Thank you to Random House Publishing Group/Dell, and Netgalley for the gifted eARC! I always appreciate the opportunity to read and review early.

Roll for Romance intrigued me immediately as a D&D player and dungeon master with 8 years of adventuring experience, and as someone that met my wife through the game! I have tried books in this D&D / TTRPG subgenre of Romance before, and I have never quite found a story that I felt represented the game in the way that I needed it to - until now. Roll for Romance is a true love letter to the game and everything that comes with sitting down at the game table with an open heart and open mind.

I absolutely loved the structure of this story, the way Lenora Woods used not just the fantasy story within the D&D games (and I LOVED the D&D game scenes) but other aspects of the D&D experience to build the relationship between our main characters - a strong example being the between-game RP chats. These chats are a low-key/unspoken and sometimes vulnerable piece of the D&D experience. They're not necessarily universal but very important to those that do indulge in them, and I was so touched to see them portrayed here in such an impactful way. She is so masterful at portraying how D&D characters have a piece of their player at their core; whether that piece is their fear, their hopes, or their flaws, there is always something deeply personal about a D&D character. As a result, this story did such a wonderful job at portraying how two characters interacting within this fantasy world, both at the game table and in private, can help their players get to know each other better and allow them to say things they may not be brave enough to say in the real world.

As a small note, I also really appreciated how little focus was put on the fact that this is a table of beginners - sometimes the "struggle" of learning the game is funny in real life, and it's definitely realistic, but in these books it's not quite as enjoyable to experience. The focus was on the story the table was telling together, rather than the mechanics, and I can't express how much of a relief that was!

I loved both our main characters, as well as the rest of the game table. This opposites attract trope is always fun, but I love that at their core they both were adrift in their own ways. I adored the way they found comfort and peace in each other both in-game and in real life - the way Sadie's character would get scared or nervous and Noah's would comfort her mirrored the dynamic forming in real life?? true romance. I was swooning.

There's so much I could say about this book and the way it captures such an intimate and vulnerable part of Dungeons and Dragons. I can tell this author has so much love for this experience that comes from playing the game with the goal to connect with others and tell a story together. This is such a wonderful representation of the game and the bonds that are forged between everyone at the table, not just the romantic leads. I can't wait to see this adventure continue and the found-family around the table grow and strengthen!

I rated Roll for Romance 5 stars (I'd give it more if I could). I do feel that you will enjoy this reading experience more if you have some measure of exposure to D&D beforehand - whether through firsthand experience or liveplays such as Dimension 20, Adventure Zone (I caught that easter egg!), Critical Role, etc. But if you've ever experienced that magic of telling a story with your friends, or watching others do so, you'll love this book.

This was so different from anything I’ve read before, it made it really fun!

Sadie is burnt out from corporate life, she ends up moving to Texas to join her best friends D&D campaign. I love that there was real life romance, mixed in with the romance between their game characters. Noah was so sweet, giving Sadie the support she needed.

This was a cute and fun read, I definitely recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

This book mastered balance. The balance between light hearted moments and those that gave the characters depth were well done. The balance between the characters doing what’s best for them and taking care of their community was well done. The balance between the real world and the beautifully written DnD moments were well done. Very well done.

Happy to say this story gave me nerdy warm fuzzies! My favorite thing about this book was the switching of perspectives from game to real life. The romance between the main characters, Sadie and Noah was very sweet and genuine. And I loved how open and mature their relationship was; something different from the usual miscommunication tropes you tend to always see. If you love romance and D&D, this is for you!

When Sadie loses her high-stress marketing job in NYC, it sparks a full-blown existential crisis. To regroup, she moves in with her best friend in a small Texas town, hoping to rediscover herself and figure out her next steps. She ends up joining her friend’s summer D&D campaign, where she meets Noah—a nomadic bartender helping a friend open a local brewery. There’s instant chemistry between them, both in real life and in the D&D world.

This was a cute contemporary romance with a fun twist. It’s not just about Sadie and Noah falling for each other in real life, but also about their in-game characters and the fantasy campaign they’re part of.

I enjoyed both sides of the story. The contemporary romance was sweet and charming, and I also really liked the fantasy story line with their chosen characters interacting in a different context. That said, I almost wish they’d been two separate books—each story felt strong enough to stand on its own, and separating them might have allowed for deeper character development and progression. At times, switching between the real world and the fantasy campaign was a bit jarring, especially for my ADHD brain.

