Rolls and Rivalry Summary & Book Review – Kristy Boyce
Introduction to Rolls and Rivalry Summary
Kristy Boyce, a New York Times bestselling author and senior psychology lecturer at The Ohio State University, returns with her signature blend of niche nerdery, authentic high school dynamics, and deeply satisfying romantic tension.
Her own background in color guard and her marriage to her high school Dungeon Master infuse this story with unmistakable lived-in warmth.
In this Rolls and Rivalry book summary, I’ll walk you through the marching-band rivalries, the secret D&D campaign that bridges warring sections, and the friends-to-enemies-to-lovers arc that makes this book a standout in YA contemporary romance.
The novel follows Hazel Buchanan, a color guard captain determined to lead her underdog section to a Superior rating, and Max Coleman, the childhood best friend who returns after three years away—now a tall, confident percussionist who seems to have forgotten everything they once were.
TL;DR: The Quick Rolls and Rivalry Book Summary
⏱️ Short Summary ⚡ (NO SPOILERS)
Rolls and Rivalry is a YA contemporary romance about a color guard captain whose senior year plan unravels when her childhood best friend and former crush returns to town as a rival percussionist.
To build morale, she secretly starts a Dungeons & Dragons campaign that accidentally bridges the warring sections—and rekindles old feelings.
🔹 Key Takeaways (High-Level • Spoiler-Free)
The novel explores how section rivalries can mirror the deeper insecurities of the people who fuel them.
It asks whether childhood bonds can survive the people we become in high school.
The book celebrates niche communities—marching band, D&D, 90s music—as lifelines for belonging.
It examines the weight of parental expectations and the freedom of defining success on your own terms.
🧠 Themes: Rivalry vs. camaraderie, the masks of high school, parental legacy, vulnerability through roleplay, empathetic leadership, finding your tribe.
🎭 Tone / Style: Warm, witty, and deeply nerdy, with the rhythmic energy of a marching-band competition and the cozy camaraderie of a basement D&D session.
Disclaimer: This summary of Rolls and Rivalry by Kristy Boyce does not replace the original book. For the full depth and experience, reading the complete work is highly recommended.
Rolls and Rivalry Book Review & Literary Analysis
Themes Analysis
| Theme | How It Operates in the Novel |
|---|---|
| The Weight of Legacy | Hazel’s mother was a legendary band member and multi-time MVM winner. Her father was equally accomplished. This “generational excellence” becomes a trophy-shaped shadow, and Hazel must learn that her worth is not measured by her mother’s trophies. |
| Vulnerability Through Roleplay | The D&D campaign serves as a safe space where characters can express parts of themselves they hide in the band room. Max plays a character he and Hazel created together in junior high—a choice that reveals more than any direct confession could. |
| Toxic vs. Empathetic Leadership | Brody leads through ridicule and shame; Max and Hazel evolve toward empathy-driven leadership. The novel argues that the best leaders are those who empower the quietest members rather than silencing them. |
| The Masks of High School | Max builds a wall of sarcastic confidence to cope with his parents’ separation. Hazel wears a mask of relentless perfectionism. The novel traces how these masks crack under the pressure of genuine connection. |
| Competitive Culture as Zero-Sum Game | The book critiques and eventually reforms the idea that one section’s success requires another’s humiliation. The final reconciliation proves that a rising tide lifts all boats. |
| Communication and Honesty | Nearly every conflict—between Hazel and her mother, Hazel and Max, Hazel and her guard—stems from a failure of honest communication. The resolution always arrives through vulnerability. |
| Shared Nerd Identity as Bridge | D&D, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and 90s alt-rock become the common language that dissolves the rigid hierarchies of the band room. The novel celebrates finding community through niche passions. |
| The Bittersweet End of Senior Year | The novel captures the ache of “lasts”—last competitions, last D&D sessions, last bus rides—and argues that the memories of friendship outlast any rating or trophy. |
Character Analysis
| Character | Role | Arc & Development |
|---|---|---|
| Hazel Buchanan | Protagonist, Color Guard Captain | Begins as a driven perfectionist whose identity is fused with her section’s success. Her arc moves from leading through fear of failure to leading through empathy, finally learning to define success by her own standards rather than her mother’s legacy. |
