⭐⭐⭐💫

TROPES
🎲 Enemies to Lovers
🎲 Fake Dating

Like any other teen, Riley gets in trouble with her parents. Except this time her punishment is to work at her dad’s game store. The store is a bit of a sore subject since Riley feels her father chose the store over his family in the divorce, but she finds some positive in it as she makes new friends and joins in a game of D&D.

I’m always a sucker for a fake-dating story because I love to see what the reason behind the heist is. This one is pretty standard, getting back at an ex and trying to impress a crush. It’s a fun story as Riley and Nathan, a teen who works the store, fake it until the lines begin to blur for the both of them.

I wish there had been a bit more characterization with Riley. She goes through a ton over the course of the story, all of which are relatable to the audience, but it feels like her characterization happens off-page. Suddenly she’s just ready for different things or has realizations, but we don’t really get to see that process.

Wow! I can't remember the last time I read something that I couldn't put down. This book hooked me in and didn't let go.

Clean, tight writing. Everything had a purpose and helped to propel the story forward. Light and conversational tone that felt completely natural and made for a quick, smooth read.

Great character development. Diverse characters. And a story that presents the traditional underdog characters more as the cool kids. Being a nerd is cool! Yes—I love it!

I will be keeping an eye out for Kristy Boyce. She has just become a new favorite.

I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH💗💗💗 it was just as delightful and fun as the cover, if not more.

Riley was grounded because she borrowed her mom’s car without permission while she hasn’t got her license yet. One of her punishment was that she has to spent her after school hours working at her dad’s game store. Let’s just say that she’s not a fan of games. At all.

On top of that, her ex, Paul, is being a super pompous jerk who never leave her alone making her life even more insufferable. One thing led to another, Riley set herself up in fake flirting scheme with one of her coworker, Nathan, that supposed to benefit them two. But somewhere along the line the scheme got blurry and she doesn’t know if they’re still faking anymore.

This book got me giggling grinning kicking my feet like a schoolgirl🥰🥰The characters were lovely (with exceptions for some) and their dynamics were natural but in the most fun way. Riley and Hoshiko friendship was a dream. The main DnD group members were giving the most wholesome platonic assembly ever. And don’t get me started on the main spotlight: Riley and Nathan’s slow burn annoyed-coworkers to whatever-they-become!!!!!!!!

Nathan literally stole my attention omg I can’t even remember the last time I had a crush on a fictional character but here I am🥲 Good thing Riley was also dominant, solid, and distinctive main character so I adore with this pairing. They’re perfect and totally deserve each other.

Seriously I love this book so much I don’t know how to express it properly. I wouldn’t mind if there’s a spinoff or even a sequel even thought it’s perfect as it is. RileyNathan my love🥹🫶🏼

It's been a while since I've done a five-star, "OMG, read this immediately" kind of book review because, frankly, 2023 wasn't much of a five-star reading year. However, we squeezed one in under the wire all because I was looking for quicker reads to try and hit my 80 book goal for the year.

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and to Delacourte Press for the digital ARC of Kristy Boyce's upcoming YA romance, Dungeons & Drama. This book comes out on January 9th, 2024, and you should probably go ahead and preorder it right now.

Friends, I adored this book. Initially I was skeptical of our protagonist, Riley, and her aversion to board games and all things D&D. However, it makes sense why she feels that way, and she comes around quickly enough.

Dungeons & Drama follows Riley, a teen who is obsessed with musicals and theater, as she is forced to work at her father's board game shop as part of her punishment for driving without a license to attend a musical out of town. Along the way, she meets Nathan, a board game enthusiast who seems to know her father better than she does, and they wind up with a mutually beneficial agreement... to pretend to date.

This book was nerdy in all the best ways, fully leaning in to Riley's love of musicals and to her father's love for board games and D&D. The characters felt believable and well-rounded, and the story just zips right along at a lovely pace.

Honestly, I can't find much fault with this book, as it was truly a delightful YA reading experience from start to finish. I read it in the span of a single day because I just couldn't put it down. I recommend this book to anyone who loves musicals, D&D, or great enemies-to-friends-to-lovers stories with a dash of fake dating thrown in.

