Level Up for Love: A Novel

by Lenora Woods

Forced together for a new D&D campaign, sparks fly as two former college rivals clash—both in and out of the game—in this blend of contemporary second-chance romance and fantasy from the author of Roll for Romance.

In college, Reagan Riley and Wesley Locke were constantly at each other's throats, competing to be the best in their video game design program, until their unexpected hookup and Wesley's sudden disappearance following it severed their ties for good.

Six years later, Reagan has set aside her game design dreams, opting instead to stay close to her family in Connecticut and channeling her creative energy into D&D. When her longstanding group falls apart, she and her sister join their local game store's new, advanced campaign—only to find the demanding Dungeon Master at the helm is none other than Wesley. In the game, he is Vadrien, a merciless, power-hungry vampire lord, and Reagan is Sindra, the sword-wielding lady knight who will stop at nothing to cut him down.

When a game design opportunity opens up in the real world, Reagan and Wesley find themselves doubly pitted against each other. But as their buried spark reignites and Reagan starts to question why Wesley left all those years ago, can they find a way to play nice—and are they playing for more than just to win?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Fantasy, Contemporary Romance

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 8, 2026

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reagan and Wesley were college rivals, always trying to outdo each other in their video game design program. After an unexpected hookup, Wesley vanished without a word. Six years later, Reagan’s sister Mona convinces Reagan to join an advanced campaign at their local gaming store, since their last group fell apart. When they arrive for their first sessions, Reagan is shocked to see that the Dungeon Master is Wesley, who is staying with a friend after being laid off from his game design job. The two quickly revert to old rival habits when a game design opportunity arises. But will they be able to let go of the past and see if the old spark between them remains?

I loved Roll for Romance, so I was thrilled to see Lenora Woods had written another fun romance. What I enjoy most is that this book tells two stories. One follows Wesley and Reagan as rivals. The other is a gothic Dungeons & Dragons campaign with Vadrien, the vampire lord, and Sindra, the knight who wants to defeat him. I was just as eager to find out what would happen next in the campaign as I was to see if Wesley and Reagan could put aside their differences, work together, and maybe become something more. I fell in love with both stories and their characters. Readers who enjoy adult romances and are interested in Dungeons & Dragons or gaming in general will fall in love with Level Up for Love.

Level Up for Love is out September 8th.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine for the opportunity to review Level Up for Love. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Mimi Schweid]

I fear this one's for meeee.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow, I love discovering a new favorite author. Feels like a well deserved treat. Like, I'm already running to get her previous book right NOW.

I'm going to be honest — my knowledge for d&d only comes from baldur's gate 3, Dimension 20 and Stranger Things. Which is to say, not a whole lot. I still find myself obsessed with it. Like the vibes are perfect?? I love when authors who incorporate it make it easy to follow along.

And WOW, Lenora Woods did something so fun with this story. It's half a modern romance story about former college rivals to friends to lovers, and the other half is their campaign. Lenora fully immerses you in it and writes it in a way you slip so seamlessly right into the fantasy world before being dragged back to the real world. It was so much FUN.

The chemistry was on point. Had me going feral and crazy, begging them to just shut up and make out. The focus is definitely more on the plot than spice so that when the spice hits it's a nuclear bomb, so if that's your cup of tea this is perfect for you.

I fear this is also a case of loving the FMC too much. She was perfect and I won't take any slander against her. Reagan is my best friend. She can do no wrong. AND ALSO YES, Wesley is the perfect book boyfriend.

Thank you to Ballantine and netgalley for the arc!

[Analisia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Level Up For Love by Lenora Woods ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely LOVED this book. I fell in love with this story and the way Lenora writes. The way she blended the main story with their D&D campaign was amazing. I found myself fully immersed in not only the main story, but also the characters’ campaign as well, it was just soooo freaking good. I found myself metaphorically sitting at the edge of my seat while reading the D&D campaign lol. This author knows ball when it comes to gaming, and this book shows it for sure, she’s someone I’d love to chat with about everything nerdy. She absolutely killed it with this book and I need more of her writing, especially the fantasy writing, like if Lenora announces she’s writing a fantasy book about a D&D campaign, I’m 100% buying it and reading it. I loved the two main characters so much, their rivalry being tangible and seeing the growth in both of them. The reality of change is so hard for people and seeing how change affects the characters was just so well done. I could NOT put this book down and read it in one day. I highly recommend this book, especially for the lovers of romance, nerdy things, and D&D.

✨Level Up For Love releases September 8th, 2026!✨

[Shameez Papathanasiou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book so good I’ve flooded the author’s DMs with reactions and begged for more.

ADD TO YOUR TBR.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute 5 star read for me.
I haven’t been this invested in two people, and honestly a whole friend group, in a while. A perfect balance of an intricate D&D campaign with twists and turns and an equally balanced love story between two very misunderstood MCs.

