Well Met

Emily moves to a small Maryland town to help her recently widowed sister with childcare. To support her teenage niece's participation in the local Renaissance Faire, Emily volunteers as a tavern wench at the festival, which runs every summer weekend. At the Faire, Emily clashes with Simon, a high school English teacher who takes his role as the festival's kilted pirate very seriously. Their antagonistic relationship during rehearsals shifts when they begin spending time together both in and out of character. The Renaissance Faire becomes more than just a backdrop as Emily navigates new relationships, family obligations, and unexpected career opportunities. The contrast between modern life and the Faire's escapist atmosphere creates a space where characters can explore different versions of themselves. The novel examines how people use performance and roleplay to overcome personal barriers and find authentic connection. Through the lens of Renaissance Faire culture, it considers the transformative power of community and tradition in small-town life.

Readers call this a light, sweet romance that captures the fun atmosphere of Renaissance Faires. The book maintains a 3.89/5 rating on Goodreads (90,000+ ratings) and 4.3/5 on Amazon (3,000+ ratings). Liked: - Authentic portrayal of Renaissance Faire culture and behind-the-scenes details - Chemistry between the main characters - Humor and banter - Small town setting - Character growth through the story Disliked: - Predictable plot following standard romance formulas - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Some found the conflict forced or manufactured - Secondary characters need more development Many reviewers mention rereading the book multiple times, with one noting "I return to this whenever I need a comfort read." Critics point out romance tropes, with one reader stating "It hits every expected beat without adding anything new." Several reviews praise the accurate Ren Faire details, calling it "a love letter to faire culture."

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🎭 Jen DeLuca wrote this book after participating in her local Renaissance Faire as a performer, drawing from her firsthand experience of the unique culture and community. ⚔️ The book sparked a series set in the same small town of Willow Creek, with each subsequent novel featuring different characters from the Renaissance Faire community. 🎪 Renaissance Faires, like the one featured in the book, began in Southern California in the 1960s and now attract more than 5 million visitors annually across North America. 📚 "Well Met" was Jen DeLuca's debut novel, published in 2019, and quickly became a bestseller in the contemporary romance genre. 🗡️ The book's title is a play on words, combining the Renaissance Faire greeting "Well met!" with the modern meaning of meeting someone, creating a clever double meaning for this romantic story.