This! Book!

The fake dating, the D&D scenes, the theater references, the jealousy!! It was all *SO* good!

This was a perfect YA romance book. I loved Nathan's character so much. He was perfect! The high schoolers actually felt like high schoolers in this book. They acted how high schoolers would act, talked how they would, had all the dramatics of teenagers.

I loved reading Riley's relationship with her dad change over the course of the book and some of the side characters at her dad's store were so enjoyable to read about.

You can tell the author has a lot of previous knowledge about D&D which made it so fun to read and easy to get lost in the story.

Overall, a super cute and enjoyable read! Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a short and sweet (but still amazing!) YA romance book.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review;

Let me start by saying I was not sure about this title. The author said D&D - sounds good so far..... and a musical crazed character....? But I promise you, they DO go together and create one of my most memorable duos ever.

Riley, a lover of all things musical has her sights set on being a (hopeful) director's assistant to this year's high school musical. Unfortunately, after a road trip to Columbus, involving her driving her mother's car without a license, she will be lucky if her parents allow her to participate at all.

Now grounded for 8 weeks Riley is tasked to work at her father's gaming store - brilliantly named "Swords and Boards". If that's not enough to ruin the start of her year, it has been decided that the school musicals to be canceled due to budget cuts.

Riley's life could not get any worse than her ex-boyfriend coming to her father's store with his new girlfriend Lainey. In a moment of panic, she tells him she's dating someone...Nathan, the high schooler working in her father's shop that she can barely stand.

However, she sees a moment of opportunity when she sees how desperate Nathan is to have a store regular and member of their D&D campaign, Sophia's attention. With that, a plan is formed and hilarity ensues.

Kristy Boyce's writing is sweet and funny. The characters are ones that you identify with and root for. Definitely for those who love a good friends-to-lovers story. I can't say enough good things about this title. Will be reading more by this author!

This book is such a delightful fake dating romance that will keep you hooked, wondering if the characters will end up together or not. It's filled with several interesting storylines to keep things exciting, but don't worry, they're all easy to follow. The characters are absolutely adorable and well-developed, making them easy to connect with. After reading some more complicated books, this one was a breath of fresh air with its simple and heartwarming plot. Plus, it was so refreshing to dive into a PG romance, where there are only sweet kisses and innocent hand-holding.

I received an eArc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and I'm truly grateful for the opportunity.

Super fun romcom! I was hooked at fake dating and Dungeons and Dragons, and thankfully the book lived up to my expectations. It was such a fun, silly, laugh out loud read. I was cackling several times over the antics of the characters. It had just the right amount of pining and longing for a fake dating book, and I loved seeing them get together for real. This was truly just a good time and a lot of fun.

This was adorable! It was funny, the characters were all genuinely charming and lovable (even when/especially when they were being dingdong teenagers and making dumb choices like teenagers like to do), the friendship between Riley and her BFF Hoshiko was sweet, and the fake dating was perfectly executed. I LOVED the D&D and theater kids finding each other and finding ways to meld their interests (obsessions). There was zero spice, which was perfect - I think this would be great for middle school kids and up -- planning to get my D&D loving 12-year-old son a copy!

I dnfed this I couldn’t stand the main character. She was so annoying I just couldn’t continue.she was so annoying and unlikeable that I couldn’t continue.

Objectively, Dungeons and Drama is some room for improvement. Subjectively, it was exactly what I needed as a sick-day, book slump read.

To give you some context, I enjoy musical theater and I enjoy board games, but I’m not a hardcore fan of either. I like musical theater more than some people but probably not as much as most fans. Like, I maybe accidentally memorized half the lyrics to the Hamilton soundtrack at the height of the pandemic, but I’m not a theater kid. (My musical theater knowledge is also largely limited to a very specific set of musicals that either made of up the soundtrack of my childhood or the soundtrack of Disney movies.) My feelings about board games are similar. I have a small stack of board games in my closet and friends with an even large collection, but contrary to my recent reads, I don’t know anything about D&D. So I didn’t necessarily pick up Dungeons and Drama because I’m huge fan of either board games or Broadway. I picked it up because the cover is kinda cute and because I really like the fake dating trope.

