Kit Sweetly is a medieval history buff, a senior in high school, and a Wench at her local Castle (i.e. a server at a medieval themed restaurant). But she dreams of being a Knight and jousting like her brother, Chris. It's cool, it's fun, and it's a better paying job, which would help the family pay bills and college tuition, since Kit just got accepted to a dream college. But company policy is that only men can be Knights and her boss (also her uncle) is a company man. Kit takes Chris' place in a joust, beats the Green Knight, and then reveals that she's a girl- a stunt that almost gets her fired but also makes her an internet sensation. Along with her brother, fellow serving Wenches, and other Castle employees, Kit is determined to change the company culture, challenge gender restrictions, and save the day- if they don't get fired first!

I don't normally read books with a YA label, although I couldn't really tell you why. I just never really branched out that way. But when Jen DeLuca (Well Met) tweeted that she was Instagram chatting with Jamie Pacton on all things Ren Faire and mentioned the upcoming Life & (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly, I, of course, needed to know more. After reading the synopsis, I was hooked. And good news- the book is just as fun as you think it should be. Kit Sweetly is full of plans, energy, sass, and the desire for more out of life. Her dad walked out on the family a few years ago, taking his drug and alcohol addiction with him, but also taking all of their money including college funds. Now her mom works two jobs and her brother Chris works as a Knight in the Castle- a job he got by training with Kit. Kit wants to be a Knight too and refuses to accept company policy that only men can be Knights when she knows she's just as capable as any guy. Kit is known for her plans and when she makes a plan to show Corporate that the public wants equality in the Castle her BFF Layla, BFF/crush Jett, and other members of the Castle join in. It's a quest of friendship, discovery and empowerment, and if someone doesn't make a movie out of this book they should be slapped.

What I really loved in Kit Sweetly was how the emotions pour off the page without Pacton pushing anything too hard. You empathize with the characters every step of the way. You feel Kit's shame and determination as the family has to 'make do' when the power company turns off the electricity over the weekend and she doesn't want her friends to know. You want to shake her over her bad habit of putting off anything bad until later, because she doesn't know how to handle it alone. You share her disgust and fear when the trolls start bashing/threatening her cause. You want to cry for Kit when the inevitable happens and the group finds out they'll be fired if they go through with their plan and those friendships seem to be broken. And it's hardly a spoiler to say you'll be cheering as they triumph at the end.

Kit Sweetly is full of sweet moments, medieval trivia bits, and plenty of humor. Personal identity to Kit comes down to if you're a decent human being, not how you identify, and that if you work hard and stick together, maybe you can change things. And that's something everyone should huzzah about.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This book was ok. I enjoyed the plot but at some points I just felt like the book dragged on and I was SO bored. The only character we really got to know was Kit, and she was a horrible friend. I wasn’t even rooting for the main couple which says a lot.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Kit's family have always struggled to get by, and now she hoped to go to college, which would require even more money. She loved working at the castle, but wanted to move into a role, where she could make more money. A role, such as that of a knight. Though she could competently perform the role, she would never be considered for the job, because of strict gender requirements at the Castle. This Girl Knight found the policy unfair, and was ready to fight for equality. Ready or not, Castle corporate, here she comes!

I will admit, the primary reason I wanted to read this book was the setting. A theme restaurant sounded like a place with so many possibilities, and I was not disappointed there. Pacton let us spend quite a bit of time in and around the Castle, even taking us behind the curtain, and I enjoyed it. She captured the energy and chaos, and really showed off the ups and downs "the business".

I also loved all the characters. There was the star, Kit, who was an immediate hit with me. She was amusing, and her love of history put her on the right side of nerdy (as far as I'm concerned). I actually enjoyed, when she would drop some historical knowledge on me, and found it quite interesting. I admired her passion, perseverance, and the way she took up the fight for equality. She never gave up, even when the cards were stacked against her.

Kit also recruited some fantastic members of her Castle family to help fight the good fight with her. This group was interesting and diverse, and each person brought something to the table. Some of my favorite parts of this book were when they were all on page together. I not only enjoyed watching them practice their fighting skills, but I liked their interactions in general. They were definitely the found-family type of friends, who were willing to go that extra mile for each other, and that is always the best sort of friend.

I am always down for an uprising to effect change, and don't we all want endless possibilities regardless of our gender identity? Though the book went a little darker than I anticipated, I really enjoyed the focus on family, friendship, and the fight for equality.