Overall, it’s a creative and endearing story told in a unique way. While I’m not sure I was the perfect reader for this one, I know there are plenty of readers who will absolutely love it!

I read a copy of this as an ARC from NetGalley.

How does a book go from being a top contender for cozy contemporary romance to a hate read?
The reveal shows a shallowness and one-note character, and MMC is almost too golden retriever van life bro.

Spoilers Ahead.... Be warned, all who read here.'
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The big deal is that the FMC has burnout, hates her job, and decides to be an artist. The MMC is a vagabond because his Ex broke up with him, and he refuses to be cookie-cutter like she accused him of being. So essentially, these two perfect for therapy people find each other and live happily ever after, paycheck to paycheck,
all this is of course revealed in the last 60% making me rage read cause how did she go from endearing cozy and sweet to I just got tired and decided to not go back to work and got fired woe is me BS..... GRRRRRR

This was a cute story but I felt like the fantasy aspect kept taking me out of it sometimes. While you can read this without ever having played DD (like me) I felt like I would have enjoyed it more if I knew more.
I gave it a higher rating because both characters were compelling and sweet. They had good communication and kept me invested in the story.

This was such a cute and refreshing read! I'm newer to contemporary romances (I read mostly fantasy romance) and with this bring based around D&D?!?!? It was a perfect balance between the irl relationship and the in game. Everything about this book just makes me so happy!

When I received a publisher email that I was pre-approved for this book on NetGalley, I read its summary and immediately thought this wasn’t for me. I ended up trying it anyway and loved it! Just this year I started becoming more interested in fantasy and this was just enough for me that I could still track. I’ve never played Dungeons and Dragons - so perhaps the chapters when they were playing weren’t as exciting for me. I couldn’t wait for the actual interactions between Sadie and Noah! Does this mean that Lenora Woods is not an absolute genius for coming up with such a cool story idea? Absolutely not. Because she is an amazing writer - Sadie and Noah had an organic and effortlessly believable love story. The more I read, the more I was convinced that this was a realistic, everyday love story.
The story follows Sadie who just got fired from her NYC job. She takes a break in small-town Texas where her best friend lets her stay with him at the cost of playing D&D with him and a few others. Noah is the cool bartender, also from out of town, who joins in Liam’s D&D group. Their love story is both in the game and outside of it, which I loved! Noah helps ground Sadie and they complement each other so well. I also loved Sadie’s found family. This was a lovely read and I look forward to reading more by this author!

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House who provided this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expect this book on shelves when it’s published on July 15, 2025!

I think Lenora Woods sums up this book best in the Reader’s Guide at the end, where she discusses how we are all playing different roles and says “at its heart, this book is about discovering who we are under earth all the roles we play.”

The parts I loved the most in the book are when Sadie discusses her departure from her previous job, which is the catalyst for where the story starts. The feelings she felt toward work, and the loss of identity is so poignant to me because of what I’ve been through recently.

I love the premise of D&D as a major plot point. I was taught how to play D&D as a young child by my father, so a little bit of nostalgia for me. I did have a little bit of a struggle following who was each character when it would flip to the campaign narrative. I also wish there were more in between moments where the actual game is discussed like rolling for initiative. I struggled to believe that this group of newbies went through this complicated of a campaign.

The romance was mainly believable, but would have loved more time spent in the “real” world for their character development. At times I didn’t feel like I knew Noah enough.

Overall a quick, fun read with a connection to D&D for those geeky girls like myself out there.

This book offers a cozy blend of romance and geeky charm, Sadie and Noah's relationship blooms both in real life and through their Dungeons & Dragons alter egos, creating a dual-layered romance that’s endearing and fun.

The D&D storyline adds a whimsical twist that helps set this book apart from more traditional rom-coms. It’s easy to root for Sadie and Noah as they navigate real-world uncertainties and in-game quests. The setting—a small Texas town filled with warmth and quirky side characters—makes for a pleasant summer backdrop.

That said, the plot sometimes feels predictable, and the emotional stakes don’t quite hit as hard as they could. Sadie’s personal growth arc, especially regarding her career and self-worth, is touched on but never fully explored. Similarly, Noah’s hesitancy to stay put could have used more depth to feel truly earned.

