While I do enjoy Lex Croucher's novels, there is just something about them that makes me not end up not fully loving them. I think it may be that for being set in medieval/King Arthur/Robin Hood times, the characters feel far too modern for me and it winds up taking me out of the plot for a minute. It's hard to suspend my disbelief that much in a book that otherwise feels pretty "authentic" (in terms of the time period).

Clem felt a little bit TOO ditzy for me to believe that she is a truly accomplished healer, and Mariel seemed too mean for me to believe that these two are going to end up falling in love. The storyline was okay, but I never really felt connected to it or to any of the characters so there was no sense of urgency for me to continue reading. I would go on for days at a time without reading and then remember I was in the middle of a story and that I should probably finish it.

I was also able to guess a lot of what was going to happen - not just based on what would normally happen during that time, but because Croucher's story formula was almost identical in their last book. It was a bit boring, but I think that teens (who are obviously the main market that this book is trying to appeal too) will still really enjoy it.

3.5 stars. This was a fun retelling (or continuation, really) of the classic Robin Hood story. I did lose steam toward the middle, but the story was able to grab my attention again after taking a break. I liked the diversity of characters, and how they were somewhere in between coworkers, friends and (dysfunctional) found-family. I listened to the audiobook and think I would have actually preferred it without the dual narrators. The two readers did a good job but I feel like they had different interpretations for Clem which made the listen a little less seamless.

I did the audio arc for this and tried to listen to it twice. I could not for the life of me remember what happened and had zero connection to any of the characters. Based on the other reviews it has to be a me problem but I just did not vibe with this book unfortunately!

I really liked the last Lex Croucher book I read, but for some reason, I just could not get into this one. However, I talked to some friends who absolutely adored it. I think maybe this was just not for be, and certainly not a badd book, so I'll refrain from posting negative reviews on other sites.

What a fun jaunt! "Robin Hood" is really a genre unto itself and and Lex Croucher just gets it. They have a particular gift for character and story, and "Not for the Faint of Heart" is neat, clever, and altogether charming.

The novel takes a bit of a dark turn towards the middle I wasn't expecting, and I think some drastic choices were made when it would have been better to allow this lovely cast a happier ending. Still, 4.25 stars for a delightful book for any age.

Read if you like:
⚔️Enemies to Lovers
⚔️Fake Dating
⚔️Forbidden Romance
⚔️Opposites Attract
⚔️Slow Burn
⚔️Forced Proximity

Set in an 18th-century world filled with social intrigue, the story follows the dynamic between the spirited and independent protagonist, Jane, and the brooding, complex Nicholas. Their relationship starts off with plenty of animosity and misunderstandings, making for an electric enemies-to-lovers arc that is packed with chemistry and emotional depth. As they are forced into a fake dating arrangement—primarily to maintain appearances—what begins as a purely practical partnership slowly evolves into something far more complicated and deeply personal.

Croucher does a fantastic job of weaving humor, heart, and tension throughout the story. The slow burn romance is perfectly paced, with the two protagonists moving from rivals to lovers as they navigate their differences and uncover each other’s vulnerabilities. The chemistry between Jane and Nicholas is palpable, and it’s hard not to root for them as they break down each other’s walls, revealing more about their true selves.

The tension between public appearances and private desires is beautifully portrayed, and the characters’ emotional journeys add a layer of depth to the romance. Jane’s development, in particular, is a standout—she grows from a rebellious, misunderstood woman into someone who learns to balance her independence with her ability to love and trust.

Croucher’s writing is sharp, engaging, and full of clever dialogue that keeps the story both light-hearted and emotionally resonant. The side characters add humor and richness to the plot, creating a well-rounded world full of both endearing and frustrating individuals.

Overall, *Not for the Faint of Heart* is an irresistible blend of romance, humor, and historical charm. With its well-executed tropes, lovable characters, and satisfying emotional arcs, it’s a perfect read for fans of historical romance with a bit of edge and a lot of heart. Lex Croucher has crafted a story that will have you laughing, swooning, and rooting for its couple every step of the way.

Thanks so much the publisher for my gifted ALC!

I have wanted to read a book by this author and was excited to receive this arc copy. I think that readers will enjoy this book if they like reading about a ragtag bunch of youths who somehow found each other in this big wide world. You will love this book if you have some sort of emotional connection to the story of Robin Hood.
The main crew of characters in this book were enjoyable, although I do think that some of the side characters were lacking a bit in terms of personality, but they were not a major focus. I do think there were times when the plot felt a bit directionless, and as soon as a mission/direction was identified, the group went into it so impulsively that there wasn't a lot of buildup with major story events.
Overall, I liked this book and would recommend it. I won't be knocking down doors and screaming from the rooftops trying to get people to read it, but I will definitely be bringing it up in conversations because I know many people will love it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio preview.

Hilarious coming of age story / YA romcom in Lex Croucher's pitch perfect voice. They are writing the funniest YA out there today!! Narrators captured the snark, wonder, and heart of the main characters perfectly.

I wish I liked this as much as I hoped I might. I have enjoyed some of Croucher’s other works and the Robin Hood aspect intrigued me. But I felt that there wasn’t enough substance in the plot to highlight any of the characters (many of whom fell into the background.)

I enjoyed the dual POV and the narration style, it flowed nicely between the characters and chapters. I was able to know which character was which, outside of obvious clues, which is a great touch.

While it was not my favorite book of the year my reading (listening) was very fun. It has all the enjoyable hallmarks of a queer YA romcom, albeit a sloppy execution in certain areas.

This book was such a fun read!! I loved that it played off of Robin Hood's legacy instead of just being a retelling. This book is SUPER queer and had so many powerful storylines.

