Quick Thoughts: Well Played (Well Met #2) by Jen DeLuca

Well Played

(Well Met #2)

by Jen DeLuca

September 22, 2020

Goodreads Summary:

Stacey is jolted when her friends Simon and Emily get engaged. She knew she was putting her life on hold when she stayed in Willow Creek to care for her sick mother, but it's been years now, and even though Stacey loves spending her summers pouring drinks and flirting with patrons at the local Renaissance Faire, she wants more out of life. Stacey vows to have her life figured out by the time her friends get hitched at Faire next summer. Maybe she'll even find The One.

When Stacey imagined "The One," it never occurred to her that her summertime Faire fling, Dex MacLean, might fit the bill. While Dex is easy on the eyes onstage with his band The Dueling Kilts, Stacey has never felt an emotional connection with him. So when she receives a tender email from the typically monosyllabic hunk, she's not sure what to make of it.

Faire returns to Willow Creek, and Stacey comes face-to-face with the man with whom she’s exchanged hundreds of online messages over the past nine months. To Stacey's shock, it isn't Dex—she's been falling in love with a man she barely knows.

Another laugh-out-loud romantic comedy featuring kilted musicians, Renaissance Faire tavern wenches, and an unlikely love story.

Review

I am so proud of myself for finally picking up this sequel to Well Met, one of my favourite romance novels. Well Played wasn't as swoony but I loved returning to this adorable small town and its fun Faire.

What I Liked:

- the story had an overall encouraging atmosphere 

- the Renaissance Faire is a highlight of this series!

- Stacey knowing herself well (especially when it came to her insecurities)

- I was a little impressed by Daniel's display of calm and levelheadedness

- the real awkwardness between Stacey and Daniel in the beginning

- Emily and Simon's HEA

- Mitch and his supportive older brother role

The Not So Much:

- the dishonesty put me off the romance quite a bit

- despite all the talking Stacey and Daniel did online, I still felt like their connection was too fast

- I wanted more in person interactions between Stacey and Daniel

- I dislike Dex a great amount even if we've been repeatedly told of his character