I adored this YA rom-com! As soon as I read the title, I new this was one to check out. As a gamer and former theater kid, this one really struck a chord with me. This was a book that I wish I had had in my teenage years as I loved the themes around sticking true to yourself and finding others who treat you well and enjoy similar interests. This was such a feel good story and I found myself chuckling the whole way through.

This was a bit on the younger side of way for me, which has more to do with me than the book, but it's something to keep in mind for potential readers. Overall, this was super cute and I can't wait to buy a copy for my personal library.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It's been a long time since I read a YA novel that felt perfect from beginning to end, but Dungeons and Drama is it! This book has everything I want in a YA romance: realistically flawed teens dealing with typical teen problems, involved parents, a school musical, a school dance, and a (fake) relationship that gets started at work. The kind of low-stakes problems addressed in this book are much more relatable than some of the really dramatic issues that sometimes pop up in YA. Therse characters felt like people I could easily know in real life, and their story reminded me of my own teen years as well. Reading this was a delight!

3.5 rounded up to 4

This book was super cute!! It was a light and fluffy ya romance, which I really loved. I think it was on the younger side of ya for me, it was something I probably would have liked a little more a few years ago. I did still like it, especially the found family aspect with the friends, but it felt too childish at moments, unlike how most teenagers would normally act.

5/5 or 9.29/10

Characters-10

The characters in this book feel like they were created with me in mind. As a fan of both Musical Theater and DND, I was drawn into the characters early in the story. I loved Riley and her passion for musical theater. While I found DND later in life, I did love the DND vibes of this book a lot. I loved the friendship in this book. I feel that Riley joined the DND game and started working at her dad’s store just in time because she gained more people to care about her.

Atmosphere-9

I really enjoyed the atmosphere in this book. I’ve never been to Ohio, but I really loved how we saw different locations around the town. I loved seeing different areas of the game store and how much time we spent in the choir and music rooms.

Writing-9

This was my first book from the author, and I enjoyed the writing. When you write a story with different hobbies, you need to find the balance of enough references to when someone is a fan or has the same hobby as the character and has enough knowledge to understand some terms and references. Also, if you get too deep, or use references, a reader who doesn’t have the same knowledge can understand. This book does a perfect job of weaving references for fans of musicals and DND, while someone who doesn’t have the same knowledge could still enjoy the story. The writing style also works very well for the book.

Plot-10

I loved the story in this. Fake dating is a trope I love in romance, and when done well, you can see the characters developing feelings for each other, and I definitely saw it in this book. I loved how much music and theater were a part of this plot, and how many musicals and songs from musicals were referenced throughout the story. DND was the other side of the story, and I loved the story within the story of this book. When you play DND, you become close with your part throughout the game, and out of the game, and this was definitely seen throughout the story. I definitely felt like I was playing along with them throughout this story.

Intrigue-9

This was an interesting book. It held my attention because I wanted to see where the story was going to go, and I wanted to see when the musical theater reference would happen. Also, I wanted to see how the story was going to wrap up, and was curious to if I was correct in my guesses.

Logic-9

I followed the logic in this story. I felt the character’s actions, relationships, and plot points were described well.

Enjoyment-9

I loved this story! I loved the characters, references, and plot. I will definitely check out more from the author.

Riley's love for musical theater gets her into hot water after a series of bad decisions, including "borrowing" her mom's car...without asking permission and without a license. Her punishment? Working afterschool at her Dad's board game shop.
Riley's life is further complicated by her ex-boyfriend-- who dumped her for his summer theater co-star in the play in which Riley wasn't even cast-- stops by the game shop with his new girl, flaunting his relationship and giving her pity-eyes. In another moment of weakness, Riley pretends to be dating her co-worker, and afterschool nemesis, Nathan. Nathan agrees to her fake dating plan, as it makes his own love interest jealous to see him flirting with Riley. Cue Rom-Com drama and hijinks!
Dungeons and Drama is full of our favorite rom-com-esque tropes: fake dating, enemies to love interests, and save the day stakes. Kristy Boyce has crafted a delightful YA romantic comedy (fingers crossed for a big screen adaptation!) with board games, musical theater, and even a dance number.
Although there are lots of great rom-com moments, there are quieter moments in between that serve to develop the characters and show how broad their worlds are. The friendships among the two friend groups are wonderful to see-- watching Riley balance her pyramid of lies but still prioritize her friends makes her relatable and likable.
Dungeons includes realistic high school life portrayal-- teens going to class, dealing with homework, stressing over the potential cancellation of the spring musical. Boyce shows how full teenage lives are, without pandering or over-exaggerating. There are plenty slice-of-life moments to balance out the zanier mischief that Riley gets up to.
Boyce doesn't shy away from hard discussions, either. Riley's home life explores varying family dynamics in a healthy and realistic way. Watching Riley navigate her changing family relationships could be healing and helpful for readers of many ages.
"Nerd culture" -- as in, Dungeons and Dragons, IRL costumes and role playing, board games, collecting figurines and dice-- all aspects are shown as the fun special interests they are, and aren't played up or down for humor. People like what they like, and sometimes giving an activity a second chance can heal relationships or just offer some fun. There are still some fun fish out of water moments for our main drama queen, but watching Riley dive into new areas is delightful and fun.
This book is full of silliness and flirting and board games and humor and heart. There's romance, there's comedy, there's friendship and family and love. And in the midst of it all is one funny girl, finding her way and forging the path for who she wants to be.
Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce is available now.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and RandomHouse Children's for an e-ARC such that I could share my honest opinion!

