I had a number of serious reservations about Dex as a romance hero after his previous incarnation as a f*ckboi. His portrayal in previous books did nothing to endear me to him or give me much hope there was much there.

It became even harder to see after our reintroduction to Louisa, the burnt out litigation lawyer at the very moment of meltdown. I immediately wanted all the best things for Lulu and a hopeless flirt and player didn’t seem like a good option.

After a brief anxiety attack at Lulu’s meltdown in which she blew up her career and life and decides on a whim to join the Renaissance Faire as a travel companion to the Dueling Kilts band, I read this book in one sitting, completely unable to put it down.

A large part of me appreciated watching Lulu open herself up to the Faire and experiences. I enjoyed her shift from scornful skeptic to reluctant tarot reader, from constantly connected to entirely off-the-grid.

The romance arc was slower and far more subtle. I was nearly as surprised as Lulu when the romance began because the shift was so slow and gentle. Though, when it hit it was explosive.

In the end, I loved Lulu and Dex together. I loved the parent-pleasing over-achiever quitting her life and the one no one expects anything of stepping up.

The falling apart and coming back together was so incredibly heart-wrenching and even knowing a HEA was coming I was yelling at them to stop being so stupid because I was so invested in their happiness together.

I don’t often enjoy first-person narration but DeLuca has a way of writing that makes the reader able to connect deeply. Well Traveled is the type of sweet and hopeful so desperately needed right now.

I have adored this series from the very beginning, even though I'm the furthest thing from a Renaissance Faire goer, Jen Deluca's writing is (for lack of a better term) a bit magical throughout this series. She's made me love her world, her characters, their growth and everything in between...though I have to admit that this one did not hit the romance mark for me. This felt more like a growth story than a love story, wherein I was far more interested in where the future would take Lulu instead of where it was going to lead Lulu and Dex (you remember the boys' in kilts, right??). And while I did love the book simply for the fact that it took me back to Jen's little Faire world, and I enjoyed seeing Lulu come into her own, I didn't love that there wasn't much to the love story aspect. It didn't feel quite genuine until the very end. It was very much assumed, and I was hoping for more. Make no mistake though: I will read everything Jen writes in the future!

Have you ever been to a Renaissance Faire? I have never been to one but after reading all 4 books in this series, I am obviously an expert.

Well Traveled is the fourth installment of the Well Met series. This book centers around Lulu (Mitch’s cousin) who dramatically quits her job as an associate at a law firm and joins up with Stacy, Dex and the rest of the Dueling Kilts, working at various Faires. This was a sweet romcom without any of the heavier topics that were addressed in the previous books. While it was definitely mostly fluff, I loved being back in this Faire world with these characters who I have read about through the years with all of their quirk and witty banter. It is perfect escapism.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I've been really enjoying the Well Met series with its setting in renaissance faires. In each book, we meet more of the regular performers who travel the circuit of faires. One wouldn't have to read the series in order, but I do because of the character developments and knowing more about the supporting characters.

The couple here are characters we have met in previous books briefly. The main point of view is Lulu, or Louisa Malone. She is a lawyer and Mitch's cousin. Mitch is an institution at the Maryland Renfaire where the books started. But so is Dex, the playboy of the The Dueling Kilts group.

Lulu is tired of trying to please her parents and the old white men at the law firm where she has tried to make partner. She ends up taking a break. Her summer is one of self discovery and growth. She also meets Dex. Initially she is a bit antagonistic to the playboy, then they become friends and something more.

They seem unsuited with Lulu more serious and Dex, more relaxed and creative. But they are not what they seem. We don't get as much of Dex as it's from her point of view, but he is not the person people have thought he is. I enjoyed them learning each other and finding great solutions to what they each wanted in their lives when it seemed impossible.

