Review

Riley is a musical theatre obsessive—so much so, that she’s just been grounded-with-prejudice for driving her mum’s car (without permission and without a licence) to see a performance of Waitress with her best friend Hoshiko. Her mum’s given her the worst punishment of all: working every afternoon and weekend at her nerdy divorced dad’s über-nerdy games store. Ugh. As if spending awkward alternate weekends with him making stilted conversation wasn’t enough. To make matters worse, Riley instantly gets off on the wrong foot with Nathan, one of the other employees, who also goes to her school, and the principal cancels the school musical due to budget constraints. Could things get any worse?

Well, yes, they could. Paul, her cute ex-boyfriend who dumped her without a backward glance, hears she’s working at the games store and swans in with his glamorous new girlfriend. What’s a girl to do but pretend she has a new boyfriend? Called… er… ah… um… Nathan. She then manages to convince Nathan that it’s in both their best interests to fake date: it will help him appear more attractive to gorgeous gamer-girl Sophie. Now all they have to do is flirt with each other when Paul or Sophie is around.

Riley joins Nathan’s D&D group for better Sophie-proximity, and is surprised to find that she enjoys it—it’s like theatre! She’s working on a project to change the principal’s mind about the musical, and her theatre friends start to overlap with her D&D friends. Maybe there’s something interesting about her dad’s games after all. And there’s definitely something interesting about Nathan. But is he genuinely interested in her? Or is he just… playing a role?

*

This was lots of fun. The characters were likeable and believable, and the games shop setting was fresh. It was heartwarming to see the two worlds come together, found family-style, and I do love a bunch of affable geeks pursuing their various passions and finding their commonalities.

The romance element was well developed, with excellent romantic suspense throughout most of the book. Riley matures in achievable, believable ways. All in all, it’s a sweet, fun read, and I gobbled it up. I’m definitely keen to read more of Boyce’s work.

> Click here for some commentary with spoilers

I was waiting for it to be revealed that Riley’s parents didn’t really divorce over her dad deciding to run a games shop… but it never came. Surely that would never happen? (Or certainly not in YA fiction land.) Also, YA romance writers far and wide: please note that having one excellent kissing scene pre-denouement is not enough. You need another one mid-denouement. Readers must be paid in full. I don’t make the rules!

Age: 12+

> Click here for content info. Spoilers—enter at own risk!

Riley drives without a licence, thus triggering her grounding (backstory); strained relationship with divorced dad (gets better); heart scare & medical scenes (everything is okay); some flirting and kissing (all PG); Riley lies to her parents, but only so she can rehearse musical theatre. Many supportive friendships, including a great best friendship; friendship groups happily merging; jerky ex-boyfriend; main romance is mlw, subplot romance is mlw, with an mlm couple in the extended friendship group. No swears.

*

Boyce, K. (2024). Dungeons and drama. Delacorte Press.

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