While I have enjoyed other Ashley Schumacher books I've read, The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway was just a bit of a disappointment for me. First, it took me forever to pick up - I think I read the first chapter three times before I finally committed to the book via audio.

But, throughout the story, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment and detachment from the characters. While I was eager for a coming-of-age story, with potential for a young romance, I just never felt like I had genuine empathy or emotional investment in them or the plot. They all felt a bit one-dimensional.

Overall, I still adore Schumacher and would be eager to read anything she writes - but this on

This was a good YA novel, with a fun setting, that touched on some serious topics! Overall, I would recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Sweet romance novel for the tween and teen set. While I appreciated seeing concerns about both male and female body expectations, I wish Gwen had demonstrated more interest in Arthur's own anxiety about his body and given that idea more space to breathe. The humor helped move the story along (Gwen's self hatred spirals were sometimes a bit of a slog) and I loved Arthur and his family. The cover makes it look like Gwen's weight is a major plot element which feels slightly disingenuous. While Gwen is obviously very anxious about her own body, the reactions of other characters strongly suggest she is not particularly overweight and instead both too self critical and wrapped up in her very legitimate grief. I think folks who see this cover might assume the story has Dumplin' vibes, which it does not.

I absolutely adored this novel. This will be, if it is not already, the book of the summer.

From the first page I was drawn into the story, and read late into the night. This is one of those books that you just can’t stop reading, and for good reason. This truly is a story about finding who you are, learning how to take risks, and discovering what it means to take fate by the horns.

I really enjoyed how well all the characters were developed, and how it really felt like I was walking beside Maddie during her grieving and learning to cope. These are such important parts of life, and Maddie was really shaped by how these events changed her life. Her newfound friends seemed to each fulfill the opposite of these symptoms, and she had such an important arc throughout the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books and the author for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book was absolutely fantastic. I've already added it to our list for order this year and will recommend it to students.

A laid back, cutesy YA contemporary romance with a fun setting and some good inclusivity. There were a lot of difficult topics covered in the narrative, but they weren't too heavily investigated. The tone stayed moderately light though there were moments of contemplation and some good information/considerations in the interactions of the characters. Speaking of characters, they were rather sweet and cute - Arthur in particular was quite fun. There are some good discussions about grief and self-confidence. The story reads really easily and quickly, making it a great comfort read. A sweet, fun YA.

Absolutely adored this one.

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway is such a good book. I read A LOT of YA and at times it feels like the stories and characters blend together. This will not be happening for me with this book. This one stands out from the crowd.

First things first, we love fat rep in YA. Everything that Madeline was saying and feeling hit SO close to home for me. Like, too close to home. I wish this book had been around when I was 15. I’m glad it’s here now. It’s helping me heal my inner child. I also thought her struggle with grief over losing her mom was very relatable. Overall, the author does SUCH a great job with developing Madeline and bringing us into her world.

Also, adored Arthur. I don’t know if he’s as realistic as Madeline, but he’s fun. The author developed his character really well. He’s lively, but also has his moments. I thought that Arthur and Madeline were very cute together.

Overall, this seems like a fun story but it’s so much more than that. It explores grief and the repercussions of a life lost too soon. It examines body image, what influences it, and the different ideals that we are expected to fit into (but really, who chose them anyway?). Lastly, it’s really just a story about two teens figuring out how they fit into their world. Loved, loved, loved it.

My only regret with reading this book is that I didn’t read it sooner. Unfortunately, I am just missing the Renaissance faire in my area.

Thank you SO much NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this eARC! My review is live on Goodreads and will be posted to Bookstagram the week of 06/12.

Ugh ... I wanted to love this SO BADLY, but I just couldn't because it was so boring and slow.

The premise was great and unique - a plus size Ren. faire gal gets roped into being the faire's princess by a cute dude. Uh, yes please! But by halfway that had barely happened.

I felt like the advertising was misleading... this wasn't a lighthearted and fun book about the ren faire circuit. It was a book about grief, anxiety, and big feelings.

Unfortunately I won't be recommending this to folks who want to read about the ren faire. But I would absolutely recommend it if someone wants a heavier YA contemporary with a fun setting!

Madeline has grown up at the renaissance faire, her family traveling on the circuit each year. This year looks a bit different though: it’s been almost a year since her mom died and now her best friend is no longer traveling with the faires. When they get to what was her mom’s favorite faire of all, Maddie is devastated to see the new owners have changed so much about it. She just wants to be left alone, but the owners’ son Arthur will not leave her alone, nicknames her “Gwen” and even cons her into being the faire princess. This faire is nothing that she wawa hoping for, but it forces her to confront her fears and insecurities.

I’ve loved Ashley Schumacher’s writing since her debut, and her storytelling and ability to really get you to feel keeps getting better and better. While this one did not have me ugly crying, it still deals with grief and insecurity and will leave you wanting to just hug Maddie. The ren faire setting was amazing, what a backdrop for a sweet story of a girl finding herself. Maddie’s journey was so beautiful. This is definitely a book worth picking up.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advance copy.

This book just turned out not to be for me at this time. The subject matter just continued to not really catch my eye.

This was a really quick and well done read! I enjoyed the characters and Gwen Hathaway's renaissance quite a bit! I look forward to more from Ashley Schumacher in the future.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

This is a fun and emotional book that is perfect for any fan of The Life and Medieval Times of Kit Sweetly by Jamie Pacton. Whether you have been to a renaissance faire or just thought it would be fun to attend one, this book will have something for you my dear reader.

Surprisingly charming, this book explores grief, loss, friendship, family, and first love. And I genuinely enjoyed every bit of it.

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher was a delightful YA novel about fate, loss, and young love. I loved Madeline! Watching her navigate loss along with all the angst and emotions of being a teenager made for a wonderful story full of heart. Not to mention I adored Arthur. His quirks and adventurous spirit made him the perfect friend to help Madeline on her journey. I also loved the setting and getting to see behind the scenes of a ren faire. Overall, I enjoyed this book and recommend it for any YA contemporary romance fans.

*Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an e-arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

I gave this a three out of five stars, I really enjoyed the story. I like the growth that the main character goes through in this. TW for death of a parent. I like how she goes to therapy in this. I felt like something was missing for me but unsure what. I loved the renaissance fair setting.

This book was so cute! I didn't go into it with any expectations on storyline, characters or writing style, but it was such a quick read that got its message across. I really liked how everything naturally tied together at the end and made sense, and both Maddie and Arthur were such relatable character whose flaws and strengths had you rooting for them. I wanted them to spend more time communicating in the second half of the book since it was a very sudden change to have them together in every scene to having Arthur barely in the picture. I loved the journey that Maddie had throughout this story, and I enjoyed every minute of reading it!

3⭐️

<b> I’m Madeline Hathaway: Seventeen, fat, motherless, and smart. Smart enough to know that I never, ever want to experience the white-hot grief of losing someone I love again.</b>

Madeline and her family travel to Renaissance Faires as craftspeople and sell their hand made items. When Madeline’s mother gets sick, an eight-year-old Maddie flips her family’s coin which tells her that her mother’s condition will get worse. Years later, and a year after Maddie’s mother has passed, Maddie and her father return to the last Ren Faire her mother was alive to see and find it completely changed by new owners. Maddie begrudgingly befriends a bard named Arthur, whose father’s now own the Ren Faire and keeps referring to Maddie as “Gwen.” Arthur also forces Maddie to step out of her comfort zone and become the Princess of the Faire, and Maddie must learn to accept that change might not always be bad.

I like the setting, I like the writing, I love the mental health elements and the main character, but that being said, I found myself consistently falling asleep while reading this - even while reading it mid-day. I liked a lot about this book, but ultimately it’s not a story that sticks with me and is one I will likely forget having read.

This was a very cute book. I feel as though the Renaissance Faire as setting for rom-coms is becoming a bit of an overdone trope, and there are authors who have done it first (and better), but this is a totally harmless entry into the genre. A quick read and especially delightful for people who love Ren Faires and the characters that can be created by them.

So sweet! Great contemporary romance, I love the renaissance fair and love seeing stories that include it. Not a fan of misunderstandings, they make me so frustrating. Other than that, it is a super cute and sweet romance with lovely characters.

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathway begins with our heroine Madeline arriving at the latest stop on the Renaissance faire circuit. For Madeline's whole life, she has traveled from faire to faire with her parents, but ever since her mother's death, she is unsure how to continue on. Madeline's grief is palpable throughout the story, as she keeps a notebook of "noticings" desperate to keep anymore of her memories from slipping away. Enter Arthur, the son of the faire's new owners, who is determined to crown Madeline (or Gwen as he calls her) as this season's princess.

Madeline was an endearing character and I found myself rooting for her growth throughout the course of the book. Arthur felt a little one-dimensional, but his dedication to Madeline was sweet. Overall, this was a very cute YA romance!