April is not a joiner. She has lived in the same small town for years, and while her sister and daughter have become integrated into the local community, April has stayed on the sidelines. So much so that now that her daughter Caitlin is graduating and headed off to college, April is planning to leave said small town for a small apartment in the city. That is, until Mitch, the local gym teacher and kilted star of the local Renaissance Faire, asks for a favor : be his fake girlfriend for a family reunion weekend. What starts as innocent play-acting soon becomes so much more, leaving April to question just how “fake” this all is, and whether she will be able to leave her town after all.

My oh my, how I love this series! It has been just the perfect vibe for this summer. In this third installment, we finally get to see Mitch in all his glory. I am so glad that he got his chance to shine, and for us as readers to see more into his inner personality. We have seen glimpses before that he has more depth than he shows at Jackson’s, and that was really explored in this book.

And breaking down April’s character and why she was so closed off in earlier books really endeared me to her. It was nice to be able to understand her on a more personal level. I really appreciated the honesty surrounding April’s anxiety about socializing, and her struggles with allowing people to get close to her.

I will admit, one of the things I love most about this series as a whole is the summery, Renaissance Faire vibe, and I felt that was a bit missing from this book. We saw more of the two characters in their homes and pre-Faire season, and I wish there had been more Faire scenes. It did of course make an appearance though, so no worries there! There was no way this book was not going show Mitch in his kilt.

Fake dating turns into real passion very quickly in this latest installment of the Well Met series by Jen DeLuca. April and Mitch are long time friends who hang out regularly in their small town. April thinks Mitch is a ladies' man and is afraid of commitment to someone who could break her heart like her ex- husband did in the past. Mitch however soon proves to April that she is his only priority and sparks fly even though April is hesitant. I enjoyed the fun Renaissance Faire scenes, April's role as a mother to a teen daughter, their 10 year age gap, and Mitch's growth towards his family. A steamy + tender rom com to add to your TBR with plenty of cameos from previous characters in the series!

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing + Netgalley for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book, but not nearly as much as Well Met and Well Played. I was really looking forward to this installment because I really liked both Mitch and April in the other books. Also, there was quite a bit of foreshadowing for this pairing, and I think my expectations were a little high because there was already so much potential there. As a result, the fake-dating trope didn't quite hit the mark (seemed a bit forced and unnatural) and their chemistry seemed uncharacteristically off in the beginning. However, their relationship seemed much more natural in the end---I just think it could've developed in a better way.

I liked getting to know April more as a character. As a self-imposed outsider in both her town and with the Ren Faire, she's always seemed aloof in the previous installments. I found her relatable in this one---her insecurities, motivations, and relationship with her daughter were well-developed. I wanted a bit more Ren Faire just because it was so central in the rest of the series, but it's understandable that there was less of it in this book given our protagonist. I appreciated getting to know Mitch, too, and getting some insight about him through his family.

Overall, while I enjoyed the book and really liked getting to spend more time in this town with these characters (loved all the parts with Emily and Stacey!) and at the Ren Faire once more, I just wanted a little bit more.

Oh my goodness. How could the author do this again!! I enjoyed this book more than the previous two!!! As a single parent I found this book extremely relatable and very realistic. Both of the main characters had their issues - just like we all do. The two main characters had to rely on their inner strength to make it through the things they had to endure. I enjoyed the cameos by the other characters. I00% recommend this entire series!!!!

I love this whole series. What a joyful little world. April's emotional struggles were believable and I love that an older woman got the younger man.

This is the third installment of Jen DeLuca’s Renaissance Faire series. Whether you have read the entire series or you’ve just picked this one up, you should enjoy this light, feel-good, contemporary romance.
The main focus is on April, sister to Emily who was the main character in the previous two books, and Mitch Malone, the high school gym teacher and local Hot Guy. April has been a single mom, focused on her daughter for the past eighteen years, and doing her best to focus on that and not get involved in much else.
Mitch has the reputation of always looking out for another woman and the fact that he can rock a kilt at the local Ren Faire only adds to that reputation.
When Mitch asks April to pose as his girlfriend for an upcoming family event, you immediately know where this is going. However, that doesn’t take away from the story one bit!
I really like that April is a little older than Mitch and the way he teases her about it is actually kind of hot.
If you’re a fan of Lyssa Kay Adams or Tessa Bailey, then pick up this book and enjoy!

Well Matched was such a great addition to this series. I really enjoyed seeing more from Mitch, both in terms of development and personality. It was great to see him be more than a dumb, jockey, gym teacher. I also liked seeing April knock some of her walls down. When previously reading her character, I always felt like she was at arm’s length. Which makes sense, given her social anxiety which we didn’t see in previous books.
Incredibly sweet ending where April really puts herself out there and opens up to Mitch. Super enjoyed it!

