Summary: Dungeons and Drama
Theater nerd Riley Morris is in hot water. Her parents found out that she drove her friend to her concert (without a driver’s permit), and now she’s grounded and forced to work at her father’s game store. During an uncomfortable encounter with her ex, she gets caught up in proving that she’s moved on and claims to be dating her schoolmate and one of her dad’s employees, Nathan. Both teens make a fake dating plan to help them reach their own goals, but along the way, as they support each other’s interests and spend time together, real feelings begin to develop.
The Good
This book is so much fun! Honestly, I find most YA romances cringe-worthy and shallow, so I’m always wary of them. This one, though, was just such a treat. For one, I love the well-rounded protagonists. Although the story is told from Riley’s perspective, we get to learn about Nathan and his challenges, too. Nathan and Riley share palpable chemistry, which is obvious from their first meeting, and I love that their relationship isn’t “insta-love;” they built a believable friendship that laid a strong foundation for their romance.
The main characters’ interests play a pivotal role in this story, so there are plenty of Dungeons and Dragons playing scenes, and two of the side characters even engage in Live Action Role Playing — two things I have zero interest in but kept reading about because of the author’s storytelling. Riley organizes a musical during the story, which will definitely appeal to theater fans.
I enjoyed the presence of Riley’s parents in this story (more teen books should feature parent-kid relationships) and the overall focus on family relationships in both kids’ lives. Riley’s parents are divorced but still friendly, and she gets to rekindle her relationship with her dad by working in his store. Finally, Riley and Nathan have a fun group of friends and it was refreshing to read about a drama-free friend group.
Dungeons and Drama
Dungeons and Drama is a gratifying fake dating romance that blends gaming with theater for young teens. This young YA romance is perfect for upper middle schoolers and younger high schoolers looking for a tame but swoony romance with the fake dating trope and a dash of substance. It is also fantastic on audio!
Star Rating
Content Notes
Here are some specifics to know about the content.
Content Warnings
- Death: None. Riley’s father has a health scare.
- Alcohol/substance abuse: None.
- Sexual content: Limited to kissing.
- Violence: None.
- Religious content: None.
- Language: None.
Diversity
- Ethnic: Main characters cued white.
- Sexual orientation: One side male character is gay and has a boyfriend.
Recommended for ages: 12+
Good for kids who like:
- Romances with the fake dating trope
- High school romances
- Books about gaming
- Clean teen romances
Publisher Details
| Publisher details | Delacorte Press |
| Author: | Kristy Boyce |
| Illustrator: | N/A |
| Publication date: | January 9, 2024 |
| Audiobook? | Yes, Libro.Fm |
| Page count: | 304 |
| Cover artists | Designer: |
Buy This Book
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