🎲 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙨 & 𝘿𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙖 🎲
𝖪𝗋𝗂𝗌𝗍𝗒 𝖡𝗈𝗒𝖼𝖾

Cute as hell young adult romance alert! I mean just look at this cover! This was a super fun and cute enemies to friends to lovers with a little fake dating romance. If you’re into musical theater and/or D&D or gaming in general that is an added bonus layer to this read! This book will release on January 9th!

Riley, a passionate aspiring Broadway director, faces a setback when she's grounded and forced to work at her dad’s game shop instead of reviving her high school’s spring musical. Determined to escape her punishment, she strikes a deal with nerdy coworker Nathan, agreeing to fake date to save face in front of her ex while also making his crush jealous. Unexpectedly drawn into Nathan’s world of Dungeons & Dragons, Riley discovers a surprising enjoyment in role-playing games. The more time they spend together, the harder it gets to know what feelings are fake and which ones are getting very real.

Like I said this was a super cute read! I know young adult books aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if they are or you have a young adult reader in your midst, I think they are going to love this! I know it will definitely be an addition to my high school library shelves!

Thank you to @netgalley and @delacortepress for the free advanced copy of this book!

Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce is a must-read cozy romance for board gamers and thespians alike. In this boisterously geeky romantic comedy, Boyce skillfully weaves a heartwarming story filled with love and laughter.

This captivating novel takes readers on a delightful journey, immersing them in the world of board games and theater. Boyce's writing effortlessly transports us into a realm where passion for both hobbies intertwines, creating a unique and enchanting narrative.

The story revolves around a group of individuals who share a deep love for board games and the dramatic arts. As their paths cross, sparks fly, and unexpected connections are formed. Boyce masterfully crafts a tale that explores the complexities of relationships, while infusing it with humor and charm.

Through her vivid descriptions and relatable characters, Boyce captures the essence of the board gaming and theater communities. Her attention to detail allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the world she has created, making it a truly enjoyable experience.

With its well-paced plot and engaging dialogue, Dungeons and Drama keeps readers eagerly turning the pages. Boyce's writing style is both accessible and engaging, making the story easy to follow while still maintaining a level of sophistication.

Boyce's ability to create authentic and multi-dimensional characters adds depth to the narrative. Each character is uniquely crafted, with their own quirks and flaws, making them relatable and endearing. Readers will find themselves emotionally invested in their journeys, rooting for their successes and empathizing with their struggles.

Dungeons and Drama is a delightful and captivating cozy romance that will appeal to both board gamers and thespians. Boyce's skillful storytelling, combined with her ability to create relatable characters, makes this novel a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming tale filled with love, laughter, and a touch of geekiness.

This book is honestly so cute! *insert me internally screaming a lot*

The whole enemies to lovers of this book and fake dating was teenageish in a good way. I thought Riley and Nathan were the cutest. Their banter was funny and the way the story plays out did not miss.

I highly recommend this book for geeks.

I got an e-are of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Musings:

*(Quick Disclaimer: even though I am behind on reviews of books I’ve finished I decided I had to review this book the second I finished it. This review will have a lot of nerdy emotional outbursts. You have been warned)

I read this book in less than 24 hours. I cannot say the last time a book did that to me where I was just so completely entertained that I had to finish it as soon as possible. I started it last afternoon at 1 or 2 before work as of writing this and I finished it this morning a bit after 11. Last night I had to stop myself from continuing as it had become 2:30 am and I was just halfway and I stole did not want to put it down.
I LOVE THIS BOOK! I cannot say how seen this little nerdy love story made me feel. It also was actually so funny and it’s so rare for a book to make me laugh. All the references and camaraderie between these musical and gaming nerds made me feel so at home. Ticket to Ride being mentioned had me smiling so hard from ear to ear knowing my boyfriend and his friends always play it on their board game nights I miss due to being at work. The way my boyfriend says Ticket to Ride! with this joyous cute tone had me so weak every-time the game was mentioned in this book.