Louisa "Lulu" Malone life revolves around one thing....work. Being a lawyer and trying to make partner doesn't leave much time for a normal life. When Lulu's cousin Mitch introduces her to the life of Renaissance Faires she enjoys the escape even for a little while. When Lulu's work life explodes, she decides to take a much needed break and spend the summer traveling with The Dueling Kilts who offer her a temporary job. What Lulu didn't expect was to be so drawn to Dex MacLean, the guitarist for the band. Knowing Dex is deemed the Casanova of the Faire, Lulu doesn't show her interest. After spending a few weeks with this eclectic group, Lulu sees a side of Dex that he doesn't show to anyone else and before you know it, these two are hooking up. As the summer comes to a close, Lulu know that she has to go back to her lawyer world, but she is just not sure can give Dex up. In a fun, surprising way, Lulu and Dex find the perfect answer to dilemma and get their happy ending.

I just loved Lulu and Dex's story. Dex was the perfect, misunderstood guy and he made Lulu see that there was more fun to life than just always working. Lulu also showed Dex that sometimes you do have to think about your future. Together these two just worked. I just adore this series and learning so much about the Renaissance Faire life.

I read Jen DeLuca’s book Well Met back in 2020, soon after I first joined Bookstagram. I loved the Ren Faire setting and Simon was a pretty swoon-worthy hero. I haven’t had a chance to read Well Played and Well Matched, but they are on my TBR. When Berkley sent me a copy of Well Traveled, I knew I’d enjoy jumping back into the Ren Faire world.

Lulu is a workaholic attorney who, while attending a Renaissance Faire, literally ditches her phone to escape her demanding boss. She’s introduced to Dex, a guitarist and ladies man who travels, performing at Ren Faires, with The Dueling Kilts. Dex is one of the guys who has a girl to hook up with everywhere he goes. Usually, I have a hard time rooting for this kind of hero but Jen DeLuca writes Dex in a way that he just melts your heart with his sincerity. He has a reputation as a player but he’s really a kind person who is loyal to those who loves. For example, my husband knows that bringing me coffee in the morning is the key to my heart, so when Dex does a coffee run, well, I was done for.
I guess you could call this a forced proximity/vacation romance. I really enjoyed the story as Dex & Lulu get to know each other and also the journey of self-discovery that Lulu goes through as she tries to figure out what she really wants out of her career. There are a lot of fun side characters, including MCs from previous books. Mitch (book 3) is her cousin who she calls when in need. Stacey (book 2) is the one who invites her to travel with them and introduces her to the work-side of Ren Faire life. Even Simon (book 1) makes an appearance. Although I’m personally not a believer in tarot cards, I enjoyed the fortune tellers and how they help Lulu reflect on her decisions. This book made me laugh and now I want to plan a trip to a Renaissance Faire!

Thanks to @berkleyromance for the #gifted book and to @PRHAudio for the free audiobook. All thoughts expressed are my own.

I honestly love this universe. I was so happy to see our female lead turn out to be Mitch's cousin Lulu. She was one of my favorite side characters from the last book. I enjoyed the lighter feel to this one--it felt like it was more about character growth than romance which reminded me of Emily's journey to fine herself in book 1. Well done, Jen DeLuca!

There's just not a bad one in the batch in this series, and I loved this swoony, sweet story of Lulu (Mitch's lawyer cousin) and unattainable Faire hottie Dex connecting. Lulu's my age, and I resonated with her "something's gotta give" moment and desire to find what she really wanted. There are multiple paths to happiness and fulfillment, and I loved that message through this book, along with all the typical Faire references and shenanigans.

I’m such a fan of the Well Met series and have run away to the Renaissance Faire, at least in my own mind, every time I pick up one of these novels. I connected so easily to the story in Well Traveled and to Lulu, a character I can really identify with. Lulu has always been driven to make partner and become the success that her parents have always wanted her to be, but all the long hours she’s working at her company isn’t leading to the success that she’s always hope to find. When she gets drunk and quits angrily on a call with her boss, it’s actually the best thing for her. This is something that many of us have dreamed of doing but never seem to find the guts to make happen. It was so fun to dream along with Lulu and read her story while she finds her way in love and life.

