One of my favourite reads of the year so far, I loved this from start to finish. This is equally funny and deeply endearing especially romance. Lex Croucher's has written another excellent LGBTQ story.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An unforgettable romance with deep emotional resonance. The characters’ journey is beautifully portrayed, making this a truly inspiring love story. I loved every moment!

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!

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.

This has everything you would expect from a new release from Lex Croucher: Good humour, snappy writing and good characters. There is a lot to love in this Robin Hood setting: sapphic annoyances to lovers, found family and a big sprinkle of grumpy vs sunshine.
I love Lex Croucher more than life itself.

sapphic granddaughter of robin hood x the healer she kidnapped.

SO. MUCH. FUN.

i loved this <<3 of the thirteen arcs i’ve read so far this year, not for the faint of heart is only the second i’ve given five stars to because how could i not? this was funny and wonderful and featured a found family (my favourite trope), so what’s not to love?

the humour in this book was my fave, and the slowburn romance was so cUTE! i really loved clem as a main character and seeing her breaking into the rest of the group and then breaking down mariel’s walls was everything.

i laughed loads and i cried as well and i cannot wait to own this physically when it comes out <<3

Lex Croucher does not miss. Ever. With each release, they reaffirm why they deserve a large readership and all of the recognition they've received. Fun, emotional, romantic without being suffocating. This ripped my heart out and remade me. Croucher does so well at weaving together heavy emotions and humor, and it's such a delight to see that here.

⭐️ 4.5

Once again Lex Croucher knocks it out of the park with an exciting, heartfelt, and hilarious adventure that’s impossible not to love. Their writing is so immersive, I was immediately sucked in and couldn’t put the book down.

I love this beautifully queer group of kids, and following them through the forest as they worked through some tough emotional situations was amazing. This is a great diverse read that I can see so many teenagers getting lost in.

I don’t think I can ever forgive the heartache this gave me, and I know it’ll hurt for a good while 🥲

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

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

I loved Lex Croucher's first YA novel, so I was excited to receive an ARC of Not for the Faint of Heart! This book was both funny and charming. I often found myself laughing outloud when any of the characters were speaking. I really loved Clem as a character, as she was the funniest to me and I loved how she handled being kidnapped. Honestly, all of the characters were very likeable and it was easy to become invested in their stories! I really enjoyed reading Not for the Faint of Heart and can't wait to recommend it to my friends!

Not for the Faint of Heart is a thrilling adventure by Lex Croucher, brimming with found family and a romance that will forever change the lives of the Greenwood Forest's inhabitants. As Mariel and Clem navigate their growing feelings for each other amidst the dangers of the forest, they must confront their pasts, challenge their beliefs, and decide where their true loyalties lie. Their journey is filled with intense moments of self-discovery, courage, and the unbreakable bonds of love and friendship. With its richly drawn characters and a story that seamlessly blends action, humor, and heartfelt emotion, this novel is destined to captivate readers and leave a lasting impression.

Lex Croucher saves lives, say thank you. ( No I mean it, say thank you!)

This was an incredible all around, funny, lovely blinking back tears and shrieking into the night romp of a time and what else can you possibly want???

I am beyond thrilled to be adding this to my collection of books 16-year-old me would have been feral about and 28-year-old me is very unchill about to be frank.

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

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 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

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

This was my first book from this author and I quite enjoyed it! The premise reeled me in and I think it was executed very well. The main characters were loveable, the romance was lovely, and the adventure was fantastic. Big fan!

This is a beautiful story written by Lex Croucher and I cannot stop until I finish reading this book. This is like a whole experience in one package and you should read it.

loved this! great anxiety rep, and I love a good slow burn enemies to lovers. I love the whole vibe of it- like who doesn’t want to run around the woods and stop in villages??

This was so cute! I love Robin Hood so much and this being about his descendants and the Merry Men was so fun! And I loved that it was LGBTQ! I absolutely adorned both of the female main characters and the other characters were also fun to get to know! I can't wait to read more by Lex Croucher! Thank you to NetGalley and to St. Martin's Press for my digital ARC!!

An incredible book full of humor, fantastic queer representation, wonderful characters and a powerful plot. Lex is a master and their craft!

