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ENTRY TYPE: new
WORK TITLE: DUNGEONS AND DRAMA
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://www.kristyboyceauthor.com
CITY: Pickerington
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married; children: a son.
EDUCATION:Earned Ph.D.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Social psychologist and writer. Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, senior lecturer.
MEMBER:Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Kristy Boyce is a social psychologist who also writes young adult novels. Boyce worked as a senior lecturer in psychology at the Ohio State University after completing her Ph.D. She recalled in an interview in Literary Rambles that, as a child, writing “seemed like an impossible dream.” However, Boyce confessed: “I never lost my love for writing. I promised myself that once I finished my dissertation, I would finally pursue the secret dream I’d always had.” Her efforts paid off in 2021 with the young adult novel, Hot British Boyfriend.
In her debut novel, Ellie Nichols is humiliated after becoming a meme at school. To get away from the shame, she joins her school’s study abroad program in England, where she hopes to gain some positive memories and meet some boys. Most of the other students on the program are studious, leaving Ellie on her own for the most part. She meets Will and finds the young Brit to be great. However, her classmate, Dev, begins sending messages that he is interested in her too, leaving Ellie confused as to who she should be with.
A contributor to Publishers Weekly remarked that “Boyce keeps lighthearted humor and romance at the forefront, delivering a satisfying happy-for-now ending to a feel-good rom-com.” A Kirkus Reviews contributor suggested that “more swooning and interpersonal drama would have made for a better read.” However, the same reviewer found the setting to be “sumptuous,” adding that “Ellie and Dev’s banter rings true.” Writing in School Library Journal, Paige Kostelyk claimed that “this book will sweep Anglophiles and romantics off their feet.”
With Hot Dutch Daydream, Sage Cunningham is determined to attend a respected STEM conference in Berlin after she graduates high school. To save up some money, she works as nanny for researcher and young mother, Dr. Reese. Teenager Ryland Reese, her son, moves back home while working on an art project. Just a few days later, Ryland and Sage are having a great time together all over Amsterdam. However, Dr. Reese warns Sage that if she dates Ryland, she will not be allowed to work for her in her lab to avoid claims of favoritism. This leaves Sage in a bind between two loves. A Kirkus Reviews contributor insisted that “armchair travelers and fans of opposites-attract romances will adore this story.” Writing in School Library Journal, Leah Krippner pointed out that “curious readers can lose more than a few moments exploring the virtual tour of this real-world facility or researching the works of Louis Wain.”
In Dungeons and Drama, high school junior Riley has to work at her father’s game store as a punishment for receiving eight weeks of familial probation for recklessly joyriding in her mother’s car. When the school cancels its spring musical, Riley and her friends push back to protect the arts from being sidelined. She and coworker Nathan begin pretending that they are dating to make others jealous. But after a while, the two start to bond, and Riley gains a new appreciation for gaming and her estranged father.
Writing in School Library Journal, Emily Walker called it “a must-read cozy romance for board gamers and thespians alike.” A Kirkus Reviews contributor suggested that “gamers and nongamers alike will find much to enjoy in this sweet romance.” A contributor to Publishers Weekly stated: ‘In this boisterously geeky romantic comedy, Boyce … delivers a feel-good tale of love and laughter.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2020, review of Hot British Boyfriend; February 1, 2023, review of Hot Dutch Daydream; October 15, 2023, review of Dungeons and Drama.
Publishers Weekly, January 4, 2021, review of Hot British Boyfriend, p. 53; October 16, 2023, review of Dungeons and Drama, p. 61.
School Library Journal, December 1, 2020, Paige Kostelyk, review of Hot British Boyfriend, p. 99; May 1, 2023, Leah Krippner, review of Hot Dutch Daydream, p. 81; January 1, 2024, Emily Walker, review of Dungeons and Drama, p. 61.
ONLINE
Booked Shelf, https://thebookedshelf.wordpress.com/ (January 3, 2024), author interview.
Coshocton Tribune Online, https://www.coshoctontribune.com/ (April 20, 2023), Leonard L. Hayhurst, “Coshocton Native Publishes Second Young Adult Novel.”
Department of Psychology, Ohio State University website, https://psychology.osu.edu/ (June 1, 2024), author profile.
Kristy Boyce website, https://www.kristyboyceauthor.com (June 1, 2024).
