Sweet historical queer romance! I adore the MC Clem and the band of Merry Men she finds herself kidnapped by. I liked how the plot didn't focus entirely on the romance and there's strong character development for both Clem and Mariel. I'm a big fan of Lex's other books, and this one did not disappoint!

Lex does it again. This was everything I wanted it to be and more. It's an honor to have read this, honestly. A robin hood-esq sapphic?! OBSESSED

I would like to thank St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.


Clemence (Clem to her friends) was ten when she was orphaned, left to wander through the woods until she came upon the cabin of Rosie, the healer, the old woman the children called a witch. Clem became Rosie’s apprentice and learned the art of healing. Clem also experimented with different herbs and balms to promote healing. Clem believed there was a better way then using leeches and bloodletting.

Mariel is a captain of the merry men of Sherwood Forest. Mariel is the daughter of the leader of the merry men, and the granddaughter of Robin Hood. Someone has been passing on information about the merry men to the sheriff and her father orders her to kidnap the healer incase she was the mole. Mariel and her band take Clem by mistake.

Mariel is all business a real by-the-book type. Clem has a perpetually rosey outlook and is all smiles and smart comebacks ….especially considering she was kidnapped. She is the glass half full to Mariel’s glass half empty. Clem sees something special in Mariel and over time Mariel sees something special in Clem.

Mariel is caught up seeking her father’s approval. Even in the middle ages some parental dynamics are the same.

This story starts out slowly. The first quarter of the book while we are being introduced to the majority of the essential characters seems to take a little too long, the action is limited to smart quips which isn’t really enough to sustain the narrative. A third of the way into the book the pacing picks up significantly and the final 2/3 of the book flow quickly and easily.

The two main characters are engaging and likable and it is easy to root for them as they get to know and care about each other. The additional members of their immediate group are a joy to get to know.

I felt like the story wrapped up a little too quickly. I would have preferred a more expansive ending and some additional details about the relationship between our two FMCs. I enjoyed the LGBTQ representation, and I would have liked a little more about the back story of the character Morgan.

Historical fiction, with two wonderful FMC’s make this book very enjoyable.

A cute and fun little story. I enjoyed the ride immensely and thought both Mariel and Clem were refreshing and interesting characters.
I did feel like we were missing a little bit of romance in this semi-historical rom com, but I still found it to be a sweet story. Delightfully gay🥰
Thank you NetGalley and publisher!!
3.5 stars, if I had halves to give.

Robin Hood and his Merry Men of Sherwood Forest were famous outlaws and legendary characters. This YA novel continues with the Merry Men concept but they are not all men and their leader is not anything like the popular Robin.

I enjoyed the diverse characters and their camaraderie with each other especially Mariel and her group of young fighters. They were not perfect and didn’t always agree on decisions, but they supported their leader particularly through the most challenging periods.

This was an action adventure tale that contained fighting scenes. Characters were harmed and there were a few deaths. It also contained many humorous dialogue and romantic moments . So the story was nicely balanced.
I also enjoyed the few surprises the author created with some of the more familiar characters of the past.

Overall, this was an engaging and entertaining story.

I generally liked the book. It didn’t really feel like an extension to Robin Hood outside of just the name and folklore being mentioned, but the new characters were likable. It’s more fan-fiction than cannon of course.

The pacing felt a tad bit too slow but that wasn’t a deal breaker. The author used those slow moments to help us know the characters more which is what’s important in YA books in my opinion.

I do wish they spent more time with the love interest build up though. It felt do sudden and out character. But in the end, the pairing is believable. Not sure if that counts as a spoiler since the synopsis mentions romance.

This was a super cute story, and I loved the action elements! Clem and Mariel had the grumpy/sunshine trope in the cutest way and I loved seeing their personalities develop as the story progressed!

I love Lex Croucher's books, and this one did not disappoint. She has a great voice when storytelling that causes you to fall in love with the characters and root for them throughout the novel. This book was a great found family story, and I loved the characters, getting to know them, and seeing their interactions with one another. The pacing is fast and keeps you engaged; however, Croucher never skips characters and gives them each the attention they deserve, which shows a great balance between pacing and attention. This was a great book and I highly recommend it

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC e-copy of Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher.

