🌟 4.5
🌶️ 1.5
🎧 4

Romcom and Romantasy all “rolled” into one!

🛡️ Contemporary Romance (with Romantasy snippets from the D&D)
🛡️ Friends to lovers
🛡️ Small town
🛡️ Slowburn 🔥 but some spice
🛡️ Found family vibes

Very interesting way of how the dungeons and dragons play throughs were embedded into the story like a mini romantasy sections! Like their roleplay was also a story of its own! I don’t know how to explain it but it was so good! 😊 I had a great time. You don’t be a D&D player to enjoy this at all! The two characters were adorable, the personal and romantic journey totally convincing, friends and found family vibes was absolute joy.

Recommend!

X

3.75 stars

This was such an adorable read! We follow Sadie as she moves in with her best friend in a small town after losing her big-city job. Finally she is convinced to try out D&D that her housemate DMs and falls in love with it. Cue Noah, the ultra hot bartender who is also a party member on this campaign. As they both delve into the world of Dungeons and Dragons as their characters Jaylie and Loren they form some sparks that also seem to have potential to ignite outside of the game too.

I've read some D&D themed romances before (love, give me more of them) but this one is different in that you don't just follow them playing D&D, you also get chapters focusing on their characters within the campaign. Basically you have two storylines in one book and it's a fabulous idea! The only little thing I had that pulled me away from the plot was the pacing of some of the campaign story chapters seemed to throw off the pace for me at times. However it was still enjoyable!

I look forward to seeing what is to come in this universe as I hear there has been a second book announced and I am soooo here for it!

This was such a fun and cute read! I knew I was going to love it just by looking at the cover and reading the blurb, and I was correct! I loved both main characters: Sadie was so sweet and likeable, and it was so easy to relate to her. I just wanted her to be happy! I loved how she became Jaylie, a human cleric who had luck on her side, and found her strength and confidence through her character. Noah was the ultimate golden retriever, as outgoing and charismatic as his DnD character, the elf bard Loren. The chemistry and flirting between Sadie and Noah both on and off the game was amazing, and I loved how they got to know each other and fell in love, it felt so realistic and natural! 💜

I really liked the way this book was written: throughout the book, the game was narrated from Jaylie's POV, so we were completely immersed in the DnD campaign! It felt like having a short fantasy book within a contemporary one, and it was so much fun! Honestly, I could have read so much more about their campaign, and I would love to know how their next one goes! 😅

Thank you so much to Lenora Woods, Quercus Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

Featuring a cast of super likeable characters, funny D&D characters, this was such a fun and dreamy friends-to-lovers story. It’s essentially about finding what makes you happy and learning to build your confidence! I completely binged this and will absolutely have to get a trophy for the shelf!

As someone completely new to the world of D&D, I was worried some of this might go over my head but fear not, this was perfect for a beginner like me! Just enough info so I could get the gist of how it’s played and the right amount of action I was easily able to keep up with the characters campaign (look at me using the right lingo!).

I loved that we got to witness not only the main story unfolding but we had a front row seat as the campaign story progresses too (like a story within a story), especially as the main story characters were able to explore their own emotions using their D&D character during the campaign.

Easy read romance, thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this early firstly.

I did enjoy this book but the reason I’m rating it 3 stars as it did take me personally a while to get into,
Even as a girl who loves a slow burn which this book is!

Sadie’s promising career in marketing has stalled after losing her job in New York and she’s been persuaded by her best friend, Liam, to spend her summer in small town Texas whilst she figures out her next steps. She’s slowly emerging from a depressed funk when Liam convinces her to join his D&D campaign with a group of fellow D&D newbies he’s rounded up. Included in the group is the brawny, outgoing Noah and sparks soon fly between them.

This was honestly just a really cute read and I had a great time with it. I was 100% in the mood for something low angst and this book delivered.

Sadie’s at a real crossroads in life and hasn’t quite faced up to the reason she lost her job. A lot of the book was centred around her figuring out what she wants from life and gathering up the courage to choose a different path. This was definitely helped by the new friendships she forms with the D&D crew, Noah and her longstanding friendship with Liam.

I loved that Noah was such a free spirit and so different to Sadie at first glance. He has strong golden retriever / cinnamon roll energy and I was here for it. He’s so supportive of Sadie without pressuring her. I really enjoyed their slow burn relationship and their chemistry felt spot on. It almost made me want to go camping…😮‍💨

The D&D campaign is told as its own story within the book which was a really fun way to write it. Through her character, Jaylie, Sadie can explore finding her courage and the flirtation forming with Noah via his character, Loren.

