Dating and Dragons (Gaming and Romance, book 2)

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Summary:

For Quinn Norton, starting over at a new high school midyear means a fresh start far from the lies and rumors that haunt her. She’s hoping she can find a Dungeons & Dragons game to join, and that will be the trick to making new friends. The plan works out even better than she’d hoped when she’s invited into a group that includes Logan Weber, the cute and charming guy she met on her first day of class. This isn’t your average D&D campaign, though. This group livestreams their games, and they enforce some strict rules. Rule one: no phones allowed. Rule two: no dating other group members.

Quinn is willing to accept these rules, even if it makes Logan off-limits. Which won’t be a problem anyway since Logan goes from charismatic to insufferable as soon as she agrees to join. It’s clear he didn’t want her to join, but as their bickering and bantering intensifies, both inside and outside the game, Quinn begins to wonder if Logan’s infuriating behavior is really just a smokescreen for hidden feelings of his own. 

My take:

Dating and Dragons is another adorable lighthearted romance in the Gaming and Romance series, featuring a tight friend group, plenty of D&D, and a matchmaking grandma who easily steals the show. 

While I easily shipped Riley and Nathan in Dungeons and Drama, I wasn’t a big fan of the insta-love between Quinn and Logan. It adds a little bit of chaos and a whole lot of drama, to say the least, along with some sexual tension that feels weird in a YA. Now, there’s nothing wrong with the story—and there’s certainly no added content to be worried about here—it’s just not my cup of tea. The friendships are what really shine throughout this book. There’s something truly satisfying about Quinn learning to shed the guilt and shame of her past to find a safe place with true friends. 

Overall, Dating and Dragons has a more serious tone than the first book in the series, with a little less banter and a little more angst. It’s still an easy, cute read—even for readers who’ve never played D&D.

Rated: Mild, for 13 uses of mild language, one use of moderate language, and 16 uses of “omg.” Quinn has an old group of friends who spread lies about her and continue to bully her online. Reference is made to one of Quinn’s old friends mooning her old D&D group as a joke. Characters kiss.

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