I really really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately it wasn't for me. If I had read it a few years ago, I would probably have loved this, but after years of YA contemporary this one fell a little bit flat for me. The story is cute but super predictable and overly dramatic and the characters are not well flashed out. I really loved the concept of the medieval restaurant and the smash the patriarchy vibe, but the random medieval facts scattered through the story just to show "Hey I know history" were a little too much for me, especially being Italian. We study the Middle Ages in primary school and we do not consider the knowledge that people did not wash themselves as a weird thing to know. Overall, if you don't know medieval history and you are new to contemporaries, this may be the book for you.

I received an advanced copy of The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly through NetGalley as a part of Jamie Pacton’s Street Team, so I could share my review with you!

Kit Sweetly is a serving wench, but she has dreams of being much more. Having worked at her local medieval-themed restaurant/entertainment center (called The Castle) for many years, Kit has never been able to fulfill her desire to perform as a knight. Due to sexist company policies, only cis-men can become knights, in order to keep the show “accurate.” Kit takes particular issue with this argument, given that history is full of fierce women who wouldn’t let the rule of their societies stop them from making changes. After a video of her secretly taking her brother’s place as a knight goes viral, Kit begins to see that there just might be a way to change the game, but she can’t do it alone. With the help of her brother and co-workers Kit will embark on the most glorious quest for social justice that The Castle has ever seen!

You can get your copy of The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly on May 5th from Page Street Kids!

The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly is an absolute triumph of young adult literature for equality. Jamie Pacton blew me away with her development of character and strength of narrative! I loved the relationships between all the characters, and the diversity represented by their own individuality. Knew I would love this book just from the premise, but Kit’s strength and tenacity made this a story I will not soon forget.

My Recommendation-
If you have been looking for a contemporary novel different from any other, The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly would be a fantastic choice! With a powerful narrative speaking towards gender equality and LGBTQ character representation, this book is easily one of my favorite modern stories I’ve ever read!

Kit is so fierce! Loved her and the plot line, right up there with “Moxie” and “ The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks”. The interspersing of historical tidbits was a nice addition. It would have been refreshing to have this story told without the romance, but it’s more a general qualm about YA literature anyways. Excellent gender identity representation without being on the nose. Overall pleasantly surprised by this and will definitely be adding to our collection.

This was such a fun read and I loved every second of it!

This book has it all: friendship, feminism, fandom, and fun! It was inclusive, it was real, and what more could you ask for?

I enjoyed reading about Kit and seeing her world come to life, and now I have the biggest urge to go to the Medieval Times dinner show! Kit goes through real problems (no, I’m not talking about wanting to become a knight) that are relatable for so many. I love being able to connect to the characters and Kit is such an easily-accessible protagonist.

That being said, there were some aspects that I think could have been sewn in better: the friends-to-lovers theme between Jett and Kit (although I love love) didn’t work for me in the end, Kit was kind of a crappy friend and yet she has more friends than me, and there were Game of Thrones spoilers! I mean, I’ve already seen it, and so has anyone who was on social media when the final season came out, but still.

Overall, this was a great book to escape into and I can’t wait for more by the author!

The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly by Jamie Pacton is a delightful story about Kit and her mission to shake up gender stereotypes. Kit works at The Castle, a medieval-themed restaurant that hosts jousting tournaments filled with knights, a royal court, and serving "wenches" like Kit. Corporate policy is that only men can be knights. But, Kit wants the job not only because she believes anyone should have the opportunity, but because being a knight also pays more. Money is incredibly tight at home and she's also trying to save for college. So, when Kit takes a chance and replaces her brother as a knight, other employees risk their jobs to help join Kit's quest to break down barriers.
•
Jamie Pacton has filled this story with inclusivity and a diverse cast of characters, as well as a sweet budding romance between Kit and her best friend, Jett. Fun historical details and Lord of the Rings references are scattered throughout to highlight Kit's love of empowered female warriors. And, there is also an honest portrayal of financial hardships within families and difficult decisions as it pertains to college decisions for young people.
•
Anyone who has been to a renaissance festival or watched the movie A Knight's Tale will surely have no trouble envisioning Kit as she fights with her friends to make real change. Kit is a champion worth cheering for in this fun, feminist story with plenty of levity, spirit, and heart.
•
Favorite Line:
“What better way to smash the patriarchy than with a lance and sword?"
•
Suggested Reading Age: Grades 9+

Thank you for an ARC in exchange for an honest review, first of all I really loved the concept and idea of this story but I sometimes felt like I wish it was an adult title instead of a YA. I felt like the idea of this book is a little mature for YA readers, even though it is present in our current day and age, I think girls of an older age would appreciate the idea more. But besides that, I really liked the book. I absolutely loved Kit. She has a big heart and loves list. I like thats she's very independent and tries to do what’s right for her, her friends and her loved ones and also for women in general. Kit fighting sexism at the restaurant she works at with her wits, her skills with the sword and on horse and with facts and infos about the Middle Ages.

