It’s been almost a year since Madeline Hathaway lost her mother and she's still learning to deal with the loss. Now it's just her and her father in the camper van as they travel the Ren Faire circuit. They are spending the summer at the last faire of the season, and also her mom's favorite. Maddie is dreading the one-year anniversary and isn't really coping well...And she's not sure if her new 'friend' Arthur is helping or making is worse.

Overall, this was a good, quick read, but could have been better for me. The Ren Faire setting and the road trips were great. The characters were well flushed out, but the main character of Maddie/Gwen was where I was left frustrated. She constantly pushed Arthur away as he was being just about the kindest person in existence, and how quickly she leaped to (WRONG) conclusions had me constantly rolling my eyes. But as we all know, teenagers are kind of annoying, so you get what you pay for I guess!

Even if this one didn’t wow me I would still recommend it for those who want a simpler YA book, with a sprinkling of romance but some other meaty stuff too.

Overall rating: 4.5⭐️

This book gave me Well Met vibes but make it YA, since they both take place in a ren faire and involve a person who has a deep emotional connection to it because of similar reasons. Though this could also be because that’s the only other book I’ve read set in a ren faire 😆

👍
+ Grief and healing are such big parts of this story. How Maddy is processing her grief, while at times heartbreaking, is incredibly real. Which also makes her healing throughout the book even more beautiful to see.
+ Though there is grief in this book there is also joy. From the excitement of first love, to many road tripping adventures, from being a princess to having a life affirming Target trip, from having your burns attended to, to making new friends…
+ Arthur was such a precious and sweet love interest. The ways he respects Maddy’s boundaries, and gets her at times better than she understands herself was just 🥺He’s almost too considerate at times because of his own insecurities, but he goes through some growth through the book as well.
+ The body positivity in this book was also superb. Not in the sense that we always have to love our bodies, but accepting that it’s a journey, that we will have good days and bad days, that our feelings are valid, and that struggling with body image comes in many shapes and sizes.
+ Overall this was a book about letting people in, and letting yourself out. Finding your confidence, not hiding behind walls you’ve built for yourself, accepting who you are, and embracing life with all its unpredictability and lack of guarantees.

👎
- Hard to describe without spoilers but I thought the some of the communication between Maddy and Arthur at the end could have been resolved better.

Thank you St Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the eARC!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway
by Ashley Schumacher
Pub Date: 14 Mar 2023

I am an absolute fan of Ashley Schumacher! She writes such beautiful prose filled with strong characters who make you feel so much...

This time we meet Madeline, a plus-size, grieving teen who is now traveling the Faire circuit with only her father since her mother's passing. She is stubbornly holding on to the thought that if she avoids anyone getting close to her then she won't have to fear losing them. Enter, Arthur...oh, my. This boy captured my heart (as well as "Gwen." the Guinevere to his Arthur.) Talk about a lovely cinnamon roll! I adored the two of them together and the progression of their relationship. (Are we friends yet?) Sigh.

The thing about Ashley's writing is that she can take deep topics and mix humor and sweetness to give you a perfect balance of all the feelings. The storyline, the scenery, the characters all blended into one magical experience just makes you smile so hard when you turn that last page. I believe in fate...Double sigh.

I definitely believe fate will lead me to Ashley Schumacher's next book! :)

All the stars to this warm hug of a YA novel that follows Maddie Hathaway through a summer where she grieves her mom, meets a boy, embraces her alter ego Gwen by trying new things and maybe letting people in, and finally: grapples with fate.

I loved so many things about this book. So many of 17-year-old Gwen’s experiences brought back specific memories from my own teenage years: when a boy picked me up and I was terrified I was too heavy; thinking I wasn’t worthy of a princess dress; worried that I wasn’t like other teenagers. I wish this book had been there for me as a teen but I also think I appreciate it just as much now. Thank you Ashley Schumacher for writing such a beautiful story and such amazing characters. Also in the acknowledgments you mentioned being Bridgerton-obsessed so I think maybe you are my soul sister?! Here’s a list of other things I enjoyed about this book:
* Olivia Rodrigo references
* Journaling
* Nicknames
* Tiny glass animals
* Road trips
* Viewmaster memories
* Fates
* Ren faire magic
* Normalizing a plus size princess

Shocked at how timely the reference was:
* cordyceps

Thank you to Wednesday Books/SMP for the copy via NetGalley. I’m also about to run out and buy one because I loved the book so much, truly. It just came out this week so you can read it now!

