Some players want to eventually stop playing. That is the case for Dex Maclean, who if you've read the previous books in this series, has developed quite the reputation on the Renaissance Faire circuit.

Who is the woman to change everything for him?
Louisa "Lulu" Malone, Corporate Attorney.
Yes, on paper, it seems like an odd match, but Lulu is at a crossroads in her life/career, so maybe Dex is just what she needs. One impulsive decision has her going off the grid and immersing herself in the Renaissance Faire world.

I loved how Lulu adjusted to this huge life change. She doubts her decisions at times but doesn't give up and fully looks at this as an opportunity for a recharge. Since we only get Lulu's POV, it was not entirely clear what brought her and Dex closer. Obviously, he's attracted to her, but what drew Dex in and consider her as more than a fling? It takes some time, but I think Dex finally found someone who took him seriously and not just as a conquest. Another thing that is clear, Lulu's reevaluation of the direction of her life inspired Dex to do the same. And that's when something special happens.

As always, it is fun to be reunited by this cast of characters and see how their lives have progressed since their own books. Since the player finally met his match, is this the end of the series? Who knows, but I'll never object to a new installment. : )

Wow! I am so happy to be back in the RenFaire world!

I had a lot of preconceived notions about this book and was very skeptical about having Dex as the leading man. He’s been portrayed as a ladies’ man throughout the series and has been known to have a woman (or more) at every RenFaire. While Dex makes no promises other than a good time while he’s with a partner, it’s hard to see him as anything other than what he is. And if you’ve read Book 2, Well Played, you’ll know what I mean. It was hard for me to see Dex as anything but a sexy guy with a guitar…. but after reading Well Traveled, Ms. DeLuca has proven me wrong!

Lulu Malone is a strong heroine on a journey of self-discovery. After her professional life blows up in an extraordinary way, her cousin Mitch encourages Lulu to take some time to figure things out, and what better way to do that than riding along on the RenFaire circuit with Mitch’s friend Stacey and The Dueling Kilts, a RenFaire traveling family band with hot guys in kilts. Lulu begrudgingly agrees to go off-grid and enjoy time in the sun and lending a hand at the weekend RenFaires. What she DOESN’T want is to be hit on by the RenFaire bad boy and guitar-playing singer of the band, Dex.

Dex MacLean is a singer/guitar player for his family’s band, The Dueling Kilts. He’s super sexy, super talented, an unabashed flirt and an unrepentant ladies’ man. But there’s so much more to him than a killer smile and a guitar. I’ll let you discover that for yourselves 😉

Lulu and Dex together is an explosion of fiery passion that’s physically palpable! Their chemistry is off the charts and they absolutely made sense together. Lulu was able to see what others couldn’t, that Dex is a talented man full of heart and light and has a fierce intelligence. He has a quiet insight that’s often lost or misconstrued in the world around him but Lulu sees right through Dex’s dumb hunk routine. I promise you’ll fall hard and fast for Dex, and I NEVER thought I would be saying that out loud!

Well Traveled also depicts the whimsical and taxing lifestyle of a RenFaire traveler. What I really loved about the story was that these travelers are such a charming and diverse community that look out for and help each other. These lovingly and beautifully crafted characters and the rich descriptions of a Renaissance Faire feel just like coming home. It’s easy to get lost in the whimsy and magic of the story and I absolutely did! And I can’t wait for the next RenFaire romance!

I highly recommend this and every book by Jen DeLuca!

What a lovely journey, both emotional and on the road, for the characters of this book. As the fourth book in a well-developed series, I had a lot of expectations going into this story, and when I read that most of it would be set away from Willow Creek, the beloved major setting, I was a little nervous! I had no reason to be, and the traveling circuit worked beautifully to help the characters fall in love and readers to fall in love with the characters. This book made me want to throw my cell phone in a tub and run off to join the faire. Brava!

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the chance to read this ARC!
Let me start off by saying... GAH! Jen DeLuca has done it again! I am a HUGE fan of the Ren-Faire series and this one is a great addition!
Lulu's character intrigued me in "Well Matched" and I couldn't wait to read more about her! Her character feels so needed in this time of work, work, work... Sometimes I wish I could throw my phone away like that too! I liked that even though she stepped away from her corporate life, Lulu didn't lose the essence of who she was. She took her skills and applied them to the life she had in front of her.
I fell for Dex from the first moment he appeared on the page. I think he's my new book-boyfriend! I felt for this man... To basically go your whole life thinking you are no one... Ugh... It broke me. I enjoyed watching him come out of his shell (if you can call it that).
Dex needed Lulu and Lulu needed Dex. They just needed each other in their lives to figure out who they where supposed to be.
I started reading this book late in the evening and 24 hours later (minus about 6 for sleep, and 8 for work)... I was finished! That says A LOT about how much I liked this book!
It's a light and easy read and there where number of swoon worthy moments. Plus, I'm a big fan of nicknames in books and when Dex calls Lulu Councilor? Well, that just got my blood really pumping!
Cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book when it comes out at add it to my collection!

