Book: Rolls and Rivalry by Kristy Boyce
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 4/5
ARC REVIEW
Rolls and Rivalry by Kristy Boyce
⭐⭐⭐⭐¼ (4.25/5)
I will always show up for Kristy Boyce and her ability to write teenagers who actually feel like teenagers, without tipping into annoying or overly polished. These are kids who care deeply about marching band, who bond over weekly Dungeons & Dragons sessions, and who are messy, imperfect, and completely endearing because of it.
Hazel is such an easy character to root for. As a color guard captain turned Dungeon Master, she’s juggling a lot—attempting to lead her team to their first Best Auxiliary win in over a decade, chasing Most Valuable Member, and navigating a complicated relationship with her marching band–obsessed mom. It all felt grounded and real, and when you throw in her childhood best friend (and longtime crush) Max returning to town? Yeah, the angst writes itself.
Max’s situation hit, too. Coming back after his parents’ divorce and trying to figure out where he fits again adds a layer of tension that plays well against the band camp and D&D backdrop. His initial attitude toward Hazel can be frustrating, but it never felt out of place—it reads very “teen boy who doesn’t know what to do with his feelings,” and the payoff works once you understand where he’s coming from.
Overall, this is another strong addition to the Gaming and Romance series. It’s light and quick, but still delivers enough emotional weight to keep you invested without dragging things down. Basically: cozy, a little angsty, and very easy to love.
Thank you to Kristy Boyce, Delacorte Romance, and NetGalley for providing an ARC!