A fun dual story split between a newbie D&D campaign and one of the players. Sadie is staying Roth long time best friend Liam in TX as she figures out what to do next. Liam brings together a few people and begins the campaign as DM. I enjoyed the story very much. While we follow the campaign, there is no game play, just the campaign as a secondary narrative.

This book is very cute, especially if you are into D&D. I did have a hard time with keeping the storylines seperate. I felt like we barely got introductions to the game characters.

Set in Heller, Texas, a small town near Austin, Sadie spends the summer with her best friend Liam after losing her job. She joins his weekly D&D group for beginners, meeting new in town Noah. Having never had the chance to play D&D, I really enjoyed the D&D storyline! I learned a ton about the game and hope to get the chance to play myself. I also loved seeing Loren and Jaylie's interactions as part of Noah and Sadie's love story!

🎲 Slow burn
🎲 Marketing / artist heroine
🎲 Golden retriever bartender hero
🎲 Small town charm (including Alchemist Brewing and Bluebonnet Books)
🎲 Found family
🎲 Identity and burnout
🎲 Low stress, fun read

4.5 / 5 stars

Open door / spicy

Thanks to Netgalley and Megan Whalen of Penguin Random House for this eARC!

🎲✨ Roll for Romance ✨🎲

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Nat 20 on the romance roll!)

If you love small town charm, nerdy romance, and a sweet bard who can strum his way right into your heart, Roll for Romance is an absolute must read!

When Sadie Brooks’ life takes an unexpected turn, she retreats to Texas, where a D&D campaign with her best friend becomes the perfect distraction. Enter Noah Walker, the charismatic bartender turned adventurous bard, who is just as charming in real life as his in game persona. As their characters fall for each other in the game, the real world tension builds, and let me tell you—the chemistry is 🔥🔥🔥.

This book is THE perfect blend of romance, found family, and the magic of storytelling. Sadie’s journey is heartfelt and relatable, and Noah? Certified Book Boyfriend Material™. But will she follow her career back to NYC, or stay and take a chance on love? I absolutely loved this book and I think you will too!

If you love:
🎲 Dungeons & Dragons vibes
💕 Slow burn tension with all the flirty banter
🏡 Small town romance with big heart
🎶 A bard who steals hearts AND sings? PERFECTION

Thank you to NetGalley, Lenora Woods, and Dell for the eARC of this book.

This book felt completely like whiplash & I was struggling to follow the parallel plot lines. A bit more introduction to the fantasy thread would have been much more helpful - it was unclear how to keep them straight when the characters weren’t introduced!

Lenora Woods has officially decided my fate. Like Hansel and Gretal being tempted to the candy cottage I’m absolutely enamored with the lighthearted romantasy that is Roll for Romance.
Whether it was the Priestess of Luck and the charming bard or Sadie and Noah I never wanted the story to end.
Experiencing my own burnouts countless times in my life the way they are portrayed is beyond relatable, it’s like Lenora reached into an old memory of mine, plucked it out and wrote it down. I cried feeling seen, feeling like I wasn’t alone.
Between the tears, the laughs, the gasps and the constant need to swoon, I’d read this again in a heart beat! I can’t wait for the physical release because this will be a comfort read for years to come!

Kicking my feet giggling the whole book! Roll For Romance follows two new friends who meet when a mutual friend of theirs starts a D&D campaign for new players. Lenora perfectly balances the romance and the fantasy of the campaign running in real time alongside the main characters. Noah is also perfectly a golden retriever boyfriend and I adore him so much!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Dell Romance for the ARC! I’ve already been recommending this book to literally everyone I possibly can.

Love this cute debut by Lenora Woods! If you are into all things adventurous, mythical, and romantic, this is the book for you! Noah was an absolute delight, I loved that burly softy so much. He was humerous, sexy, and a true supportive king. Sadie’s journey was fun to watch, and she was so relatable, especially to many younger adults just trying to figure their lives out. This book was high in romantic tension and adventures, low in spice but it was the perfect amount of these characters. I hope Liam gets a book next!

Sadie is taking refuge from NYC for the summer and spending time with her best friend in Texas. Liam knows Sadie is having a hard time and comes up with little tasks for her to do to get out of the house and meet new people. Sadie even agrees to join his Dungeons & Dragons game. Also joining is Noah, a friendly and nomadic bartender. Sadie and Noah find themselves connecting in D&D and in the real world.

Well, this was adorable. Super cozy and low-angst. I do not know anything about Dungeons & Dragons so I was less engaged in that plot line but appreciated how it was incorporated (and was happy to learn more about the game and the concepts). The characters are all easy to like and Sadie and Noah have nice friendship and romantic chemistry. Recommended to anyone looking for a drama-free, fun romance. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

I would like to preface this review by saying I usually don't read anything romantic.
On a spiciness scale it's about a 3/5

For those like me who aren't used to romance:
Very slow and with subtle flirts here and there. About 60% through it gets real spicy like a Nat Crit on a D20, then goes back to normal.

It was a very interesting read blending world building, romance, and the everyday life of a women finding herself in a rural town in Texas, with some fantasy story telling of D&D, with some witty easter eggs or jokes that are explained earlier during the fantasy settings so everyone will understand. It reads well for those with any experience with D&D or none and really built a connection to the main cast with some minor cliches, but not to the point of being larger than life.

