The first half of this book is pretty fun, I liked the big friend group, the actual d&d playing, and the friendship with a scoop of yearning between the Jack and Morgan. But there’s only so much self-inflicted angst I can do in a contemporary romance before it gets old, doesn’t quite land in the second half. “Neither of us know what we want with our lives” is a weird place to make people root for these nerds.

When I saw this ARC, I can't tell you how quickly I smashed that Request button! I'm a huge Ren Faire and D&D fan and I'm always looking for romances featuring those interests! I was doubly excited when I realized the Renaissance Festival the characters would be traveling to was my home faire - Carolina Renaissance Festival!

Things I loved about this book:
-The main characters are so easy to relate to
-The segments written in their campaign are a perfect representation of D&D
-The friend group is so endearing and lovely and it feels like they could be real life people
-The brief amount of time spent at the Renaissance Festival

Things That Weren't My Favorite:
-Minor spoiler, it takes a LONG time to get to the Ren Faire, there's way more D&D than Faire. I wanted more. even if it was just a bonus chapter or something.
-The argument between the couple had me STRESSED. I think the snarky remarks are probably very realistic, but I didn't see it coming from these people I cared so much about as a reader!

Overall, I think if I had better expectations about how little time we would spend at the renaissance festival, this would have been a 5 star read for me, but because I felt a little mislead, it bumps to a 4.5. However, I will recommend it with that caveat!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun read. I love that D&D is becoming a more popular subject in books. I liked how the author went back and forth between the characters’ real lives and the D&D campaign to contrast their lives. I did find myself a little annoyed at first because there didn’t seem to be much of a conflict; the characters obviously liked each other but talked themselves out of believing it. The conflict did become more believable as the story went on though. The way the characters talked about America was a bit odd to me but I guess it’s always odd to hear people in another country talk about yours like it’s foreign (which it obviously is to them). Learning that the author was American adds another layer of confusion. I was also a little disappointed that the You’ve Got Mail reference was in title only, not actually in plot. Overall, I enjoyed it.

3.5 stars rounded up

4.5 stars!

This book felt like it was made for me: D&D, Renaissance Faire, costumes, romance, competency porn. I did go back and forth between 4 and 5 stars because at times the characters were a little unlikeable (but honestly aren’t we all?) and they avoided conversations that would be really beneficial (and they both need therapy) but I liked them overall. Plus it was a fun read! I don’t know if the campaign chapters are everyone’s cup of tea but I really enjoyed them. The accuracy of the Carolinas Renaissance Festival bumped it up for me too!

I would definitely be into this group of friends continuing in a series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book! It was a cute feel good plot with some nice chemistry.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of You’ve Got Chain Mail.

I liked the story of Morgan and Jack. I’ve never played DND but I enjoyed the chapters that flashed to the story within a story.

I recommend this book!

This was a pretty cute read, I really liked the chapters that flashed back to Morgana. (Actually, can the author write a high fantasy book next time??)

I had a hard time connecting with the characters and story… and this was such a slow burn I chose to dnf it. I am sending for feedback to the publisher but will not leave a review on Goodreads as it wouldn’t be a complete/fair review.

First of all, Thank You Netgalley for the ARC granted. This was such an enjoyable and compelling romance. I liked the RPG world construction (since The main characters were in a medieval fair). I liked a lot!

DNF at 25%.

It’s established early on that Morgan’s character is shy and wrapped up in her best friend that just moved, and, yet, after talking ab how she doesn’t fit in w her new group of friends and doesn’t want to intrude on them, she’s immediately all buddy buddy best friends and super comfortable and outspoken. Jack was so bland and boring, he’s broken without really having—in my opinion—a good enough reason to be. To be fair, since I didn’t finish the book, the real reason he “doesnt date” might be better than what is initially shown, but I honestly don’t care enough to find out,

I requested this because I think DND is a fun, interesting setting that I’ve never seen in contemporary books before, and this didn’t live up at all to the fun, whimsy, fantastical expectations I had. Maybe I’ll try this again someday, but no thanks for now.

It was a nice book, i was expecting more from it but it was an easy read overall
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc 🫶🏻

Review to Come

Love the cover ❤️
Description intrigued me…
Author is new to me.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC

I really wanted to like this, because I am a huge fan of D&D, but it just wasn’t pulling me in enough to enjoy it fully.

What a fabulous slow burn!! This is completely different to any romance book I’ve ever read and really enjoyed it loved the story line along size the sweet romance. I adored Morgan and Jack and was so happy they got their happy ever after.

A fun and charming small-town romcom.
Renfaires, RPGs, slow-burn romance and a feel-good story, what more could you want from a contemporary romance.
Honestly, I had such a fun time reading this.
Definitely an enjoyable story.
Perfect for getting out reading slumps.

I enjoyed this at the beginning but I just couldn’t root for the characters and lost interest. It just wasn’t for me.

I really did love the DnD element and how the dual POV was broken up with chapters on Morgan’s character Captain Morgana going through their latest campaign!

However the whole situation with Jack begging Morgan to stay with him and continue in her mediocre job she hated just because he loved her? Major red flag! If you love someone you support them, you wouldn’t want them to stay miserable. Morgan should have moved to York, taken the design job and got a cute little house where she could adopt Pablo

Absolutely must read for anyone who loves D&D! This was so much fun. I usually don’t pick up books like this, but wow I was pleasantly surprised.

Title: You’ve Got Chain Mail

Author: Sam Parks

Rating: ★★★★

An enchanting blend of Olivia Dade’s warmth and the adventurous spirit of A Knight’s Tale, all wrapped up in a spicy romcom that left me grinning from ear to ear.

Morgan is feeling adrift since her best friend moved away. She dreams of stepping out of her comfort zone and maybe even becoming her own knight in shining armour. Enter Jack, whose small-town life has become more of a cage than a refuge after a bad breakup.

Seeking to write new, more thrilling stories for themselves, Morgan and Jack dive headfirst into their weekly role-playing games and make grand plans for a Renaissance Faire adventure. As their alter egos revel in the magic and camaraderie of their fantasy world, real-life sparks start to fly between them. Could their playful, costumed alter egos be guiding them toward a real-life romance?

This book is a delightful romp through the fun and fantasy of role-playing games, with a heartwarming romance that blossoms amidst quests and adventures. Morgan and Jack’s journey from friends to something more is filled with humour, charm, and just the right amount of spice! Their chemistry was on point, and their shared moments both in and out of character was too adorable!

"You’ve Got Chain Mail" is a cute and captivating read that’s perfect for fans of romcoms, RPGs, and anyone who loves a good Renaissance Faire. It’s a feel-good story that will have you rooting for Morgan and Jack from the first page to the last.

Thank you to The Publisher HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter, the author Samantha Parks & Netgalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to like this. I was expecting more of a Well Met vibes, and while it has some similar aesthetics it just was not hitting the way wanted it to. Firstly, the begin moves slowly. There was nothing really for me to anticipate or expect withe the main characters.

I am enjoying this book so much! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author. All opinions are my own.