This is the first book by Ashley Schumacher I've read. It's a cute YA novel especially if you've ever been to a Renaissance Faire. I think if you've never been to a Ren Faire, this is not going to ve as enjoyable. There are plenty of non Faire moments as well. I liked the random road trips they took. The ending could be better. It is a quick, fun quick read perfect for summer.

I’ll share feelings/initial thoughts first:
This book is a perfect example of loving an author and being pushed out of my comfort zone. I can’t say that I would normally pick up a Ren Faire book, but because Schumacher wrote it I NEEDED this ARC!
Also, have you ever read about nothing going on but it feels so necessary and not slow at all, but perfect?

This author captures grief so well. And explains the mundane in such a poetic way. Maddie’s struggle with her mom’s death and her own mental health was the focus of this novel, and the romance was secondary. It was beautiful, raw, emotional, and something I cannot wait to recommend to my students!

Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and the author for granting me a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

The narrator is Maddie, a teenager who travels the Renaissance faire circuit with her parents while homeschooled. After her mother's death, she and her father return to her mother's favorite faire, which has been completely revamped by new owners. The owners' son, Arthur does everything in his power to befriend Maddie and convince her to be the faire's princess. Maddy has to overcome her body issues and her determination to keep her heart closed and protect herself from future loss.

This book is a 3.5 star read for me but I'd probably bump that up to a 4 star for a younger YA reader. Its very sweet and wholesome coming of age story with a positive message about self-acceptance, growth and overcoming adversity (in this case, Maddie struggles from anxiety and is grieving for her late mother). Maddie and Arthur seem very young to me, but I do enjoy their banter and development of their sweet relationship.

This is a heartfelt coming-of-age tale about a girl struggling to find her way a year after her mother's death. This book has some good messages about body acceptance, taking your time to process grief, and reaching out for help via therapy. It was just a sweet, light read. The setting is fun if you enjoy ren faires and liked the book Well Met.

Honestly the only reason i'm giving this book 3 stars is just a difference in taste. For some odd reason I can't get into books that are set at a Con or a Ren Faire. This is mostly because I attend them in person and it just kinda takes me out of the reading experience.

Thank you NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and Ashley Schumacher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a fun, heart-warming story that follows Madeline “Gwen” Hathaway as she finds out more about who she is. It’s fill with magic, diversity, and is a great read. I highly recommend it!

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary e-ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

Having lost my dad when I was 19, I’m always struck & moved by YA books that talk grief & the feelings & emotions that come with it.

Ashley Schumacher’s The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway is a heartwarming tale set in the world of the Renaissance Faire—where new things are made to look old, a young girl can grow up with two loving parents & then one, & that same girl can one day randomly become a Ren Faire princess.

Watching Gwen develop more confidence in her body & in herself as the book progresses is another mark in this book’s favor, as is her relationship with Arthur, the irrepressible & kind son of the owners who is also somewhat insecure about his own appearance.

If you’re looking for a book that handles the loss of a parent & finding your way after that loss in a soft & lovely way, check this one out.

4⭐️. Out 03/14.

CW: Reference to parental judgement (grandparents). Reference to homophobia. Grief over losing a parent.

ID: Jess's white hand holds the ebook over a table and cup of coffee in a cafe. In the background are tables and chairs, a lit Christmas tree, and a tv.

Ashley Schumacher is one of the greatest YA writers of our time. I have enjoyed every book that she has written and The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway is no exception. Schumacher’s ability to write well-rounded, realistic characters is remarkable. I continue to care deeply for her protagonists no matter what settings she puts them in. This novel would be a great addition to any library’s collection and I encourage readers of all ages to give her writing a try!

A review will be publish February 2nd, 2023 at 12:00pm on Instagram, Goodreads, and Storygraph @abookwormworksgarden

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway was adorable. It was so refreshing to see a plus size girl fall in love for the first time. I think this novel will be important representation for plus size girls (and boys) that they are loveable. I adored all of the characters. In addition, the novel has the underlying theme of grief. I personally think it does an excellent job depicting healing from grief is non-linear. I highly recommend checking this book out!!!

Thank you to Netgalley, Wednesday Books, and St. Martin Press for allowing me to read this book.

This author knows how to pack an emotional punch in her books. This one explores one teenager's journey with grief and it is woven in with a sweet exploration of herself and her found people. I was deeply invested in all of it. I smiled and cried and cried and smiled.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel. I encourage you to check this one out! Really solid read.

I love a sweet teen romance with imperfect characters. Madeline isn't the typical renfaire princess and she's still struggling with the death her mother. But it's not just about her prince. Is he charming? He lets her be herself and that's wonderful. The real heart of this novel is the understandable struggle of a girl, growing up without her mom, trying to function in a transient world.

Cute YA novel. The typical coming of age, love yourself, and find love along the way type. Quick and easy, with a few memorable quotes. I think it will be a comfort read for some and some won't think about it again.

Madeline has an unusual childhood: her family follows the Renaissance faire circuit. Wearing period clothes, they make and sell exquisite jewelry and beautifully decorated journals. Home is an RV affectionately named Britomart. Maddie is more than content: she enjoys online school and following the “Ren circuit.”

As the story opens, ten-year-old Madeline has a burning question to ask the Wizened Old Wizard, who is sought out by many Faire visitors (before he suddenly disappears). She enters his tent but, before she can ask her question, the Wizard says she seeks certainty. Giving Maddie a delicate gold chain with a small globe in the middle, he also gives her advice she doesn’t understand. She must tame a sometimes-cruel world and make it kinder. Maddie returns the next day to ask her question, but the Wizard’s stall is empty.

Fast forward seven years. Seventeen-year-old Madeline is looking down at a moat, wondering what the Wizard would say now. For her world has fallen apart: her mother died last year, near the end of Stormsworth (her favorite faire) of a lengthy illness. Now the Stormsworth Faire is underway again (and the anniversary of her mother’s passing is approaching). Yet it’s nothing like the place her mother loved. New owners have completely renovated the grounds, even installing a moat surrounding a real castle instead of a worn facade. Stormsworth no longer feels like home.

Maddie’s reverie is interrupted by a young bard. Irritated by his cheerfulness (perhaps because it reminds her of her mother’s personality) and insistence on calling her Gwen, she only wants him to go away. Instead, he tags along as Maddie returns to their stall. She knows her dad will simultaneously look happy, sad, and relieved to see her with another teen. And Maddie is determined to avoid caring for anyone for fear she will lose someone else important to her. Finally taking the hint, the dejected young bard walks away.

And Maddie’s routine continues: making tallies in her noticings journal (the number of times she sees or hears things like her dad working on his journals), weekly video sessions with her therapist, phone conversations with her cousin Fatima, making jewelry, and school assignments.

Yet that isn’t the last Maddie sees of the bard. She learns his name—Arthur—during a late-night encounter when, unable to sleep, she wanders through the grounds. It was his parents who bought Stormsworth and transformed it. Beneath his cheerful demeanor, Arthur is a perceptive and empathetic young man. And he is determined, despite her protests, to turn Maddie into the Princess of Faire and a difficult time into a series of amazing experiences. Arthur’s so-called road tripping includes wearing bright red sunglasses and eating Tootsie Pops (Maddie’s favorite) as they trek to a zoo three hours away instead of one nearby, a visit to a video game museum that, true to Arthur’s promise, turns out to actually be fun, and coloring in coloring books made for children. Maddie wonders if his enthusiasm and caring might make her say yes to the question he often asks: Are we friends?

Author Ashley Schumacher tells Maddie’s story through her eyes. The first-person narrative allows readers to share the mourning teen’s experiences as she perceives them. As Maddie’s world view gradually shifts (thanks to Arthur’s determination that she find positivity in her life) and she realizes that situations, and people, are often not what they seem, we cheer for every step she takes towards finding joy again. All the people in Maddie’s world are realistic. Her father, despite his grief, is a caring parent who celebrates Maddie’s reluctant reentry into the world outside herself. Cousin Fatima (who we never actually meet) comes alive through the telephone conversations between her and Maddie. Arthur is definitely three-dimensional: for all his exuberance, he can be moved to tears when his not-yet-friend lets him know she understands him and cares.

There is one drawback to this novel. In a nod to today’s world, Arthur’s parents are two men who are devoted to each other. This fact might offend the sensibilities of some people (myself included, to be honest). The story could have been just as meaningful–perhaps even more so–if Arthur’s parents were not of the same gender. For this reason, we must take care to whom we recommend this novel.

At first, I was dissatisfied with the conclusion, as there did not seem to be proper closure. (Perhaps I, like Maddie, appreciate certainty.) Yet, upon reflection, I realized that the ending leaves an opening for the reader to think about what might happen in the future. The above drawback aside, The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway is a sensitive, true-to-life story that will resonate with many young people.

A really, really sweet teen romance. Our “Gwen” has quite the self-discovery journey while mourning her mother, and Arthur is right by her side to be whatever she needs. But I love that Arthur’s not perfect - he has insecurities as much as any teen. It makes me happy to think about their adorable future together.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley, Ashley Schumacher, and Wednesday Books.

After losing her Mom almost a year prior, Madeline is determined to remember everything about her life and the loved ones she has left. To do this, she keeps lists and tallies things in her travel journal in an almost compulsory fashion. She has no intention of adding anyone new into her journal. She can’t stop caring for the people she already loves, but she can avoid caring for anyone else. The less people she cares for, the less she has to keep track of and the less she has to lose.

Enter Arthur, stage right and lute in hand. He is determined to befriend Madeline - or Gwen, as he calls her - for reasons unbeknownst to her. He convinces Madeline to become the faire’s Princess, a position that makes sure they’re together pretty much every day. Coincidence? I think not! The two become (not) friends, going on adventures together and sharing their thoughts on Olivia Rodrigo, Tootsie Pops, and heavier topics, too.

Throw in a magical coin, several supportive dads, and video chat advice via best friend Fatima, and you have a lovely novel about how life and personal growth continues even when one’s life feels consumed by grief.

I feel weird calling a book that deals with such heavy topics as grief, body image, and mental health adorable, but this also somehow managed to be that. No one emotion was given less gravitas than the other. Schumacher’s The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway was equal parts relatable, heartbreak, and giggle inducing. Can’t wait to order my physical copy!

4.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up.

What a sweet read! It skewed a little younger than I expected but I couldn't help but root for the two main characters. Arthur seemed a little whiny for me personally at some points, but I might just chalk that up to me as the reader being a woman with a little more life experience. I hadn't known a lot about RenFaires and so this was a fun entrance into a new world for me - and how structured it all sounds! Sometimes it felt like a lot what happening at once without too much actually happening, and I wish it were slightly longer so we could dive into more road trips or just focus on the fair. The timeline also seemed a little confusing to me but I may just have not been paying attention to that and focusing on the romance. Overall it would be a sweet gift or stocking stuffer for a young person in your life!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Every Ashley Schumacher I have read finds its way to wiggle its way into my heart. Each in different ways, but Gwen Hathaway was no different. I absolutely adored this! I've never been to a Ren Faire that I can remember, but reading about them makes me want to go to one!

Arthur and Maddie were such fantastic main characters and I loved how each developed. The found family trope was definitely strong with this and I really loved watching friendships blossom and Maddie's relationship with her Dad grow and evolve. I don't want to give to much away, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

If you love Ren Faire's, found family, slow burn romance, and growth in your MC's- I'd highly recommend this! It's a light, fluffy read that you'll be unable to put down.

I loved this book.
It was so enjoyable. A Renaissance book, yes please!! It was well written.
I loved that they had a main character as a "plus sized" girl

This book was so good. While it reminded me so much of other Renaissance Faire books such as My Faire Lady and Well Met, the story was enjoyable and unique. I really loved that the main characters were well rounded and full of personality. While there was a lot of time spent focused on trying to find meaning after a significant loss, I felt the story really addressed what it means to be present in one's own life. To live your life when all you want is to go back in time and change fate. This story made me laugh and cry, but it also helped me in my own journey out of grief. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this amazing book.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an opportunity with this title. I really liked Gwen Hathaway and find I wish it is something I could have stumbled across sooner, simply because I think it would have made much more of an impact if I were the target audience age. A simple story with tenderness and warmth to be found within.