ROLL FOR LOVE
April 8, 2025
Running Press Kids
Praise for Roll for Love:
“A coming-of-age tale and queer love story that offers a thoughtful look at the fear of being different.”―Kirkus Reviews
“I read this book in one sitting and adored every second of it. This joyous, loving book is the perfect blend of nerd culture and rom-com goodness. M. K. England maxed out their charisma and wisdom stats and rolled twenties every throw while writing this book!”―Beth Revis, New York Times Bestselling author of Night of the Witch
“England’s newest novel is perfect for readers in search of charming second-chance romance and queer found-family, and all the TTRPG puns. An endearing romance full of hope, pining, and potential TPKs, Roll for Love is a critical hit.”―Linsey Miller, author of What We Devour and Prince of Song & Sea
“Calling all queer kids: Welcome to the Gay Barn, where you can roll for romance and claim the space to be exactly who you are! By turns tender, funny, romantic, and poignant, Roll for Love is exactly the book I wish I’d had when I was growing up bi and confused in a small rural southern town. It’s perfect for fans of The No-Girlfriend Rule, Becky Albertalli, and Dungeons & Dragons. I absolutely loved it.”―Jamie Pacton, bestselling, award-winning author of The Absinthe Underground, The Vermilion Emporium, and Furious
“M. K. England invites you to the gaming table in this thoughtful, joyous, delightfully nerdy romance. Roll For Love perfectly captures the unique magic that happens when we step into character—and into our truths. So many queer kids are going to feel seen by this book.”―Christen Randall, bestselling author of The No-Girlfriend Rule
“Roll for Love is full of table-top adventure, sapphic swoons, and honest explorations of rural queerness. England’s lovable cast and dynamic gameplay sequences will have you wishing you were in the gay barn rolling dice too. I couldn’t stop smiling from start to finish!”―Rosiee Thor, author of Tarnished are the Stars
“Reading M.K.’s writing always feels like the gentlest and warmest hand on your shoulder. This novel delivers a joyful vision of the future for queer country kids everywhere. Longtime D&D fans and newcomers alike will love this cozy adventure!”―Zachary Sergi, author of Heroes Rise, Major Detours, and This Pact Is Not Ours
“Hold onto your dice and prepare to be charmed, nerd-friends! Roll for Love is the tabletop gaming romance you’ve been waiting for—a sweet, joyful tribute to dungeons, dragons, and small-town queer life. If there’s queer tabletop gamer teen in your life, they need this book!”―James L. Sutter, co-creator of the Pathfinder and Starfinder Roleplaying Games
Click here to show notes and content advisories for ROLL FOR LOVE
I thought it was worth a general note that this book discusses being queer in a rural area at length, and it’s critical to point out that there is no single rural experience or culture. This book is specifically inspired by my own experiences living in East Coast rural areas within about an hour’s drive of a small progressive cities, places where being out feels, if not exactly 100% safe, then at least possible. This book is not saying that it is safe to be out in every rural area, and everyone should trust their own gut regarding their individual situations. The larger point of the book is this: hate and violence against queer and trans people happens everywhere, and living in a progressive city will not necessarily make you safer. Queer and trans folks shouldn’t be excluded from rural spaces, and they shouldn’t be forced to seek out city life if it isn’t for them. I’m in no way disregarding how hard and dangerous it still is to be queer or trans in certain places.
Also FWIW, you won’t find the typical country song teen experience here. No driving fast on country roads with your feet on the dash, getting drunk in fields, etc.—this one’s about the kids who get through high school by keeping their heads down and playing D&D.
11/2024 EDIT TO ADD: welp, it might be worth saying that this was written and off to the presses before the 2024 election and queer safety is going to change a lot in the coming months and years. I stand by my core points, though: queer people belong in rural spaces and no one gets to tell us we don’t. And we’re going to need real community now more than ever. I love you all.
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This book is overall quite lighthearted and has a joyful ending, but a quick heads-up if you need it:
○ Grief/Loss of a Grandparent: Grief over the loss of a beloved grandparent is woven throughout the book, though it’s never too heavy.
○ Struggles with orientation and internalized biphobia/homophobia: One of the characters’ entire arc centers on her being able to embrace her sexuality openly while still living the country girl life she loves.
○ Religious trauma: One character is a gay Christian who is secure in his faith but struggles with the fact that his family (kindly, lovingly, gently) want him to come back to church, be forgiven, and change his ways. Chapter 18 is where the bulk of this emotional processing takes place and you can skip it if need be.
— Last updated 9/3/2024
(Think something else should be here? Please email me at mkengland.com@gmail.com!)