An adorable, surprisingly heartfelt teen retelling of Robin Hood with a queer twist. A found family story at the core, about a sunshiny healer, Clemence, who gets abducted by a band of Merry Men and their grumpy leader (and granddaughter of Robin Hood), Mariel. The group goes through rescue missions, heartbreak, and many a wound patch-up around the legendary woods from the original Hood stories.
The characters were lovely and the romance was perfectly paced. My coworkers are big fans of Lex Croucher, and now I am too!

I feel emotionally compromised by this book.

It took me a bit to get into it but I feel so lucky to have been sent this book early. Lex Croucher has done it again with this medieval masterpiece inspired by Robin Hood and it tugged at all my heartstrings and left me quietly crying in the middle of the night. I'm a sucker for found family and this delivered in the best way possible - I would literally die for every single one of these characters, especially Clem because she's a woman in science and she speaks to my soul. And Mariel. God. That girl deserved so much better in life and my heart broke for her so much throughout it all.

I love this. I love this. I would've read 400 pages more but if this is all we get I'm so happy it exists.

I can’t think of anything else you would need to make a YA novel perfect. The author weaves in each characters differences like a tapestry. I loved reading of a world where being LGBTQ+ was normal. The characters and plot were real and realistic when dealing with flawed humans.

*Mild spoiler* As a recovering perfectionist & people pleaser it was particularly interesting to see the character growth in Clem and Mariel.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and lovable. The pacing was perfect and left you wanting to read more. I can't wait to read more by this author!

I loved Lex's debut and this solidified her as a must read for me. The prose and voice are stunning and paint wonderful depictions of the characters and setting. Would recommend for those who enjoyed My Lady Jane!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this advanced copy! This was one of my most wanted books of the year. 🥹
Lex never fails to impress me! Every book is such a different vibe, but always so good!! Clem and Mariel, and all of their group of found family - rope you in from the very beginning of the book. The banter is one of my favorite things throughout the novel! Can’t wait to read more from this author in the future, and will always support when the book officially cones out in the states!

A fun YA historical romp with lots of action and heart. The best part was of course Lex Croucher's fantastic writing - all her books make me laugh out loud and this is a great addition to her work for teen readers. Check the author's website for content notes.

Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher is a gripping and darkly comedic novel that dives into the chaotic and often brutal world of Victorian London. Croucher's sharp wit and vivid characterizations bring this historical setting to life, blending intrigue with a satirical edge. The narrative's exploration of power, morality, and survival makes for a compelling and thought-provoking read. If you enjoy historical fiction with a blend of humor and darkness, this book might be right up your alley

Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher is a fantastic book.
A sapphic LGBT with great representation, I absolutely loved this book!

Endearing with wonderful characters filled with adventure, this is my favorite book of the authors!

Not for the Faint of Heart was a witty and heartwarming story that was the perfect fantasy book! Lex Croucher has become an auto purchase author for me. If you enjoyed Gwen & Art Are Not in Love then you will definitely love this book!

Queer story set in the world of Nottingham, with one of the main characters being Robin Hood's grandchild. Charming and emotional. Lex continues to write books I love.

ARC from publisher via NetGalley, but the opinions are my own.

Not for the Faint of Heart is my definition of a comfort read. It’s a spectacular romp that will have you grinning ear to ear (until, of course, you’re crying but alas here we are).

I am a sucker for queer found family and this was the perfect place to be. I was hooked on Clem from the first line of this novel and every moment since. The Merry Men were a superb group of mischiefs that quickly felt like close friends.

Lex Croucher has the magic touch when it comes to sapphic romance. I’m always left in a puddle of butterflies once tensions build between the MCs. Clem and Mariel were firmly in slow-burn territory but once things kicked off between them, it was marvelous.

This whole book was marvelous, and I will definitely be picking it up for a reread.

Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Wednesday Books for the Advanced Reader Copy!

Lex Croucher, the person you are<3 Incredibly huge thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for this arc! After Gwen and Art, Lex Croucher immediately became and auto buy author for me and they have absolutely done it again. Taken a well known classic tale and went “ oh this can be so much gayer” Not For The Faint Of Heart is a beautiful and entertaining story about finding yourself and letting yourself be cared for. Clem was absolutely hilarious and Mariel was so relatable. (she is an only child but she is so hispanic eldest daughter coded) All of Mariel’s crew were incredibly interesting and important and I definitely didn’t cry when Baxter died. All together this is a beautiful and fun read!