I definitely recommend this for when you’re in the mood for a cute, cosy kind of read with a friends to lovers vibe.

Omg this was just beautiful! I knew I'd enjoy this one, but it impacted me so much deeper than I expected. I even found myself crying a few times at how adorable, thoughtful, and meaningful this book was.

Our fmc Sadie leaves her job in the big city to take some time away to reflect. She finds herself in her lovely best friend Liam's small town, where she joins his beginners DnD campaign. There, she meets another player, Noah, and a romance between the two of them begins to bloom both inside and outside of their campaign.

I really loved the two settings/ genre switch between the contemporary romance of the main plot and the fantasy plotline of their DnD world. The two stories were wonderfully intertwined with each other. It was so fun and unique actually being inside the heads of the characters they were playing!

I really related especially to Sadie's experience with her job and burnout in this book. I felt so emotionally connected to her character and was rooting so hard for her!

This book had the perfect blend of lightheartedness and fun while also focusing on our characters' mental health and their healing. It was soft and sweet and tender; and Liam and Noah, as well as the new friends Sadie meets, were amazing supports to her.

This was such a heartfelt book, and it handled the tougher topics and feeling of being lost really well; and in a creative way too through the DnD campaign itself.

Sadie and Noah's relationship progression felt so natural and was soft and real. They both had a lot on their minds, but it was so touching to watch it all melt away when they were together. The moments they shared were so tender.

This cosy dnd-themed charming smalltown romcom was the perfect wholesome summer read! It was wonderfully nerdy and whimsical, and every character was a delight!

p.s The non-player characters of Shira and Alora in the DnD world were an unexpected favourite part of mine, and I cried during a certain scene of theirs 🥹

This book is so utterly adorable! I thought that the dual narrative of modern day and the D&D campaign might be a bit gimmicky, but it really isn't - it's seamlessly melded and the two stories inform each other really beautifully. I loved Sadie and Noah as the main plot, but also really looked forward to Jaylie and Loren's parts - just enough fantasy to really be satisfying, on top of an already really satisfying love story. The themes of burnout and finding yourself are really resonant and felt very realistic. I immediately preordered a paperback for myself and also forced an ebook upon my best friend. Probably one of my favourite reads of the year!

🎲✨ Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods ✨🎲
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 | 🌶️🌶️ | Open Door Romance

Roll for initiative… and roll for feelings, because Roll for Romance cast "Charm Person" on me from page one. This swoony, nerdy, open-door romance switches between the real world and a Dungeons & Dragons campaign in the most magical way. The alternating narratives were such a clever mechanic — and as someone who’s dipped their toes into D&D, I loved how it captured the spirit of the game: the bravery to become someone new, the freedom to explore hidden parts of yourself, and the joy of found family around the table.

Sadie is a relatable, quietly fierce heroine. She’s going through it — trying to find work, battling the weight of uncertainty, and figuring out whether to pursue her creative passions or go the “safe” route. As someone in a similar season, I saw so much of myself in her. (And maybe that’s why I had to take little rests between chapters — it hit too close to home in the best way.)

Noah? Insert dreamy bardic sigh here. The slow burn was a very slow burn, but the heat finally kicks in at 57% (yes, I checked my Kindle too 😅), and the payoff was 💯. The waterfall scene? 👀🫦 Say less.

I also adored Liam — every party needs a loyal bestie and great DM, and he was Sadie’s anchor throughout the story. The rest of the cast of characters were great too though I would love to see more of their storylines if there are any future books!

The banter? So good I wanted to roll a d20 to see if it landed (it always did). All the food descriptions gave such cosy vibes. They had me making ramen for lunch immediately, and I need The Alchemist bar to be real. Between the magical setting, creative journey, open-hearted characters, and the twist in the D&D campaign that legit made me gasp, this book had me hooked.

Also… I’m not saying I’ve been googling local D&D groups and Ren faires since finishing this, but I am saying I rolled for charisma and now I'm going out to buy a pretty dice set of my own.

🎨💖 A heartfelt, nerdy, romantic tale about taking creative risks, being brave enough to follow your passions, and letting love in — even when you think your heart’s failed its saving throw.

Thanks to the author, Quercus Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC to review. All thoughts are, as always, my own.

Tropes & Vibes:
🎲 Found family
🎨 Artist heroine / cinnamon roll love interest
🗺️ Parallel storylines in D&D & real world
🎀 Soft FMC
🔥 Slow burn with spice (waterfall scene = chef’s kiss)
🧅 Layers, emotions, and healing
📉 Creativity over capitalism
💘 Open door romance

I had such a fun time with this book. I was immediately drawn to it by the cover (stunning!) and the premise sounded unlike a lot of the romance I have been reading lately.

