The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway
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ISBN10: 1250840244
ISBN13: 9781250840240
Hardcover
320 Pages
$20.00
CA$27.00
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 favorite 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.
Reviews
Praise for The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway
"This exemplary romance, perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell, makes a cozy read for any season."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"[This] coming-of-age tale melds humor and body positivity, with a heroine who learns she doesn’t have to be skinny to love herself or be loved."—Dallas Morning News
"Ashley Schumacher's latest novel is a delightful read, with diverse characters and an irresistible setting. The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway proves that there's no better place to find yourself than at a Renaissance Faire."—Jen Deluca, author of Well Met
"Set in one of my favorite places in the world—a Renaissance Faire full of jousts, royalty, bards, and castles—this is a wise, beautiful, funny book with tremendous heart. Schumacher treats all her characters with compassion and artfully blends a tale of deep grief with joy, reminding readers that magic is everywhere and that none of our stories are truly over, even when it might seem like it. I absolutely loved it."—Jamie Pacton, author of The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly and Lucky Girl
"With a cast of characters who stole my heart, The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway is a wonderful exploration of grief, family, friendship, love, and fate. I was hooked from the first page and didn’t want it to end. This is the summer love story for fat girls that I wish I’d had as a teen."—Sarah Hollowell, author of A Dark and Starless Forest
"A swoon-worthy read about body positivity, fate and choice, re-discovering who you are in the wake of grief, and giving yourself permission to open your heart to love and tenderness."—Crystal Maldonado, award-winning author of Fat Chance, Charlie Vega and No Filter and Other Lies
"A welcome modern coming-of-age story about unfolding, letting go, and growing up . . . Readers will welcome this story about a leading lady who doesn’t have to be skinny to love herself or to be loved. A skillfully written and appealing romance with a powerful and refreshing message."—Kirkus Reviews
"A lively, gentle romance novel featuring two well-drawn main characters whose frequent verbal sparring reveals their wit and their vulnerabilities."—Booklist
"Madeline and Arthur are irresistible romantic leads; their burgeoning feelings for each other and their mesmerizing chemistry, coupled with Madeline’s worries surrounding body image, grief, and her future, makes for a swoony, uplifting love story."—Publishers Weekly
Reviews from Goodreads
BOOK EXCERPTS
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER ONE
I WONDER WHAT THE WIZARD WOULD TELL me now, if he could see me standing with my elbows resting atop the stone wall looking down below into the lazy river moat with literal alligator floaties. I wonder what...
About the author
Ashley Schumacher