| Max Coleman | Love Interest, Percussionist | Returns to Glen Vale as a “reformed” nerd who built a wall of sarcasm to survive his parents’ divorce. His arc centers on integrity: he moves from Brody’s bystander to a leader who sacrifices his own MVM chances to tell the truth. |
| Nova Walsh | Best Friend, Clarinetist | Hazel’s steadfast anchor—a cynical, observant out lesbian who provides protective perspective. Her MVM win celebrates the quiet, consistent dedication of those who never seek the spotlight. |
| Brody | Antagonist, Former Percussion Leader | Represents toxic competitiveness. He leads through ridicule and views color guard as inferior. His inability to adapt leads to his social isolation within the section. |
| Li Xiang | Freshman Guard Member | The “baby” of the guard whose artistic enthusiasm humanizes the D&D campaign. She mirrors Hazel’s own freshman self, teaching Hazel the importance of mentorship. |
| Felix Jackson | Percussionist, Max’s Friend | A gentle counterpoint to Brody’s aggression. His quiet presence in the D&D group—and his budding romance with Li—symbolizes the bridge between sections. |
| Lauren Buchanan | Hazel’s Mother | A former band legend who inadvertently pressures Hazel with constant talk of “winning.” Her arc involves realizing her “superhero” efforts were smothering her daughter’s joy. |
Romance Tropes & Conflicts
Childhood Friends to Enemies to Lovers: Max and Hazel were inseparable as kids, creating D&D characters and sharing every secret. After three years apart, he returns as a stranger she resents—and slowly, through shared D&D sessions and stolen moments, they rebuild what they lost.
Forced Proximity via Shared Nerdery: The D&D campaign traps them in the same basement every week, under a truce that forbids band-room hostilities. The intimacy of roleplay becomes the crucible for rekindled feelings.
Secret Relationship: Hazel and Max hide their romance from both sections, creating delicious tension and inevitable heartbreak when the secret cannot hold.
The Grand Gesture: Max’s “Natural 20” public performance—leading percussionists in color guard choreography to “I Want You to Want Me”—is a classic rom-com climax executed with band-geek authenticity.
Settings & Genres
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Setting | Glen Vale, Ohio — specifically the high school band room, the football field, Hazel’s basement (D&D sessions), and Max’s apartment |
| Genres | Young Adult, Contemporary Romance |
| Subgenres | Sports & Performing Arts (Marching Band), Nerd Culture, Coming-of-Age, Rivals-to-Lovers |
| Mood / Atmosphere | Warm and energetic, with the pulse of marching-band percussion and the cozy, snack-filled intimacy of a basement D&D campaign |
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Literary Analysis
The Opening of The Book
⚠️ May contain minor spoilers.
The opening doesn’t just introduce Max’s return—it crackles with the specific, niche energy of a world where section loyalties are tribal and drumline-versus-guard is a legitimate emotional battleground.
Boyce understands that for band kids, this isn’t silly drama; it’s identity.
Writing Style & Language
Boyce’s prose is conversational and alive with authentic band-geek terminology.
Terms like “drop spins,” “pop tosses,” and “Superior ratings” are woven in without feeling like a glossary exercise.
The language is warm and accessible, pitched perfectly at the YA sweet spot without condescending to its audience.
Narrative Voice & POV & Dialogue
The first-person narration locks us inside Hazel’s head, feeling her perfectionism, her anxiety about her mother’s legacy, and her confusing attraction to the boy she wants to resent.
Dialogue is sharp—Nova’s dry one-liners, Max’s sarcastic deflections, and Brody’s smug taunts all feel distinct and real.
Structure
The novel follows a single marching-band season (August to October), using D&D sessions as structural anchors where character development surfaces through roleplay.
This dual-track structure—band by day, basement by night—creates a satisfying rhythm.
Pacing & Rhythm
The pacing mirrors a real competition season: high-energy peaks during football games and contests, slower character-focused chapters during rehearsals and D&D sessions.
The approach to State builds genuine momentum.
Plot Analysis
The plot is less a series of twists and more a carefully constructed emotional arc.
The central tension—will Hazel and Max’s secret survive the band-room war?—is complicated by the thematic question of whether high school roles are masks or truths.
