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.

A great read, an opposites attract romance. Sadie is a planner and Noah is more of a wanderer, they have a summer together then what happen? A great read.

This book felt like a warm hug.
It is light, refreshing and comforting - nothing too dramatic or tense outside of the D&D campaign, just a sweet love story intertwined with a story of burnout, healing and self rediscovery. It felt cosy and welcoming and I'd love to revisit this group again.

I'll admit I was a little apprehensive about the D&D campaign aspect going in - not sure how it could be integrated, or if it would overwhelm the story. It is put across as a story within a story which felt totally smooth, like an extra layer without being technical and I think entirely accessible for someone who's never played the game themselves. So if you're worried about that, don't be!

I loved experiencing Sadie's journey - it felt authentic and quietly powerful. Absolutely someone you root for, not only in the romance but in life and following her as she reconnected with simple joys and her own creativity was wonderful.

Perfect read for anyone who likes a little nerdy charm, character arcs, and genuine, cute romance. I'd recommend it wholeheartedly to D&D fans, the D&D-curious, but also to anyone who needs a gentle reminder to slow down and reconnect with yourself.

Thank you Quercus Books and Lenora Woods for this ARC <3

This was a delight! I was very much on board for Sadie and Noah's budding relationship, and I was very pleased to not be seeing the miscommunication trope! They had a very mature dynamic which was refreshing, and I thoroughly enjoyed the D&D interludes!

Roll for Romance is a swoony romance featuring a character recovering from corporate burnout—but make it fun and magical.

After unexpectedly losing her marketing job, main character Sadie moves in with her best friend for the summer who ropes her into playing Dungeons and Dragons for the first time. Through the game, she makes new friends, rediscovers her passions after dedicating much of her life to her career, and also falls in love with the charming bard (I loved attentive, cinnamon roll-y Noah!!).

Going into the book, I wasn’t sure how much I could take away from it as someone who’s never played D & D before, but I need not have worried. I enjoyed the book just as much, and the switches between the real-life story and the D & D game play gave the book a sprinkling of adventure and fantasy.

I loved seeing Sadie and Noah slowly flirt their way out of the game and into a slow-burn real life love story. But seeing Sadie come out of her shell beyond the love story was so rewarding, too. A true celebration of play and growth and putting yourself out there, no matter at which point in life you are.

I really didn't enjoy reading this book. And stop reading it at 23%.

I normally like geeky heros. But I couldn't get into this book. I have never played d&d so I couldn't understand what was happening. I am also ND and struggled to process what was happening between the real and game world. And who was who. I didn't feel the chemistry.

It clearly wasn't a book for me. As much as I try not to be negative.

"We can't control the wind, but we can always adjust the sails." - Liam


Sadie's down on her luck. After losing her job in New York she goes to stay with her best friend in Texas with her tail tucked between her legs. Sadie falls into depression and going through the motions. Having no clue what she should do with her life or what path to take. Until Liam announces she will be playing in his campaign! Enticing her with the idea of creating someone different from herself.


Sadie becomes Jaylie within Liam's game. Jaylie is confident, knows what she wants, and is a cleric blessed by the Goddess of Luck! Jaylie isn't alone in this adventure as both her and Sadie meet new and wonderful characters. This D&D campaign may be just what Sadie needs and more! New friendships are forming, laughs, great memories, and possibly romance! Sadie can't help but be drawn to the lumber-snack who seems to be wanting to roll for romance with her! In and out of game?!


"You just run the game?" - Sadie

"Right. I'll be the Dungeon Master." - Liam

"Sounds kinky." - Sadie (I knew I'd love her from this point forward!)


I was excited to read this because of the D&D theme! I still really want to be a part of a campaign someday and this read doesn't help that want! I laughed a lot and loved how the characters came together. Alongside the blossoming romance there was also friendships. I love how Lenora broke the cliche mold with the love interest being the one the FMC moves in with/childhood friend. Liam loves Sadie but in a sisterly way/best friend because he's gay. Liam supports Sadie and always has his doors open to her with no conditions or strings attached. Well, maybe one condition. . . she has to join his campaign!


