first off, this wasn’t the arthurian retelling that i expected it to be, but it was still enjoyable. i loved the dynamics between all of the characters, both romantic and platonic ones. they had great banter with each other as well as a ton of compassion and love, even if that love is buried deeper down than others. their dialogue and interactions had me laughing so hard, and i loved how they never hesitated to tease or poke fun at each other.

all of them were also interesting as individuals. they all had deeper pasts or hidden secrets, so it was interesting to see everything play out. i do wish that we got more of arthur’s backstory though. i feel like it was brushed over very quickly and wasn’t as thought through as i would’ve liked it to be. otherwise, i really liked how their characters had a good balance of sass and seriousness. they were all super smart. i think i got attached to gwen the fastest, but arthur might be my favorite. he’s such a fun character.

i didn’t love the ending. i agree that it was a good way to wrap things up, but the execution was lacking. it felt rushed, and some things were barely talked about. i wish there was more time talking about the aftermath of all of the events, what happened afterwards. we got a glimpse of it, but it would’ve felt more complete if there was more details.

however, it was a fun read. it wasn’t too long, which is good so that my attention didn’t wane as much.

It pains me to give this book such a low rating, but I really struggled to get through it! It took me months to read this because I could not get into it at all. Something interesting finally happen around 75% but prior to that I couldn't connect with the writing or characters at all. I really understand what the author was trying to do but the book never clicked together for me. It takes place in Camelot, during the era of King Arthur's court. However, all the characters speak using modern day language and phrases with one another. There are also a lot of queer characters, which is great! I definitely believe there have always been queer people in every century. My issues with this specific storyline was that it seemed like everyone immediately jumped on board with people being gay in this era, which just seems way too far fetched.

I am sure others will enjoy this book, it just wasn't a fit for me! Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for an advanced copy of the ebook to read and review.

This is the most adorable Arthurian retelling I have ever read! I absolutely love the fake dating trope and love that they get their HEA. I would for sure re-read this again!

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

Oh, I am so glad I gave this book a chance. A wonderfully realized world inspired by legends of King Arthur, and characters and relationships that are lively and fun, while being truly heartfelt. The plot ebbs and flows at times, but it never drags as we sit with the characters grappling with the world around them, and the changes they make to it. The last third of the book moved almost too quickly— intoxicating in pace as everything that was built up finally came crashing down.

I cried more than once. The love stories are enough to make you swoon, and the friendships!!! So good. Soooo good. Who’s going to be my hot lady knight at ren faire this year??

Gwen & Art 5Ever ♥️

2.5 ⭐️

I really wanted to love this book. I haven’t read a YA book in quite some time, and I think I wasn’t in the right mindset to pick up this read. The characters felt very immature, selfish, and erratic. I didn’t care for Gwendoline, the FMC, at all. It took me until halfway into the book to warm up to Arthur, the MMC. I think I was expecting more banter and funny, cute moments. I don’t feel like I got that. I felt like this book was trying to take itself too seriously. I didn’t feel like the romances were focused on as much as they should have been. I think I was just waiting for something to click for me, to really draw me in. I don’t believe I ever got to that point.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Marten’s Press for the advanced copy.!

I loved this! It felt modern, while also feeling very much in its Arthurian era. It was a quick and easy read, the banter was good and the romances were cute! It did feel a little safe in parts, but it's a great addition to the YA category and I will definitely be encouraging students to pick it up!

Gwen and Art are certainly not in love, but I certainly love them both. This book was absolutely adorable and ridiculously funny. I found myself laughing out loud at the commentary and was also struck by how beautifully certain feelings and concepts were put into words by the author. This is a super cute and super queer Arthurian tale and I absolutely adored it.

Super cute! Great read for anyone who likes BBC's Merlin TV show, or Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. The whole cast of characters is enjoyable and there's a good range of different personalities and romance dynamics.

Gwendoline and Arthur have been betrothed since birth. Their entire lives they have been pushed together by their families against their will. When Arthur’s distant father sends him to Camelot to get closer to his betrothed, Arthur reluctantly obeys. Gwen is tired of being the ornamental princess and dreads the arrival of her intended. But when Gwen stumbles upon Arthur in a comprising position with another young man, the two find common ground. The two devise a plan: to fake their relationship for the benefit of their families whilst seeking their heart’s desires elsewhere. While the two are clearly not in love, even they cannot deny the budding friendship between them.
Gwen and Art Are Not In Love is the queer rom com retelling of Arthurian myth I’ve been waiting for! A must read for readers of Casey McQuiston and fans of A Knight’s Tale.

