YA romance, forbidden romance, meddling grandmother, mutual pinning, no third act breakup, found family, D&D campaign

I LOVE Kristy Boyce. If she writes it I'm reading it. I screamed (internally) when I got the notification that I had been approved for an early read of this! I loved Dungeons and Drama, so I was so excited and a little nervous that it wouldn't live up to my expectations for it, but I had absolutely no reason to be anxious! Dating and Dragons blew every expectation I had out of the water and did so much better!

Quinn was such an amazing main character. After going through what she did at her old school, being alienated by the people she thought were her friends, she was still able to open herself up to a new friend group and play D&D again. That takes some serious bravery for anyone regardless of how old you are. Her anxieties of breaking up the friend group because of her feelings for Logan and doing something that would make her new friends dislike her is such a real fear. Kristy giving her characters such real, human struggles will forever be my favorite thing about her books.

Also, Logan being mean to Quinn because he likes her is such a teenage thing to do and I was laughing. I saw right through it.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House, and Delacorte Romance for an early read of this book. All thoughts are my own, I do not accept money for reviews.

I adored this YA read! Centered around the popular role-playing game “Dungeons and Dragons”, this sweet romance gave full fledged characters and outstanding chemistry between the high school love interests, but also the friendships the main character cultivated in her new town. And granny??? We love a sassy, loving grandma! A perfect little read that made my heart so happy ❤️

I loved "Dungeon and Drama" I read it twice this year! This one was great as great. I absolutely adored this. Boyce has done it again, another five star read. The banter is hilarious. I cannot get enough of Quinn's Grandma.
I don't know how, she writes teenagers so well. I really hope she continues this lineup because it would became an instant auto buy!

Thank you to Netgalley, Delacorte Press and Random House Children for the e-Arc of Dating and Dungeons by Kristy Boyce for exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! This book was a YA romance about a D&D group. The main character Quinn was very cute and fun to read form her perspective. Logan was adorable and this book was generally just a light, fun read. I really liked the D&D elements of this novel, I got lost when they were doing the campaign and it gave a very nostalgic vibe. Very nicely done.

*Thank you to Delacorte and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I'd argue that there was almost too much D&D in this one?? Bizarre coming from me. I loved the livestreaming angle, especially as a Critical Role fan. I just wanted to see more of Quinn and Logan falling for each other. But that being said, it was still super cute! I liked how tight-knit their gaming group became and how Kristy Boyce focused on Quinn's family. Her grandma easily steals the show and made me want to learn how to play pickleball. This is such a cute and sweet YA for gamers and normies alike.

Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce is a wonderfully wholesome story that captures the real struggles many young teen girls face. Such as first crushes, bullying, and the complexities of friendship.

Quinn's journey is heartfelt and relatable as she navigates the challenges of starting over in a new town and school. The way the D&D group becomes a safe space for her to find acceptance and build meaningful friendships adds a charming touch. This book beautifully balances light-hearted moments with important themes, making it a delightful read for anyone looking for a story about growth, belonging, and young love.

My favorite character has to be Quinn's grandmother, Barbara. Every time she appeared, I knew I was in for a good laugh with her witty remarks and quirky antics. Barbara's vibrant personality brought so much charm to the story, and I loved how she always knew how to lighten the mood. Of course, leave it to Grandma to step in as the ultimate matchmaker! Her playful meddling made the romantic moments even sweeter, and her presence added warmth and humor throughout the book.

This is definitely a great youth read

Book Name: Dating and Dragons
Author: Kristy L. Boyce

ARC
Thank you to Random House Children- Delacorte Romance and Netgalley for an ARC

Stars: 5
Spice : 0 (YA)

Anthology Style Series
Fast Paced
FMC POV
Contemporary YA Romance

- Thoughts.
- So much going on
- Eccentric FMC
- Crazy Beloved Grandma
- can't fight this feeling ANYMORE
- No Dating Rule
- some of the MMC’s lines feel very intense for a High Schooler… wish this was a college romance because of these lines
- The dynamics of the friend group were believable and fun
- Finding your people themes

<b>3.25 — 3.5 ★</b>
⊱ <i>young adult romance
⤿ arc review</i>
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖

: ̗̀➛ <b><u>i. the plot</b></u>

<i>quinn has just transferred to a new high school and is really eager to make some friends. she decides to join a dungeons & dragons group that not only streams their sessions online but also has some strict rules, including a no-dating policy among players. however, things get complicated when she finds herself attracted to a another player — logan weber, the cute charming guy she met of her first day. on top of that, some former friends from a previous campaign begin causing chaos. now, quinn has to navigate her feelings and decide where her true loyalties lie, both in the game and in her heart.</i>

<b>my thoughts</b> .𖥔 ݁ ˖ </b>┆ i’m gonna start with what’s “negative”. my main (and only) issue with this book is that there was a little too much happening for its length, which took away from us being able to see quinn and logan’s relationship grow. other than that i loved the plot, i just wish we had a it wasn’t as overly packed with plot lines.

· · ─── ·𖥸· ─── · ·

: ̗̀➛ <b><u>ii. characters</b></u>

⟢ <b>quinn</b> i really like her character, but there’s one issue: sometimes she seems a bit dull. i think it’s mainly because she lacks a lot of depth.

⟢ <b>logan</b> excuse me who gave him the right to be so perfect? he had no right. i was giggling and kicking my feet at everything this man said. no but in all seriousness i love him and his love for quinn is adorable

⟢ <b>kashvi, marc, sloane and sanjiv</b> i loved them all, just wasn’t as interested in them as the other characters. i loved the dynamic between quinn and the d&d group and the found family aspect

a little moment for paige. paige when i catch you paige. you better be sleeping with one eye open at night

· · ─── ·𖥸· ─── · ·

: ̗̀➛ <b><u>iii. the romance</b></u>
— <b>minor spoilers in quotes!</b>

⊹ <i>“what could he possibly say other than you’re gorgeous?”

⊹ “you’re addicting, quinn. i talk to you for a minute, and it makes me want to talk for an hour. i touch you for a second . . .” “and i’m going to want more.”

⊹ “then i’d have pressed you against that door and kissed you until the sun went down and i was your only source of heat.”

⊹ “i love her, and if you say she has to leave, then i’m leaving with her.”</i>

the romance had me smiling from ear to ear. their scenes together were the cutest, just one thing i didn’t love was the instant attraction they had for each other but that’s just a personal thing and you could still tell they genuinely loved each other

· · ─── ·𖥸· ─── · ·

<b>bottom line</b> if you’re in search of a cute young adult romance then i’d definitely recommend this book

dating and dragons - Arc Review

i absolutely loved Boyce’s first D&D themed read, and this one is no different. Quinn quickly became another soul character for me, i see so much of myself in her. as an avid D&D player and a lover of the color green, this series has completely stolen my heart. you absolutely do not need to read the first book in order to read this one, but you definitely should because it’s just as good - you also don’t need to have an understanding of D&D to enjoy or know what’s going on. Quinn’s quirky grandmother made me giggle often, and i loved the dynamic between the characters in Quinn’s friend group. i love reading YA for so many reasons, but the way they heal things that young haley needed ( and often still do ) is a big reason. Boyce uses so much wisdom to deal with the emotional fallout of a friendship breakup that felt like balm to my soul. i’m genuinely hoping that Boyce comes out with another D&D themed novel so that i can continue to combine two of my favorite hobbies together 💗

tropes 🎲
- YA romance
- found family
- enemies x lovers
- forbidden romance
- diverse characters

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5

Kristy Boyce writes the most adorable young adult romances out there. I was excited to read this book following Dungeons and Drama, and Dating and Dragons was even better. Boyce does such a great job creating groups of characters that feel very real and relatable.

The romance in this was straightforward, cute and the best kind of fluffy. Teenage me would have loved this book and its nerdy protagonists Quinn and Logan.

I hope more D&D-centric books are to come from Boyce because they’re simply so cute and make such fun reads.

after loving dungeons and drama, i was so excited for dating and dragons! this was such a fun experience to read, i couldn't stop giggling and smiling throughout. a highlight was all the dynamics between quinn's family and her new friend group- they all felt so genuine and i appreciate how the conflicts played out. compared to dungeons and drama, there was a lot more D&D in this book, which i liked- i wish the D&D story tied more into the plot, but i loved seeing quinn's dynamic with logan as they played. logan was so sweet and kind, i liked how their "enemies" to lovers played out, but i would have liked a little more "will they / won't they" versus the instant love that they seemed to have. i love how unabashedly nerdy this book is, and i'm happy that there's books like these that embrace all different sorts of hobbies.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the ARC!

