Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Well Traveled by Jen DeLuca Narrator: Brittany Pressley
Series: Well Met #4
Published by Berkley, Penguin Audio on December 6, 2022
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 336
Length: 9 hours, 29 minutes
Format: ARC, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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A high-powered attorney from a success-oriented family, Louisa "Lulu" Malone lives to work, and everything seems to be going right, until the day she realizes it’s all wrong. Lulu’s cousin Mitch introduced her to the world of Renaissance Faires, and when she spies one at a time just when she needs an escape, she leaps into the welcoming environment of turkey legs, taverns, and tarot readers. The only drawback? Dex MacLean: a guitarist with a killer smile, the Casanova of the Faire… and her traveling companion for the summer.
Dex has never had to work for much in his life, and why should he? Touring with his brothers as The Dueling Kilts is going great, and he always finds a woman at every Faire. But when Lulu proves indifferent to his many plaid charms and a shake-up threatens the fate of the band, Dex must confront something he never has before: his future.
Forced to spend days and nights together on the road, Lulu’s interest in the kilted bad boy grows as he shows her a side of himself no one else has seen. The stresses of her old lifestyle fade away as she learns to trust her intuition and follow her heart instead of her head. But when her time on the road is over, will Lulu go with her gut, or are she and Dex destined for separate paths?
I’ve been really enjoying the Well Met series with its setting in renaissance faires. In each book, we meet more of the regular performers who travel the circuit of faires.  One wouldn’t have to read the series in order, but I do because of the character developments and knowing more about the supporting characters.
The couple here are characters we have met in previous books briefly. The main point of view is Lulu, or Louisa Malone. She is a lawyer and Mitch’s cousin. Mitch is an institution at the Maryland Renfaire where the books started. But so is Dex, the playboy of the The Dueling Kilts group.
Lulu is tired of trying to please her parents and the old white men at the law firm where she has tried to make partner. She ends up taking a break.  Her summer is one of self discovery and growth. She also meets Dex. Initially she is a bit antagonistic to the playboy, then they become friends and something more.
They seem unsuited with Lulu more serious and Dex, more relaxed and creative. But they are not what they seem. We don’t get as much of Dex as it’s from her point of view, but he is not the person people have thought he is.  I enjoyed them learning each other and finding great solutions to what they each wanted in their lives when it seemed impossible.
Narration:
I loved the narration because the same narrator has been for the whole series. I was easily able to recognize the voices for characters like Mitch, and Stacey.  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:Â Â HERE
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.
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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:
- 22-COYER
I am way behind in this series, having only read the first book (which I loved). I had planned to read the second around the time I went to the Renaissance Faire this year, but I never managed it. I am glad you liked Well Travelled. I look forward to reading it!
I think all 4 books in the series are fun and well done. I love the community of supporting characters that develops throughout the series too.
Yet another series I’m dying to start! Wonderful review, Anne💜 Love it when they use the same narrator for the entire series.
It’s a fun series with somewhat more plot than the average contemporary romance. I have been enjoying them.
I have the first book in this series on my shelf and do hope to get to it sometime soonish. It sounds like this was a great installment.
Well COYER Book Club is reading the first one for their Book Club which the chat is at the end of January if you wanted to join in. You could probably find a buddy reader too. I’d volunteer if I hadn’t already read it. It’s a series I’ve enjoyed.
Oh, I didn’t know Brittany Pressley narrated this one. I’d be more inclined to pick it up. I didn’t grab this one since I was overloaded with review books and this series has been a bit hit an miss for me. Glad to hear this was a hit.
Well I’ve enjoyed all of these. The unique setting is fun. The series has built a nice community of friends / family.
I just love this series and thought this 4th book was very good too. Nice review Anne!!
Thank you Wendy. I love the unique setting and the well developed characters.
I love this series and can’t wait to read this one. If only the library copy I have on hold would come in!
Well it’s very new, just out this week.
The characters have me intrigued. I have not yet tried this author.
The setting is very creative and how a support circle of friends is built. I’ve really enjoyed the series.
This sounds like such a fun series. I will need to remember it for my romance reading challenge in 2023, and pick up book one from the library.
I hope you love it too.
Can’t wait for this one! Although I decided after listening to the second one, but reading the first one, that I prefer to read them. Which I did for the 3rd and will do for this one when I get my hands on it. Great review!
Thank you Lisa. I really enjoy the character development, the support circle of friends / family which develops and the imaginative setting.
Opposites attract!
yes but they have more in common than one would expect.
I just started this one last night and I’m really enjoying it so far. 🙂
I expected an opposites attract but it is more, a personal growth for the two characters in the main couple.