The Good
Overall, Dungeons and Drama didn’t disappoint. I expected a light, fluffy book and got a light, fluffy book, and when you’re in a reading slump and your head is doing its best Kathleen Kelly impression, sometimes all you want is a cute romance to help ease them both. Dungeons and Drama is an easy, cozy read with low stakes and not too much (unnecessary) drama. It’s the perfect kind of book for curling up on couch for a day of lazy reading. The story is fun, if a little forgettable, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you’re just looking for a book to help brighten up a gloomy day.

For geeks of the theater or gamer variety, there are plenty of references that’ll make you giddier than the mention of flying monkeys makes Steve Rogers. Even if you’re like yours truly and don’t understand most of the references, there’s something sweet about this celebration of Broadway and geek culture. Sword and Board Games sounds like the kind of cozy little small business I’d love to visit in real life. The found family friendship between the Nathan’s D&D group and Riley is one of the highlights, and watching Riley reconnect with her estranged dad post-divorce is another. And who doesn’t love an opposites attract, he (probably?) fell first, dislike-to-love fake dating romance?

The Meh
“Ugh, I don’t know what’s going on. I can’t keep up with my own reactions. We hate each other…we’re friends…we flirt…it’s all fake…I have no idea.”

In theory, I should’ve adored the romance, which is made up of tropes and dynamics I love. Unfortunately, the execution made it feel a bit lackluster. The fake dating plot started out strong. As someone who loves stories about awkward kids in love, I loved the set-up: Riley’s ex- showing up to her place of work with his new girlfriend, Riley blurting out her grumpy coworker’s name when asked about her new (definitely not imaginary) boyfriend, Riley awkwardly kissing aforementioned grumpy coworker’s arm when he unexpectedly shows up to interrupt the conversation. I wasn’t quite Inside Out obsessed, but I was ready to love these dorks.

I’m sorry to report that the romance kind peters out after that. There’s no real chemistry between Riley and Nathan, and even the whole “antagonistic” bent to their dynamic feels forced. It doesn’t help that both Riley and Nathan are kind of flat as characters: Nathan’s cute in a forgettable vanilla love interest kind of a way, and despite her best efforts to come across as Bubbly! and Unique!, Riley is alternatively boring and grating. Because neither of them are particularly compelling characters, the romance is just kind of uninspired, and the fake dating peaked at its inception. Maybe if I weren’t in the middle of My Year of Fake Dating, I’d be a little more lenient on the execution of trope in Dungeons and Drama (but let’s be real, probably not,) but I just don’t feel like Kristy Boyce used it to its fullest potential. Like, it was fine, I guess? but there definitely aren’t this definitely isn’t the “fun romcom full of fake dating hijinxs” I was promised.

I think the biggest problem with Dungeons and Drama as a whole is the lack of development. The story moves at a fast pace, making it a quick and easy read, but it doesn’t leave much time for any kind of nuance or depth. I constantly found myself wanting more the whole time I was reading. I want more from Riley as a protagonist. I want more from Nathan as a love interest. I want more banter, more fake dating interactions, more reasons for me to root for these two as a couple. Just call me Ariel, because I. Want. More.

Riley and Nathan’s relationship progresses in fits and starts, and as much as I appreciate the lack of a third act break-up (or does ending a fake relationship counts as a break-up? 🤔), the end feels especially disjointed and rushed. Nathan’s motivations, especially, don’t feel particularly clear, and make the ending feel a little dissatisfying.

Even for the things I enjoyed–like the found family and nuclear family dynamics–I want more. The little found family of D&D players is cute and everything, but we don’t get enough time with them. I’m especially disappointed Riley’s relationship with her parents post-divorce isn’t explored more. We could’ve gotten a Gilmore girl-esque type relationship if we’d gotten to see her interact with her mom more, and the complicated father-daughter dynamic, which is arguably the best part of the story, sorely lacks the development it needs. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I even want more D&D gameplay (preferably with more explanation about how the game actually works.)

