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17 days and 11:19:08
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Well Met #5
Well Versed
Not yet published
Expected 22 Sep 26Win a free print copy of this book!
17 days and 11:19:08
15 copies available
U.S. only
It’s a second chance at first love at the Renaissance Faire, where the search for a new queen shapes a destiny, from USA Today bestselling author Jen DeLuca.
Caitlin Parker was a teenager when she fell out of love with the magic of the Willow Creek Renaissance Faire—the site of her first real heartbreak. But now, twenty-four and unemployed, she finds herself in her childhood bedroom and her childhood lady-in-waiting costume, assisting a rotating cast of substitute queens for the season. The very last person she wants to see is Alexander Wright—the sword-fighting, Shakespeare-spouting young man who won and broke her teenage heart. Yet there he is, older, annoyingly hotter, and back on stage at her Faire.
When Alex broke things off with Caitlin five years ago, he thought he was just ending a summer fling. He didn't realize how much he’d fallen for her until he let her go, and he certainly didn't know he’d tarnished her memories of her cherished Faire and worse, shattered her view on love and relationships. His need to right that wrong this summer brings them together again and again, and the four-year age difference that kept them apart years ago isn’t a big deal now. This time, it won’t be so easy to let go of this summer fling.
But as summer winds down, real life is catching up to both of them. Caitlin’s always thought that being an adult with adult responsibilities means leaving whimsy behind. Alex, with a life full of stage combat, songs, and sonnets, doesn’t know how to live any other way. Can they go after their dreams and find a future together where they can still say “huzzah”?
Caitlin Parker was a teenager when she fell out of love with the magic of the Willow Creek Renaissance Faire—the site of her first real heartbreak. But now, twenty-four and unemployed, she finds herself in her childhood bedroom and her childhood lady-in-waiting costume, assisting a rotating cast of substitute queens for the season. The very last person she wants to see is Alexander Wright—the sword-fighting, Shakespeare-spouting young man who won and broke her teenage heart. Yet there he is, older, annoyingly hotter, and back on stage at her Faire.
When Alex broke things off with Caitlin five years ago, he thought he was just ending a summer fling. He didn't realize how much he’d fallen for her until he let her go, and he certainly didn't know he’d tarnished her memories of her cherished Faire and worse, shattered her view on love and relationships. His need to right that wrong this summer brings them together again and again, and the four-year age difference that kept them apart years ago isn’t a big deal now. This time, it won’t be so easy to let go of this summer fling.
But as summer winds down, real life is catching up to both of them. Caitlin’s always thought that being an adult with adult responsibilities means leaving whimsy behind. Alex, with a life full of stage combat, songs, and sonnets, doesn’t know how to live any other way. Can they go after their dreams and find a future together where they can still say “huzzah”?
352 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 22, 2026
About the author
Jen DeLuca
8 books4,467 followersJen DeLuca was born and raised near Richmond, Virginia, but now lives in Arizona with her husband and a houseful of rescue pets. She loves latte-flavored lattes, Hokies football, and the Oxford comma. Well Met is her first novel, inspired by her time volunteering as a pub wench with her local Renaissance Faire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Want to Read
April 20, 2026You guys have no idea how much the
Well Met
series means to me, and to know that Caitlin is getting her own book and IT IS PINK!?!?!?!
This is going to be so good, I can feel it!
This is going to be so good, I can feel it!
February 5, 2026
Full of heated yearning and DeLuca’s signature wit, WELL VERSED is an absolute delight that will have you rooting for second chances and wishing it was Ren-Faire season!
May 11, 2026
Alex was a bottom-tier love interest, and this is saying a lot from the same book universe that has catfish Daniel. I wanted to love Caitlin’s story but she felt more like a teenager in this book at 24 than she did when she was an actual teenager. I officially accept that Well Met will never be topped.
Want to Read
April 8, 2026TAKE MY MONEY NOW!!! This is one of the first RomCom series I got hooked on back in 2021 and truly got me into loving romance novels as much as I still do today.
May 6, 2026
I love this series! This one had some foreshadowing that made the plot almost too predictable but it didn’t bother me.
July 11, 2026
Truly can’t believe his is our last trip to the Willow Creek ren faire. I’m emotional! This series has meant so much to me and it feels almost kismet that the last book stars a main character who grew with the series (like me) and shares my name.
I loved this book so much. I’m always a sucker for second chance romance, and this book was no exception. This was swoony in all of the right places and I loved being in Caitlin’s head as she got to know Alex again and they reckoned with their past. Plus all the nods to the previous books and all of the other couples showing up? This is my personal crossover of the century. I didn’t want to put this book down! (Also Alex’s crop tops. Hot! Enough said!
I especially love how this book ends. I won’t give any spoilers, but I felt like all the pieces came together in the best way. Thank you, Jen DeLuca, for writing my fave romance series ever!! Bravo!
I loved this book so much. I’m always a sucker for second chance romance, and this book was no exception. This was swoony in all of the right places and I loved being in Caitlin’s head as she got to know Alex again and they reckoned with their past. Plus all the nods to the previous books and all of the other couples showing up? This is my personal crossover of the century. I didn’t want to put this book down! (Also Alex’s crop tops. Hot! Enough said!
I especially love how this book ends. I won’t give any spoilers, but I felt like all the pieces came together in the best way. Thank you, Jen DeLuca, for writing my fave romance series ever!! Bravo!
May 5, 2026
An extremely sweet follow-up to my fave ren faire series. Caitlin and Alex felt young to me - not in their emotions, but probably just because I’m old, haha. Loved that we got to see all four couples from the original books!
A small note: I started out this story feeling positive that one of the former characters was being set up for a pregnancy subplot and I was a little disappointed when it didn’t work out.
A small note: I started out this story feeling positive that one of the former characters was being set up for a pregnancy subplot and I was a little disappointed when it didn’t work out.
