All’s faire in love and war for two sworn enemies who indulge in a harmless flirtation in a laugh-out-loud rom-com from debut author Jen DeLuca.Emily knew there would be strings attached when she relocated to the small town of Willow Creek, Maryland, for the summer to help her sister recover from an accident, but who could anticipate getting roped into volunteering for the local Renaissance Faire … Renaissance Faire alongside her teenaged niece? Or that the irritating and inscrutable schoolteacher in charge of the volunteers would be so annoying that she finds it impossible to stop thinking about him?
The faire is Simon’s family legacy and from the start he makes clear he doesn’t have time for Emily’s lighthearted approach to life, her oddball Shakespeare conspiracy theories, or her endless suggestions for new acts to shake things up. Yet on the faire grounds he becomes a different person, flirting freely with Emily when she’s in her revealing wench’s costume. But is this attraction real, or just part of the characters they’re portraying?
This summer was only ever supposed to be a pit stop on the way to somewhere else for Emily, but soon she can’t seem to shake the fantasy of establishing something more with Simon or a permanent home of her own in Willow Creek.
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ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
When the pirate falls for the tavern wench…
Simon and Emily’s story is a slow burn hate-to-love story, where their bickering and sniping is really a whole lotta foreplay.
Emily is kind of at a loss with where to go in her life. Simon is trying to live a life that isn’t his, isn’t what he really wanted.
And I liked that a Renaissaince Faire into the story – Simon as a pirate had me imagining him as Hook from the TV show Once Upon A Time (and what a lovely vision that is!)
I liked the small town vibe, where as annoying as it is when everyone knows your business (I live in a small town, I get it) I love the sense of community.
Simon and Emily felt real. Their relationship felt real, their issues felt real and it all together felt relatable.
I look forward to reading more by Jen DeLuca in the future.
This was a fun read set with the backdrop of a Renaissance Faire. I found it charming and loved the small-town setting. A feel-good read that left me with a smile on my face.
Well Met by Jen Deluca was a delightful debut novel. All is fair in love and war with this angsty enemies to lovers story.
Jen had me at Renaissance Faire. I remember we had one in high school and it was exciting to be apart of the reenactments, so much so that I’ve been wanting to attend one ever since.
Simon is a bit of an introvert and closed off for obvious reasons. He shoulders the burden of running the faire the way his brother used to.
Emily is the new girl and she doesn’t always go along with what Simon wants and that frustrates him to no end. Emily is attracted to Simon right away but Simon acts standoffish and like a complete jerk. It was in those moments that I wanted to be inside Simon’s head.
As their slow burn relationship progresses, Simon opens up to Emily. It’s sexy and sweet, and just the kind of romance you want! However, I needed more scenes of them together. Regardless, you will definitely fall for both Emily & Simon, Emma the Wench & Captain Blackthorne the Pirate–Shakespeare has nothing on them.
I really enjoyed this book. It was heartfelt and truly wonderful yet it had the potential to be more. Even so, I’m really looking forward to reading more of what Jen writes! That being said, can we please have Mitch’s book next! Kay, thanks
I adored everything about this book. Yes, it’s a fantastic romance, but I really liked Emily’s story within the romance too. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say I loved her character, and her choices. I’m so glad there’s more to this series!
Wow! Just Wow!
I can’t say enough about this book. I listened to it on Audible and the narrator did a wonderful job breathing life into all the different characters.
I was completely entertained and engaged with both the people and the story. Emily is a fixer. She is always helping others. Her sister April who is a lot older than her is hurt in a car accident so Emily comes to stay with her and her niece to help out. When Emily ends up playing the part of a serving wench in the local Renaissance Faire she meets Simon.
The two don’t get along at first but after a while and dealing with each other in their faire personas they start to like each other. And I mean, really like each other. Simon learns to loosen up. I love how they grow and develop over the summer. Not just Simon, but Emily and April as well.
This is a great book. I can’t wait to read Stacy’s story in “Well Played”
Well Met
Well Met is written by Jen Deluca. Its the first book I have read from this author and she is now one of my favorite authors and I just couldn’t stop reading this rom-com and I really enjoyed reading about the Renaissance faire it brought a another element to the story. I loved Emily from the very beginning but Simone took a minute for me to like. But once I read his backstory I liked him alot more. I cant wait to get my hands on the second book Well played.
