I really think this book was well written and well executed; the characters and plot were great, but it wasn't a read I really enjoyed. I couldn't really connect with the characters myself and struggled to keep picking it back up. It's a book I will recommend to some people in my life that I know will enjoy it much more, but it wasn't my cup of tea. Thanks so much for selecting me for the eARC, though, I'm really appreciative!

Really good and i would highly recommend :) I myself will be buying the physical version of this book because I absolutely adored it!

3.5 stars

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a touching story, however it is nothing like I expected it to be. The novel follows two engaged royals, Gwen and Art, as they fall for another man and woman, and form an unlikely alliance to protect each other's secrets. Going into this book, despite not being a huge fan of historical fiction, I was pumped. I absolutely loved the premise and was eager to get into it. Once I got into the bulk of the book though, I was surprised. This book was marketed as a rom-com, but it actually is quite a grounded, and at times, sad story. It deals with alcoholism, coming out, depression, and the fear of homophobia. None of these elements made the book bad, in fact they did the opposite. They added a layer of reality to this story and improved it. However, these aspects were unexpected to me based off the marketing for this book, and it caught me off guard.

I do have a couple of actual complaints about this book though. My main one is simply that the pacing is very slow for the first section of the book. Relatedly, I wish the two main couples spent more time with each other, so that we could see them falling in love more.

Regardless of these complaints, however, there are some aspects of this book that I absolutely adored. The stand out highlight for me was Gwen and Art's friendship. From starting out as enemies, to becoming reluctant allies, to finding camaraderie in each other's identities, their story was beautiful. While Gwen and Art are not in love, they do love each other, and I am always happy to uplift stories of platonic love.

Although this story wasn't exactly what I had expected, I truly enjoyed it all the same.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Gwen and Art are not in love is what’s known as a bit of an understatement. Betrothed in their infancy, it’s more accurate to say they have grown up mortal enemies, have been since they were both old enough to express it—if not verbally, then physically—and Art has the lingering damage to prove it. This is not Gwen and Art’s love story. This is a story about two people who learn to love themselves.

Art and Gwen must each go their own way to discover who they are and, more significantly, who and what they want so they can reconcile knowing themselves and each other a little better. Art is given time and space to prove who he is, apart from his father’s greatest disappointment. Gwen, on the other hand, is in deep infatuation with Lady Bridget Leclair, which has been her deepest secret since she was old enough to know what infatuation was. It’s Gwen’s duty to marry Arthur, though, and finding a peaceful accord isn’t easy.

And then, not-so-suddenly, deliberately and methodically, Gwen and Art aren’t sworn foes anymore, and Lex Croucher pulls off a brilliant feat of storytelling to get them to a place of friendship and found family. But not for lack of villainy and brutality on the part of a dangerous foe, leading to some third act conflict that must play out in its gripping and bloody entirety to be resolved. And to, once and for all, bring Arthur and the shy and unassuming Gabriel, the future king, together.

Full of charm and clever dialogue, rife with peril and betrayal, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a sweet and sublime book.

“you knew, and it made perfect sense to you even when it didn’t to me. I didn’t have to try to justify it to you, or beg for your understanding—it wasn’t something that even needed explaining. I had no idea how much that would mean to me. When I talked to you about it, even when you were being a bit of a nightmare, you always made me feel like it was . . . completely ordinary.”
_
Heartstopper meets A Knight’s Tale in this queer medieval rom com YA debut about love, friendship, and being brave enough to change the course of history.
_
This really did remind me of Knights Tale in some ways. The current speech and talk with the knight's dress and swords.
Loved that Gwen and Art were betrothed and were more enemies, teasing each other. It's more enemies to friends.
These aren’t THE Gwen and Art they are years after but from the same lineage or at least their fathers say so living in Camelot. Loved the queer take on this since this most definitely happened but in private. Loved the very strong female knight, Bridget, she was very swoony.
The fight sequences were epic and the battle scenes I felt mud caked and blood soaked and exhausted. Sydney was the perfect wingman for Art through definitely an enabler as he drank enough wine to drown a village.

Really enjoyed this story! The banter between the two and then there was a bit of a third act breakup but friends wise as they got some bad information and distanced themselves. Oh I didn’t mention Prince Gabriel- awkward, book loving, wallflower and heir to the throne. Art didn’t stand a chance.

Thank you wednesdaybooks for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.
Pub Date - 11/28/23
4.5

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC (that I finished only a day after publication). 4/5 stars.

This was a delightful, hilarious read. There were SO many parts in it where I was dying from the banter, the quips, and just the overall commentary from the characters. It focuses somewhat on Camelot but it's not *the Camelot* which is an important distinction; however, some of the characters feel like they have to live up to the legends. I adored Gwen and Bridget and Arthur and Gabe's relationships, along with the side characters of Sidney and Agnes. It's truly just a hilarious read, but you also have to be a certain kind of weird (like...bread jokes and yeasty rituals kind of weird) to enjoy the humor.