May 15, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! It was so fun to be back in Ren Faire territory with the same cast of characters…everyone’s all grown up both in age and maturity several years later. Cozy feels and relatable moments.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If there is one thing that I love, it's a story that traces a perfect circle, ending at its beginning so precisely that it's like the story never actually ends, it just begins another round. Well Versed guides Jen Deluca's Renaissance Faire series back to its origin, Well Met, in both set up and characterization, with lots of call backs to our first foray into Willow Creek, Maryland. Well Met centered on Emily, a woman who is at loose ends after losing both her job and her boyfriend. She moves to Willow Creek to support her sister after a terrible accident and to help take care of her teenage niece Caitlin. Now a decade later, Well Versed sees Caitlin get laid off from her job, and with no job prospects or relationships to keep her away, she moves back home to help her Aunt Emily run both the Willow Creek Renaissance Faire and her independent bookstore. The origins of the main relationships in the first and last books of this series also seem to reflect each other. Emily and Simon are originally at odds because he seems to hate her from the moment they meet; Caitlin's MMC Alex is actually her ex from the last faire she participated in in high school, he broke her heart and she has promised to hate him forever, so when he shows up in this story Caitlin wants nothing to do with him. The final main connection between the beginning and the end of this series is the prevalence of roses and their importance in building a connection between the central couples.
Despite their similarities, Well Versed is no carbon copy of Well Met. The set up creates almost a dreamy case of deja vu, and then the story takes off from there. Well Met showed us a renaissance faire that runs like clockwork, but Well Versed gives us one plagued by disaster: a revolving door of cast members, injuries, heat stroke, costume issues . . . which of course gives DeLuca ample opportunity to display her comedic skills. All of her previous characters reappear in this finale with Emily and Stacey getting the most narrative space. One of the most interesting aspects of this story is seeing the MCs from the previous stories serving as more parental figures. In books 1-4 the main characters were all friends, so it was a lot of hanging out at the bar and bantering about their love lives, etc. It was a bit weird to see Mitch especially in the role of a father figure (though not unwelcome).
Speaking of which, when I originally read that DeLuca would be focusing on Caitlin in this final visit to the Ren Faire there was a minor hitch to my excitement. Caitlin was literally a child in Well Met and DeLuca is known for some steamy love scenes so I was afraid it would be a bit creepy for Caitlin to be centered. I never should have doubted DeLuca, though, because she did an amazing job of writing Caitlin as the strong, smart, definitely grown up woman (dare I say queen?) who more than deserves the love and adoration of someone as great as Alex.
My favorite part of Jen Deluca's writing--especially in this series but also in her Boneyard Key books--is her pervasive sense of humor and laugh out loud banter. In my opinion, Well Versed is the least funny of these novels, but as the final (?) entry in this series I loved that she leaned into nostalgia and the theme of going home. I was absolutely not surprised at where the story turned out (in fact I was absolutely rooting for this exact outcome), and I think it is the perfect way to cap an unforgettable series. And the best part is, with Caitlin and Alex's story echoing Emily and Simon's the story doesn't have to end. We can imagine years and ren faires in the future filled with love and music and revelry for all.
Despite their similarities, Well Versed is no carbon copy of Well Met. The set up creates almost a dreamy case of deja vu, and then the story takes off from there. Well Met showed us a renaissance faire that runs like clockwork, but Well Versed gives us one plagued by disaster: a revolving door of cast members, injuries, heat stroke, costume issues . . . which of course gives DeLuca ample opportunity to display her comedic skills. All of her previous characters reappear in this finale with Emily and Stacey getting the most narrative space. One of the most interesting aspects of this story is seeing the MCs from the previous stories serving as more parental figures. In books 1-4 the main characters were all friends, so it was a lot of hanging out at the bar and bantering about their love lives, etc. It was a bit weird to see Mitch especially in the role of a father figure (though not unwelcome).
Speaking of which, when I originally read that DeLuca would be focusing on Caitlin in this final visit to the Ren Faire there was a minor hitch to my excitement. Caitlin was literally a child in Well Met and DeLuca is known for some steamy love scenes so I was afraid it would be a bit creepy for Caitlin to be centered. I never should have doubted DeLuca, though, because she did an amazing job of writing Caitlin as the strong, smart, definitely grown up woman (dare I say queen?) who more than deserves the love and adoration of someone as great as Alex.
My favorite part of Jen Deluca's writing--especially in this series but also in her Boneyard Key books--is her pervasive sense of humor and laugh out loud banter. In my opinion, Well Versed is the least funny of these novels, but as the final (?) entry in this series I loved that she leaned into nostalgia and the theme of going home. I was absolutely not surprised at where the story turned out (in fact I was absolutely rooting for this exact outcome), and I think it is the perfect way to cap an unforgettable series. And the best part is, with Caitlin and Alex's story echoing Emily and Simon's the story doesn't have to end. We can imagine years and ren faires in the future filled with love and music and revelry for all.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you liked the rest of this series, you'll get a kick out of this one. I haven't been to a Ren Faire since I was a child, but I feel like each time I open one of these books, I'm transported to one.
Caitlin, the main character in this one, was the teenager in Well Met whose interest in volunteering set the romance in motion for her aunt and high school English teacher. Now, ten years on, she's at a crossroads in her life--living back home, looking for a new job, and volunteering to help her aunt put on the annual faire once again. Unfortunately, the first guy to break her heart (and the last person she wants to see) is performing Shakespeare at the faire. Alex is the reason Caitlin stopped attending seven years back (and completely stopped studying Shakespeare), and once he learns that, he's determined to help her see the magic of the faire again. He also hasn't stopped caring about her, even if he'd been the one to break up with her via text all those years ago.
Rather than a balanced romance between two complex characters, this is Caitlin's story of navigating a life transition, largely because we get her first-person perspective throughout. We also don't see anything of their earlier romance and very little of who he is besides his interactions with her or his faire performances. More than anything, Alex feels like a manic pixie dream bard.
Until Caitlin mentions it, I didn't remember that Emily (the heroine of Well Met) was 24--the same age Caitlin is in this book. Emily's story did not feel as young as Caitlin's did. It was a good choice by the author not to dwell too long on the resentment Caitlin's been nurturing since she was 18, because when Caitlin runs into Alex the first time, she comes across as immature rather than justly irate at a guy who dumped her. Unfortunately, in a story that centers on rediscovering magic in make-believe, it's hard to build from there and see Caitlin as an adult (again, not a problem in the earlier books). All that said, she and Alex have a pleasant if quick trip from attraction to love, and an easily resolved conflict before their HEA.
The Ren Faire and the series that led up to this book are really the stars here. All the characters we've grown to love show up and have special moments of their own, from injuries to a rotating cast of queens who were first heroines in previous novels. The faire feels as magical as ever, with its own gravity that pull Alex and Caitlin as much as they pull toward each other. That's not a bad thing: it's a joyful place to visit, and I hope there are future installments that bring us back.