One of the cutest and most funniest teen reads I've read in a while. I love the way the author incorporates this love of medieval history and historical concepts in such a fun and witty way. It's the perfect nerds read. Kit is a warrior of old and she's just as fearless as one of her favorite icons, Joan of Arc. Her struggle to go against the discrimination of women--albeit at medieval times like business, is something admirable. Pacton's writing is perfection and I had so much fun reading this book.

Oh, I fell in love with Kit Sweetly on page one, both the character and the book. It’s fun, heartwarming and it has swords, bad jokes and lots of references to Lord of the Rings while being feminist and having a diverse cast of characters. Long story short: this book was basically what my dreams are made of. Minus being a serving wench.

I absolutely loved Kit. She has a big heart and loves list. She has her life planned out but isn’t so sure about her plans anymore. She tries to do what’s right for her, her friends and her loved ones and also for women in general. She’s unapologetically herself, acts impulsively but always with a passion for what she’s doing and for the goals she wants to achieve. Kit has flaws and makes mistakes but she’s growing and learning and tries to help others. She’s fighting sexism at the restaurant she works at with her wits, her skills with the sword and on horse and with facts and infos about the Middle Ages.

Kit’s family was amazing to read about. Her father is a drug addict who left the family a few years ago, taking most of their money. Kit, her mother and her brother are doing everything they can to make do with what they have, working a lot while still never becoming bitter. They love each other unconditionally, they help each other out and they have such tight bonds. Especially Kit and Chris, her brother, are as tight as can be.

I also loved Kit’s friends, all of them being unique in their own way, having their strengths and showing their wants and needs differently. But they are a wonderful group. They’re having fun, they go up against the owners of their restaurant, but they also have lives and limits. One person I liked especially was Jett, one of Kit’s best friends and also the guy she has had a crush on for years. He’s so nice and sweet and helpful and I adored him a lot.

The atmosphere of the book somehow felt like being in A Knight’s Tale, a film quoted at several points throughout the book, but mixed with feminism and family problems. I had fun through the whole of the book and my history-nerd heart got some nice medieval facts and as I mentioned, LOTR quotes.

What can I say? You love swords? Read Kit Sweetly. You love Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings? Read Kit Sweetly. You like feminism? Read Kit Sweetly. You want the cutest romance? Read Kit Sweetly. You like wonderful family relations? Read Kit Sweetly. Conclusion? Read The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly.

A woman standing up for her right to be a knight? Sign me up. This book had a great premise and a fairly good execution. I really liked that Kit was poor, a level of poor that I was as a kid. I feel like unless it's a dystopian novel, not a lot of main characters are poor. I loved that Kit could be extremely smart and driven while being poor. Being poor doesn't mean you're stupid, worthless, or that you don't deserve things. Kit proves all of those stereotypes wrong. Kit was a little dense when it came to dealing with her friends but I understand why she was. She was still a role model for anyone dealing with sexism or wanting to change things for the better. The main character of a novel doesn't have to be perfect in their approach to something to be a good role model or to bring light to an issue. No one is perfect but that doesn't mean what they fight for isn't worth as much. I wish the romance felt more natural but it felt forced to me and I didn't believe it. That's my big gripe with this book. Regardless, I think this is definitely worth your read.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Page Street Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

This book was everything I was promised : it’s cute, entertaining, adorable, epic and funny. You add a spoon of friendship, a best friend-to-lover trope, and a lovable group of friends and here you are! Recipe’s done.

We’re following young Kit Sweetly who works as a “wench” in a Medieval themed restaurant. Of course, she aspires to become greater and bigger. She aspires to be a Lady Knight.

I really liked this original set up for the story. It was unique and original, with a tone of great “medieval/nerd” references with Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones.

I was really curious about this book because it presents with a feminist strong character. I was a bit disappointed by that because I think Kit is never going fully-feminist during her struggle with the only-male policy and the fight seems a bit to “white cis” for me. Don’t get me wrong, it has great stands and a lot of great spirit but something was missing to make me feel the intersectional feminism.

I was ready to fell for Jett but I feel like i just had a glimpse of him: I would have loved to see more of him and get to know him. Instead, Chris - Kit’s brother - distinguished himself but his supportive and easy-to-live-with spirit.

To conclude, I enjoyed the whole spirit of the book: you have to persevere and keep fight for what you want and what you think it’s right and sometimes, you have to take another direction when the way leads to a dead-end. Kit is brave and courageous, and for that I think she truly is a Knight.

This was a really fun ride-I feel like Kit and her friends were well-built characters and the story was gripping and realistic. This is a solid debut.

