ARC Review: The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher
10:00
Series: None
Author: Ashley Schumacher
Published March 14th 2023 by Wednesday Books
Goodreads Synopsis
Since her mother’s death, Madeline “Gwen” Hathaway has been determined that nothing in her life will change ever again. That’s why she keeps extensive lists in journals, has had only one friend since childhood, and looks forward to the monotony of working the ren faire circuit with her father. Until she arrives at her mother’s favourite end-of-tour stop to find the faire is under new management and completely changed.
Meeting Arthur, the son of the new owners and an actual lute-playing bard, messes up Maddie’s plans even more. For some reason, he wants to be her friend - and ropes her into becoming Princess of the Faire. Now Maddie is overseeing a faire dramatically changed from what her mother loved and going on road trips vastly different from the routine she used to rely on. Worst of all, she’s kind of having fun.
Ashley Schumacher's The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway is filled with a wise old magician who sells potion bottles, gallant knights who are afraid of horses and ride camels instead, kings with a fondness for theatrics, a lazy river castle moat with inflatable crocodile floaties, and a plus-sized heroine with a wide-open heart... if only she just admits it.
Goodreads
Review
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!
Dates Read:
January 15-16, 2023
Rating
4 Stars
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