I thought the ending was a bit abrupt with the sudden shift with Arthur's injury and then his father and well....everything that happens in the last 20% of the book. Like, I was okay with it just being a romcom without action.

Overall though? This was great.

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. Laugh out loud banter, queer, and found family all wrapped up in a bow. I love art and Gwen. Art and Sidney made me laugh out loud so many times with almost every conversation they had. Lex Croucher did an excellent job at allowing this story to flow pleasantly. I never felt bored and read the entire book in the same day. Im excited to get a physical copy of this book to support the author.


I would love to give this book the recognition it deserves by sharing my reviews elsewhere, but I will not be doing so besides on NetGalley until SMP and WB address their employee’s racist and islamophobic remarks on social media.

Queer medieval romcom inspired by Arthurian legend? Sign me up. It was SO delightfully cute. Tremendously fun banter, I enjoyed every second. Heartstopper mixed with A Knight’s Tale… too fun.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I first saw this cover I knew I wanted to read it and so I am happy I picked it up because I loved it. It was enjoyed, I felt like laughing when I read some parts. It was a very loved book that others should read if you like romance.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

This book was so fun. I loved seeing all of the relationships develop. This is the queer Arthurian story I needed. Having the characters all go through personal growth and finding out what was truly important to each of them was great to see.

dnf @ 13%
I thought this would be for me (I mean queer Arthurian is half my personality), but sadly the way the characters were written was in a way that I personally find insufferable. The idea of sitting there reading it for hours knowing it wouldn't get anything higher than 3.5⭐ didn't feel worth it with a reading slump so I put it down, but maybe I'll try again someday.
(though honestly how did you manage to make me dislike Arthur?)

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Being BRUTALLY honest, I'm not 100% sure if today is publication day or not for ɢᴡᴇɴ & ᴀʀᴛ ᴀʀᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴ ʟᴏᴠᴇ.
Netgalley & Goodreads list dates 6 months apart. Don't let that stop you if you love movies like A Knight's Tale or books by Rainbow Rowell & Alice Oseman.

This is NOT a retelling. It's set hundreds of years after the legendary King Arthur, and it's heavily influenced by it, but it's so charming and the gayest of romps imaginable for roughly the first 70%. At that point there's an attack and war, etc.
This queer, medieval romcom really shines with the characters' inner monologs & dialogue. They range from the simple & swoony- "Lady Leclair was a problem. Looking at her felt a lot like wanting something." To the chuckle-worthy "In that case, Sidney Fitzgilbert— I have decided to make a series of poor decisions in an attempt to clear my name in the eyes of those I love, most likely culminating in our untimely deaths.”

Overall- 4/5 🌟 and probably available everywhere today!

I was provided both a print and audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

I don't know why but I love King Arthur lore. I originally thought this was retelling, but it is not. It certainly is a nice twist on Arthurian lore and I really like what the author did with this.

Gwendoline is the daughter of the current king of Camelot and betrothed to Arthur, descendent of the famous King Arthur. Gwen and Arthur can't stand each other, but their parents have decided that they should spend the summer together getting to know each other before they wed. Shortly after his arrival, Gwen and Arthur discover secrets about one another and devise and advantageous plan that will help both of them. You see Arthur definitively likes boys, and while Gwen has no experience liking anyone she very much feels some sort of way about Lady Knight Bridget. They agree to play up their engagement, while seeking the company of their preferred partner. Antics ensue. In the meantime, Art and Gwen slowly develop a truce as they get to know one another.

This was a really cute coming of age story as the characters have to work together to save Camelot from those who seek to overthrow the King and seek love at the same time. Arthur was hilarious and always up to something ridiculous. Both Gwen and her brother Gabe were raised to believe in a set of rules and expectations that they had to abide by, whereas Art just did whatever he wanted no matter the consequences. Art really inspired them to step out of their comfort zones a bit, break some rules, and make some new ones.

This book is set in a historical setting but uses more modern language. I think that is important to note as it will throw some readers off. There are a few more violent scenes toward the end not related to the tournament that feel a bit out of place compared to the overall cozy nature of the book. Overall though, I really enjoyed this.

Thank you to Netgalley for an opportunity to read a digital copy of this book prior to today's publication day! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.75/5⭐ (But I selected five star because it's closer to that than four.)

I really, really loved this book! It's one I want a physical copy of now just to reread in the future.

The things I loved:
•Queer representation
• Arthurian references
• Sassy banter
• Romcom shenanigans
• Challenging the norm and acceptable of the times
• Wholesome sidekicks
• Engaging characters and development
• It was a quick, engaging read

I thought this was very fun and I got through it very quickly because I was just consistently engaged in the character development and wrapped up in this entire story.