What's it about (in a nutshell):
The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher is Madeline Hathaway's story about the summer one year after her mother passed away and how she worked through her grief with the help of some wise adults and a group of new friends.

My Reading Experience:
At first, I was skeptical about how much I would enjoy this book. Maddy is so well-mired in her grief that, though I felt sorry for her, I found it hard to relate to her on a reader-to-character level. But she shows enough growth as the story continues that I grew to care about her and understand her choices, even when I disagreed with them. I've worked with many teens going through grief, and I felt the authenticity of her character development even though it initially bogged down my reading.

I love the setting – a Renaissance Fair in Oklahoma – part of the Renaissance Fair circuit Maddy and her parents had worked for many years. It brought a fun element to a story full of the emotions Maddy and her father struggled with. I especially loved that the fair had new owners who changed enough about the setup that it threw Maddy off and made her begin working through her grief.

What makes this story utterly charming, though, are the characters. Arthur, the boy who renamed Maddy - Gwen for Guinevere - is quirky and has the biggest heart. He is genuine in his kindness and understanding of all Maddy is going through. And Arthur's two dads were my favorite. If they were real, I'd ask them to adopt me. They are just the essence of adults who have it all together. Arthur reflects that in his ability to understand Maddy's grief and body image issues – as she is curvier than she would like to be.

This story is more about working through grief than romance, but I loved how Maddy and Arthur became friends first and then became more. It felt authentic and genuine, melting my heart in the process. The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway is the perfect feel-good, heart-melting story for readers who need a book that will put a smile on their faces and a glow in their hearts.

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway is a sweet, funny, sometimes heartbreaking story of finding yourself after loss. Maddie Hathaway has grown up on the Renaissance Faire circuit, but after the loss of her mother almost a year ago she’s at sea, struggling with grief. When she arrives at Stormsworth, the faire her mother loved the most, she’s aghast to find it changed and under new ownership. She’s also taken aback by Arthur, the son of the new owners and a bard who dubs her “Gwen” and who is persistent in his attempts to be her friend. Maddie doesn’t want to let anyone new into her heart for fear of the pain of losing them, but Arthur has a way of getting under her skin. Before she knows it, she’s going on adventures and letting go of her routine, which scares her but it’s also thrilling.

It’s easy to adore Maddie and Arthur. I wanted to hug Maddie who was sad and vulnerable but finds herself and learns to move forward over the course of the story. Arthur is sweet, determined, and very careful and considerate of others’ feelings. He’s got a charm offensive which is adorable but he also has vulnerabilities. I liked watching them become friends and fall for one another and it isn’t a smooth ride for them. Grief, fear, and insecurities aren’t small obstacles and author Ashley Schumacher doesn’t treat them as such. The result is an ending that is not only satisfying but feels earned.

Despite its heavy themes, The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway is light on its feet and has plenty of fun. From knights riding camels because they’re afraid of horses to moats with crocodile floaties to more, Schumacher blends the bright with the dark. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this story with its good heart and endearing characters.

👑 Book Review 👑

#therenaissanceofgwenhathaway
#AshleySchumacher
#NetGalley published 3/14/23
#stmartinspress
#YAromcom


👑👑👑👑/5

Fun, light rom/come about a 16 yr old girl, Maddie/Gwen, that grew up living on the Renaissance circuit. She meets the kid of the new owners who have changed everything from when she was there last. Just before her mom died.

She becomes, reluctant friends with him as the summer goes on. A bit too light for a YA book for me. But still quite enjoyable. It has some snark. Like I said, reluctant. What's a rom/com with no snark? Meh, in my book.

I usually like my YAs to have a bit more substance. This does mention grief of a parent. But I guess it doesn't darken the story at all. I didn't feel it. I'd have to check on the subject matter before I decide whether or not to give this author another try.

