This book was so much fun. You have Mariel, who is the granddaughter of Robin Hood, and Clem, who is the healer that she's ordered to kidnap.

It's queer, it's diverse, it's full of adventure, and it has such a good grumpy/sunshine duo. Mariel might be one of the most stubborn characters I've read in a while (and we love her for it). The side characters are well developed and lovable, and the dynamic between the whole group is just sweet and endearing. The pacing is fairly quick, but it's an easier read, and the banter between all the characters is entertaining.

This book had great witty banter and fun characters! The banter occasionally felt out of place for a medieval setting, but it didn't bug me too much. My problem was that the plot didn't feel fully thought out, and I would've appreciated more action scenes. It started to pick up around 50% through, but it was a little boring up until that point. But, there is a cute sapphic romance, good conversations, and a medieval setting, so if you really are just looking for those aspects and don't care as much about the plot, this book will definitely fulfill your needs!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Gay Robin Hood + gay descendents of Robin Hood = yes yes yes sign me up immediately.

This is my favorite flavor of grumpy/sunshine where sunshine learns how to be a little stabby, and grumpy learns to love and be loved. The found family was lovely and hilariously chaotic

What I love most about Lex Croucher’s writing is how they show queer characters building community and persevering in spite of those who would harm them. I hope they keep writing these witty and beautifully heart-wrenching historical fantasy rom-coms because I totally adore them!

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC!

Okay. Most of us (okay a small, specific type of group) called it, right? We all knew Robin Hood had to be at least a LITTLE BIT gay, right?
I mean, come on!
The style? The sass? His group of “Merry Men?”
I mean, really?
Everyone who called it pat yourself on the back and then let’s get into the review!

Plot Summary:

Clemence is a simple healer working alongside her elderly mentor, Rosie, when she is kidnapped by a group of Merry Men. Who aren’t very merry. And certainly aren’t all men. Suddenly thrust into the thick of things, Clem finds herself working alongside a rag-tag group of teens to rescue the captain of the Merry Men.
Meanwhile, hardened Captain Mariel is struggling to prove her worth and dedication to her father, the leader of the Merry Men. When she kidnaps Clem, it’s purely to impress him and prove that she has what it takes to lead her small group of Men. But when her father is kidnapped, Mariel finds herself trusting the healer and employing her help as they work to free him from the Sheriff’s clutches.
But what if the Merry Men aren’t what they used to be under the guidance of Robin Hood? And what if Mariel and Clem suddenly find themselves on the same side and fighting their mutual attraction?

Plot Review:

First of all, this book is chock-full of Queer representation. We have gay characters, lesbian characters, BISEXUAL ROBIN HOOD, and basically every other form of representation that we could possibly get.
And it’s so amazing.
I’m just really grateful for authors like Croucher who are doing their part to fill shelves with books full of representation and the casual acceptance of it.
Best part of the book, hands down, was what it did to represent the Queer community to the fullest.
However…
Some of the plot of this book was a bit shaky.
Usually, I really enjoy the fast-paced style employed in Not for the Faint of Heart, but it just felt like we were going and going and going, and NEVER really slowing down. Because of that, we don’t really get a full blossoming of Mariel and Clem’s relationship. I’m all about that slow burn and subtle romance, but when they did get together it felt really out of the blue.
We need that build up to really believe that they have feelings for each other, but that never really happened.
Speaking of the main plotline, of freeing Mariel’s father, well, it was strong at first, but later became a bit murky. There was an unexpected villain introduced with no real build up or reason. Not even a single hint of them being behind any of it at all.
But, at least it was a real surprise, I guess?
Speaking now of world building, I think we get a decent introduction to this aspect of the plot. The scenes in the Underwood were among my favorite and offered a really interesting world to explore!
No complaints there!
But, another minor problem I had was with Clem’s kidnapping. We’re made to believe it serves a purpose, but it is never followed up on. Or maybe it was and I didn’t notice?
Because, I must confess, I was hopped up on cold medicine during the last pages of this book so my understanding of most of the ending is quite murky…
Overall, though, I loved the representation depicted here but not a lot of the plotlines.

