This book was absolutely the perfect little YA romance. I would have loved to have had this book available to me when I was a teenager. The characters are wonderful and very related due to being well written. The crossover between nerd boys and theatre girls is fantastic and warmed my heart. It has so many things in it that just made it a wonderful read. I had never read anything from this author but I am not extremely interested in checking out her other works!

Thank you to NetGalley + Delacourte for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I was hesitant to request this book because I know as a 30=year-old woman, I'm not exactly the target audience for a YA book, but damn if this book didn't have me grinning from ear to ear practically the whole time!

Riley is your typical theatre gal and Nathan is your typical gamer boy, which makes this fake dating, opposites attract story so sweet. As a theatre girl who is dating a gamer boy, I can say with confidence it's a recipe for love — and that's exactly what unfolds between Riley and Nathan.

The pace of the story was so good — I read basically the entire book in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. I thought the author did a good job of juggling the different relationships and tying up any loose ends before the story was over. It's also majorly clear that the author has a great deal of knowledge about musicals and games, and I loved recognizing things as I was reading! But my favorite part had to be the care with which Riley and Nathan treated each other, learning to support one another's passions and genuinely being excited for each other. Truthfully, it made me want to take an even bigger interest my boyfriend's hobbies, so maybe I will give Dungeons and Dragons a go next year!

This book felt as sweet as some of my adult contemporary romance novels, and I felt it was written well overall. I definitely plan to recommend this book, especially to anyone who is part of the younger crowd because I think it's a lovely stepping stone if you're looking to get into romance but you've never read any adult romance before.

This book felt as sweet as some of my adult contemporary romance novels, and I felt it was written well overall. I definitely plan to recommend this book, especially to anyone who is part of the younger crowd because I think it's a lovely stepping stone if you're looking to get into romance but you've never read any adult romance before.

High School, Fake Dating Romance Opposites Attract
I read as an ARC

I don't usually read YA books but this just looked to be super adorable and I was not disappointed. It was packed with witty banter, fun friendships, teenage angst, the healing of broken family bonds, and lots of miscommunication.
I truly felt that the premise of this story was extremely fitting for a high school romance. The authoe kept the kids, as kids! There were not any unrealistic, super adult, moments that make you think the kids are not in fact kids. It was super age appropriate.

I liked Riley's passion for her arts.
I liked Nathan's level of responsibility even though he had every reaaon to act out

Excellent Read.

Fake dating is always a winning trope for me, and this was no exception! Riley and Nathan’s chemistry was so palpable and everyone in their lives except them knowing how into each other they were was adorable. I loved that they introduced each other to their hobbies and wanted to share those parts of themselves with the other. Truly a wonderful, lighthearted YA romcom!

As punishment for taking her mother's car without asking, Riley is now forced to work at her father's game store so he can keep an eye on her. While Riley is mostly frustrated because it limits her time with her friends and her hobbies, she is also she blames her father and his store for her parent's divorce. However, as Riley spends more time at the store and with her father she begins to realize she may have misjudged a lot of things - including fellow classmate and shop employee Nathan.

Overall, this is a fun book that will appeal to folks interested in musical theater, romance, gaming, or some mix of the three. The geeky elements are slow to build, with Riley having an open disdain for them at the start. This is a book about discovery and learning to appreciate something new to you. It has a fun, diverse supporting cast that provide laughs and insight at key points in the story.

This is a book that crosses a few genres. While at its core Dungeons & Drama is a romantic comedy for teens, it is also about family, reconnecting with a parent, and going after your dreams. One of the major plot points that runs through the book is the distance and near animosity between Riley and her father. Through this plot point the story touches on a tough topic that I don't see brought up often in YA novels that aren't 'issue' titles. Overall it does a good job of addressing the distance between Riley and her father, though the resolution and realizations are not as fully fleshed out as they could be.

Perfect for teens that like a little bit of seriousness with their run romance.

