from a work environment. Sadie's experience and path to burnout followed my own experience with burnout. I also really appreciated how Sadie and Noah worked through their decisions on their own and it was clear neither tried to interfere in the decision making.

I will absolutely read another book by Lenora Woods.

Spice: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing an eARC for an honest review.

Thank you Ballantine|Dell and NetGalley for the eARC of Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods.

This is a classic example of a book that just wasn’t the right fit for me, but I know it will be a great read for others. I think I needed a little more background knowledge of D&D to be truly engaged. Toward the very end, I finally started to get a grasp on the D&D story within the story, but it was jarring switching between the main plot with Noah and Sadie and the D&D quest storyline.

With the characters in the real-world plot plus the characters in the campaign, I often got confused about who was who. I believe Sadie, the main female character, also had another name, Josephine, so for one character we had Sadie, Josephine, and Jaylee. It just got a little hard to keep track.

That said, I did enjoy the characters in the main plotline, and it was cool to see the D&D campaign integrated into the story. There was just something that made it difficult for me to fully connect and get drawn into both narratives. I think that’s more of a personal issue, since I’m not very familiar with D&D or campaign-style games.

It was very well written, and I’m looking forward to reading more books by Lenora Woods. I’ll definitely try more books that feature D&D, because the concept was really interesting. I just had a hard time connecting and being pulled in.

Wow. I just love the dynamic of the co-written storylines. There’s a DND storyline is so fun and interesting, and seeing the way the internal DND storyline affects the outside characters was so fun.

And the romance between the mains is good. They really just slowly fall into love, it’s fun.

This is a spicy story. Lots of make-outs and sexual tension and some one page shenanigans I skipped.

4.5 stars!! This was one of the cutest rom-coms I’ve ever read!! I personally have never played D&D but I do have a lot of love and appreciation for it!

Honestly, I found Sadie so relatable. She’s trying to figure herself out after being completely burnt out from her demanding job and honestly feeling a bit lost so running towards one of her most supportive people was so understandable. I loved Liam immediately, him giving her little tasks to get out of the house was adorable.

Noah was literally the human embodiment of sunshine, I ADORED him. He and Sadie were adorable and truly loved them together. This book was really just about two nerds falling in love and I ate it up!

I loved how we were able to get the intertwined story of their real lives and within the game. I thought it made the story so much more entertaining. I found myself so invested in their game as much as I was with the romance! And I want to see all of Sadie's art!! Lenora did such a great job describing her drawings and the mural and all the character descriptions, I need art prints of them all!

Highly recommend checking this one out if you are a D&D, fantasy, and/or ren faire fan!!

Sadie lives in NY and works herself so hard to achieve the thing she’s always wanted. Next thing you know she finds herself in small town Texas, unemployed, and staying with her best friend. Her best friend Liam, talks her into staying at his place, the only condition is that she finally plays his D&D game with him and a groups of new players he’s put together. Sadie plans to stay for the summer and then to get a new job and move back to New York but as the weekly D&D campaign goes on she finds herself more and more unsure about what her next step should be...

I’ve been around D&D my whole life. As a young kid, I remember my step dad playing. Now, two of my four kids play. I’ve always been a fan of the story telling and imagination involved but I’ve never played.

I always cheer on the players because I’ve witnessed the negative opinions of the game itself and the people who play it. That being said, this book just wasn’t for me. I really wanted to love it but I hadn’t realized that the book would be split between the main story and the D&D story. I do believe Sadie had more pages than Jaylie (Sadie’s D&D character) but at the same time I feel like Jaylie had the more complete story. I wanted more Sadie and Noah. I wanted more Liam and more of the rest of the crew. I did enjoy getting to know each of them but it wasn’t nearly enough. Jules was hilarious. She was more relatable to me.

I also found it frustrating every time the book switched back to the fantasy story - it was always right when it was getting good. I found myself skimming the fantasy just to get back to the main story and had to make myself go back and read it. I wanted to dive into the book but I couldn’t. I feel like I could read each part individually but switching back and forth just took me out of the story too much.

If you love D&D, romance and fantasy I think you will enjoy this book. The fantasy story was written beautifully. I’ve never read or heard anything like it in D&D. The romance was ok but there were parts I couldn’t get into. As I said above I feel like the main story was missing the depth that the fantasy story had.

This book has a couple of steamy scenes but nothing too bad.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for this eArc!