Our FMC Reagan and MMC Wesley went to the same college together and were in the same major, video game development. TLDR after college they went their separate ways and had their own lives until 6 years later where this story takes place.
*brief vague spoilers*
Reagan and her sister (Ramona/ Mona) join a local D&D group that Mona’s girlfriend has been playing with and they’re starting a new campaign. I absolutely adored the push and pull between Wesley and Reagan. At first I found Reagan absolutely incredible rude how she acted after the first session and actually cringed thinking how I’d never let someone with that attitude back. But the more we got into the store the more Reagan (and Wesley’s) history and childhood start to paint the full picture
*no more spoilers*

I absolutely adored the D&D campaign story as well as our love story. Both of these being so well thought out and intricately detailed, I was enthralled through the whole book. I never wanted to put it down! Huge recommend this book (as well as the other D&D romance by Lenora Woods it’s incredible also)

Thank you NetGalley & Random House Publishing/ Ballantine for this ARC!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lenora woods does it again!!! and this time I was locked in the whole time. I felt more of a pull to these characters compared to her last novel. Using the same style as her last book; Lenora jumps back and forth between the d&d game with fantastical elements & combat into the real world with modern devices. She is able to seamlessly do these flips and shows her strength in both worlds. She had me tearing up towards the end too, and I do have a new favorite quote from it! (Will add after publication!)

only complaint is my anxiety regarding the third act conflict was so late in the book I was stressed. but I did love the ending and thought it was fitting and there was solid character development for the main characters.

thank you netgalley and Ballantine for the arc!

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Level Up For Love by Lenora Woods

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I just love a D and D romcom 🥰🥰There was a few things I predicted like who the DM was. I love the tv and movie references such as Twilight and Game of thrones. There was mentions of vampires, necromancers, and dragons. Also Sadie from book one popping in for a second I love!! This was a hate love relationship. Raegan has a lot of things she had to work though to get where we wanted it to end.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I loved this book!! The switching perspective between first person with the FMC and then to third person inside a DND campaign was fantastic and new for me. I was just ad engrossed in the story between the FMC and MMC as well as the DND campaign!! I loved how progression of the romance/relationship between Wesley and Reagan. You could feel the chemistry between them come off the page in so any ways!

Really enjoyed! I recommend!

[Cadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Roll for Romance, so when I received an invitation on NetGalley to an ARC of Level Up for Love, I was delighted! After reading it, I can now say I've found my favorite book.

Roll for Romance was a lot softer tonally, whereas Level Up for Love had more bite (pun intended). Reagan had some hard walls up at the start of this book, and it took a lot of work to break them all down. They were realistic, though, and every time you wanted to just take her by the shoulders and shake her and say, "Get it together!", she did it on her own. Lenora Woods did such a fantastic job of making Reagan a real and relatable character, and despite her flaws, she was deeply loveable. She reminded me of me in a lot of ways - eldest daughters always understand something no one else will, and as an eldest daughter, Reagan really spoke to my heart.

Wesley was a delight of an MMC. He challenged Reagan, but he also showed her kindness and patience. I liked that he could balance going head-to-head with her while also showing her that not everything has to be a battle. It was nice, as a reader, to only get the bits and pieces of him that Reagan was getting. Sometimes dual POV can be fun, but sometimes it can take the joy out of the characters discovering each other. With the story only being told through Reagan's eyes, we get to learn who Wesley is right along with her. Some things she doesn't learn until later in the book, and at the same time she was learning it, I realized, "Huh, I never realized I didn't know that either. There's more for us to learn about him!" It made uncovering the character of Wesley that much more fun.

Their love story was at times infuriating but always believable. I liked how realistic their relationship felt, especially with the walls Reagan had up and the way Wesley gently tried to reach her beyond them. Even though a certain plot point towards the end of the book made me a little annoyed and frustrated, I loved how and when Lenora resolved it.

The pacing throughout the book was spot-on. Lenora never let something linger for too long. Sometimes books will drop a hint at the FMC or MMC's mysterious past at the beginning, and they'll just hit the reader over the head with this secret over and over again for ages without actually revealing what it is. It almost feels like they're proud of themselves for the mystery they came up with and delight in keeping it a secret. But Lenora balanced mystery with pacing beautifully. Small details and hints are dropped right at the beginning, but they're fleshed out and given more depth and explanation early on and aren't dragged out forever.

The D&D campaign within this book was phenomenal. As I am currently playing Curse of Strahd with my own D&D group, this was a special treat for me! I loved the way Lenora wrote her own version of the vampire overlord curse plaguing a kingdom. She truly gave it a lot of depth and new ideas and twists and made it her own in such a unique way. The way she wrote the in-game portions of this book was pure perfection. It felt exactly as immersive as playing D&D feels, and she captured the magic and epic fantasy and battles and sweeping emotions so wonderfully!

The side characters were just as much of a treat as the rest of this book. They were all written well and given distinct personalities that brought a lot of life and dynamic energy to both the book as a whole and the D&D party.

I feel like I could write a dissertation on how much I loved this book. I've already pre-ordered with Lenora's exciting pre-order campaign through Lovestruck Books because I simply cannot wait to have this book physically in my hands and on my shelf. It is truly my new favorite book and I look forward to rereading it over and over again for years to come!

