Disclaimer: I have never been to a Renaissance Faire. BUT I have often frolicked in the woods wearing a costume, so I’m pretty sure that counts for something. Either way, Jen DeLuca’s books make me feel like I’m coming home. This fourth instalment of the Well Met series really recaptured the magic of the first book for me, which is so exciting, especially since the second and third books just didn’t grab me the same way. I love that we spent so much time outside in the sun-dappled Faires in this one, and I felt so immersed in the atmosphere: turkey legs and tarot readers and kilted entertainers, oh my! It was refreshing to read about Lulu’s journey of corporate burnout in her late thirties, and unexpectedly comforting to see her unplug and relax for a summer. Her romance with Dex was sweet and believable, as they both slowly unravel who they are when they don’t have to perform for others. There were also lots of cameos from some of my favourite characters from the other books (Benedick the chubby tuxedo cat obviously being the best character of all). Such a lovely read!

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A sexy man in a kilt... Sign me up lol I absolutely loved this one! Lulu and Dex's relationship was absolutely everything!! I was hooked and didn't want it to end. This is my first in the series, and I will most definitely be reading the others!!!

*Thank you @letstalkbookspromo and @berkleyromance for the #gifted egalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Jen DeLuca must continue this wonderful romance series. The family business of Renaissance players continued with the playboy Declan and uptight lawyer Louisa. Mitch’s cousin, Louisa, decided to go “off the grid” after she quit her partner bound job by joining the McLean clan at the Renaissance fair. As Louisa gets acclimated with the fair atmosphere and gets a job selling turkey legs, she discovers that she is more than her high stress lawyer job; she becomes part of the McLean family. Along with learning how much she enjoys tarot card reading, she finds love in Dex McLean. Their story is heartfelt but not steamy as other romance novels. Through out the story Lulu knows this relationship is not permanent and she must go back to the real world, but I kept hoping that something good would happen to keep them together. As always, Jen DeLuca wraps the story well which made me smile and warmed my heart with hopes for more stories to come.

Thank you for the advance copy.

Fed up with being taken advantage of and passed over for promotions she earned, Lulu quits her job and joins the Ren Faire. Little did she know it would be a life changing experience where she would find herself and true love.

It’s always a pleasure being back in the Well Met world, and I was delighted to discover Mitch’s cousin, Lulu, was our heroine. I have to say, I envied this fictional woman who was able to escape real life and immerse herself in the Renaissance Fair world. This departure gave her time to gain clarity regarding her future and commit to fulfilling her own goals, not those of others. It was a very satisfying personal journey, and I was pleased with the outcomes.

Along the way, Lulu made many friends and became an integral part of the Faire. She developed a deep friendship with Dex. I may have had some opinions about Dex from past books, but like Mitch, he was someone living in the boxes others put him in. There’s something heartbreaking about seeing people hide themselves in that way and give up trying to be really seen. I was elated that Lulu was able to see past that persona to the real Dex, and he was a lovely man.

Overall, this was a great addition to a series I adore. It was pleasure seeing Dex and Lulu go after the “more” they were seeking for themselves, and it was fantastic that they found it together.

Well Traveled follows Lulu, (Mitch’s cousin from previous books), a former attorney, who happened to be visiting a Renaissance Faire when she suddenly quit her job and threw her phone into a pool of water being used as a prop. She decides to take a break from her life and join a group traveling the faire circuit for the season. There she meets Dex, the Faire’s resident heartthrob/player. As they are forced to spend days and nights together over a series of weeks, they get to know each other well and form a connection. But is that connection enough to last after the Faire season ends.

I adore the Well Met series by Jen DeLuca, and book 4 is no different. There’s something so magical about the Renaissance Faire setting and the friendships/relationships forged amongst those working the faire. As this series continues, it is so fun to see where characters from previous books are, and get a glimpse into their present lives.
In Well Traveled, I particularly loved Lulu. She is such a strong character and a force and really goes after what she wants. I thought her relationship with Dex was so sweet, the way they saw each other for who they really are and not just what is expected of them. They were able to really get through all the layers of each other and their support for each other was beautiful. They each went through incredible growth throughout the book and I think their relationship might be my favorite in the series. I am so hopeful that this series will continue because it is such a joy to read!

