I truly loved YA historical romance when I was young... this would have blown my mind 30 years ago.

As it is, I loved reading this queer Arthurian retelling that has a happy ending for an arranged mixed orientation match-up. The characters are lovable, the banter is quick and hilarious, and the messages are inclusive. I loved this as I have loved all of Lex Croucher's work and this first foray into YA was super fun for me to read.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader's copy of this book.

took me a bit to get into it, but when i finally did i really loved it! the characters here are wonderfully flawed and feel very much like real people, and the progression of the relationships felt real and natural. i could see where the plot was coming together and was interested to see where it would go, though admittedly, i felt it all happened rather quickly, including the ending. i would have liked a little more time to experience the conflict and settle in with the aftermath, but it wasn't enough to detract from my enjoyment of this lovely novel overall.

thank you to netgalley, wednesday books, and lex croucher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is just cute. It was such a nice read and all the characters had their own struggles that made them both loveable and relatable. I think I'll ever re-read this one! It was super cute and I am so glad I got a chance to read it.

Review based on a NetGalley arc!!!

I started this book and immediately had a good time. Gwen and Art Are Not In Love has wonderful characters who are funny, motivated and just overall fun to read about.

4/5 because it took me all month to read because I'm a mood reader and for some reason couldn't get back into the mood at time for this. I don't know anything about Arthur and his real lore but it was still enjoyable (if you get beyond the whole coup and sword fighting scenes some of which could've been devoted to making some of the couples more fleshed out to the audience).

The Arthur in this story was funny and well meaning. Gwen was also a fantastic character. Everyone's relationships were well established. I will say some of the writing seemed to alternate so I wasn't sure what sure this was supposed to be when Sidney told someone to "chill" and Arthur made a comment about "Invading Normandy" but for the most part the book was a fun read.

I do wish Bridget and Gwen were more fleshed out as a couple. It seemed that towards the ending half of the book especially they seemed to have different interpretations regarding where their relationship stood.

I like the cover so all in all a positive reading experience.

I absolutely loved this book. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I finished reading it and I absolutely devoured it once I started.

The description is perfect when it says its Heartstopper meets A Knight’s Tale and I’d even add in that there’s a Shakespearean comedy vibe too. Full of sword fights and jousting as well as stolen kisses.

The best part for me was the witty banter especially Sidney and Arthur. I was laughing out loud so many times while I was reading it. I also adored how heartfelt this book was in handling the chars there and their queerness. They all had a unique experience both in accepting it but also how they expressed it and I really loved that. The conversations between Arthur and Gwen and then Arthur and Gabriel were so beautifully written and made me tear up. Arthur had these moments that were so heartbreaking with how broken he was that I just wanted to hug him but he also had this assuredness and heart that allowed him to be there for both Gwen and Gabriel in such a meaningful way.

I really hope there will be more to come in this universe with these characters because they have made a little home in my heart and I need to know what’s next.

I received a free advanced copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you're missing the fun of BBC's Merlin show or want a book similar to Alexis Hall's writing style, then Gwen & Art Are Not in Love might just be for you. It has some hilarious and disaster characters, along with some crazy situations with a bunch of young people just trying to find love. It's a lighthearted historical fiction comedy with romance and sword fighting thrown in.

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love follows two POV characters, Gwen, the current king's daughter, and Arthur, a descendant of King Arthur with none of his capabilities. Against their wishes, the two are engaged, even though Gwen likes a certain female knight and Arthur is very into men. So, they agree to make each others' lives easier and keep their secrets. What's entertaining after that is watching them become enemies to allies to sort-of friends. Both characters are complete messes.

I will say that in addition to the two protagonists, the other side characters, such as Bridget Leclair, the knight, and Arthur's friend, Sid, all are pretty flushed out characters. Bridget reminds me of Brienne of Tarth in personality, not appearance, which was very fun to read. However, I don't think the members of the royal family truly got a lot of development. I would've liked to have seen more, especially from Gabriel, Gwen's brother, and the king and queen. They felt a bit like afterthoughts at times.