Not for the Faint of Heart is another fantastic YA romance by author Lex Croucher. This reimagining of Robin Hood with a queer romantic adventure that had me hooked from the very first pages. The story is completely unique but we know the world it is set in from Robin Hood to Sherwood Forest, to the Sheriff of Nottingham. Robin Hood's granddaughter has much to prove, Mariel just can't seem to please her father and gain his trust. After kidnapping Clem, who is a talented healer and a ray of sunshine, her group needs to put her skills to use almost immediately. As they work to free her captured father, Jack, Mariel starts to see that things have changed under her father's leadership. Are the Merry Men still in the right and are they doing the work that her grandfather started?

I loved this grumpy sunshine duo. Clem is an amazing character. She can make the best of a bad situation and raise spirits as well as heal wounds. The story has a well-developed adventure. There is action and fighting, but we also get to know the characters. The group that Mariel is the captain of is close and like a family. Their personalities and importance to the group added depth to the story. It was to root for this group even as the author showed us how much Mariel still needed to grow.

I have loved all of Lex Croucher's books but this one may be my favorite so far. I am anxious to see what is next.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Wednesday Books for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

This was such a delightfully funny read, and I’m so glad for it! Clem is kidnapped by Mariel and her Merry Men — ahem, I mean “a collection of people experiencing a full range of emotions” and so kicks off an adventure in this queer YA novel. The crew consists of several mismatched characters with the singular goal of living up to Robin Hood’s name under the leadership of their captain, Mariel Hartley-Hood (yes, his granddaughter).

I appreciated how the author dealt with Mariel’s complicated relationship with both her parents and the accompanying trauma that it has caused in her life. Most importantly, however, I loved the character of Clem — her hilarious asides and general misguided optimism really made me give this book 5 stars. I liked this book so much more than Gwen and Art, and would recommend to anyone who wants a queer retelling of Robin Hood.

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

NetGalley prerelease review!

I do not, as a rule, read YA. Just the words "young adult" generally makes me dismiss a title. I am so glad I've given Lex Croucher an exception to this rule as Gwen and Art and now Not for the Faint of Heart are two of my favorite books of the past couple years. I am particularly a fan of this one, as the Robin Hood tales are some of my childhood/teenage favorites and it felt so magical to have a story told in the aftermath of those legends. All of the characters are massively lovable, including the initial (apparent) villain, and I got immediately so attached to all of them. I really enjoyed this start to finish and am greatly looking forward to its release.

I’m a huge fan of retellings or expansions of beloved favorites and Robin Hood is one of my all-time faves! Then the author makes it queer—I’m sold! But honestly, this was such a fun romp with love, great banter, and so much adventure! I absolutely loved Croucher’s first book and after reading this one, I know I will be reading everything they write!

Lex Croucher does it again!! I could not put this book down!
One of my favorite books so far this year. It has everything--Robin Hood setting, fantasy elements, romance, adventure, deeply relatable and engaging characters, believable dialogue, resonant character arcs and Croucher's wonderful sense of humor and timing.
The found family element in this book was profound and deeply emotional.
Clem is such an endearing protagonist--funny, dependable, brave, confident, but with deeply held trauma and history. Marian is the grumpy to Clem's sunshine but she carries so much on her shoulders--the care of her friends, her family's legacy, the complicated history that comes with that legacy.
This book made me laugh out loud, it made me cry. It made my heart ache and it made me yearn. I was on the edge of my seat and cheering these characters on. It made me want to hug them, make them a cup of tea, yell at them, and laugh around a fire with them.
All the stars. An absolute triumph of a book.

This was a fun story about what happens with the Merry Men after Robin Hood retires, featuring his granddaughter and a young village healer. If you like folklore and queer stories, this is worth a read. It's fast paced, adventurous, and emotional.

Mariel and Clem are both relatable characters in different regards, trying to do their best to help people and keep their friends alive.

I enjoyed this novel more than Lex Croucher's previous Gwen and Art Are Not in Love.

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.

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!

Yet again, Croucher has captured my heart with a lovable cast of characters alongside a wonderfully paced and packed adventurous tale. This author will surely appeal to any reader searching for a heartwarming tale that will bring comfort and solace, a glimmer of hope in a chaotic world.

Lex Croucher's YA has never failed to hook me. I wasn't sure if this would top GWEN & ART, but it was so much fun. I loved the entire cast of characters and their relationships, and I found the plot and themes to be super well done. Mariel's character arc in particular felt very important for teen readers to read, and I can't wait to see where this author goes next! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Tottaly understated and unexpected is what I felt about these books. I did not expect to quickly fall in love with the story and characters like I did. Bravo

This book was an adventure and I was so glad to be in it! The chemistry between Clem and Mauriel was so so good, and every single interaction of theirs was intense. I went from laughing to crying to back laughing throughout reading this book, which made the reading experience so exciting. It was a queer take on Robin Hood, and I really loved all the queer elements. The stakes are always high and the journey is intense. I need to read more from this author immediately.

This book was wonderful!! I loved the cast of characters, especially the main two, Mariel and Clem. The romance was sweet and the plot around the Merry Men was gripping and well-done.

This is an action-packed adventure that deals with some very profound subjects. As always, with Lex Croucher, social and economic injustice is front and center, but also in this case, the issue of growing up without parents or with parents who are unloving, gives this book a gravitas that makes calling it a 'rom-com' quite inaccurate. I loved the riff on the Robin Hood story, and the cast of characters were complex and deeply drawn.
Clem was the true hero, in my opinion - a young woman of great courage and conviction. I would recommend this book to readers of fantasy adventure who like to be left with much to ponder on after the last page has been read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Not for the Faint of Heart is a Robin Hood retelling with queer characters and a queer romance. I appreciated the representation across the characters and the way that they were just part of who the characters were -- it wasn't about their struggles as LGBTQIA characters; they just existed as part of the story. Furthermore, strong, capable female and LGBTQIA characters who are leads and not side characters was exciting to read. For these reasons, I think this one is worth adding to any library. I enjoyed the dual POV and the ways the characters, especially the main characters, played off of each other. I would recommend it to anyone who likes retellings, myths, the story of Robinhood, or the time period.

Lex Croucher has done it again folks! They have created a beautiful retelling of Robin Hood while using the original characters from the old fable in their book. This book is an amazing story of unconventional friendship, found family, love, and loss, all in a neat little adventure package. The character and world-building are exquisite and you truly become absorbed into their writing.

Loved this journey into a new world of Robin Hood and the entire universe and characters just came to life for me. It’s a lovely journey and I just can’t wait to take the ride again just as soon as I possibly can.

Croucher's last YA historical (fantasy?) novel set the bar really high for me in terms of humorous writing, and this new book didn't quite meet it—but it was still great fun. Her last book in this category was just hilarious line after line, and this book was more quirky characters, ridiculous situations, goofy and irreverent dialogue—so still enjoyable, just not quite the same. I especially enjoyed Clem for all her cheerful, funny remarks, and how good and self-assured she was. Their little teenage band was also really sweet and hit me the most in the feels. Overall, I thought it was a good time.

What an absolute adventure! This book was such a rollercoaster and I’m so glad I was tall enough to ride!!
The writing in this book was sharp and easy to follow and kept me entertained. The dynamics and romance between Clem and Mariel were wonderfully swoon-worthy.
I loved it so much!
Looking forward to Lex's future works!

A fun read. I enjoyed the story line and the interaction between the characters. I enjoyed watching the growth of the main character as she stopped trying to be the perfect shadow and became her own person.

Croucher just gets better and better! Another YA queering of British folklore: these next-gen Merry Men are out to steal your heart. The banter flies as thick and fast as the arrows. Without compromising on adventure, Coucher seamlessly weaves in an arc about healing, love, loss, and the family you choose. For every queer kid who felt a little (or a lot) outlaw, this one's for us!

This is a grumpy/sunshine enemies-to-lovers LGBTQ historical romance.

Healer Clem is kidnapped by Mariel's band of bandits when she volunteers to be a hostage in place of her elderly mentor. Clem is annoyingly cheerful and unperturbed about her predicament. There are some skirmishes, deaths, and political machinations but ultimately this is about the group of bandits and their growth in their romances and as people. Diverse LGBTQ representation.

So far, I have enjoyed every single one of Lex Croucher's books.

This was such a fun and adventurous follow up to the first. I absolutely loved it. Lex Croucher is becoming one of my favorite authors. I love Lex's writing style - the storytelling is brilliant.

Anyone who likes Robin Hood, queer romance, black cat/golden retriever dynamics, found family, or adventures through the forest with arrows and swords and horses will absolutely love this book. I laughed, I cried, I feel like I adopted six children. Lex is a master as always at creating complicated flawed queer characters that we fall in love with not despite their flaws but because of them.