THANK YOU to NetGalley for the ARC! Please continue to send me an ARC for everything Lenora writes!

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some niche romance novels rely on gimmick. Level Up for Love succeeds because it understands the niche from the inside. This is not simply a romance novel decorated with dice and dragons. It is a romance built with real affection for tabletop gaming culture, and that authenticity gives it real charm.

Lenora Woods once again delivers a reading experience that feels like getting two stories at once. On one side, there is a contemporary romance built around tension, chemistry, and emotional payoff. On the other, there is an imaginative tabletop campaign that runs alongside the relationship arc. Rather than competing with each other, the two threads strengthen one another. The fantasy adventure adds fun and momentum, while the real-world romance gives emotional stakes to what happens around the table.

Character work is one of the strongest aspects of the novel. Wesley is especially effective because of how aggressively unlikable he feels at the beginning. The story asks the reader to carry real frustration toward him, which makes the eventual reversal all the more satisfying. When an author can take a character from disliked to desirable without feeling manipulative, that is skill. His chemistry with Reagan is strong throughout, and once the emotional walls begin to drop, the relationship becomes easy to root for.

Pacing is the one area where the novel occasionally loses some momentum. The opening is engaging, and the payoff is rewarding, but the middle section drifted for me more than I expected. I never disliked the book, but there were stretches where I felt less urgency to keep turning pages. That is a minor issue rather than a major flaw, but it keeps the book just below top-tier status.

Where Lenora Woods truly separates herself is in voice and authenticity. The references to class-specific abilities, premium gaming tables like Wyrmwood, and virtual tabletops never feel forced or performative. They feel lived in. This book reads like it was written by someone who genuinely knows the joy of a home game and understands why those spaces matter. That makes the story feel welcoming rather than market-tested.

⭐ Category Breakdown ⭐
Storytelling: 5.0
Two stories in one: a strong romance and a fun tabletop adventure.

Character Work: 4.0
Wesley’s full reversal arc works beautifully, and the chemistry lands.

Pacing: 3.5
Mid-book loses some urgency, though the ending rewards sticking with it.

Prose & Style: 5.0
Authentic, warm, and full of real gaming culture details.

Emotional Impact: 4.0
Easy to recommend, especially for romance readers and gamers alike.

⭐ Final Rating ⭐
Average: 4.3 -> 4.0 stars

Final Thoughts
Lenora Woods is quickly becoming an auto-read author because she understands something many crossover novels miss: loving a hobby matters more than referencing it.

This book has heart, humor, and enough tabletop soul to feel genuine. If you enjoyed Roll for Romance, this one deserves a spot on your radar immediately.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rival gamers Reagan and Wesley get a second chance at love when, after a kiss-and-run in college, the pair cross paths again at a local D&D campaign.

I liked this! Quite Ali Hazelwood flavored. Tough, smart girl with a bit of chip on her shoulder, nerdy but smooth guy who wins her over with his respect for her brains and talents. I found Reagan to be a little hard to connect with at first (maybe that was the point? She was pretty prickly and really do be holding grudges out here), but grew to appreciate her willingness to sacrifice for her sister and friends. She also wasn’t so set in her ways that she was unwilling to grow and change; I liked that about her as well. This must be the new era for leading men in romance - nerdy, smart, snarky men who like to push their female rival’s buttons but are secretly smooshy, yearning for and want the best for them. I feel like I have read three books with this kind of hero this spring! All that to say, Wesley was a solid guy. The “he wears HER clothes” bit was kind of iconic. Regarding them as a couple, I am not sure how I felt about the miscommunication that caused their initial conflict. I don’t know if I totally buy into that… But! I did like how they matured over time and were experts at pushing the other to be the best versions of themselves.

(The side characters were a little “meh” for me - not super memorable.)

I am not necessarily interested in video games or D&D but this story was well-written and quickly helped me become interested these things! I felt like I was given a satisfying amount of “beginner” information. I could understand what was happening, but the author did a good job of not dumping out huge piles of rules, characters types, lore, etc. We got just what we needed to follow along and connect with the gamer world, but not become bored or overwhelmed. I really enjoyed the duel storylines - the D&D fantasy world and real life. It was fun to see the character and plot parallels. That definitely helped me stay engaged for the whole book. This story felt very unique, which can feel like such a treat when you read a lot of romance.

I think you’d like this book if you like rivals to lovers stories, are familiar at all with games or Dungeons and Dragons, like both fantasy and romance books on their own… it was a good one.

Thank you, thank you to NetGalley and publisher for a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Bethany The Romance Paleontologist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roll for yearning, rivalry, facing your fears, and letting yourself enjoy life again. Two enchanting stories in one, take the initiative and read Level Up for Love✨

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for giving this DnD girl the privilege of reading Reagan and Wesley's adventure!