This is one of the best books I have read in a while. I say this because not only did I feel, after reading this book, I could attend a Renaissance Faire and feel like I could fit in, but also because the author brought the characters to life. This was a friends to lovers story. I LOVE the world building. I cannot wait to read more in this series.
Makes me want to go to a Ren Faire now.
I really enjoyed this book. The author ( Jen Deluca ) does a great job of describing the insider view of being part of a Ren Faire, while at the same time creating a place for a new person to town to build a group of friends. The dynamics between Emily & Simon are also well done — both have challenges on their own to overcome in order to find their happiness , but watching that develop over the Faire season was wonderful. Yes there is some drama at the end – but it is very realistic and does not seem contrived. I also liked how Emily and her sister April ‘s relationship played into the story.
Oh my! I was sad when this book ended amd the next two are most definitely moved up on my TBR list.
Emily and Simon have friction from the first meeting, but Emma and Captain Blackthorne hit it off and were indeed Well Met. With the Renaissance Faire as a most charming backdrop, this book gives us an interesting and unique spin on the enemies to lovers trope.
The story takes place in a small town with some of the best people in it. Emily comes into the town to lick her wounds from a recently terminated relationship and do what she does best: take care of those around her. She grows so much as she grapples with putting herself first while learning that her skill of taking care of others can serve her well.
While the story is completely from Emily’s point of view, the author Jen DeLuca makes us fall in love with Simon. When Simon is first introduced, I fully expected to dislike him, but he grew on me and my heart broke for him more than once. His alter ego made the transition from annoying to sexy happen so quickly I nearly had whiplash. Watching Simon grow and learn to put himself (or anything other than the Renaissance Faire really) first is quite the journey.
This book was delightful. It moved at a nice pace and included many moments that made me smile. My heart was full on the last page and I most certainly plan to return to Willow Creek very soon to see how things turn out for Stacey (book 2) and Mitch (book 3).
Well Met was so cute and I was instantly charmed by Emily and the town of Willow Creek. A Renaissance Faire was the perfect setting for a rom-com and added a touch of whimsy. Simon’s back story was sad and I loved watching him loosen up and fall for Emily. I was sad when the book was over and am looking forward to reading the rest in the series!
Well, that was just a boatload of adorable!
This read checked off some great boxes: well written, hate to love, misunderstood characters, sweet main characters who need to get over their own inner demons, easy on the tension, books, coffee, swords, steamy, a Renaissance fair.
Yep, I’m all in. And I was not disappointed. Enjoyable and quick read.
Loved this Renaissance Faire romance! A fun insider’s view of the Renn Faire scene with adorable supporting characters. Who could resist an uptight English-teacher hero who morphs into a sexy pirate on the faire grounds? Lots of character growth in both hero and heroine. DeLuca’s steamy slow-burn delivers a powerful payoff. I’m looking forward to Book 2 in the series.
When Emily’s sister, April, is injured in a car accident, Emily moves in with April to help her and her daughter, Caitlin. Their small town of Willow Creek, Maryland hosts a Renaissance Faire every summer and Caitlin wants desperately to be one of the volunteers. There’s a small catch, however – Caitlin needs an adult to volunteer with her. Emily agrees to help and is cast as a serving wench at the tavern.
The high school English teacher, Simon Graham, runs the Faire and he takes it very seriously. He seems to take an instant dislike to Emily and feels that she doesn’t take it seriously enough. Emily finds Simon to be overbearing and way too intense as far as the Faire is concerned. Yet, Simon’s Faire alter-ego, pirate Captain Ian Blackthorne, is his polar opposite. Ian is charming and fun and flirts relentlessly with Emily. Emily can’t help but flirt right back. Just how much of this is an act and how much of it is real? Emily thinks she is falling for Simon but they both have issues in their pasts that hold them back from giving this relationship a chance.
The setting of this book was so well-written. It had me thinking of how soon I can get to a Renaissance Faire! The characters are richly developed and, while they struggle with their pasts, they don’t become so stuck in them that they can’t move forward. I fell in love with these characters and loved seeing Simon and Emily’s romance develop while Emily’s relationship with April also grew and strengthened. Well Met is a great romance with a rich setting and wonderful cast of characters. Huzzah!