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with a copy of the book!

this book was so cute and whimsical. honestly i feel it was more character-focused than on the plot, which is not a problem since i liked all the main characters. the romance between mariel and clem had me giggling and i kept wanting more. it really does have the vibe of horse riding through an enchanted wood.

4.75/5

This book was so cute! It’s a very creative story about the next generation of Robin Hood & his Merry Men, only the Merry Men are led by Hartley’s daughter Mariel. She and her team kidnap Clem, a healer with the unruliest hair. She is funny, a bit sassy, always upbeat, speaks in modern language and believes in modern healing techniques (none of this bloodletting with leeches please!) They have only one horse and only one bed and are a perfect grumpy/sunshine couple, one of my favorite tropes.

I really liked this story of familial troubles, parental expectations, first romance. It’s a fun romp and also includes plenty of Robin Hood-esque heists. I’m not familiar with Robin Hood & his Merry Men beyond the basics from school, but it’s all you need to know. At its heart its a slow burn sapphic romance with a great friend group. I haven't read Lex's other book Gwen & Art Are Not in Love yet, but this moves that up my TBR.

I loved this sapphic Robin Hood inspired historical romance! I loved the grumpy/sunshine of it all, that Clem is not small, the diversity, and the camaraderie. The tropes were there—only one bed, forced proximity, but also how they all dealt with trauma was handled sensitively. Croucher is becoming one of my faves!

Sweet historical YA fiction set in the Robin Hood universe but not really involving Robin Hood, as he has retired and left to be with his boyfriend overseas at the start of the book. This has a lovely found family vibe, where you do get to know the individual characters and they have enough different about them to differentiate the characters. I loved Clem as a main character—just pure sunshine, making the best out of every situation even as she is muttering to herself about how things could have been done better. It’s interesting, because often you see sunshine characters as being less intellectual, just golden retrievers. But here? Clem is smart, sharp, and while she has some idealistic/optimistic outlooks, she actually sees a lot of things that our black cat character, Mariel, refuses to see in her more rigid, perfectionist viewpoint. It’s a fun combination and I appreciated how the characters, especially Mariel, grew throughout the book.

This is a sweet, lighthearted story about friendship and found family, with a dash of popular romance tropes on top.

“Gwen and Art Are Not In Love” was one of my favorites last year and Lex Croucher has done it again with this book. Sapphic Robin Hood retelling. Yes please! Creative take on the story. Great supportive cast of “merry men/merry people”. Plot kept it moving with just enough romance. Lex Croucher is going on my favorites list. I dig the writing and I love these queer retellings. Thank you!

I love that this author writes stories that are based on fairytales! I really enjoyed her first one and I enjoyed this one just as much! I love how she makes the stories LGBTQ+ friendly. The way the characters interact is so enjoyable and that one scene near the end, the gasp I GASPED! I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I can’t wait to see what she’ll come up with next!

A very enjoyable Robin Hood retelling! The plot was fun and adventurous, and I enjoyed the romance! It did feel a little more rushed towards the end, like the author was trying to tie up and any loose ends, but overall it was an enjoyable read!

I am really loving these new retellings of classic stories. This is another by a great author. I really loved these characters and this new look on this story.

Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher is a perfect fit for readers who crave a thrilling and romantic adventure with a strong, queer female lead, a dash of historical flair, and a swoon-worthy love story that reimagines the classic tale of Robin Hood with a sapphic twist.

I love Lex Croucher's writing so it was no surprise how much I loved Not for the Faint of Heart! The modern references and language were so on point, enough that they made me laugh but not too many that it took me out of it. And of course, I absolutely loved Mariel and Clem!

A creative, original, and deeply enjoyable Robin Hood retelling that takes a well-known, popular tale and gives it a refreshing spin. Though the plot is recognizably Robin Hood, Croucher takes just enough liberties to make the world feel entirely new. It's a fun jaunt of a book overall with a lighthearted enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romance, but in Croucher's interpretation is an unexpectedly poignant and grounded commentary on social movements and the struggles and pitfalls of organizations fighting for change. Action-packed, difficult to put down, and utterly captivating.

This is my second book that I’ve read by Lex Croucher and I enjoyed it! Lex always has a fun writing style.

A lively retelling of Robin Hood and the Merry Men that sees some of it turned on its head and a very eclectic cast. I suspect many YA readers won't know the original story and those won't be hampered by making comparisons and linking characters - they'll just enjoy it. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good found family tale.

