Critical Match

by S. Frasher

In a realm where love is left to fate—and fate is cast with a twenty-sided die—one witch refuses to play by the rules…but will her heart be able to withstand it?
Once a year, the single citizens of the realm gather for the Festival of Fates, where enchanted dice roll out divine matchmaking. It’s like magical Tinder meets celestial one roll, one match, one spark of fate.
Elara is a strong-willed witch once scorned by love. When she ends up magically tethered to the last person she'd ever choose, she decides to attempt to trick fate. But as monsters rise, secrets unravel, and the stakes grow ever more personal, she’ll have to decide what’s real, what’s scripted, and what’s written in the stars.
Sir Tavian is a golden-hearted knight who’s shirtless more often than not, obnoxiously charming, and far too into pong reracks for someone who swings a sword for a living. With his knowing smirk and too-perfect rolls, he is a walking contradiction—part fantasy, part threat. Elira wants him to be just another NPC. But the way he looks at her? The way he knows her? That feels dangerously real.
Their misfired match unleashes magical mayhem unless they cohabitate—and worse, they’re required to appear weekly before a tribunal of matchmakers (and adoring fans) to be tested and scored. Cue the forced proximity, enchanted bickering, and an increasing number of moments that feel suspiciously like destiny.
Rom-com meets satirical high fantasy in a world of divine dice rolls, matchmaking misfires, and slow-burn tension hotter than a phoenix’s backside.
A romantasy for lovers of dice, destiny, and delicious tension.

Genres: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Romantasy, Romance

420 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2025

Reviews

[Nicole Sleeper · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who knew nothing about DND, i recommend this book.

Being is a realm where love is found during a festival was kinda neat to follow. Kinda like a dating game but it actually helps you find a soulmate.

Elara has given up on love. She’s been burned to many times in her past. Her friend pushes her to join the festival this year, to just see how it goes.

Well it connects her to the last person she ever wanted. The knight, Tavian who’s been in and out of her shop bothering her for months now. How will it end?

This book captured my heart, it had me gasping for breath, it was perfection.

[Allie McGuire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the story line to be unique.
sometimes I feel we were in the FMC thoughts too much and got a little repetitive

[Ana ☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro ha sido una gran sorpresa en el buen sentido. Lo pillé en un Stuff your Kindle day gratis, pintaba bastante bien y hace unos días decidí darle una oportunidad porque su portada también me llamaba la atención.

Ha sido una historia de romance con toques de fantasía muy cozy, cute y divertida 🥰​🥰​ Tiene algunas cositas que quizás cambiaría y en algunos aspectos se nota que es un libro autopublicado pero, en líneas generales, he disfrutado mucho de su lectura. Ha sido una historia ligera y sencilla perfecta para el verano ☀️​☀️​☀️​

He visto que la autora publicará próximamente otro libro dentro del mismo universo cuyos protagonistas serán una pareja de personajes secundarios de este. La verdad es que tengo muchas ganas de leerlo!! 🤗​

Ojalá este libro sea más conocido porque creo que esta autora tiene mucho potencial 😍​

[Krystal Valster · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I beta read this a few months ago, it was already a five star for me and I didn’t even know the ending. Now it’s even more of a 5 star. I love the concept of using DnD and throwing us in a world where the dice decide fate. The festival and activities are fun and thought thru. Towards the middle this book had me bawling. My heart ripped out. But the author nicely stitched it back together for me like our characters. Love Tavian and Elara. They are relatable and real. This book needs to be read by anyone who loves a good romance with a pinch of spice (it’s very very small, delicate, and private. Very well written). I know when it releases the story will be even more refined and perfect.

[Cootsiepooreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dice do not make love. The enchanted dice merely whisper what hearts already know but minds refuse to see. 🎲

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was so fun! Dungeons and Dragons meets the Bachelor in this story of magic, matchmaking, and mayhem. (And oh boy, was there lots mayhem.) The D&D elements were easy to understand and woven into the story in a way that enchanted the plot without being overwhelming.

I absolutely adore Tavian. He's the perfect combination of a golden retriever boyfriend and an overprotective MMC. 😍

[Daria · Rating 5 out of 5]

adorable

I spent a good 1/2 of the book hating the mc and really not understanding her, but it made for good theater. Cute fluff with some carved out emotions. Super forced at times.

[Quincy McIlvaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Digital book.
The plot concept was really fun and interesting. It kind of gave Love Island with the matching ceremonies and public aspect but it swung too YA for me with the oh poor me I’ve been heartbroken once before and now I’m writing off knights forever.

[Courtney Dresden · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a quaint little book. It was such a fun story and I enjoyed every minute of it. A fun little read for anyone who wants some cozy romance, DnD nerd or not.

[Emily Saucier · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Fate handed me dice like this, I’d never stop rolling😉

[Doe Is Reading]

The story is cute but the MMC keeps giving me the ick and I can’t continue 😭