the time it was about well versed

Posted September 21, 2026 by Stacee in Interviews | 0 Comments

when I got the invite to interview Jen DeLuca for well versed, I couldn’t reply fast enough. I have loved the Ren Faire series and I was so excited to see how the series wrapped up. spoiler alert: I loved it.

before we get to Jen’s answers, let’s check out the book.

Title: Well Versed (Well Met #5)
Author: Jen DeLuca
Pages: 352
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: September 22, 2026
Find it: PRH | Bookshop | Goodreads

Synopsis: Caitlin Parker was a teenager when she fell out of love with the magic of the Willow Creek Renaissance Faire—the site of her first real heartbreak. But now, twenty-four and unemployed, she finds herself in her childhood bedroom and her childhood lady-in-waiting costume, assisting a rotating cast of substitute queens for the season. The very last person she wants to see is Alexander Wright—the sword-fighting, Shakespeare-spouting young man who won and broke her teenage heart. Yet there he is, older, annoyingly hotter, and back on stage at her Faire.

When Alex broke things off with Caitlin five years ago, he thought he was just ending a summer fling. He didn’t realize how much he’d fallen for her until he let her go, and he certainly didn’t know he’d tarnished her memories of her cherished Faire and worse, shattered her view on love and relationships. His need to right that wrong this summer brings them together again and again, and the four-year age difference that kept them apart years ago isn’t a big deal now. This time, it won’t be so easy to let go of this summer fling.

But as summer winds down, real life is catching up to both of them. Caitlin’s always thought that being an adult with adult responsibilities means leaving whimsy behind. Alex, with a life full of stage combat, songs, and sonnets, doesn’t know how to live any other way. Can they go after their dreams and find a future together where they can still say “huzzah”?

sound good, right?

1. Please give the elevator pitch for Well Versed.

WELL VERSED is a full-circle series finale to the Well Met series, but is also a standalone. Caitlin, the young teen who kicked everything off in the first book, is now twenty-four. She returns to the faire for the first time in years, and comes face to face with the man who broke her heart.

2. When setting up Caitlin’s book, was there anything you knew you wanted to include?

I knew that I wanted to call back to the heroines of the first four books, who were all part of Caitlin’s life for very different reasons, giving her life advice that echoed the journeys that they went on and lessons they learned in their books. I’m very pleased with how that turned out!

3. Why do you love Caitlin and Alex and why should readers root for them?

I love these two kids so much. They’re going through a quarter-life crisis—that time in your life where you realize that being an adult is harder than you thought, and wondering what the future really holds for you. While they’re each facing their own crisis, they eventually realize that they can help each other find their happiness together.

4. Were there any weird things you googled while researching?

Not from Google, but one thing I did was re-read the first four WELL MET books, to remind myself where Caitlin was at all times, and what she witnessed and what she didn’t. Seeing everyone’s stories in a different light, through the eyes of a side character was interesting to say the least!

5. Without spoilers, which scene was your favorite to write?

I was extremely excited to explore Caitlin’s relationship with Mitch, who’s basically her stepdad. Their dynamic became one of my favorite parts to write! There are two exchanges in particular that I really love. One makes me laugh every time I read it, and one makes me tear up.

Speed(ish) round:

1. What do you love most about Ren Faire?

It’s an almost primal escape from the real world. So much is electronic these days, there’s something immensely appealing in stepping away from screens to listen to acoustic music, watch sword fights and acrobats, and eat fried food on a stick.

2 What was your last 5 star read?

STAR SHIPPED by Cat Sebastian. If you haven’t read it yet, let this be your sign.

3. Do you have a current obsession?

I’m in a leather journal phase—the kind with elastics where you add inserts. I have one for my calendar/journal/reading journal, and one for my writing (brainstorming and drafting), and I just added a smaller one so I can carry a pocket calendar around. Also obsessed with very fine-point fountain pens to write in them with.

4. Would you rather eat sweet or savory?

I’ve been a sweet girl most of my life, but I’ve been going through a savory phase. Especially anything to do with potatoes. Crunchy, salty … what’s not to like?

5. How are your pets doing?

They are all doing great! Current tally is four cats and a dog. General Leia is the oldest cat at eighteen. She’s mostly deaf these days but she’s still the boss of the house. Her favorite thing to do is drink out of the dog’s water dish, so it’s a common sight to see 80-pound Cora waiting in line behind 8-pound Leia for a drink of water! It’s chaos around here, but we love it.

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Jen deluca is the usa today bestselling author of the well met series, which was inspired by her time volunteering as a pub wench with her local renaissance faire. she loves publix chicken tender subs, cold brew coffee, and the oxford comma. jen lives in the arizona desert with her husband, their rescue dog, and almost too many cats.