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jojo50's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Cute book about finding life in the midst of grief and learning that impermanence shouldn't prevent forming strong relationships with people who care.
Minor teen smooching.
No villains.
Minor teen smooching.
No villains.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
radler's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
onthesamepage's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I don't think Ashley Schumacher can write a fluffy book, but I guess this is as close as it'll get. Compared to her other two books, this has less angst and trauma. Madeline is dealing with the grief of losing her mom, but even though it's an important part of the story, I didn't feel like it completely overwhelmed the narrative.
I thought the way the author dealt with Madeline being fat was a bit uneven. Madeline seemed to start off by saying that she had no body image issues, but then we're constantly being told that she feels awkward in certain clothes and walks around sucking in her stomach because she worries what people might think. I appreciate the representation, but it wasn't what I was expecting based on what Maddie said at the beginning.
This book is mostly about the romance between Maddie and Arthur, which was pretty cute, but overall I would say it's not very memorable. Still a fun read, though, especially if you like renaissance fairs.
I don't think Ashley Schumacher can write a fluffy book, but I guess this is as close as it'll get. Compared to her other two books, this has less angst and trauma. Madeline is dealing with the grief of losing her mom, but even though it's an important part of the story, I didn't feel like it completely overwhelmed the narrative.
I thought the way the author dealt with Madeline being fat was a bit uneven. Madeline seemed to start off by saying that she had no body image issues, but then we're constantly being told that she feels awkward in certain clothes and walks around sucking in her stomach because she worries what people might think. I appreciate the representation, but it wasn't what I was expecting based on what Maddie said at the beginning.
This book is mostly about the romance between Maddie and Arthur, which was pretty cute, but overall I would say it's not very memorable. Still a fun read, though, especially if you like renaissance fairs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Cancer, Fatphobia, and Death of parent
tostita's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
amberinpieces's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
aglassofchardonnay's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Death of parent
analenegrace's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I've been on a bit of a Ren Faire kick, so when I saw this recommended on bookstagram, I wanted to read it but felt a bit let down by it. Maddie and Arthur were sweet characters, but this entire book was obvious miscommunication and, at times, literal ignorance on the characters' parts, especially Maddie.
Maddie's body issues also felt very stereotypical, especially when you find out she's maybe an XL at most. They just didn't feel realistic or nuanced like a character like Maddie needed. Maddie also needed an OCD diagnosis desperately...
Plot-wise, the book relied too much on miscommunication for it to be particularly good. The side characters also felt flat for most of the book, so they felt like plot devices rather than friends or family.
Maddie's body issues also felt very stereotypical, especially when you find out she's maybe an XL at most. They just didn't feel realistic or nuanced like a character like Maddie needed. Maddie also needed an OCD diagnosis desperately...
Plot-wise, the book relied too much on miscommunication for it to be particularly good. The side characters also felt flat for most of the book, so they felt like plot devices rather than friends or family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia
theespressoedition's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
kaylasbooklist's review
4.25
The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway was SO FUN! I thorughly enjoyed this YA story and loved the renaissance faire setting in Oklahoma. Such a fun summertime read! Let me tell you, I could TOTALLY feel the stifling heat of the Oklahoma summer as I was reading it. It's a brutal heat, y'all, and in renaissance attire... no sir, take me to Montana! This story has tons of heart as Maddie is facing her mother's favorite faire without her this year. Maddie is closed off and has fallen into strict routines to get her through her grief. But as the faire begins, she happens upon Arthur and he has ideas for all sorts of adventures. It was a blast to follow along as Maddie journeys through hard things to find more of herself.
The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher is a delightful and charming read. It's out NOW! Thank you Netgalley, Wednesday Books, and St. Martin's Press for my e-arc!
The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher is a delightful and charming read. It's out NOW! Thank you Netgalley, Wednesday Books, and St. Martin's Press for my e-arc!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent