Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce
Riley Morris is obsessed with musicals. So obsessed that she MAY have "borrowed" her mom's car and driven herself and her bestie across state lines to a performance without her mom's permission or knowledge.
Oops.
That oops has turned into a punishment for Riley: being grounded and working at her father's game store (the one Riley feels he chose over her and her mother). Yet Riley knows so little about games--what she knows is that this punishment should end before her school's spring musical. But then the worst comes through: the spring musical is canceled due to high costs and low school or community support. This won't stand. Riley will save the musical.
But first, she has to get through this part-time job and being around her dad. Enter Nathan Wheeler. He goes to Riley's school but she hasn't really spent much time with him because Nathan is neither into musicals nor school participation. Nathan also works at the game store and soon the two are thrown together in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. When Riley's recent ex, Paul, comes to the store with his new girlfriend and Riley notices Nathan needs help getting the attention of another D&D player, Sophia, Riley hatches a plan. Riley and Nathan will pretend to date thus proving to Paul that Riley is beyond him and enticing the only-wants-what-she-can't-have Sophia towards Nathan.
Foolproof.
Well, their growingly mutual friend group doesn't agree, but what do they know?
As Riley and Nathan continue to fake date, work, and play D&D together, the two grow closer and soon the line between pretending and reality begins to blur for Riley, but she's not sure it's so blurry on Nathan's end--and that would be devastating.
Filled with a love of D&D, heart, sweet romance, and delightful fake dating tropes, Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce is a heartwarming read. The characters are distinct and intriguing with nuance especially played out in the relationship of Riley's parents. The ebb and flow of Riley and Nathan getting closer and farther apart is well-paced and will keep readers flipping pages. While readers who already play D&D will get a special kick out Boyce's work, Boyce does a great job of introducing the tabletop roleplaying game to a wider audience.
If you want a lighthearted YA romance with a dash of nerdiness, Dungeons and Drama is just right for you.
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