Dungeons and Dragons is perfect for anyone who’s a fan of tabletop boardgames and romance! I absolutely loved this book.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC! spoiler free—- this is was such a fun light read. The best part aside from the romance is definitely the friend group dynamic

This read was so cute and charming! The premise is Drama Club meets DnD with a slice of fake dating, and a sprinkle of family drama. The characters were fun and believable (which is a big deal- it's so hard to find teenagers in lit that actually act like teenagers), and the story was engaging. The best part was the setting of the game store - it was very well fleshed out, and provided a unique backdrop for some familiar tropes. I can see any theater kid who picks up this book getting very interested in DnD, and this book introduces the basics in an appealing and fun way. The only weak points were around the illness plot line, it felt a bit tonally inconsistent. All in all, a lovely quick read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, and Random House Children's for this advanced copy! You can pick up Dungeons and Drama on January 9, 2024.

This book deserves ALL THE STARS. It was no thoughts just vibes, and I was here for it. I loved the dynamic between several characters, whether romantic, platonic, or familial. The banter and tension between Riley and Nathan had me literally giggling and kicking my feet. They're just too cute, and I loved seeing them slowly melt the icy barrier between them.

Was this book slightly cheesy and predictable? Of course. But it was executed so well, in a way that had me laughing with the characters rather than at them. That might not be everyone's favorite flavor of rom-com book, but if you love the antics of fake dating and grumpy sunshine dynamic, you'll love this one. Riley and Nathan reminded me a bit of the couple from the Disney Channel Original Movie "Geek Charming" -- if she was a theater kid and he was a D&D gamer.

But if you're in the mood for a hilarious and adorable YA rom-com, PICK UP THIS BOOK! It's 210 pages of delightful, heart-warming shenanigans.

This book is the perfect adorkable romance I needed in my life.

I appreciate how well developed all the characters and subplots were. Everything flowed together with a natural pace and worked despite how much was actually happening in the story. The fake dating trope was a riot, and I love how the relationship between Riley and Nathan progressed. The tension between them was perfectly balanced and the banter was so fun. The awkward cringe at times was so relatable.

The side characters, D&D campaign details, and musical references were spot on as well. You can tell the author has experience playing D&D and being involved in stage productions so it didn’t feel forced or like she was trying to be trendy with her characters’ hobbies. The concept of a drama girl getting involved with D&D and enjoying it because of roleplaying is hilariously perfect. I absolutely love it.

Dungeons and Drama is such a fun, cute YA contemporary romance for fans of Geekerella and Foolish Hearts. It has renewed my hope in YA contemporary books.

I seriously loved Dungeons and Drama so much. Everything about this was just so cute and I absolutely LOVE the cover.

This book is so adorable. I love the title, the cover, the concept, everything. What really stands out to me after reading another new YA romance is that the story is so well-developed, and there are subplots that keep it interesting. I don't like when books are <i>all</i> about the romance without anything else going on, and I love that the main character and first-person narrator, Riley, has other thoughts besides the conflict with her ex-boyfriend Paul (whom I LOATHE) and the guy she's pretending to date to make Paul jealous, Nathan. There's a whole conflict with her school shutting down the musicals they do every spring because of budget cuts, and as Riley is a theater geek, it's important to her to keep the musicals going. There's also a conflict with her parents as Riley lied to them and stole her mom's car and drove without a license, and her punishment is to work at her dad's game store, which is torture for her as she doesn't care about board games, Dungeons and Dragons, or any of it. Her parents are divorced, and she's super close to her mom but not to her dad, and this creates other issues in the novel.
All in all, this book is so cute, funny, and well-developed. I really enjoyed reading it and getting to know the characters. I didn't want it to end! The banter is there, and the human stories that I love. There are some cheesy parts, and I don't like when YA authors make their characters swoon over every little touch, but other than that, this book is so good, and I'm glad I got the chance to read it.
I recommend this book to fans of YA romance with other things going on besides the love story and to people who love Dungeons and Dragons and other such games. I love Boyce's back story--that she and her friend joined a D&D game even though they knew nothing about it and ended up <i>both</i> marrying guys they met in the game! So cute, and I love when authors use their own experiences as a starting point for stories. It makes everything feel more authentic.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When musical theater lover Riley is forced to work for her dad's game shop, the last thing she expects is to enter into a fake dating arrangement with the nerdy guy to help him make his gamer-girl crush jealous, or to even fall for him. Riley may have stolen her mom's car to go see Waitress with her best friend... despite not having a driver's license. When her mom finds out she grounds Riley and makes her spend her time working at her father's game shop. Riley can't think of anything worse, especially since her father and her are distant and he seems to care more about his game shop than actually spending time with her.... yet as she works there she begins to realize that maybe that's not the case at all. While working there she meets Nathan, a nerdy guy who loves D and D and has a crush on a fellow gamer-girl. When Riley runs into her ex, she pretends that Nathan is her boyfriend... and then they both come into a new agreement, Nathan pretends to be Riley's boyfriend to get her ex off her back and she'll help make Nathan's crush jealous so he can finally get with her. Yet the more time Nathan and Riley spend together pretending to fall for one another the more they actually begin to fall. Can they figure out what's real and all part of the game? This was a really cute romance read and I loved the chemistry between Riley and Nathan. It's a fun fake dating read and the theater kid x dnd nerd was a cute trope too. This was a overall really sweet read and a fun time!