I love a good re-telling / reimagined story and this one had me laughing, cheering, and feeling sappy the entire way through. I enjoyed Gwen and Art are not in lover by this author as well. This book is pretty light hearted, funny, and face paced and I think anyone looking for an easy read or a read to get out of a slump should check this one out.

This delightful take on Robin Hood’s Merry Men takes Mariel, Hood’s granddaughter who is desperate to prove herself, and Clem, an overly-optimistic and kind-hearted healer, on an adventure to fight for their friends, the freedom of the forest, and a chance at love. It is an adventurous romp through Greenwood Forest with a tightknit band of LGBT Q+ bandits. It was the palate cleanser that I needed with just the right mix of action, romance, and laughter.

A fantastic follow up from Lex Croucher, I think this author has become a must read, favorite author of mine for sure and I can't wait to read what comes next from them.

An accidental kidnapping turned love story? Count me in! This is the second YA queer historical fiction novel I’ve read by the author and it sure better not be my last. The works that’s created is so vivid and the charters is swoon-worthy, it really does make you feel like a teen falling in love all over again.

Such a fun and creative retelling. I loved this one. It was funny, clever, and just so well done. Definitely a fun read!

This was a delightful book. I really enjoyed this version of the Robin Hood legend. I liked the banter between Mariel and Clem so much.
Mariel was very grumpy and Clem was a little ray of sunshine (even though she was kidnapped) and quite hilarious. She did not have an off button and just said what she thought.
I very much look forward to the next book by Lex Croucher and recommend this one whole heartedly!

This book is so much fan, I just adore it. It made me laugh but also made me think. And I adore Lex Crouched and how they write worlds when queerness is not an issue. Their worlds are queernormative and I love it. I want to live in those worlds. Please.
I really enjoyed the reading and especially the relationship between Mariel and Clem. Clem is a little bit annoying sometimes, but she has to be, and she grow up so much in the story. She’s my favorite, I have to admit it.
And I love the retelling of the Robin Hood’s mythology. Very clever.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

A great read! The writing style of Lex Croucher is engaging and fast paced to make this book easy to read in one sitting. Loved the LGBTQIA+ representation. Definitely recommend this novel!

OMG. This book. I am not a romantic comedy, or even romance girly. However, I do love Robin Hood and I love a good twist on the classics. This book is so fun and precious. I absolutely loved every second of it. The characters are immediately loveable, and you immediately ship Clem and Mariel. UGH. These two have my heart. The writing is witty, cozy, and makes me kick my feet in the air in happiness. If you're looking to add a quick, loveable, cozy read during the winter seasons. Run and pick up a copy of this. Lex Croucher may have just opened my eyes to a new genre. I can't wait to see what else she writes!

I read the first paragraph, laughed out loud, and knew I was in for a good time.

The banter, the sarcasm, Mariel as the straight woman with everyone else just being ridiculous worked for me in the *best* way. As someone who babbles when they're anxious, I related to Clem from the moment she opened her mouth and said something absurd. The characters were all lovable and the romance between Clem and Mariel was so deliciously slow it didn't feel out of place or take over the plot.

I loved this one even more than Gwen & Art and I really hope that Lex writes more stories like them!

I'm a big fan of Lex Croucher's adult work and was pleasantly surprised with his highly nuanced YA debut. This reimagining and continuance of the Robin Hood tale is a deeply affecting story. Croucher's ability to write characters who feel so real is quite the superpower. Overwhlmingly enjoyed.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

I had such a great time reading this 🥹 I really love this authors YA historical retellings, and this makes it 2/2. I found it very sweet and fun while still touching on real problems the characters & the Wood experienced, and the end had me crying in the club 😭😭😭 really hope they continue to write these and I can’t see what comes next!!

“There she went again, just asking for what she wanted, like it was the easiest thing in the world. Mariel was awed and horrified by it.”

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publishers who sent me this ARC to read & review! <3

I enjoyed Lex’s other book, Gwen and Art Are Not in Love, and this one was good as well! I appreciated the world building here, with an entire society built around Robin Hood. Very cool!

I am such a fan of Lex Croucher, so I will happily read whatever they publish. It's even better when it's another fun, queer twist on a classic tale. This time around, Croucher reimagines the future of Robin Hood's Merry Men and focuses on Captain Mariel and her eccentric crew. When they are directed to kidnap a healer for providing treatment to the Sheriff of Nottingham, Mariel might have finally met her match in the sunny and capable Clem.

