I love Cathy Yardley’s work and Role Playing is no exception! Maggie is a fierce single mom who wants to motivate her son to form connections at college. They both agree to step outside their comfort zones. Aiden is struggling with helping his mom accept the limitations that come with aging. Maggie and Aiden find each other online through video games and become good friends. When they meet in person, they realize they have more in common than they thought. But meeting in person has real-world consequences… 

Maggie was incredible and one of my favorite heroines! I loved how Maggie accepts no rudeness or fake behavior, she is so sure of who she is and what she will not accept. While this can lead to her pushing people away at times, Aiden and her son help her see that it’s ok to accept help. She’s also caring and fiercely protective of those she loves. Overall, I enjoyed Aiden’s journey as he explored his identity and came to the realization that he is bi and demisexual. There is a significant amount of trauma regarding the lack of acceptance from his family, so read with care. Maggie was so inclusive and such a fantastic support to Aiden during this time. 

I really appreciated that Yardley emphasizes that online friends are just as important and real as in-person friends. She highlights how connections can be found when you are true to yourself and honest about what makes you happy. I would recommend this to romance readers looking for a reverse grump sunshine, older MC romance, and lots of nerdy gamer joy! 

Thank you to Cathy Yardley, Montlake, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.