Overall, it’s a light, sweet read perfect for fans of low-stakes romance with a nerdy twist. While it may not linger long after the final page, it’s still an enjoyable journey for those looking for a feel-good story with a dash of fantasy flair.

4.5 stars. This was such a cute and perfect blend of contemporary romance and fantasy. It’s about a woman, Sadie, who burns out at a toxic NYC job and temporarily moves to a small Texas town, staying with her long time friend. There she makes friends—playing DND—and meets a hottie, where the romance blossoms of course.

Interestingly, I didn’t request this book and it landed in my lap at such a fortuitous time. I relate with Sadie and the battles she faces on such a personal level, experiencing burnout myself and trying to figure out my next path in life. If you’re looking for a light romance, mixed with a bit of nerdy fantasy, I highly recommend this one!

Whether you have played DND before or not, this is a fantastic book to read! The story bounces between being a straightforward romance novel and being a fantasy story. The DND part of the story is told wonderfully so that the reader doesn’t have to read about the slow and more boring aspects of how to play the game, but someone who has played the game can understand what is happening at the actual game table.

If you enjoy Ali Hazelwood and Emily Henry books then this book should be on your TBR. It was such a sweet romance that I truly enjoyed watching play out. I hope that the author writes more books in this style. I will read every single one of them.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC of this book.

this was fine just not really my thing!! would absolutely recommend. love the cover first of all, but also really enjoyed the healthy communication between the characters and also the incorporation of side characters. it had banter and fun and was so bingeable and is overall a fun idea for a book, i just don't think i'm really the target audience here.

thank you to netgalley & random house publishing for the arc! all opinions are my own <3

I need more D&D related romances in my life. I freaking LOVED Roll For Romance. It felt like a unique take on writing a D&D themed book. I absolutely loved that we got both stories, in game and out. I fell in love with Sadie and Noah as well as Jaylie and Loren. I’m so invested in the campaign that I also need to know what comes next for the crew. I would not complain at all if Liam’s romance story was written next. 👀👀 In part so I can get more of the campaign. I can absolutely see myself reading this book again, and if Lenora decides to have it turned into an audiobook, I will be listening. COUGH COUGH.

If you love romance and D&D, you’ll enjoy this book. Definitely recommend!!

No spoiler arc review:

I have to say nerd romance is my fave. As a lifelong nerd who loves all things comics, fantasy, and make believe this book made me so happy. I haven’t played DnD but I want to!! Idk how people are able to get adults together consistently every week but this book made me want to play even more. My heart broke for the FMC because I’ve also had bad experiences with work and know it drains you and makes you question your worth. But I loved that she had a soft place to land with her friends, even if it was tough for her to accept help. This book had so much heart and swoon worthy moments. If you enjoyed This Will Be Fun, you will love this book. Highly recommend!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc! This book was adorable and I really loved the way we were involved in the actual D&D campaign and not just the main story. It was fun watching it all come together and I really appreciate that. D&D books are far and few between so this is a gem! Very powerful storytelling between two completely different worlds, and making the DND world come to life. Definitely recommend for a cute pallet cleanser quick read 🩵

This book was such a cozy romance. It’s the first book I’ve ever read that incorporated the D&D game. The story follows Sadie as she makes new life decisions while also learning and playing her first D&D game. I really enjoyed how the story split into two stories, Sadie’s life and the D&D game. I hope for another D&D story with all the characters.

Absolutely LOVED this book. I've read a few DnD romances before but they were more YA, this is definitely more adult! This book was also very timely for me. A bunch of my friends just recently decided we want to learn how to play DnD and our partners were more than ecstatic to teach us! I love how through out the book, we get to see the story of their game. However, sometimes I did skim through it because I was more invested in the actual story. I also wish our sessions were that clearcut on the story. For beginners, it was very flushed out. That could also be because of Liam, the stellar DM. Overall, I really liked this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this so much! I loved all the characters and their relationships with each other in real life and in the game. This is definitely a group of friends I would love to have in real life. What caught my attention, though, was the D&D game itself. I loved how descriptive this author was with the characters and the world. I actually loved reading about the D&D world, and I looked forward to the Sunday games like I was the one playing!
The only thing I couldn't get into really, was their private game chats. It just was a bit 'cringy' for me, but other than I really loved this book.