Literary Rambles, http://www.literaryrambles.com/ (February 1, 2021), author interview.
Mindy McGinnis, https://www.mindymcginnis.com/ (November 17, 2020), “Kristy Boyce on Using Travel for Inspiration.”
Kristy Boyce is the indie bestselling author of Dungeons and Drama, Hot British Boyfriend, and Hot Dutch Daydream. She played her first role-playing game in high school and has been friends with that group ever since. In fact, she even married the DM. Nowadays, she teaches psychology as a senior lecturer at The Ohio State University. When she’s not spending time with her husband and son, she’s usually writing, reading, or watching happy reality TV. Kristy lives in Pickerington, Ohio.
Kristy is represented by Kristy Hunter at the Knight Agency.
Long Bio:
I have been writing since I was a young girl. My very first story was called The Dreams of Isabella, and it was about a young girl who visits magical places in her dreams. I continued writing stories about magical worlds throughout childhood, though I was much better at starting new books then finishing them!
Many unfinished (but much loved) childhood stories!
Many unfinished (but much loved) childhood stories!
My first ever book!
My first ever book!
Nutcracker time
Nutcracker time
Although I dreamed of becoming an author, that felt like a fantasy from one of my stories. Nonetheless, I kept writing through junior high, high school, and college. I was also obsessed with ballet, making scrapbooks, and playing with my cats! I took a break from writing to pursue my PhD in social psychology, but as soon as I had a minute of free time my mind immediately returned to my stories.
You can call me Dr. Boyce now ;)
You can call me Dr. Boyce now ;)
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In 2008 I began to write seriously with the hopes of being published. Since then I’ve become a board member of SCBWI and attended writing conferences and workshops around the country. I’m always on the lookout for an adorable unicorn, fairy, or narwhal and I’ll always be a teen girl at heart!
Dr. Kristy Boyce
Senior Lecturer
boyce.76@osu.edu
203 Lazenby Hall
1827 Neil Ave
Columbus, OH
43210
Coshocton native publishes second young adult novel
First book by Kristy Boyce will be printed in other languages, movie may be coming
Leonard L. Hayhurst
Coshocton Tribune
COSHOCTON − Coshocton native Kristy Boyce has published her second young adult novel with a romantic international flare.
Kristy L. Boyce
The 1999 graduate of River View High School, who now lives in Pickerington, released “Hot British Boyfriend” in 2021 through the HarperTeens imprint of HarperCollins. "Hot Dutch Daydream" came out April 18 in paperback and e-book. It's 304 pages from the same publisher. It can be purchased through Amazon and other outlets.
The book is about Sage Cunningham, who is interning for the summer at a laboratory in Amsterdam. To fund the summer, she serves as an au pair for Dr. Reese's 3-year-old. Arriving for the summer is Reese's teen son, Ryland. He's a talented artist, but needs focus and Sage finds being a nanny tougher than she thought. They agree to help each other and romance blossoms.
"It's an opposites attract kind of story. As they get together, she has to decide if it's possible for her to go after her dreams and do the things she wants to do while finding someone who would support those dreams as opposed to being a distraction from them," Boyce said. "I feel so often people feel like they have to choose between being in a relationship or following their dreams, they have to give up on things. I want younger people, but anybody at any age, to know if you're in the right relationship then that should be a support to you and that's the kind of relationship that helps you go further in life."
It's set in the same world as "Hot British Boyfriend." Boyce said it wasn't her intention to do a second novel in the same universe, but it's something her publisher was interested in. She said expectations for the new book are high as Boyce has heard from fans of the first novel.
"I have some really sweet readers out there who seem super excited," she said. "I had one girl who messaged me (recently) and said she's going to cry when she gets the book in her hands, because she's been waiting so long for it."
"Hot Dutch Daydream" cover
"Hot British Boyfriend" is also still going as it's being printed in different languages for nations around the world and the film rights have been optioned. One interesting result from the success of her first book, is Boyce running a summer writing retreat at the manor in England that inspired "Hot British Boyfriend" for those working on books for youth. Registration is full for this year, but it will be held again in 2024.
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"It's an open retreat where they have time for writing. So often people don't make writing the priority, they have other things going on in the their lives. It's a time to focus on writing and enjoy the beautiful countryside," Boyce said. "There's some writing, but some fun stuff too."