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Mariel, granddaughter of the infamous Robin Hood, is a new Captain in the Merry Men. She's desperate to live up to her family legacy, which puts a lot of pressure on her. Clem, a cheery backwoods healer, is taken prisoner by Mariel, and the MM, as retribution for Clem's guardian offering healing services to the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Forced proximity abounds as Mariel and Clem travel along together doing Merry Men things. Everything seems to mostly be going to plan, when Mariel's father, Jack Hartley, Commander of the Merry Men, is captured in an ambush. Now Mariel and the remaining MM, including sweetly-innocent Clem, must try to get him back.

With the woods at war, not everyone believes in the Merry Men as they used too. Soon enough, even Mariel is questioning what they stand for. Will they be able to get Jack back? And will the Merry Men continue on their current path, or switch things up for a new generation of bandits?

This is a cute story that showed off Croucher's signature witty writing style. I wouldn't say I connected to this one at the same level that I did with Gwen & Art last year, but it's still a solid Historical YA Rom-Com. As with Gwen & Art, I did listen to the audiobook and definitely recommend that format. The accent of the narrator lends itself well to these stories, and truly helps to bring the action to life.

I appreciate how quickly Croucher can create characters I love. Both Clem and Mariel were so fun to get to know, though for different reasons. It definitely has a Grumpy-Sunshine element to it that evolved beautifully over the course of the story.

I particularly liked the journey for Mariel. As a member of an infamous family, she's had a lot of assumptions made about her and preconceptions made about who she is as a person. She's had a real struggle trying to overcome those things and figure out what exactly her path is going to be.
I also enjoyed her learning more truths behind her famous family. Going in, I had forgotten this was connected to the legend of Robin Hood. I loved that inspiration.

I also really enjoyed, and was impressed by, how even though this is a magical and witty tale, Croucher again managed to seamlessly weave in some heavier topics. There's a lot here for Readers to enjoy.

For me though, as mentioned above, I never ended up connecting with this as deeply as <i>Gwen & Art</i>, and I'm not sure how memorable it will be for me long term. With this being said, it's still a great YA book with a lot of important topics explored and representation. I'll keep coming back for all Croucher's future releases.

Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I love this kind of funny Historical romps, and hope Croucher continues writing them!

I loved this book so much. It was slow to start which worried me, but once it picked up I was in for the long haul.

I loved the update to the Robin Hood story, especially the LGBTQ aspects.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an advanced copy.

Much as I hate to DNF another ARC, I put this one down awhile ago and have no desire to pick it back up. I got a third of the way through the audiobook. Lex Croucher is unfortunately a bit hit or miss for me and while queer Robin Hood sounds right up my alley, this just didn't land for me.

With its mix of romance, humor, and drama, this novel is perfect for readers looking for something both entertaining and thought-provoking. Not for the Faint of Heart is a lively and bold story that stands out in the world of historical fiction.

The audio voice fenomenal, really good and enjoyable. Didn’t feel like i lost track of the characters at anytime and that is always my main plus. The story was good , i enjoyed.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Young Listeners for this ARC Audio Copy!

I was expecting this to be a silly romance but it was actually a lot more in-depth and political than I was expecting and I was here for it. Following the grand daughter of legendary Robin Hood and a healer who is kidnapped and taken as a political prisoner, while they work to bring the Merry Men back to their former glory was a fun and enjoyable read and I will definitely be reading more from this author.

I loved the performance of this audiobook - the story itself is a little harder to rate since it's full of twists and turns and the vibe changes I've come to expect from Lex Croucher, but the story was one I enjoyed and I loved how queer of a story it was

I rated this 4.5 stars.

This one of my fav YAs of the year!!

This book is heavy on politics and action! The politics of the woods and protecting the people who live in it were so thorough and made the book feel complete.

I really enjoyed the characters and their arcs in this story. I LOVED Clem and Mariel!! Their introductions and relationship were slowly built and felt very real. I especially loved the touch aspect of their romance, and how Clem was so perspective of Mariel’s hard boundaries and when she let them fall. The realization that Mariel was allowing Clem to touch her and be in her space was one of my fav moments in the story!! So much romance!! Their bond was written different than what I expected and it was based on trust and respect.

The found family narrative hit me HARD! I love these people and they are my friends now. Each member of the Merry Men had a distinct personality and had beautiful relationships with each other - they never fell flat for me!

The narrators for this audio were fantastic. Truly no notes. They hit the tone of the book like a nail on the head. I def want to seek out other books they’ve narrated.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and loved to read about romance that wasn’t based on physical attraction, but instead highlighted the ways each person made the other feel SEEN and SAFE and LOVEDDDDD :’)

I listened to the audiobook version of this story, which was a great decision for me.
I enjoyed the narrative and the narrator tremendously.
Telling the story from two different perspectives is always a good move for me while listening.
Mariel and Clem both had distinct voices and mannerisms that made the story engaging and easy to differentiate.
The plot was great! I love Lex Croucher, and will read anything she puts out.
I think this Croucher is going to be a huge hit for me going forward, and I will eat up whatever they write.

This work is set in the Greenwood after Robin Hood is no longer the leader of the Merry Men, and explores the troubles that can arise after a legend retires. The work heavily relies on tongue-in-cheek humor, which at times got a little more slapstick and forced than I generally prefer. The work also starts off quite slowly and takes over a third of the way through until it really picks up into something interesting. This wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, but I didn’t really like the set up for the romance between Mariel and Clem and so wasn’t invested in seeing those details in so much depth. And then the ending felt like it was concluded too quickly to be fully satisfying.

There were also plenty of modern terms/vernacular incorporated throughout, which I always find off putting in historical fiction. I did like the queer representation and how well it was incorporated, despite the modern terms used.

If you like YA reads that almost feel Disney-like relating to the humor/quirkiness of the characters, then you may enjoy this one. My thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.