I was obsessed with Nathan’s sweet nature and the easy banter he and Riley had the whole book. It was my boyfriend’s funny sweet nerdy nature in novel form and I WANTED TO CUDDLE HIM SO BAD! He’s such a good guy and it’s so clear from how respectful he is and the way he treats not just Riley but the others around him god it was like seeing my boyfriend Abdiel in another universe. If we’d met in high school I think this is how it would’ve happened for us, except maybe not the whole fake dating thing.

The friendships, relationships, and sense of community in this book are all top tier (SSR level you might say). I love how Riley gets to know her dad and balances that with her relationship with her mom. I love her friendships with each individual and how real and fleshed out they feel. Obviously…. I am FERAL over her relationship that develops with Nathan. It’s wholesome and cute and flirty and it made me smile the whole way.

Now that’s enough ranting! Go pre-order/buy this amazing book. If you have any sort of nerdy/musical heart in you this book will bring you so much joy.

A new teen romance about Riley, a musical theater loving teen, who has recently been grounded and must work in her dad’s gaming store as punishment. When her ex comes in, she accidentally blurts out that she is dating Nathan, the other teen employee who happens to dislike Riley. Nathan agrees to help Riley to try to make the girl he is interested in jealous. However, of course, the relationship starts to feel more real.

We get two romance tropes here - fake dating and enemies to lovers. I overall thought this was a really cute romance, and I especially loved all the side characters! I do wish (like with all teen romances) that they hadn’t just jumped into I love yous at the end. It’s hard sometimes with younger romance to balance realistic with book tropes. Despite that, still a cute read!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Did you or did you not just kiss my arm?"

Enter Riley—A theatre lover who just got caught driving her mom's car (without a license) and, as punishment, has to work at her dad's store, Sword & Board, for the next eight weeks.

Enter Nathan—A gamer from Rileys High School who "lives" at Sword and Board, not only to do an actual job but as an excuse to spend his free time playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends.

Even though Riley and Nathan don't love the idea of working together, there is one upside. With Riley desperate to escape humiliation from a "tiny" lie, she tells her ex-boyfriend, Paul, and Nathan, attempting to make Sophia, who is part of their D&D group, jealous, they have the perfect solution—Pretending to date each other! What could POSSIBLY go wrong?

I'm a sucker for "Fake Dating" plotlines. Well, when it's done right. And Duneons and Drama by @kristylboyce, @underlined, was staged perfectly.

Although I know nothing about gaming, I breezed through D&D. In fact, my lack of knowledge (LARPing? Tiefling? Halfling?) made Riley's story that much more enjoyable because it was exciting and new!

I'm one of the lucky few who received an ARC of Dungeons and Drama, and I suggest you preorder it before the release date on January 9th. (I'm going to!) The author has a nice preorder campaign going on as well! Just visit her page for more info.

I also love that the inspiration for Dungeons and Drama began when the author and her best friend joined a D&D group in high school. Even better is that they both married members of that group later in life!

Cover art by @eklixio-One of the reasons I was drawn to this book!

When Riley is grounded and forced to work in her dad’s game store she thinks her life is over. He’s always cared more about the store than her anyway and she just has to make it through the 8 weeks and until the school spring musical. When the administrators cancel the musical however, Riley is desperate to save it, all while her ex keeps pitying her which forced her hand into fake dating the nerdy boy at the store, Nathan. Luckily for Nathan, this works for him too since he’s been wishing for Sophia to like him back so together they make a plan but can they stay just “annoying co workers playing at dating”? Or will the feelings come?