Boyce's next book "Dungeons and Drama" is set for release next year. It's about a teen girl who goes to work in her father's gaming shop, which she has no interest in. However, she gets pulled into a Dungeons and Dragons game.
"It's going to be about making new friends and exploring new interests," she said.
Boyce will be in attendance at the Ohioana Book Festival from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the main branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library featuring more than 100 authors with some connection to Ohio.
Interview With Kristy Boyce
Hi Kristy! Thanks so much for joining us.
1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer.
Like many of us, I’ve been writing since I was in elementary school. However, growing up, I never met other writers or learned how one became a published author. To me it seemed like an impossible dream so I treated it like one.
When I went to college I found social psychology and fell in love with it. I continued on to earn my Ph.D., and then began teaching at the university level, but I never lost my love for writing. I promised myself that once I finished my dissertation I would finally pursue the secret dream I’d always had. And I did!
2. That’s great that you committed to follow your dreams. Where did you get the idea for Hot British Boyfriend?
One of my inspirations came from a question on a psychology exam that I wrote. I was testing on the dueling motives we have to be liked and to be truly known (which are sometimes mutually exclusive) and I thought it would be fun to explore that in a YA. I’ve also always loved England and traveling so I pulled that passion into the book.
3. That is a very unique way to come up with a story idea. It shows how ideas are everywhere. It can be easy to build up the stakes and conflicts to make a story a page turner in a YA fantasy, mystery, or thriller. How do you do that in a YA contemporary romance like yours?
I’m biased, but I feel like the stakes can be incredibly high in YA romance. Especially as a teenager, what could possibly be worse than being rejected or dumped by someone you love? Or sharing your heart with someone only to find out that the other person isn’t interested? You might not be trying to save the whole world, but you’re trying to save your world, and that can feel extremely important.
As long as the reader empathizes with the character and wants them to be happy, a YA romance can be a page turner as the reader rushes to find out how the character will get their happily ever after.
4. There are a number of other things going on in your story that also make it sound interesting, like the setting in England and seeing her go to school there, Ellie’s interest in gardening, and her attempts to understand cricket. What made you decide on adding things like this to your story to make it a richer one?
Even though I write YA romances, the books are never only about romance. In this book, there’s a
deeper arc of Ellie coming to appreciate herself and feeling comfortable sharing that version of herself with others. I wanted to find ways to show this, so her struggles with academics and her gardening demonstrate how she’d grown throughout the book.
5. Talk a little bit about the romance in your story and choices you made when showing Ellie’s romantic scenes. What tips do you have us for the rest of us?
Hot British Boyfriend definitely uses the “friends-to-lovers” trope…or maybe “indifferent acquaintances-to-lovers” trope would be better wording!
I know I like to write about characters who, at least at first, appear to have opposite personalities. For instance, Ellie and Dev don’t think about the future in the same way or have the same priorities. This can lead to really fun dialogue between characters and it can also show character growth as the two learn and grow due to their connection.
Of course, it can be tricky because I don’t want one of my characters to feel like they have to change for the other. Instead, I like the idea of both characters becoming better versions of themselves with the other’s encouragement.
6. I really like the trope you used rather than an instant love one. You also are a senior lecturer at Ohio State University and have a family. How do you find time to get enough writing done and the marketing you need to do in your busy life?
It’s definitely challenging, particularly with the pandemic! During the days I’ve been helping my son with virtual school and working on my own online classes. I am a night owl so I usually write in the evenings after my son goes to bed.
It can be hard to balance writing with marketing, and that’s something that I’m still working on. Right now I’m giving myself permission to prioritize marketing over writing since my debut is coming out, but soon I’ll flip back to writing most evenings.
7. You have been seriously writing since 2008. Share about how you stuck with it and got your agent, Tara Gonzalez, and your publishing contract.
Yes, it’s been a long road with a lot of rejections. Hot British Boyfriend is the fourth novel I’ve written and the third that I queried. The first time I queried HBB I got full requests followed by rejections. I didn’t know how to improve the book and was about to give up on it, but then I decided to enter PitchWars. My wonderful mentors, Carrie Allen and Sabrina Lotfi, chose me and I’m forever grateful to them. They helped me to rework the novel and Tara requested it during the 2019 PitchWars agent showcase and signed me after.
I did a few small edits with Tara and then we went on sub in late summer 2019. I was very lucky that I was not on sub for long before we got an offer from Catherine Wallace at HarperTeen. That call is one I’ll never forget!