Now, though I did enjoy this book, it took some time to get into. I think I had to get about 15% into the story before I truly immersed myself into the world, especially since I thought this was going to be an actual King Arthur retelling, just with gay characters, and instead it ended up having very little relevance to King Arthur at all. Honestly, that whole plot point could have been taken out. But anyway, I guess I should have read the description more closely. The plot overall, is very fun, though. Gwen and Art are trying to figure themselves out while fitting in some romance, and it's a wild ride. But the ending. I was not expecting the action that happened. Just when you think you're in a fluffy historical fiction book, BAM! Everything goes crazy! My eyes were glued to my Kindle.

All in all, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is simply a cute, entertaining read. It will give you all the feels and make you wish to live in an age of knights and princesses. Just don't go into it thinking you're getting the actual tale of King Arthur, and you'll be all set for a quick, cheery read.

4 stars

*Note: I received a copy of this book to review from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affected my opinion/review.

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher is a fun-filled novel with mature, dark moments that blends elements of Arthurian legend with a contemporary young adult twist. Going into this story blind, I was a bit confused by the tone and genre of the story as the characters spoke in a very modern way, which felt at odds with the medieval setting. However, the more I read and the more I became immersed in the world, the less distracting this language became. Overall, the story was incredibly enjoyable and gripping, with both hilarious and devastating moments.

One of the highlights of the book is the fun and adorable scenes and relationships that unfold throughout. The interactions between the characters are cute and sweet, providing a lightheartedness that is perfect for a YA read. Arthur's character, in particular, stood out to me. His relationships with his friends are well-developed and endearing. Despite the title spoiling that Gwen and Art are NOT in love, it was delightful to see how they learned to care for each other and cultivate a strong friendship by the end of the novel. Another standout character was Bridget, and while she played a significant role in the book, I could not get enough and wish there was more of her! She brought a refreshing energy and dynamic to the story.

The ending of this story feels like a whirlwind. A lot happens within the last 100 pages, and I would have liked to see the ending expanded upon and the characters' reactions to the final events explored further. Regardless, I really enjoyed every part of this story and will be recommending it to everyone! I'll also be picking up a physical copy next time I'm at a bookstore! 4.5 stars, rounded up!

This wasn't for me. I know multiple people who would probably love this book but personally the pacing was too off. I wasn't drawn in until a little past halfway through, a mean reason being that Gwen seemed really mean compared to Arthur? She was one our main characters and I personally just didn't find her enjoyable for the first half of the book. When her relationship with Arthur was a little less mean spirited I liked her character much more but once again that took a WHILE.

The concept reminded me of my Merlin obsessed years and I think that people who liked that show might like this tbh. The Arthurian elements are pretty fascinatingly told and okay the idea of Gwen and Arthur being gay was CHEFS KISS. My favorite characters were all the "smaller characters" probably. A fan of the love interests and their conflicts, especially Gwen's brother, Gabriel. But I also liked Agnes and Sidney who were there to aid Gwen and Arthur respectively.

Overall this book wasn't bad once I got into it, its just that I really had to force myself to get into it which inevitably made my overall enjoyment lower than I was hoping. Still, I'm appreciative to Lex Croucher, and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

Gwen and Art are absolutely not in love- which doesn't matter because their engagement is happening whether they like it or not. As Gwen and Art scheme to become unengaged, they reluctantly decide to work together. Queer chaos and joyous shenanigans are inevitable! Meanwhile, Gwen’s brother Gabe reckons with a new attraction and one of the kingdom’s lady knights arrives in Camelot to compete at a tournament. Can Gwen and Art find a way to follow their true passions (and true loves) before it’s too late?

Lex Croucher is quickly becoming one of my auto-buy authors! This book was absolutely hilarious. I loved the dialogue, the jokes, and the heartfelt characters. There are universally relatable themes of trying to figure out who you are and balancing personal happiness with parental expectations. I enjoyed the sibling relationship between Gwen and Gabe, particularly some of their one-on-one conversations where they discover truths about each other. I especially loved the pining and angst between Gwen and Bridget! Readers who enjoy queer found family, hilarious dialogue, and delightfully chaotic LGBTQ+ shenanigans will love this book.

Thank you so much to Lex Croucher, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

A medieval queer rom-com about an arranged marriage doomed to fail. Gwen and Arthur, betrothed and mortal enemies to each other since childhood. When they're forced to spend time together hijinx and revealed truths show that maybe they'd be better allies than enemies...and maybe they have more in common than they think.

Sweet, heartfelt, and a wonderful story about being true to oneself and fighting for your happiness and your friends.

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love was fun and funny, with a bit of sad. It was not your average historical fiction/romance book, but more like a comedy of one.
I adored it from start to finish. I think I loved Arthur's character the best! He has this witty banter with everyone that was really just a shield for self loathing and was sometimes self deprocating.
Before I started reading, I honestly thought that this was a queer Arthurian Legend retelling, and honestly I'm almost glad that I was wrong (I am still looking for a queer arthurian legend retelling). Although the characters are descendents of Arthur and Arthurian legend is canon in the book, I'm glad that it wasn't simply a retelling. Also, very fun twist that they give Arthurian legend within the story. So refreshingly queer, but also heartbreakingly so.

DRAMA? You got it. Romance? It's there. Magic? Oh yeah. Fighting/jousting? You better believe it.

This book had me hooked from the minute I started reading it. Before I even get into the details: I can't recommend this book enough.

There is so much to this story that I love. To start, it isn't your basic love story, fake dating rom com- there was actual depth to it. So much so that we were able to not only become one with the world, but also truly connect to the main characters.

So much of what I loved about this book was in the writing style. We were able to see the witty comebacks and charisma of the characters that made it feel like we were watching this conversation go down in person. One of my favorite interactions showed this to a T by saying: "'I like it. It's hard and black, like my heart.' 'Your head is soft and yellow,' said Sidney. 'Like marzipan.'"

I truly have nothing negative to say about this book. We had layers, we had twists, we had turns, and we have simple language that made it easy to just sink into the story.

Be ready to gasp and enjoy!

"Excalibur nine??"

I was not expecting such a layered, funny, romantic, thoughtful YA book when I read the premise, but I absolutely loved Gwen, Art, Gabe, and Brigid and was left thinking of these characters and their friendships/first loves long after reading the book. The story is perfect for fans of the 2001 movie A Knight's Tale. In a similar vein, the setting is purportedly the middle ages, but the soundtrack and colloquialisms are much more modern and teen-friendly. The characters were so nuanced and the humor was so witty, teens will appreciate being in on the jokes. This is a must-read!

Honestly, when I first started reading this book, I thought it was going to be silly and lame due to the way the characters spoke and interacted, but I was pleasantly surprised as characters developed over the course of the book and the plot ramped up towards the end.

Gwen (as in, Gwendoline, not Guinevere, thank goodness) is a princess whose father took the throne of England and moved everyone to Camelot as an attempt to please the Arthurian cultists who tried to cause an uprising. Arthur is a descendant from Arthur Pendragon and his father just so happened to be one of those cultists, but fell into the good graces of the king enough for Arthur to be Gwen's betrothed when they were children.

Arthur is supposed to come spend the summer with Gwen and her family to prepare for their eventual nuptials. However, they hate each other with a fiery passion. Gwen just wants to be left alone so she can quietly pine after Lady Bridget LeClair, a female knight who gets booed at the tournament, but kicks ass.

And Arthur... well, Gwen happens to catch him kissing a servant boy. As a compromising blackmail, they both agree to put up a charade of slowly falling for each other while queerly lusting for others.

Shenanigans ensue.

The characters annoyed me at the start. I thought Gwen was going to be bratty the whole time and Arthur just be absolutely arrogant. Yet, they had massive amounts of character development and several of the side characters did as well.

Gabriel, Gwen's brother, is the future heir to the throne who wears the title with an exhausting burden. He just wants to read books, not learn how to be a king, but he completes the tasks at hand with effectiveness (and dread.) He has a gentle heart and a brilliant mind.

Sidney is Arthur's manservant and partial bodyguard / lookout. He puts up with Arthur's excursions and attempts at wit, but he is a loyal friend, for sure.

Agnes is Gwen's lady in waiting who eventually becomes a close confidant to the princess.