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This book was the perfect mix of banter, friendship, and high school romance. While I can't say that it brought back only good memories, it did a wonderful job of bringing back some nostalgic feelings throughout the story. Riley's character is so relatable, and I love that she's learning more about games and what her dad is interested in. The family dynamics weren't great here, but the friendships and determination to save the musical were spot on. I felt every minute of the roller coaster between Riley and Nathan, and their plan was well orchestrated. This was a perfect feel good romance to break up the more serious reads, but still addressed serious issues and events well.

Book Title: Dungeons and Drama
Author: Kristy Boyce
Publisher: Random House Children’s-Delacorte Press
Genre: Teen Romance
Pub Date: January 9, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 304


I am going to start with a Full Confession - . I am not the target audience for this story!
Yes! I have heard of Dungeon & Dragons. Have a played it – what do you think?
I was curious as this looks like it is totally entertaining so here I am.

Story starts with Riley and the fact that6 she isn’t happy about her parents' divorce. She decides to go a road trip to see a musical in New York City with her best friend. She borrows her mom's car. Only she doesn’t have a driver's license nor has permission. As punishment she has to work at her father's game store for eight weeks. There, she finds herself surrounded by game enthusiasts. One of the employees is Nathan, someone she knows from school. Hmmm

Story is cute! As I mentioned - True I am not the target audience for this story but as a High School Guidance Counselor I love to read YA stories. It pleases me that I can recommend a book as well as know what they are reading.

About the author; Kristy Boyce
In her ‘Acknowledgements” - (Acknowledgements as well as Author’s Notes are always a must read for me!)
Kristy Boyce tells us her inspiration for this story goes back to high school when she and her BFF joined a D&D group- true they were clueless as to how to play- plus who knew they both would marry members of that group.
She then thanks Maggie, Emmett, and Mike.

Kristy Boyce lives in Pickerington, OH (which is near Columbus) and teaches psychology as a senior lecturer at The Ohio State University. When she’s not spending time with her husband and son, she’s usually writing, reading, putting together fairy gardens, or planning her next trip back to Europe.
You can read more about her at
https://www.kristyboyceauthor.com/about

Want to thank NetGalley and Random House Children’s Delacorte Press for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 9, 2024.

Kristy Boyce's "Dungeons and Drama" is a delightful romp through the worlds of musical theater and Dungeons & Dragons, where the boundaries between fantasy and reality blur in the most entertaining ways. The protagonist, Riley, is a vivacious musical enthusiast whose quest to revive her high school's spring musical takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself immersed in the realm of tabletop gaming.

Boyce's writing is playful and engaging, capturing the essence of teenage antics and the magic of discovering new passions. The plot unfolds with a perfect blend of humor and heart as Riley navigates the challenges of her after-school job at a game shop, using her wits to enlist the help of Nathan, a nerdy coworker. The ensuing Dungeons & Dragons adventure becomes a catalyst for self-discovery, and readers will find themselves cheering for Riley as she embraces the unexpected joys of role-playing.

The characters are endearing, and Boyce excels at creating a lighthearted atmosphere while subtly exploring themes of friendship and self-acceptance. The narrative is well-paced, with each chapter adding a layer of charm to the overall story.

"Dungeons and Drama" is a whimsical journey that seamlessly weaves together the worlds of Broadway and gaming, offering a refreshing take on teenage escapades. With its engaging plot and relatable characters, this book earns a solid four out of five stars, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a dose of laughter and heartwarming moments."

Absolutely loved it! I have a dnd character now thanks to this book and my hubby is happy about that! This was so cute!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press for sharing this fantastic book's digital review copy with me!