8. I’ve interviewed a lot of authors who said that the Pitch Wars helped them get published. How are you marketing your book given the pandemic?
Honestly, I’m just trying to do things that I enjoy. I ran a preorder campaign because I always wanted to do that and it was a lot of fun to see the entries coming in from around the country and world! I’ve been doing blog interviews, a panel for my local SCBWI group, and trying to get my book in front of lots of bookstagrammers. I’m not sure that there’s a perfect way to market right now (or ever) so I figure I should do things that bring me joy!
9. What are you working on now? If you are writing a book under contract, what has that experience been like?
Right now I’m on sub with a new YA contemporary romance and I’m going to start drafting a another new book soon. It’ll be nice to get back to writing.
Thanks for sharing all your advice, Kristy. You can find Kristy at https://www.kristyboyceauthor.com/ She’s also on twitter: @KristyLBoyce and Instagram @kristylboyce
Giveaway Details
Kristy has generously offered a hardback of Hot British Boyfriend for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by February 20th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.
If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog and/or follow me on Twitter, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This giveaway is U.S.
Kristy Boyce On Using Travel For Inspiration
November 17, 2020
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Inspiration is a funny thing. It can come to us like a lightning bolt, through the lyrics of a song, or in the fog of a dream. Ask any writer where their stories come from and you’ll get a myriad of answers, and in that vein I created the WHAT (What the Hell Are you Thinking?) interview. Always including in the WHAT is one random question to really dig down into the interviewees mind, and probably supply some illumination into my own as well.
Today’s guest for the WHAT is Kristy Boyce, author of Hot British Boyfriend, releasing Feb. 9, 2021. She lives in Columbus, OH and teaches psychology as a senior lecturer at The Ohio State University. When she’s not spending time with her husband and son, she’s usually writing, reading, putting together fairy gardens, or watching happy reality TV (The Great British Bake-Off and So You Think You Can Dance are perennial favorites).
Ideas for our books can come from just about anywhere, and sometimes even we can’t pinpoint exactly how or why. Did you have a specific origin point for your book?
I did! Actually, my earliest inspiration came from a multiple choice question I wrote for an exam. In my psychology class on “The Self,” I was teaching about how people are often pulled between showing their best self (self-enhancement) and their true self (self-verification). I wrote a question asking if a person studying abroad would use self-enhancement or self-verification when interacting with other students and then I sat back and thought, “That would be a fun YA to write!”
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Once the original concept existed, how did you build a plot around it?
First, I knew I wanted to set it in England. I’ve always been a huge anglophile and I’ve been lucky enough to travel there multiple times. Additionally, my best friend taught at a study abroad program at Harlaxton Manor, which is a gorgeous manor north of London, and I was inspired to use that location for my school.
Once I had the main premise and the location figured out, everything else started to come together. For Hot British Boyfriend, the setting plays a huge role in the plot. I was able to take virtual tours of the manor to help me and I also pulled from my own experiences in England and Europe. Compared to other books I’ve written, this plot came together (relatively) easily.
Have you ever had the plot firmly in place, only to find it changing as the story moved from your mind to paper?
Oh, definitely. I will have this whole manuscript laid out in my mind, but when I start to write I’ll sometimes find that the stakes aren’t high enough or the character motivations aren’t solid.
I like to fast draft at the beginning so I try not to get too caught up in these issues. Often if I keep writing then I’ll figure out how to solve the problems. Also, I’ve found it’s better for me to get down a full rough draft and then step back and look at it as a whole before making decisions or changes.
Do story ideas come to you often, or is fresh material hard to come by?
I’m not someone who gets story ideas very often. I’d say maybe every six months or so I’ll be inspired by a new idea, but I don’t have notebooks of ideas sitting around or anything like that. It’s always a relief when a new shiny idea comes to me because I know I haven’t lost it yet!
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How do you choose which story to write next, if you’ve got more than one percolating?
Usually I have one manuscript I’m working on and one lurking in the back of my head that I know I’ll move to next. Choosing the next story has never been a hard decision for me. Plus, now I’m in the lucky position where I can talk to my agent and editor when making that choice.
I have 5 cats and a Dalmatian puppy (seriously, check my Instagram feed) and I usually have at least one or two snuggling with me when I write. Do you have a writing buddy, or do you find it distracting?