Dex, the kilted lead singer of the band Dueling Kilts, has been in the previous books and wasn’t cast in a very good light. He’s the Romeo of the faire circuit, or so it seems. We see a different side to him in Well Traveled. A side that has me liking him for our Lulu. His creative personality is the perfect foil to straight laced Lulu, but is he the type to make a commitment? I’ll admit that I was skeptical but I ended up liking his mellow attitude and subtle ways he sought out Lulu’s company. He lacked the funny quips of previous hero’s but his soulful gaze and man bun more than made up for those laugh out loud moments.

You do not need to read any of the previous novels to enjoy Well Traveled, but reading the third novel would explain a little back story that does come up and explains a couple of characters actions. Other than that, enjoy a fun, light-hearted romance. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review and it was honest!

What a fun book!
I had an opportunity to interview Jen Deluca when the previous installment was written, and she mentioned that she had been struggling with this one. I'm so happy with the direction it too!
Dex is a character we have known a long time, and we briefly met Lulu in the previous book. Seeing the playboy meet and find his person was a real joy.
This book tackled many pressures that Lulu was feeling from family to be "successful" in a way that they seemed to think was right. She was dying at a large firm where she kept getting promised a promotion, and kept getting passed over.
So she runs off and joins the Dueling Kilts, and helping at the Ren Faire circuit for a summer, and rediscovers a lot about herself.
Dex is not the shallow Playboy he pretends to be with the Dueling Kilts. Meeting Lulu, and talking with her changes his perspective of himself, and it's glorious.
I'm so excited to see what else Jen Deluca has in store, whether it's more with these characters, or a new kind of story all together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing the ARC.

Another delightful romp back into the world of ren faire, this time focused on resident playboy of sexy kilt fame and the pinned up workaholic who decides to quit her big firm job and go on a lark for two months.

As always, DeLuca takes us through faire life enmeshed with one of the most endearing love stories in her series. LuLu and Dex are perfect for each other and it shows throughout the story. I loved learning about these two characters and seeing what makes them grow together.

Another strong installment in one of my favorite series.

In the first book of the series we become acquainted with what becomes basically a main trio of characters: Emily, Stacey, and Mitch. Those three are each the focus of the first three books, so I was curious about who would lead the fourth book. As it turns out (and not a spoiler because it’s literally in the book summary), Lulu (Mitch’s cousin) and Dex, both characters we had met in previous books.

It was nice and interesting to get a much different “normie” viewpoint in this book, because Emily was already sort of a history and literature nerd so she fit in pretty easily to the Rennie scene. Lulu being a workaholic lawyer who visited a faire made it a completely different perspective. We also get a different perspective with Dex as well. Sure, we got Daniel in a previous book, but Dex is on stage at the faires, so again, it’s a different viewpoint. And since we’ve met Dex before, this gives us an opportunity to learn more about him.

There was a lot more to Dex than previous opinions had made me believe, and digging deeper into his character was a wonderful experience. And following Lulu as she basically runs away to the faire, and seeing what that experience was like…it’s like vicariously living out a dream of running away from the dreary day to day life.

I loved watching Lulu learn to relax and have a little fun, and to involve herself with other folks at the faires we visited in this book, because unlike the previous book where it all takes place in one small town, this book lets us see what it’s like to travel the Ren Faire circuit. It was also cool to see her learn from the tarot readers and get to discover more about that part of the culture.

I dearly love this series. It is a wonderful escape from the world, and it is perfect for the Ren Faire off season…although, since we’ve moved I now have to track down my “local” faires, which I believe still require a few hours of driving. My former “local” was the Ohio Renaissance Festival, and I miss it. My husband and I bought season passes for this year (during last year’s Black Friday Sale) and ended up moving like 6 weeks before the season started. We’ve bought season passes again for next year, and hopefully our work schedule will allow us to go at least one weekend.

So reading these books gives me all the Ren Faire feelings I love, and allows me to get cozy and follow a fascinating troupe of characters. Honestly, I hope there’s more to come with this series. If Jen DeLuca wants to keep writing them, then I want to keep reading them.