Quick backstory: My first big girl job out of college was in the videogame industry. For a subsidiary of a company with something to do with magicians on the beach (iykyk). Imposter syndrome was real. I related so much to Reagan in this because even when she is so deserving of praise, she isn't able to accept it. It's difficult being a woman in gaming, and while I'm no longer in the industry, this story healed something inside me I wasn't aware was still wounded.


REVIEW:

Reagan is a star in the game design department, and every star needs an archenemy. Enter Wesley, frustratingly blunt, frustratingly handsome, and frustratingly gifted in game design. When Wesley leaves right when he and Reagan are becoming more than rivals, so begins a six year grudge.

Something this story excels at is clean character development and almost sneaky background development. As the story unfolds you get the answers to why a character responded the way they did earlier in the book.

The yearning in this story is top notch. Banter is right up there too! The spice payoff is absolutely worth it!

Several times throughout this book I found myself crying because of how much the story reached me. I also was laughing my head off!

Another charming element of this book is that there are chapters written in the perspectives of the d&d campaign! It's two stories in one!

The love between Rea and Wes was heart wrenching, realistic, beautiful, and many times humorous. I absolutely adore the conclusion to their story.


For all of my fellow nerds who take out too much pressure on themselves, read this triumph of a rom-com and learn along with Reagan that love is not just a fantasy!

4.5/5 stars - Romancimals aka The Romance Paleontologist

Tropes:

Yearning
Banter
Top tier character arcs
Women in STEM
Learning to love yourself and others
Magic swords
Rivals to lovers

TW:

Infidelity experienced by main character (off page)
Serious car crash (off page but having theme consequences)

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reagan and Wesley spent their college years butting heads as rivals until it culminates in an unexpected encounter during a party. Despite finally finding some common ground and some very unlikely sparks, Wesley disappears. Six years later, Reagan finds herself face to face with him once again.

I absolutely loved the chemistry between the two, and they both have very compelling and interesting personalities and reasons for how they are. Reagan especially comes across as unlikable to the other characters in the story and I can see why. I truly love how flawed she is, and her reasons for it. All the supporting characters are super fun and interesting too. I really like how much it focuses on the game stuff and I love the D&D table scenes!

That being said...the addition of the secondary story within the story of the campaign took me completely out of the story itself. I really do like the D&D aspect, but the way it is, it's just a supernatural fantasy story that interrupted the story I wanted to read. The characters in the secondary story weren't really interesting to me personally and I found myself groaning every time I had to go from the main story to switching back to that. While this may be a fun time for others, it's not for me. I love hearing about them playing, but I really didn't enjoy it told like just another story. For me it took the entire D&D aspect out and just gave me another fictional book.

I felt like more effort was put into the D&D storyline in the latter half of the book, and I really wish some more of that was directed at Reagan and Wesley. Their actual story started to feel rushed and skimmed over. I get that a lot of their struggles were explored that way, but it just didn't give me that fun D&D tabletop vibe I had been hoping for.

While I would give the secondary D&D storyline a 2.0 star rating because I wasn't here for that kind of story, I would absolutely have given this book a 4.5 star rating if I didn't have to be sidelined from it as much as I was. This definitely wasn't it for me, but I absolutely know that others may love the way this was broken up! I truly love the main story and I want more of them. Especially sad that the huge buildup of the contest was just glossed over, I feel letdown over that.



I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine and Dell Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book follows Reagan and Wesley, two former college rivals in their video game development program, and what happens when they end up in the same D&D group years later. It switches back and forth between Reagan and Wesley in the real world, and their D&D characters, Sindra and Vadrien, in the group's current campaign. It has a very strong found family element, and there is a good amount of emphasis on the supporting characters as well.

I really enjoyed the interplay between Reagan and Wesley - I thought that had very fun chemistry and the beginning even made me giggle a little bit. I also really enjoyed the relationships with all the additional characters, though I wish some of them were fleshed out a little bit more (I want to know more about Arthur and Hana because lets be honest they sound like a great couple). The spice level was also very good in my opinion - it's definitely spicy, but not in a way that felt overdone to me. I also really enjoyed this author's writing overall, particularly the banter and spicy scenes, and will look out for more books from her.

A unique aspect of this book is the D&D campaign being interwoven with the real life romance, which I haven't seen in anything I've read before. My only experience with a D20 is using it to help me with task paralysis, so I can't speak to how accurate any of it was, but I thought it was enjoyable on the whole. As a big fantasy reader, I didn't feel like the fantasy aspect was fleshed out enough, but as this was a story within a story I can see how fleshing it out more would make the book drag on. I also didn't like the relationship between Sindra and Vadrien nearly as much as their real life counterparts - it seemed a lot more forced to me. But I do think that the supporting characters really got to shine in the D&D sections, and they added to the story overall.

I think if you like romance and are interested in a little bit of fantasy, this is a good place to start. I think this would also be great for anyone who enjoys D&D and romance novels to see the two interact in a new way. Happy reading everyone!

[Topo Chicas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started this book, but it was a surprisingly fun read!