"Well Traveled" follows DeLuca's three prior books about love at renfair. Unfortunately, the most recent addition to the series falls flat. The characters are woefully underdeveloped compared to the prior main characters in the series. The entire novel reads a bit like a first draft. I kept waiting for more depth and backstory, more emotional stakes, or anything that would make the relationship with Dex and Lulu believable. Instead, the only real issue between the couple was logistical. It was an enjoyable read but I found Dex especially hard to root for given his prior appearances in the series.

I have absolutely adored Jen DeLuca’s ren-faire series so when it was announced that there would be a fourth book and would not be ending with Well Matched, I was over the moon. Well Traveled focused on Lulu (who we got to know a bit in Well Matched, as she is cousins with Mitch) and Dex who we got to know in Well Played. As with the other three books in this universe, this one can be read standalone but I highly recommend reading them all, as they are all good! I loved Lulu and Dex’s story and I hope the series doesn’t end here.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This is one of my go to reccs for cozy romances or bridging the Hallmark lovers into contemporary. Recommended purchase for most libraries

Another fun installation in the series! I was so excited for Lulu to experience the life changing moments at the Renn Faire and was very curious to see how Dex would have a change as a character from renaissance one-night stand to serious love interest.

Lulu’s adventure from attorney to learning to let go was really well done and I loved the friendships she made with the band, Stacey and the other renn faire characters! I didn’t love Dex’s transformation as much; it felt too quick and I don’t think I ever got a grip on who he is fundamentally.

The happily ever after was very satisfying and I hope this isn’t the end of the adventures at the Renaissance Faire!

During the summer of 2021, I picked up Well Met on a whim after seeing a bookstagrammer rave about it. She mentioned that it fueled her love for ren faires and also spoke highly of the romance in the story. I was instantly sold, and since I hadn't heard much about the books outside of her recommendation, I was even more excited. Typically, I find myself enjoying the more underrated reads. I didn't have super high expectations, which made the joy I felt while reading that first book even more special. I needed more, and fast!

Thankfully, Well Met was the beginning of a series that already had a sequel and a third book in-process. I gobbled up Well Played and the moment Well Matched was released, I had a copy waiting for me at the library. I've been completely obsessed with these books and I don't see that obsession stopping any time soon... especially after reading (and loving) Well Traveled!

Out of all four books, this one resonated with me the very most. Emily and Simon were adorable in Well Met, but I don't typically connect with enemies-to-lovers. Stacey and Daniel were super cute in Well Played, but the "catfish" storyline made me giggle more often than it made me feel seen. April and Mitch were absolutely precious in Well Matched, but an age-gap and kids didn't exactly have me feeling like I could relate. HOWEVER, workaholic Lulu and playboy Dex were everything I never knew I needed in a romance novel.

The beginning of the book had me highlighting quotes left and right, feeling like I was reading about my own relationship with work through Lulu's eyes. Her desperation to just go off-grid and get away from the stress of her career made me believe that maybe all I should do this summer is run away with the ren faire! Watching as she navigated how she felt about a work-life balance reminded me so much of where I'm currently at in my life and I walked away feeling so inspired!

This particular installation in the series had a much heavier focus on the ren faire itself, in my opinion. From the Dueling Kilts performances to the fortune tellers, the turkey leg-slingers to the chess match, it was all so fascinating. If I already thought I wanted to go to a ren faire, this book just fueled that desire all the more. I'd love to see more of the fortune tellers (Sage, Summer, and Sasha) in the future. They were fantastic additions to the story and I really loved the way they created a comforting environment for Lulu to grow and learn more about herself!

While the romance was excellent and steamy and fun, it wasn't what grabbed my attention. However, I really appreciated seeing Dex's growth (especially after all of the chaos in Well Played) and the deep-dive into who his character actually was. Despite these characters being in their 30s, there was a heavier emphasis on their development and even a bit of a "coming-of-age" feeling that I really enjoyed. It made me realize that no matter your age or how much time you've been focusing on one career path, it's never too late for a fresh start or for you to reinvent yourself. Even seeing all of the characters from the other books come together in one way or another was comforting. It gave the reader a chance to see how far they'd come over the years, which was so much fun. I love how everyone connects to one another in some capacity!

I do find it a little funny that the book is released in December, but I guess it gives everyone the chance for a little taste of summer and romance in the middle of winter. A great escape novel, if you will! And I sure hope everyone picks this up ASAP for a heavy dose of cuteness and lots of ren faire fun!

