*Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own. Quotes are from the ARC and are subject to change upon publication.*

Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: Well Met is just pure fun. This book is adorable, entertaining, and full of heart. 

“I didn’t choose the wench life. The wench life chose me.”

[ Related: 12 Summer Romances (6 YA + 6 Adult) ]

// Content Warning: Insecurities around not being enough, depression//

“Birthday wishes were allowed to be lofty. I blew out the candles and let those wishes fly away with the wisps of smoke. The ones that were meant to be would come back.” 

Release Date: 9/3/2019
Publisher: Berkley
Page Count: 336
Premise:

When Emily’s sister got in an accident, she dropped everything to help her and her niece. So when said niece needs an adult to volunteer with her at the Renaissance Faire, she agrees. However, what she didn’t expect was to make an enemy of the man running it, Simon, so quick. He has no patience for Emily and is quick with a critique, but once they get on Faire grounds, he changes completely. He turns into a suave pirate and flirts constantly with Emily’s character, but is it real, or is it just the characters they have to play?

Writing & Setting

This book is addictive, and while that definitely had to do with the great plot and characters, I also have to give credit to the writing and setting. Jen DeLuca’s writing style is so easy to be absorbed by, and the immersive setting of the Renaissance Faire hooks you the second you start. Although that could just be me, because I absolutely love the idea of Ren Faires. It’s because of this book that I’ll actually be going to my first one soon! Okay, but back to the writing. It’s very well done, with such a relatable tone that allows the book to feel both lighthearted and fun while also heartbreaking when necessary.

“You’re so focused on the past it’s all you can see. How can we have a future if all you keep doing is looking back?”

Plot

I know I already said this book is addictive, but I just need to say it again. I could not put it down. There was always something interesting happening, between the romance plotline, the family dynamics, and the Ren Faire itself. The plot also managed to both be fun and entertaining while discussing some deeper issues and handling them well.

“Let us love you, and remind you that you’re worth it until you figure out what you’re going to do next.”

Characters

Partially why this book is so good is the characters in it.Emily is a great protagonist. She’s strong, smart, and organized, with painfully relatable insecurities that she is trying to work through. I really loved her character development, and how she grows over the course of the book. As for our love interest, I really don’t want to say too much because it’s best to learn more about him over the course of the book. I know that’s one of my personal favorite parts of enemies-to-lovers romance. However, I will mention that I loved how much his pirate character reminded me of Hook from Once Upon A Time. It was amazing. Also, there were some great side characters! I especially loved Emily’s dynamic with her sister and her niece. 

”I know you want to. You want to help everyone. But you need to help yourself for a change. Do what’s right for you.”

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Conclusion

Pros- Great characters, addictive, 
Cons- There are no ren faires near me, which isn’t the fault of this book, but this book has now brought this problem to my attention so I’m blaming it. 
Overall- 5/5 stars. 
Well Met is everything I wanted it to be and more. With an adorable and steamy romance, the perfect setting, and amazing characters, you do not want to miss this.

If You Liked Well Met, I’d Recommend:

• Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston – [ Review ]
• The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren – [ Review ]

Have you read Well Met? What did you think?

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