Level Up for Love was a strong follow-up to Roll for Romance. In fact, I think this is the stronger of the two books. One criticism I had of Roll for Romance was that it leaned far too heavily on Dungeons and Dragons. I felt that the D&D chapters were the weakest parts. I didn’t find the game storyline to hold my interest nearly as much. That was not the case with Level Up for Love. I could see myself picking up a fantasy centered on Sindra and the gang. Additionally, the creation of Sindra revealed so much about Reagan. Sindra was created with the purpose of being the perfect adventuring companion for her younger sister’s character.

Reagan was such a great character. Reagan was a great main character. An accident involving her younger sister, Mona, and their father had a huge impact on her. She blames herself for Mona's injury, and even though Mona has recovered and is healthy, Reagan cannot move on. She is terrified of becoming like her father and leaving the people she loves behind. The accident haunts her and weighs heavily on every decision she makes. Reagan has a satisfying character arc as she learns that it is okay to put herself first and that loving someone does not always mean staying.

She has not played D&D since the “Cataclysm” and only agreed to join a new campaign because she wanted to be there to make sure Mona is safe. Unbeknownst to her, Wesley is the Dungeon Master.

Years earlier, Wesley and Reagan had a moment, but when she woke up, he was gone. For years, she carried bitterness and a sense of betrayal because of it. When she joined his D&D campaign, they were forced to work together and be nice. It’s hard at first. Reagan has never been able to hide who she is around Wesley. He constantly pushes her to be better and knows exactly how to get under her skin.

Wesley and Reagan had such an interesting understanding of one another and knew how the other person’s mind worked. They complemented each other nicely. My favorite scenes were the ones where they worked on their games together. They gave each other pointers and encouragement. Those moments highlighted their relationship the best and made their connection feel believable and genuine. Wesley was lovely, and I appreciated the backstory that was provided for him. Though overall, Reagan was the standout of the book.

I’d also like to shout out Reagan’s relationship with Mona. Their bond felt deeply authentic, and it was clear how much Reagan cared and worried about her younger sister. Even if Reagan’s protectiveness could be overbearing at times, it came from a place of love, guilt, and fear. It was never about control. Mona brought out a softer side of Reagan and was one of her biggest cheerleaders.

Final Thoughts

Level Up for Love was a great read. It improved on everything I struggled with in Roll for Romance and left me even more invested in this world. Reagan was easily the standout of the book, and her growth, along with her relationships with Wesley and Mona, gave the story so much emotional weight. Thank you to Netgalley for providing this arc! Level Up For Love will be released on September 8, 2026.

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