All in all, Dungeons and Drama just feels like the poster child for untapped potential. There are just so many misses. The tropes are there. The setting and the background characters are there. The relationships are there. The character development is–well, it’s not there but with a little tweaking, it could be. My point is, (almost) all the elements are there for a great book, but they need more development to really make the story shine. (In keeping with the Broadway theme, if Dungeons and Drama were a musical, the story is a table read.) It’s a shame because what could be a knockout of a book is well, perfectly fine but probably not anything I’m going to remember at the end of the year. I don’t care what Maren Morris says, if the bones are good, the rest still matters.

The Ugly
And now we’ve reached the point in the review where I bemoan minute nobody cares about except me. The prose is fine–nothing to write home about, but it’s decent–but Boyce has this weird penchant for introducing characters by describing their race that’s just clunky and awkward. The number of stilted sentences like so-and-so is “a pudgy white guy” or “a large Black woman” is one too many. (We get it, there are a lot of white kids in Ohio)

In terms of the actual story, there are a few minor plot holes or inconsistencies throughout that aren’t all that distracting but might be a little annoying if you stop and think about it. The story kind of meanders, which is fine if you’re looking for something to read if your brain’s all stuffed up, but it would be so much better if we had more tension to really drive the story. The external conflict we’re given (Riley’s grounding, love triangles, the potentially canceled musical etc.) isn’t strong enough to hold up the story, and I really don’t understand why Riley has to do everything herself to try to save the musical or how the drama teacher “doesn’t have time to help” when it’s her job? I’m also low-key annoyed Riley’s romantic rival is a stereotypical soulless Mean Girl with zero personality. It’s 2024. Surely we can come up with something a little more original than a fake antagonist with the personality of a sheet of paper.

Despite my gripes, Dungeons and Drama was exactly what I needed to pull me out of a reading slump, and Boyce and her little band of D&D players have piqued my interest enough that I’d read a spin-off companion novel if one came out.

Dungeons and Drama was my first book read by Kristy Boyce. After finishing this adorable book I am a complete admirer of her writing and story telling. It’s been a while since I have been hooked on a book from start to finish. I loved the characters but especially the fake dating trope. This was such a cute fluffy fun read. The characters were adorable. I had such a great time reading this amazing story. I will continue to support Kristy Boyce because her writing was outstanding! Thank you NetGalley for giving me this amazing opportunity. Can’t wait to purchase a physical copy because the cover is amazingly cute and I need it on my personal library.

I really enjoyed this one! I have not heard of the author, but the cover and title completely caught my eye and I'm so glad I decided to give it a try.

I have played Dungeons and Dragons once, enough to know it could be fun if I had the opportunity to play it regularly (but I'm not going to go out and find a game). I also enjoy the occasional musical and I have friends and students who are theater kids even if I am not one myself. But when I read books like this, I wonder if I missed out by not become involved with theater in some way.

This story uses the fake dating trope, which can be hit or miss with me, but I really loved it. Part of it is that I really liked both characters, even if I occasional wanted to tell them that the other one was into them! While their romance was ultimately very sweet, what I loved more was the group of friends, including her best friend falling for one of Nathan's friends. THAT was a fun love story. I loved her desire to save the school musical and how it may have started out as her dream, but it became a group dream as many kids ended up becoming fully invested. For me, that's what made the story.

Overall, I loved Riley's love of color, all things musical, the dynamic with Nathan's friends with D&D, the relationship she started developing with her dad, and the whole plot of saving musical theater in the school. Too many schools have to cut the arts so it's fun to read another story about saving the arts! I also loved how Riley was able to see her dad's nerdy obsession as something that was related to her love of theater after all.

I would recommend this story to any theater kid or theater-kid adjacent, those who "get" gaming, and someone looking for a light teen romance.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to the publisher for lending me a digital arc of this book.

I'm going to be adding this to my school library's collection. This forced proximity, enemies-t0-lovers romance also features some growth for the female main characters--mostly relating to her relationship with her divorced parents. I think it will definitely appeal to our theater students, but the romantic elements mean that it will likely also appeal to a broader audience.

I'm a sucker for a story where teens are fish out of water, but find that they like their new environment. Charming and heartwarming!

