All's faire in love and war for two sworn enemies who indulge in a harmless flirtation in a laugh-out-loud rom-com from debut author, Jen DeLuca.
Emily knew there would be strings attached when she relocated to the small town of Willow Creek, Maryland, for the summer to help her sister recover from an accident, but who could anticipate getting roped into volunteering for the local Renaissance Faire alongside her teenaged niece? Or that the irritating and inscrutable schoolteacher in charge of the volunteers would be so annoying that she finds it impossible to stop thinking about him?
The faire is Simon's family legacy and from the start he makes clear he doesn't have time for Emily's lighthearted approach to life, her oddball Shakespeare conspiracy theories, or her endless suggestions for new acts to shake things up. Yet on the faire grounds he becomes a different person, flirting freely with Emily when she's in her revealing wench's costume. But is this attraction real, or just part of the characters they're portraying?
This summer was only ever supposed to be a pit stop on the way to somewhere else for Emily, but soon she can't seem to shake the fantasy of establishing something more with Simon, or a permanent home of her own in Willow Creek.
Flo's Review
This book was just what I needed today. I had an entire day of waiting rooms (doctor's office, car place) and it was so nice to just be able to transport away to the Faire. I have been going to the Florida Renaissance Festival every year for the past I-don't-know-how-many years, and it's always a favorite event in our friend group. Jen DeLuca did an amazing job of taking everything you encounter at a ren fair and translating it onto the page. I could so easily see my fair as I reading, and I can't wait to go this upcoming weekend.
Simon and Emily share similar life experiences (not exactly the same, but related) and personality traits that make them so good for each other and a good couple. I loved the whole tension behind, "Are these feelings us, as Faire actors, or us, as real people?" I finished the book in a day (I love it when that happens!) so needless to say this was a breeze to read and unputdownable for sure!
Stacey's story is next, and I'm already looking forward to returning to the Faire. Huzzah!
P.S. Please, Jen, make the third book about Mitch!!