Set in a world of a Renaissance Faire? How could I not read it or love it.
Well Met was a delightful surprise because it’s not an adaptation of one of the Bard’s many stories, but rather a show and tell about what Shakespearean life was possibly like.
Loved it.
There are sooooooo many things I want to say about Well Met….to begin, I’m just going to say….GRAB THIS BOOK NOW!!!!
I absolutely loved Emily’s character; we all have been in her shoes in some way or another…..she rose above everything and became such an inspiration!!!! Simon….oh Simon….he is welcome to woo me anytime!!!! The supporting characters had so much depth to them….they certainly added to my joy of reading!! I was texting my girlfriend and told her how I loved “Emma” and “Ian”’s connection
I am blown away at how this could be Ms. DeLuca’s first novel!!! I just want to read more of her words!!!
Annnnndddddd……I want to attend the Renn Faire now!!!!
I’m going to end with a few of my fav quotes:
“Above you are the stars and below you is the earth”
“When I woo you, you’ll know it”
“But then you came along, Emily, and you weren’t a should. You were a want.”
Swwwwwwoooooonnnnnnnnn
3.5 – 4 stars
This was a really cute and sweet read. It had a nice enemies to lovers vibe, but also stressed the importance of putting yourself first and knowing your worth. It started a bit slowly for me, but I loved the Renaissance Faire backdrop and small town location. I had no idea how much work and preparation went into putting on this kind of event. Though very interesting, sometimes I found myself overwhelmed by all the details and descriptions of the Faire itself. I would have loved to have more time spent with the colorful cast of characters interacting in the space with each other.
I liked Emily and Simon, but I’m not sure I really felt the connection that got them from point A to B. Things were very sweet between them once it all came together (the wooing!), but I think a little more time in the enemies zone would have built up more tension and anticipation for me. I really enjoyed them as Emma and Captain Blackthorne though, and those interactions really made me smile and swoon.
I appreciated how family dynamics, sibling relationships, and familial/societal obligations were explored in this book. The difference between doing something you think you should do versus something you choose to do. The ending and epilogue were adorable and left me with a goofy grin on my face. Well Met had some emotional surprises I wasn’t expecting, but I really enjoyed this debut novel by Jen DeLuca. I’m hoping we see stories for Stacey and April (maybe with Kilty ;)) in the future.
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
Emily has moved in with her older sister to take care of said sister and her niece after a car accident. She could easily leave her old life, as she was painfully dumped by her ex-boyfriend after supporting him through law school. Her niece wants to take part in the Faire the town always organizes in the summer, but needs her aunt to volunteer. And so Emily turns into Emma the serving wench for the next 6 weekends in Summer. The Faire is organized mainly by Simon, English teacher and a stickler for making the Faire as authentic as possible.
At first that makes Emily dislike him, but then she finds out why he is so set in his ways and suddenly Simon as the Pirate at the Faire makes her heart pound a little faster. She also finds she loves living in the small town and thinks about making a life in Willow Creek. Will that life include Simon?
I loved this book. The story flowed easily; I loved the way everything came together. How both Emily and Simon had to overcome the past to open up for the future. The obstacle they faced was real and sincere; THEY were real and sincere. The secondary characters added to the story.
I will be on the lookout for more by this author. (2019)
Cute rom-com that takes place at a Renaissance Faire – perfect light summer reading. Some good laughs, likable characters, interesting setting and details. I enjoyed it.
I love a good ole’fashioned romance. Small town, slow burn with everything you want and more.
It was a smart, funny and endearing read.
Very sweet and clean.
Plus pirates, wrenches and kilts…
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters (hero/heroine)~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 5/5
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~5/5
Angst~ 5/5
Steam/Hotness/Chemisty ~ 5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5
Book Cover~ Simple but conveyed the right message
Series~ Standalone
Source~ Kindle eBook – copy provided by publishing through NetGalley
Would I read more from the author? Yes
Would I recommend this book? Yes
As a Ren Faire nerd, this book was custom made to bring me joy. And oh my did it. Simon can woo me any time.