October 1, 2022
In the fourth book, after Well Matched, of DeLuca's "Well Met" series, a Renaissance Fair--or, rather, a summer tour of them--is once again the place to find true love. This time, high-powered lawyer Lulu Malone makes her way toward her happily ever after by ditching her phone, quitting her job, and running away with the band The Dueling Kilts on the summer Ren Faire circuit. Lulu initially dismisses sexy guitarist Dex MacLean, who is rumored to have a woman at every Faire, but as their summer living situation pushes them together, their tentative friendship becomes something more, even as their summer adventure starts to wrap up. DeLuca's storytelling continues to improve as she delves deeper into what makes the main characters tick, and Dex feels like the most complicated and fleshed-out hero of the series yet--no mean feat when the story is told entirely from Lulu's point of view. VERDICT Amid the unique setting and a stock of colorful side characters, both old and new, DeLuca's latest gives fans more of what they love about her popular series, which has particularly well-developed protagonists.--Jenny Kobiela-Mondor
Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
October 1, 2022
An overworked attorney decides to give up law life and join a Renaissance Faire. Louisa "Lulu" Malone isn't happy working long, thankless hours as a corporate attorney. While on a business trip, she decides to take a break and visit a local Renaissance Faire, and while she's there she gets a phone call that confirms what she already knows--she's never going to make partner at her firm. In a fit of anger and desperation, she tells her boss she's quitting and throws her phone into a tub of water the "laundry wenches" are using for their show. Luckily, she makes a new friend at the Faire, a woman named Stacey who works with a band called the Dueling Kilts. Stacey also happens to know Lulu's Ren Faire-loving cousin, Mitch, and the two of them convince Lulu to take some time away from the law world. Instead of rushing into another job, why not travel with the band...or, as Lulu puts it, "run away and join the Renaissance Faire"? Soon, Lulu's wearing a lace-up bodice, selling turkey legs, and meeting the "bad boy" of the Dueling Kilts, Dex. Dex has a reputation for hooking up with any acrobat or belly dancer who will have him, and Lulu has no intention of falling for his charms, his over-the-top flirting, or his man bun. As she gets to know Dex, she realizes there may be a depth to him that no one else sees. But he lives for the Faire and his band, and Lulu has to figure out if there's a future for the two of them. DeLuca returns to the Renaissance Faire world of her previous three books, bringing back many familiar characters. The Faire is a unique setting, and Lulu and Dex's relationship feels both realistic and fun, making this an easy and perfectly charming read. A comforting, low-angst romance that will make readers want to attend a Renaissance Faire.
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October 10, 2022
DeLuca returns to the Renaissance Faire circuit a fourth time (after Well Matched) in this charming contemporary romance. Corporate lawyer Louisa “Lulu” Malone heads to the Ren Faire to soak up some precious relaxation time. After her bosses call once too often during what’s supposed to be her time off, she abruptly resigns by tossing her phone into the laundry wenches’ tub. With an unprecedented amount of free time on her hands, she joins the crew of the Dueling Kilts, a band of Scottish musicians on the U.S. Ren Faire circuit. Accustomed to the 24/7 grind of trying (unsuccessfully) to make partner, Lulu quickly makes herself useful, helping several Ren Faire performers become more efficient and making friends along the way. She’s also astute enough to realize that Dueling Kilts guitarist, Dex, has more depth than his easy smile and ladies’ man reputation suggests. For his part, when Dex realizes that Lulu is open to getting to know him, he leaves one-night stands behind in favor of hanging with Lulu in the band’s traveling camper, talking to her over s’mores and beer. DeLuca has a steady hand with this duo’s slow-burning chemistry, making their connection feel entirely earned. Fans and new readers alike will be drawn in. Agent: Taylor Haggerty, Root Literary.