I loved getting to meet all the players and finding out who they designed for the campaign. Jules being the opposite of herself within game had me laughing! I enjoyed the transition from real life into the campaign and the MCs turning into their players. Storytelling within a story! I love Critical Role and several times I felt like I was watching one of Matt's games play out. I respected Liam as a DM and how he treated everyone fairly. Keeping his DM secrets and plots under lock and key even from Sadie. The cliffhangers he dropped when the session was up! He even had someone leave the table at one point because of something that occurred within the narrative!


"Noah, you look like you could casually pull a tree out of the ground." - Sadie


I enjoyed the sweet, fluffy romance that was building from the moment Sadie and Noah met. It was cute and I found it interesting how both of them were running from something. Neither ready to admit the honest truth to themselves or out loud. I could relate to both of them in different ways. Their banter was funny, and I loved the comments made when they biked out to a forest. They matched one another's energy and goofiness. I did feel like Noah was a little flippant and was worried how things would end. But understanding him more and seeing how he handled final scenes helped clear that doubt up.


This read does have language throughout. Sadie does go through depression and just being a zombie going through the motions of living. That does change! Very brief moment of an old man making homophobic comments about a bookstore display. It gets shut down quickly and respectfully. Feelings of doubt and self-doubt voice going rampant. Mentally spiraling and needing to breath. Things stay lighthearted but there are some moments.


"If you do decide to pursue romance, you have my blessing. Roll with advantage, Sadie." - Liam


The romance is instant attraction and interest but it's a slow burn. They finally kiss at the sixty-ish percent mark in the read! Fluffy, cute romance with some MF action. Though the two keep getting interrupted in inopportune moments for a while by someone or something after they finally agree to try this! Single POV through Sadie's eyes and understanding her hesitance and frustration.


For me personally, I felt like some of the paragraphs were lengthy and some scene building was wordy. This is just my honest opinion! There were some slow moments with day-to-day life activity that could have been left out. I wanted more time with the other players and the bonds that were forming! Loved the girls date night! Liam was my favorite character, and I would be so down to join one of his campaigns! Then try and see if I could lockpick information out of him when he states the session is over! We get a great HEA!


This was a fun debut novel to read! Enjoy the D&D campaign within a story, newbie D&D players, fun romance, and wonderful moments with new and old friends! Don't forget to give the author some stars!


Thank you, NetGalley!


shutupandbookup.com

I love romance and I love D&D so when I saw the two combined in a book I was hooked.

The writing style and shifts were clever and I enjoyed the general storyline. It was easy enough to read and the characters were quite likable. That being said I did struggle at times between the jumps from real world to game world. They came on quite suddenly and sometimes felt like the real world portion of the story wasn't finished yet, like the conversation wasn't over yet.

I still enjoyed the theme of the book and getting to see D&D brought into the realm of romance.

A wonderfully adorable story about romance, self discovery and Dungeons and Dragons

A fresh spin on dnd romance books

While struggling to find her way and herself, Sadie finally decides to give dnd a go with encouragement from her bestfriend who is dming the game. Being a nerd at heart she's immediately drawn into the fantastical world of dnd.
While rediscovering herself and finding a new love for fantasy, she's also drawn to her friend and teammate; a carefree travelling bard who teaches Sadie to live for the moment
The way the dialogue bleeds from reality into role play made it feel genuine and it had me kicking my feet and squeeling

I loved this read
I'm always down for a little self discovery, and romance but add some dnd and I will devour it.

Definitely recommend
☆☆☆☆☆/5

my thanks to netgalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

As a romance girly and D&D fan, this was always going to be a good read for me. It's fun and a light read, perfect as an in-between read; when you need something like a palette cleanser between one heavy hitting story and another. Or it would do well as a beach read too. There are no complex plot lines to follow, no twisted character arcs, just good old fashioned romance!