Roll for Romance is a feel good romance set in two storylines. The main story takes place in real life Texas where Sadie has gone to stay with her best friend Liam after needing a break from her life in New York. He convinces her to join his newly formed Dungeons and Dragons group, which includes new to town bartender Noah. The secondary story follows the DnD campaign of their characters.

I loved the dual storylines. It felt well balanced and it was fun getting to know Sadie and Noah through their DnD characters. I couldn’t help but relate to Sadie’s feeling of burnout and loss of purpose in life. She was such a sympathetic FMC and I was rooting for her to make the best decision for herself in the end. Noah is the ultimate golden retriever MMC and the chemistry between the two of them was perfect. I liked how clear they were with each other about their intentions - love a book where the characters have good communication!

The side characters were fleshed out and I enjoyed seeing the group grow closer over the course of the campaign. I could really visualise the story (both real world and fantasy world) as I was reading the book. A delight to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The most original romance I've read in ages! The dual narrative of the real world and the dramatisation of the D&D games was fantastic. So respectful of the game and tabletop gaming which is so often the butt of the joke. I smiled the while way through this. For everyone who loves fantasy and romance but Romantasy hasn't quite clicked for them.

I was absolutely not expecting a man with shoulder length hair and a man bun to be such a golden retriever but I loved it!

Did I understand a single thing going on with the D&D scenes? Nope. Did the romance make up for it? Definitely!

Oh my GOD. I always forget how much I enjoy a romance! Loved that D&D was a main focus of the story and feel the balance of the campaign as well as the main story was perfect.

I didn't think anything would scratch that itch after reading a couple other D&D based romances, but this definitely hit the spot.

Thank you for the arc!

Lenora Woods makes you fall in love with both the contemporary romance aspect as well as the fantasy romance aspect simultaneously.

Watching the two main characters fall in love while also watching their DND characters interact and flirt was a very unique and fun experience!

There was a bit of a pacing issue in the first half for me and the formatting for the eARC made it a little difficult for me to read sometimes!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.25/5 stars – Roll for Romance is a delightful, feel-good read with a fresh premise and a love story that totally won me over.

This book delivers two storylines in one: the real-world slow-burn romance between the two main characters, and the fantasy DnD campaign they’re playing together—which was such a clever way to mirror their real emotions and dynamics. I loved the contrast of the small town romance and the fantasy quest - it's ideal for romantasy readers who want something a bit more lighthearted and fun.

The romance is so cute. There’s chemistry, tension, and those soft little moments that sneak up on you. You can’t help but root for them. It’s wholesome but still gives you that swoon factor.

The other characters are absolutely full of life. They add humor, chaos, and heart without ever stealing the spotlight.

This was such a fun read and I loved these characters so much! I might even be tempted to learn more about DnD 😅

💭 #QOTD  You're making your roleplay character. What are you playing?

Title: Roll for Romance
Author: Lenora Wood
Pages: 368
Rating: 2.5/5
Spice/Romance level: 🩷🩷🩷 - romance with some vanilla spice
#Arc eCopy ( #gifted ) - review left voluntarily
UK publish date - 17th July 2025

As someone who roleplayed in msn chat rooms (yes I'm that old) dabbled in table top roleplay, did some rp on the virtual game second life, as well as playing WoW (before the scandal) I thought this would be right up my street. Especially after reading critical roll "Tusk Love" unfortunately the hits didn't land, and I just couldn't gel with the characters and the storyline.

As a Fantasy reader, I wanted more, as a romance reader, I wanted more Banter, and humour and to feel some urgency.

However, there were some gorgeous swoony moments and the additional content at the end was perfect. (, how to create a character, alchemist specials, even the questions and topics)

The discussion of burnout. Expectations and taking risks hit hard and I think is important for discussions in literature. Is high a high flying career and being constantly exhausted more important than following your passion and being happy? I thoroughly enjoyed the D&D adventures though! That was perfection! 🤌🏻👌🏻

I think i would have enjoyed this more if I hadn't recently read tusk love, and don't other small town, cutesy romances. That being said, the story was unique. It made my nerdy self smile and I adored Liam!!! If there was a sequel, I'd definitely read it for the D&D adventure alone! That was a twist in itself!!

