Review Detail

Dungeons and Drama Featured

Young Adult Fiction 769

Dungeons & Drama - Book and Audio Review

June 05, 2024

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Hi. Did I devour this book? Yes. Yes I did. I get real iffy about picking up YA contemporary because I'm well over the age for it and sometimes it's just hard to connect. But this book? I loved this book. While it was definitely meant to be young adult, it's done in such a way that anyone could enjoy it. Maybe because it hit the nerd in me, both ways as I love musicals and fantasy, but I just loved it. It had all the makings of enemies to lovers fake dating (two tropes I love) but without all of the teenage lingo. Yes, I feel old writing that but it's true. I think this book does a great job telling the story without giving into much of the "real world" which is such a relief. You can just sit back and read and enjoy. Laugh, cry, sing-along -- it just works.

Riley is such a fun protagonist. She definitely stands out, and she knows it. But her confidence is so contagious and I loved the descriptions of her crazy outfits. Her growth in this book is done so well and I really enjoyed watching her take in new interests while keeping faithful to her old ones. Nathan was, of course, the perfect counter for Riley and it was obvious from the beginning how it was going to work. Their friends are amazing as well. It just shows how important the side characters are in books.

Overall, Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce was a huge success for me. I flew through this book so fast because I was so absorbed in this story. It was funny and realistic and wholesome. I'm a sucker for fake dating and especially when it's mixed with enemies to lovers. Riley and Nathan were the perfect characters but I'm glad this was told from Riley's point of view only. She really is the main character and it shows. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, contemporary romance without too much drama (except the good kind).

AUDIO NARRATION
I loved this on audio! Probably the reason I read it so fast because I had a hard time turning it off. Every second I had the chance it was playing. If you like audio, I highly recommend it.