Reagan Riley has been trudging along in life. She has a steady job, but life hasn’t turned out exactly as she had planned all those years ago. When her sister, Ramona convinces her to join a Dungeons and Dragons group at a local game shop, Reagan reluctantly agrees and is (lowkey) excited. That is until they show up for the group and learn that the Dungeon Master is none other than Reagan’s college rival, Wesley Locke. To make matters worse, Reagan and Wesley learn they are both competing against each other in the same game design competition. As the two spend time together on their campaign and as they work on their games for the competition, emotions continue to climb. But is it tension the two are feeling, or something a little more?

This was the first book like this that I’ve read and I found the premise to be very unique. I loved that the characters’ D&D campaign became a story within a story. It was so cool to read about Sindra, Moss, Antoni, Vera, Mortimer, and Vadrien, and I could see how the personalities mirrored that of their novel characters. There were times I forgot I was reading a contemporary romance novel because I was swept away by the fantasy story.

I will admit that I did go in to this book with very limited knowledge of how D&D worked. Most of that knowledge came from reading Kristy Boyce’s YA novels, Dungeons and Drama, and Dating and Dragons. This was very different from those books but no less fun to read. I came out of this book learning a lot about D&D campaigns.

I loved the angst and tension between Reagan and Wesley throughout the book. I would have loved more flashbacks to their college rivalry, but it was exciting to see the progression of their relationship. The relationship that really shined for me in this book, though, was Reagan and her sister Ramona’s. I loved how supportive they were of each other throughout the entire book.

Overall, this was a unique romance with a fun fantasy sub story! A special thank you goes out to NetGalley and Dell for the ARC!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC.. I really enjoyed Roll for Romance as it was a fast and fun read and was excited to get another book from this author. Reagan and Wesley met in college and have a rivalry with gaming skills and knowledge. They have a bonding moment, but unfortunately it goes sour as Reagan thinks Wesley left without saying anything. Years later they meet again when Mona's sister, Reagan, asks her to join a Dungeon and Dragons game with her girlfriend, Shay. Shay, her friend, Colin, her dad, Arthur, are starting a new quest where Wesley is the running the game. The rivalry is still there, but they agree to be civil and play the game. As they get immersed in the game, the group starts to bond and form a solid found family. Unfortunately, It also brings up past feelings/trauma for Reagan. She had previously played with her ex and group of friends, but that ended badly. Reagan and Wesley see they are more alike than they thought. You see their connection build in real life, during the D and D storyline, and when they work together playing the video games they are designing for the NEWT competition. They then start a friends with benefits relationship and are slowly falling hard for each other. Unfortunately Reagan's past traumas resurface leading to miscommunication/tension between her and Wesley that sends them separate ways. After talking with others, we see Reagan grow as she recognizes her past traumas, embrace the feelings she has for Wesley, and give their relationship a real shot. I really liked Reagan and Wesley as they had fun banter and chemistry. Like Roll for Romance, I loved the blending of storylines. The contemporary romance and fantasy elements of the D and D storyline weaved together perfectly creating a sweet romance and wonderful found family This was a heartwarming and fun read. I can't wait to see what Lenora Wood writes next. :)

[inmyreadingera321 · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who hasn't played D&D before, I wasn't sure if I was really going to fall into this book the way that I wanted to, but that wasn't a fear that I had for long once I actually began reading! The story was super accessible even with no background knowledge on D&D, and the dual plot line component was so unique and fun! I was, of course, really invested in Reagan and Wesley's story, but I found myself equally invested in the party's campaign against Vadrien, which I was really surprised by!

I loved how fleshed out Reagan was as a character -- this felt like her journey, her story, more than anything, which I really appreciated. All her history -- with her dad, with her sister, with her ex, with her old party -- it all really informed her present in a way that made her such a sympathetic character to me. I just wanted her to find her happy, after so long of going without it. And I really do think Wesley was it. Once we had an explanation for what happened to them in college (and even before that, if I'm being honest) it was so clear to see his feelings for her. I loved that he helped her grow but also just listened and supported her when she needed that. She was a whole character on her own, and he knew that.

I will say, though, in terms of the 80% conflict, I feel like everyone owed my girl Reagan an APOLOGY! She messed up too and owned it, but I felt so bad for her when she was faced with secrets and surprises that she wasn't expecting. I just wanted everyone to understand where her insecurities came from and make her feel safe and happy in spite of them. I think we got there eventually, with the epilogue especially, which made me happy!

----------------

Thank you to Netgalley and Dell for the ARC!

[Cass☀️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I would like to thank
Ballantine and Dell Publishing, Lenora Woods, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I recommend this book if you:
🔹love video games and/or DnD - I honestly knew nothing about DnD going into this book and I loved how Woods seamlessly weaved the story of Reagan and Wesley with their DnD campaign. I’ve never read anything like it and I am now even more curious about reading more of her books! Both the FMC and MMC are video game designers and their love for video games is evident.
🔹enjoy novels that explore sisterhood as the bond between the FMC and her younger sister is such a critical and important relationship in the story. So much of the FMCs journey to overcoming past trauma is centered around her love for her sister.
🔹enjoy characters with black cat energy or vibes — both the FMC and MMC give black cat energy. Which just added to the slow burn and tension between these two even though the CHEMISTRY was definitely there! You essentially are gonna wanna throw the book across the room several times because you are begging them to act on their feelings!