Oh, I loved this so much. Dungeons and Drama is about a theater kid who, as a punishment, has to work at her semi-estranged dad's gaming store. She spends half her time trying to persuade school officials not to cancel the spring musical, and the rest of her time turning into a total Dungeons & Dragons nerd. And then there is her fake dating one of her dad's employees, and chemistry and chemistry and roadtrips and poptarts and chemistry. I was in love with watching Nathan and Riley fall in love in such a genuine way, and watching this wonderful community of friends build. The move from fake to real (spoiler?) was a little clunkier than I generally like, but it still very much worked. I'd recommend having some D&D knowledge before going in (which I conveniently got, unrelated, like a week before reading) in order to make the story more fun, but it's not 100% necessary.

After Riley risks everything to "borrow" her mom's car to go see a musical, her parents decide the best punishment is to work in her dad's game store for the next 8 weeks. While Riley finds this to be devastating, some people have found the game store to be like their second home, intro Nathan. Riley's ex-boyfriend visits the game store one day flaunting his new girlfriend and feeling sorry for Riley, she impulsively tells him that she is actually happily dating Nathan. One problem- Nathan doesn't even like being around Riley, much less date her. After much convincing, Riley and Nathan pretend to date, beginning the year of typical teen shenanigans and self-discovery. I love that the fandoms of musicals, role-playing, and gamers are woven together in this cozy romance.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for honest opinions.

When theater aficionado and aspiring director Riley borrows her mom's car--without permission and without a license--to drive to see the touring production of Waitress her parents are understandably ticked. As punishment, Riley is grounded and forced to work after school in her dad's gaming store, with her grumpy classmate Nathan. When her ex-boyfriend, Paul, walks in with his new girlfriend and leading lady on his arm, Riley insists she has moves on and blurts out Nathan's name when asked who with. Despite their rocky start, Nathan and Riley agree to fake date--her to convince Paul she's moved on to greener pastures, him to catch the eye of the hot gamer girl in his D&D group who seems to only want what she can't have. But as the two grow closer and their friend groups merge, the lines between fake and real begin to get ever so blurry.

I loved this book soooo much. When I first heard Riley went joyriding in her mom's car without a driver's license, I was skeptical--the adult in me coming through to think how unbelievably stupid that is. But Riley quickly wormed my way into my heart, with Nathan right alongside her, until I shipped the pair so much. I loved the integration of various musical theater and Dungeons and Dragons elements. I, myself, have never played D&D and really appreciated the explanation and interesting manner in which it was presented. This story is just too cute and I can't recommend it enough.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator does a fantastic job--I couldn't recommend it enough. She really captures all the characters' voices so well, both male and female, and helps the story come alive.

Thanks to PRHA for my ALC and Get Underlined for my physical copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 10/10

4.25 stars

This was adorable! I loved the theater nerds and gaming nerds falling in love, the fake dating, and the fun side characters to round this out. This was fast paced and fun and almost made me want to try Dungeons and Dragons....

"Dungeons and Drama" is an entertaining story that blends gaming, theater, and teen drama spectacularly. This story was so cute and I loved everything about it.

Riley lives and breathes musicals and isn’t afraid to stand out. She’s very energetic, outgoing and a natural leader. I can see her effortlessly directing Broadway shows in the future. Stealing and lying aside, I really admire Riley’s effort and tenacity throughout the story.

Fake dating was the perfect trope for this story since both Riley and Nathan's interests (acting and D&D, respectively) involve playing a role. What made it better was how they went from annoying co-workers to genuine friends to unexpected lovers. Their entire relationship was just too cute.

I liked how the story explored the effects of divorce on children. In Riley’s case, the confusion, bitterness, and betrayal she can’t help but feel toward her dad. Working at her dad’s store forces Riley to process and confront the distant relationship she always seemed to have with her dad versus the close one with her mom. It’s very nicely done.

"Dungeons and Drama" is a wholly accessible and relatable story that anyone can enjoy. I knew more about musicals and very little about D&D going into this but thoroughly enjoyed it. I learned so much from those chapters where Riley, Nathan and their friends were playing the game. I adore the fact that this story was based on the author’s own experiences.

"Dungeons and Drama" was a fun, well-crafted YA romance. I loved the character development, the conflicts, the family dynamics, and the friendships.