I have one elderly cat named Moogle (named from the Final Fantasy video game!) and she loves to be in my office because it’s sunny and she can sleep in peace. Honestly, she might be happier if I wasn’t there and she had the place to herself!
Author Interview: ‘Dungeons And Drama’ by Kristy Boyce
January 3, 2024
thebookedshelf
On The Booked Shelf we’re in conversation with Kristy Boyce, author of YA romances from the HOT BRITISH BOYFRIEND duology to her newest 2024 release DUNGEONS AND DRAMA, which Publishers Weekly has called a “boisterously geeky romantic comedy.” Releasing on January 9, 2024 it follows a theater nerd who gets into some fake dating hijinks with a gamer classmate + coworker at her fathers game shop!
If you’d like to learn more about this YA fake dating romcom, read below!
Can you tell readers what Dungeons & Drama is all about?
Boyce: Dungeons & Drama is a fake dating YA romance about a theater-loving girl who pretends to date a gamer boy to prove she’s completely over her ex-boyfriend.
What inspired Dungeons & Drama?
Boyce: This book was inspired by many of my experiences in high school…which was a long time ago, but hopefully they’re universal! I was involved in my high school musical all four years and I also played D&D with a group of friends (and eventually married one of the players, haha). So, I was inspired to take some of those memories and put a fun twist on them!
Dungeons & Drama is mostly set at the game store that Riley’s father owns! What did you love about the setting of Sword And Board Games the most?
Boyce: As a YA writer, it was fun to pull the characters out of high school and have a fresh setting for the book. I loved that Riley’s dad could be there, sneaking glances and causing trouble, and that it was a neutral setting where characters from different high schools could meet.
The novel references D&D, tabletop gaming, theater – lots of the arts! According to Raised On DnD podcast interview, you spent your teens getting into D&D! How did you decide on on the various references to include in the story?
Boyce: This was a hard one! I talked about it a lot with my husband, trying to walk the line between putting in references that gamers and theater lovers might get without going so deep that other readers wouldn’t understand what I was talking about. I also needed to make sure I was being general enough that I wouldn’t use any references/terms that could be copywritten. Hopefully I pulled it off!
Fake Dating is one of my favorite romantic tropes! Any memorable scenes you had fun writing between Nathan & Riley?
Boyce: My favorite scene in the entire book is when Riley first blurts out Nathan’s name in front of her ex and then kisses Nathan on the arm to try to make them seem like a real couple. I love her mortification and his utter confusion. I giggled the entire time I was writing it!
Riley & Nathan are opposites, but develop great banter + friendship / chemistry throughout the novel! What did you enjoy the most about writing their relationship & what can readers expect?
Boyce: I love taking two people who seem like opposites and making them “troll” each other a bit by getting in little digs and purposely being frustrating, only to then have them start opening up and sharing more as time goes on. That type of emotional arc is so fun to write so readers can definitely expect more of that!
What are some of your favorite romcoms from either YA books (or film/tv)? + Can you share why?
Boyce: Why must you ask such hard questions, haha?! Let’s see, for books I always list the YA romances by Stephanie Perkins. Two of the books are set in Europe (always a winner for me) and all the lead characters have wonderful chemistry. They are classics now and I still love them so much. I love the TV show Never Have I Ever—such a great cast of characters and a wonderful mixture of romance and comedy. I also adore the Netflix romcom Set It Up. The leads are charming, the movie is funny and makes me swoon, and I can watch it again and again.
Love that art brings people together and there’s that idea of “community” slowly building throughout D&D! Was that intentional & why is community [whether in art or other spaces] important?
Boyce: Yes that was definitely intentional! Personally, I have always been involved with the arts, whether that be writing, theater, dance, marching band, etc. etc. so it’s difficult for me to write a book where the arts don’t play an important role. Nowadays social media is such a big part of the world, but it can also make us feel isolated and “less than.” I like having characters come together and bond over shared experiences.
You’ve previously written 2 YA romances – How have you seen your writing or crafting process change now onto your third book with DUNGEONS & DRAMA?
Boyce: I have learned to draft a book more quickly and to trust myself even when I’m struggling. Now I can tell myself, “You’ve done this before so you can do it again.”
What’s an important element for you to add in when writing your YA romances/romcoms?