Romantic, dynamic characters, funny and emotional all at once. Dungeons and Drama was everything I didn't know I needed. I feel as though I related to this book more than I thought I would. LOVED this and couldn't stop laughing!

I don’t usually read YA romance books anymore, but the cover of this one really caught my eye. When I read the description, it sounded like something I would enjoys, so I was really excited to be approved for an ARC. It did not disappoint! This book was so adorable and had me hooked from the beginning. I read it in two days and stayed up way too late both nights finishing it. This was a very easy and quick read, but so enjoyable!

This felt like a fun mix of Can’t Buy Me Love and High School Musical. I enjoyed watching Riley integrate herself with the gamer group and find a way to make Dungeons and Dragons fun for her. I thought the author did a great job of creating a variety of characters surrounding Riley and Nathan between the gamers and the theater kids. While the fake dating ruse followed a predictable course, I loved watching Riley and Nathan’s relationship grow from animosity to friends to more. They were so sweet together! I really felt the emotion between the two of them the whole way through.

While I did enjoy the wide range of characters, I did think some of the character development was a little under developed. There were a couple interpersonal issues that Riley wasn’t directly involved in that were touched upon but not fully explained. Specifically, I would’ve liked to know more about Riley’s parents relationship (how they got together, when they got divorced, what Riley’s father was like with Riley before the divorce, etc.). I also wanted to know more about Nathan’s parents and his relationship with Riley’s father. I thought Riley and Nathan were going to have some deeper conversations about their parents and other personal struggles eventually, but it never happened.

Overall, although this was a short read and I think it could’ve had a little more, I absolutely loved this story and still would rate it a 4.5, which I’m rounding up. This book left me feeling so happy! I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a sweet YA romance!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review. There are some spoilers in this review.

The book is predictable, but I want to say that it's because it does a good job of setting things up. Obviously, Riley is going to develop feelings for Nathan, but the book takes its time and drops these little nuggets throughout the book so when she does come to the realization, it makes sense and doesn't feel like it just suddenly happened. Obviously, the friends she made through her time at her dad's game shop are going to help with her musical presentation when she thinks all is lost, but again, we're given proper build up to it. Nathan mentions that she could've asked her dad to take her to the Waitress showing and she says the thought never occurred to her, she mentions how impressive Josh and Jordan's costumes for LARPing are and how her classmates might be able to take inspiration for that for their musical. The book lays the groundwork.

Something that I feel like the book set up and then fell through on was the parallelism with Riley and her father's passions. It's set up early on that although Riley doesn't understand her father's motivations, they both share something that they are passionate about from the bottom of their soul—and that Riley's mother wants them to focus on "what matters more" over those passions. But nothing comes out of this. The reason for the divorce is never delved into (we know that it's because Riley's dad "chose the shop over his family" but that's purely from Riley's perspective and that's all we see) so we miss the nuance of what is a complicated situation. There was a chance to have Riley better understand the circumstances of the divorce through this similarity, but it simply doesn't happen. But to the book's credit, I did enjoy the relationship that Riley had with her mom (and later with her dad).

There's a fair number of side characters in this book. One things that it does well is that the side characters have distinct voices--but I feel like that's more because they have distinct archetypes than anything else. I get that Boyce needed a lot of side characters because you need to fill the party, and you need regulars at the game shop, but they're all fairly flat.

As someone who is very passionate about D&D and has very strong beliefs on how TTRPG can help teens develop social and emotional literacy, I'm very excited about all the D&D related YA Fic coming out. With that said, there's quite a lot of nitpicky things that irked me as a big fan of the game that I'm sure would also annoy any diehard players among the teen readers. It's probably not a big deal to casual players who pick up this book. It's all small things like... the d20 that's there at the start of every chapter shouldn't have the heart AND 20 visible since whenever custom icons are used, it's used in place of the 1 or 20 (and the 1 is always on the direct opposite side of the 20), or Lucas commenting offhand that he doesn't have a chance to use a Scottish accent since he's always DMing as if he has no NPCs in his campaign, or how paladins don't have a "protect ability" (whereas protection domain clerics do). There are hints to how D&D has helped this group with social literacy too in the way that (most of) the boys are very supportive when Riley is just starting out and going ham with her character voice and performance.