Thank you Netgalley and Quercus Books for the arc!

This was a super sweet romance, if you're ever looking for a palate cleanser - a soft story that has no drama and just good vibes and great banter then this is the book for you!

What I loved about this book was that it was a journey of self-discovery for the main character - learning to love and chase her dreams again, coming from a corporate background world to a creative world (which is almost a bit relatable), so Sadie will resonate with quite a lot of people.

The romance was lovely, it was sweet, it was geeky - they really balanced each other out.

I actually really enjoyed the D&D aspect of it - it was very different and (having not played myself, but seeing how enjoyable it is) it was a great plot of the book. I think at times when you fully go into the characters, it takes you away from the story. I would've loved seeing more of the characters rolling and their reactions through that rather than having it be another story in itself.

Overall, a really enjoyable read!

This was a really great concept, and I enjoyed the romance in both settings.
Unfortunately the D&D side of the story just didn’t quite work for me, and I’m not sure why, maybe because it felt unbalanced with too much emphasis on Jaylin’s perspective. I much preferred the one on one text based interactions, probably because it was just the two of them.
But apart from that, it was a fun and engaging read, with some interesting threads about burnout and following your passion. The characters were great and I really enjoyed the whole dynamic between them, especially in real life.
I’ll definitely be recommending to romance readers, it’s a great gentle gateway to fantasy.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Roll for Romance is the debut novel from Lenora Woods, and it’s a charming contemporary romance that blends real-life chemistry with the imaginative chaos of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. It’s sweet, spicy, and a bit meta—and for the right reader, I think it could be a total hit.

Sadie Brooks, newly unemployed from a demanding marketing job in NYC, retreats to Texas to stay with her best friend Liam, who also happens to be a passionate D&D Dungeon Master. In need of distraction (and a new direction), Sadie jumps into the fantasy world of dice rolls and character sheets. She creates Jaylie, a cleric and healer, and joins a campaign filled with eccentric players—including Noah Walker, a handsome bartender and first-time gamer, whose D&D character is a bard named Loren (Bards have a rep for being horndogs LOL - pleasantly surprised by this fact)

The narrative switches between the real world and the D&D realm, with the game world reflecting the internal growth of the characters. It’s a creative and fun idea. The in-game personas are wildly different from their real-life counterparts (purple ogres who are actually pleasant cat ladies!), which can be amusing but also a bit confusing—especially if, like me, you’re not a seasoned gamer.

🧙‍♀️ A Nerd Deficit Confession:

I’ll admit I might have aged out of this niche. I’ve never fully grasped D&D, despite my early geek cred (X-Files! Buffy! GoT fanfic! Tumblr girlie for life!). I felt like an outsider looking in—not unwelcome, but not quite initiated. Readers with anime/gaming/pop-culture fluency will likely get much more out of it than I did.

That said, the characters are fun, the banter is breezy, and the romance has genuine warmth and spice. The book celebrates the joy of finding your people, embracing new experiences, and rediscovering yourself through storytelling. That’s a theme I can absolutely get behind.

📚 Final thoughts:

While I didn’t fully connect with the narrative style or the D&D immersion, I can still appreciate the solid writing, great pacing, and generous heart of this story. It’s a 3-star read for me—but could easily be a 5-star favourite for the right reader. If you’re a nerd-at-heart, gamer-curious, or just love a romance with a twist, Roll for Romance might be your next one-shot.

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This was a sweet romance about two nice people who are at a bit of a crossroads in their lives and start to reassess what they want. It’s rooted in the dungeons and dragons group that they both attend and how their romance develops in their role playing world and in their lives.

The dungeons and dragons angle was the big draw for me here so I was quite surprised that I was more invested in the real world storyline than the RPG one.

