eARC Review – Well Matched by Jen DeLuca

Title: Well Matched (Well Met #3)

Author: Jen DeLuca

Publisher: Berkley

Publication date: October 19th, 2021

336 pages

5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

An accidentally in-love rom-com filled with Renaissance Faire flower crowns, kilts, corsets, and sword fights.

Single mother April Parker has lived in Willow Creek for twelve years with a wall around her heart. On the verge of being an empty nester, she’s decided to move on from her quaint little town, and asks her friend Mitch for his help with some home improvement projects to get her house ready to sell.

Mitch Malone is known for being the life of every party, but mostly for the attire he wears to the local Renaissance Faire–a kilt (and not much else) that shows off his muscled form to perfection. While he agrees to help April, he needs a favor too: she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend at an upcoming family dinner, so that he can avoid the lectures about settling down and having a more “serious” career than high school coach and gym teacher. April reluctantly agrees, but when dinner turns into a weekend trip, it becomes hard to tell what’s real and what’s been just for show. But when the weekend ends, so must their fake relationship.

As summer begins, Faire returns to Willow Creek, and April volunteers for the first time. When Mitch’s family shows up unexpectedly, April pretends to be Mitch’s girlfriend again…something that doesn’t feel so fake anymore. Despite their obvious connection, April insists they’ve just been putting on an act. But when there’s the chance for something real, she has to decide whether to change her plans–and open her heart–for the kilt-wearing hunk who might just be the love of her life.

Review

LOVE LOVE LOVE. I admit I was very surprised when I saw Well Met 3 would be Mitch & April’s story because I didn’t really see the connection between the two – but wow oh wow did I love this book!

Age gap, fake dating, ONLY ONE BED. The “I stand up to your rude family on your behalf & completely shock you” swoon. Seriously, I loved everything about this book. It’s not just a great return to the world of the Maryland Renn Faire, but a conversation on how dreams and goals can change over time – and that’s okay.

I would have loved Mitch’s POV in this story – but I say that about every single POV romance story. I just so much prefer dual POV romances to see the misunderstandings and attraction grow from both sides. I also feel like the story line with April’s ex wasn’t developed enough and didn’t have a satisfying ending.

But, I will put Well Matched as an exact tie with Well Met (love Emily & Simon forever). I can’t pick, you can’t make me!

Thank you to Berkley and Edelweiss for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!