This book is pure nerdy joy - a fun mashup of musical theater and Dungeons & Dragons, with a heavy dose of adorable fake dating and slow-burn romance. Riley and Nathan are ridiculously easy to root for, with banter that’ll make you laugh out loud and found-family friendships that feel like a snug blanket. Kristy Boyce nails all the best YA romance tropes but keeps it fresh with genuine, relatable characters. If you love 2000s rom-coms, high school hijinks, and seeing underdog nerds get their geeky happy-ever-afters, this one’s a must-read - no D&D experience required!

Who May Not Like This Book:

If you’re not into books that lean younger in tone or prefer your YA without the familiar fake dating and miscommunication tropes, you might not vibe with this. Some readers wanted deeper backgrounds for side characters and clearer resolutions for the family drama subplot. The writing style and the light drama fit better for those who like their reads sweet and wholesome, not angsty or intense.

A super cute, feel-good YA romance perfect for anyone who loves drama, D&D, nerdy banter, and fake dating fun. Not reinventing the genre, but absolutely delivering the charm.

About:

'Dungeons and Drama' by Kristy Boyce is a delightful blend of musical theater and Dungeons and Dragons, catering to the hearts of nerds from both worlds. The book follows Riley and Nathan as they navigate a fake dating relationship, intertwined with elements of Broadway musicals and RPGs like D and D. The writing style is light and enjoyable, offering a quick and fun read that appeals to both young adult readers and those young at heart. The story explores themes of fake relationships, enemies to lovers, and the dynamics of family relationships, all set against a backdrop of teenage angst and conundrums.

Characters:

The characters are relatable, well-developed, and embody the underdog theme, featuring strong personalities that contribute to their growth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is witty, humorous, and easy to read, making it suitable for young adult audiences with engaging dialogue.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a humorous exploration of fake dating between a nerd and a drama kid, highlighting misunderstandings and a slow-burn romance.

Setting:

The setting is a high school environment that creatively combines elements of theater and gaming culture.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick and balanced, making it a fast and engaging read.

Notes:

The book features a cute and eye-catching cover that draws readers in.

It's a blend of romance, humor, and relatable teenage experiences.

The main characters, Riley and Nathan, have a slow-burn romance that transitions from co-workers to friends to lovers.

The story includes elements of both Dungeons and Dragons and Broadway musicals, appealing to fans of each.

It's described as a quick and easy read, ideal for people seeking light-hearted fiction.

The fake dating trope is handled well, raising questions about genuine feelings versus pretend relationships.

The family dynamics are more fleshed out than typical YA stories, avoiding the absent parent cliché.

The book touches on themes of found family, showcasing strong friendships.

It’s suitable for a wide age range, appealing to both young adults and the young at heart.

Readers particularly enjoyed the diverse hobbies and personalities of the characters.

Has Romance?

The romance between the characters Riley and Nathan is a significant component but is not overwhelmingly dominant.

From The Publisher:

When it comes to romance, sometimes it doesn't hurt to play games. A fun YA romcom full of fake dating hijinks!

Musical lover Riley has big aspirations to become a director on Broadway. Crucial to this plan is to bring back her high school's spring musical, but when Riley takes her mom's car without permission, she's grounded and stuck with the worst punishment: spending her after-school hours working at her dad's game shop.

Riley can't waste her time working when she has a musical to save, so she convinces Nathan-a nerdy teen employee-to cover her shifts and, in exchange, she'll flirt with him to make his gamer-girl crush jealous.

But Riley didn't realize that meant joining Nathan's Dungeons & Dragons game…or that role playing would be so fun. Soon, Riley starts to think that flirting with Nathan doesn't require as much acting as she would've thought...

Ratings (6)

Incredible (4)
Loved It (2)

Reader Stats (24):

Read It (6)
Want To Read (17)
Not Interested (1)

1 comment(s)

vibluv502

Incredible

8 months

The characters were amazing

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Dungeons and Drama?

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Dungeons and Drama

Kristy Boyce

Book 1 in the series:Dungeons and Drama

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