3.5/5
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
Caitlin, the main character in this one, was the teenager in Well Met whose interest in volunteering set the romance in motion for her aunt and high school English teacher. Now, ten years on, she's at a crossroads in her life--living back home, looking for a new job, and volunteering to help her aunt put on the annual faire once again. Unfortunately, the first guy to break her heart (and the last person she wants to see) is performing Shakespeare at the faire. Alex is the reason Caitlin stopped attending seven years back (and completely stopped studying Shakespeare), and once he learns that, he's determined to help her see the magic of the faire again. He also hasn't stopped caring about her, even if he'd been the one to break up with her via text all those years ago.
Rather than a balanced romance between two complex characters, this is Caitlin's story of navigating a life transition, largely because we get her first-person perspective throughout. We also don't see anything of their earlier romance and very little of who he is besides his interactions with her or his faire performances. More than anything, Alex feels like a manic pixie dream bard.
Until Caitlin mentions it, I didn't remember that Emily (the heroine of Well Met) was 24--the same age Caitlin is in this book. Emily's story did not feel as young as Caitlin's did. It was a good choice by the author not to dwell too long on the resentment Caitlin's been nurturing since she was 18, because when Caitlin runs into Alex the first time, she comes across as immature rather than justly irate at a guy who dumped her. Unfortunately, in a story that centers on rediscovering magic in make-believe, it's hard to build from there and see Caitlin as an adult (again, not a problem in the earlier books). All that said, she and Alex have a pleasant if quick trip from attraction to love, and an easily resolved conflict before their HEA.
The Ren Faire and the series that led up to this book are really the stars here. All the characters we've grown to love show up and have special moments of their own, from injuries to a rotating cast of queens who were first heroines in previous novels. The faire feels as magical as ever, with its own gravity that pull Alex and Caitlin as much as they pull toward each other. That's not a bad thing: it's a joyful place to visit, and I hope there are future installments that bring us back.
3.5/5
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thought this series was over, so when I saw that book #5 was out on NetGalley I snatched it up quicker than you could say "Huzzah!". And while this isn't my favorite book of the series, it was such a delight being back at the Willow Creek Faire amidst all the familiar faces and antics that I didn't even care. Long love the faire!
Book #5 follows Caitlin, the now 24 year-old daughter of April (book #3) and niece of Emily (book #1). Caitlin loved volunteering at the Ren Faire as a teenager, but after an epic summer love story turned sour, she has swore off love, Shakespeare and Renaissance Faires. Until she is unexpectedly home for the foreseeable future, unemployed, living with her mom and stepdad (shout out to April and Mitch, probably my favorite couple from this series or at least tied up there with Emily and Simon from book 1) and being forced to step in and assist at the faire. She is fine, she is doing JUST FINE BEING HERE THANK YOU VERY MUCH until her former love Alex shows out, looking just as cute as before, and super determined to win her back.
I really liked Caitlin. She has the stubbornness of her mom, and the unique ability to draw others into friendship around her like her Aunt Emily does. She did read a little young at times but I had to remind myself she is just a few years out of college with not a lot of life experience under her belt (sidenote am I maybe I am getting a bit old? because twenty-four years old sounds like an infant to me haha) and while she is still figuring life out, she overall does have a good head on her shoulders. I liked all of her and Alex's interactions, and the fact that he found a rose to match her dress each weekend made me swoon. Yes, sirrrrr. Get it!
It was so good to see all the other couples from the four other novels make appearances in this book and nudge Caitlin along on her love story. I wasn't super happy with fourth act break-up/argument but after looking at some of my reviews for the previous books, I realize this might just be the M.O. of this particular author so I'm going to let it slide. If you want to get swept away into the magic and beauty of Ren Faire, if you want a cozy romance full of family support and friendship, I highly recommend picking up this novel. I enjoyed it.
Book #5 follows Caitlin, the now 24 year-old daughter of April (book #3) and niece of Emily (book #1). Caitlin loved volunteering at the Ren Faire as a teenager, but after an epic summer love story turned sour, she has swore off love, Shakespeare and Renaissance Faires. Until she is unexpectedly home for the foreseeable future, unemployed, living with her mom and stepdad (shout out to April and Mitch, probably my favorite couple from this series or at least tied up there with Emily and Simon from book 1) and being forced to step in and assist at the faire. She is fine, she is doing JUST FINE BEING HERE THANK YOU VERY MUCH until her former love Alex shows out, looking just as cute as before, and super determined to win her back.
I really liked Caitlin. She has the stubbornness of her mom, and the unique ability to draw others into friendship around her like her Aunt Emily does. She did read a little young at times but I had to remind myself she is just a few years out of college with not a lot of life experience under her belt (sidenote am I maybe I am getting a bit old? because twenty-four years old sounds like an infant to me haha) and while she is still figuring life out, she overall does have a good head on her shoulders. I liked all of her and Alex's interactions, and the fact that he found a rose to match her dress each weekend made me swoon. Yes, sirrrrr. Get it!
It was so good to see all the other couples from the four other novels make appearances in this book and nudge Caitlin along on her love story. I wasn't super happy with fourth act break-up/argument but after looking at some of my reviews for the previous books, I realize this might just be the M.O. of this particular author so I'm going to let it slide. If you want to get swept away into the magic and beauty of Ren Faire, if you want a cozy romance full of family support and friendship, I highly recommend picking up this novel. I enjoyed it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book 100% played in to my nostalgia factor and I’m not mad about it.
I read the first book in this series back in 2019. And I was pleasantly shocked when another book in the series was announced especially since it was going to be Caitlin’s book. We met Caitlin back in “Well Met” when she was just a teenager. Now she’s a full grown adult hell bent at avoiding the renaissance faire after she’s forced to return home after getting let go from her job in New York. Caitlin has bitter feelings towards the beloved renaissance faire after she got her heartbroken the last time she attended one. But her family and friends need extra body’s to fill the places of those who’ve retired from the faire. Caitlin agrees as long as The Sword Bros troupe aren’t invited to participate. Except a certain Sword Bro snuck through and now Caitlin has to deal with her ex Alex the entire summer. And he’s determined to make her re-fall in love with the faire.
Now even with the nostalgic factor I still didn’t love this book as much as I thought I would. My biggest issue was Alex. For a love interest I found him extremely unlikable. This boy not only messed up once, but again and again. Like he is supposed to a full grown adult but he acts like a dumb high school boy. And to make matters worse Caitlin is way too forgiving. Girl I loved you. But you deserve so much better than that man child.