Thanks to Berkley Publishing for the advance copy. Thank you to @berittalksbooks and @dg_reads for the buddy read!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! Maybe this is a vibe thing, but this book just really worked for me all around, becoming my favorite of this series from DeLuca. Lulu (Louisa) quits her job impulsively while visiting a renaissance fair or ren-faire on a work trip. From there, she travels with a band of kilting musicians, when she starts dating “bad boy” Dex, the guitarist. But though they live and want very different things, can they make it work? The first half of this book is slow burn, with it mostly being centered around Lulu finding her way after a dramatic exit from her job. But this worked for me. Capitalism is the worst, and I love a story about a competent person doing something wild, a woman being impulsive and chasing joy. I also loved Dex and Lulu’s slow build relationship. I thought it was sweet, sexy, and realistic, with them both overcoming insecurities to realize their love for each other. Also Dex is hot and his personality really worked for me. I love a great turnaround story, where a slutty man falls for a smart woman <insert shrug and fire emojis>. I recommend this book for fans of DeLuca, ren-faires, and contemporary romantic comedies.

I loved this book! This entire series is one of my favorites and I think this was my favorite so far.

Fed up with not being made partner at her law firm, Louisa "Lulu" abruptly quits while she is at a Renaissance Faire, throwing her phone into a tub of water so she's disconnected from the world. After befriending Stacey, she decides to escape for the summer by joining the Faire.

I love the Faire environment. I loved the chemistry and romance between the two characters. I loved all the secondary characters. This was a fun escape and I hope there are more books to come in the series!

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

This series has been one I look forward to year after year, and let me tell you, I am shocked about that. I am not a Renaissance Faire fan really, but DeLuca’s great family of characters and engaging writing just keeps pulling me back in!

What to expect::
•A great heroine - I was a big fan of getting to know more about Lulu and watching her find herself through this journey!
•Catching up with old characters. Always my fave thing about an interconnected series.
•Forced proximity
•Very heavy on the Faire with this one!
•Irish family band in kilts!!

What didn’t work for me::
•Dex. I just did not fall for him. Reformed rake isn’t generally my fave (apparently I hold grudges)
•I needed MORE ROMANCE! It is slow to get moving in this story and I think I was tired of waiting…

If you have loved this series, I definitely recommend continuing with this one!

Jen Deluca knows how to fill my soul. That's my eight-word review of the fourth installment of her Well Met series. But maybe you're looking for something longer and more detailed in a review...

I've just come off reading a string of books that either were really good but covered some seriously weighty topics, or were just ok for me. What I needed was a breath of fresh, fun, summery, sunshine-filled air. Oh, and a guy in a kilt. Seriously, I don't think that's too much to ask for. 😆 And, as usual Jen Deluca has delivered. First of all, I think many of us were under the impression that this series was going to be a trilogy that ended with Well Matched. But no, we have an extra treat with this fourth book, and all of the swoony, panty-dropping, kilt-wearing sexiness that is Dex MacLean, who we met briefly in book two, Well Played. Dex is still doing his bad boy thing, bed-hopping his way through the Renaissance Faire circuit while playing with his family band, the Dueling Kilts. But then he meets Louisa, Lulu to her family, an attorney who has just quit her job with a high-powered law firm in spectacular fashion. Lulu's cousin Mitch (yes, that Mitch) basically tells her that she should run away and join the Ren Faire while she sorts out her future, and he even has some traveling companions in mind for her - the Dueling Kilts crew. Yes, you know where this is going. But can Dex give up his bad boy ways and commit to just one woman? And can Lulu find herself again after years of selling her soul to corporate law?

I will say that this is one book in which I wish there had been a dual POV. I was really craving seeing more of Dex's personal journey both within himself and with his relationship to his family members, who have always set the bar pretty low for Dex. I think that would be hard to accomplish without spending some time inside Dex's brain. But I did thoroughly enjoy watching Lulu come into her own, and realize that there is more to her than the expectations of her parents and her former boss. Major props for the female empowerment running through this whole book.

Well Traveled could technically be read as a standalone, but I promise you will get so much additional enjoyment out of it if you start the series at the beginning with Well Met. We get to see all of our favorite characters from the earlier books as we are on the road with Dex and Lulu.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Berkley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lulu comes from a hard working family and lives by the mindset that everything should be earned. Dex? Dex loves to have everything handed to him and doesn't seem the point in working too hard... until something doesn't come so easily to him and he has to finally put in some real work. I didn't realize how much I love the "doesn't work for anything until her" trope but here I am at the top of my lungs letting everyone know it's a new favorite.

Thank you #netgalley for an early read of #welltraveled

Here’s Jen DeLuca making me feel bad for thinking the worst about Dex. I didn’t think she could redeem his character but here it is! I was defending him right alongside Lulu. No epic plot and the ending is predictable, but I still didn’t know how it would all work out. I really loved Lulu’s story. Like I love all of the women in this series. So great, so strong.

Some spice, it is explicit. 18+
Good connection between characters and good character depth.

Interconnected standalone series.
I love these books and am on the verge of running away with the (Ren) Faire.

Special thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this digital ARC.

3.5 ⭐️

When overachiever and successful lawyer Lulu Malone (Mitch Malon’s cousin) quits her job after realizing she’s never making partner, she joins The Dueling Kilts on a Ren Faire tour. The playboy guitarist Dex McLean is known for his hook-ups, but when Dex and Lulu get to know each other, Dex begins to show interest in something less temporary. With Lulu’s nice break from working and the plan to return to her old life, is there a place for Dex in it?

As you know, I’ve read the previous 3 books purely because I am a fan of DeLuca’s writing and it’s always fun to be part of the Ren Faire scene. But, this was not my favorite. I loved Lulu’s character and seeing all the familiar faces (a great Ren Faire reunion towards the end), but I wasn’t huge on her and Dex together. I don’t know! I usually enjoy reading about the playboy hero who meets the right girl to make him change his ways, too. Regardless, it was still quite enjoyable, but WELL MET remains my fave!

I love this series for the Renaissance Faire setting, hunky men in kilts, sword fights, and plenty of steamy romance.This fourth book in the series was such a fun read.

Our couple, Lulu and Dex made cameo appearances in other books and now they are center stage. I like the way that Lulu decides she’s fed up with work and quits her job at the Faire; no quiet quitting for this gal! I also like how Dex is more than just lead singer eye candy, he is much more complex and caring in this book. He really redeemed himself and was such a hunky, sweetheart.

I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining and sexy romance with a unique setting.

Mitch’s cousin Louisa is a high powered attorney who gives her life to her work. When she finally decides to ask if she will ever get to partner level and doesn’t get the answer she deserves, Louisa is done. Lucky for her, she happens to be at a local Renaissance faire that was near where she had been sent for work. Louisa runs into some familiar faces, and decides to take her life on the road with them for the rest of the season. While she quickly hits it off with Des, she knows he has a reputation and she doesn’t want any part of that. Or does she?

Ahh the Renaissance Faire is back! Not the one we usually visit, this time we are on the road! I loved seeing Louisa tell her jerk off a boss to get outa town, and really kick back and enjoy the Ren Faire life! I was curious how a hard core career woman would dive head first into living a life at the faire, on the road, and in an RV, but Deluca of course made it happen! I don’t know about you, but I never thought id see the day where Dex would stick to one woman! Much like the rest of the series, I just adored this book!

After reading this book I am dying to go to a Renaissance fair! This is Jen DeLuca's fourth book in the world of Renaissance fairs and it is another enjoyable ride. All the books are very different, and this time we get Louisa "Lulu" and Dex. While Lulu's life as an attorney isn't going the way she had envisioned, it is a trip to the Renaissance fair that tips the scale for her. Quitting her job and taking a much needed break to figure herself out is the perfect summer ticket. Although a bit unrealistic in her ability to just pick up and go, as well as totally break all contact with a phone and computer, the story really works well. I liked that she didn't overthink her time traveling. She does take the break for what it is meant to be, a time to figure out what she wants for herself, and lots of list making. Dex and Lulu's romance was low key and low angst. I love that neither Lulu or Dex have to give up what they want for the other. I always enjoy a story where the woman doesn't have to give up on her life for the man of her dreams.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the arc. This is my honest review.

No one makes me crave a trip to a Ren Faire like Jen DeLuca. I thought I'd hit the peak of wanting to run away from life and join a traveling act in Well Played and hit my peak kilt fangirling in Well Matched, but DeLuca combined all that yearning into one rom com this time around.

I'll admit, I was pretty jealous of Lulu by chapter five. And we hadn't even gotten to the romance stuff at that point.

I loved Lulu's journey in this book. It's probably the most harrowing journey any of our Ren Faire leading ladies have had to go on - one full of skepticism, the unknown, and (gasp!) going offline and completely disconnecting from her previous life. It's the sort of journey I wish I was brave enough to even contemplate.

Likewise, Dex was anything but a one-dimensional character. At first seemingly just the "Ren Faire Lothario," Dex had so many layers that I loved seeing as Lulu got to know him. And even more than that, I loved seeing Lulu start to stand up for Dex when even his own family couldn't see past his playboy reputation.

DeLuca's writing has always been one I could easily get lost in, and Well Traveled was no exception. Even people who have never been to a Ren Faire can easily imagine the sights and experiences based on DeLuca's vivid descriptions. DeLuca doesn't shy away from the ups and downs of a Ren Faire life, and I love the story even more for it.

As much as I enjoyed every page of Dex and Lulu's romance, their story wouldn't even be close to what it was without some of my favorite past main characters making return appearances. While readers could technically read Lulu and Dex's story as a standalone (or out of series order), the conversations and interactions between our main characters and all the supporting characters mean so much more when you already have the backstory. DeLuca does an excellent job at providing details where needed, but I highly recommend at least reading Well Played and Well Matched before embarking on this adventure.