The resolution, which brings D&D and marching band into literal formation together, is both narratively satisfying and thematically coherent.
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Rolls and Rivalry Summary: What Is This Book About?
(Spoilers Ahead)
Color guard captain Hazel Buchanan wants a Superior rating and the MVM award her legendary mother once held.
Max Coleman, her childhood best friend, returns after three years as a percussionist embedded in the section that torments the guard.
Their reunion sparks a war fought through vinegar balloons and public bets, but both wear masks: Hazel hides her terror of disappointing her parents, and Max buries the pain of his parents’ separation behind sarcasm.
To unite her inexperienced guard, Hazel starts a secret Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
It accidentally draws in Max, creating neutral ground where old feelings resurface.
Their hidden romance grows until it shatters over a stolen key and a lie.
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Rolls and Rivalry Ending Explained
⚠️ May Contain Spoilers
On Balloon Day, Max organizes a public grand gesture: he leads a combined group of percussionists and guard members in choreography to “I Want You to Want Me,” then uses a megaphone to confess his love.
At State, both sections earn Superior ratings—victory not as one section over another, but as a united band.
Hazel’s heart-to-heart with her mother, who admits she only wanted Hazel to be happy, provides the internal resolution.
The book closes with Hazel and Max looking toward college marching band together, the section war finally over.
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Rolls and Rivalry Book Summary by Chapter
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This section contains detailed, chapter-by-chapter plot summaries.
Chapter 1: “The Return of Max”
• Hazel begins senior year band camp and discovers her childhood crush Max has returned; their first conversation goes poorly when Max tells her to “stay out of it,” establishing the adversarial tone of their reunion.
Chapter 2: “The Key to Leadership”
• Hazel is named color guard captain and must lead an inexperienced group without a full-time director; she explains the deep-seated percussion-guard rivalry to new members.
Chapter 3: “Tradition and Tension”
• At home, Hazel faces her mother’s high expectations for senior year; her parents suggest reuniting with Max’s family for D&D, which Hazel resists.
Chapter 4: “The Drill Down”
• During a high-stakes “drill down” competition, Hazel wins alongside Nova, claiming a morale victory for the guard over percussion.
Chapter 5: “Character Building”
• Hazel has her guard dress up as cats and create D&D characters, leading to a surprisingly successful bonding evening at her house.
Chapter 6: “The Taco Bar”
• The guard holds a sectional dinner where freshman Li reveals her artistic talent by sketching the group’s D&D characters.
Chapter 7: “The Vinegar Bet”
• Water Balloon Day turns vicious when percussion pelts the guard with vinegar-filled balloons; Hazel bets the losing section must clean the stadium bathrooms.
Chapter 8: “The Family March”
• Band camp concludes with a public performance; Hazel sees Max standing alone without family support and feels a pang of sympathy.
Chapter 9: “Basement Truce”
• Max and his mother come over for the parents’ D&D game; on the trampoline, Max reveals his parents are separating.
Chapter 10: “The MVM Challenge”
• Max reveals he is taking college classes and declares his intent to win the senior MVM award, reigniting Hazel’s competitive fire.
Chapter 11: “The Lost Key”
• Hazel panics after losing her equipment shed key; she asks Li to join her hypothetical D&D group.
Chapter 12: “Leveling Up”
• Max agrees to join D&D on condition that Felix is included; Hazel accepts a one-session trial.
Chapter 13: “Competition One”
• The band places fourth out of four at their first competition; Hazel realizes the guard needs significantly more work.
Chapter 14: “Session Zero”
• The first D&D session begins with nachos and character introductions; the group agrees to a truce during game nights.
Chapter 15: “Into Darkthorn”
• The campaign starts; Hazel is surprised Max is playing a character they created together in junior high.
Chapter 16: “Glare”
• During a band game called “Glare,” Max and Hazel share intense eye contact that leaves her flustered.
Chapter 17: “Table Nachos”
• Max brings “table nachos” for the second D&D session; Hazel struggles when players deviate from her planned dungeon crawl.
Chapter 18: “Woods and Whispers”
• Max reveals he is challenging Brody for section leader; he and Hazel walk through the woods, and he asks her out for ice cream.
Chapter 19: “The New Leader”
• Max is named section leader; he and Hazel celebrate on the auditorium stage, and he encourages her to find creative ways to bond with her guard.
