Dungeons and Drama

Author Kristy Boyce

Grades 7 & Up Ages 12 and up

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

A COSMOPOLITAN BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF THE YEAR

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. . . .

And don't miss Kristy Boyce's Dating and Dragons, out now!

Available Formats

Trade Paperback Original 9780593647011
eBook 9780593647028
Unabridged Audiobook Download 9780593794814

State Awards

Illinois

2026, AISLE Readers’ Choice Awards, Nominee

Maine

2026, North Star Young Adult Book Award, Nominee

Missouri

2026, MASL Readers’ Award, Nominee

Ohio

2026, Ohio Book Award, Nominee

2026, Insinglass Book Award, Nominee

2025, Choose To Read Ohio, Nominee

South Dakota

2026, South Dakota Teen Choice Award, Nominee

Texas

2025-2026, TAYSHAS Reading List, Selection

2025, Texas Lone Star Reading List, Selection

Utah

2026, Beehive Book Award, Nominee

Random House Children's Books Teachers and Librarians