This was definitely a cozy, nerdy romance. I absolutely related to Sadie and her wanting to discover what she really wanted out of live. I thought the connection between D&D and real life was well done and kept the story interesting. I liked that Sadie had to find her voice both inside and outside of the game and she really came into her own at the end.

This was a quick, easy ready with plenty of character building to keep you invested.

2.75 stars

I was really excited for this book and I sadly struggled to get through it. I started playing dnd with a group of gals a little over a year ago, so I was pumped to read a romance with dnd in it. I wasn’t sure to what extent the game would be involved but sadly I didn’t love the way it was integrated into the story BUT I could see people loving this story…it just wasn’t for me. The book switched between the real world story of Noah and Sadie and the in game dnd story as if the campaign were its own fantasy story. I personally didn’t like this for a few reasons - 1) both stories didn’t feel fleshed out and full of as many details because two completely different stories in different worlds were being told. 2) I felt like the flow was a bit choppy since the stories kept changing. And 3) I was wanting to see the DnD experience as I currently experience it with moving pieces on a map and such and not as a vivid story where you can’t tell what’s actually happening behind the scenes of the actions of the dnd characters. I’m not sure that made much sense, but that was much more of a personal expectation that wasn’t met. I generally liked the main characters and wish there was a bar like Alchemised, the bar that Noah the MMC works at, near me! If you’re looking for a bit of a mix with fantasy and romance but don’t mind more surface level, less in depth stories, this is the book for you!

Spice: 🌶️

Not for me, but it might be for you

| romantic fiction | contemporary romance | dungeons and dragons | role play | slow burn | slow development | personal growth | animal companion | table top game | role play game | rediscovery of self | artist | nomad | friendship |

Would I recommend this book? No, I wouldn’t. It was immensely slow for me, so I don’t see myself recommending it to friends.

Is it spicy? No, I wouldn’t call this book spicy. It’s definitely more relationship- and growth-oriented.

As someone who plays D&D, I was actually quite disappointed with how this book was written, particularly the pacing. The main issue for me was the way it jumped between the real world and the role-playing world. There wasn’t enough emphasis on the separation of time in every instance, so it felt jarring, shifting from a very contemporary setting to a fantasy realm that bordered on romantasy.

Given that Dungeons & Dragons is inherently a group game, the romantic relationship between the two main characters felt a little out of place. It weighed heavily on the game aspect for me. In a typical D&D campaign, the party works as a unit, making decisions together. Here, the romance often influenced in-game decisions, which clashed with the collaborative nature of gameplay. The initial conflict that sparks their quest already carries a romantic undertone, so the added romantic focus between 2 characters in a 4 character campaign felt slightly awkward, especially since it unfolds in front of other players, often excluding them from the limelight of the campaign.

I also found the book slow because it served as a basic introduction to D&D. The Dungeon Master (DM) is essentially explaining everything to the players, since none of them have played before. For experienced players, this level of exposition can really drag.

That said, one thing the book captured well was the pacing between game sessions. I can’t tell you how many times a cliffhanger has happened mid-campaign, and I’ve had to wait a whole week to continue. That’s one of the most realistic and relatable feelings this book conveyed, although not in every instance. In the gaps where the characters are not role-playing, they are further developing their relationship as themselves while carrying the banter and dialogue of their characters from role-playing.

If you’re curious about D&D, this could be a great intro—especially if you're also a romance reader. It weaves in a lot of beginner-level information about the game. I wouldn’t recommend it to readers of high fantasy, but contemporary romance fans might enjoy the unique blend.

Happy Reading, Friends xx

This story made my nerdy little heart so happy. While I myself have not ventured into tabletop games (yet), I know enough about them from friends and family to thoroughly enjoy the TTRPG parts of the story.

The protagonist, Sadie, is crashing at her BFF Liam's home in Texas while she regroups after losing her high-pressure job due to burnout. To get her out of her funk, Liam suggests she join a new D&D campaign he's cooking up for some other newbies.

Suddenly, Sadie has something to look forward to, rather than rotting in bed all day. The weekly D&D campaigns lead to new friendships and a blossoming relationship with the semi-nomadic Noah.

I loved how the D&D campaign parts were written almost like a novel within a novel and how you can see the personalities of the people playing the characters peeking through. It definitely had me considering finding a D&D game to join myself.

Thank you NetGalley & Lenora Woods for the opportunity to advance read this adorably nerdy romance!