Boyce: Of course I want the lead characters to fall in love with each other, but I also want them to fall a bit more in love with themselves by the end of the book. Being a teenager can be difficult partially because of self-criticism, but when someone loves and respects you for who you are, that can teach you that you’re worthwhile and wonderful no matter what. So, I always like to explore that dynamic in my novels.
What YA Books have you been reading and enjoying recently?
Boyce: I’ve been loving the YA romances by Becky Dean (her latest is Picture-Perfect Boyfriend) and Jamie Lilac (Bellegarde)!
To conclude, can you share your favorite quote from DUNGEONS & DRAMA + Share why?
Boyce: This isn’t a romantic quote, but I love it anyway:
I’m digging my heels in until the soles of my shoes melt from the magma in the core of the earth. “I wasn’t pretending.”
I just love how stubborn (and strong) Riley is in this scene when she’s confronted by her ex-boyfriend about whether her relationship with Nathan is fake. I’m not at all like Riley, and I think that’s why it was so fun to write her!
Author Bio: Kristy Boyce lives in Columbus, OH and teaches psychology as a senior lecturer at The Ohio State University. When she’s not spending time with her husband and son, she’s usually writing, reading, putting together fairy gardens, or watching happy reality TV (The Great British Bake-Off and So You Think You Can Dance are perennial favorites). Kristy is the social media coordinator for Central and Southern Ohio SCBWI.
BOYCE, Kristy. Hot British Boyfriend. 336p. HarperTeen. Feb. 2021. pap. $11.99. ISBN 9780063025912.
Gr 9 Up--After Ellie Nichols embarrasses herself in front of her entire school and becomes the subject of a meme, she decides to escape via her school's study abroad trip to England to find adventure and, best of all, British guys. After arriving, she realizes that her classmates have a very different mentality than her--studying. Instead, Elbe wants to take in the sights and experience life with a hot English boy. However, once she finds a wonderful and debonair Brit, sandy-haired Will, she wonders if he's right for her. Dev, her studying companion and new friend, makes things even more complicated. Should she be with Will or Dev? This book is perfect for any high schooler who loves cheesy romances. While going on a date with a complete stranger in a new country doesn't make the most logical sense, readers will be swept away by this story. Characters are from a variety of backgrounds: Dev is Indian American and his large family wants him to be a successful doctor; Will is from a very successful family and he struggles with what he wants to do in life. New friend Huan, who has black hair, is gay, and Elbe's race isn't stated. VERDICT This book will sweep Anglophiles and romantics off their feet.--Paige Kostelyk, DeMotte Christian Grade Sch., IN
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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Kostelyk, Paige. "BOYCE, Kristy. Hot British Boyfriend." School Library Journal, vol. 66, no. 12, Dec. 2020, pp. 99+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A643822123/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=987e58d9. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
Boyce, Kristy HOT BRITISH BOYFRIEND HarperTeen (Teen None) $11.99 2, 9 ISBN: 978-0-06-302591-2
After a viral video humiliates her, Ellie stumbles out of the spotlight and into romantic adventures overseas.
Ellie Nichols moved to Washington, D.C., at the end of her junior year of high school. As the new girl, she’s disheartened that Crystal, her only friend, is set to study in England for fall semester. But at least Ellie is certain that popular, sporty Andy is going to ask her out at his party. Instead, disaster strikes: When Andy professes his feelings in front of everyone, he’s actually speaking to Crystal, something Ellie only realizes after she’s thrown her arms around him. The mortifying moment floods social media. When Crystal decides to stay in the States with Andy, this leaves an opening on the study abroad program for Ellie. Her luck quickly turns: A handsome British boy named Will sweeps her off her feet. He’s everything she wants, but Ellie can’t open up to him. Instead, she relies on Dev, a boy from her high school whom she previously didn’t know well, to coach her on attracting Will. In the end, she must choose between her hot British boyfriend and staying true to herself. The setting is sumptuous, and Ellie and Dev’s banter rings true. But Ellie’s naivete acts as the main—and not very compelling—obstacle; more swooning and interpersonal drama would have made for a better read. Most characters are White; Dev is Indian American.
