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A review by emmas_bookshelf
The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
All the stars to this warm hug of a YA novel that follows Maddie Hathaway through a summer where she grieves her mom, meets a boy, embraces her alter ego Gwen I’m trying new things and maybe letting people in, and finally: grapples with fate.
I loved so many things about this book. So many of 17-year-old Gwen’s experiences brought back specific memories from my own teenage years: when a boy picked me up and I was terrified I was too heavy; thinking I wasn’t worthy of a princess dress; worried that I wasn’t like other teenagers. I wish this book had been there for me as a teen but I also think I appreciate it just as much now. Thank you Ashley Schumacher for writing such a beautiful story and such amazing characters. Also in the acknowledgments you mentioned being Bridgerton-obsessed so I think maybe you are my soul sister?! Here’s a list of other things I enjoyed about this book:
* Olivia Rodrigo references
* Journaling
* Nicknames
* Tiny glass animals
* Road trips
* Viewmaster memories
* Fates
* Ren faire magic
* Normalizing a plus size princess
Shocked at how timely the reference was:
* cordyceps
Thank you to Wednesday Books/SMP for the copy via NetGalley. I’m also about to run out and buy one because I loved the book so much, truly.
I loved so many things about this book. So many of 17-year-old Gwen’s experiences brought back specific memories from my own teenage years: when a boy picked me up and I was terrified I was too heavy; thinking I wasn’t worthy of a princess dress; worried that I wasn’t like other teenagers. I wish this book had been there for me as a teen but I also think I appreciate it just as much now. Thank you Ashley Schumacher for writing such a beautiful story and such amazing characters. Also in the acknowledgments you mentioned being Bridgerton-obsessed so I think maybe you are my soul sister?! Here’s a list of other things I enjoyed about this book:
* Olivia Rodrigo references
* Journaling
* Nicknames
* Tiny glass animals
* Road trips
* Viewmaster memories
* Fates
* Ren faire magic
* Normalizing a plus size princess
Shocked at how timely the reference was:
* cordyceps
Thank you to Wednesday Books/SMP for the copy via NetGalley. I’m also about to run out and buy one because I loved the book so much, truly.