Calling all fantasy lovers and D&D fans! I just finished this adorable future summer read, Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods. If you're a die-hard romantasy fan or discovered the genre through Fourth Wing dragons and ACOTAR, add this one to your TBR list!

The story features classic tropes like found family, a struggling FMC at a crossroads, and a golden retriever MMC. But what sets it apart is the dual perspective with the D&D campaign. The D&D characters are as important to the story as the people playing the game!

If you're looking for a medium spicy romance that isn't sports-themed, love Ali Hazelwood's STEM romances, and want a quick read that feels a bit different, give this one a try! Publishes on July 15, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read and review Roll for Romance!

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Such a cute book! Loved both storylines! Sadie had great growth throughout the story and found herself. I loved following along in both worlds. I was so excited to be able snag this early!

This. Was. So. GOOD!

I'm not the biggest romance reader but give me a dnd-themed romance any day and I will gobble that ish up! I've been wanting a really great adult romance in this niche genre and Woods delivered. A romance where the leads aren't just romancing on page but they're DND characters are ALSO romancing?!?! And we get the entire campaign written as it's own fantasy story woven throughout? UGH this was just so so great. There was so much I loved about this one let me see if I can make any of it coherent...

What I loved:
- Taking the dnd sessions and making them their own story-within-a-story was so brilliant.
- A story heavy dnd campaign versus a combat heavy one which we love to see
- Sadie's story was so relatable. A lot of us have this ideal in our minds of what we're supposed to want from our careers and it often times leads to unhappiness and burnout.
- Woods handled the mental health issues that Sadie processed through this journey with care. The anxiety was real and well written.
- Found family friend group
- LOVED that there was not a third act breakup! And that our characters were able to decide for themselves and didn't sacrifice for each other
- Noah was such a cozy FMC
- OMG the fan-fic story writing of their characters romance was SO NERDY and so believable and so swoony
- Loved that this didn't end with professions of love, an engagement, and an epilogue with 2.5 kids. It's the start of their relationship and that's enough.

Simply perfection. Especially as a debut this was outstanding. I hope Woods writes more like this - but maybe she hinted at a follow up with Liam's story????!?!?!?!?! All the stars.

This was a fun and sweet book that took you from a time of self reflection and exploration to a newfound family and friend group. I feel overall that the stories pacing was good.
The characters had depth and fun. Well, I have read some fantasy. I typically don’t read that much in the sub story within the D&D role-playing were hard for me to really get into and enjoy. I found myself pacing through quickly in order to get back to the main story. Although it wasn’t necessarily for me, I do appreciate the fun and different style of the author was bringing. Sometimes I’m OK with stories with stories and have enjoyed them in the past, but this one was the struggle. This is the whole book that I’m reading on. I’m actually going to be reducing a little bit because of that.

Roll for Romance is a total delight—a charming, nerdy, heart-swoony romance that had me smiling from start to finish! Lenora Woods blends the magic of tabletop gaming with a tender love story full of chemistry, quirks, and emotional depth.

The dynamic between the main characters is adorable and electric. You can feel the slow-burn tension building with each chapter, and the payoff is so worth it. I loved how the story explored vulnerability, found family, and embracing your passions unapologetically. It’s sweet, a little spicy, and filled with geeky charm.

Perfect for fans of romance that’s both heartfelt and fun, with a sprinkle of dice-rolling destiny. I can’t wait to have this my shelf.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

This book was fun—from the adorable story to the stunning cover that practically called out to my geeky soul! I loved how immersive the D&D element was. Instead of just watching the characters role-play, the book drops us right into fantasy-style chapters, making it feel like a story within a story. Honestly, if the author ever wanted to go full fantasy, I’d be so on board!

Now, confession time: I’ve never played D&D myself (shocking, I know), but I know plenty of people who love it. Despite my total lack of experience, I had no trouble following along, and I found the gameplay sections to be a fun and unexpected highlight.

