Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Well Matched by Jen DeLuca Series: Well Met #3
Published by Berkley on October 19, 2021
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Single mother April Parker has lived in Willow Creek for twelve years with a wall around her heart. On the verge of being an empty nester, she's decided to move on from her quaint little town, and asks her friend Mitch for his help with some home improvement projects to get her house ready to sell.
Mitch Malone is known for being the life of every party, but mostly for the attire he wears to the local Renaissance Faire--a kilt (and not much else) that shows off his muscled form to perfection. While he agrees to help April, he needs a favor too: she'll pretend to be his girlfriend at an upcoming family dinner, so that he can avoid the lectures about settling down and having a more "serious" career than high school coach and gym teacher. April reluctantly agrees, but when dinner turns into a weekend trip, it becomes hard to tell what's real and what's been just for show. But when the weekend ends, so must their fake relationship.
As summer begins, Faire returns to Willow Creek, and April volunteers for the first time. When Mitch's family shows up unexpectedly, April pretends to be Mitch's girlfriend again...something that doesn't feel so fake anymore. Despite their obvious connection, April insists they've just been putting on an act. But when there's the chance for something real, she has to decide whether to change her plans--and open her heart--for the kilt-wearing hunk who might just be the love of her life.
I’ve been really enjoying the Well Met series with its small town setting and the summer renaissance fair.  The couple in Well Matched is two characters we have known throughout the series. Mitch is an institution at the renfaire so I was thrilled to see him getting his development with a background and more personal view of him. His “match” was more surprising being April, Emily’s older sister, who is also about a decade older than Mitch. The whole story is from April’s point of view.
Mitch is a really nice guy. He’s great at his job and contributing to the community. He doesn’t get credit from people and not his family for how well he has done. He’s like the pretty girl who no one believes is actually smart. Because Mitch is gorgeous and has been a bit of a player when he was younger.
April is busy with her daughter in her senior year. She’s been planning for 12 years to move closer to her job, into the city where she can be anonymous. She can live her own life and not have to go to things if she doesn’t want to go. So she’s getting the house ready to sell. Mitch really helps her out with it.  Then she helps him with an event with his family as they have been after him to settle down.
April and Mitch end up really connecting, but she doesn’t know how to date or have a relationship. It’s been many years since she has tried. And this is a little embarrassing because why would Mitch want an older woman even if he is ready to settle down, he will want kids and she is finished with children.  She can’t trust that he actually wants her even when he says so.
My heart broke for April when she couldn’t say what she wanted. It also broke for Mitch because he was awesome and supportive of her in every way. She knew his family issues and hurt him anyway.  I loved them together, how they supported each other and were so happy, so I was glad they could grow and figure it out.
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Well Matched by Jen DeLuca Narrator: Brittany Pressley
Series: Well Met #3
Published by Penguin Audio on October 19, 2021
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Audible, Libro.fm
Narration:
I loved the narration because the same narrator was used for all three books. I was easily able to recognize the voices for characters like Mitch, Stacey and Emily.  Having distinct voices makes it so much fun. The performance really let me feel the emotions. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
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About Jen DeLuca
Jen DeLuca was born and raised near Richmond, Virginia, but now lives in Arizona with her husband and a houseful of rescue pets. She loves latte-flavored lattes, Hokies football, and the Oxford comma. Well Met is her first novel, inspired by her time volunteering as a pub wench with her local Renaissance Faire.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- C21-Fall
Wonderful review, Anne💜 Just got the audiobook book today and can’t wait!
It’s another good adventure in Willow Creek. It’s great to see people finding themselves and living their best life.
I haven’t even read this and I want to give these two a big hug!
I really felt this one. It’s worse when you totally get their fears.
Sounds like they both had a tough time when it comes to the relationship. I want to read this series at some point.
I think April had more trouble. Mitch just wasn’t taken seriously when he was. The whole series is great.
I’m so excited to read this one. I love Mitch and I’m so glad he gets his own story. 😀 Now if only my library copy that I have on hold would hurry up and arrive!
I looooove Mitch! And even more with knowing his back story.
Gah! Another great review for this series. I need to find time… I’m glad it’s another winner for you.
It’s an awesome series and the whole renfaire thing is a fun aspect.
I have the first book in this series but haven’t had the chance to read it yet. I do love the sound of this one.
Start with the first book but they are all fun. I really enjoy this series.
I just started reading Well Matched and really love it so far. Mitch and April have such great chemistry.
yes I love Mitch and even more knowing some background. April is very relatable but I don’t like some of her choices sometimes.
Lovely review Anne, I have a feeling I would enjoy this from the settings to the characters.
I’m sure you would. It’s a really fun series and the characters are well written / developed.
It looks like a really nice one!
Yes it’s fun and very interesting with the renfaire.
I’ve been wanting to read the Well Met series, so glad you enjoyed this one, I’ll have to get to this series sooner than later!
I think it’s a really good series. Interesting setting and unique thing with the renfaire. The characters are great – relatable and well developed with growth in the stories.
See I read the first book as a paperback, listened to the second one as audio. But I preferred this series as reading as opposed to listening. I don’t remember if it was that I didn’t like the way the narrator was or if I just thought the details and descriptions would be better if I was reading. I’ll probably end up reading this one as a paperback when I can get my hands on it. But great review, still makes me excited for it!
Thank you! I’ve enjoyed the whole series on audio but I know how it is . I usually stick to the same format throughout a series. Sometimes I just don’t connect with the narrator.
My friend Anne Morgan loved WELL MATCHED, too — that’s two Anne with an e’s in one week! 😉 I haven’t read anything by this author, but I will pick this one up. Thanks for featuring!
I’m OCD so I would start at the beginning with Well Met but they are all great to read. I’m a big fan of the audio since that is how I have been reading this series.
And thanks for featuring the mysteries, too. Those are my jam, as you know.
Me too!
I loved Mitch! He was such a sweetheart. I had issues with April, but I enjoyed the book overall. I think I might’ve liked it more if I listened to the audio. I like Brittany Pressley’s performances. Fab review, Anne!
I was so impressed with Mitch once I got to know him. I understood April’s issues, but she is old enough to have done better because she knew how much she would hurt Mitch.
I’ve got six more weeks to wait to listen to this from the library. I have read or listened to the other two. I’m looking forward to listening as I always enjoy Brittany Presley’s narration. I’m glad you liked it!
Thank you Lorna. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.