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The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway
The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway | Ashley Schumacher
6 posts | 5 read | 5 to read
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 mothers death, Madeline Gwen Hathaway has been determined that nothing in her life will change ever again. Thats 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 mothers 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 Maddies 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, shes 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 castlesthis is a wise, beautiful, funny book with tremendous heart. Schumacher treats all her characters with compassion and artfully blends a tale of deep grief with joy, reminding readers that magic is everywhere and that none of our stories are truly over, even when it might seem like it. I absolutely loved it." - Jamie Pacton, author of The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly and Lucky Girl
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CaramelLunacy
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Madeline Hathaway has grown up on the Ren Faire circuit, but the past year she lost her mother to illness and is grieving. The last stop for the summer was her mother's favorite but everything has changed.
Annoying bard Arthur brings her out of her shell and on little adventures, and it is mostly cute, fun and positive (both body and emotionally). Conflict ended up being a bit irksome as it was so wildly evident to everyone but those involved...

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robinb
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While technically Hello Beautiful ranked a 5⭐️ for me, this YA gem was close behind. I had read two previous books from this author, and this one cemented her as a new favorite of mine. 💙

Thanks for hosting again @Andrew65 . 😊

#12BooksOf2023

Andrew65 Looks a good choice. I love hosting this and seeing everyone reviewing their reading years. 4mo
38 likes1 comment
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ElleMNOpe
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A laid back, cutesy YA contemporary romance with a fun setting & good inclusivity. Sweet & cute teen characters. Includes several difficult topics, including some good discussions about grief & self-confidence. The tone stayed moderately light though there were moments of contemplation & some good information/considerations in the character interactions. The story reads really easily & quickly, making it a great comfort read.

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Allylu
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I borrowed this book from our local library as one of my Random Picks last month and finished it today. It was entertaining and cute as well as unexpectedly touching. I love Madeline a.k.a. Gwen Hathaway and her bard friend, Arthur. A good summer read! #50 #BookSpin #15, #BFC23, #MagnificentMay, #ReadySetRead, #SayMyName, #ReadtheStates Oklahoma

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 12mo
Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 12mo
27 likes2 comments
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robinb
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I loved the 2 previous books that I‘ve read from this author (although one broke my ❤️), and this one was just as wonderful. This YA takes place at a Renaissance Fair and centers around Gwen/Maddie, a 17 yo who lost her mother a year before and travels the circuit with her father selling handmade items. She meets Arthur, a bard, who stubbornly works to pull her back into life. This is a wonderful story with layers of teenage insecurities 🔻

robinb (there‘s body image issues, grief therapy, prejudice, and misconceptions). It speaks to how to let go and move forward from loss, and how to let others care for you and share the burden. Beautiful characters, fun setting and sweet relationship between Maddie and Arthur. My only wish? The ending felt a little unresolved to me. Recommended. 4.5/5⭐️ 1y
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ReadingOver50
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Sweet teenage romance that takes place in a renaissance fair over the course of a summer.

I went to a renaissance fair once and thought it was ok. It was interesting to read a book where people love the renaissance fair. It makes me want to give it another try. Gwen and Arthur are two great characters and I was routing for them to discover their mutual feelings.

Clare-Dragonfly I love the Renaissance Faire! 😁 if you‘re interested in more books with people who love Faire, may I recommend 2y
ReadingOver50 @Clare-Dragonfly 😄 2y
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