Dating and Dragons is a delightful little young adult novel! It's swoon worthy, the characters are adorable, and although I don't know much about D & D, I loved it. This is perfect for readers middle school past middle age (haha). Dating and Dragons is a quick read, but one that it worth the time! I will be picking up Kristy Boyce's other standalone D & D romance as well. Well done!

In Dating and Dragons, Kristy L. Boyce delivers a wonderfully layered blend of romance, friendship, and the nerdy camaraderie of tabletop gaming that feels both authentic and refreshingly relatable. Following her bestselling Dungeons and Drama, Boyce once again gives readers a romance set against the world of D&D, but this time with high-stakes high school dynamics and the vulnerability of starting over.

Our protagonist, Quinn, is immediately endearing. Moving to a new school, she’s eager for a fresh start and connection, leading her to join an established D&D group with an unexpected twist: a no-dating rule among party members. This unique setup immediately sets up a fun, underlying tension—especially when Quinn’s character collides with a cute (and frustrating) player whose chemistry with her is undeniable. But what could have been a light romantic subplot gains depth as Boyce introduces Quinn’s complicated past, with old friends resurfacing and testing her sense of belonging and loyalty in ways that resonate beyond the game.

Boyce’s writing is witty and packed with warmth. She captures the joy, tension, and sometimes clumsy efforts of teenage relationships while honoring the vibrant world of gaming culture. The balance between humor and heart in Dating and Dragons makes for an engaging read, and Boyce gives weight to Quinn’s character growth, showing her journey of self-discovery as she navigates friendship, first loves, and the courage to stand her ground.

Overall, Dating and Dragons is both fun and heartfelt, exploring the intricacies of friendship and love with the bonus of an immersive, geeky backdrop. It’s perfect for fans of romantic comedies, tabletop gaming, and anyone who remembers the thrill (and awkwardness) of finding your people. Boyce has once again delivered a charming and insightful story that’s sure to win readers over.

This is such a cute book! I started and finished reading it in one sitting. Quinn's dilemma of not wanting to break up the friend group by dating a fellow player is such a relatable quandary for anyone who games with friends or just has a really close friend group. I enjoyed how Boyce dived a bit more into the actual D&D games with this book - it was a lovely nod to the fans. I also appreciated how she didn't lean too much into the miscommunication trope; the MC and her love interest communicated with one another far sooner than I had honestly expected, which then perfectly set up the do-we-or-don't-we slow burn romance. Overall, I really enjoyed Dating & Dragons and hope to read more D&D-inspired books from Boyce in the future!

A big thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC.

This is one of the sweetest little romances and as a girl who once played and loved DnD it really took me back to that magical time in my life. I adored the romance and craved the story. It's a special book and I'd recommend to anyone looking for a YA romance with a DnD or similar gaming interest. The characters are well developed and I love seeing how their stories unfold.

I LOVED this book! I started it late at night read the first chapter and then when I woke up I read it all day to finish it. I really enjoyed Quinn's character and thought that she was very age appropriate with her feelings, actions, emotions, etc. And Logan was really swoony for a high schooler...almost too swoony with some of the things he said...like a really young Mr. Darcy. I enjoyed it being based around a D&D group and gaming in general. I thought all the "drama" was very believable for YA.

The best part of the book for me was the grandmother! Barbara was hilarious! The scenes with her were my favorite and honestly why I'm giving the book 5 stars. That's how great of a character she is in the book.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce is a lighthearted romance that combines the thrill of tabletop gaming with the turmoil of high school. The narrative follows Quinn Norton as she makes her way through a new school and tries to fit in with a D&D group. Boyce immediately conveys the clumsiness of fresh starts and the excitement of entering a world where strategy and imagination clash.

Anyone who has ever used a hobby to meet new people will find Quinn's character immediately sympathetic. Her interactions with the gang, especially her relationship with Logan Weber, give the story more nuance. Their conversations are humorous and tense since Logan is initially the endearing, enigmatic man who soon becomes unbearable. The D&D group's rules, which forbid dating, provide the backdrop for some amusing and ingenious banter that propels the narrative along. Boyce finds the ideal balance between lighthearted competitiveness and emotional attachment as Quinn and Logan's relationship develops.