This might be my favorite one yet. Jen's Willow Creek community is so comforting, and I found April very relatable. I enjoyed Mitch as a supporting role in the previous books but loved spending time with him here. The struggles that each of them face were too real, and it was nice to see them instinctually swoop in to help the other before being asked. I loved them together. As usual, I'll be happily anticipating whatever Deluca has stored for us next.

Sad to say I don't think this book was for me. I felt as though it definitely had potential (and the cover was SO cute!) I think I had difficulty getting into the ren-fair setting and warming up to the characters. I found April to be almost annoying at times (being such a commitment-phobe and not really speaking up for what she wants/feels). I haven't read Jen DeLuca before and I would definitely pick up another book from her. Well Matched was simply just not my cup of tea :)

Unfortunately this book was not for me. April just sort of fell flat for me as a character. I remember her having a sharp sense of humor in the previous books but she was a bit boring in Well Matched. I also struggled with the miscommunication through out the story. Even between April and her daughter Caitlin. You would think with an older more mature heroine that this wouldn’t be an issue but alas.

I did enjoy Mitch Malone and was excited for his book, I wish we could have gotten his point of view along with April’s.

I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

My Rating: 4 Stars

Ahhhh, fake dating, my personal favorite trope. Want to get me excited about a book? Tell me it involves fake dating. I’m such a sucker for it, honestly. Combing the faking dating trope with Mitch in a kilt, and you really have my ideal book!

I was SO excited to see Mitch and April paired up and have been looking forward to Well Matched pretty much since I first met the pair of them in Well Met. I loved their friends to lovers relationship in this book and was so thrilled to see that while April was unable to voice to herself or anyone else what she really wanted, she was able to stand up for Mitch when the situation called for it.

I was really unsure how the ren fest would tie into Well Matched given April’s aversion to the event in previous books, and was so happy with the way that things panned out. As an introvert, I saw a lot of myself in her as a character and connected to not only her but her struggles to get out into the world and have fun.

The only thing I was missing in this book was Mitch. This is maybe the only book thus far in the series that I really wish had been dual POV. I feel like there was so much more depth to his character than this book showed. He read much more like a supporting character to April, which is great in theory, but had me really missing him in the middle of the story.

I have been anxiously awaiting Mitch’s book since Well Met, and it did NOT disappoint. The chemistry between April and Mitch simply flew off the page from chapter 1. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes, and it was deliciously delivered in this fun, steamy, unforgettable romance. I needed a book where the sexual tension came to a head early on, and BOY IT DID. You will not be disappointed in the heart of it and you will be transformed back to Jen DeLuca’s world of Ren Faire as if you never left. Her books have this magic that make you feel like you are a part of the community. You are personally visiting that faire in the heat of summer and watching your friends fall in love. April, who wants to move on from her small town life when her daughter graduates high school, is no match for Mitch, the younger man whose heart beats only for her. I’m rambling but if you like forced proximity, only one bed, renovation shenanigans, and heart flutters… you’ll love it.

I hope this series lasts for a thousand years. All I want is to move to the Ren Faire.! I really loved reading Mitch and April's turn, I've honestly been waiting for this since Well Met. They have so much chemistry and it was really sweet to finally learn more about them both, especially meeting Mitch's family. I also loved that April was a little older, and her life was really settled, which was a nice switch up after Emily and Stacey both at crossroads in their lives. All April worries about is home repairs and Thai food, and I love that for her. This one felt highly anticipated but didn't disappoint.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the review copy—all opinions are my own!

Having thoroughly enjoyed Well Met and after meeting such a memorable cast of Ren Faire and Willow Creek characters, I was excited to escape once again to this small fictional town and see what Jen was going to do with easygoing “playboy” Mitch and serious, guarded April.

My favorite aspects of this book were the ongoing growth between Emily and April, as sisters still developing a bond and understanding after many years not being very close, and also the representation of a mature woman and mother. I don’t often feel seen in this aspect but as thirty-mumble-mumble years old woman and mom to a few people, one of whom has gotten *very* good at eye-rolling lately, I really connected to April and Caitlin’s growing pains in the season of transition from graduation to college, deciding what to do as an empty nester, and how to adjust in a relationship as a child matures.

I also really did love Mitch. With single POV devoted to the heroine, the hero is always a bit more distant and feels less developed, his character arc less prevalent, and this was the case, but damn was he likable. He was clearly gone for April, a physically affectionate person full of warmth and can-do confidence, so ready to help and support her. I loved every moment he was on page.

April’s reasons for guarding her heart made a lot of sense, though sometimes it was hard to see how long she held onto those defenses and held people at bay—she had a lot of people already loving on her, wanting to include her, and share life with her. I felt like her social anxiety was maybe more responsible for this gap in her awareness and vulnerability than I initially understood, but then that aspect seemed to fade away toward the end, so maybe not. All that to say, I sympathized with her caution and fear, but I do also wish I’d seen her embrace the fun and love of her surroundings a little sooner in her character arc.

Overall, this was a really satisfying conclusion (I think this is the conclusion at least?) to the Ren Faire/Willow Creek world, and I love that Jen gave us a group of people who get their nerd on, dress up like pirates and bar wenches and highlanders, who play and pretend and touch into the child in all of us that’s just waiting to experience the good things life has to give us.

While thing book has some enjoyable moments for me, I was mostly disinterested, which is strange as I thought I would like it.

From what I can tell, having not read the first two books, you can 100% read them out of order as I could grasp the storylines from the past books and the situations in this one without effort. However, I may have missed some special moments because I didn't read the other books.

NOTE: I will read the first two books and then reread them before they come out and see if my mind is changed.

A really sweet conclusion to this wonderful series by Jen DeLuca! I've never read any other romance novels that are set in a Renaissance Faire, but clearly this needs to be a more common setting for this genre -- what an absolute delight to read! I think the romance in this third installment was actually my favorite out of the three. I can't wait to see what this author writes next!

Thank you to Berkley Romance for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Caitlin is readying for graduation before she's off to college, and April is ready to leave Willow Creek. It has never been home to her, and she is readying her house for sale. In walks Mitch. In exchange for helping her with her house, he's asked her to pretend to be his girlfriend so his family will get off his back. And she agrees.

First of all, not only do I love the setting of this series and some good ol' ren faire fun, but I'm a huge fan of the fake dating trope! (with a single bed trope at one point, I might add). As a single mom, April isn't as willing to open herself up, so I found her to be a really relatable character.

And then there's sweet, sweet mitch. He's a big old cinammon roll who also happens to spend a good portion of the book walking around shirtless in a kilt.

'As I write this, I wonder if this is even a review? I dunno. This was hot and sweet, it had me crying at times, and the ending was so sweet and while I'm sad to say goodbye ot Willow Creek, I love the way it wrapped up! And, you know, if you like attractive men shirtless in kilts who are total cinammon rolls, then this is the book for you!

Each new book Jen DeLuca writes is my new favorite of hers. I absolutely adored Well Matched. DeLuca gave me the romance I was hoping for. Mitch has been a big part of the last two books in this series, and I couldn't wait for him to get his own book. The man is known for being a bit of a playboy and the life of the party. Matching him up with introverted, single mother April was perfection. April is another character who has played a part in the series since the first book, and I've always been curious about her as well. 

As readers of this series will know, April and Mitch are sort of friends. They're in a friend group together. When Mitch needs a fake girlfriend for a family function, he ropes April into helping him out by helping her out with some renovation projections. The more time the two spend together, the more lines between fake relationship and real relationship are crossed. It's all sorts of fun, especially when you add in a teenage daughter, an ex, one bed, a gossipy town, and the Faire. There's a little drama sprinkled in, but it is well worth it for the HEA. 

One thing I feel like I should mention is that this book follows the first two by being written in a single, first person POV. I know some readers are probably hoping to hear from Mitch, but it's told in April's POV. I'm not complaining about that (even though I would have LOVED Mitch's POV) because there's enough of both characters' lives and feelings in there to make a complete story. Plus, seeing Mitch through April's eyes was all sorts of sweetness.

If you're a fan of the Well Met series, you're bound to be a fan of Well Matched. It was just as well written as the previous books in the series and chalk full of great moments and characters. I loved that it gave us not only our favorite Faire setting, but more of Willow Creek. It was a book that had my attention from beginning to end. I loved Mitch and April. I didn't want their story to end.

What happens when single mom April gets asked by kilt wearing stud Mitch to be his fake girlfriend for a family weekend getaway? A whole lot of romcom vibes.

We're back again at Willow Creek, this time focusing on Emily's sister April. When Mitch proposes April be his fake girlfriend for a weekend to prove to his parents he's doing good for himself, April has one condition, he has to help her fix up her house so she can move the hell out of town when her daughter Caitlyn graduates in spring. April thinks she's in for an easy weekend with the hottest guy in Willow Creek, she doesn't expect anything to come out of it but some manual labor to her house. As their charade spans longer than the aforementioned weekend, April realizes there's more to Mitch than meets her eye.

I enjoyed being back in Willow Creek with familiar faces and set pieces. The Renaissance Festival is in full swing, but less time is spent within the grounds, which is refreshing. We see a side of April and Mitch only touched upon in previous books as they were always just the side characters in Emily and Stacey's stories. I love a fake romance trope, and this book nails it.

Thank you Berkely Publishing, Jen Deluca and NetGalley for the ARC. It was great.

After reading the previous books in the series over the past 2 months, this was a really solid addition! I definitely wanted to know more about Mitch from previous books, and this did a good job of mixing. heart and humor.