A lukewarm travel romance. (Romance. 14-18)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Boyce, Kristy: HOT BRITISH BOYFRIEND." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Dec. 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A643410669/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c834e163. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
Hot British Boyfriend
Kristy Boyce. HarperTeen, $11.99 paper (336p) ISBN 978-0-06-302591-2
After a humiliating public rejection goes viral, Washington, D.C., high school senior Ellie, 17, swaps places with the exfriend who's now dating her crush, hastily joining a rigorous study abroad program. Determined to leave her embarrassment and the happy couple behind, Ellie plans to skate by academically while taking in England and landing a hot British boyfriend. Swiftly checking goals off her list, she launches into a relationship with dashing Will, whose good looks and expensive tastes more than make up for their lack of common interests--and the lies Ellie finds herself telling to win him over. She also forms unexpected bonds with fellow American exchange students, including studious roommate Sage and Dev, a frequent study partner from her high school whose easy banter causes her to question what she truly wants, romantically and for her future. Boyce attains believable growth for Ellie, her insecurity and lack of direction giving way to a developing self-confidence as she opens herself up to new experiences and people while tapping into her passion for gardening and art. Boyce keeps lighthearted humor and romance at the forefront, delivering a satisfying happy-for-now ending to a feel-good rom-com. Ages 13-up. Agent: Tara Gonzalez. Erin Murphy Literary. (Feb.)
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"Hot British Boyfriend." Publishers Weekly, vol. 268, no. 1, 4 Jan. 2021, p. 53. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A649683568/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=93b1e5b7. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
BOYCE, Kristy. Hot Dutch Daydream. 304p. HarperTeen. Apr. 2023. pap. $15.99. ISBN 9780063160309.
Gr 7-10--Sage is driven. Her singular focus for the summer after high school is to attend a prestigious academic STEM conference in Berlin. In order to make this happen, she has agreed to serve as nanny for Dr. Reese, a preeminent researcher, working mother, and field expert. The summer takes on a whole new twist, however, when it is revealed that Dr. Reese's older son Ryland, an aspiring artist and general free spirit, will be living at the house, too, and that Sage and Ryland are expressly forbidden from dating. Gauntlet down. It isn't a handful of days before Sage and Ryland are constant companions, and soon sparks are flying. Ryland uses their time together to woo Sage with Amsterdam highlights including travel by tram, bicycling, a visit to a giant clog, and sampling a cone full of fries covered in mayonnaise. The romance is admittedly tame, focused predominantly on kissing and Ryland making personalized screen-printed T-shirts for Sage. Ryland is a great character who focuses on creating unique block prints featuring cats snuck into the corners of every image. He leans into his cat motif by leading Sage to cat-focused tourist attractions including KattenKabinet. Curious readers can lose more than a few moments exploring the virtual tour of this real-world facility or researching the works of Louis Wain. The novel is set in the Netherlands with presumably an all-white cast. VERDICT Hand this to fans of Stephanie Perkins. A perfect summer romance.--Leah Krippner
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Krippner, Leah. "BOYCE, Kristy. Hot Dutch Daydream." School Library Journal, vol. 69, no. 5, May 2023, p. 81. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A748258470/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7e844b9d. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
Boyce, Kristy HOT DUTCH DAYDREAM HarperTeen (Teen None) $11.99 4, 18 ISBN: 9780063160309
A driven scientist and an artist who lacks focus aim to be more productive but end up falling in love.
Sage Cunningham is going to spend the summer in Amsterdam looking after her mentor's 3-year-old son, Diederik. In exchange, Dr. Reese will pay Sage's expenses to attend a conference in Berlin and present at a poster session, something few college freshmen get to do. When Ryland, Dr. Reese's teenage son from her first marriage, unexpectedly comes home early from a backpacking trip, Sage worries he could be a distraction. But Ryland, who finds it all too easy to get derailed by relationship drama, is hoping some of Sage's work ethic will rub off on him, and he asks her to help him focus while he prepares for an upcoming art competition. Evenings spent together working on their separate projects in Ryland's attic lead to friendship--and then to more. However, Dr. Reese makes it clear that if Sage dates Ryland, she won't be able to work in her lab going forward in order to avoid the appearance of favoritism. Sage has been counting on the position and Dr. Reese's support to help her reach her professional goals, but can she really say goodbye to Ryland? The romance develops naturally and believably, with both protagonists learning that the right partner can help them achieve their dreams. Main characters read White.