As for the romance… it didn’t quite hit for me. Noah and Sadie had their moments, but I never fully felt their chemistry. The banter could have had a bit more spark, and Sadie’s immaturity sometimes made it tough to root for her.

That being said, this book had a little bit of everything: real-life connections, role-playing mischief, and just enough adventure to keep things moving. The way it flipped between everyday life and the D&D campaign was a clever touch, adding depth and plenty of nerdy charm. While I personally found the back-and-forth structure a bit distracting, I can’t deny that the campaign itself was where the author really shined—it was hands down the best part of the book!

If you love cozy rom-coms packed with geeky goodness and don’t mind familiar tropes, this could still be a win for you. While the romance didn’t fully click for me, I’d absolutely recommend it to fellow nerdy romance lovers—especially those who appreciate a well-crafted fantasy twist!

What to Expect:
🤍 A Very Flirty Bard
🤍 Small Town Romance
🤍 Sunshine LI
🤍 Fantasy in-game interludes
🤍 Height Difference
🤍 Falling in love in-game and out
🤍 Meddling D&D Group
🤍 Only One Bed
🤍 Found Family
🤍 Role-playing

Thank you to Lenora Woods, the author, Dell and Random House Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity.

This dual story line where the D&D characters sort of mirror real life was a fun, easy read. After losing her job in New York and entering depression, Sadie is off to spend time with her BFF Liam in Texas for some healing. Liam puts together a gaming group and relationships, both romantic and friendly, develop.

The D&D story is a lot more involved in this book and not just a side to the plot.
The drawback to having two concurrent stories is that we don’t get to delve too deep into either set of characters. I will definitely check out any future books this author publishes.

Quick notes: contemporary, friends-to-lovers, open door but light on the spice, D&D

Thank you Random House Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

This books is so fun! The characters are playing a D&D campaign, so the plot bounces between their real world friendships, jobs, and romances and their D&D characters epic quest. It’s such a unique storytelling device that I really enjoyed getting into. The romance between the main characters was so satisfying to watch and I loved how things resolved between them in the end. This book is full of flirtatious banter, adventure, and the power of finding yourself and choosing the best life possible. I loved it!

I thought this was a sweet story and a unique premise! I enjoyed the characters and thought the switch between in person and in game interaction was interesting. However, I felt the split left their in person relationship feeling underdeveloped.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I have so much to say about how delightful this book is, as both a romance lover and a D&D player. First of all, I get two stories in one— a romance and a fantasy— that beautifully complement each other, and intersect the perfect amount without feeling at all trite. It’s actually such a specifically relatable feeling g to find yourself through a D&D character after burnout—I had that experience and loved to see it reflected. The D&D portions are also so beautifully written— they’re fun to read as fantasy, but I can also see how the gameplay happened without it interrupting the narrative. A gorgeous warm hug of a read.

I'm a a sucker for a nerdy rom com and even though I know next to nothing about Dungeons and Dragons I loved this one. Nerdy FMC are easy to relate to as I'm a bit of a nerd of myself. And I've never read a rom com with a bartending MMC before she that was a neat twist.

Thank you for the chance to read this early! Unfortunately, this book couldn't grab my attention. I didn't feel like the stakes were high enough and I struggled staying engaged. I loved the concept and was really excited to read this one but for some reason I just struggled to connect :-( I think others will love this one though because the D&D game play chapters were really fun, and it was a really unique take on a romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC of this incredibly sweet book!

While I am not a D&D player, I can honestly say that this book lived up to the hype I had for it in my head. The characters both in and out of the D&D world are incredibly lovable and relatable. The pacing of the book is spot on, and the character development of Sadie is exactly what I like to see. She learns lessons and more about herself and doesn't rush to decisions. This book felt well thought out and intentional.

I enjoyed reading this book and will absolutely be recommending it (I already have suggested it to my SIL who plays D&D with my brother!)

This was so cute and fun! As someone who has never played D&D I worried that I wouldn’t be able to follow along. But I think I enjoyed the gaming part of the book just as much as the main storyline. I was so excited to get an arc of this and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, nerdy romance.