Mariel, the daughter of Robin Hood (and current leader of the less-than-reputable Merry Men), wants nothing more than to prove herself to her legendary father. Clem, assistant to the wood’s regional healer, is just trying to get through the damn day. When the Merry Men kidnap Clem as collateral in a larger war, hijinks ensue, and an unexpected bond is forged…

Last year, I attempted to read an ARC of Lex Croucher’s other young adult comedy, “Gwen & Art Are Not in Love.” I couldn’t get through it, and unfortunately, it was the same case with this book. I’m shocked and puzzled because I have enjoyed other books of Lex Croucher’s, and I find her stories to be lighthearted and funny and her characters to be irritatingly adorable. For some reason, her young adult ventures just haven’t clicked with me. I believe I’ll have to give up on requesting them for the forseeable future.

All that said, I wouldn’t be opposed to reading this book someday when my mind feels more fresh and attuned to it. It truly seems delightful. There is certainly a market that would enjoy this queer romp.

☆ ☆ ☆ - DNF

Not for the Faint of Heart is a YA historical fantasy rom-com that follows Robin Hood’s granddaughter’s exploits with the Merry Men.

The problem? There are several. The Merry Men have morphed. Robin Hood’s vision is watered down. Less charitable, more power hungry. Also, they may have kidnapped a local healer and still have to fight the Sheriff’s gang.

This queer retelling is Croucher’s second YA attempt. It is action-packed and features a funny, dedicated ensemble of characters.

I recommend this fun read. If you like Robin Hood or The Princess Bride (but make it an enemies-to-lover, sapphic, romantic comedy), you will surely enjoy this story.

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press, and Wednesday Books for the ARC.

LGBTQIAP+ | Teens & YA
#NotfortheFaintofHeart #NetGalley

Maybe I just find Robin Hood retellings less interesting than Arthurian retellings, but I thought this was much slower and less compelling than Croucher's first YA book, I also thought both main characters came off as younger than they were supposed to be, which is the opposite problem that I had with Croucher's first YA (so maybe there was some overcorrecting going on here). There was nothing wrong with this book, I just didn't personally enjoy it very much.

2.5 ⭐️ rounded up

Hmmm, welp I am being generous with rounding up to 3 stars as I think this has a place for some folks just not me.
I’m completely flummoxed at the blurb for the book as I don’t think it captures it at all and is just plain inaccurate.


I am alway thankful to get the eGalley for free from Netgalley and St Martin’s Press so I can leave my voluntary and honest review.

if this wasn’t an ARC I probably would’ve DNF’d it at some point. It took me several days to get through as I kept losing interest and setting it aside but frankly wanted to get it off my docket so I buckled down.

The book is I guess a continuation of sort of Robin Hood and his Merry Men where you have his granddaughter Mariel leading the MM and much has changed from the patriarchal beginnings. Mariel has to lead all dealing with an accidental captive turned bizarre romance . Accidental in that a different person was to be taken but her apprentice Clem voluntarily came along as the captive instead. So not really “accidental” as Mariel absolutely commanded for the kidnapping , she just didn’t get exactly who she intended to get.

I’m sure some will like the sapphic nature of the relationships, switched gender roles and such as it’s a great concept. I just personally don’t think the execution was on point. To be honest, I was just plane bored and not invested at all
Despite being a big fan of Robin Hood lore and love twists on the story typically.


Rating
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

I have recommended this to my neighbors, and my niece and nephews for a great summer book! This was phenomenal. Well done!

I was a big fan of Gwen and Art so was super excited to get an arc for this one and it did not disappoint. I was thoroughly entertained. The humor and loveable characters are the stars of the show for me. I also enjoyed all of the detail and character rounding- cant wait till the next adventure with Lex!

Led Croucher has done it again with a queer retelling of an old story we all know and love. If it’s gay, I’m in. And lex’s writing makes it so easy to fall into the story.

I AM IN LOVE!

Just like last time, Lex's writing is snapping. "Not for the Faint of Heart" is an adorable queer historical YA romance. There is nothing more to ask for found-family, slow burn, love, and humorous.

The start of the book was slow but worth it. This whole story was adventurous and entertaining, and every character was highlighted and likable. I loved the Merry Man.

If you are looking for a fun medieval rom-com, it's worth the read. Lex's books have to be made into a TV show, please! Overall if you have not picked up a Lex Croucher book, please do. I know new and old fans will be so excited about this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was hilarious!
I loved how there was a good balance between being serious and funny, it meshed so well with the story I finished it in one night.
I highly highly recommend to anyone, it's YA but I feel like everyone would enjoy it!

4.5!!

