Gwen & Art Are Not in Love

4.5⭐️
Wow this was an adorable YA romance with multiple well written relationships. Over the course of a summer we have enemies to friends and have one of the cutest relationship (Sid and Agnes) come to life.

This was a fast paced, fun read with a fresh new look on King Author history with a new queer twist on its history. Both the main characters grew on me throughout the book because they both were a bit annoying at the beginning but side characters (Bridget, Sid, Agnes and Gabriel) were definitely my favorite people in this book.

I received the audio and digital version and the dual narrators did a fantastic job. I highly recommend the audio version.

Thank you to Net Galley Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio for my review copies!

Not one or two but THREE budding, young loves in one book? How did they do it? Seriously. The concept here is that Gwen and Art are betrothed to each other and… aren’t in love. Sorry for the spoiler. In fact, they kind of despise each other. Over the course of the book, Gwen and Art fall in love platonically, all while watching each other’s backs so they can each have their own summer romances without getting outed for being queer.

I’m still scratching my head as to how Lex Croucher was able to successfully pull off so much relationship building in one book. First, it helps that the book is YA. Second, the book is set over the course of a summer. These smart choices help set the expectation for the relationships as the teenage summer fling variety – lusty and short-sighted. When the relationships aren’t so deep, there’s lot of room to play in the shallow end. And it’s a fun time, let me tell you.

That’s not to say the book is too shallow. By the end we see deeper connections formed and forming, especially between Art and Gabriel. Their relationship moves a bit faster than Gwen and Bridget. That being said, I kind of wish the book didn’t take quite the plunge that it did in the final 20%. The backdrop of political unrest that is very much just backdrop for the first 80% of the book comes to the forefront at the end and that didn’t entirely work for me. I don’t want to spoil things, but there is a really big tonal shift toward the end and the story, and things take quite a violent, traumatic turn. I found it jarring and after a while started skimming to get through this part faster. I think if some of the trauma was dialed back or these scenes didn’t go on for quite so long it would have worked better for me.

The other remarkable thing about this book is the banter. It’s delicious. Snappy and funny and just…perfect. That’s obviously gone during the Big Traumatic Event but makes a reappearance at the tail end. And that’s another reason why the Big Traumatic Event didn’t work for me. I couldn’t enjoy that banter as much anymore because…how are they back to normal so soon? They haven’t even had therapy!

Anyway, I loved 95% of this book so much that even the 5% that didn’t quite land for me isn’t enough to change my opinion. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Gwen and Art are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC!

I know I keep saying I'm not really a romance reader and then what I read directly contradicts that. Maybe I'm in denial? Roast me.

This book was adorable. For a very what-you-see-is-what-you-get book such as this, I mostly read it because A Knight's Tale was mentioned in the pitch, so of course I'm gonna be all over it. I mean, queer Arthurian fantasy is practically my middle name. However, this was a unique take on romance tropes that I found really refreshing. This isn't a fake dating romance (in the traditional "fake dating turns into real dating" sense) as much as it is an enemies to friends who act as wingmen for each other while they live their best queer lives. There's drama. Hijinks. Buff lady knights. Assassination attempts. So much miscommunication. A full on grisly battle against the bad guys who've been plotting to overthrow the crown and rule England (as one does). What more could you want, really? Also, to be clear - this isn't a retelling of Arthurian myth but it very much engages with it and takes place in the same world, if far after those events.

I appreciated the discussions of the joy of being able to find language to describe your queerness and the many different approaches to identity queer folks can have. I also loved the growth from being a "not like other girls" princess to recognizing that she was making unfair assumptions and there's nothing wrong with other girls, actually. I was happy that they made Arthur Iranian. My biggest and only gripe is that while I think a contemporary writing style suited the story Croucher was telling, it felt a bit TOO contemporary at times.

This was an enjoyable, fast-paced, fun read that, while it has elements of the traditional Arthur Pendragon lore, feels like a wholly original story. Gwen and Arthur are both extremely relatable, and the other side characters (Gabriel, Sidney, Bridget, Agnes) are also well-developed. I liked the representation and the discussion about living for yourself instead of for others' expectations. The story had just the right amount of familiarity with yearning, tension, and pining sprinkled in. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Arthurian tales, who is looking for a solid coming of age story, and who wants to read about burgeoning friendships, romantic relationships, and their ups and downs.

This was a fun lighthearted very queer book. It made me giggle out loud several times. Arthur was very obnoxious but he grew on me throughout the story.
Definitely will be watching A Knights Tale after this.
Yes, to making Arthurian characters queer and fun!


Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the arc

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Is this my favorite book of 2023?? It might be.
Gwen & Art has been on my radar for so long now and I’m almost mad I took so long to read it. Balancing humor, heart, and some of the best characters I’ve ever read, it was nearly impossible to put this book down! Red, White, & Royal Blue and A Knight’s Tale could not be truer comps as you follow Gwen and Art and their lovable pairs through a tournament as unrest and the need for change looms in the kingdom.
The amount of times I laughed out loud then swooned at the adorable and soft moments as queer love played out in an imagined and magical historical setting are too many to count. This will easily become a comfort reread for a long time to come.