I liked that the author steered clear of a lot of tropes. This does feature finding yourself. It avoids anything like enemies to lovers, miscommunication or unnecessary drama. I really liked that. The author stayed true to this journey of self discovery and personal growth and it definitely worked.

This is a wholesome romance where you want good things to happen to the characters. It wasn’t world shaking but it was nice if you’re looking for something comforting.

As soon as I saw the book cover for Roll For Romance, I knew I needed this book.

I enjoyed having both stories coincide with eachother and how the D&D campaign related to real life, and how her romance showed development in both aspects.

The story has a realistic build up of her relationship with Noah.
But it’s also realistic in her figuring out her personal life. The fight with herself over what she feels she should do, and what she wants to do.

I enjoyed this book and thought it was a fun, but easy read.

Thank you so much for an E-ARC of this title.

A very joyous 3.5 stars! This book is a cosy, fast-paced romance that lands a nat 20 on its first try. The characters were enjoyable, and it was interesting to move back and forth between Sadie's point of view & the events during the Dungeons and Dragons campaign. As a new-ish DND player circa the emerging popularity of Baldur's Gate 3 who also chose a cleric for her first home campaign, I loved seeing the character's friendship and connections grow whilst their campaign progressed, whilst also learning about Sadie and her budding romance with Noah.

My problems lie generally with the pacing and the shifts between campaign and first-person perspectives. I feel as if we didn't get an opportunity to connect with the players on the table before launching into the campaign for the first time, which in and of itself was jarring since we jump from first person to third at a rapid pace. This made me feel disconnected from the story in general, which also meant the tension built either through the DND campaign or the perspective of the romance with Sadie was lost for me. I would love to see Lenora Woods tackle a dedicated DND inspired fantasy or romantasy in future; her prose and pace show the makings of someone who enjoys and lives for DND, which is a treasure.

Despite this, I had an incredibly fun time reading this. The characters were fun, it was easy to read, and Woods should feel incredibly proud of the achievement she has made in this debut romance, with an incredible twist of tabletop RPGs and romance. I can't wait to talk about it with my customers.

i really appreciated the skill it took to get the balance in this book right. because we have a story of our two characters and them falling for each other. buuuut due to them being in the cosplay world they also have their characters who have a life and blossoming banter and love of their own.its witty and cool premise and is done really well. i love how we get to see both characters different sides and even sides they dont yet show to each other in the real world but are able to in the game world and vice versa. their characters are also built on dreams, or wishes to be in some of the personality traits.
ive never been part of that world but i have a few friends that are. and they are obsessed in the best of ways and the communities they all bring is a wonder to see. its an enviable world they bring to each other both on and off screens.
and Sadie seems to come to this world at exactly the right point in her life. shes lost her spark and bravery. shes feeling lost within herself and the world she is currently living in.
when she meets Noah it another layer to have fun with and maybe something more. and Noah is such a powerful character simply for seeming to be a nice human! hes kind and supportive and always there for whatever at this vulnerable time Sadie is ready for.
also dont let the dungeon and dragon thing overwhelm or put you off. this isn't about that at all. i would have been lost if it was.
i really liked the found family aspect of this book. it felt right. and it felt lovely to read. like a big hug within these folk.
all of the characters in this book are so completely likeable. it was so nice to come to a book with good humans. it was a little bit of a shock this this was such a difference to other books ive read as of late. where there has to be a bad guy lol( which isn't always a bad thing) i just loved how i got to know this book and new that nothing would hurt or pull me apart haha.
gorgeous book. i had such a smiley time reading this and the premise was such a bold and unique one and done with tick tick tick from me.

Thank you to Net Galley and Quercus Books for the ARC.

I absolutely loved this book!

This book was so much fun to read. The relationship that blossoms between Sadie and Noah felt realistic and natural, without a hint of those “instant love” tropes you read in other books. I also loved watching the friendships develop between the party, and how wholesome the group was in and out of the campaign.

As someone who has a vested interest in both D&D and romance books, this was the perfect mixture!