Armchair travelers and fans of opposites-attract romances will adore this story. (Romance. 12-18)
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"Boyce, Kristy: HOT DUTCH DAYDREAM." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2023, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A735117928/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=525fcc1c. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
Dungeons and Drama
KristyBoyce. Underlined, $11.99 paper (304p) ISBN 978-0-593-64701-1
After an unauthorized joyride with her mother's car lands high school junior and musical theater aficionado Riley in eight weeks of familial probation working at her estranged father's gaming store, Riley figures she's in for a dreadful time. Worse, her school has canceled the spring musical, an event she looks forward to every year. Determined to save the production (and save face when her arrogant ex shows up at the store), she strikes a deal with coworker and classmate Nathan Wheeler: Riley and Nathan will pretend to date, during which time Riley will help Nathan land his crush, and she'll get the musical back on track. To make their ruse seem more official, Riley joins Nathan's D&D campaign (playing a bard, naturally), and soon realizes that the store-and Nathan--aren't as uncool as she originally thought. But when it comes time to choose between her old passions and her new ones, it may be curtains for her not-so-fake relationship. In this boisterously geeky romantic comedy, Boyce (Hot Dutch Daydream) delivers a feel-good tale of love and laughter, set against standard teen trials and tribulations and driven by the leads' sweet dynamic. Protagonists read as white. Ages 12--up. Agent: Tara Gonzalez. Erin Murphy Literary. (Jan.)
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"Dungeons and Drama." Publishers Weekly, vol. 270, no. 42, 16 Oct. 2023, p. 61. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A771914103/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=25733828. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
Boyce, Kristy DUNGEONS AND DRAMA Underlined (Teen None) $11.99 1, 9 ISBN: 9780593647011
Two small-town Ohio teens fake a romance to make others jealous.
Riley starts her junior year sentenced to work at her father's game store as punishment following a serious infraction involving her mother's car. When her ex drops in, Riley impulsively pretends that co-worker and classmate Nathan is her boyfriend. Nathan is not amused, but she convinces him that the ruse will also help him win the heart of his crush, fellow D&D player Sophia. Nongamer Riley strengthens the pretense by joining his D&D campaign, and she discovers that her musical theater background lends itself well to role-playing games. Over time, it becomes harder for Riley and Nathan to discern whether each other's romantic gestures are an act or based on something real. Riley slowly gains more appreciation for her father than spending alternate weekends at his apartment during the five years since the divorce has allowed for. Meanwhile, the school principal cancels the spring musical for budget reasons, and Riley is working on a proposal to change his mind. When a crisis strikes, Riley's friends step up to advocate for the importance of the arts. The book's strengths lie in its characterization: Authentic portrayals of friendships and family relationships make the story shine, and the store's sense of community adds depth and is part of Riley's changing perception of her father. Most main characters are white; Riley's best friend is Japanese American.
Gamers and nongamers alike will find much to enjoy in this sweet romance. (Romance. 12-18)
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"Boyce, Kristy: DUNGEONS AND DRAMA." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Oct. 2023, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A768633707/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ec014a45. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
BOYCE, Kristy. Dungeons and Drama. 304p. Delacorte. Jan. 2024. pap. $11.99. ISBN 9780593647011.
Gr 8 Up--"Borrowing" her mom's vehicle to see the touring production of Waitress leaves Riley with only one regret; an eight-week punishment of working at her dad's gaming store. Not only does she know nothing about gaming, but a disastrous meet-cute with her coworker Nathan has Riley completely dreading working at the store. Everything changes when a slip of the tongue leaves the two of them faking a relationship in order to help out their love lives. But what's a girl to do when sparks are flying and your fake relationship starts to feel a little too real? Boyce delivers a light rom-com that offers delight all the way through. From musical scheming to Dungeons & Dragons adventures, the story's high jinks involve a lovable cast of characters that are relatable and intriguing. Filled with classic romance tropes, Riley and Nathan's evolving relationship, from enemies to friends to more, creates a warm story where the stakes are present but never too high. Additionally, Riley's blossoming dynamic with her divorced parents is nicely, if minutely, explored as she spends more time at her father's store. Riley and Nathan are both white. Secondary characters have minimal diversity. VERDICT A must-read cozy romance for board gamers and thespians alike.--Emily Walker
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Walker, Emily. "BOYCE, Kristy. Dungeons and Drama." School Library Journal, vol. 70, no. 1, Jan. 2024, p. 61. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A778646579/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=afbedc52. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.