Now even though I had big issues with our love interest couple. I still had fun being back at the faire specially with all the throw backs and returning characters. Seeing April, Mitch, Emily, Simon and Lulu again living their best happy lives brought me so much joy. And I love how much support and advice they offered Caitlin throughout her story.
Overall, even though this isn’t my favorite in the series. I still had fun being back in Willow Creek. Now would I recommend. I would 100% say yes if you’ve read the series since the beginning. But if you’ve never read any of the other books I’d say read those first before grabbing this.
Lastly, big thank you to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for providing me with an ARC to read and review
I read the first book in this series back in 2019. And I was pleasantly shocked when another book in the series was announced especially since it was going to be Caitlin’s book. We met Caitlin back in “Well Met” when she was just a teenager. Now she’s a full grown adult hell bent at avoiding the renaissance faire after she’s forced to return home after getting let go from her job in New York. Caitlin has bitter feelings towards the beloved renaissance faire after she got her heartbroken the last time she attended one. But her family and friends need extra body’s to fill the places of those who’ve retired from the faire. Caitlin agrees as long as The Sword Bros troupe aren’t invited to participate. Except a certain Sword Bro snuck through and now Caitlin has to deal with her ex Alex the entire summer. And he’s determined to make her re-fall in love with the faire.
Now even with the nostalgic factor I still didn’t love this book as much as I thought I would. My biggest issue was Alex. For a love interest I found him extremely unlikable. This boy not only messed up once, but again and again. Like he is supposed to a full grown adult but he acts like a dumb high school boy. And to make matters worse Caitlin is way too forgiving. Girl I loved you. But you deserve so much better than that man child.
Now even though I had big issues with our love interest couple. I still had fun being back at the faire specially with all the throw backs and returning characters. Seeing April, Mitch, Emily, Simon and Lulu again living their best happy lives brought me so much joy. And I love how much support and advice they offered Caitlin throughout her story.
Overall, even though this isn’t my favorite in the series. I still had fun being back in Willow Creek. Now would I recommend. I would 100% say yes if you’ve read the series since the beginning. But if you’ve never read any of the other books I’d say read those first before grabbing this.
Lastly, big thank you to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for providing me with an ARC to read and review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a digital ARC from NetGalley.
While I wanted to give it 4 stars for the trip down Memory Lane alone--the leads of all the previous books are here and now in their mid to late 30s--the inability to top the very first book in the series, "Well Met," stands in the way.
Here there be spoilers...
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While Simon's obsessiveness about the Faire was rooted in a serious topic--his dead brother created it and he didn't want to dishonor his memory by ending it or not having it be the biggest and best it could be--Alex's obsession with Renfaires made him come across more like one of Peter Pan's Lost Boys, never wanting to grow up (his parents were supporting him financially after the implosion of his performance troupe, the Sword Bros, after all). With him it was Renfaires 24/7/365, rather than a performer learning his craft in the enjoyable days of summer, and then applying those skills to other areas outside of said Renfaires.
Caitlin and Alex are supposed to be Emily and Simon 2.0 (Alex even does a similar stunt with roses like Simon did in the first book), but the personalities and sexual tension just weren't there. Perhaps it was all the older adults around them treating Caitlin like she was still in high school rather than 24 years-old, or maybe she was doing that all on her own getting worked up over a failed summer crush. And if Alex wanted to make it up to Caitlin for her initial dropping out of Renfaire because of him, at 26 he certainly hadn't learned from his mistakes. But in that regard, as a 50-something Gen-Xer, maybe I'm expecting too much of this age group.
This book is nostalgia for the sake of enjoying nostalgia, and I truly don't see any other books beyond this.
While I wanted to give it 4 stars for the trip down Memory Lane alone--the leads of all the previous books are here and now in their mid to late 30s--the inability to top the very first book in the series, "Well Met," stands in the way.
Here there be spoilers...
.
.
.
.
.
.
While Simon's obsessiveness about the Faire was rooted in a serious topic--his dead brother created it and he didn't want to dishonor his memory by ending it or not having it be the biggest and best it could be--Alex's obsession with Renfaires made him come across more like one of Peter Pan's Lost Boys, never wanting to grow up (his parents were supporting him financially after the implosion of his performance troupe, the Sword Bros, after all). With him it was Renfaires 24/7/365, rather than a performer learning his craft in the enjoyable days of summer, and then applying those skills to other areas outside of said Renfaires.
Caitlin and Alex are supposed to be Emily and Simon 2.0 (Alex even does a similar stunt with roses like Simon did in the first book), but the personalities and sexual tension just weren't there. Perhaps it was all the older adults around them treating Caitlin like she was still in high school rather than 24 years-old, or maybe she was doing that all on her own getting worked up over a failed summer crush. And if Alex wanted to make it up to Caitlin for her initial dropping out of Renfaire because of him, at 26 he certainly hadn't learned from his mistakes. But in that regard, as a 50-something Gen-Xer, maybe I'm expecting too much of this age group.
This book is nostalgia for the sake of enjoying nostalgia, and I truly don't see any other books beyond this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As someone who has read Jen in the past, and has read and re-read Well Met, this book gave me all the extra smiles and a little heartbreak as seeing Caitlin all grown up and trying to find her place in the world. Caitlin left home for college and then stayed away after getting a job. Now laid off, she is back in Willow Creek and just in time to help at the Ren Fest that her aunt and uncle run with amazing friends. The one thing Caitlin couldn’t wait for each year when she was in high school was Ren Fest, until one guy took her love for the faire away. Her hope was to never have to see him again, but what kind of story would it be that we don’t see him again. Alex Wright was back at the Ren Fest in Maryland, not realizing that he would run into the one girl he never could forget. Only he wasn’t prepared for her words telling him he ruined the one place she had always loved. He makes it his mission to show her all the good in the fair and in time these two find that the chemistry is still there. I truly loved getting to see Caitlin working through life and we see how real-world bleeds into this fictional story. People don’t have all it worked out perfectly and no life is not all sunshine and roses. And it isn’t just Caitlin working it out, but also Alex. He has his own things he is dealing with. It is the little things that Alex does that shows his true character and how much he truly loves what he does but also loves Caitlin. He sees her in a way that no one else really has.
The cast of characters and seeing all our familiar couples, but also the addition to Caitlin’s two best friends makes this book extra special. Please note that this is a standalone in the world and you can 100% read this as one. Though, I would be amiss if I didn’t say the other books are great reads and allow you even more time with the Willow Creek family.