Characters:

Starting on characters, boy were they a highlight!
Clem who is courageous, kind, understanding, and just an overall amazing person! And she’s also just outrageously funny and snarky! Furthermore, she’s also a curvy girl which is MUCH appreciated! I love curvy girls in books; especially when they are redheads. It’s just such a good combination!
And Mariel is a solid character, too. She has a lot of growth throughout the book, but is still our grumpy little captain. I didn’t care for her character nearly as much as the others, but I still found her to be realistic and a nice contrast to Clem’s sunshine personality.
Now, onto our rag-tag group of Merry men!
As I said in the beginning, this representation is legendary! We have two gay characters, one who prefers he/him pronouns and wears a chest binder (I hardly see this in books, so yay!), a character, Morgan, who is referred to as they/them, and BISEXUAL ROBIN HOOD!
Sorry, got excited again!
And the great thing about all of this representation is that it is treated so casually and normally. No one questions why Moran prefers they/them and no one finds it strange that Clem and Mariel like each other, either. It’s just treated as a normal part of these people and I ADORE that!
What I would have enjoyed more, though, is a deeper exploration of Morgan’s character. We see a lot of interesting content and references concerning their lineage and backstory, but no follow through. Morgan was such an interesting and likable character that I wanted to get to know more! It would have been great if their story had been more expanded upon.
In fact, more about all of the side characters would have been appreciated. I feel like we barely scratched the surface of their lives because the book is so fast paced. We could have slowed down and explored everyone’s thoughts and feelings a bit more, but, unfortunately, that simply wasn’t the case.

Overall Thoughts:

Funny, lighthearted, yet lacks a bit of refining. Gotta love that representation though!
(BISEXUAL ROBIN HOOD, GUYS!)

I found this book to be so fun and clever. The characters, especially side characters, were compelling and had great rapport that made the book engaging. The story was simple but easy to follow and made for a great queer take on Robin Hood.

🏹 Not for the Faint of Heart 🏹

This was a hilarious Robin Hood reimagining adventure, with a side a sapphic romance. The writing was laugh out loud funny, especially the dialogue, and I struggled to put it down because I was having so much fun.

There are two aspects of this book that really stood out to me. The first is the plot itself. Although I’ve read a few Robin Hood retellings, this is the first that’s been about his legacy, and how easily it can be for the generations that come after to twist our vision to suit their own purposes.

The second was all the LGBTQ+ representation. This book truly embodies the beliefs that love is love and that gender identity is a personal choice that should be accepted by others. I think having this level of acceptance is important in any book, but especially those that are YA, like this one.

Mariel and Clem were great MCs and I enjoyed each of their POVs. Clem is unfailingly optimistic and compassionate and a reminder to stay true to our values. Mariel was a bad ass, whose story emphasizes the struggle of being “good enough” in the shadows of others expectations.

As much as I enjoyed this book, I wasn’t impressed with the romance aspect. The chemistry was a little lacking between Clem and Mariel. I honestly think the story would have been better if it was about their friendship, which was much more palpable then any romantic feelings. Thankfully, it wasn’t a major part of the plot, and the rest of the book more than made up for these scattered awkward moments.

So, if you’re in it for a cute sapphic love story, you may be disappointed. If you’re looking for an queer adventure that will keep you smiling while you read, I highly recommend this read. Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pub Date: November 25, 2024

As a major Lex Croucher fan (particularly Gwen and Art Are Not in Love), I eagerly anticipated Not for the Faint of Heart. While full of the typical Croucher witty banter and queer-forward reinterpretations of British legends, I felt that this latest foray came up a bit short. Clem and Mariel, as the main focus of the romance story and only POV characters, felt strongly realized and brought individual histories and issues that helped move the plot forward (including some fun twists). However, the chemistry between the two fell a bit flat, with very little lead-up causing a lack of believability in their relationship once it was established. This disappointed me because I know Croucher is more than capable of doing slow burn very well from previous novels!

I also loved the wide range of characters that were imagined as the third generation Merry Men (Mariel is Robin Hood’s granddaughter and some of her friends are descended from other familiar-to-Sherwood Forest names), but wanted to hear more about them. We see snippets of romance with Kit and Baxter (honestly, their relationship was more believable to me than the main pair!) and get some general personality traits for the other members of Mariel’s band—but in general they, like the main romance, er underdeveloped.

The story follows a rollicking adventure format with a fast-moving plot and a few twists, so those looking for story over character may find this a more rewarding read.

3.5/5 stars

An exciting read that kept me engaged from beginning to end. This was a fun "What happens now" when the next generation take on the tale of the Merry Men vs the Sheriff of Nottingham. There was plenty of nods and glimpses of familiar faces but it was it's own fresh tale on the bones of the classic.

Marian and Clem were two fun, unique perspectives, and it was especially enjoyable to watch Marian's development.

Would've loved to see more of the side characters but what little vignettes we saw of them solidified their personalities.

The dialogue was fun and humorous, but occasionally a little too modern.

I wasnt a big fan of Gwen and Art, but this one I'm going to be purchasing for my own shelf.

What I adore so much about authors like Lex and Lex themself, is retellings of classic stories we know and love. As a kid I wasn’t the biggest fan of Robin Hood but, after reading Lex’s first book about King Arthur, I was very much excited to see how this book would turn out. I was not disappointed!

This is honestly one of my favorite enemies to lovers story as you can naturally see why Mariel and Clem fall for each other. At first we are made to think Mariel is a one dimensional ass but we grow to realize why she is the way she is. I LOVE when this book trope is done right!

📔: Not for the Faint of Heart-a standalone

✍️ By: Lex Croucher-I read Gwen & Art Are Not in Love and gave it 3.5/5 ⭐

📃 Page Count: 392 e-book

🗓️ Publication Date: 11-26-24 | Read: 9-14-24

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books this ARC 💚! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Genre: YA, LGBTQIA+, Historical

🌏Setting: Greenwood Forest

Tropes:
🐎1 bed/1 horse
🐎fairytale telling-Robin Hood
🐎forced proximity
🐎found family
🐎grumpy/sunshine
🐎sapphic romance
🐎slow burn romance
🐎journey/companions

⚠️ TW: war battle, kidnapping, poisoning, sexism, parental death

POV: 3rd person, dual

💭 Summary 💭 Mariel and the Merry Men kidnap Clem by accident while war is raging for Nottinghamshire. Mariel wants to prove she can be a leader of men like her father. As Mariel and Clem spend more time together, they must face betrayal and their feelings for each other.

Heroine: Mariel Hartley-Hood (18)- granddaughter to Robin Hood, new captain of the Merry Men

Heroine: Clemence "Clem" Causey (17)-a healer from Oak Vale

Side cast:
Rosalind Sweetland /Rosie-Clem's guardian and a healer
Jack Hartley-Mariel's father
The Merry Men-a group of thieves who rob from the rich and give to the poor. Her crew: Morgan, Josey Abara, Baxter, Chisaka/Kit
Sheriff of Nottingham-Roland de Rainault
Sheriff's son- Frederic de Rainault- Mariel's nemesis

My Thoughts: I loved the banter and chemistry between Mariel, her men, and Clem. They provided humor as Mariel and Clem grew closer while being forced to spend time together. Mariel had some daddy issues walking in his shadow but learns that he nor her mother Regan were good parents. She finds family in the Merry Men, and they accept her and Clem without question.

Range of emotions: 😬🤔🙄
🌶️: Spice 1/5
😭: Emotion 3/5
❤️: Couple 4/5
⭐️: Rating 4/5

Thank you Wednesday Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Clem was an orphan and raised by a healer named Rosie. Mariel’s the granddaughter of Robin Hood. When they find that someone has been passing on information about the merry men, they believe it’s Rosie. By mistake they kidnap Clem instead. The two are brought together and sparks fly! Action packed with lots of witty humor and a sweet sapphic romance! So cute and the way they interacted with one another was swoon worthy! Highly recommend!

4.75 stars, rounded up.

I have been obsessed with Lex Croucher since I received an ARC of their last novel, Trouble. That book was so much fun and the writing so very witty. I have been wanting to her some their other novels but have not had a chance so when I saw this available on NetGalley, I knew I had to request it! I'm so glad it was approved because this is definitely one of my top reads of the year.

This book was the perfect kick off to my fall reading! It gave all of the adventure romcom, chilly out in the woods by a campfire vibes that I have been yearning for. I love the concept of this story, a reimagining that follows the Merry Men post Robin Hood's leadership. The ensemble cast of characters was absolutely perfect. Clem is an absolute riot and I love the way her character is written. She is well rounded and I love her. The rest of the characters are equally as entertaining and compliment each other well, even the morally questionable villains. Croucher does a great job of changing POV between Clem and Mariel. It is pretty seamless. The first time it happened, I was a bit confused but after I wrapped my mind around it, I liked it! It was not choppy, like only changing POVs during new chapters.

There were only two things that I didn't fully enjoy in this book: Mariel and how quickly the ending wrapped up. It was very hard for me to like Mariel as the other main character/love interest. She is not very likable to me and I couldn't understand her rationalizations. The other thing that I didn't love is how quickly it ended. I wish it was like 20 pages longer.. I just wanted to sit in the world a bit more.

Tropes: found family, grumpy x sunshine, kidnapee/kidnaper romance (lmao)

Croucher's writing is always fast paced, witty, and entertaining. I have noticed that her romance is mostly banter and then closed door.
Thank you so much NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for this arc!

If you’re in the mood for a book that’s all about the vibes, then this one’s a perfect pick! It’s a sapphic YA fantasy with a dash of enemies-to-lovers slow burn that revolves around Mariel, the granddaughter of Robin Hood, and Clem, the girl she accidentally kidnaps. While the romance unfolds at a deliciously slow pace, the plot itself is a whirlwind of action and fun, making it incredibly easy to get swept up in.

Mariel and Clem are an absolute delight together, their playful bickering adding a lot of charm to the story. This book shines as a rom-com, and it doesn’t shy away from showcasing sharp, witty writing. Plus, I was particularly impressed by the way anxiety is portrayed—it adds a layer of depth and relatability to the characters. Overall, this one’s a captivating blend of adventure, romance, and humor that’s sure to leave you with a smile.

I was so excited to see that I had this as an ARC on NetGalley!! I started reading it immediately after finishing the author's previous work, Gwen and Art Are Not in Love. I thought that this novel was fun, but not as fun as Gwen and Art. I absolutely loved Clem, but I found Mariel to be difficult to feel anything for. I love the entire premise of these books though, so I had a lot of fun regardless!

Thanks so much to the publisher for an ARC!

Loved this. That is the main takeaway. I think it was better than the previous novel by this author, and that one was already quite good. This reimagining was satisfying, well written, and thankfully original. I LOVED the characters which were the best part of this novel by far. The plot was good, but the novel was more about the vibes than a meticulous plot structure. Thoroughly enjoyable and I would recommend this to readers of all ages.