Queer historical retelling? Yes, please.
This book was a delight! It’s well written with enough sprinkles of lore through the whole thing to make any King Author fan happy. It blew my expectations out of the water.

First, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this before it is published!
I enjoyed the unique concept, and the idea of this story, but ultimately it wasn’t really for me. I had a bit of trouble keeping up with the plot, and staying invested in the characters. I know many people will absolutely love this book, I just wasn’t one of them.

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release date: 11/27/23
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I’ve heard a lot of good things about this on Booktube so I was really excited to be able to get an ARC of this thanks to @netgalley !
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Although I did really enjoy it, it was a really slow start to me. Besides reiterating how much Art and Gwen loathe each other, there are a handful of cute moments and quirky jokes. It was hard to power through but I’m so glad I did!
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Once the story start rolling, it is so stinking cute, endearing, and funny!! While loosely based on Arthurian Legend, there isn’t much about it besides the names of the characters and then being descended from Arthur Pendragon.
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There are some political things happening in the background, but for the most part, the story is focused on Gwen and Art’s pact to keep each other’s secrets of who they’re crushing on.
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There are a few scenes that really made the book so much more rounded than I anticipated it being early on in the book that occurred near the end. It wrapped up very nicely 💕
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I definitely recommend if you are a fan of #LGQBITAP+ and historical romcoms! Very cute, quirky, and lovable! The characters were all seriously so adorable!

"Gwen and Art Are Not in Love" by Lex Croucher is a romantic comedy novel that features both an f/f and m/m romance. The book is a modernist YA take on queer relationships that centers around two nobles, Gwen and Art, who are not in love despite what everyone around them thinks. The have been betrothed since Gwen was an infant and Art was a child. They have always hated each other, until one summer visit comes along, and they discover they might actually have a secret in common. They work together to protect one another and wind up becoming each other's found family. The writing in the book is a blend of comedy, historical, and romance, which helps to convey the lives and emotions of the characters. The book is full of sword-fighting and romantic shenanigans that will undoubtedly make readers fall in love with these well-developed characters. Overall, the book is a fun read that gives an unexpected twist on the Arthurian legend.

→ 4.5 ☆

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


i loved the relationship dynamics throughout the book. everyone felt real, it was refreshing to read. quick disclaimer: this review (kind of) contains subtle spoilers, so beware.

sid and art's friendship? perfect. they're unbreakable, humorous, and each other's best friend. i ADORE them together and as separate people.

“because he kissed me back.”
sidney gaped at him. “in the bird shed?”
“you’re awfully fixated on the bird shed.”


sidney was so much fun. a former manwhore that has been wooed and wowed into a faithful man who only has eyes for agnes—who i also, undoubtedly, love dearly. sidney was so loyal, and you could feel his utmost love for art, who he stayed by the entire book and didn't once falter on his loyalty. his retorts to art's mood swings and little jabs would also count as a plus.

“ah,” sidney said wisely. “you just want him to hold you like a baby crow.”


art, our local moody and alcoholic gay, made my heart ache. i felt personally attacked every time he used fake confidence to hide his self-doubts, or whenever he made self-depreciating jokes as coping mechanism. he needs a hug! he needs a couple hundred hugs, but i'll settle for just one. a funny lad, he is. his banter with literally anyone had me giggling or puffing a little air out of my nose.

“better off dead.” he said it with such violent self-hatred, even half-conscious, that gwen winced.


gwen's character was annoying at first, she was judgmental, crass, and often felt like everything was targeted regardless of it was or not. i felt so proud seeing her character development! watching gwen grow from someone who assumed the worst and sort of outcasted herself to someone who was doing things out of her comfort zone and deepening her relationships. she becomes so sweet and an overall joy (flaws and all). she's also such an introvert, and i love that she's not forced to become some social butterfly. however, we do get to see her find a spine and her own voice. seeing her be more understanding of bridget's situation? mwah.

“it was dangerous to want things, and gwen was out of practice. in fact, the only thing she had truly wanted for years was to be left alone.”


BRIDGETTT! woman knight = perfection. i don't make the rules here, so... anywayy, i love her so much. she knows what she wants, and she doesn't let anybody tell her what they think she should. even though she faces soo much discrimination being the only female knight (to put herself out there), she still stays focused on her goal. she wants to be better, she wants to become a great knight, and she has no intentions of letting anybody try to force her to stop.

“but i didn’t say no to you, gwen. i said no to giving up my whole life to wait around for moments with you, whenever you could spare them. that’s not who i am, and it’s not what i want.”


agnes, what a fantastic person.
sidney + agnes >>
they're so cute and i love them, they practically have hearts in their eyes every time they see each other. i love how we get to know her better as gwen gets to know her better, we get to see how much of a lovely person she actually is outside of gwens assumptions.

“yes.” agnes should have been very angry at her—could have raged at gwen for depriving her of her last glimpse of Sidney—but instead she reached over and took gwen’s hand.


overall, this was a really good (slight slowburn) romance. the only reason it isn't the full five stars, is because the politics kind of just hit me! of course, it makes sense later on, but the book wasn't engaged in the conflict enough for it to make sense until the climax. unrealistic, but cute ending, as well. ok, the end isn't like cute-cute because of obvious reasons, but i mean the veryy end.

thank you to netgalley and wednesday books for this arc in exchange for an honest review

mwah,
alayla. 📖

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was so cute! I thought the banter was witty and that the characters were well thought out. I do believe (like some other reviewers) that this would have probably benefitted from being adult rather than YA to be able to delve a bit deeper.

This is a cute historical queer romcom that I recommend checking out!

Reading this book, I could tell this author has been on Tumblr (affectionate). The dry, sarcastic humor makes Gwen & Art really stand out.

What I didn't like:
-For the most part, the author does a good job knowing when to use humor and when to take a more serious tone. However, the tone shifts dramatically during the climax when the action begins, which felt jarring.
-The twists and points of political intrigue were all pretty predictable. The foreshadowing was too heavy handed for my taste.
-I also would have liked to learn more about the cultist and Catholic factions. The world building of the politics and religions felt more tell than show.

What I liked:
-The author's voice feels very unique, and I appreciate that the humor isn't just reserved for dialogue (although Arthur has some great dialogue). There are also some meme references that I noticed, but I thought they were *tasteful* and didn't bring me out of the story. I legitimately chuckled out loud at multiple points.
-The romance is the focus of the book and it definitely delivered. Cute stuff.
-I also really appreciated the development of the friendship between Arthur and Gwen. It felt very genuine. Enemies to friends! but NOT lovers!

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a funny YA romance with queer characters discovering themselves and striving to make the world a better place.

I really enjoyed this book. There was a lot more emotion than I was expecting which was a very welcome surprise. Seeing the romantic relationships play out as well as the found family trope was awesome. I loved Gwen and Arthur’s friendship as well as arts and Sidney’s friendship. The writing was very compelling and easy to follow. Awesome book 10/10 would recommend

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love was a fun ride. I loved how the author wove the Arthurian history into the narrative. More than that, I loved the characters. They were all a great mix of flawed characters you root for, get annoyed at, and fall in love with. Special shout out to Sidney for always being hilarious and endearing, and Bridget for being so strong in her expectations. Can't forget Gwen and Art both equal parts tragic and heartwarming. We love a good enemies to friends arc.

"Heartstopper meets A Knight's Tale" and "A Knight's Tale, but make it queer" are both perfect descriptions of this YA historical romance (and as someone who was a prime target audience back when A Knight's Tale was released...yes, please!). Lighty, cheeky, sweet, funny--it's a perfect comfort romance reading. The setting is fun, the characters are charming, and it was just a genuinely enjoyable read. Gwen & Art was my first Lex Croucher read, but it won't be my last.

<I/>Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this title in exchange for my honest opinion. </I>

I will preface this by saying that I did read this all the way through and I didn't regret it. I think my 13 year old self would have thoroughly enjoyed it. That being said, I really think that this book is designed for 13-15 year olds.

It's marketed as a queer medieval rom com, so let's unpack that. The medieval component is very shoddily done. The world building leaves a lot to be desired; it feels incredibly fake and surface level (i.e. like just a step above the world building in a children's fairy tale). It's difficult to imagine the world let alone step inside it. The climax (*in vague terms* political tensions boiling over) in particular just felt silly.

I understand that it's a rom-com, so the focus is supposed to be on the romance, but the romance was poorly done. Some of the banter was lovely, but there was very little actual development — like neither Gwen or Art actually get to know their love interests (although I will say that Gwen's crush on Bridget was very well described). This makes sense, Gwen and Gabriel barely have actual personalities, and I can sum up Bridget's in once sentence. Art and Sidney were the only characters that were remotely interesting. And none of the characters, not a single one, reads like a day over 16. Pretending like they're all adults so them getting married just makes what is already a very silly little YA rom com an even sillier one.

In short, the story basically centers the incredibly dramatized crushes of pretty boring teenagers who happen to be heirs to the throne.