[CW: (major) sexual content and cursing]

Jen DeLuca has created such a wonderful world and I love that we get to return to it again and again. I loved Lulu and her journey to figure out who she is. DeLuca also manages to show the transformation of Dex from shallow F-boy to thoughtful and caring partner in an organic and believable way. This is a delightful installment of the Well Met series.

Finding herself at odds with her job, Louisa impulsively quits and finds herself on the road with a traveling Renaissance fair troupe. She soon finds herself using her business skills to help out a variety of performers and really enjoying life on the road, especially since it comes with an attractive roommate in Dex. Will their encounters grow to more than a summer fling?

This was a fun wrap to the stories so far, and tied everything up nicely. I'm not sure that their relationship worked out as well as I would have liked, but this is a good example of compromise and working together.

I've really enjoyed this series and getting a glimpse of a different world. It's amazing what goes into keeping Ren fairs running and all the work the performers do, but it also is easy to see how it can be a fun life, at least for a little while.

In the 4th book of the series, Jen DeLuca takes us back to the Renaissance Festival for another costumed romance. Lulu's life is upended while she happens to be visiting a Faire and she ends up agreeing to travel with the Dueling Kilts as she takes a break from her life as an attorney. AS she unplugs from her real life and enters into a fantasy, she is forced into close proximity with the band's notorious "player," and she begins to see there is more to him than just a one-festival stand.

I love these books. They always seem to enter my life with a meaningful lesson related to whatever personal issue I'd swept under the rug at that time. On the surface, they look different, but at the heart of it all is the message: are you happy? If not, what can you do to change that? Have you stepped outside of your comfort zone?

Also, on the surface, these books look very sweet and fluffy. They certainly make me feel good, and are just lovely, but Jen's characters feel familiar. Some of the circumstances may become a bit broad, but the characters are all flawed and trying their hardest to do right by each other and allow themselves to grow. They feel like real people. I love that.

I wasn't actually expecting a fourth book in this series and it was nice to see two people who have basically functioned as side characters get their own store. Louisa/Lulu Malone is an attorney who is sticking it out in a thankless job so she doesn't disappoint her family of overachievers. While she's in North Carolina trying to take a deposition, she decides to check out a local Ren Faire to see how it compares to the one she took her grandmother to last summer In Willow Creek, MD to see her cousin Mitch (from the earlier books in the series) perform his human chess match. She comes across the Dueling Kilts, several of whom she met at the Willow Creek faire, and she makes a quick connection with Stacey, who travels with them by way of her partner, their cousin/manager. Increasingly frustrated with work calls and demands during the day, Louisa does something totally unlike herself and quits her job, throwing her phone into the laundry wenches' tub for good measure. Suddenly she finds herself traveling with the Dueling Kilts as well, getting close to Stacey and her partner but also to Dec MacLean, the heartthrob guitarist who has a reputation for having a hookup at every faire. They slowly become friends and Louisa, now Lulu, realizes there's more to him than people give him credit for, and she also focuses on making new friends and new connections and figuring out what she really wants from her life. I thought this was cute and I liked the way the romance built, but Well Matched is definitely my favorite of the series so far. Still, a solid story with a lot of focus on personal growth.

City Girl goes to the Renfaire. Honestly, as a fan of the series and the setting, this was a lovely addition.

Thank you so much PRH International for the free book - the Well Met series is one of my all time favorites and now Well Traveled has become my favorite book of the whole series! I had to stop reading at one point, not because I didn't like the book, but because I loved it so much - and had waited so long to read it - that I didn't want it to be over!

Louisa 'Lulu' Malone is an attorney, who works 24/7, waiting for a promotion she suddenly realizes she is never going to get. Her cousin Mitch introduced her to Reneissance Faires and she happens to be visiting one when she has a mini-breakdown and quits her job. Enter Stacey, one of Mitch's best friends who is touring the Faires with her boyfriend's band The Dueling Kilts - Stacey and Mitch make Lulu join the tour for the summer and take a break from her life before deciding what to do next. This turns out to be just what Lulu needed and she begins to feel like her old self again - and one of the reasons is spending time with Dex, the guitar player in the band, and a Reneissance Faire Casanova, who turns out to be something else entirely.

Just like Jen De Luca wrote in her acknowledgements getting to know Dex and Lulu has been a joy, and I loved them, too, so very much! Bonus points for the fact that there was no miscommunication the couple had to work through to get to their happily ever after but instead both Lulu and Dex were realistic but loving and kind adults who knew life and the decisions you have to make aren't always easy.