Chapter 20: “Alter Egos”
• Hazel introduces mirrors and “D&D alter ego” warmups to color guard rehearsals to boost morale and synchronization.
Chapter 21: “The Harpy Battle”
• Max and Hazel do homework together before D&D; Li seems discouraged by the campaign’s combat focus.
Chapter 22: “The Game Store”
• Max takes Hazel to a specialized game store; she admits she feels like she is failing as a Dungeon Master.
Chapter 23: “The Toilet Banner”
• Brody displays a banner mocking the guard at an away game; the guard responds with their best performance yet.
Chapter 24: “Fair Fates”
• At the county fair, Hazel encourages Li and Felix’s budding romance; Max asks Hazel to meet him privately that evening.
Chapter 25: “Treetop Trust”
• Max takes Hazel forest bathing on an elevated path; they confess their feelings and share their first kiss.
Chapter 26: “Dessert Nachos”
• Hazel and Max decide to keep their relationship secret from the band; the D&D campaign reaches a turning point as Hazel incorporates player backstories.
Chapter 27: “Popularity Contest”
• MVM voting begins; the guard remains furious at percussion, unaware of Hazel and Max’s secret relationship.
Chapter 28: “Hidden Daggers”
• Max reveals his father is refusing to attend his final competitions; Hazel realizes Max still prioritizes secrecy over public honesty.
Chapter 29: “The Mimic”
• The D&D group has a highly successful session; Nova warns Hazel about the dangers of being a “secret” girlfriend.
Chapter 30: “Qualifying Day”
• Hazel snaps at Faith for her lack of presence; Faith reveals she was the director’s last resort to keep the guard program alive.
Chapter 31: “Superior Success”
• The guard wins “Best Overall Auxiliary” and the band qualifies for state; Max celebrates but denies their relationship when confronted by his section.
Chapter 32: “The Stolen Key”
• Brody reveals Max had the equipment shed key all along; Hazel feels betrayed and breaks up with Max.
Chapter 33: “Awards and Absences”
• Nova wins the senior MVM award, but Hazel’s mother misses the ceremony; Max reveals he told the truth about the key, sacrificing his own MVM chances.
Chapter 34: “Legacy of Love”
• Hazel and her mother have a heart-to-heart; her mother admits she only wanted Hazel to be happy, not to replicate her achievements.
Chapter 35: “The Natural 20”
• On Balloon Day, Max leads a surprise performance of “I Want You to Want Me” with percussionists doing guard choreography; he publicly confesses his love to Hazel.
Chapter 36: “State Finals”
• The band performs at State in perfect weather; all sections earn Superior ratings, and Hazel and Max look toward their future together.
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Who This Book Is For?
YA romance readers who crave authentic enemies-to-lovers with genuine history between the characters
Former (or current) band kids who will recognize every niche in-joke and section rivalry
D&D players who understand how a tabletop campaign becomes a second home
Anyone who has felt the weight of parental expectations and needs a story about defining success on their own terms
Fans of Kristy Boyce’s previous Gaming and Romance novels (Dungeons and Drama, Dating and Dragons)
Readers looking for a YA romance that balances swoony moments with real emotional depth about family, friendship, and growing up
My Final Rating: ★★★★½ (4.4/5 stars)
7 Books Like Rolls and Rivalry by Kristy Boyce
Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods — A recent indie gem about two fledgling tabletop gamers falling for each other both in and out of their weekly D&D sessions, with a similar cozy, character-driven romance.
Level Up for Love by Lenora Woods (September 2026) — Woods’ follow-up, featuring a protagonist who uses a D20 to make real-life decisions. Perfect for fans of Boyce’s gaming-meets-romance formula.
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter — A childhood-enemies-to-lovers story with heavy pop-culture references and a similarly warm, witty voice. The romantic tension and banter are a perfect match.
The Entanglement of Rival Wizards by Sara Raasch (2025) — An adult rom-com pitched as “Ali Hazelwood meets Dungeons & Dragons,” where rival grad-student wizards are forced to work together. A more fantastical but tonally similar cousin.
Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon — Academic rivals who spend a single day realizing they may have misjudged each other. The rivals-to-lovers arc is sharp, witty, and deeply satisfying.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston — Set in a high-pressure Alabama high school, this rivals-to-lovers queer romance captures the same claustrophobic intensity of senior year and the masks people wear to survive it.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky — A classic Ohio-set story about finding your “tribe” in high school. The mix of music, friendship, and the ache of growing up resonates with Boyce’s emotional register.
About the Author: Kristy Boyce
Kristy Boyce is a New York Times bestselling author who lives in Columbus, Ohio, and teaches psychology as a senior lecturer at The Ohio State University.
Authors with Similar Style
If you love Kristy Boyce’s niche-nerd warmth, you’ll likely enjoy Emma Lord, Rachel Lynn Solomon, Lynn Painter, and Rainbow Rowell.
External Sources
📸 Instagram: @kristylboyce
📚 Goodreads Page: Kristy Boyce on Goodreads
Book Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Title | Rolls and Rivalry |
| Author | Kristy Boyce |
| Publisher | Delacorte Romance (Random House) |
| Publication Date | May 5, 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Print Length | 384 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0593899229 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0593899229 |
| Series | Gaming and Romance, Book 3 (standalone) |
| Reading Age | 12 years and up |
| Genres | Young Adult, Contemporary Romance |
| Subgenres | Sports & Performing Arts, Coming-of-Age, Rivals-to-Lovers, Nerd Culture |
📖 Get Your Copy of Rolls and Rivalry
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Rolls and Rivalry about?
Rolls and Rivalry is a YA contemporary romance about a color guard captain, Hazel, whose senior year plan is derailed when her childhood best friend and former crush, Max, returns to town as a rival percussionist. A secret D&D campaign becomes the bridge between their warring sections and rekindles their buried feelings.
Who wrote Rolls and Rivalry?
Rolls and Rivalry was written by Kristy Boyce, the New York Times bestselling author of Dungeons and Drama and Dating and Dragons. She is a senior psychology lecturer at The Ohio State University and a former color guard member herself.
Is Rolls and Rivalry part of a series?
Yes, it is the third standalone novel in Kristy Boyce’s Gaming and Romance series, following Dungeons and Drama and Dating and Dragons. Each book features new characters and can be read independently.
Does Rolls and Rivalry feature Dungeons & Dragons?
Yes, D&D is central to the plot. Hazel starts a campaign to bond with her color guard section, and it accidentally becomes the neutral territory where percussionists and guard members connect as people rather than rivals.
Is there a love triangle in Rolls and Rivalry?
No, the romance is a focused friends-to-enemies-to-lovers arc between Hazel and Max. There is no love triangle, though there is significant section-rivalry tension that complicates their secret relationship.
What age group is Rolls and Rivalry appropriate for?
The book is published for readers aged 12 and up. It is a clean YA romance with no explicit content, making it appropriate for middle school and high school readers.
Where is Rolls and Rivalry set?
The novel is set in the fictional town of Glen Vale, Ohio, primarily at the high school band room, the football field, Hazel’s basement (where D&D sessions happen), and various competition venues.
Do I need to read Dungeons and Drama or Dating and Dragons before Rolls and Rivalry?
No, Rolls and Rivalry is a complete standalone with new characters. While it shares the same universe and gaming-romance DNA as Boyce’s previous books, no prior knowledge is required.
Is Rolls and Rivalry a clean romance?
Yes, Kristy Boyce writes clean YA romance. Rolls and Rivalry contains kissing and romantic tension but no explicit content, making it suitable for younger teen readers.
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Conclusion & Key Takeaways
The friends-to-enemies-to-lovers arc between Hazel and Max is paced to perfection, and the supporting cast is fully realized.
For anyone who has ever found their people in a niche community, this book will feel like coming home.
Key Takeaways:
Boyce’s insider knowledge of both color guard and tabletop gaming gives the novel an authenticity that distinguishes it from generic YA romance.
The emotional arc between Hazel and her mother is just as satisfying as the central romance, providing rare depth in the parental subplot.
This is a book that understands the specific, fleeting magic of senior year—and captures it with humor, heart, and a perfectly timed “Natural 20.”
Sources And References
- Amazon’s book page
- Goodreads’s book page
- Author’s image source: Instagram.com
- Book Cover: Amazon.com
