The No-Girlfriend Rule

Bookseller recommendation

“OMG I LOVED IT! I loved Hollis' journey from learning to play "S&S", not caring what other people think, finding a group of friends who truly love and support her, and letting go of people who don't. Everything about it was relatable and touching and absolutely delightful!”

— Kimi • The Silver Unicorn Bookstore

Bookseller recommendation

“This book is for nerds and non-nerds alike! Whether you have no idea what a ttrpg is, or have piles of dice on your shelves, you'll love this story. It's delightfully queer and diverse, and I wish I could've handed it my 11th-12th grade self, so I'm glad that it exists now. As someone who is a huge nerd, I admire Randall's ability to put everything I love about tabletop role-playing games into writing in a way that anyone is able to read and feel, regardless of their familiarity. I could go on and on about what I loved about this novel, so I encourage you to roll some initiative (wink wink, get the pun?) and find out for yourself.”

— Kiera • Fulmer House Books & Collectibles

Bookseller recommendation

“For fans of Felix Ever After and Gwen and Art Are Not in Love. This coming-of-age YA romance is all about being true to yourself and enjoying what you love. Hollis is a fat, broke girl who struggles with anxiety and just wants to find community. Through playing S&S (a Dungeons and Dragons type role playing game), she gains the confidence to make new friends and accept herself. Funny, queer, and adorable, this read was everything I wanted it to be! ”

— Julie • All Good Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Absolutely adorable and a soothing balm for anxious hearts. Classic bits of sapphic culture had me screaming at my phone (playlists? bangs??) and I could not wait for Hollis to leave her toxic boy group behind and flourish among her new girlfriends. Randall does a great job at showing how toxic male gaming culture extends to TTRPGs, and how queer and femme spaces within gaming culture can become such safe spaces, even if you don't have the vocabulary to talk about it. Great romance, great meta fantasy, great queer, anxiety, and fat rep. Definitely a great pick for a cozy read. ”

— Lauren • Chapterhouse Books

Bookseller recommendation

“This is the book I wish I had in high school! Seeped in self-discovery, found friendship, and Dungeons & Dragons, Hollis's story is for anyone who is afraid to be their nerdy, wonderful self.”

— Ri • House of Books

Bookseller recommendation

“This is not just a love story; it’s also a self-love story. This book is beautiful and is such a (gentle) emotional adventure, navigating new friendships, changing through life, and coming out of one’s shell. As someone who struggles with anxiety and found a safe space within TTRPGs, I found myself connecting with the protagonist more than I expected! I recommend this for any lover of TTRPGs and a good sapphic romance! ”

— Ling-Tam • Katy Budget Books