When I say this story sunk its fangs into me from the very beginning, I am not exaggerating! I loved the set up of the academic rivals who shared a steamy night and then the MMC disappeared with no explanation. Their chemistry from their first interaction was so entertaining and I loved their banter!

I really think this would be great for anyone who enjoys nerdy characters and/or gaming. I want to make it clear that I have never played DnD and I thoroughly enjoyed the DnD campaign aspects of the novel. I couldn’t put it down, which is why I devoured it in less than five hours.

[chelseabrookelikesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely not my usual read… but I saw D&D and immediately thought of my husband (certified gamer/nerd ) so I had to pick it up!

Reagan and Wesley are both stubborn as hell and very much in their “I do not care” era… while very obviously caring a LOT.

Also… the setup??? College rivals, one night together, and then he just disappears?? I was like oh you’re SICK for that.

So when they end up thrown back together years later through a D&D campaign where he’s the dungeon master… yeah. Immediate tension. Immediate awkwardness. I was completely locked in.

And I need to say this because I knew NOTHING about D&D going into this… I still had so much fun. It never felt confusing. If anything it made everything more interesting. The way their in game dynamic kind of mirrors what’s happening between them in real life was actually really cool.

The chemistry is there but this is slowwwww burn. Like “please just kiss already before I lose my mind” slow burn. The yearning is LOUD. They are both clearly down bad and refusing to admit it and I was eating that up the whole time.

Reagan is messy. She’s guarded, makes questionable choices, pushes people away… but the more you understand her, the more it all clicks. And her relationship with her sister added a lot more depth than I was expecting.

I also really loved the D&D group. It had that found family vibe that balanced out all the tension really well.

Only thing is there are a lot of characters between real life and the campaign so there were a couple times I had to pause and be like wait… who is this again, but it definitely didn’t ruin anything for me.

Thank you so much Ballentine (Dell), NetGalley, and Lenora Woods for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine | Dell for the ARC!

When I was sent an email giving me the opportunity to read Level Up for Love early, I figured I’d give it a go. The plot sounded cute, I like a fun romance on the weekends and there was Nerd Stuff.

Reagan and Wesley were rivals in college while earning their degrees in video game design. She found him to be arrogant, condescending and just plain annoying. When he shows up to her graduation party, she starts to wonder if there might be more to him…until he bails.

Fast forward several years and Reagan is enjoying being single after a recent breakup. A breakup that laid waste to her life. When her sister ropes her into checking out a new D&D group, she reluctantly agrees to join. Turns out the D.M. is Wesley. She grits her teeth for her sister and tries to do her best not to murder him. No easy task. But as she gets to know this new Wesley, she starts to wonder if she really ever knew him.

Reagan is an interesting character. She’s funny but standoffish and can be a bit aggressive. At first, I just wanted her to chill out…but she grew on me. I liked watching her slowly get over her issues and open herself up to new experiences. Plus, nerdiness abounds! Video games! D&D! So fun.

One thing that really made this one standout is the chapters told from the POV of Reagan’s player. It added a touch of fantasy that I really enjoyed. Honestly, I’d love to read an entire book set in their D&D world. They were some of my fav chapters.

I’d give this a 4.5/5 rounded up to a 5 because of a) I laughed out loud (a rare occurrence) and b) the fantasy chapters. I’d recommend this one to anyone who likes a nerdy romcom between two flawed leads with a sprinkle of fantasy thrown in.

[Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more books like this because, WOW, what a fantastic story. I'm here for D&D romance novels.👏🏼

This is Lenora Woods' second novel, and I truly enjoyed her first novel, but this one, I WAS FOAMING AT THE MOUTH. As an active member of my own D&D campaign, learned from Critical Role & have frequent runs on Baldur's Gate 3, I just absolutely was obsessed. It had equal parts of the campaign and the love story in real time. PLUS, CAN WE HEAR IT FOR THE MENTION OF THE GALE COSPLAY?! I'm a Gale girlie so I was so excited AND ARAGORN HALLOWEEN COSTUME. Immediate wins 👏🏼🎉❤️

Our characters were CHEFS KISS! 💋 We follow two different storylines between Wesley & Reagan who are rivals from college & in the video game industry. Then, we also follow Vadrian & Sindra who are rivals in the campaign. I have to say it, Wesley is a heart throb & you could tell her truly cared for our FMC. Reagan was our alt black cat and confident FMC, I could just tell her style was badass just like she was. She fought hard for her sister and didn't take no crap. The banter and tension between her and Wesley just made me giddy. The growth between these two to work through their past together & work together was great to see. What I loved the most is how we focused more plot and story then added the spice in here and there so when it finally happened (iykyk 🔥 ) then it was LIKE LETS GOOOOOO!