3.5⭐️

This was a really cute queer romance. While I did not love the characters at the beginning, their character growth had me rooting for them at the end.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC copy. This was a great read and I really enjoyed reading about Gwen and Art. It’s been 100 years since King Arthur’s reign. King Arthur’s descendent Art is betrothed to Gwen, the quick witted Princess of England since birth. But they hate each other. However, Gwen catches him kissing a boy and Art goes deep diving into Gwen’s past, via her diary, and the story on getting more interesting from there. Quickly they realize they might make better allies than enemies and form a pact. Many shenanigans and hijinks ensure, as they find their found family. I really enjoyed this book and laughed a lot.

This book was CUTE! It was my subway commute book that I read over a few weeks, so while it didn't grab me with a need to finish it, I still really enjoyed it! The characters are all pretty well rounded and you continue to find out more and more about them as the book goes on.

It's a heartfelt book, very uplifting even when something pretty tragic happens to one of the characters. I really enjoyed how much love there was and how the pairings made a lot of sense. Would definitely recommend to folks who want a sweet YA lgbtq+ read!! This is definitely not a retelling, merely inspired from Arthurian lore.

Thank you to Lex Croucher, and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Read it when it's out on November 28th!

Oh, Gwen and Art…

I wish I could say that I absolutely loved this, but it’s quite the opposite. The story didn’t resonate with me, and I found many of the characters to be quite annoying, except for Gabriel, Bridget, and mostly Gwen.

As someone who is deeply interested in gay Arthurian stories, I thought I would love this. I wanted more from the relationship between Arthur and Gabriel, but it felt rather underwhelming. They didn’t deliver what I had hoped for. However, I am pleased that there was decent sapphic representation in this story.

The dots didn’t connect with 'Gwen and Art Are Not in Love,' and that’s totally fine. Not everything works for everyone, but I'm sure this will resonate with many.

'Gwen and Art Are Not in Love' receives a middle-ground 3/5 rating.

As always, thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity, and a special thanks to St. Martin’s Press, and most certainly, Lex Croucher, for the ARC.

4.25/5⭐️

A King Arthur inspired story with the main characters being gay? Abso-freaking-lately!! It was so interesting to see which elements of the King Arthur myth that had been pulled into this story while also staying so truly unique. I loved the character development each character had and how this book had more than 1 POV. I honestly thoroughly enjoyed this and I’m really looking forward to getting a physical copy when it is released!

[4.25/5] GWEN & ART ARE NOT IN LOVE is a snarky, queer, medieval rom com about self discovery and bucking traditional expectations. Set in post-Arthurian England, Gwen and Arthur were betrothed at birth. This alliance is a show of solidarity between the cultists--those who believe in Arthurian magic and legend--and the Catholics. However, Gwen and Arthur despise each other and don't appreciate their parents thrusting them together during the kingdom's annual summer tournament. The stakes change, however, when Gwen sees Arthur kissing a boy and Arthur digs up knowledge of Gwen's crush on Bridget Leclair, a lady knight. They blackmail each other into a begrudging pact while trying to figure out how to break the engagement.

This was an absolute delight to read in more ways than one. First, all of the main characters are fantastic and well characterized. Gwen is stubborn, protective, and more or less knows what she wants, but lacks the confidence to vocalize it. This latter trait is undoubtedly a product of the times in which she lives where women are more obeyers than doers. Arthur, whose mother was Muslim, is quick-witted with a dry and sometime self-deprecating sense of humor. (I really enjoyed Arthur's dialogue.) His bodyguard, Sidney, misses no beats with Arthur's attitude and banters effortlessly with him. Gabriel, Gwen's brother, is the quiet academic type, burdened by the royal expectation of his succession to the throne. And Bridget, who is a Tai descendant of the Sukhothai Kingdom, is resolute in her goals and comfortably confident in going against the grain.

Additionally, the author weaves in important messages that feel organic rather than like a lecture. The overall tone of GWEN & ART ARE NOT IN LOVE is light. However, it also incorporates discussion on tradition vs. change, the power of knowledge, and coming out to family and the importance of support when someone shares an intimate part of who they are. There is perhaps even a little bit of fanatacism commentary. All of these topics are incredibly important and suit this coming-of-age story.

While this Arthurian-inspired tale focuses mostly on the characters coming into their own, there is a background plot. It remains a character-driven story, but late in the game the adults get up to no good. This is the trial or catalyst that invokes resolute confidence in these lovable main characters. It also serves to widen the scope of the story rather than to only focus on Gwen's and Arthur's dilemma. This is a welcome change of pace because, while it reads as a mature and well-rounded YA story, it also shows that there is more happening in the world than one's immediate problems.

I have only a few quibbles with this otherwise superb YA rom com. The first is that it is difficult to pinpoint when this story takes place. Although set hundreds of years after King Arthur, but there are several anachronisms, depending on when GWEN & ART ARE NOT IN LOVE occurs. The first is the mention of Chaucer. Because the reader doesn't know the specific century targeted by the book, mentioning Chaucer seemed odd. There is also a reference to a quote attributed, and potentially debunked, to a 20th century anthropologist. And, contemporary dialogue aside, which is fine with me, there are a few words whose etymological origin is not medieval, like "maraca." There is also heavy semicolon use, which is minorly distracting. In most instances a period also would suffice. However, I read an ARC and perhaps the final version employs less of that punctuation type.

GWEN & ART ARE NOT IN LOVE is a must read for fans of Arthurian-inspired tales who appreciate a more progressive and inclusive perspective. It would also be of interest to those who want to read about characters who are coming-of-age and coming out.

3 / 5

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a title I'd jump to recommend to someone who's looking for a light-hearted queer historical story, similar to books like The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue and for fans of F.T. Lukens - except Gwen & Art leans towards the adult side. The main cast are all late teens early twenties, and some of the themes take on a darker tone amongst the humor interlaced throughout.

We follow Gwendoline and Arthur, a pair that have been betrothed since birth - and despise each other. As political tensions rise, their fathers hurry their union, and Arthur is sent to spend the summer with Gwen and her brother, Gabriel. However, both Gwen and Art are harboring a similar secret: they both share yearning for a romance that they can't have. Gwen is crushing on Lady Bridget, the only female knight in the kingdom, while Art begins to have eyes for Gwen's brother, Gabriel. Messiness ensues, of course.

Personally, I couldn't find a fault with this, it just wasn't a favorite. The writing, the characters, the dialogue, it was all good. I just never became invested - around the 50-60% mark I was ready for it to wrap up (but still had another 200 pages to go.) It made me laugh out loud a few times, and I did like both of our protagonists, but I think both the politics AND the romances needed more attention? Or just simplify the politics overall and focus more on the romance pacing - as we have two going on at once.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, and Lex Croucher for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A queer historical romance set in Camelot featuring the very distant descendant of the original King Arthur. Arthur is the distant, 100 year, distant relative of the original King Arthur. Arthur is betrothed to marry Gwendoline (Not to be confused with Guinevere) ever since they were young, they're big secret is that they are both queer, Gwen is harboring a massive crush on the lady knight and Arthur is falling for Gwen's brother, the future king. Arthur and Gwen have to spend the summer in Camelot together, yet when Gwen discover's Arthur's secret they both begin to realize that they have a lot more in common than really not wanting to get married to each other. Filled with family drama, forbidden crushes, and political coups, this is Gwen and Art in Camelot like you've never seen. I had a lot of high expectations for this one and unfortunately this one was a bit of a miss for me. Nothing much really happens in this book and it felt kind of boring and lackluster sadly. I really wanted to be invested in the romances and the characters but I just found myself getting kind of bored. I was so looking forward to a queer romantic story set in Camelot and there is queer romance, yet it just felt slow and boring. It's not a bad book by any means, it's just kind of lukewarm for me. I adore Camelot stories this one just was okay.

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio for my review copies!

This was the perfect palette cleanser after my Iron Flame deep dive. All of the characters were so lovably imperfect.

I loved that the book was dual POV - but not with a romantic couple. Gwen and Art have been betrothed since infancy, but they loathe each other. Now that they are of age to be married, they are brought back together and ordered to get along. Over the course of the book they grow from enemies to friends, and each helps the other to mature and feel more confident in their own skin.

🎧 Both narrators were fantastic, but Alex Singh especially shines as Art. Highly recommend the audiobook.

3 stars

Not for me so I DNFd around 20%.

However this was well written so 3 stars. I could see this being someone’s 5 star but that someone’s just not me.

Not my type of sub-genre and I’m a mood reader so my genres depend on my mood 😬

This book effortlessly earns a solid 5-star rating, and I wholeheartedly endorse it. Honestly, I typically steer clear of historical fiction and medieval tales, but this one captivated me from start to finish. Packed with elements I adore—queer romances, closeted couples, gripping drama, intricate family dynamics, a touch of violence, and sensuality—this book lived up to its description flawlessly. It resonated with Heartstopper vibes, reminiscent of an Alice Oseman narrative. Despite my initial hesitation towards historical fiction, this book exceeded my expectations. Although it took me a while to read due to illness, it quickly transformed into my go-to comfort read. No complaints whatsoever about this exceptional book.

This book is so lovely. I love how Gwen and Art’s characters get to come into their own in this book, and historically not everything was as it seems. LGTBQ community has been around as long as people have been on this earth, and I do love a story that shows that maybe history can be looked at from a different perspective. Love is love no matter the time. And I do enjoy seeing characters of influence bringing the community to light and showing others that it is okay to love who you love. All of the characters in this book are beautiful. They all stand on their own, and they just resonate with the reader.
Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

i absolutely adored this story. each of the characters is well developed and charismatic, and watching them all interact with one another is a joy. despite period typical violence and hard topics, lex croucher made this book feel joyful and hopeful. there was not a moment in which i did not think gwen and art were going to fight tooth and nail to get the future they desired, and they delivered.

I really loved every page of this. Yes, the story was lovely and endearing and wonderful. But the characters were so funny and relatable and human and I wanted to hug them all. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump and this feel good story was just the thing I needed to get excited about reading again!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.