DeLuca knows how to take men in kilts, life on the road, and long, hot days in a corset and make it thoroughly entertaining. I loved this rom com, and especially Lulu's journey, and I can't wait to see what new adventures await at the faire in Jen DeLuca's next book.

I’m a huge fan of this series and Well Traveled was definitely one of my most anticipated books this year. I loved everything about this book and binged it in about a day.

I loved Lulu leaving her job and taking some time off her herself. I’m not a lawyer, but as a very type A person, I could relate to her struggles. I loved being back with Stacey and the band! We’ve seen Dex in previous books, but I loved how Lulu saw a different side of him and didn’t underestimate him or take him for granted.

I really loved the ending and how they made a life for themselves. This book had me laughing out loud, swooning, and smiling constantly. I can’t wait to see when Jen DeLuca writes next.

I also listened to the audiobook and Brittany Pressley’s narration was perfect!

Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

Have you ever wanted to chuck it all, and run away with the Renaissance Faire? That's what Lulu does.

Well Traveled is the fourth in the Well Met series of romaances set at Renaissance Faires. And this is my new favorite in the series.

Lulu is a lawyer who has been one year away from making partner for 5 years. After a particularly disappointing conversation, she impulsively quits her job. And her cousin Mitch (from Well Matched) arranges for her to summer with the Renaissance Faire.

We met Dex in Well Played, and I always liked his bad boy persona. I was so glad to see him get his own book, and I utterly fell for him. He has so much depth, and I liked seeing the story of when we first met him revisited. I'm being careful here not to spoil either book. This can stand alone, but I think it works way better if you have read Well Played (and ideally the whole series).

This book really focused on the growth and journeys of both characters. I loved seeing that aspect. And I really enjoyed learning more about tarot right along with Lulu. All of the time spent at the Renaissance Faire brought me back to the roots of what first made me fall for this series. And we got to visit with all of the previous couples. I loved the ending.

The audiobook is narrated by Brittany Pressley, one of my favorites. She is absolutely amazing at all the different voices and made me love it all the more.

4.5 stars rounded up

Well damn.

This really wrapped up the series nicely and finally gave us what we all wanted... Sexy man in a full-time kilt. I love a good bad boy in a romance. But more than that, we also get the story of a woman trying to figure out what she really *wants* in life. And it isn't focused on a man!! Love that for Lulu. I also really enjoyed the focus on tarot and fortune telling throughout. Catch me listening to Whiskey in the Jar on repeat.

*Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Well Traveled by Jen DeLuca is the 4th book in her Well Met series. We meet our heroine, Louisa (Lulu) Malone from the start, as she is sent by her law firm to North Carolina to fix a client issue. Louisa is upset, as year after year, she keeps waiting to be promoted to partner; and sending her to North Carolina could have been handled by an intern. When she is yelled at by her boss, Louisa realizes that she will never achieve partner status, knowing the firm was mostly white male; in her anger, she throws her phone into the lake.
Louisa notices across the way that a Renaissance Faire is open, and buys herself a ticket. Louisa has attended a faire at Willow Creek (previous books), and to her surprise, she runs into Stacey (second book heroine), who is working at the Renaissance Faire, since her boyfriend Daniel is part of the Dueling Kilts band. Stacey talks to Mitch, Louisa’s cousin, and together between them they convince Louisa to take a break and join the faire. Louisa agrees, and becomes famous, as the lady who threw her phone into the lake.

Lulu (her new nickname) finds herself enjoying the fun, helping with food, going after hours to taverns, and enjoying the company of members of the Dueling Kilts. She begins to spend more time with the lead singer, Dex, whose reputation as a lady’s man follows him at all Faire events. Lulu slowly gets closer to the handsome hot hunk, with the killer smile; even though Stacey tries to warn her that Dex is bad news. Later Lulu will also work with the tarot readers, in bringing in more organization and business; Lulu will also learn more about the reading of tarot cards. I did enjoy this part, as it was fun and interesting.

It was fun to watch them both falling for each other, as they made a great couple, and I really liked them together, especially their awesome chemistry. What follows is a fun, sweet romance between Dex and Lulu, rooting hard for them to find a way to stay together.

Well Matched was a fun, enjoyable, sweet and sexy story, and an amazing couple in Dex and Lulu. I really loved the secondary characters, in this story, as well as seeing some of our old favorites closer to the end. I also loved the ending. Jen Deluca did a wonderful job writing this wonderful romantic comedy that that had a lot of humor and charm. I suggest you read Well Traveled, as it was a fun enjoyable read.