Thanks again Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC to read in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a fun read with the perfect combination of gaming and musical theater. I truly enjoyed this nerdy setting and group of characters. It was just what I needed.

✨💗 Book Tour Spotlight 💗☀️

This book has the following :

💜Fake Dating
💛Close Proximity (they work together)
💜DD and theater references
💛Teen slow burn
💜The cutest cover (and it’s pink!)

I loved reading Riley and Nathan’s interactions. Even though this is a more teen YA than what I usually go for (characters are still in high school), I felt like I could connect with both characters and the plot.

This book also made me appreciate games like Dungeons and Dragons which was played out in such a way that I didn’t have to know much about the game beforehand to understand. It felt like combination of LOTR with Jumanji, as you feel immersed in the fantasy game within while you read the character’s dialogues. It was very lighthearted and the romance a slowburn. It was quite enjoyable 💕

I highly recommend if you’re looking for a light romance with a touch of cozy fantasy. 💛

Thank you @tbrbeyondtours and @kristylboyce for the opportunity to participate in this tour. For more information on the schedule for this tour, check the link in my profile to find out more.

#DungeonsAndDrama #TBRBeyondTours #KristyBoyce

Looking for a lighthearted, breezy book that’ll make you smile? Look no further! This book is simply adorable!

What I loved:
✨Fun romance tropes: Fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, and opposites-attract create swoon-worthy moments between Riley and Nathan. Riley struggles with fake dating when she realizes she's falling in love! I love how realistic these moments felt.
✨“Nerdy” hobbies you don’t typically see in YA novels: The worlds of musicals and gaming beautifully collide here. Riley captured my heart in the opening scene when she steals her mother’s car to see Waitress with her best friend. Riley doesn’t have a driver’s license (oops)! But I get it! Waitress was the last musical I saw before Covid 2020. 🤩 Nathan and his gaming friends embody true friendship; friends who constantly have each other’s backs!
✨Divorce kid/parent: A new representation for me. Boyce handles this dynamic with care, thoughtfulness, and realism.
✨Witty banter: oh my, did I laugh - the dialogue, the body language, the scenes!
✨Eva Kaminsky’s narration is quite perfect. She is the soul of Riley! Kaminsky delivers all the joy that Boyce pens in the novel!

Truthfully, my list of loves could go on. Overall, a fun and cute storyline with perfectly developed characters that will fill you with the joys of young love. I can't think of a single negative thing to say about this book!

thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

⭐️=3.25 | 😘=2 | 🤬=1 | 12/13+

summary: bickery coworkers at a board/card/video game store fake date to get the attention of non-love interest crushes/make exes jealous. will they fall in love?????

thoughts: if you think LARP-ing and D&D and drama kids belting show tunes at unsuspecting Denny’s waitstaff is cringe, you’ll probably think this is cringe. mostly it’s just cute and overall pretty okay! it’s dorky! and that’s the point! the MC is rather aggressively not like the other girls, but that’s become such a genre staple that I don’t care that much? it’s very silly––like at the end of the day none of the stakes or the drama or the romance was ever that serious for our girl Riley, but I still had fun! it’s still cute! good for them I guess!

Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce is an absolute rollercoaster of emotions and excitement! Set in the quirky world of a high school Dungeons & Dragons club, the story follows a group of misfit teens as they navigate the challenges of both the game and real life. Boyce skillfully weaves together the fantasy elements of the game with the drama of high school, creating a narrative that's both hilarious and heartwarming. The characters are relatable, each with their own unique quirks, and the witty dialogue adds a layer of charm to the entire experience. As a high schooler myself, I found the book to be a refreshing and enjoyable read, blending the magic of fantasy with the all-too-real struggles of adolescence.

What makes Dungeons and Drama stand out is its ability to capture the essence of friendship and self-discovery. The characters undergo personal growth throughout the story, and the bonds formed within the D&D group feel genuine. It's a tale of finding your tribe and embracing who you are, all while battling dragons (both in the game and in real life). Whether you're a seasoned D&D player or completely new to the world of tabletop gaming, this book offers a delightful journey that any high schooler can relate to and enjoy.