The cast of characters and seeing all our familiar couples, but also the addition to Caitlin’s two best friends makes this book extra special. Please note that this is a standalone in the world and you can 100% read this as one. Though, I would be amiss if I didn’t say the other books are great reads and allow you even more time with the Willow Creek family.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay, so I have not read a Jen DeLuca book, and while I have heard of her, I did not know what to expect with this book. I went into this completely blind and I think this was just okay... I honestly wanted it to be better. What bothered me the most, I think, is that Caitlin just acts and seems SO YOUNG. She is 24, which is young, but she isn’t a teenager or child, but it read almost YA to me in a way? I don’t know... I think the whole idea is that she is a believer in romance and fairytales and that can come across as more naive or juvenile in a way, which in turn makes her seem like it. It reads childish and not grown up, which is what I wanted in this romance. I also think, based on some of the info I gathered from other reviews about her role as a child in previous books in this series, that maybe the author was writing her still as a 14 year old rather than a 24 year old. Almost like she still had that picture of that girl in her mind that she wrote as a child character in the books before, and was not able to suffciently write her as an adult? That’s sort of the way it seemed to me, anyway. I will say, there were some genuinely cute and funny moments that made me laugh or smile and it is an adorable book if you take away the issues I mentioned above. I also love the Ren Faire setting and how the story was built heavily around that, because that is such a fun inclusion for this romance. Overall, I just do not think it was really a five star read, especially for me, but I know fans of the series will love it!
Thank you to NetGalley, Jen DeLuca, and Berkley for the eARC of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jen DeLuca, and Berkley for the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was *SO PUMPED* when I saw that Jen DeLuca was returning to one of my favorite quirky romcom series, Well Met. Jen did not disappoint!
Well Versed was a beautifully woven story, ripe with the bitterness of a first love that ended in DNA-altering heartbreak. I loved the fire that Caitlin brought when having to interact with Alex again, after 10 years since he broke up with her over a text message. She leaned fully into it, not apologizing for her unbridled ire anytime he was around, and I freaking loved it and the strength that she showed. Additionally, it really helped to draw their relationship into a gorgeous arc that let the reader really sit in the character’s feels.
In addition to her relationship with Alex, we also see Caitlin adrift in Adulthood, impatient to see the stars that will help her chart her course towards feeling grounded in life and herself. I love that Jen sends her characters on these quests to find their place in the world and gives them the space to awkwardly flounder, because it just makes them feel so real and relatable.
I loved this book! Technically this could be a standalone, but you’d miss out on some great backstory that enhances the flavor of this story. Go visit the Willow Creek Renaissance Faire today!
Thank you Berkeley Publishing Group for sending this book for my review consideration. All opinions expressed above are my own.
Well Versed was a beautifully woven story, ripe with the bitterness of a first love that ended in DNA-altering heartbreak. I loved the fire that Caitlin brought when having to interact with Alex again, after 10 years since he broke up with her over a text message. She leaned fully into it, not apologizing for her unbridled ire anytime he was around, and I freaking loved it and the strength that she showed. Additionally, it really helped to draw their relationship into a gorgeous arc that let the reader really sit in the character’s feels.
In addition to her relationship with Alex, we also see Caitlin adrift in Adulthood, impatient to see the stars that will help her chart her course towards feeling grounded in life and herself. I love that Jen sends her characters on these quests to find their place in the world and gives them the space to awkwardly flounder, because it just makes them feel so real and relatable.
I loved this book! Technically this could be a standalone, but you’d miss out on some great backstory that enhances the flavor of this story. Go visit the Willow Creek Renaissance Faire today!
Thank you Berkeley Publishing Group for sending this book for my review consideration. All opinions expressed above are my own.
June 30, 2026
Like most readers I was deeply in love with the Willow Creek series and very heartbroken after the last book thinking that I would never get a chance to visit all my favorite characters as they perform in another season of the Renaissance Faire. Imagine my surprise and absolute delight when I found out that another book was coming and it featured my favorite youngster (new young adult?) Cait.
Cait is now 24 and recently back home in Willow Creek after unexpectedly being let go from her IT job. Living back at home with no job prospects and no money, and no luck in the romance department it’s easy enough for her to agree to help out with the Faire. What she isn’t counting on is the guy responsible for shattering her heart and ruining the Faire for her in the first place to suddenly appear as one of the new performers. And he is completely clueless as to why she’s not been at the Faire for the last 6 years. There’s only so many times you can be forced into the same locations as the guy that broke your heart before you snap. And he wants to apologize and get Cait to love Faire again. Can she open her heart back up to Faire, and open it up to love again too?
I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in the span of a few hours. And now I’m going to cross my fingers for more Willow Creek books because I can’t imagine popping back into this lovely town and seeing these great characters again and again.
Cait is now 24 and recently back home in Willow Creek after unexpectedly being let go from her IT job. Living back at home with no job prospects and no money, and no luck in the romance department it’s easy enough for her to agree to help out with the Faire. What she isn’t counting on is the guy responsible for shattering her heart and ruining the Faire for her in the first place to suddenly appear as one of the new performers. And he is completely clueless as to why she’s not been at the Faire for the last 6 years. There’s only so many times you can be forced into the same locations as the guy that broke your heart before you snap. And he wants to apologize and get Cait to love Faire again. Can she open her heart back up to Faire, and open it up to love again too?
I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in the span of a few hours. And now I’m going to cross my fingers for more Willow Creek books because I can’t imagine popping back into this lovely town and seeing these great characters again and again.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Caitlin Parker loved the Willow Creek Renaissance Faire. She literally grew up at this fair. Her aunt, Emily, fell in love at the fair. Her mom fell in love at the fair. It was a very important part of her life but she no longer loves the fair. She went away for college, got a grown up job, and hoped to put the fair behind her. But when she is laid off, and moves back home, she gets sucked back into the fair and encounters the devastatingly hot reason why she fell out of love with the ren fair– Alexander Wright. Alex was a member of the Sword Bros when he met Caitlyn six years ago when he was 20 and she was nearly 18. They had a whirlwind romance the summer before she went to college and had every intention of doing long distance until Alex broke up with her over text. Now he’s doing an improv Shakespeare on Demand show and injecting himself back into Caitlyn’s life despite her best efforts. Should Caitlyn rediscover her love for Alex and the ren fair, or does she need to keep the past in her past?