Boyce's ability to both capture the spirit of gaming culture and make it understandable to readers who may not be familiar with D&D is what truly makes Dating and Dragons stand out. The similarities between the in-game experiences and real-life difficulties give the plot an interesting depth, and the game itself becomes a metaphor for life's uncertainties—rolling the dice and hoping for the best. The plot moves along steadily because of the humor and the underlying love tension.

All things considered, Dating and Dragons is a fun book that combines sentimental moments with nerdy appeal. Readers who enjoy character-driven novels with a hint of fantasy, humor, and romance will adore it. A must-read for anybody who appreciates a new, contemporary take on high school romance, Boyce has created an engaging and accessible romance that will appeal to both gamers and non-gamers.

As a D&D player, I was morally obligated to read this. And also, that cover is just so cute ❤️

Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Dating and Dragons follows Quinn starting at a new high school halfway through her junior year. Hoping to make some friends, she joins a D&D group that takes D&D... very seriously. There's some rules she needs to follow if she wants to play. No distractions. No side conversations. No phones. And most importantly, no dating other players.

Listen, I will scream it from the rooftops. The grandma was the best part of this book. Barbara Clarice Norton is who I aspire to be. Watch out because I'll be playing pickleball while trying to set up my granddaughter with the farmer's son in the near future.

Even though I mostly enjoyed it, I found this book to be unnecessarily dramatic while also not being dramatic enough. But I guess that's what being a 16-year-old is all about. The "no dating other players" rule was a large part of the romance, but it just didn't feel that deep to me. (Maybe because I'm the big age of 25.) It was like, "this is tearing me apart, I want to be with you so much... If only we didn't have this stupid rule that no one actually cares about!"

The much more interesting roadblock to Quinn and Logan's relationship was the events surrounding her past D&D group (no spoilers). So, thinking about being in a relationship with one of the players in her new group comes with it's own connotations. Especially as she just moved here and doesn't have many friends. That felt like the much more realistic reason to not date a player.

I just can never imagine 16-year-olds saying anything remotely mature. I remember being 16. I wouldn't have been caught dead being mature. I mean, I sure thought I was at the time, but no, teenage Jackie was operating on an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex. I mean, saying things like "I'd have pressed you against that door and kissed you until the sun went down and I was your only source of heat"? No, sorry, a 16-year-old boy did not say that.

Overall, Dating and Dragons was an easy, cute read. However, I just wanted a little bit more out of it, especially those D&D scenes. Because they took the game so seriously, we couldn't have much fun banter or character growth when they played, which was a bummer. I was originally gonna give it 3 ⭐️ but it got an extra half a star because the ending was really cute and had me smiling from ear to ear.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children's for providing me early access to Dating and Dragons in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Pre-read:
A D&D themed romance??? You best believe I swooped at the chance to get this on NetGalley. It’s my lucky day.

this was so damn cute. I’m not usually one for slow burns but this one works SO WELL and honestly the tension and chemistry was perfection. I would compete against Quinn any day for Logan because he is EVERYTHING. He is a full on goner for Quinn and his jealous and protectiveness moments 🥵 I love him. I love him. I love him.

Add to that the amazing cast of characters and there’s so much to swoon about here. I love the nerdy D&D background and scenes, it really feel like the game comes to life and I love how passionate the author is about the game and community.

As with her debut, this book is quirky and funny, lighthearted and sweet, and Quinn as the FMC is such a gem. She’s relatable and scrappy, but also so heartwarming with how she cares about those around her. You can’t help but just feel giddy and positive reading these books and I hope Boyce keeps writing more of them.

Is there a huge emotional driver or deep cut? No, and that’s ok because this is a perfectly good time on its own and so easy to get sucked into. 4.5 stars, thank you so much Penguin Random House for my galley!

I was really excited to get this ARC and it was a pretty good read. This felt a little more YA than Dungeons and Drama and definitely more friends to lovers than enemies to lovers. The slow-burn burned looong. But it was really cute and low stakes.

I loved how well the main characters communicated. I also have never played DND and I love that she didn’t make it over complicated where we couldn’t follow but she also didn’t over explain. This series would be great for teens or preteens too.

I met Kristy Boyce at RomCon this summer and am excited to read more from this series.