You'll love this book if you like
- tabletop roleplay
- texas summers
- summer romance
- roleplay
- dungeons and dragons
- small nod to fantasy
- friends to lovers

Will you be reading this? Let me know in the comments

I really didn’t know what to expect from a D&D romance. I wasn’t entirely sure how the real world plot and fantasy adventure would mesh but Lenora joined them seamlessly. I loved how we switched between Sadie & Noah getting to know each other at the same time Jaylie and Loren do.

Sadie’s character development was done so beautifully the subtle nods to her burnout/ depression really helped flesh out her character without feeling like they dominated the plot and Noah’s gentle soft free spirit persona was so well written especially as we come to learn some of the reasonings behind it.

I would read an entire series about this ensemble cast. They were perfect.

This was so incredibly wholesome! I loved the variety in the characters and the plot and pacing. The introduction to the characters was a little rushed, I felt - I struggled to get a feel for Noah as a character until about 30% of the way into the book. But I love love loved the mix of real life and then the DnD storytelling, it was such a fun read!

I didn’t expect a D&D-inspired romance to tug so sweetly at my heart….but here we are. Lenora Woods rolled a nat 20 on this one.

Roll for Romance is a cozy, low-stakes, emotionally sincere romance about two people navigating life’s curveballs while falling for each other across a fantasy world and a very real Texas summer. It’s about friendship, second chances, and the weird magic of roleplaying your way back to yourself.

Sadie Brooks is in that liminal “what now?” space after losing her NYC marketing job. So she does what any slightly heartbroken millennial would: flees to a small town in Texas to crash with her best friend... and finally agrees to join his Dungeons & Dragons campaign. (Relatable.)

Her in-game persona? Jaylie, a badass human cleric blessed by the Goddess of Luck. Her real-life counterpart? A little lost, a little burned out, and not exactly feeling lucky lately.

Enter Noah Walker, a charismatic, guitar-playing bartender turned newbie bard. Their characters flirt, adventure, and heal each other in-game.

Meanwhile, outside the dice rolls, Sadie and Noah are doing exactly the same.

Why it worked for me:
* The dual journey—fantasy + real-life—was so well balanced. I loved how the story mirrored Sadie’s growth through both Jaylie (confident, magical, brave) and her real self, who’s trying to figure out what she wants next. Watching her slowly align those two selves? Chef’s kiss.
* This is a romance for the soft nerd in all of us. If you’ve ever bonded with someone over character sheets, table snacks, and that one ridiculous in-game decision that changes everything—you’ll feel seen.
* Noah is such a good cinnamon roll. He’s adventurous, emotionally available, and totally willing to follow Sadie’s lead. I really appreciated how their dynamic was one of mutual curiosity, not just sexual tension, but “I want to know you” energy.
* Sadie’s career arc hit close to home. She’s burnt out, questioning her worth after corporate let her down. Her journey toward rediscovering what she actually wants (not just what she thought she should want) felt super grounded and relatable.

This book is like a long weekend with good friends, pizza, dice clattering across the table, and your crush sitting across from you in full bardic charm.

It’s not just about romance…it’s about stepping into a new version of yourself, one brave enough to choose joy and adventure, even when it means risking comfort.

Read this if you love:
* Found family vibes
* Friends-to-lovers energy with a hint of opposites attract
* TTRPGs, especially D&D
* Characters who grow gently but profoundly
* That “summer of self-discovery” energy
* A little bardic flirtation (okay, a lot)

Roll for Romance is a tender love letter to tabletop gaming and second chances. It’s cozy, nerdy, emotionally rich, and just swoony enough to make you wish you had your own bard at the table.

Whether you’re a seasoned dungeon master or a complete newbie, this one’s worth rolling the dice on.

Thank you Lenora Woods for providing this ARC of Roll For Romance in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:
A beautifully crafted blend of real life and tabletop fantasy, Roll For Romance brings together a heartwarming, steamy romance and a clever narrative structure that weaves between game and reality with ease.

Review:
I absolutely adored this book and didn’t want it to end. The writing is incredibly clever, flowing seamlessly between the real world and the campaign scenes - a balance I’ve rarely seen done so naturally. That fluid transition made it a fun, easy, and truly enjoyable read.

Every character had a meaningful place in the story. Nothing felt rushed or overlooked, and that level of care made the entire ensemble feel real and important.

The romance? Absolutely stunning. Noah and Sadie had undeniable chemistry - from woodland treks to that deliciously steamy camping scene, every moment was hot, spicy, and grounded in emotional connection. (And let’s not forget Jaylie and Loren - a secondary pairing that’s every bit as compelling.) Honestly, who doesn’t want a Noah in their life?

My only wish? A visual of the mural in the Alchemist. Though perhaps it’s more powerful left to the imagination...

Roll For Initiative.