Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Rivals to romance in fun, competitive marching band tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In ROLLS AND RIVALRY, Hazel's got her senior year all planned out. She's determined to lead her color guard to statewide victory as team captain and she's a dungeon master of her very first D&D campaign. But when her former best friend and secret crush, Max, returns to town, everything goes sideways. Because not only is Max no longer the sweet, nerdy boy she'd half-fallen for, he's now a member of the marching band's percussion division, the color guard's serious rivals. But as Max and Hazel are thrown together, first out of necessity and later by choice, Hazel's feelings for Max are rekindled. As she tries to juggle the pressures of her senior year, including making her demanding mother proud, will Hazel be able to pull it all off, or will the pressure prove too much?
Is It Any Good?
Fun and lighthearted, this book combines band camp with tabletop gaming for a unique play on the high school romance. Rolls and Rivalry is a standalone story related to other light teen romances by author Kristy Boyce (Dungeons and Drama) that revolve lightly around the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. Boyce again creates a narrative where the tabletop game is shown as approachable and engaging.
The enemies-to-lovers storyline is charmingly rolled out in a realistic transition from annoyance and bickering to genuine connection. The character's interactions feel genuine and illustrate the sweetness and uncertainty of young love. Hazel's senior year pressures are relatable, and readers with demanding families will understand her fear of disappointing her loved ones. The story wraps up a bit too quickly and neatly to feel entirely true to life, but overall, this book is a swoon-worthy young adult romance that teens who love realistic tales of high school relationships will adore.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the nature of teamwork in Rolls and Rivalry. What makes the color guard finally begin to work together?
The color guard and the percussionists have a major rivalry going on, and their extreme competition both motivates and aggravates them. Do you think encouraging competition among team members is a good idea? What about between rivals?
Hazel's mom puts a lot of pressure on her daughter. Do you think parents should encourage their kids to achieve the same things they once did, or allow kids to find their own paths in life?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along ) , Competition , Family Stories ( Moms , Single Parents ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : May 5, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : May 25, 2026
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