3.75⭐️
This was such a cute read! I didn’t know much about it when I picked it up and I’m glad about that! This was my first book about D&D and I loved it! The author does a great job at interweaving two different stories into one.

We have the character in the real world and then we also have the characters in the d&d campaign. I thought this was such a unique way at telling this story! It felt like a cozy fantasy book. I think this would be a great way for those who are looking to try fantasy to test the waters! The main characters had great banter and are both so uplifting and felt like bundles of sunshine! My only gripe is I wish I got to see more of them outside the d&d world. It’s hard with the switching back and forth to really dive deep into their relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House publishing group for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review honestly!

If you want a slow, slow, slowwwww burn, read this!

I loved the D&D aspect, but outside of that the story felt lacking for me?? The idea of Sadie and Noah's story seemed good, but it was better in the D&D campaign almost??

Sadie's story also hit a little too close to home for me personally, but I liked seeing how she dealt with it.

I still had a good time, but not a great time.

adventurous lighthearted reflective medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5

This was a cute read! A great intro to D&D from a romance perspective. The dual storytelling was really interesting and blended nicely. It was a little too on the nose at times and I felt there was some things left unfinished but overall it was decently cute. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for my review.

If you love small-town romance, found family, and meddling friends, Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods is an absolute delight! This charming novel blends the warmth of a cozy romance with the nerdy fun of Dungeons & Dragons, creating a unique and heartfelt love story that unfolds both in and out of the game.

One of the standout aspects of this book is how beautifully it captures the camaraderie of a friend group. The D&D sessions aren’t just a backdrop—they’re central to the story, offering both humor and heart as the characters navigate their real and role-played relationships. The main couple’s love story is especially compelling because it develops on two levels: their in-game characters fall for each other through flirty, playful role-playing, while outside of the game, they slowly realize their own feelings are just as real. It’s a romance built on chemistry, storytelling, and deep emotional connection, making it even more rewarding to watch unfold.

The meddling friends add another layer of charm, ensuring that love doesn’t just happen in a vacuum. Their playful interventions, knowing glances, and encouragement create a strong sense of found family, making the book feel even more heartwarming. And while the romance is swoon-worthy and fun, what truly makes Roll for Romance special is the character growth. Both the main male and female leads undergo genuine development, facing personal challenges and learning to open up in ways that make their love story even more meaningful.

With its mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and flirty role-playing that keeps the pages turning, Roll for Romance is a must-read for anyone who loves geeky, feel-good romances. Whether you're a fan of small-town love stories or just appreciate the magic of D&D bringing people together, this book is a critical hit!

I feel like I've seen an increase in D&D themed romance books in the past few years (which is awesome), so I figured it was about time for me to check one out. This one follows Sadie, an unemployed artist staying with her best friend for the summer. Her friend convinces her to join his D&D group, where she meets Noah, the handsome and charismatic bartender. I really enjoyed the other members of the group, and wished we could have gotten more scenes with them outside of the D&D sessions, or gotten more character development from them. That being said, I know the focus of the story was Sadie and Noah, who had some really cute moments. Especially the camping trip no one else wanted to go on, and the scenes of Sadie working on the mural at the tavern bar with Noah's supervision. I think I just wanted a little more out of the story and the characterization, but overall it was definitely cute.

Cute romance story with an added D&D quest being told between the characters own stories. I haven't read a story like this before and I liked it, but the only set back is that it dragged for a bit too long at times. Main character Sadie is going through some life changes and goes to stay with her best friend Liam while she decides her next steps. Thanks to him they start a D&D campaign and she begins to make new friends and she gets to be creative again and continue making art. I like that the relationship between Sadie and Noah progressed at a very normal pace, like they actually talked and got to know each other. It did not felt rushed even thought it happened in the span of one summer, a lot of recent books are so insta love/lust that they don't feel believable. They also had great character growth and no third act breakup. If you like anything related to games, D&D, cosplay and nerdy things in general definitely give this book a chance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group