Louisa "Lulu" Malone comes from a family of overachievers and has been working so hard to get ahead in her high powered law firm that she longer remembers what its like to enjoy, let alone have, a life. One Saturday the boss pushes too far and she realizes just how ridiculous it all is. Her phone winds up a tub of water and she's having a minor meltdown in the middle of a Renaissance Faire. Fortunately, Stacey (Well Played) and the Dueling Kilts are there and offer her a ride since they're headed to Willow Creek, where Lulu's cousin Mitch (Well Matched) lives. With no job and no electronics, Lulu is forced to unplug and take stock of her life. Which includes not only admitting she hasn't relaxed in five or six years, but includes noticing her traveling companions- like hot guitar player Dex MacLean.

Everyone says Dex is only out for a good time, the Lothario with a girl at every Faire. And at first he flirts outrageously with Lulu, exactly like his reputation. But as she ignores his ridiculous flirting, Dex becomes more like the rest of the band, a casual friend. Eventually, she sees something in him that his family seems to have overlooked. That maybe there's more to Dex than just a good time.

At first I wasn't sure about this pairing. How was Dex going to become someone we could properly swoon over when readers of the series knew him as a good time guy who is pretty much allergic to relationships? But the answer is to never doubt Jen DeLuca. By bringing in Lulu she gives Dex someone who doesn't know him or his reputation ahead of time, someone both willing to accept what she sees and to see behind the front to the person he's becoming. Dex is adorable as he confusedly discovers he might want a relationship after all and I had to hand it to him- he made far fewer mistakes than many guys make. I loved Lulu as the strong, take-charge-take-names person she is who can also be vulnerable, and discover a softer, mystic side to herself. This was a lovely people-can-change book; not necessarily because of love, but because of opening themselves up to new things, new opportunities, new people, and discovering what does make them happy instead of what they think should make them happy (or make others happy).

Jen DeLuca is back and she brought the whole Faire with her! What's not to like about a strong woman doubting herself, finding herself (and love), thanks to the magic that is the Renaissance Faire? Nothing, that's what. Huzzah and rejoice and the latest Jen DeLuca romance-Well Traveled is not just a beautiful cover!

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

I wish this had been dual POV so that we could understand Dex’s change. He was marketed as a player and then all of a sudden in love with LuLu. I might have had too high of expectations but this wasn’t really for me

Finally it is Dex's turn for love, but first can he give up his philandering ways with the ladies of the Renaissance Faire. This kilt wearing hunk is the bad boy we ALL find sexy!

Book #4 is simply the best in the series with a slower build to their love story. This installment is more plot driven with their romance blossoming after some sole searching by each character. Well Traveled is also much more immersive in the Renaissance Faire especially with its fortune tellers.

I am making plans to visit the nearest Michigan Renaissance Festival because of this series!

Thank you Berkley for the complimentary copy.

You guys, Jen DeLuca never misses. This book follows Lulu and Dex, two characters that are relatively new to the series, but they are perfect additions to the Willow Creek Ren Faire gang.

I loved Lulu as a main character and the journey she went on. After quitting her job in the most dramatic fashion, she joins Stacey, Daniel, and The Dueling Kilts as they travel the Ren Faire circuit for the summer. The community of the renaissance faire was put in the spotlight in a way that it hasn’t been since the first book, and I enjoyed every second of it. I also loved getting to learn about tarot along with Lulu, it was so fascinating, and I enjoyed the friendships she formed with the tarot readers.

Now let’s talk about my new favorite book boyfriend- Dex MacLean. Known as the Ren Faire Lothario, he has a reputation for having a woman at every faire, but Lulu is the only one to see that there is more to him than meets the eye. I absolutely adored this man, and I have never wished to have another character’s perspective more. I would have loved to know what was going on in his mind, but I appreciated how perceptive Lulu was.

Lulu and Dex’s relationship hit DIFFERENT. They had such great chemistry together, and I loved the way their love story progressed. Their dynamic together felt so natural, and don’t get me started on the angst I felt as Lulu started falling for him.

