The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher

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 favourite 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.

Book Information:

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary / Young Adult Romance
Published March 14, 2023 by Wednesday Books

Happy publication day to The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway! Despite the fun setting, this is a book about grief; Maddie has recently lost her mom and is struggling to navigate a world without her. Eventually Maddie and her dad arrive at their last festival stop of the season and find the faire completely changed. New owners have renovated and Maddie meets a young bard determined to draw her back out into the world.

The faire setting threw me off but the synopsis is pretty clear – this is a book about Maddie learning to move forward in life without her mom. The story is balanced well though with a fun backdrop and endearing characters. Most of the conflict in this book is internal. Everyone is so supportive and kind to Maddie and her journey back towards happiness is a constant struggle with herself that felt genuine. For those looking for romance it is there, but it compliments Maddie’s personal journey rather than overshadows it. Overall I enjoyed this YA book and recommend picking it up!

Thank you @wednesdaybooks and @stmartinspress for the review copy!

Book Information:

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