This book was listed as cozy and it was definitely a cozy romance. I finished with a smile on my face. Now I have never played D&D and clearly this is a D&D romance but I still enjoyed it. This book actually has two storylines, the real world and the D&D campaign characters. I thought that was very interesting so I definitely think fans of D&D will LOVE this romance novel. So Sadie has lost her job in New York City and has come to regroup with her friend Liam that lives in Texas. She is going to stay for the summer while she figures out her life. Liam gets a group together of people who have not played D&D before and he is the Dungeon Master. Sadie starts taking a liking to Noah who is a bartender. Noah is someone who likes to roam and not be tied down to a place. Since Sadie is only there for the summer should they start something? Or will it be just a summer fling? I enjoyed this and thought it was very cute.

-"I don't just want my songs to get stuck in your head, Jay. I want you to be the reason I write them."

I *loved* this book! As a D&D girlie who doesn’t get to play nearly as much as I’d like, this story was the perfect fix. The structure was so much fun—interweaving the real-life plot with the group’s in-game Dungeons & Dragons adventure, told with its own narrative flair. I was fully invested in both worlds, and the way the romance blossomed between the characters *in* the game, as well as between the players in real life, was absolutely adorable.

The friendships—both long-standing and newly forming—were another highlight, giving the story great found-family vibes that I’m always a sucker for. While it’s definitely a treat for D&D lovers, I think even readers new to the game would enjoy it—the book does a great job of making everything accessible without dumbing anything down.

There is a bit of spice, but nothing too intense. Overall, this was such a warm, geeky, joyful read, and I’m so glad it landed for me. Definitely a new favorite!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House - Ballantine (Dell) for providing me the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a fun read for me. As someone who plays D&D, I loved getting the combination of both the main romance plot as well as the in game story. I especially loved how Woods used key elements of the campaign to allow Sadie and Noah to explore their relationship and growing feelings for one another. They had great chemistry and played well off one another. I also enjoyed Sadie’s character development as she came to terms with what happened in New York and what direction she wants her life to go. I’m a huge fan of the found family trope, and I love the found family that develops between the D&D group. They’re all so different but complement each other resulting in great friendships. The one issue I had with this book was that it seemed to stall out in the middle, but aside from that, I had a great time with this book.

are you looking for a cute romance that will also keep you hooked? then add roll for romance to your tbr!

in roll for romance you’ll meet Sadie goes to stay with her best friend after unexpectedly losing her job, being convinced to join his D&D game where she’ll meet Noah, the handsome bartender in town.

the author did such a good job switching between the D&D world and their world, each world keeping me captivated. you can truly see Sadie grow and bloom as her D&D character, Jaylie. the D&D world truly had me hooked the whole way through.

now it didn’t lack in their world either. the bond that the main characters (and even side characters) made created a nice cozy vibe to the whole story. found family in a way!

this was such a fun, cute read that i definitely recommend!

This was the sweetest book. It was a low-angst tale of rediscovering yourself after a setback. It has a great depiction of burnout and what it can do to your life. I just wanted to wrap Sadie up in a comfy blanket and shield her from everything. I loved the incorporation of the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) campaign into the story. How role-playing a character became an outlet for the whole group in different ways. I loved how D&D, in particular, played a role in Sadie and Noah’s relationship.

I loved the relationship in this book. Noah was never pushy about Sadie’s indecision or listlessness. Talk about a supportive partner! I loved how both of them could see through the other’s facade. The walls they each tried to put up were no match for the other.

I loved this book. I would highly recommend it for romance lovers who are looking for a low-angst and unique story. It seemed the end of the book was setting up the next. I hope there is more to come!

3.5 stars!

This was a fun time and honestly unlike anything I have ever read before! This almost toes the line of being a fantasy book without having to commit all the way, as half of this story is told through the Dungeons & Dragons storyline that the characters are playing. The FMC and MMC work well together and communicate with each other in a healthy manner, there's no third act breakup, and honestly any sort of angst comes from the subplot of the FMC trying to figure out if she's going to stay in this small town in Texas or move back to NYC. Now this is where it fell flat for me just a little, because usually what gets me really into a romance is the angst and the yearning, but I think this is really good if you just want something that's gonna make you feel good! Also, a huge warning to anyone who has ever been traumatized by a man who's into DND, this is going to give you some horrifying flashbacks (and honestly, what a testament to how good the writing is in this book). If you've ever encountered this type of man in the wild (really into DND, always plays the bard, long hair, disarmingly funny and charming, etc.), they are all the same and Lenora Woods absolutely hit the nail on the head.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing (Ballantine), and Lenora Woods for this ARC!