#wednesdaybooks
#ya
#romcom
#grief
#bookstagram #booknerds #bookworm #booklover #bookdragon #readalot #ilovereading #inkdrinker #librarymouse #bookaddict #bookaholic

This was a really sweet young adult novel about two kids who are going through personal struggles while also feeling insecure about how they fit into their teen world. Arthur is a totally sweet boy being raised by two dad’s, and despite their strong parenting he’s insecure about his looks and how he fits into his high school clicque. Madeline, who’s never gone to high school, doesn’t have that same issue, but she does have insecurity about her weight and whether she can ever live up to the beautiful free spirit that was her mother. She is also mourning her mom and struggling to communicate with an also mourning father which adds to her issues. The two of them find each other when they need each other the most and you can’t help but feel charmed by the mystical, fun Renaissance Faire setting.

I like how Madeline has so many sides to her. She is talking to a therapist, trying to hold her family together, keeping her mom’s memory alive, and also trying to be a teen age girl with her first crush- although she fights that almost to the bitter end. Despite all of her issues, her character is strong, opinionated, and funny. She was an easy girl to identify with and like, for sure. Arthur was a little bit more of a caricature, with his two gay dads and his charming personality, but once you read further you realized that despite seeming like he’s got it all he’s kind of a mess as well and you can’t help but hope he and Madi get their act together and realize they can be stronger with each other than without.

I love the whole Renaissance faire vibe. It’s a great setting for a young romance! Turkey legs, costumes, and joust’s oh my! There were moments of absolute delight mixed in with the more serious subjects that gave this story a well-roundedness that made it a delight. If you’re in the mood for a young adult novel with some depth, but is still fun, give this one a try! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Is there anyone who writes complicated grief like Ashley Schumacher? I’ve read all three of her books, and loved all of them. THE RENAISSANCE OF GWEN HATHAWAY introduces Madeline, a girl who’s approaching the first anniversary of her mom’s death– and her mom’s favorite Renaissance Fair, which has been redesigned by new owners. So, her grief over losing her mom and how it’s changed her life irreversibly gets kind of mirrored by this other big event. I thought it was really clever to pair those two things so closely together.

I really liked Maddie’s character, too. She’s a loner, but not in a sad, get-that-girl-some-friends kind of way. She’s an introvert who treasures close relationships with a few people.

The only thing that worried me at first was Arthur’s approach to Madeline. He gives her a nickname she doesn’t like, and plays the “I know what you need better than you do” card, which tends to rub me the wrong way. It’s a little too close to refusing to respect someone’s “no.”

However, in several scenes, Arthur listens to Madeline’s preferences and quickly adjusts his behavior in response to her boundaries, so I liked that. And I liked that it became clear that wasn’t his whole approach to relationships with girls.

One of the subplots of the story is the evolution of how Madeline feels about her body and how she behaves in response to those feelings. She’s a curvy girl who still carries some hurts from unkind things people have said to her. When Arthur first asks her to be the Fair princess, she has a hard time believing he’s serious, or that accepting the role won’t open her up to ridicule. But as she begins to explore what makes her comfortable in her own skin, she realizes that some of the things she’s been thinking about herself aren’t reality-based. And she finds ways to shop and dress that make her feel good. I liked that journey, and I especially liked that while it didn’t happen in a vaccuum– there were people who influenced her here and there– it was still her journey.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

This was such a lovely read, and you don't even have to know anything about, or even like, Renaissance Fairs to appreciate this story.

This is a book about Maddie, a soon to be high school senior who lost her mom a year ago and she is still processing her grief. She grew up on the "ren faire circuit" and this is her first time back to her mom's favorite fair since her passing. Everything has changed. The fairgrounds, the vendors, the owners, there is now a full blown castle, and a moat! Let's not forget Arthur, the son of the new owners who takes an instant liking to Maddie, starts calling her Gwen, and we are off to the races.

