Roll for Love: A Heartfelt Adventure in D&D and Self-Discovery
Let me tell you, Roll for Love by Liora Blake was such a delightful surprise for me! Usually, I dip into just a handful of YA books each year, but this one called to my inner nerd with its promise of Dungeons & Dragons and heartfelt second chances. As a fan of actual play shows like Critical Role, I felt an instant connection to the characters and situations within its pages. You could say I rolled the dice and came up lucky!
At its heart, Roll for Love is a story about Harper, who returns to her mother’s small-town roots after her grandfather’s passing. Greeted with memories of her childhood crush, Ollie, their chemistry isn’t confined to the real world; it flows seamlessly into their D&D campaign, creating an engaging dual narrative that I adored. The interplay between their real lives and their fantasy characters added layers of sweetness and humor. Watching them navigate their burgeoning relationship, both in-person and in-game, brought me so much joy. There’s something uniquely satisfying about seeing characters develop emotionally while also leveling up their in-game personas.
The portrayal of Harper and Ollie’s second chance was executed superbly. As they rediscover each other, we see them grow—in parallel, as it turns out, with their characters. Each scene brimming with awkward flirtation and quiet connection had me both giggling and swooning. The book celebrates LGBTQ+ representation through a close-knit group of friends, showcasing the beauty of finding your tribe, especially for queer and questioning teens. This is the kind of camaraderie I relish seeing in stories; it made my heart feel full.
On the narrative side, Blake’s writing style felt approachable yet insightful, causing me to reflect on real-life issues, like Harper’s decision to pursue a career in woodworking instead of following a conventional college path. It was refreshing to see a YA novel challenge traditional expectations around education, acknowledging that everyone’s journey is unique. This theme resonated with me, especially as Harper faces conflicts with her mother about her future.
However, I found myself a bit frustrated with the pacing in the second half. Too often, significant moments were relayed as summaries rather than explored fully on the page, leaving me longing for rich, detailed scenes rather than second-hand accounts. Additionally, while the third act conflict had the natural predictability of teen drama, I felt some nuances—especially around coming out and being true to oneself—could have been handled with more depth. It’s a common narrative in queer literature that often challenges my patience, relying on conventions that feel outdated.
Listening to the audiobook, narrated brilliantly by Natalie Naudus, Mary Helen Gallucci, and André Santana, brought the characters to life in an engaging way, particularly the addition of a third narrator for the D&D scenes. Although I wished for a full-cast production to enhance the dynamic scenes, it still made for an enjoyable listen. The narration added another layer to the experience that illuminated the characters’ highs and lows.
In conclusion, Roll for Love is a sweet, heartfelt YA contemporary that’s perfect for fans of D&D, burgeoning romances, and those who appreciate diverse depiction in literature. It’s a journey through friendship, love, and self-discovery that left me smiling long after I turned the last page. I might have had a few quibbles about pacing and how certain themes were handled, but this book is a gentle reminder that sometimes joy can be found in the most unexpected places—whether in a fictional world or in the connections we forge in our own lives. If you’re looking for a light read that tugs at your heartstrings while embracing the whimsical nature of storytelling, don’t hesitate to pick this one up!
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