Well Versed is the fifth book in Jen DeLuca’s Renaissance Fair romance series and it follows Emily’s niece (book 1) and April’s daughter (book 3) in a second chance romance. It was a very sweet book. Caitlyn has been badly hurt but yet is still drawn to Alex, his slutty crop top shirt, and very nice abs. It seems that fate (and her relatives) are conspiring to throw them together, between Alex replacing Mitch after his injury in the living chess match, getting invited to family dinners, and endless weapon training in her backyard, and ordering books from the bookstore she works at, she cannot avoid him like she wants to. Even as Caitlyn is super annoyed with Alex, he keeps doing super sweet things, like show her his favorite spot at the ren faire or bringing her flowers that match her outfits. I found the book so cute and even though you are supposed to sympathize with Caitlyn, I found myself rooting for Alex and their relationship. It was really cool to read about an adult Caitlyn and see how she had changed from her earlier appearances in the books. I even went back and read Well Matched (Mitch/April) because Caitlyn and Alex’s romance is supposed to take place in the background and I wanted to see if there were any hints about Caitlyn’s secret romance (there weren’t any that I could find, but that’s how good they were at hiding). I thought Alex and Cattlyn made a great couple, but their original relationship definitely suffered from bad timing.
I highly recommend this book, if you enjoy quirky contemporary romance, renaissance fairs, and especially if you’ve read the prior books in the series. It can be read as a stand alone but I think the story really benefits from knowledge of the earlier books because the characters from prior books play such pivotal roles in the plot. The romance was sweet, full of yearning, nostalgia, and ren faire hijinks–I thoroughly enjoyed myself. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
4 out of 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.
Well Versed is the fifth book in Jen DeLuca’s Renaissance Fair romance series and it follows Emily’s niece (book 1) and April’s daughter (book 3) in a second chance romance. It was a very sweet book. Caitlyn has been badly hurt but yet is still drawn to Alex, his slutty crop top shirt, and very nice abs. It seems that fate (and her relatives) are conspiring to throw them together, between Alex replacing Mitch after his injury in the living chess match, getting invited to family dinners, and endless weapon training in her backyard, and ordering books from the bookstore she works at, she cannot avoid him like she wants to. Even as Caitlyn is super annoyed with Alex, he keeps doing super sweet things, like show her his favorite spot at the ren faire or bringing her flowers that match her outfits. I found the book so cute and even though you are supposed to sympathize with Caitlyn, I found myself rooting for Alex and their relationship. It was really cool to read about an adult Caitlyn and see how she had changed from her earlier appearances in the books. I even went back and read Well Matched (Mitch/April) because Caitlyn and Alex’s romance is supposed to take place in the background and I wanted to see if there were any hints about Caitlyn’s secret romance (there weren’t any that I could find, but that’s how good they were at hiding). I thought Alex and Cattlyn made a great couple, but their original relationship definitely suffered from bad timing.
I highly recommend this book, if you enjoy quirky contemporary romance, renaissance fairs, and especially if you’ve read the prior books in the series. It can be read as a stand alone but I think the story really benefits from knowledge of the earlier books because the characters from prior books play such pivotal roles in the plot. The romance was sweet, full of yearning, nostalgia, and ren faire hijinks–I thoroughly enjoyed myself. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
4 out of 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a satisfying conclusion to the Well Met series, with all of the characters coming back and call backs to previous books though I do think you could read this as a stand alone if you really wanted to.
Caitlin Parker has been unable to return to the Willow Creek Renaissance Fair since she had her heart broken by Alex when she was 18. But with a changing of the queen of the fair, her aunt Emily, from the first book of the series, has asked her to become a lady-in-waiting and help out with the fair again. In doing so she finds that Alex has returned to the fair as well, as a Shakespearean Improv and despite her best efforts she can't seem to avoid him or his charms.
It's time for second chances and stolen glances at the Renaissance Fair and you will be quite delighted in this book. I have been waiting for Caitlin's story for a long time, and this didn't disappoint. Her speech and mannerisms aged with her and she was given a maturity that was lacking in the earlier installments, which I really enjoyed in this. The chemistry between her and Alex was palpable and sweet, while having a fire that burned deep and leaves you a little breathless while reading it on the page.
I would definitely recommend this book.
**Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review**
Caitlin Parker has been unable to return to the Willow Creek Renaissance Fair since she had her heart broken by Alex when she was 18. But with a changing of the queen of the fair, her aunt Emily, from the first book of the series, has asked her to become a lady-in-waiting and help out with the fair again. In doing so she finds that Alex has returned to the fair as well, as a Shakespearean Improv and despite her best efforts she can't seem to avoid him or his charms.
It's time for second chances and stolen glances at the Renaissance Fair and you will be quite delighted in this book. I have been waiting for Caitlin's story for a long time, and this didn't disappoint. Her speech and mannerisms aged with her and she was given a maturity that was lacking in the earlier installments, which I really enjoyed in this. The chemistry between her and Alex was palpable and sweet, while having a fire that burned deep and leaves you a little breathless while reading it on the page.
I would definitely recommend this book.
**Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review**
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Long live the Renaissance Faire! This series is so much fun and I’ve had a blast learning about Renaissance fairs. I’ve never been to one and that needs to change!
Caitlin LOVED the faire as a teen—volunteering every summer and enjoying the camaraderie and fun. Until that summer with Alex. Magical until he dumped her via text and broke her heart. So the faire is ruined and away she stays.
Now she’s lost her job, had to move back home, and one condition is helping with the faire this summer. Ok, she can handle it. At least Alex won’t be there. But of course he shows back up.
This was such a cute story! It brought all the feelings—we absolutely despise Alex at the beginning. Jerk, right? But he inches his way closer. And honestly a good bit of this story was about other things too—the found family of the faire and small town, Caitlin’s growth in figuring out what she wants with her life, the other characters, building something.
I love that this series has a bit of everything—single mom in her 30s (Caitlin’s mom actually), lawyer and Renaissance faire musician making it work, teacher and prodigal sister returning to town, and now young 20-somethings finding their way.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
Caitlin LOVED the faire as a teen—volunteering every summer and enjoying the camaraderie and fun. Until that summer with Alex. Magical until he dumped her via text and broke her heart. So the faire is ruined and away she stays.
Now she’s lost her job, had to move back home, and one condition is helping with the faire this summer. Ok, she can handle it. At least Alex won’t be there. But of course he shows back up.
This was such a cute story! It brought all the feelings—we absolutely despise Alex at the beginning. Jerk, right? But he inches his way closer. And honestly a good bit of this story was about other things too—the found family of the faire and small town, Caitlin’s growth in figuring out what she wants with her life, the other characters, building something.
