Image compiled using Canva
Renaissance Festival season varies depending on where you live. But for me, late August through October has always been peak Ren Fest time. That was the case back in Ohio where I grew up, and it’s the same rough schedule here in Pennsylvania, where I’ve lived for the last ten years. As I prepare to dust off my go-to costume and double-check the water bottle policy to bring a massive jug in, I’m also leaning into the Ren Fest spirit with books. This time of year always makes me think of my favorite series of Ren Fest romances. However, surely those aren’t the only books one can read to get into the Ren Fest spirit.
When I think of the Ren Faire, a few things come to mind. Huzzahs, elaborate costumes with a generous interpretation of the time period, and a sense of community. Of course, there’s also the delicious food and enthusiastic performances. So, between the fantasy and the spirit, these books feel like the perfect reads to get you ready to attend your local Ren Faire.
**Bonus Action is a member of the Amazon Affiliate Program. That means buying items from the Amazon links in this article will help support our writers via a small amount of money earned per purchase.**
Well Met by Jen DeLuca
- Genre: Contemporary Adult Romance
- Price: $21 on Amazon
This is my default pick for anyone looking to read about the Renaissance Festival. After all, this entire series of books is actually set at a local Ren Fest. Better yet, DeLuca has a personal history on the Faire circuit. So, she knows what she’s talking about. The first book remains my favorite, but if you like it, there are four more where this one comes from. If you’re looking for a lighthearted contemporary romance actually set at a Renaissance Festival, you can’t really do better than this series.
In Well Met, our protagonist comes to stay with her sister to help support her after an unexpected injury. Somehow, that support winds up including the task of volunteering at the local Ren Faire. Her niece needs a chaperone to partake, and boy does she want to partake. Of course, Emily winds up being charmed by the man in charge. Straightlaced and difficult during the week, Simon transforms into a charming pirate during the Faire. But is their love real, or just for show?
Dungeons & Drama by Kristy Boyce
- Genre: Contemporary YA Romance
- Price: $11.99 on Amazon
Dungeons & Drama isn’t actually set at the Ren Faire. In fact, it’s more of a contemporary Dungeons & Dragons romance. However, the spirit of the book very much captures that Ren Faire feeling to me. We’ve got a young woman who loves all things drama and theater. We’ve got fantasy roleplay, complete with the occasional costume. D&D and the Renaissance Festival kind of go hand in hand, given the LARP of it all. So if you want something to get you in the spirit to run around the forest imagining there might be dragons, this book fits the bill.
In Dungeons & Drama, Riley is forced to work at her father’s tabletop gaming store. She’d rather be focused on trying to bring back the spring show she’d been looking forward to. But soon, she’s wrapped up in a fake dating scheme with her coworker and classmate. It includes pretending to be invested in his group’s D&D game. But to her surprise, Riley might actually like the game. And quite possibly, the boy who forced her to play it, too.
Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth
- Genre: Contemporary YA Romance
- Price: $13.99 on Amazon
If you enjoy Ren Fest for the Shakespeare of it all, or if you’re just here for a fun Shakespeare retelling for gamers, Twelfth Knight will do quite nicely. This book is a modern retelling of Twelfth Night, with a gaming twist. So while it’s not quite set at your local Ren Faire, it’s got that spirit of a modern translation of older stories down pat. And it’s appropriately nerdy for our purposes here at Bonus Action, too.
Viola Reyes is desperate to run her homebrewed TTRPG campaign, but her friends shoot it down. So, she retreats to the MMORPG she loves, where she hides behind a male persona. However, soon she finds herself crossing virtual swords with her school’s star running back… and actually enjoying their time together. But how will he react when he learns her real identity?
The Life and Medieval Times of Kit Sweetly by Jamie Pacton
- Genre: Contemporary YA Workplace Fiction
- Price: $17.99 on Amazon
If you love a good trip to Medieval Times to fill the hole in your heart during the Ren Faire off-season, I have great news. There is, in fact, a YA novel set at just such a medieval-themed restaurant. And it’s got a fun, feminist message baked right in, too. If you love a good workplace story with a dash of coming of age, plus some medieval-themed fun, this just might be the pick for you.
In The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly, Kit wants to upgrade from wench to knight. However, the medieval-themed restaurant where she works is truly throwing it back with its gender-based policy about who gets to fight. Kit secretly takes her brother’s place on the battlefield to prove herself, only to wind up embroiled in a bigger fight to stay a Girl Knight than she expected.
Looking for more fantasy-tinged book recs? Check out my recommendations for Legends & Lattes read-alikes.
**Bonus Action is a member of the Amazon Affiliate Program. That means buying items from the Amazon links in this article will help support our writers via a small amount of money earned per purchase.**
Still here? Good.
That means the article did its job! If you’d like to see more of them (and get first crack at what’s next) our Patreon’s the place.
About the Author
Discover more from Bonus Action
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