This is a story about acceptance, love, grief, dreams, and road trips. Sounds eclectic? Well, it is, in the very best of ways. Will read more from this author, for sure. I don't know why I doubted this book in the beginning, St. Martin's Press always delivers.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

*I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this ARC!*

I first read Ashley Schumacher last year, when I was lucky enough to receive a copy of the ARC for Full Flight (read my review for it here). After that, I knew she would be an auto-buy author for me. So, I was very excited when I received my ARC for The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway!

I love that there are so many books coming out about Renaissance Festivals. I love going to them, and getting to attend one through books when there isn’t one near me is a great way to fulfill my longing. This particular story is more on the bittersweet end of things, but I have found that I should expect no less from a Schumacher story.

Gwen was such a lovely character to follow through this story. She struggles greatly with anxiety, self-criticism, and depression. I could sympathize with her trying to work through the loss of her mother, especially at her mom’s favorite festival on the anniversary of her death. I really liked how she became more and more open to working through her feelings as the story progressed. Her feelings around letting anyone else into her heart were so sad, but completely understandable.

Arthur was such a precious little bean, and I just wanted to squeeze him. I loved how he was absolutely struggling with feelings of self-loathing, but he was still able to bring Gwen out of her protective shell. His persistence was charming, rather than annoying. I loved his sunshine-y little self.

This was a romance, but I was more moved by the journey of self-discovery and growth that Gwen went on. This was a case of falling for someone slowly, and a steady journey to healing. All in all, I thought this was a sweet story with some important themes surrounding grief, body image, and vulnerability.

My Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I gave The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway 4 Stars!

This book made my heart happy. I loved the size inclusion and how Schumacher highlighted the struggles all teens go through. Her portrayal of the spectrum of grief was touching and so important to remember when interacting with others.

I am a big fan of Jen Deluca's Well Met series, which takes place at a Renaissance Faire. So, I was SOOOOO excited when I found out this was also set at a Ren Faire! Add in some positive LGBTQ representation and sensitive handling of plus-size teen anxieties and a sweet but goofy bard. The plus-size girl got to be princess of the Faire! It was everything that teenaged me would have loved! As I'm writing this, I'm just smiling, thinking of all the positivity and sweetness in this book!

Thank you St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in return for the digital ARC!

It’s hard not to get caught up in The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway. The jousts, royalty, castles, food. Author Ashley Schumacher immediately immerses readers in the world of renaissance fairs — specifically the one that has the most meaning to her protagonist, Gwen.

And you can tell that Schumacher has an affinity for medieval re-creation. Her descriptions bring events to life while still leaving room for readers to fill in the gaps. The setting has this sort of warm glow to it.

And so does Maddie and Arthur’s relationship. Between the banter and sincere conversations, it’s hard not to like the duo. Maddie’s journey of self-discovery and Arthur’s earnest nature make this book worth reading.

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway is a cute contemporary YA romance that is thoughtful and relatable. It’s a great choice heading into upcoming spring breaks.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an arc of this. This was my first Ashley Schumacher and I really liked it. I found it to be very cute and the pacing was really good. It has made me interested in reading Schumacher's backlog. I haven't been to Ren Faire before but hopefully one day I can go and with this I was able to experience some of that.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Following her mother's death, Maddie Hathaway is ready to return to her family's favourite ren faire. But when she arrives, it's under new ownership, and is nothing like it used to be. Hoping to make the best out of a bad situation, she tries to avoid the handsome son of the new owners, but Arthur is nothing if not determined, and wants to be her friend. Convincing Maddie to be Princess of the Faire, Arthur becomes more than a nuisance, but someone she can rely on. But will Maddie be able to overcome her own insecurities, and open herself up to the chance of happiness with Arthur?

I wasn't sure what to expect of this book when I first started it. I tried it back in late 2022 and couldn't get past more than the first few chapters, but I didn't feel like I was in the mood for it. So on a cold, wet January weekend, I decided now was the time, and I could barely put the book down. Maddie and Arthur were great characters, full of flaws and imperfections, but perfect for the plot, and, more importantly, for each other. This book was a fun read, but there were heartfelt moments, particularly when Maddie was talking about her mother, or her body images. I did want to give both her and Arthur a shake a couple of times, but they were teenagers, making teen mistakes, and all came out right in the end. A lovely read!