I love that this series has a bit of everything—single mom in her 30s (Caitlin’s mom actually), lawyer and Renaissance faire musician making it work, teacher and prodigal sister returning to town, and now young 20-somethings finding their way.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've been a massive fan of Jen DeLuca’s Renaissance Faire series from the very beginning, and earlier installments like Well Met and were 5-star reads for me. I was incredibly excited to dive back into the world of Willow Creek, but Well Versed wound up being a bit of a letdown compared to the high benchmarks set by the previous installments.
Don't get me wrong—it was wonderful to return to the familiar, charming backdrop of the Faire, and seeing old favorite characters continue to develop is always enjoyable. But where earlier books felt like they had a bit more emotional weight, tension, and depth to the romance, this one felt very light and fluffy. The conflict wrapped up a bit too easily, and the stakes felt incredibly low throughout.
Personally, I prefer romances with a bit more angst, complex development, and emotional heavy-lifting, so the very light vibe in this book wasn't quite my cup of tea. However, if you are looking for a completely stress-free, sweet, and comforting read to pass a weekend, this might be exactly what you're looking for. It’s a perfectly pleasant book—just not the standout second-chance romance I was hoping for based on how much I loved the rest of the series.
Don't get me wrong—it was wonderful to return to the familiar, charming backdrop of the Faire, and seeing old favorite characters continue to develop is always enjoyable. But where earlier books felt like they had a bit more emotional weight, tension, and depth to the romance, this one felt very light and fluffy. The conflict wrapped up a bit too easily, and the stakes felt incredibly low throughout.
Personally, I prefer romances with a bit more angst, complex development, and emotional heavy-lifting, so the very light vibe in this book wasn't quite my cup of tea. However, if you are looking for a completely stress-free, sweet, and comforting read to pass a weekend, this might be exactly what you're looking for. It’s a perfectly pleasant book—just not the standout second-chance romance I was hoping for based on how much I loved the rest of the series.
Did Not Finish
April 22, 2026DNF @ 26%
This is one of my favorite book series ever, so I was extremely excited when I found out about a fifth book and then was able to get it from NetGalley within days of the announcement. Unfortunately, this book feels very YA to me. Caitlyn is 24, but she still acts and talks and thinks like she’s a 14-year-old girl. She keeps reminding herself and everyone else that she’s an adult, but she doesn’t act like one. Who changes their college major because some guy they had a little flirtation with over the summer kisses another girl? She is so mad at him and can’t stand him, but has no problems ogling him and swooning over his crop top. Seriously, a crop top? I loved seeing all the characters from the previous four books, and I wish this book was about somebody that was their age instead of Caitlyn’s. It bugs me that they are being talked about like they’re so old and unable to do the things they used to do. I’m also just past a quarter of the way through, and there has hardly been any time spent at the ren faire so far. I’m just missing that breezy, whimsical summer vibe I got from the other books in this series.
This is one of my favorite book series ever, so I was extremely excited when I found out about a fifth book and then was able to get it from NetGalley within days of the announcement. Unfortunately, this book feels very YA to me. Caitlyn is 24, but she still acts and talks and thinks like she’s a 14-year-old girl. She keeps reminding herself and everyone else that she’s an adult, but she doesn’t act like one. Who changes their college major because some guy they had a little flirtation with over the summer kisses another girl? She is so mad at him and can’t stand him, but has no problems ogling him and swooning over his crop top. Seriously, a crop top? I loved seeing all the characters from the previous four books, and I wish this book was about somebody that was their age instead of Caitlyn’s. It bugs me that they are being talked about like they’re so old and unable to do the things they used to do. I’m also just past a quarter of the way through, and there has hardly been any time spent at the ren faire so far. I’m just missing that breezy, whimsical summer vibe I got from the other books in this series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5 stars and 5 more roses! The absolute best final book in a series.
Thank you NetGalley, Berkley, and Jen DeLuca for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
All the best qualities of each of the first four books combine to make this a fantastic piece of work. Especially all the callbacks to the OG, Well Met. There's yearning, wooing, Shakespeare, and finding yourself in the Ren Faire world and the community surrounding it.
Loved Caitlin's POV. She feels like one of us, having experienced the other romances and storylines secondhand. and I appreciated seeing the influence both April and Emily had on her character.
Alex is just f***ing precious! He's the perfect combination of the four other MMCs: nerdy/sexy Shakespeare guy (Simon), a little self-conscious in love (Daniel), sunshiny and sarcastic (Mitch), and a musically inclined, charismatic stage performer (Dex).
The book was sweet, sexy, and super nostalgic. So many stupid smiles throughout my read.
Jen DeLuca did an incredible job bringing the series full circle. I smiled like an idiot with tears in my eyes reading the last line. 🥹 When you get to it... IYKYK.
Thank you, Jen ❤️
Thank you NetGalley, Berkley, and Jen DeLuca for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
All the best qualities of each of the first four books combine to make this a fantastic piece of work. Especially all the callbacks to the OG, Well Met. There's yearning, wooing, Shakespeare, and finding yourself in the Ren Faire world and the community surrounding it.
Loved Caitlin's POV. She feels like one of us, having experienced the other romances and storylines secondhand. and I appreciated seeing the influence both April and Emily had on her character.
Alex is just f***ing precious! He's the perfect combination of the four other MMCs: nerdy/sexy Shakespeare guy (Simon), a little self-conscious in love (Daniel), sunshiny and sarcastic (Mitch), and a musically inclined, charismatic stage performer (Dex).
The book was sweet, sexy, and super nostalgic. So many stupid smiles throughout my read.
Jen DeLuca did an incredible job bringing the series full circle. I smiled like an idiot with tears in my eyes reading the last line. 🥹 When you get to it... IYKYK.
Thank you, Jen ❤️
April 23, 2026
An enchanting return to the world of the Willow Creek Renaissance Faire. Caitlin is all grown up and completely over the faire, but somehow she ends up back home and in a gown once again. She decides it won’t be too bad, though, until the very reason she lost her belief in faire magic shows up onstage and reciting Shakespeare. Alex broke her heart (by text!) the first semester of college and hasn’t been heard from since. But now he’s older, wiser, and seems to want Caitlin all over again. Can she trust her heart with him—and the faire—this time?