Five stars. ❤

Louisa Malone, aka Lulu finds herself on another assignment for her high demand job as a lawyer. Always working her hardest to try and finally make partner. When one day the the Renaissance Fair she realizes it's never going to happen, in the process she chucks her phone in a laundry wenches wash bin and her life is changed forever. Her cousin helps her secure a spot traveling with the Dueling Kits, a family band which stars the gorgeous Dex. A playboy with a wench at every fair who hasn't had to work very hard for anything. But as the two start to travel together Lulu becomes more herself and Dex realizes there is more to himself than just a pretty face. They must confront their growing feelings for each other while knowing that once the summer is over Lulu will go back to her former life as a lawyer.

Another brilliant and well written story from DeLuca. You can tell how much heart and emotion was put into the work. I hope this isn't the end for this latest installment in the Willow Creek Ren Faire series, because I am so in love with every character and I don't want it to be.

Really excited to be back in the Renaissance Faire universe that Jen Deluca has created. She really does a deep dive into the lifestyle and all the goings on in the Ren Faire world. Louisa “Lulu” has just changed the course of her life completely and has run away to the Ren Faire.
The book has a great pace, keeping you engaged in all things Ren Faire, experiencing it all with Lulu, but it does take a long while for any romance to begin. The setup is there and you see it, but it is put on the back burner until halfway through. Overall a great read!

I love this series and this Ren Faire world so much!!! I suspected Dex, guitarist for everybody's favorite Faire band the Dueling Kilts, and resident Lothario of Faire, was going to be a fun hero and Jen DeLuca did not let me down. It was delightful (and surprisingly sweet) to watch his relationship with Lulu develop from friendly banter to full out love.

Lulu's arc really resonated with me as someone who's had that longing to run away from life for a while, and I loved seeing her skepticism about tarot and all the other mystic arts at Faire turn into respect and even understanding.

What I loved best though was the way Dex and Lulu fit together as a couple. The best romances show how the main characters are the only ones who really see each other. And the way Lulu saw beyond Dex's f-boy persona to the considerate, thoughtful guy underneath was lovely. As was Dex's ability to see Lulu as someone who belonged in Faire life, despite her early misgivings.

As usual Jen DeLuca hit me in the feels and I liked it.

Jen Deluca’s Well Met series is a delight to read and Well Traveled is no different. Even though each book revolves around a ren faire and alternates between couples, she keeps it fresh and entertaining without letting the plots become stale. Huzzah!

Well Traveled follows Lulu, who readers were introduced to in Well Matched as Mitch’s cousin, and Dex, who readers will know as a pseudo-love interest to Stacey in Well Played. The book opens with Lulu stopping by a renaissance faire in North Carolina while there on a work trip. Even though it’s the weekend, her phone is ringing off the hook with demands from her law firm’s partner. While enjoying the festival, Lulu becomes introspective realizing no matter how hard she works, it will never be enough to be promoted to a partner position. Further, she realizes that even though she has been working tirelessly for years to achieve a promotion to partner, maybe that was not her dream and was just something she was doing to make her overachieving family proud. In a moment of clarity and just one too many calls from her law firm, Lulu quits her job and throws her phone into a laundry wench’s wash basin in epic fashion.

Stacey, who Lulu had run into at the faire quickly goes into damage control by calling Mitch who, together with Stacey, convinces Lulu to take some time off before reconnecting and working on finding a new job. Lulu dubiously agrees to join Stacey, Daniel, and The Dueling Kilts on the ren faire circuit until they end up in Willow Creek which is about two months in the future.

Lulu begins helping with the band and immediately feels sparks with The Dueling Kilts’ guitarist, Dex, who is the resident heartbreaker of the faire. While he’s known as the faire Lothario and has a girl at every stop, Lulu learns that there is more to Dex than meets the eye. As Lulu begins to reevaluate her life with the help of her new friends, a new job, a summer romance (that definitely won’t end up with her developing feelings), and even some advice from cartomancy, can she find a balance between the life she’d thought she’d lead and the one she’s creating here?

Well Traveled differs from the previous three in that it really focuses more on Lulu’s self-growth and journey than the romance between her and Dex. Jen does a fantastic job of making all of her main female characters different while still making their struggles very relatable to the reader. Lulu was particularly enjoyable to watch as she transforms from a cog in the wheel who is overworked and unhappy, to someone who’s doing a job that she may once have viewed as “beneath” her and truly enjoying every minute.

Lulu and Dex’s romance is a mix between the “no strings attached” and the “friends-to-lovers” trope. While it does not contain the banter and tension that maybe some of the others did, it is still very enjoyable, and let’s be honest we love when characters are blind to their feelings and then have a lightbulb moment.

Well Traveled really is a love letter to the readers who use books and fantasy as escapism. Who hasn’t had the thought that one day they’d love to “run away and join the circus”? And Well Traveled is very much that story. If you don’t like your future, change it and try not to be too intimidated along the way when things don’t look exactly how you imagined them.

I hope we get one more book out of this series, but if not, Well Traveled was a high note to go out on and I will forever be a Jen Deluca fan!