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albyatross's review against another edition
3.0
I read this for a prompt.
The first half or so I got through pretty fast, and the faire bits were fun! I was there for the faire bits! But then once it starts focusing more on the relationship and less on the vibe it gets a bit duller.
Ok late summer read.
The ending is expected since it's a romance novel and it requires a HFN / HEA, but this book probably would have benefited from a different ending. Or at least an ending that took place over a longer period of time. The epilogue was better than the actual last numbered chapter ending.
The first half or so I got through pretty fast, and the faire bits were fun! I was there for the faire bits! But then once it starts focusing more on the relationship and less on the vibe it gets a bit duller.
Ok late summer read.
The ending is expected since it's a romance novel and it requires a HFN / HEA, but this book probably would have benefited from a different ending. Or at least an ending that took place over a longer period of time. The epilogue was better than the actual last numbered chapter ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death
Minor: Alcohol
sestout's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Toxic relationship
bbooks23's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Cancer and Death
gracescanlon's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What a fun story! There was so much I thoroughly enjoyed. From April and Emily really developing a sisterly bond, to Simon’s first time kissing Emily (as himself), to the small-town wholesomeness, Well Met is a charming summer read!
The only real issue I had with the story was Emily’s lack of comprehension skills overall.Like, obviously Chris isn’t going to train you in additional responsibilities and then fire you, Emily, new part-time employee or not! Obviously you’re getting a promotion! 🙄 Emily was a repeat offender with these weird, short-sighted conclusions, but by the end of the book she finally got it right.
Like many romances, Well Met did rely heavily on the miscommunication trope. However, these miscommunications, while relatively frequent, were also quickly cleared up — a much more realistic approach to miscommunication than the usual “letting things grow and grow and grow and then causing an unnecessary and melodramatic third-act breakup.”
I disliked the cover, as it seemed to show Emily’s misinterpretation of the situation with Simon in the first half of the book, rather than the reality. His posture and gestures indicated disgust, which was never actually the case — he’s just intense, reticent, and has his own stuff going on.
A perfect, fun beach read I definitely recommend!
The only real issue I had with the story was Emily’s lack of comprehension skills overall.
Like many romances, Well Met did rely heavily on the miscommunication trope. However, these miscommunications, while relatively frequent, were also quickly cleared up — a much more realistic approach to miscommunication than the usual “letting things grow and grow and grow and then causing an unnecessary and melodramatic third-act breakup.”
I disliked the cover, as it seemed to show Emily’s misinterpretation of the situation with Simon in the first half of the book, rather than the reality. His posture and gestures indicated disgust, which was never actually the case — he’s just intense, reticent, and has his own stuff going on.
A perfect, fun beach read I definitely recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Car accident, and Alcohol
Minor: Toxic friendship
witcheep's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a great feelgood read while being emptyheaded myself. 🤩😅 Just enough plot and character intrique to keep me hooked (and enough to deepdive into analysis if I felt like it), but I didn't need to make an effort to follow the plot. Very enjoyable! Bonus points because there are multiple possible characters subtly hinted for potential sequel romances. I'll be sure to grab the next book in this series as well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Death
maharlafarley's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
beth_s98's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really, really enjoyed this one! I loved the setting and the care given to the description of the Faire. The characters were strong, and I felt as though the growth was reasonable. There are some spicy scenes, but not over-the-top and they felt very realistic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Car accident
maddireads13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Toxic relationship, and Car accident
mabellene's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Car accident
Minor: Abandonment
bibliomania_express's review against another edition
4.0
Well Met by Jen DeLuca is a fun Renaissance Faire-themed romance between an English teacher with a piratey side and a woman looking for roots. I really liked Emily and Simon and how their relationship develops as the summer progresses. They're a bit grumpy/sass (I wouldn't call Emily sunshiney, but the vibes work). We're filtered through Emily's POV, so there's some ways she misunderstands Simon, but it works.
I loved so much that this book cuts off its potential misunderstandings by having characters actually talk to each other. Quite a few things were fairly obvious, and I appreciated that characters actually discovered those things by confronting assumptions.
For all this book is lighthearted and fun, it does deal with some serious topics. Content warnings for grief and death of a sibling, car accident, and toxic relationship (all in the past, not on page). I think all these issues were handled with care, especially the death of Simon's brother, which is the most central to the story.
I enjoyed Emily and Simon's banter, the relationships Emily builds with Stacey, Mitch, and Chris, as well as the sister relationship between Emily and April. I know this is the first in a series, so I'm excited to read the next one and see more of the characters.
I loved so much that this book cuts off its potential misunderstandings by having characters actually talk to each other. Quite a few things were fairly obvious, and I appreciated that characters actually discovered those things by confronting assumptions.
For all this book is lighthearted and fun, it does deal with some serious topics. Content warnings for grief and death of a sibling, car accident, and toxic relationship (all in the past, not on page). I think all these issues were handled with care, especially the death of Simon's brother, which is the most central to the story.
I enjoyed Emily and Simon's banter, the relationships Emily builds with Stacey, Mitch, and Chris, as well as the sister relationship between Emily and April. I know this is the first in a series, so I'm excited to read the next one and see more of the characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Cancer, Death, Toxic relationship, and Car accident