Highlights:
-Clem. Clem CARRIES this novel. She is absolutely delightful. The running commentary reminded me Spiderman, and I mean that in the most positive way imaginable. Not only was she a delight any time she was on the page but the character was excellent. This is one of the rare times that a character didn’t really have any arc or growth yet I am entirely fine with it because it wasn’t needed. Everyone else had arc’s, Clem was the catalyst that they didn’t know they needed. She was still a rich character with a lot more under the surface that you would initially expect. 6/5 stars for Clem.
-The plotline was unexpected in the best way. For a Robin Hood reimagining, this wasn’t at all where I expected that they would take the story. It was fresh and original and very satisfying. I enjoyed getting all of the nostalgia, yet a new and different story.
-Mariel. There is SO much to say about Mariel. This was the character responsible for all of the depth of the novel, in contrast to Clem providing a lot of the fun. Her complicated relationships, upbringing, and worldview provided a lot of material for a reader to sink their teeth into. The character growth was delightful and very satisfying.
-The world was vivid, descriptive, and creative. I loved the setting, the Underwood was an incredible place I want to visit, and everything felt surprisingly “real”.
-Shoutout to a certain primary side character….. when you read the novel, you will know who I mean. Unexpectedly rich character that defied my initial expectations. Unexpected comic relief, and another great example of how people can be more complex than we expect them to be and have sides we haven’t seen.
-Lots of complicated and morally dubious side characters were present to truly flesh out this novel. I felt bad for the protagonists at times when they couldn’t catch a break, but it was surprisingly realistic and elevated this from being a simple fairy tale reimagining.

Nitpicks:
-I was hoping for more romance. Just a personal thing here, considering romance is integral to the Robin Hood story. There certainly was some, but I wanted more!
-The ending may have been a bit rushed, and a few details could have been wrapped up better. It was perfectly satisfying though. I am personally someone who usually wishes for more from an ending.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. I am leaving a review voluntarily.

This is my first book by this author, but won't be my last.

Croucher's wit and lighthearted banter kept even the most intense, heartbreaking of scenes from getting too dark. I enjoyed the opening scene with the fox— it really set the whole tone, and worked as a nice little call back to the animated Disney version of Robin’s story.

This was action packed and even though it was a slow burn when it came to the romance aspect, the plot itself was very fun and easy to follow along. Clem and Mariel were fantastically written and it was great seeing them bickering with each other. The writing was hilarious, thrilling and utterly heartfelt, and I loved seeing the anxiety representation in this one.

Taking inspiration from the legend of Robin Hood (and his band of Merry Thieves) we delve headfirst into life amongst the Merry Men after Robin’s retirement and the legacy that his granddaughter, Mariel, has been trying to live up to.

Constantly sidelined by her father and all but ignored by her fellow Captains, it wasn’t difficult to sympathize with Mariel’s frustrations and root for her (and her supportive, found family-esque team) to get the recognition and respect they so rightfully deserved.

Clem was my favorite with her wit and lighthearted banter kept even the most intense, heartbreaking of scenes from getting too dark.

The dynamics and romance between Clem and Mariel was wonderfully written and engaging. I highly recommend this one. I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A midieval rom-com set in the world of Robin Hood. This story is full of heart, found family, witty banter, and bravery. As a big fan of Disney’s Robin Hood, I loved reading about a world where Robin’s granddaughter is captain of The Merry Men. A perfect fall-vibes book; perfect for anyone looking for a sapphic story/queer story in general.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!

I was so excited when I got approved for this book. I loved the authors first book so this was a no brainer for me!! This was hilarious, heart pounding, and so much fun!
What more could I ask for but a sapphic spin on Robin Hood. Just the absolute depth of these characters was incredible. I absolutely loved the romance between Clem and Mariel. The diversity of characters was refreshing!

I will say that if you’re diving into this book in the hopes of an amazing plot driven story…. Then find another story because this is maybe 25% plot… the rest is all vibes!!!

Overall I really enjoyed it!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book comes out Nov 26 2024.a story about Robin Hood’s granddaughter, Mariel and the girl she accidentally kidnaps Clem. I loved loved loved this story. I’m a fan of any Robin Hood style story to be honest. The slow burn enemies to lovers banter between the two was so fun. The story was easy to follow. Don’t be mistaken just because it was slow burn it did have a lot of action packed moments. Highly recommend. Thank you net galley and publishers for this opportunity.

Lex Croucher has become an automatic buy author for me and this book has definitely solidified that. It was a spectacular read the characters were all so unique and felt so real I was laughing and crying along with them. This one is deffinitly a must read if you ask me!