This book was SO adorable. I went in expecting a feminist book and got that BUT was also gifted with a beautiful story supporting the entire spectrum of genders, not just cis women. There were so many representations of gender, sexuality, etc without being fake or too much. It was all very natural and perfectly told. While there is romance- you are more focused on Kit and her mission to bring equality to a place she loves. We also get a beautifully told coming of age tale of figuring out what is important to you. Would recommend!

This was a much needed read and palate cleanser of a book! I'm not the fondest of realistic fiction, but Kit Sweetly drew me in almost immediately with its plethora of Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings references. As a long life fan of anything from the Middle Ages, the setting of a Medieval Times-esque workplace felt perfect for the characters and the storyline.

Kit feels its wrong that she can't be a knight. It pulls at her heart and creates an uneasy feeling in her stomach that anyone who isn't male, or born as male, cannot compete as a knight at the Castle, the local Middle Ages themed restaurant. She's been training with her brother since he was first hired as a knight and feels as comfortable up on a horse fighting as any of them. When an opportunity arises for her to ride out as her brother, she takes it! And she is surprised, alongside everyone else, that it goes well. It immediately goes viral and she begins to argue for females (or anyone really) to be allowed to be a knight. Of course, you can't dismantle an entire patriarchal and medieval belief overnight.

What spoke to me the most about this book was the way it feels like it was written for someone like me. Any young girl who felt more in love with renaissance faires and Middle Ages novels than anything else. Who watched the extended editions of LOTR with her family and wanted to practice archery for a hobby. I loved so much that Kit didn't settle for what the world gave her, despite her mom telling her to and her distant father showing her what can happen when you reach too far. She made a plan and went for it, all while doing the things she loved with the people she loved. This book re-instills the passion we tend to lose to go after whatever you want, even if some things might not work out the way you wish.

The ending felt right and just and closed up all the loose ends I felt across the way. The ending was filled with everything I love and cherish in a book and immediately left me wanting to conquer the world and take up sword fighting, all with my friends and family behind me. To bring Kit's most powerful moment to life and the catalyst for her journey in this novel, "I am no man." Because females (and anyone really) can kick butt too.

2.5 stars
This is a very cute and delightful read about taking down sexism in the workplace.
I really liked the premise of this book and honestly the cover is absolutely gorgeous! I’ve always wanted to go to a medieval-themed restaurant so I was living vicariously through Jamie Pacton’s descriptions!

I really liked the characters in this book, especially Kit who is such an independent, motivated and strong willed protagonist. You cannot help but love her spirit. I love the friendships she had and how close she was to her mother and brother!

However I do feel like that story fell quite flat for me. I felt that a lot of the book was focused on things that didn’t truly impact the story. I would have like to have seen more of her plan and the build up then her everyday tasks. I felt like the main plot went by too quickly and I was left feeling unsatisfied in the end.

Whilst I am a sucker for a friends to lovers trope I just could not get invested in this relationship. I just felt like it honestly wasn’t needed.

Overall this was a fun read with a message that is very important. We should fight for what we believe in and there should be equality in the workplace.

Thank you to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A charming coming-of-age story with tons of heart. I love Kit's complete determination and her band of beautiful friends, not to mention the pure fun of the Medieval Times-esque setting.

3.5 Stars
Delightful, fun little novel about tearing down gender roles in the workplace while also addressing poverty issues.

Features characters that are diverse in race, gender, and orientation.

Doused in pop-culture medieval fantasy references, from The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and even the excellent cheese-fest that is A Knight's Tale. Great for nerds!

Perhaps a bit too simple a solution, but fun nonetheless.

Thanks to Page Street Kids and Netgalley for the Advanced Reading Copy

What an utterly charming young adult novel. I really enjoyed reading this one. Kit works at a "Medieval Times" style restaurant in the Chicago suburbs. She is a waitress or "wench", but really wants to play a knight like her older brother. In fact, she has trained with him for years. One night, she gets her chance much to the chagrin of her boss. Her friends video her ride as a knight and the video starts to get attention. Thus sets off a series of events involving Kit and co.'s attempts to take down the patriarchal structure of the restaurant.
I loved that while the main focus of the novel was about rewriting the rules of "The Castle", it wasn't the only thing going on. I especially enjoyed reading any scene involving Kit and her brother, Chris. Their sibling relationship was beautiful. Kit's struggles away from the restaurant with finances, family drama, and future decisions also kept me coming back to the book. Another point in its favor was the marvelous side cast full of diverse characters, both in regards to race and gender. Overall, I throughly enjoyed this read and would definitely recommend that we add it our library's collection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Page Street Books for a review copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.