Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce (Narrated by Eva Kaminsky)

Fake Dating, Nerdy References, and Stories With a Whole Lot of Heart

5 out of 5 stars

If you’ve ever found yourself torn between the spotlight of Broadway and the dim glow of a tabletop RPG session, Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce is the charming, nerdy, heartfelt mash-up you didn’t know you needed.

Riley Morris dreams in musicals. Her goal? To be a Broadway director. But when her school’s spring musical is abruptly canceled, Riley’s world is thrown off key. Determined to bring back the show, she sets her sights on convincing the school that theater belongs in their halls—and she’s not afraid to get creative about it. The only problem? She’s grounded for “borrowing” her parents’ car to see a Broadway show, and her punishment includes working in her dad’s game store. Enter Nathan Wheeler: introverted, sharp-witted, and a D&D devotee.

From the get-go, Riley and Nathan seem like polar opposites—she’s all glitter and jazz hands, he’s dice rolls and character sheets. But when Riley hatches a plan to make Nathan’s crush jealous (and maybe rile up her ex, too), they find themselves fake-dating. What follows is a delightful unraveling of their carefully constructed charade, complete with D&D nights, growing feelings, and a heartwarming journey toward understanding and acceptance.

What Makes This Book Shine:

• Authentic, Hilarious Dialogue: The banter between Riley and Nathan sparkles. It’s sharp, funny, and effortlessly engaging—think classic rom-com vibes with a modern nerdy twist.

• Nerd Culture Gold: From Dungeons & Dragons to Warhammer to musical theater lore, Dungeons and Drama is a love letter to all things geek. Boyce clearly knows her stuff, and her writing reflects a deep appreciation for both gaming and musical communities. No “Um, actually…” moments here—just full-hearted, joyful nerdery.

• Perfect Tropes in Play: Fake dating? Check. Opposites attract? Double check. Slow-burn romance that makes you want to scream “JUST KISS ALREADY”? Absolutely.

• Well-Woven Relationships: Riley’s journey isn’t just about love. Her relationships with friends, family, and even her ex are thoughtfully crafted, adding emotional depth that makes the story resonate beyond the central romance.

• Narration That Sings: Eva Kaminsky is Riley. Her voice captures Riley’s energy, quirks, and frustrations with such authenticity, you’ll feel like you’re living the story right alongside her.

Whether you’re a diehard musical fan, a tabletop RPG adventurer, or somewhere in between, Dungeons and Drama hits all the right notes. It’s a smart, funny, and genuinely sweet coming-of-age romance that celebrates finding your people—and yourself—in the unlikeliest of places.

A must-read (and must-listen!) for fans of fake dating, nerdy references, and stories with a whole lot of heart.

Book Description:

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • When it comes to romance, sometimes it doesn’t hurt to play games. A fun YA romcom full of fake dating hijinks!

No one loves musicals more than Riley Morris—her dream is to be a Broadway director. But when the spring show is canceled, Riley has to figure out a way to bring it back. Easier said than done—she’s stuck working at her dad’s game store. The place that means more to him than his family does.

Riley can’t waste time at a dead-end job when her entire future is resting on making a name for herself. So she convinces her co-worker Nathan Wheeler—the floppy-haired, glasses-wearing guy she barely knows from school—to help her. In exchange, she’ll help him make his gamer-girl crush jealous. Plus it won’t hurt to show her egotistical ex, Paul, just what he’s missing without her.

Soon Riley and Nathan are “a couple,” and people seem to believe it. But selling the ruse means joining Nathan’s role-playing game. To Riley’s surprise, the game is almost fun. And even more surprising, flirting with Nathan doesn’t require as much acting as she thought it would. . . .

Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce
Narrator: Eva Kaminsky
Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
Published by Listening Library on January 8th 2024