This is one of those utterly charming reads that I will recommend until I’m blue in the face. We begin the story with Riley, a theater kid who borrowed her mom’s car to see a show and gets caught. Her punishment? Working at her dad’s game shop. To make things worse, her high school is cutting funding for the arts and theater is one of them. Things aren’t looking too good until she gets the idea to pitch a low-budget performance to her school’s committee. It’s not going to be easy but is life ever easy especially when your parents are divorced and you seem to have nothing in common with your dad? Oh, but let’s throw in an arrogant ex-boyfriend who won’t leave you alone. Riley has had enough and in a desperate attempt to show up her ex, Riley tells him she has a new boyfriend, a (fake) boyfriend who happens to be Nathan, an employee at the game shop, and a total dork.

I know a lot is going on in this book. Fake dating, estranged parents, etc but it’s sure enough to keep a reader entertained. I frequent my local comic/game shop, so I loved the setting. I also love how Riley finds parallels with D&D and musical theater and uses that to make her dream come true. The romance was also cute.

This is a great book if you are looking for something light and funny. I’ll be reading more from this author in the future.

4.5

I ADORED this sweet nerdy ya rom-com! If you're like me and have a secret nerd side, then this is the book for you. Not only are the characters and romance adorable, but the entire story is about being true to yourself and finding others who enjoy the same things you do. They accept you for who you are and don't want you to change. In a world that is constantly telling you who should be, it is wonderful to read a story that encourages you to be comfortable with who you are.

Riley is really into theatre and has big dreams of becoming a famous director. Unfortunatly her school's Spring Musical has been cancelled due to budget cuts. One way or another Riley must save the musical even if it means going behind her parents back when she's supposed to be focused on working at her dad's gaming store. As punishment for "borrowing' her mother's car without permission Riley is supposed to be working there after school for the next 8 weeks. Also working at the store with Riley is her classmate Nathan who is a gamer nerd. When Riley's ex boyfriend comes into the shop one day with his new girlfriend, to save face Riley blurts out that she is dating Nathan. He decides to go along with it in hopes that it will help get his crush's attention. Turns out fake flirting doesn't require much faking. I really loved all of the characters, and the relationships that Riley has with her friends, her parents, and Nathan. I thought this was a super cute YA rom-com. Also, can we just take a moment to appreciate how cute the cover of this book is?! Thank you to NetGally and Kristy Boyce for an advanced copy of this book!

My face hurts from smiling at this book.

As an avid nerd, board gamer and DND player I enjoyed the interactions between all the characters. It made me feel like I was at the table having fun with all of them. Riley and Nathan pitch the enemies to fake dating to friends to lovers so well. There were so many dynamic relationships this book explored but nothing felt rushed or like it got too much attention.

Overall a very fun read with a memorable cast and plenty of tabletop chatter.

This was a new to me author & it won’t be the last! This book was so fun and sweet! I really adored Riley and Nathan! They were so cute! The slow burn between them was worth the cuteness! I also enjoyed Riley getting a better relationship with her dad. She ends up having to work at his gaming store bc of taking her mom’s car to a musical without a license. Riley and Nathan end up fake dating since Nathan wants to get another girl and Riley wants her ex to leave her alone. They have a great dynamic! Plus when Riley starts playing D&D! Seriously such a cute book! I highly recommend reading this one!

Such a cute YA romance! The characters were enjoyable, the tropes were not overdone but a lot were captured in this one, and the board game/DnD story line intertwined with the realistic plot line about saving the Spring Musical made this book even more enjoyable. The found family that Riley found while working at her dad’s Game Shop was adorable and I loved watching them banter and become closer as a group. I don’t know much about the game / DnD world, but this book did not have too many references or anything that would make it confusing for someone who was not familiar with this hobby. The musical plot line was much more my speed, and having a school that can’t afford to provide extracurricular activities like Musicals is something a lot of kids struggle with, it’s relatable and heartwarming to see how passionate these characters are. The book was also funny and just a feel good time, highly recommend if you’re into YA and need a great read for any time!

Read if you like:
- Musical Theatre
- Dungeons and Dragons
- Board Games
- Card Games
- Fake Dating
- Opposites Attract
- Young Adult
- High School Romance

Fake dating is definitely one of my favorite tropes, and Dungeons and Drama does it beautifully.
Between the fake flirting, and forced proximity at work Nathan and Riley are bound to fall for each other. However, that is not their whole story. Throughout the book, Nathan learns to not judge someone or something by his first impression, and Riley learns that other’s hobbies can bring as much joy as acting and theater does for her.

Ultimately, these characters grow together, and this growth allows them to have respect and love for one another.

Thank you Netgalley, Random House Children's, and PRH for the ARC of this book, I cannot wait to suggest this to my romance loving patrons.
4.5 stars

honestly this was just plain cute. it didn't have a lot of heavy topics or anything that would be earth shattering in it, but it truly gives you heart eyes from page one. This is a perfect young adult book that i will definitely be recommending.

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.