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cassroberts89's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Super, super cute! And definitely on the steamier side in a couple of scenes, if you’re wondering about that sort of thing.
One thing I went back and forth on was Emily’s mental state. In one hand, there were definitely moments where it was clear she was spiraling. Anxiety maybe, or just her past experience with dickhead-ex? I can emphasize with that and understand how sometimes it’s not always a rational line of thought.
I do think that bit was a little overdone though. There were other times where her thoughts were clear contradictions with her experiences, or even with her own previous thoughts. When everything seemed peachy, I was wondering what sort of conflict could possibly necessitate another half or so of the book. I think a lot of that conflict was forced by the author injecting her with some of these irrational thoughts. As if those thoughts were there for the sole purpose of propelling the story forward.
I hope that makes sense. I need to stop writing reviews late at night 😅 Still a great, what I like to call, “palate cleanser.”
One thing I went back and forth on was Emily’s mental state. In one hand, there were definitely moments where it was clear she was spiraling. Anxiety maybe, or just her past experience with dickhead-ex? I can emphasize with that and understand how sometimes it’s not always a rational line of thought.
I do think that bit was a little overdone though. There were other times where her thoughts were clear contradictions with her experiences, or even with her own previous thoughts. When everything seemed peachy, I was wondering what sort of conflict could possibly necessitate another half or so of the book. I think a lot of that conflict was forced by the author injecting her with some of these irrational thoughts. As if those thoughts were there for the sole purpose of propelling the story forward.
I hope that makes sense. I need to stop writing reviews late at night 😅 Still a great, what I like to call, “palate cleanser.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Car accident
lou_loo's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I can say this book was "Well Met". 😉
I'm glad I came across this story, it's a fun small-town romance, taking place at a Renaissance Faire during the summer.
I read this in one day, it was super cute and enjoyable. Emily is a fun protagonist, seeing her bloom and get to know people around her, make friends and let her voice be heard was so nice and heartwarming.
As for Simon, he went through a great character development. I loved how his personality was hidden away at first and how he let it show gradually as he got more comfortable around Emily.
The romance between them was great, it didn't feel forced by the author. However, it was strange that they started as enemies for no reason. I think it could have been more natural if they started as friends, instead of hating each other for no reason on their first encounter.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book so much, it made me want to organise a Renaissance Faire as well, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a fun, easy-to-read small-town romance for summer.
I'm glad I came across this story, it's a fun small-town romance, taking place at a Renaissance Faire during the summer.
I read this in one day, it was super cute and enjoyable. Emily is a fun protagonist, seeing her bloom and get to know people around her, make friends and let her voice be heard was so nice and heartwarming.
As for Simon, he went through a great character development. I loved how his personality was hidden away at first and how he let it show gradually as he got more comfortable around Emily.
The romance between them was great, it didn't feel forced by the author. However, it was strange that they started as enemies for no reason. I think it could have been more natural if they started as friends, instead of hating each other for no reason on their first encounter.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book so much, it made me want to organise a Renaissance Faire as well, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a fun, easy-to-read small-town romance for summer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Grief
beth_s98's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really, really enjoyed this one! I loved the setting and the care given to the description of the Faire. The characters were strong, and I felt as though the growth was reasonable. There are some spicy scenes, but not over-the-top and they felt very realistic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Car accident
markedwithanm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Toxic relationship, Death, and Car accident
mabellene's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cancer, and Grief
Moderate: Car accident and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment
bibliomania_express's review
4.0
Well Met by Jen DeLuca is a fun Renaissance Faire-themed romance between an English teacher with a piratey side and a woman looking for roots. I really liked Emily and Simon and how their relationship develops as the summer progresses. They're a bit grumpy/sass (I wouldn't call Emily sunshiney, but the vibes work). We're filtered through Emily's POV, so there's some ways she misunderstands Simon, but it works.
I loved so much that this book cuts off its potential misunderstandings by having characters actually talk to each other. Quite a few things were fairly obvious, and I appreciated that characters actually discovered those things by confronting assumptions.
For all this book is lighthearted and fun, it does deal with some serious topics. Content warnings for grief and death of a sibling, car accident, and toxic relationship (all in the past, not on page). I think all these issues were handled with care, especially the death of Simon's brother, which is the most central to the story.