And, of course, there's Bridget LeClair, the knight who Gwen has a MASSIVE crush on. She is no-nonsense and punch first, ask questions later. She's great.

Overall, I really loved the book at the end. There are some chapters with serious action that mentions how bloody warfare can be and that wasn't something I was expecting when I started the novel. I enjoyed it, though.

The ending was rather abrupt, but it didn't bother me because I feel like it ended well.

A heartwarming tale about coming into your own and being true to your heart, even when it goes against the grain.

Centuries after the reign of Arthur Pendragon, his distant descendant (also named Arthur) has been betrothed to Gwendoline Princess of England, since birth. Much to their mutual chagrin, no one seems to care that they don't actually seem to like each other. No, it's for the good of England and for preserving the tentative peace between those that follow the Catholic faith and those considered cultists who rerere the Arthurian figures as gods.

As their betrothal finally begins to come to a close and plans are set in motion for their nuptials, Gwen and Arthur are forced to spend the summer tournament season together at Camelot. However, things suddenly get a whole lot more interesting when Gwen discovers Arthur kissing another boy in secret and Arthur learns that Gwen's heart beats only for the dashingly controversial knight, Lady Bridget Leclair.

With the shared knowledge that their hearts lie elsewhere, Gwen and Arthur decide to work together for the benefit of both their interests. As they cover for each other, Gwen begins to fall more and more for Lady Bridget and Arthur begins to find himself equally intrigued by Gwen's brother the Crown Prince Gabriel. It is a summer of self discovery for all the parties involved. But this is Camelot, and danger is never as far away as it seems...

This was an absolutely wonderful book. From the moment I began reading, I was thoroughly entranced. Gwen, Arthur, Gabriel, Bridget, and all the rest of this cast of characters are so down to earth and believable that you can't help but get wrapped up in this tale.

The differences in the way each of the main characters handles the truths of who they are, who they long to be, was very well handled. At times I found myself rooting for them through each and every triumph and agonzing with them in the darker moments when it seemed like hope could be lost.

The dialogue is witty and snappy and makes an interesting counterpoint to this alternative medieval/renaissance setting of England. Croucher did a marvelous job of blending history and fantasy into a believable alternate reality that was both familiar and refreshing.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a truly solid queer ya rom com. And honestly, even those who aren't. We could all learn a thing or two from this book. Bravo and well done!

A fun intro to fantasy that is queer and YA. Not quite an Arthur retelling; it was a quick read that will be enjoyed by YA readers.

I've been meaning to read Lex Croucher's adult romances for ages and shamefully haven't gotten to them yet, but if they're as delightful as Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is, then I might have to remedy that immediately. I'm seriously a sucker for some good queer historical romance, and this absolutely delivered. Gwen and Art are both dynamic characters whose perspectives were quite different from one another but equally engaging; I like their simultaneous realization that they may not hate each other quite as much as they feel compelled to, and their friendship is honestly very sweet. The love interests and side characters are also super fun, though I wish we had seen more of them. I have no idea if Croucher intends to expand upon this little universe at all, but if they do, consider me first in line for the next book! (I would personally adore a little spinoff about Sidney and Agnes. A novella. A short story. Three paragraphs. Anything, really. They're SO cute.)

This was my first book by Lex Coucher and will not be the last.

The description of "Heartstopper meets A Knights Tale" was a perfect intro into this gripping LGBTQ+ historical romance.

Absolutely loved the historical aspect, the jousting, outfit descriptions, and the names. The battle at the end was impossible to put down. Highly recommend.

“To be truly brave, first you must be afraid – and to be afraid, you must have something you cannot bear to lose.”

iS a queer, medieval rom-com following the undesired betrothal of the princess of england and the descendant of king arthur himself, lex croucher’s upcoming young adult debut is a gorgeous exploration of love, friendship, history, and self-discovery that joyfully tears down the idea that we must sacrifice our truths to be happy and make a difference in the world. no book i’ve read all year has made me laugh, cry, and read with such breathless abandon as this and i can’t wait to make myself as dramatic and insufferable as possible about it in the new year.

This was the first book I've read from this author and I really enjoyed it. The story was different from anything I've read recently and really captured my attention.