I really felt the lack of dual POV in this book. Because we’re only seeing Caitlin’s perspective, I didn’t feel as invested in Alex or his struggles or motivations. I don’t know if DeLuca is planning any more books in this series, but this seems like a natural stopping point and good place to end things. We’ve seen Caitlin grow from a young teen to an adult, and now nearly everyone in her life is happily paired off.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
I really felt the lack of dual POV in this book. Because we’re only seeing Caitlin’s perspective, I didn’t feel as invested in Alex or his struggles or motivations. I don’t know if DeLuca is planning any more books in this series, but this seems like a natural stopping point and good place to end things. We’ve seen Caitlin grow from a young teen to an adult, and now nearly everyone in her life is happily paired off.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a solid second chance romance about finding your way back home and rediscovering yourself. I didn't hate it, but I also didn't love it as much as I hoped I would.
The strongest part of this book was watching the main character return to her roots and slowly learn to love herself again. Her personal growth was the highlight for me, and I found myself rooting for her happiness every step of the way.
Unfortunately, the romance didn't quite work for me. I'm sorry, but not sorry—I just wasn't a fan of the love interest. He honestly annoyed me more than anything, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the main character deserved someone who could give her so much more. While I understood the second chance aspect of their relationship, I never fully bought into them as a couple.
Overall, this is a heartfelt story about new beginnings, healing, and rediscovering who you are. Even though the romance missed the mark for me, I still enjoyed seeing the main character finally choose herself and embrace the life she truly deserved.
The strongest part of this book was watching the main character return to her roots and slowly learn to love herself again. Her personal growth was the highlight for me, and I found myself rooting for her happiness every step of the way.
Unfortunately, the romance didn't quite work for me. I'm sorry, but not sorry—I just wasn't a fan of the love interest. He honestly annoyed me more than anything, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the main character deserved someone who could give her so much more. While I understood the second chance aspect of their relationship, I never fully bought into them as a couple.
Overall, this is a heartfelt story about new beginnings, healing, and rediscovering who you are. Even though the romance missed the mark for me, I still enjoyed seeing the main character finally choose herself and embrace the life she truly deserved.
Read
April 24, 2026My lords, ladies and gentlefolk, welcome back to the Willow Creek Renaissance Faire. A place of wonder, joy and romance. The newest installment in Jen DeLuca's Well Met series is another delightful romantic romp. Cassie started volunteering at the faire at age 14. When she was 17, she fell in love had her heart broken. Now 24, she was just laid off and living at home while she figures out her next steps. She has no intention of being involved with the faire this year, but when Aunt Emily askes her to help, Cassie can't say no. However, she was not expecting to run into Alex, the guy who broker her heart. As Alex and Cassie navigate unresolved feelings and the uncertain future they're both facing, the question becomes what do they both want and is that possible. Or will this be another summer romance? A fun, breezy summer romance and another great addition to this series.
I got an advanced reader copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I got an advanced reader copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Read
May 16, 2026Back home for the summer after getting laid off, Caitlin reluctantly agrees to help with the local Renaissance Faire. Ever since her heart was broken there by Alex five years ago, she's avoided them at all costs. She’s still not over the heartache, but when she seems Alex at the faire, she grudgingly accepts his apology.
The romance of it all gets to her, and they end up rekindling their relationship. This time , Caitlin convinces herself it means nothing and that she’ll break it off with him at the end of summer . But a few years older and wiser, they both are feeling all the feels, and find it hard to say goodbye again.
Set in a cute small town , a well-lived in Ren Faire backdrop, this second chance romance with strong new adult themes includes characters from the previous 4 books in the beloved Well Met series.
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The romance of it all gets to her, and they end up rekindling their relationship. This time , Caitlin convinces herself it means nothing and that she’ll break it off with him at the end of summer . But a few years older and wiser, they both are feeling all the feels, and find it hard to say goodbye again.
Set in a cute small town , a well-lived in Ren Faire backdrop, this second chance romance with strong new adult themes includes characters from the previous 4 books in the beloved Well Met series.
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was the perfect farewell to Willow Creek. While this story follows Caitlin and her Shakespearean broken heart in tights, it also allows us to check in on all our favorite characters and make sure they're all doing alright.
Caitlin, back home and not happy about it, is roped into volunteering at the local renaissance faire, something she hasn't done since high school. She does it under one condition: that Alex, her first (and last) broken heart, isn't there. She learned her lesson after him, hardening her heart and keeping the motto of "leave them first". But what happens when Alex not only is there, but seems intent on wiggling his way back into her life, and through that armor she so carefully built?
Fans of the series will love this fond farewell, and the passing of the torch from Queen to Queen to QUEEN.
This book was given as an ARC from the publisher, which I am very thankful for! While the book was free, my thoughts are my own.
Caitlin, back home and not happy about it, is roped into volunteering at the local renaissance faire, something she hasn't done since high school. She does it under one condition: that Alex, her first (and last) broken heart, isn't there. She learned her lesson after him, hardening her heart and keeping the motto of "leave them first". But what happens when Alex not only is there, but seems intent on wiggling his way back into her life, and through that armor she so carefully built?
Fans of the series will love this fond farewell, and the passing of the torch from Queen to Queen to QUEEN.
This book was given as an ARC from the publisher, which I am very thankful for! While the book was free, my thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Caitlin happily spent her teenage years as a part of the Willow Creek Ren Faire. That changed when Alex broke her heart in college. Now an adult, Caitlin is back, albeit grudgingly, to help her aunt Emily. The problem? Alex has returned as well. The Willow Creek series is one of my all-time favorites and I was thrilled when Jen DeLuca announced there would be one last visit. In the first book, Well Met, Caitlin was a teenager. Now, it's ten years later, and her turn for romance. I loved everything about this book, especially with all of the couples from the other books having roles that make sense and propel the plot forward. It really is a full circle read and I couldn't put it down. This book made me want to reread the series again and go to the nearest renaissance festival at the same time!
I received an advance reader copy of this title from the publisher.
I received an advance reader copy of this title from the publisher.
June 7, 2026
No other author speaks to my heart like an author who bases her stories in Maryland, and mentions Old Bay on fries! From the time I read Jen Deluca's first book Well Met I knew this was a series I needed to keep in my life so it's safe to say I have read the whole Willow Creek series now. Caitlin appeared in the first book and I knew and I was hoping so bad for her to have her own story one day. Well Versed should be on everyone's TBR for the fall yes it's based in the summer but it's such a cozy book to curl up to in the fall it gives you Gilmore Girl vibes. Jen does such a great job mixing so many different vibes together from romance, comedy to heartbreak (don't worry the hearts never stay broken long). Thank you for letting me enjoy this before the release Berkley Romance just for my honest feedback.
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