Just when I thought I was losing interest in/outgrowing YA, I was proven so very wrong. I should’ve known. Lex Croucher excels in these hilarious and adventurous YA novels. They know how to send you on a romp!! With a knack for drawing you into their carefully crafted, action-packed worlds with loads of humor and irresistibly charming characters to boot (I’m pretty sure I’ve used the word “charming” in all of my reviews of Croucher’s books, but what can I say? They know how to charm me.)

Here, a cheery, amiable healer, Clem, (who takes rather well to being kidnapped) embraces a group of the Merry Men (her kidnapees), captained by Mariel, Robin Hood’s granddaughter. Mariel’s band of “Men” ranges from a tiny, prickly curmudgeon to the hulking embodiment of sunshine. This ragtag group finds themselves in a bit over their heads when missions go haywire but vows to embody everything they know the Merry Men to be. Though the mission statement seems to have faltered recently, Mariel is doggedly determined to abide by the new rules set by her father, the Merry Men’s leader. Their group has to decide whether they’ll follow these new commands or their own hearts and instincts. The found family aspect is wonderful and made even better by the fact that ~everyone~ is queer.

I think it could have been even better with a bit different pacing and more development/buildup for the main relationship but overall, I was thoroughly entertained. The humor and loveable characters are the stars of the show for me.

In short: it’s good!! I’m not the least bit surprised. Lex Croucher, you will always be famous.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect. A perfect book. Everything you could possibly want from queer fantasy, queer romance, YA, and a story set in the Robin Hood universe. (Not a retelling!) This is Lex Croucher at her absolute best. Everything wonderful about Infamous AND Gwen & Art Are Not in Love — and also, just, more. It's got all the classic Croucher Queer Found Family feelings. It's a swoony, pining romance with one prickly heroine and her counterpart who gives just as good as she gets, even though she's the sunshine half of the pairing. Deeply engaging voice, sparkling dialogue, so much hilarity. There's villains you're not expecting, heroes you wouldn't guess, and none of them are pure evil or squeaky clean. I have loved so many 0f Croucher's queer characters over the years, but Clem is my hands-down favorite. She's so competent and confident and sweet, even though she's got major PTSD. She's so funny. And, wow, so many lovable gay idiots! Also, Lex Croucher is three for three on making me yell out loud at her heroines at least once per book. I'm gonna turn right around and read this again. I've been waiting for this novel since I saw Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves at a middle school sleepover and all my friends wanted to be Maid Marian so Kevin Costner would fall in love with them, and I wanted to be Kevin Costner so Marian would fall in love with me.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review.

The Merry Men are not so merry anymore. Robin Hood and Will Scarlet are grandfathers and have retired to France. Robin’s son-in-law, Jack Hartley, took over as commander of the Merry Men. He formed them into companies and appointed captains. They are more efficient fighters, but they have lost what made them beloved by the people, focused more on securing territory and battling the sheriff’s men than helping the poor and downtrodden. They rally villagers to fight beside them against the sheriff’s tyranny but when they move on, there is no one to protect the villagers from the sheriff’s retribution.

Mariel Hartley-Hood, the daughter of Regan Hood and Jack Hartley, is a captain and has her own company of Merry Men (and women). However, she is only a teenager and does not have the respect of some of the other captains. She also has a personal vendetta with Frederic, the sheriff’s son, which annoys some of the other captains, who believe her vendetta clouds her judgment. More problematic for Mariel is that what she most wants are respect and admiration from her father, which she cannot obtain; her achievements are never good enough and her mistakes are magnified. Her mother has parted ways with the Merry Men; she still visits at times, but she and Jack disagreed about how the Merry Men should operate.

Clemence (Clem) is an apprentice healer, and has been experimenting, with some success, with new and better ways of treating illnesses and injuries. When the Merry Men show up to kidnap Rosie, the village healer and Clem’s mentor, Clem offers to take her place. She is surprised and dismayed that the Merry Men are not like the old stories, and even more disappointed when she learns that their interest in Rosie, and now in her, has little to do with healing skills.

However, Clem has an optimistic outlook on life, and decides to make the best of her situation. She utilizes her healing skills on members of Mariel’s company and eventually Mariel herself. Clem annoys Mariel but manages to develop friendships with the other members of the group. Eventually she will even manage to crack Mariel’s tough exterior. In the process, Mariel will have to try to rescue her father, who was captured in an ambush, defend her friend and company member Morgan from accusations of being a mole, and deal with revelations about her father and mother which call into question what she believes about the Merry Men and their mission.

The story contains multiple LGBT characters and relationships. There is also a great cast of major characters generally— Clem, Mariel, Morgan, Baxter, Kit, Josie, etc.