Rolls and Rivalry

This is the third D&D book the Kristy Boyce has written, and I'm still obsessed.

I might be a little biased because my senior year I was also Color Guard Captain, so Boyce has definitely won me over.

However, I loved this book so much. It was a classic friends to enemies to lovers and exactly what you would expect. Sometimes, we all need books to be exactly what you want and expect, and this was the case here. Hazel is beginning her senior year as color guard captain. The color guard isn't the best but she loves it anyways. Max just transferred back and when they were younger, Hazel and Max were inseparable. But times change, and apparently so did Max.

There is strife between percussion and color guard which makes things a little more complicating as well ... since Max is amazing on the drums. This books goes through it's typical up and downs but of course D&D brings everyone together!

I loved all of the banter and build up that Rolls & Rivalry gives. It's light hearted, it's funny, and you just root for the band the whole time. This is another great installment on the series, and if you liked the first two -- you'll love this one as well.

Audio Feedback: I was able to complete this with the audiobook and it was so much fun. Louisa Zhu narrates this installment and I loved the way she brought everyone to life. I highly recommend this in audiobook format!

The story, Rolls and Rivalry, earns superior scoring in the genre of clean YA romance. Kristy Boyce perfectly captures band camp and high school competitions. Hazel is the color guard captain, and Max is a friend from long ago who is back in town and great in the percussion section. Only problem is that, between trouble at home and the feud between percussion and color guard, Max is not eager to play nice with Hazel. With the help of forced proximity, playing Dungeons and Dragons, old feelings are rekindled.
The character development is well done. Hazel’s concerns, reactions, high expectations, and growing pains into adulthood are relatable. Part of this story was with an audiobook, and the narrators capture their personalities perfectly.
Overall, this was a fun, clean romance. I loved the scene where characters from Boyce’s other D&D books have a cameo. As an older reader, this has me feeling nostalgic for high school, and I wasn’t even in the band. Fans of Lynn Painter should check out these books as well.