I can't wait to read more from Lenora because I'm just obsessed with her amazing romance & campaign storylines. It makes me want to know what character she plays in her campaign IRL. Plus, you will always have my heart if you drop little nerdy easter eggs like Gale <3

Thank you to Ballantine & Netgalley for the eARC. I am truly grateful! This review are all my own thoughts and opinions.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ thank you netgalley and Lenora Woods for the e-arc!

This book was so much fun, but the ending ended up falling short for me! I was completely enamored at the way the book was set up: from meeting Reagan and Wesley in college after a hookup that led to no contact for six years, to them reuniting on a Dungeons & Dragons campaign together. I really enjoyed how Woods let the readers dislike Wesley, as the beginning of the book, he comes off as a total jerk. However, when we find out the reason for him ghosting Reagan, it honestly felt unwarranted, and honestly, pathetic. I really dislike when MMCs take the word of random men over FMCs, especially when they have never met said person before. This part kind of took me out of the book for a second, especially since we find all of this information out at the halfway mark.

The connection between Wesley and Reagan was very strong, from glances during their games, to their constant bickering and the fact that they were both unable to keep their hands off of each other. I really enjoyed reading the D&D campaign sections--which shocked me since that is NOT the type of book I normally read. It made me want to pick up some romantasy, which I have never read, which is a great feat to Woods, since that has never intrigued me until now. The story building in the campaign was just as strong, if not stronger, than the world built around the main characters.

I enjoyed the discussion of dependency, stepping up when nobody else does, and the sacrifices people make to prevent themselves from facing their current realities. I really loved Mona, but I wish we got more interactions with other side characters outside of the campaign.

I will be picking up this authors other book after this!

[Kayne Spooner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a spicy, rival to lovers, gaming romance with a dash of fantasy. Reagan and Wesley were rivals in their Game Design program in college. At a graduation party, they played a few games together and felt a connection. They shared some kisses, but when he went to get a drink of water, he never came back! Reagan felt like she had been ghosted and was feeling hurt. Wes went on to work for a big gaming studio in Boston and Reagan stayed in town to work for a local hospital as a software engineer.

Six years later, she and her sister sign up for a Dungeon & Dragons (D&D) game at a local game store. Reagan is surprised when the Dungeon Master is none other than Wesley! The Dungeon Master runs the games and builds the fantasy world the players interact in. Members pick their characters and a magic item and meet once a week to play. It was special that the fantasy world in the D&D game is told as a fantasy tale within the story. Both Reagan and Wesley are also working on their own games to enter in an upcoming Indie games festival contest. Wesley is hoping it will help him get a new job in the gaming industry. Reagan does it because she loves to compete. They decide to critique each other’s games and things get pretty spicy between them. There are a lot of characters in their games as well as the characters in the group D&D game and at times, it was hard for me to keep track of them all. My favorite parts are when Reagan and Wesley are together in the present, and I loved the creative way the author had them interacting in the fantasy tale inside of the main story. I recommend this to readers who enjoy spicy stories with gamers, rivals to lovers, STEM characters and fantasy. Many thanks to the author, Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC. 09/08.

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, if you loved her debut like I did, this one is just as good, if not better! I was SO excited when I got the ARC and it was SO GOOD.

I am obsessed with how this blends romance with D&D and video games. It just works so well and makes everything feel more fun and unique without taking away from the romance at all. The whole campaign aspect added such a cool layer, especially with Reagan and Wesley basically going head to head both in real life and in game.

And the chemistry was INSANE. Reagan and Wesley have that perfect rivals to lovers energy with so much history, tension, and unresolved feelings. The YEARNING and PINING in this was really great and the banter was so good too because it was sharp, a little angsty, but still fun.

I also really loved the STEM/game design rep, especially Reagan as a woman in STEM and her journey with putting her dreams on hold. That part hit in a really real way.

Also, the found family aspect was really special. I loved the friend group so much. It had that supportive vibe that just made me want to be part of it, and it balanced out the angst really nicely. I genuinely want to start playing D&D too!

Lenora Woods just does such a great job with details and worldbuilding and I can really picture everything, from the game store to the campaign to the character dynamics.

It was slightly angsty read and had a third act conflict, but I did not mind it because they had amazing chemistry, great banter, and a really unique setup. I love the second chance romance, rivals to lovers, lots of yearning, and a little nerdy flair too!

Thank you to NetGalley, Lenora Woods, and Ballantine/Dell for the eARC of this book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley.

This book was everything my nerdy little heart needed. I’m a total sucker for second-chance romance and rivals-to-lovers, so this one had me hooked from the very beginning. There’s something so satisfying about characters with history and the tension between them felt real, layered and just messy enough in the best way.

What really made this stand out for me was how seamlessly the D&D campaign was woven into the story. The in-game dynamics mirror and amplify what’s happening in real life and it creates this playful, clever contrast between fantasy and reality. Watching the characters interact at the table while they’re navigating their own rivalry and unresolved feelings outside of it added so much depth to their chemistry—it’s flirty, competitive and full of those little moments that make you root for them.