I absolutely loved this and ate it right up! Cute and genuine! I loved this couple! I've, personally, have always been curious about DnD so this was such a happy find and was super satisfying to read. Looking forward to future releases from the author.

Omg I could not get enough of this!!! D&D + romance best book ever ❤️ I loved the character along with their D&D character!! I wished there was more I didn't want the book to end. It was such an amazing read. I hope more books are made with them even if it's short stories

🎲 Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods: A Quest for Love, Laughter, and Dice Rolls! 💖

If you’re in the mood for a book that’s as cozy as a campfire and as delightful as a critical hit, then Roll for Romance is your next read! 🎲💫 Lenora Woods crafts a story that combines the charm of small-town Texas with the magic of D&D, all wrapped up in a slow-burn romance that’s got more chemistry than a fireball spell.

Sadie Brooks thought her life was rolled out in New York, but after losing her dream job, she heads back to Texas to stay with her childhood friend, Liam. But Liam’s got more than just healing potions for Sadie—he invites her into a weekly D&D campaign where she’ll find more than just a new hobby; she’ll find herself, new friends, and maybe even a love story worthy of a critical success.

Woods does an incredible job of blending the thrill of the game with real-world relationships. You can practically hear the clatter of dice and feel the party dynamic between Sadie and the rest of the group. The banter, the inside jokes, and the chaos that can only come from a group of friends playing D&D are all so well done, it feels like you’re right there at the table, rolling for initiative. 😄

The romance between Sadie and Noah is a slow burn, but one that keeps you coming back for more. Their connection is so genuine, and while there’s a lack of high-stakes drama—perfect for those looking for a low-stress read—their journey of self-discovery and tentative love is heartfelt and satisfying. You’ll be rooting for these two as they navigate both the fantasy world of D&D and the ups and downs of real life.

That said, the D&D storyline might feel like it goes a little too deep into the side quest territory for some. If you’re not a player yourself, some of the game mechanics may be a bit confusing, and there’s definitely a beginner’s luck vibe as the characters seem to pick up the rules a little too quickly. If you’re a veteran DM, some of the handling of the game may make you raise an eyebrow, but for those looking for a lighthearted, fun read, it’s all part of the charm.

Ultimately, Roll for Romance is a story of found family and the beauty of discovering who you truly are in both the real world and the fantasy realms. It's got all the right ingredients for a feel-good, D20-approved romance, with just the right amount of adventure to keep things spicy (though we could’ve used a bit more heat for my tastes 😉).

⚡ Who Should Read This?

Fans of quirky, geeky romances who don’t mind a dash of dice chaos.
D&D lovers who enjoy seeing their passion for the game woven into a sweet, real-world love story.
Anyone looking for a cozy, low-stakes read with a found family vibe and a sprinkle of adventure.

Grab your character sheet and join the fun! This one’s an easy roll into your heart. 🎲✨

This was such a cute book! Watching the romance unfold between our characters both in real life and in their game of Dungeons and Dragons was so fun. All of their interactions also felt so genuine, and a beautiful friendship formed on top of the romance. I will definitely be recommending this cute nerdy love story!

Can't decide between contemporary romance or a cozy fantasy? What if I told you about a book that captured the swoonworthy moments of a romance but the adventure of fantasy, without necessarily mixing the two?

Roll for Romance is the first book I've read this year that I actively thought about when I wasn't reading it and couldn't wait to pick it back up again. The writing is natural, quirky, and descriptive. Not to mention the premise makes my nerdy heart so happy.

I love the great dialogue, small town vibes, opposites attract, and genuine friendships so much (FINALLY, A ROMANCE THAT PASSES THE BECHDEL TEST). It presents burnout, escapism, and the roles we play in our lives in a way that holds your hand but shows you the truth. What if you let yourself be the version of you that you want to be? What if you stopped trying to make something work? What if you lived in THIS moment, and not x amount of time from now? It provoked questions worth pausing all the buzzing in your mind for, while still being so fun to read!

If I had to describe it in three words I would say it is endearing, charming, and detailed. The menu and Liam's character questions?? ARE YOU KIDDING??? I love that so much. The reader letter made me cry, too.

This is first ever arc review! Thank you so much to Dell/Random House and NetGalley for this opportunity.

Coming 7/15/25 💜

I can't get over how much I loved this book. I've never played D&D a day in my life, but I was fully invested. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters, I loved how they interacted with each other, playful, sweet, romantic. And I absolutely adored the way the D&D storyline was woven through the book in narrative form, as if we were in the game with them. Such a well-written book! Adding it to my favorites list for sure!

While I think this book is cute, cozy and adventurous, I don't see myself finishing it. The pacing is slow in the first 40% and I've unfortunately lost interest. However, I think that this book has potential to be a customer favorite as it's unique and comfy. I just don't think I was the right audience for this book. No fault of the author, just personal preference.

I love a good romance and this story was no different. I really enjoyed the characters and getting to experience them falling in love. Very well written!

First of all, the cover is gorgeous and D&D romance is top tier and I LOVE them. This one is amazing, the banter is hilarious and the chemistry between Noah and Sadie and I love a good slow burn. This was very cute and fun to read!

One of my most anticipated D&D read of the year and I wasn’t disappointed at all 🥰

I just loved the descriptions of their game sessions!!!! It felt like Isekai novels (when a character is send into a fantasy world).


Thank you again for a copy of this e-arc 🫶🏻💞