#Book review #Well Met by Jen DeLuca

Emily is used to putting other people’s needs before her own. She dropped out of college to put her boyfriend through his expensive law school. He was supposed to help her after the graduation, but as soon as he got his new and shiny degree, he decided to break up with her and cancelled their flat lease. As Emily was desperately trying to sort her life out, her older sister April had a car accident and, of course, Emily rushed to Willow Creek, Maryland, to help out for a few months, until April is able to drive and work again. Emily’s niece Caitlin would love to participate in the local Renaissance Faire, however, the adult who accompanies her is also required to volunteer and become a part of the cast …and this is how Emily takes on the role of a tavern wench for six weeks. She quickly discovers that despite being hard work, this is something that makes her feel competent and appreciated in this friendly little community. She also discovers that the sulky and uptight organiser Simon Graham changes and behaves in a very different way, once he dons a pirate costume. His character Captain Ian Blackthorne likes the tavern wench Emma (Emily’s character) to the point of agreeing to undergo a beautifully romantic ceremony of binding, a kind of temporary betrothal for a year and a day, after which the couple may decide to part and go their separate ways or…declare a different kind of imtentions.

The book was so much fun. Emily is friendly, hard-working and helpful. She might be at the crossroads with her own future, but rest assured she will work it out. A lovely character, very easy to relate to and root for. Simon..well…If his character of a pirate doesn’t do it for you, how about a quiet, responsible, and loyal teacher of English who is willing to woo his girl, and most importantly knows that she deserves to be the most important thing in his life, even if he has to let go of his past and make a lot of changes. The secondary characters are also kind and positive.

I loved the special atmosphere of a small town, where people not only would make casseroles for a neighbour in need, but would also go out of their way to change the schedule of their book club to give you an opportunity to join. If you want to…And if you don’t, they won’t hold it against you.

The book is charming in the best possible way, if you like this genre. The pace is just right- the romance is neither too hurried, nor too slow to develop. It takes time to become a part of a community, but the feeling of belonging is worth it, that’s why Emily’s story is so sweet.

Thank you to Edelweiss and Berkley for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

From the book blurb:

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 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.

• Do you like contemporary romance? Have you read Well Met or is it on your tbr list?
• Do you like books set in a small community? What’s the most interesting one you’ve read recently?
• Have you ever participated in a Renaissance Fair or taken part in an amateur production of a Shakespeare play? Did you enjoy the experience?