Thank you to Dell for the eARC and PRH Audio for the free audiobook.

Now, I have never played Dungeons and Dragons personally, but I’ve attended my husband’s game in the past. Also I’m kind of a nerd, so when I saw this book I literally squealed with excitement.

Sadie is in her best friend’s new-ish small town for the summer after losing her job in NYC and gets coerced into joining a new DnD campaign her BFF is hosting. It’s there she meets Noah and immediately sparks fly, but they start out as friends.

I loved how the story is told alternating with real life and their campaign. It was like a story within a story, watching both Sadie and Noah grow feelings and their characters Jaylie and Loren do the same. I got so invested in the campaign, I felt transported into their magical world.

Ellie Gossage was a great narrator and she did such a good time differentiating between all the characters (both real life and within the campaign), I didn’t even miss a duet or dual narration.

There’s minimal angst, no third act break-up and yet I felt so deeply for some of these characters. I actually felt near tears during their campaign at times. Whimsical and fun, Roll for Romance was just a fun and enchanting time.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The characters were wonderfully written, even the side characters had well formed personalities, the story was SO engaging and the addition of the DnD story added such a unique element, I couldn’t put it down. It made me want to play another DnD campaign ASAP.

Thank you Net Galley and Dell Publishing for providing me with a copy of Roll for Romance to read and provide my honest review. I’ve always been intrigued by Dungeons and Dragons, but my knowledge of the game is fairly limited. I picked Roll for Romance because thought it might be fun to read a book that aligns with my hobbies, but is not one that I’ve ever dabbled in. Also, nerds falling in love is one of my favorite microtropes. I was right to trust my instincts with Roll for Romance because I really enjoyed this book.

While the romance was really slow and sweet and totally worth every second of that slow burn, I really loved the whole Dungeons and Dragons of it all. The storytelling that Lenora Woods does was incredible. I found myself so invested in both Sadie’s real life and in the team’s adventure in the game. I really loved the way the game was used as a an outlet and a means for personal growth. The slow burn of the romance was balanced perfectly by the high stakes adventure in their game. And I adored getting to watch Sadie and Noah go from strangers to friends to lovers alongside their characters.

Roll for Romance was filled with the best kind of nerdiness- I’m talking top tier- and I loved every second of it. There’s something so comforting about this book and the way it embraces interests that aren’t necessarily mainstream. It makes me long for a community like Sadie manages to find. The support and acceptance was really heartwarming. I loved that this wasn’t just a romance, or a book about D and D, but a book that reminds you to give yourself grace and let yourself grow in the direction that’s right for you. Roll for Romance could definitely become a comfort read. This was my first visit to the world of dungeons and dragons, but it likely won’t be my last.

Thank you NetGalley for the free e-ARC. This is my honest Review.

Review: 2.5/5; DNF'd ARC at 47.8%

I love the surge of "nerdy romances" especially centered around D&D! I was very much looking forward to this D&D romance, unfortantely I had to DNF.

The premise of the story sounded enticing and loved the idea of two new D&D to connect and fall in love sounded absolutely charming! However, I found the characters quite flat and the timeline jumpy.

Sadie's character I think shows a strong example of what happens when you feel like you've let yourself down and you're not sure where to go. Since "losing" her job she's shuts herself down and feels like a failure. I do find it odd it took until almost halfway through the book for her to finally tell her best friend the truth of the job issue. Someone who picks you up off the floor to help you through your worst times I feel like should get the whole story...

Speaking of, we just straight find ourselves into the story without introductories and if I didn't read the blurb, I'd wonder why the ending pair shouldn't be Sadie and her best friend. It takes awhile for the reader to get any background on all of the characters and how they know each other.

While I love D&D and love the storytelling aspect, this book felt like two separate stories: a D&D game and the actual "IRL" story. It bounces between the campaign and the characters very aburptly and I don't think we actually needed to read the full campaign. Snippets for a "fade-away" aspect into the role-playing was all that was really needed.

I think if there was more time spent on the "IRL" love story of the characters I wouldn't have DNF'd the book. As it stands, I find the characters flat, the storyline too choppy, and not enough focus on the characters' arcs.

A fun time!!! I loved the characters and their journeys, they felt very realistic and relatable. The DnD bits did feel a tad long, not leaving enough time for the “real world” experiences to feel fully developed. However, great concept and great writing - I can’t wait to see what else this author brings to the romance genre!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC!