Thank you to NetGalley for the readers copy in exchange for a (late) review.
I initially didn't post my review because of the SMP boycott. I then forgot to post it (I’m sorry).
But I was reminded because I just received the ARC for ‘Not For the Faint of Heart’ so big thank you to Blumsbury.
Something to know about me is that I love all queer romance but I also love when historical romances use a bit of modern language (think Knights Tale).
This was cute and funny, a good time and some truly lovable idiots. I’m excited to read what Lex Croucher has for us in the future.

Content warnings: war themes (central), violence, death/murder (due to war), alcohol consumption.


Rep: Gwen (MC) is cis, white, and sapphic (no label specified but it reads bisexual as she says she ‘could’ fall in love with a man but it’s Bridget she loves), Art (MC) is cis, brown and gay, Gabriel (SC) is cis, white, and achillean (no label specified, but gay coded), Bridget is cis, brown (Tai used on page) and lesbian (label not used but she is).


This book was a whole lot of fun.

It’s great take on King Arthur and his descendants.

I loved both Gwen and Art’s perspectives, and the banter throughout the entire book made for a very funny read.

Reading about the development between Gwen and Bridget was so lovely and I made this face :> every time they interacted on page.

Art was a bit of a wild card for me at times – he was a bit obnoxious, but in the end, it suited him well. He and Gabriel are well suited for sure.

The plot was really well done, and fun. This was a lot easier than I was expecting it to be since I tend to struggle with historical novels, but this was well worth it.

I ended up loving this book much more than I expected.
To be honest, I only picked it up because of the endorsement by Alice Oseman. Naturally I should have known, the Queen was correct.

Gwen And Art are Not in Love is fun, flirty, heartbreaking and utterly medieval. The combination of jousts and romance is fantastic. Don't tell him, but Art is my favourite character, very closely followed by Lucifer/Merlin (IYKYK).

Well written, engaging from the first page and incredibly hard to put down. You just want the best for our merry band of tortured, angsty, souls. Definitely worth a read!

I quite enjoy unconventional Royal romances and this one did have been intrigued. I did find Art a hit and miss character, which did lose me a little in the book. On top of that, I wanted more world building, especially from an Arthurian inspired book. Besides that, I love the queer rep in the book as well as character dynamics.

Unfortunately, I DNF’d this one at 30%

The writing was very easy to read and I was really looking forward to the plot unfolding but the sense of humour and characterisations just weren’t working for me at all.

It felt very over the top American sitcom to me in a lot of places and I’m just not wired to enjoy that kind of thing.

Thank you for the opportunity to read!

Thank you NetGalley, Bloomsbury and Lex for providing me with an ARC of Gwen and Art are NOT in Love.

Available 16 May 2023 🎉🎉🎉

What an interesting book. I really enjoyed the dual POV. I was immediately drawn to Art, the queer nobleman that will never be enough? How relatable 😅. Throw in some alcoholism and it was like looking into a bloody mirror - but back to when my skin was smoother and my hair a little bit thicker.

But in all seriousness, I found Art to be the star of this piece. He is hilarious to me! Obviously, Gwen is essential to plot and has such a beautiful romance story but if I reflect on the book, it is Art's wit and humour that stand out the most.

What I really enjoyed is how this is clearly a mediaeval sitting but the characters are behaving and talking in a contemporary manner. It just helps it keep me attachment with the CORE SIX! It is like a high school group of friends and I love the banter.

This is a very very solid read! Is it the most adorable? The most spicy? The most intriguing book? No, but I believe that you will be perfectly content and satisfied at the end of this. With all the different characters and the dual POV, I am sure that someone will capture your heart 💞

Will post to social shortly.

Gwen and Art are NOT in Love by Lex Croucher.

This is Lex Croucher’s debut YA novel. I previously read Infamous and was left feeling as though the romance aspect of the book took a back burner. I’m happy to say that's not the case with this book.

The book is a dual POV between Gwen and Art, and takes place generations after Arthurian England. They even have excalibur (well, a copy, because they keep losing it).

Arthur ‘Art’ is a direct descendant from THE Arthur and is betrothed to Gwen, the Princess. Unfortunately they’ve hated each other their whole lives and they’re both gay. Eventually they find each other out and make a pact to go along with the betrothal to keep the peace.

The romance between Gwen and her lady knight is cute. I was a big fan of them stealing kisses and looks. Art’s romance with the prince wasn’t AS cute, due to the prince’s duty to the crown and denying his sexuality. Also this world is homophobic and has outlawed same gender coupling.

This book was supposed to be a RomCom, but I found some of the themes to be a bit too serious to find the book fun. There were definitely funny parts, but between Art’s alcoholism, the homophobia and ending it didn’t leave me feeling amused. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the book! I just didn’t expect so much doom and gloom in a YA RomCom.

4.5 stars rounded up for review sites. This is the kind of queer YA I want to see more of.

Lex Croucher is definitely an author I want to read more of. Her characters just keep getting better and better.

Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Holy crap I loved this book. It took me a bit at the start but by chapter 5 I was a goner. What especially struck me was the mental health aspect. The characters aren’t just the stereotypical knight, prince, princess etc. they have a layer of depth to them that honestly made me feel jealous I can’t be friends with them. While I know this book won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, I think anyone reads it will feel better for it.

This book is so damn good. The premise itself has me so excited but I was definitely worried it wouldn't live up to how good it sounded - but it absolutely did.

Gwen and Art Are Not In Love isn't just cute and funny but it's well written and set to an interesting backdrop. Our story takes place still in medieval times but many many years after the death of Arthur Pendragon and his crew - with one of our main characters even being an alleged descendant. I loved our whole man crew, they were all loveable idiots with good hearts and it made rooting for them easy.

Beware Spoilers Ahead !!


Some things I wished were done a little differently - I would've loved to hear a little more about that history - I loved the revelation about Arther and Lancelot (spoke to my old-school merthur heart) but I would've loved to hear more.

Gwen was also so uncertain of who she was I thought it was a missed opportunity that she didn't end up queen. Gabe was so reluctant of a leader anyway that it seemed a shame Gwen didn't find her place as a ruler while her brother got to be the academic he'd always wanted to be.

But I think my biggest complaint was that we didn't get enough time with Brigiet and Gwen while it seemed Arthur and Gwen and Arthur and Gabe got way more attention. I would've loved a scene where Bridget got to read Gwen's diary and realised how much she adored her, I would've liked to see them have another discussion at the end where Bridget expanded on her past relationship where she was asked to remain a secret so that Gwen could understand her perspective, and then see them work through this together and make plans for the future. I just loved every scene with them and think they didn't quite get the page time they deserved - and that would've pushed this to a 5 star book.

All in all this was a really great read - and was pretty damn close to being the lady night x princess book of my dreams

Thank you to Bloomsbury ANZ and Netgally for a digital arc in return for an unbiased review.