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 🫶🏻💞

“If you do decide to pursue romance, you have my blessing.” He pats my hand. “Roll with advantage, Sadie.”

Sometimes you need to lose yourself to find yourself. This is particularly true of Sadie Brooks, who--after losing what she thought was her dream job in New York--agrees to move in with her best friend in small-town Texas. Subsequently, she joins him at his DND table. After developing a serious connection with not only her character, but another player, she must face a question: has she found herself, truly? Or is she more lost than ever?

tropes/ story components:
found family
new to town/ small town
DND
wholesome vibes
low stakes
tandem told stories

steam:
Some explicit steam, some not so explicit steam-- not a ton of either.

content warnings:
N/A

what i liked
This book was soft, cute, and slow. A totally sweet and cozy read that incorporates good friendships, fun fantasy components, and a lost-and-found vibe.
I also really like the way DND quips were made throughout non-gameplay parts of the books.


First of all, I try to rate ARC reads in a fair an impartial way. So while a lot of this book didn't land with me, I'm not taking off stars for it, because that's not necessarily an objective problem with the book.
that being said, what I didnt like:
I feel like this representation of DND gameplay took a lot of artistic liberty and was not accurately directly representative of what its like to play.
I've also never seen beginners take to the game this fast, especially the role-playing aspect, much less understand more complex tenets of the game this fast, so having all four players *get it* immediately feels unrealistic to me.
I also personally would be very upset if I had a DM handle PC death the way it is handled by Liam.
As for non DND parts of the book, I wish it had been a little less slice of life, a little higher stakes (although this very thing is what would make this book such a good comfort read).
This book alternates between the story of Sadie and Noah and the story of their DND campaign. There's nothing wrong with that, but for me personally it made it hard for me to get invested in either side of things.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

If you're looking for a romance that incorporates tabletop gaming (and Dungeons and Dragons in particular), this is the one. [book:Roll for Romance: A Novel|219848308] follows Sadie after she loses her dream marketing job in New York City to the refuge in central Texas that is her best friend Liam's house. While she spends the summer there trying to figure out what's next, Liam assembles a group of beginner DnD players for a quest, consisting of a fellow teacher, the bookstore manager, and love interest Noah, the bartender at the local brewery. Over the course of the story we get to know more about Sadie through her present-day crisis, but we also get to watch her evolve as she gets to know the town, her new friends, and channel her character in the quest. As sparks begin to fly between Sadie and Liam, she confronts her need for certainty and takes a critical look at her dreams (or what they were). Who is she without New York City and the career she worked so hard for? Through both the real life lens and that of the quest, we get to find out.

If you're a fan of DnD, Roll for Romance is impressive - rather than using the game as background filler, we spend a good amount of the story actually in the quest. Because the players are beginners, however, the fundamentals are there for those who don't know much (or anything!) about the game. There are a few times that I wondered if almost too much time was spent focused on the quest rather than the present, but still appreciated it. The writing and editing itself was good (the #1 thing I'll DNF for is poor writing and editing!). The story flowed well, everything resolved well, and Sadie herself grows in a way that I thought was organic and true to her character. Ultimately I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others, whether or not you're into DnD, and it'll definitely go in my re-read list!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance review of this book.

I absolutely loved this friends to lovers D&D themed romance. The chemistry between Sadie and Noah was off the charts while still feeling so natural. I loved how they instantly became friends and slowly fell in love while their D&D characters were also falling in love. This book was low angst with all the cute, feel good romance vibes that had me giggling and kicking my feet.
I also loved how we got the whole D&D campaign as its own storyline. It added something extra to the book and was just so fun. Their whole group of friends were so charming and I loved getting to know them even more through their characters.
This book was an absolute delight and Sadie and Noah’s relationship was so sweet and cozy and fun. Definitely check this one out if you’re looking for something fun and feel-good!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC!!

Roll for Romance gives everyone a little bit of something, you have your nerdy DnD, your big buff love interest, your highs, your lows, and even a grumpy old cat.

This is definitely a light hearted read for anyone willing to take a chance and roll