The character development was also such a highlight. You really get a strong sense of who each person is, not just on the surface but in what motivates them, what they’re afraid of and how they grow. Their individual journeys feel just as important as the romance, which makes everything hit even harder when those paths start to intertwine.

Overall, this was such a fun, heartfelt read with just the right mix of nerdy charm, emotional depth, and romantic tension. I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves D&D, character-driven stories, and a romance that feels both playful and meaningful.

[Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4 ⭐️

Full disclaimer: I’m not a Dungeons and Dragons player. But I absolutely appreciate a good nerdy love story, and as someone who used to hit up comic cons and play board games, I was intrigued by the premise. Second chance romance AND enemies to lovers? Count me in!

The first few chapters grabbed me instantly. Lenora gave me exactly the heartstrings I was looking for. Then suddenly, BAM, you’re transported into their actual D&D campaign, and it threw me completely off. The worldbuilding in the first half felt like a lot, and the context switching between their real story and the fantasy campaign was honestly hard to follow.

Sometimes there weren’t even clear cues that a chapter had shifted into their fantasy world, which made it confusing.

But it does get better in the second half. I loved watching Wesley and Rea’s romance progress, even if Rea can be a total butthead. Girl, just give him a chance to explain! 😩😒

Here’s my main thing though: I wish there was way more focus on Wesley and Rea’s actual story and less time in their D&D campaign. The romance is what kept me reading, and I wanted more of that than the fantasy worldbuilding.

That said, if you can look past the context switching and lean into the romance, you’ll be invested in Wesley and Rea just like I was. The nerdy love story at the heart of this book is genuinely sweet.

Thanks Netgalley and Ballantine for this ARC! ❤️

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lenora Woods is now an auto-buy author for me.

First off, I love rivals to lovers. I think it’s so underrated. Toss that in with a D&D story and it’s the best of both worlds. I’m already a fan from the jump!

I loved the tit for tat that both of them had. I loved their shared history, and their love for gaming, and their backstories. The banter was so fun and steamy, and I kicking my feet with every interaction. I was SAT!

Reagan is such a complex character. She is relatable, but jaded. Unapologetic, but also so well-rounded in her flaws that it was endearing. She is self aware of her faults, as is Wesley, and having two competitive, scornful, and steeled leads made for a very interesting love story. The more they interacted, the more it became obvious that they were perfect for each other, and that dynamic had me hooked from the very first page.

I loved the D&D campaign in Roll for Romance, but I loved this one EVEN MORE! I was so enthralled and invested in it. The characters in the campaign were just as interesting as the IRL counterparts and I just had a ball watching it all play out.

Every time I put the book down, I was thinking about it. I wanted to do nothing but read about Reagan and Wesley and their misfit friends. I am so honored to have received this ARC; I enjoyed it so freaking much.

[Meredith Royer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into Level Up for Love expecting a cute nerdy romance, and it definitely delivered that! As a D&D nerd myself this was an instant “must read”.

Reagan and Wesley have that perfect rivals-to-something-more tension right from the start. The history between them actually matters, and I loved that their past wasn’t just brushed off. The ghosting situation? Yeah… I was side-eyeing Wesley for a while, not gonna lie. But as things unfold, you start to understand him more, and it made the slow rebuild of their connection feel earned.

The D&D elements were honestly one of my favorite parts. It didn’t feel gimmicky—it added this whole extra layer to their relationship. Maybe that’s my take because I play D&D but I really did enjoy this aspect. Watching them clash in-game as their characters while dealing with real-life tension was such a fun parallel. If you’re even a little into fantasy or tabletop games, this will hit.

Also really loved Reagan as a main character. She felt real—torn between what she thought her life should look like and what she actually wanted. (Girl same, relatable!) That part especially stuck with me.

Overall, this was fun, a little angsty, and super easy to get into. Perfect if you like second-chance romance with a nerdy twist and just enough emotional payoff to keep you hooked.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful blend adventure and personal growth. It’s perfect for Dungeons and Dragons and second-chance romance lovers.

One of the strongest elements of this book was how well balanced the flow of both Reagan’s story and the campaign the group plays through. The beats for both stayed engaging and reflected one another nicely.

The imagery, particularly when we’re within the campaign, is incredible. The tiny details immersed me into the story and made me feel as if I were another player in the party,

All the characters, both in ‘real-life’ and ‘in-game’ were properly fleshed out. The minor characters had sufficient depth.

One of my favorite parts is following Reagan’s journey. She’s a ‘real’ person: full of flaws, knows her struggles, wary. Her growth builds in a realistic way, which makes the ending that much more satisfying to see where she ends up.

Reagan’s and Wesley’s story was captivating from the start, and I loved watching how it transformed as they grew as individuals. I do wish we got a bit more incite into Wesley’s backstory and more emotional depth. It isn’t completely absent, but I would have enjoyed a bit more.

After reading, it has invigorated my desire to get back into playing D&D! Thank you so much to Lenora Woods, the Balletine team, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. Make sure to check this one out!