You all know I wholeheartedly recommend this series, and this book just further cements that. If you love swoon-worthy romances with a great cast of supporting characters and a healthy dose of renaissance faire magic, then don’t walk, RUN to read these books.

I’ve read and enjoyed all the books of this series. I thought the series was going to over after the last book, but I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a fourth book was coming out.

The Renaissance Faire is back, but this time instead of being at one – Lulu (Mitch’s cousin) spends her summer traveling to different fairs with Stacey and the boys from the band “The Dueling Kilts.”

It’s a sweet slow burn romance between Lulu and Dex, the guitar player of the band. There is romance with some spicy scenes, but I felt like the main focus of the book was Lulu trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. She recently quit her job has a lawyer and she spent the summer figuring out what her next step in life was going to be.

It was fun following around Lulu at the fairs with her different jobs and the season ended at Willow Creek, which is where all the other characters from the other books reside. It’s a feel good story with charming characters and the ending was perfect!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Dex is THE ren fair hottie that hooks up with a girl at every town. He has had a reputation throughout all the books being in the Dueling Kilts. I just loved getting to see a deeper side of him in this book. Especially considering the lady that finally breaks through and sees him more than a piece of meat. The poor guy was just being treated as what he was treated.

Louisa (Lulu), Mitch's cousin is at her breaking point with her high paced 24/7 job that as she's taking a break at a ren faire she quits. Running into the Dueling Kilts she ends up staying with them and Stacey and Daniel and trying to figure out what to do now.

I just loved all the jobs that she took on. My favorite The office manager of the tarot card readers and her tarot card journey. I need to really get comfortable with my tarot cards! But now I think I need to actually get a real deck and not just a Disney villain one.

I loved when these two hit their breaking point finally and laid it all out. Things got hot and though he never had a serious relationship it has to work out right.

I will say the way things wrapped up was just sweet and for my corporate job life made my heart melt at the flexibility that was given. Iykyk.

Thank you berkleyromance and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

Louisa Malone, also known as Lulu to her cousin Mitch, is trying to live up to her mother's expectations. But it appears that the partners of her law firm are never going to promoter, not while they're still bringing in young men. So Lulu, who makes this realization while at a Ren Faire, decides to quit her job and join the faire. Luckily, one of the people in the fair knows her cousin Mitch so she's able to travel with them and take some time out of her life.
This book leans much more heavily on Lulu's self-discovery than the romance. Lulu does find true love with Dex, who we met in earlier books though you do not need to have read them in order to enjoy this one. I was surprised that I didn't miss the romance more but DeLuca does a nice job of showing Lulu's own growth and I didn't even notice it until the end when I wondered really how the two of them had gotten together since so much of the talking and connection was done off page.

Four stars
This book comes out December 6, 2022
Follows Well Matched
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group
Opinions are my own

Louisa “Lulu” Malone has been fighting to make partner at her prestigious law firm for years. When she’s given yet another empty promise, she quits on the spot and finds herself in desperate need of an escape. Her cousin Mitch introduces her to the world of turkey legs and taverns so she decides to run away with the faire until she figures out her next move. The only problem? Her traveling companion is none other than faire Casanova Dex MacLean. As they’re forced to spend days and nights together on the road, Lulu begins to see what lies underneath Dex’s playboy exterior.

This series is easily one of my favorite romance series of all time! Each book has been so good and this one was no different. It may even be my favorite out of all of them! You can read these as standalones but I think they’re more fun to read in order! I wasn’t expecting a book that focused on Dex and I loved getting to see him grow and finally get his happy ending. Of course I loved coming back to the ren faire but I really enjoyed how the book touched on deeper topics like how someone’s perception of you doesn’t define who you are. The couples who really see and know each other are always my favorite. I need another book with more Dex and Lulu! Thank you so much to Jen DeLuca, NetGalley, and Berkley for my gifted e-ARC. Grab your copy tomorrow!!