I enjoyed Emily and Simon's banter, the relationships Emily builds with Stacey, Mitch, and Chris, as well as the sister relationship between Emily and April. I know this is the first in a series, so I'm excited to read the next one and see more of the characters.
I loved so much that this book cuts off its potential misunderstandings by having characters actually talk to each other. Quite a few things were fairly obvious, and I appreciated that characters actually discovered those things by confronting assumptions.
For all this book is lighthearted and fun, it does deal with some serious topics. Content warnings for grief and death of a sibling, car accident, and toxic relationship (all in the past, not on page). I think all these issues were handled with care, especially the death of Simon's brother, which is the most central to the story.
I enjoyed Emily and Simon's banter, the relationships Emily builds with Stacey, Mitch, and Chris, as well as the sister relationship between Emily and April. I know this is the first in a series, so I'm excited to read the next one and see more of the characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Car accident, Death, Toxic relationship, and Cancer
thesmutsister_emma's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Song: hate u, love u by Olivia O'Brien
The Tropes
✔️ enemies to lovers
✔️ workplace romance
✔️ cheeky banter
✔️ small-town romance
The Characters
Emily: What a badass bitch. Holy hell. Girlie knows how to stand up for herself against who used to be Satan himself. I hope that someday I can have the nerve that Emily has throughout this book. I already have her support system 💜🥺
Simon: Sir, you could have been less insufferable at first for sure. You also desperately need therapy. Keep the earring though.
The Things I Loved
I truly loved the back-and-forth of the banter and the homey vibes this book gave off. I have avoided this series for so long because I was worried that it was a period piece (shows how much I read the blurbs of the books on my TBR), but this was such a comforting read. Don't get me wrong, it had its highs and lows during the book, but it was still very homey and comfortable.
The Things I Didn't Love
At times it did not feel like Emily was 24 or 25 (quite frankly I can't remember which one). It felt more like she was 21 or 19 based on her inner monologue. I can totally understand some of the conclusions she was jumping to, because what person who just went through what she did wouldn't? But there is a line between insecurities and flat-out maturity. This was a maturity issue in her case. It could just be me and my years of therapy and trauma, but it just felt like she was a lot younger than the book set her up to be.
The Final Verdict
Considering I now have the rest of these books on hold in my Libby app now, this is a pretty solid start to a series. I fully intend on making this series a staple of this year and cannot wait to have my next hold.
The Tropes
✔️ enemies to lovers
✔️ workplace romance
✔️ cheeky banter
✔️ small-town romance
The Characters
Emily: What a badass bitch. Holy hell. Girlie knows how to stand up for herself against who used to be Satan himself. I hope that someday I can have the nerve that Emily has throughout this book. I already have her support system 💜🥺
Simon: Sir, you could have been less insufferable at first for sure. You also desperately need therapy. Keep the earring though.
The Things I Loved
I truly loved the back-and-forth of the banter and the homey vibes this book gave off. I have avoided this series for so long because I was worried that it was a period piece (shows how much I read the blurbs of the books on my TBR), but this was such a comforting read. Don't get me wrong, it had its highs and lows during the book, but it was still very homey and comfortable.
The Things I Didn't Love
At times it did not feel like Emily was 24 or 25 (quite frankly I can't remember which one). It felt more like she was 21 or 19 based on her inner monologue. I can totally understand some of the conclusions she was jumping to, because what person who just went through what she did wouldn't? But there is a line between insecurities and flat-out maturity. This was a maturity issue in her case. It could just be me and my years of therapy and trauma, but it just felt like she was a lot younger than the book set her up to be.
The Final Verdict
Considering I now have the rest of these books on hold in my Libby app now, this is a pretty solid start to a series. I fully intend on making this series a staple of this year and cannot wait to have my next hold.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Cancer, and Death
strawberrycasualreader's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Death, and Car accident
catherinedsharp's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Cute concept but overall not the best execution. It’s the kind of book where you can let your brain turn off a bit and just enjoy all the silliness that is happening. Would recommend for a fun time but that’s all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Car accident, Death, and Sexual content
bexi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The heroine was kind of dense. The hero was a butthead. They both needed therapy.
Also,WOOING SHOULD TAKE MORE THAN ONE DAY! ✋️😭
But it was cute, I guess?? It kept me entertained 🤷♀️
Also,
But it was cute, I guess?? It kept me entertained 🤷♀️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Grief, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment, Car accident, and Body shaming