I loved this. The writing was simplistic but good, and I adored how well-developed Arthur and Gabriel’s relationship was. My one complaint would be that Gwen and Bridget’s relationship was a little insta-lovey but other than that, an easy book to four-star.

“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 Are Not in Love was not exactly what I expected, but it was exactly what it needed to be. Gwen particularly started out a but grating for me, but that changed as the character dynamics developed and we got to see who each of the characters were beyond their constructed heteronormative facades.

Are you in the mood for an enemies to friends to wingmen to in-laws romance that involves princesses, embroidery, treason, and birds? Look no further, because Lex Croucher has made this a reality in Gwen and Art are Not in Love! The author balances friendship, love, and acceptance all amongst the backdrop of a theo-political divide involving a cult that follows the legend of Arthur Pendragon and the ever-so prominent Catholics.

What I found most endearing about this book was the way that Gwen and Arthur ended up working together, despite their lack of interest in one another. Gwen and Arthur play very well against each other; Gwen is the serious, follow-the-rules shy girl who has the more-than-occasional moment of sass, and Arthur is the daddy-issues bad boy who is witty and charming, but secretly self-deprecating and longing for companionship (other than his loyal and trustworthy man, Sidney). I really loved the comebacks that Arthur would shoot towards people, even in the WORST time to make a joke. All of the characters seemed to fit their roles so perfectly, down to Gabe being the nervous next-in-line heir to the throne.

What I found off-putting about the book, at first, was how modern the references and speech patterns seemed to be. I was thinking “Can’t we get some ‘hail and well met’ Shakespearean-type language up in here?” But I came to love it, and I realized about halfway through that the book wouldn’t have been anywhere near as funny if Arthur wasn’t able to banter the way he did because of restrictions of language. I wrote in my notes that I wish it would have been more “historically accurate,” but that’s pretty funny for a story that retells a literal legend. It’s fiction, we all need to step back and realize that sometimes, historical accuracy is not the goal.

My favorite quote from the book is one that really shows the nature of Gwen and Art’s relationship before they became friends, and their likelihood to actually become close: “’He grows on you.’ ‘Like mold,’ said Gwen. ‘Like one of those plants that strangles trees.’”

I think this is a really sweet and accessible queer historical romance for anyone who is into fantasy and gay stuff. I don’t prefer a lot of spice in my books, and there really was hardly any other than kissing in this one, which I appreciated. I liked that the romantic moments were those moments that you say “awwww” to, that make you giddy and send butterflies up and down your stomach.

I would recommend this read to anyone. It’s one of my favorites of the year!

This book is such a heartwarming and lovely story. I loved every second of it. The self discovery we get to see as readers is incredibly touching. How the siblings are able to share parts of themselves with each other that almost no one else knows tells a whole story of its own. Really hoping we get to see this story continue in the future. Lex Croucher has such a beautiful writing style.

I have really mixed feelings about Gwen & Art Aren’t in Love. I was much more invested in Art’s storyline and relationship with Gabriel than I was in Gwen and her relationship with Lady Leclair. While Gwen & Art are both deeply flawed individuals, I found that Art overall experienced much more reflection and growth throughout the story than Gwen did, which made me like his character much more.

I found the setting to be confusing. A lot of the Arthurian legend within the world is given in large info dumps that were hard to follow and outside of these, very little information was given about the world itself.

Overall I enjoyed the story & I do think that you should give it a try if you enjoy medieval romance stories!

Thank you to St Martin's Press/Wednesday Books & Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book!

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love is definitely not your typical Arthurian tale, but that's what I enjoyed so much about the book!

I've always loved Arthurian movies, books, and whatnot, so no surprise that I'd want to read this after seeing the cover and reading the summary it was a given.

Growing up, Gwen and Art despise each other, but despite their feelings, their family expect them to marry. When Gwen learns Art's truth, they make a pack to cover for one another. But when tragedy hits, and everything is at risk, they'll need to work together alongside their friends to save their people.

I loved the non-traditional story, and it's okay to reach for your own path and happiness.