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

I think this is my favorite Ashely Schumacher book. The setting, a ren faire in OK, is vividly described, which put me right into the book immediately. The main character's, Madeline, point of view--one of grief from losing her mother combined with that tricky age just before childhood ends and adulthood begins --is clear and strong. Even when she dips into that angsty inner monologue that Schumacher gives to her main characters, I didn't find it annoying or over the top. Her companion/potential romantic interest, Arthur, is charming and loveable without being unbelievable. The plot moves along at the perfect speed, and even the predictable parts are understandable.

If you are a fan of sweet romances and coming of age novels, then you should pick this one up.

4 stars — This was a solid YA contemporary, dealing with grief, body image issues, new relationships, and just the basics of being a teenager and all the normal angst that inspires.

I really enjoyed Maddie, and she felt very real in so many ways. It was so hard to read about the way she had convinced herself to hold people at bay to avoid caring for them, and thus avoid losing someone else she loved. The flaws in the plan are so basic, but I do understand how humans young and old can get trapped in their coping mechanisms. I was really worried that she would end up hurting Arthur more than she did, but he’s kind of a special soul. It was interesting to watch her try to navigate all these changes at a kind of pivotal point of her life. I thought she grew and made missteps in a totally realistic way. She definitely frustrated me from time to time, but I did understand why she was making the choices she was making.

With both Maddie and Arthur we get to see how hard it is to be outside the mold of society’s ideal. And I loved the push and pull we had on that, how both were blind to what the other saw as their own failings. It really illuminated how we don’t see others the same way we see ourselves.

Arthur was pretty adorable right from the start, even if he was frustrating in his own way. I loved his sunshine to Maddie’s grumpy, I loved that he persisted. I loved how he brought such fun to everything even as he struggled himself.

While the story is mostly Maddie and some Arthur focused, there were some fun background characters that brought their own bits of wisdom to the story and helped Maddie grow and deal.

All in all a solid YA, and one of those YAs that actually feels really relevant to *teenagers*…you know, the target audience.

Four and a half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher is a lovely, emotional young adult, romantic comedy that I just loved. The setting of a renaissance fair, and a delightful set of characters make this a wonderful book.

Story Recap:
Madeline “Gwen” Hathaway has worked the renaissance fair circuit with her parents for most of her life. Her mother passed away a year ago, and now it’s just her dad and her working the circuit. Now Madeline has decided that nothing more can change, because she can’t bear another loss, and she’s determined to keep it that way.

Madeline and her father return to the ren fair for the summer and realize the fair has new owners. And nothing is like it was before. She meets Authur, the son of the owners and he is determined to be her friend and called her Gwen, as she is his Guinevere. Eventually, Gwen realizes that change is ok and Arthur isn’t as bad as she first thought.

My Thoughts:
I love a good renaissance fair setting and I felt like I was at the fair with Gwen and Arthur. Gwen is stuck in her grief and needs help. Arthur isn’t the help she expected, but it turns out that he is the help she needs. Grief can be messy and everyone is different I thought the author did a wonderful job of handling this subject for the YA audience.

I enjoyed their slow-burn romance, loved both characters, and rooted for them during the entire book. I loved how Gwen and Arthur became friends first and then built on that friendship for something more. Arthur is a bit of a dork, and awkward at times, and that just endeared him to me.

Recommendation:
I highly recommend The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway to anyone who enjoys young adult romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this book! If the Well Met series was turned into a YA novel. I'm seriously loving these Renaissance Faire books and now I really feel like I need to schedule a trip to go to one this summer, ha!

Maddie's dad works the Renaissance Faire circuit. She is in virtual school so travels around with her dad after her mom passed away a year ago. When they spend the summer at her mom's old favorite tour stop, she befriends the new owners' son, Arthur. Not only did this book have a sweet romance, it dealt with grief and doubt and teen angst. I'm really loving the author's YA books! I really enjoyed this book and read it really quickly. 4.5 rounded up

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy.