The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway

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Pub Date Mar 14 2023 | Archive Date Mar 28 2023
St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books

Description

"Ashley Schumacher's latest novel is a delightful read, with diverse characters and an irresistible setting. The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway proves that there's no better place to find yourself than at a Renaissance Faire." - Jen Deluca, author of Well Met

Dumplin
' meets Well Met in this novel about finding your place in the world, learning love is a risk worth taking, and discovering what happens when you take your fate into your own hands.

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 favorite 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.

"Set in one of my favorite places in the world — a Renaissance Faire full of jousts, royalty, bards, and castles— this is a wise, beautiful, funny book with tremendous heart. I absolutely loved it." - Jamie Pacton, author of The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly and Lucky Girl

"Ashley Schumacher's latest novel is a delightful read, with diverse characters and an irresistible setting. The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway proves that there's no better place to find yourself than...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781250840240
PRICE $20.00 (USD)
PAGES 320

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Average rating from 397 members


Featured Reviews

Wow! Just did not expect to like this book as much as I did. A young adult renaissance fantasy romance book just seemed a bit out there. But I was hooked almost immediately.

The booked flowed seamlessly and before I knew it u had reas 59 percent of the book and it was king past my bedtime. So, I just kept reading. Why stop, I can sleep in? So that is what I did.

Great cast of characters. Just an overall fantastic book.

Glad I took the plunge.

Recommend.

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

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I loved this authors two previous books. So it was only fitting for me to read her third!
And y'all it was a prodigious read!
Ashley is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers.

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher was so much fun!
The writing is yet again brilliant, she allows the reader to see deep inside these characters.
I found myself drawn into the story very early on.
The characters are well rounded, well developed and kind with big personalities!
A sweet, funny and marvelous book that had such heart.
Written with perfect chemistry, so smart, very humorous, extremely entertaining and heartfelt!
I loved Schumacher's newest baby!
Once I opened this book up I didn't stop!

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my blog, platforms, BookBub, B&N, Kobo and Waterstone closer to pub date.

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Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books and St Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"The mark of maturity isn't perfection... but rather the ability to right your wrongs."

After reading Full Flight and Amelia Unabridged, I went into reading The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway with tissues at my side. The tissues did not get used but I definitely got teary-eyed. I swear Ashley Schumacher just wants all of her readers to cry and feel all the emotions.

"I've read a thousand poems about how thoughts are constellations and scattered stars.... right now all of my emotions are lava, burning liquid coals that can't be distinguished as anything other than dangerous sludge..."

I do adore Madeline and Arthur. Their growing friendship is precious and the story felt like a warm hug. I love Schumacher's writing style. She really made me feel like I was walking beside Madeline and feeling her grief and loss of her mother.

"The things that can bring us the most pain in life can also bring us the greatest joy."

I'm so glad Ashley Schumacher did not pit Madeline and Bre against each other in the end. It's important for women to support each other and not tear the other down. I understood Madeline's assumptions but I'm so happy it was more of a misunderstanding and there might be a friendship between them in the future.

My favorite chapter is 16. If you've read the book you know why, if you haven't you are not prepared.

"...does anyone even remember Rosalind? No. Not the audience, not Romeo, because the second he saw Juliet, it was endgame."

Schumacher knows how to tug on the heartstrings. Her storytelling is always so immersing, cinematic and relatable. I didn't want to stop reading. I absolutely look forward to Ashley Schumacher's fourth book!

4.5 stars

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This is the book for a renaissance fair romance fans! Ashley Schumacher always seems to bring the feels. I'm not going to lie, I loved everything about a cute grumpy-sunshine young adult contemporary romance and setting was so much fun.
Above all, The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway is high quality and fast paced fun! It's one of those books where time flew by and I got entirely swept up by the story!

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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