Gwen and Art, the main protagonists, are beautifully crafted with their own distinct personalities, flaws, and struggles. Their friendship forms the core of the narrative, and Croucher skillfully explores the complexities of their relationship. The dynamics between the characters are realistic and nuanced, showcasing the evolution of their bond in a way that feels genuine.

The novel's pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of lighter moments and more introspective ones. The narrative flows smoothly, keeping readers engaged as they follow Gwen and Art's journey of self-discovery. The dialogue is sharp and entertaining, capturing the essence of teenage conversations and adding to the overall charm of the story.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for this early Netgalley copy of Gwen & Art Are Not In Love by Lex Croucher.

Gwendoline and Arthur have been betrothed for as long as either of them can remember. Perhaps this wouldn’t be such a problem if they could actually stand one another… and to make matters more complicated, they aren’t exactly each other’s “type.” Upon discovering this, Gwen and Art decide to fake an attachment to get their parents off their backs and to pursue their true love interests—what could possibly go wrong?

I have other books by this author on my shelf, and I wanted to like this one, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I knew it about 30 pages in, and I tried to give it another chance, but after another 30 pages I just couldn’t do it anymore. Don’t get me wrong—it’s a cute book. I just think I would have liked it more if the dialogue was more true to the time period, and the characters were a little less insufferable.

I’m giving this book 3 stars, as I do for DNF books, as a rule.

☆ ☆ ☆ - DNF

Besides the zingy and catchy title, this book is full of lively dialogue and witty banter. It kept my attention, and any time I picked it up, I devoured chunks of it at a time. 
There was not a character of the core group that I did not enjoy. Every character was unique, vivid, and I would read a whole book centered on any of them. 
It’s slow-paced, but it will be worth the wait. The emotional impact of the final few chapters is the best example of worth the wait. 
The book's world-building was fantastical with the cultists and Arthurian, but it still felt rooted in reality. 
I may have gotten a digital copy from NetGalley, but I fully intend to purchase a copy in November for my shelf.

This was so cute!

Gwen & Art is a fun, medium-stakes rom-com set in ~1200's England. It features three great romances and a decently fleshed out plot, which I'm going to get into in a second!

First, the romances: this book features THREE couples: M/M, F/F, and M/F. The M/F couple was between two side characters, and it was a little insta-lovey, but I understand that there was nowhere near enough time to completely flesh it out. They were so cute though! I would def read a spinoff featuring those two characters. While, like I said, the relationship itself was sort of insta-love, I will say the side characters aren't super two-dimensional, which is hard considering it's just one medium-length book. I genuinely loved them!

Gwen and Bridget were cute, but they were surprisingly not my favorite of all of them, even though admittedly the book did originally catch my eye primarily for the lesbians (they didn't know the word existed back then, obviously, but trust me: Gwen IS a lesbian. I can't remember about Bridgit, though). Gwen had the most relatable crush on her before they ever even met -- honestly, I would say any young lesbian will relate to Gwen on a spiritual level throughout most of it. My complaint about this specific relationship, though, is that it was definitely mostly physical. They didn't really TALK one-on-one, which they definitely addressed and mentioned wanting to work on it, but it wasn't really enough for me to get attached to them AS a couple. However, I adored them individually. Bridgit is strong both mentally and physically. She's also Thai, which is super cool. Side note: Croucher did her research on the time period! I feel like a lot of people use the fact that the piece of work is historical to avoid adding any diversity, but that's honestly just unrealistic and a poor excuse. Croucher definitely knew the regions and the cultures of that time very well, which added another layer to the reading experience that I wasn't expecting!

Arthur and Gabriel's romance was DEFINITELY the star of the show. It was a perfect slow burn, and I was definitely kicking my feet and internally screaming when they finally kissed!! I don't even know what more to say, honestly, just that I love them so very much. LITERALLY PERFECT!

Final note: though there is some plot, this is definitely primarily a romance. The plot doesn't really raise the stakes much until the end. Without spoiling anything, I think the whole Arthur vs his dad thing was kind of silly and was just forced conflict towards the end, though I was on the edge of my seat for the climax!

Would recommend pre-ordering! Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The story is fun to follow and will be a hit with Young Adults and Adults alike. The main characters are lovable but also complex. Hearing the story from both Gwen and Art's point of view was a great choice! Taking place decades after King Arthur of Camelot's rule. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!.

Gwen and Art are not in love - but I sure love them!

I was obsessed with a Knight’s Tale, and have been waiting in the wings for another witty medieval romantic comedy full of jousting, feasts and shenanigans - and here it is (including absolutely beautiful representation)!

This queer medieval romcom takes place hundreds of years after King Arthur’s reign. Camelot has changed a lot since then, and when royal alliances are needed, Gwen and Arthur (with a loose loose relation to the great King Arthur) are reluctantly betrothed at birth. Growing up, they realize the only thing they can agree on is that they despise each other.

Forced together, and knowing their hearts aren’t at all in line with these plans, they realize they might make better allies than enemies. Making a pact to fake it and cover for each other, things soon heat up at the annual royal tournament. Gwen is swept off her feet by a lady knight and Arthur finds himself falling for Gwen's royal brother.

Gwen & Art Are Not In Love is a sweet story of love, friendship and finding the bravery to follow your heart. Out already in the UK, and releasing in North America on November 28th.

Thank you to Lex Croucher, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

What's not to love about this book? Witty banter, dashing knights (specifically lady knights), forbidden queer romance, all set in Camelot following the decedents of King Arthur - incredible. This is a book you do not want to miss!

Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is set to publish on November 28th, 2023.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Lex Croucher for this eArc!

This is the first book that I have read from Lex Croucher, and I cannot wait to read more of their work! Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a romantic historical-fiction comedy that gave me all the feels! Gwen and Arthur find themselves in an arranged marriage and are forced to navigate what love and attraction truly mean to them while balancing the expectations of those around them. And while the novel takes place in Arthurian times with an arranged marriage premise, the issues, emotions, and characters are all extremely relatable. This book encapsulates what it is like to grow up and come to terms with who you really are. Croucher was able to convey very important messages through humor and quirky characters. Every reader will be able to see bits of Gwen and Arthur (as well as the other main characters) in themselves so I am sure this book will resonate with any reader.

It is the style of this book that makes it so addictive, as you were transported into this world through the language alone. Every character has their own unique voice which makes the dialogue extremely engaging to read. There isn’t a single part of this book that I did not enjoy, and I was very sad when I finished it. If you love historical fiction with comedic twists please read!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wednesday books for giving me the opportunity to read one of my most anticipated books of the year early!

This is an adorable, charming romantic comedy set a few hundred years after the legendary reign of King Arthur. Gwen, princess of Camelot, and Arthur, son of lesser lord who claims Arthurian heritage, have been betrothed since they were children and absolutely loathe each other. But when they discover each other’s queerness, they strike a deal to fake their romance so they can cover for each other.

While the romances were cute, what I loved the most was the emergence of a beautiful chosen family. I loved the honest discussions surrounding sexuality, coming out, and accepting yourself. These little moments perfectly encapsulated the importance of having a community and people who love you and support you no matter what.

A perfect read for a slow, free afternoon to be read in one sitting.

My 3rd Lex Croucher read and another that left me smiling. This one centers around 6 young lovers who bumble their way through new relationships while fighting in a tournament (the lady knight), being generally dissolute and narcissistic while also utterly charming (the rakish lord), hiding in a library consuming endless research as a means of becoming the perfect king (the reluctant heir), learning to step outside of self-perpetuated solitude that might *not* be a road to happiness and fulfillment (the marriageable princess), and watching the upper crust create more problems than they solve (the wily servants). It’s a delightful cast and the banter is fantastically sharp, particularly between the rake and his dogsbody, whose friendship I adored. I also love a historical setting that isn’t entirely historical, allowing the world to unfold in ways that suit the story and its themes. I enjoyed all three romance plotlines, but more than that, I enjoyed the ways Croucher made their characters grow. It’s something I’ve enjoyed in all of their books. We don’t see perfect people from the get-go, which can be hard to write when readers are often quick to label characters “unlikeable” and disengage. I love that Croucher’s characters always grow on me, as they build self-awareness and grow, themselves. Full of Arthurian and medieval references while set in a world built from the author’s imagination, Gwen and Art is a joyful look at what it means to be brave, with swordfights, and kissing, and perfectly evil bad guys, and disguises, and dancing, and secret ceremonies, and endless amounts of wit. I had a blast.

This is a strong witty novel. I've haven't seen anything quite like this in the market before!

Its a refreshing gay take on Arthurian legend-ish that doesn't take itself too seriously and is mostly here to be a fun time for YA readers seeking non-contemporary representation in books. I found the dynamic between Gwen + Arthur to be hilarious, but I especially loved how heartfelt and comforting Gwen and her brother Gabriel's relationship was.
Gwen's personality was a bit more petulant than I thought was necessary for plot purposes, but seeing her grow throughout the course of the novel was satisfying.
Arthur was fantastic and I honestly wouldn't have minded the book to be mostly from his perspective, I found his romantic relationship to be more compelling than Gwen's in the end, too. Gwen needed more scenes just getting to know her knight in shining armor for me to feel as interested in her romantic outcome, personally.
Things get a bit disjointed in the last 25% of the book, like the author had more ideas than they were allowed pages for, but, regardless, it was fun read that I think a lot of people are going to love (including myself, ultimately!).

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher is a book to be DEVOURED. I completed it in one sitting, because I simply could not stop. Croucher has captured lightning in a bottle with this romp that has heart. All of the comparisons I see to A Knight's Tale and BBC Merlin "but queer" feel completely on point. There is so much humor and wit but also real love and care between characters, from platonic to familial to romantic. The secondary and side characters are just as compelling as the lead characters.

Gwen and Art have been betrothed since birth, but they are both NOT interested in a hetero relationship. They become reluctant co-conspirators in supporting each other's actual crushes, hopes, and dreams, and many hijinks ensue.

Gwen and Art both shine with their own distinct voices. It is a joy to watch their friendship develop and grow, with its own challenges, and just as much focus as the romantic plots. The overall pacing is enjoyable and unfolds with unexpected twists, even though we know from the outset who we expect to get together romantically. There are some big feelings at play, and I'm not ashamed to admit that this book made me cry.

It is refreshing and joyful to read a YA book that is so unapologetically queer, in many different ways, without baiting or hiding. This novel centers the idea of chosen family alongside supportive blood relations. I found both romances to be believable and enjoyable, with their own separate dynamics that stood out. Especially big shout out to the incredible lady knight Bridget.

As a youth librarian, I know I will hand this to many YA readers who are always on the look out for good queer romances, and fun historical settings.

Thanks to NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book. Opinions are my own.

This was a fun castle romp set in a world a while after Arthurian England, where the story of Arthur and his Knights provide the backbone of Royal society - sons and daughters are often named after Lancelot, Gawain, Guinevere, and tournaments are still held every year.

Four teens, trying to find their place in this rigid world of dashing Knights and simpering princess are Gwen, her brother Gabriel who is heir to the throne, Art, descendent of Arthur, and his friend / long suffering manservant, Sidney.

I loved that this was such a Queer story, as Gwen falls for lady Knight Bridget and Arthur finds himself increasingly drawn to Gabriel. Their paths aren't going to be easy ones but I constantly rooted for them to find a way to be together.

That being said, I did think this book was a little overly long at times, and not a lot happens until the last hundred pages. The battle at the end though was such a turn, bringing us Game Of Thrones level war which changes their world forever.

Overall, this is a really fun, but emotional read that could have easily been a 5 star read had it just had some more things to fill up those middle 200 pages. I loved the Arthurian setting though, and how much it reminded me of Knight's Tale.

Ignore how long it took me to read this book life majorly got in the way 🤡

This book is amazing and I need everyone to read it. I fell in love with all of the characters and the last half of the book had my jaw on the floor the entire time

Now I just need slice of life with everyone living their best lives