The plot itself at times seemed a bit weak, but overall I just thoroughly enjoyed this experience! I feel like it's been a while since a read felt "fun" like this!

I definitely recommend this book!

I've never read such fluid dialogue before. The characters just fly off the page and feel so real! I couldn't help but laugh along at their jokes and small goofy moments. Such a charm of a book.

A century after King Arthur, his descendant Arthur is betrothed to Princess Gwendoline—yet the two loathe each other. Forced together at Camelot for the summer, their secrets and facades unravel. Will these enemies turn into friends instead of lovers?

What a delightful historical romp! It’s a fun and well-paced story with wonderful characters. The audiobook narration is entertaining.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The author, Lex Croucher says it best in the acknowledgements at the back of the book... "it's kind of a weird book..." That it is, and funny and fun! I giggled my way through Gwen & Art Are Not in Love. I enjoyed getting to know the cast of characters as they made their way through life in medieval times (yikes), each on their way to finding their true love. It's a YA medieval LGBTQIA+ rom-com, a genre I didn't know existed or if I'd like, but here we are! My only complaint was I found myself wanting the pace to pick up in a few places, but I really wanted the best for these loveable characters and was very invested in how it would end for each of them, which kept me quickly turning the pages! This book is going to stick with me for a while because I don't think I've read anything like it! Very fun and would recommend for anyone wanting an out of the ordinary rom-com!

"To be truly brave, first you must be afraid--and to be afraid, you must have something you cannot bear to lose."

Gwen and Art's bravery is hard earned and truly life affirming in the uproariously adventurous royal Camelot inspired queer romantic comedy by premier young adult coming of age author Lex Croucher.

Camelot was centuries ago and King Arthur's descendant Art is a future Lord betrothed to the current king's daughter, Gwen, since birth. They truly despise each other but as each one's secret is revealed they agree to a compromise. Gwen caught Art kissing a man and Art read Gwen's diary all about her crush on Bridget, the only female knight at court. They will keep each other's secret and wed...but an unforeseen obstacle is in their way. Art meets Gwen's brother, Gabriel, the future king, and it's sexual tension at first sight for both of them.

Narrators Alex Singh and Sarah Ovens made these characters their own with impeccable comedic timing and heartfelt declarations of love.

This book is my favorite of the author's YA regency theme romances. It had sincere character growth, especially for Gwen and Art. There is a betrayal and battle worthy of the best of any Game of Thrones episode. Then there's the comedy. Here's one of my favorite exchanges between Gwen and Art:

"...you should act, at all times, as if your crotch is a burden."

"...I'm a man, and my crotch isn't a burden."

"Maybe not to you, but it's a burden on the rest of humanity."

Gwen & Art Are Not In Love is a perfect escape from modern times that will have you falling in love, once again, with Camelot...oh and there's a cameo from Excalibur!

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

I love a historical fiction romance book, especially when the characters are LGBTQ+. This story is for the most part very cute and heart warming! Gwen and Art go from lifelong rivals to unlikely allies while keeping each other’s secrets. As they actually get to know each other, you really see both of them opening up and learning things about themselves. There’s a lot of funny moments between them and quite a bit of banter.

Gwen’s love interest lady knight Bridget Leclair is such a great character too. I love seeing women in non-traditional roles, and being badass while they do it. Honestly she makes me want to take up sword fighting haha! Art’s love interest, prince Gabriel, is a little harder to love, but seeing how much pressure he is under as the next in line for the throne, it’s understandable why he is the way he is. And then there’s Sidney, who is hilarious and honestly probably the only reason Arthur has made it this far in life!

The pacing of this book was perfect, and it was compelling the entire time. I found myself excited for what happened next and chuckling all the time. Overall this was a really fun and enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley & Wednesday Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This was a very charming and clever book. There really should be more YA historical fiction books out there. True though, while this is historical, the characters mostly use modern speech and it never felt meant to be something out of a history book, but setting the characters along the backdrop of post-Arthurian England was very fun. I enjoyed both Gwent and Art's alternating POVs and the way they had a very cute rivalry that became an intimate friendship so at the end they are in love despite what the title is, but a different kind of love than those around them might expect.

The romance(s) in the book were sweet although I can always go for more romance. For how long the book is, some of the development there was a little rushed which I can understand seeing as the back half of the book gets rather intense which I didn't expect. 75% of this book is a light hearted romp of princes and princesses and battle training and the last 25% builds on some lingering conflict into an all out war.

I really enjoy Croucher's writing style, it is very funny and clever and her characters are always going to be worth listening to. I like the concept of this a lot and will be excited to read whatever YA they come up with.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.