This was a very cute YA rom com and I loved all of the gaming references AND musical theater references! It’s like this book was MADE for myself as a teen!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kristy Boyce for letting me read the arc of this adorable book.
I will start by saying that I have never related to a story more than I did when reading this. As I was reading about Riley’s experience working at her dad’s game store it felt like I was at work but, not in a bad way. I love my job and while it’s frustrating at times I have made so many geeky friends just like Riley did in the book. This book perfectly captures the beauty of bonding over the love of a hobby.
Another thing that I absolutely love about this book is the romance and friendship between Riley and Nathan. They are adorable and must be protected at all costs. If you love geek culture and cute romance stories in general I think you’ll enjoy their story. 💕🫶🏻

This was super cute and adorable. I liked it much more than the author's previous books. Part of that is the characters are brimming with personality here. And with our main characters and their friend group's obsession with musical theatre, D&D, tabletop gaming, working in a game store... it was all very nostalgic and brought back so many memories of high school.

Did I spend all my time with the theatre and artsy and nerdy kids? Yes. Did I dress like Riley (as loud and colorful and eclectic as possible) and date guys like Nathan? Uh... yes to that also. It was basically one big nostalgia trip and I had a huge smile on my face the whole time I was reading.

The writing was cute and funny and the fake dating scheme hit all the right romance notes. And the characters really sold it. They all jumped off the page and felt very real. It's going immediately on my shelf of comfort reads.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for providing an early copy for review.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

I LOVED this and cannot adequately express the unfettered joy I experienced while reading it. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I groaned....it was amazing. Now I will say: I am a big theatre nerd and I play D&D, so this was literally made for me on both counts. But the writing was great, the tropes were well handled, and the characters were just adorable.

I normally an pretty ambivalent to fake dating and I hate the miscommunication trope....but this book handles both perfectly. It made sense how it all played out - it didn't make me want to punch the characters like it usually does. And even though this focuses on high schoolers, I wasn't annoyed by their immaturity or childish antics. They felt like real teenagers but not in a "ugh, I hate this" kind of way. Basically, this book had all the makings of being really annoying but Kristy Boyce made a perfect YA romance instead.

This is the perfect YA Romance with fake dating, miscommunication trope, D&D, and musical theatre. It has found family, both with friends and biological family, and just some of the best banter. I honest to god laughed out loud, cried, squealed....it was amazing and is a lifetime favorite for sure.

this was adorable! I've been in a d&d kick so this was just up my alley. It was cute and fluffy and I absolutely loved both RIley and Nathan.

Words cannot describe how much I loved this fake dating high school romance. Theater geek + D&D gamer= ❤️❤️ This book made me smile and literally squee for the name couple. It perfectly captures their individual personalities and highlights why they work so well together.

3.5 stars. This was a cute romance and I am a huge D&d nerd so that side of things spoke to me. The romance was cute between the characters but there was miscommunication and that is my most hated trope in a book. Also the physical description of characters were constantly “a white man, a white girl” which was repetitive. Thank you netgalley for the arc.

Thank you to netgalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for allowing me to read this book. This book was so stinky cute I loved the characters in this book.

When Riley steals her mom's car to go see a show, she doesn't think about the consequences. But oh, boy are there consequences: Riley is grounded and has to work at her father's game store. Riley has other things to be worrying about, like how to save the school musical. When Riley's ex visits the store, she panics and says she has a new boyfriend, her nerdy co-worker Nathan. Riley proposes that they play out a fake dating charade to help her stick it to her ex and to make his crush jealous. They agree to fake-date, but Nathan is a really good boyfriend and Riley ends up loving playing D&D with him. Unfortunately, Nathan is too good of an actor and Riley can't tell if he's faking it any more.


I really loved this novel. I haven't read YA in a minute and this made me remember how good it can be. Riley was outgoing and fun, and Nathan was adorable and such a nice guy (albeit reluctantly). The ending felt a little bit rushed, but it was so nice to see how Riley's relationship changed with her father and to see her accomplish her goals with the school musical.

This was incredibly beautiful and i’m so glad I read this. It was so much more than a cute and silly little romance book. The exploration of the FMC’s relationship with her father added such a layer of depth to the storyline. Their relationship just felt so raw. In the beginning, I was giggling and kicking my feet because of Riley and Nathan’s cute moments… by the end I was ugly crying because of the development between her and her dad! I loved everything about this book, I’m overjoyed that it was my first read of 2024!