There's adventure, daring rescues, genuinely funny banter, hidden underground sanctuaries, found family, and romance. Fair warning that things do get a little dark along the way, and I unexpectedly ended up crying at one point. Highly recommend this and all of Croucher's previous delightful work.

A queer historical YA romance book about Robin Hood’s granddaughter? Yes, please!

Not for the Faint of Heart had me hooked from the first sentence, and the rest of the book didn’t disappoint. We get drawn into the forest following accidentally kidnapped Clem and Robin Hood’s granddaughter Mariel (and of course her crew of Merry Men are there for the adventures too). Be ready to be drawn into adventure, romance, and found family dynamics. It is impossible for me to sum up the journeys they took in this book, you’ve got to read it yourself - trust me, it’s worth it!

This is one of my favorite reads of 2024 - highly recommend grabbing this book!

This was an absolute delight.

What I liked:

I enjoyed the Robin Hood and his merry men lore - one of our main characters is Robin Hood’s granddaughter. This new generation of merry men was so fun to read.

Clem & Muriel are fantastic. We love a grumpy x sunshine trope around here.

Muriel’s group of rag tag thieves are so fun. I really liked this little found family.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well that was just delightful! Classic tropes like grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, and found family. There’s beautiful queer representation that makes me excited for a world in which people could actually be that open and loving in their own fashion and it’s just accepted… My only comment that comes close to a critique is that there was a surprising amount of gore and wounds based on the tone of the rest of the book, which made it all the more extreme and jarring. But overall if you’re looking for a cute YA romantasy with great nods to classic Robin Hood tales, this one will satisfy.

love, love, love, love, loved it - I love Lex's writing style and the story - I fell in love with the characters, and I'll be picking up every book Lex writes

Lex Croucher does it again! One thing I love to read in a romance is banter and boy do we get some incredible banter in this book. Clem and Mariel are at odds from the jump and are forced into close proximity when Clem is kidnapped by Mariel's Merry Men and are forced to share a horse (gasp!) and a bed (double gasp!). An incredible journey with real stakes and a satisfying payoff, but really, our protagonists are the real shining stars of this work.

This book is perfection. As a child of the 90’s I’ve always been obsessed with Robin Hood lore, and this is such a fun twist (not a retelling) putting Robin Hood’s granddaughter together with the girl she is supposed to kidnap. Hilarity, so much heart, found family, adventure, and swoony moments make this a fun romantic YA five star read. I hate to admit, but this was my first Lex Croucher book, and it will absolutely not be my last. I plan to immediately read Gwen and Art Are Not in Love, and cannot wait to see what they write next. If you are searching for a book that will fly by, yet with characters that will linger in your mind, pick up this one next.

Thank you to Wednesday books for my gifted copy and to MacMillan audio for my audiobook. Narrators, Kat Griffiths & Olivia Dowd, slayed the performance, bringing out the grumpy and sunshiny characteristics of our leads will delivering comedic timing and tension.

Had really high hopes for this since I adored the authors other book and I’m happy to say it did not disappoint! This book was so FUN! Croucher knows how to write characters that I absolutely love and want to protect at all costs.

Lex Croucher is such a fun writer. This is the type of story telling that sucks you in and is a joy to read. While I did feel like this was a little long and not quite enough happened, I had such a fun time and will definitely be recommending it to students.

Imagine you’re living in the world of Robin Hood but instead you’re following the story of his granddaughter. Mariel, the grumpy granddaughter, is living in the world of the Merry Men and has orders to kidnap a healer. Clem, the aforementioned kidnapper healer, is an optimistic girl with a passion for fixing the broken and doesn’t seem to be at all bothered that she has been taken by the Merry Men.

This book genuinely didn’t go at all how I pictured based on my initial first impressions but I loved it and I genuinely wish I would have jumped into it sooner. I’ve never thought to read a sapphic, Middle Ages Robin Hood story but I absolutely devoured this one. The enemies to lovers romance and the found family tropes are my absolute favorite of all tropes and this gave me both. I will recommend this book forever. Thanks so so much to the publishers and netgalley for being given the privilege of finding a new book to add to my favorites list.

Delightful, diverse characters and humor that is both timeless and somehow contemporary and adapted to the world make this book fun and funny, start to finish I love the dual POV that gives us insight into how the characters feel about each other. The diversity is woven into the story so naturally, it’s as the world should be.
I am absolutely adding Lex Croucher to my automatic read list,

This is my first sapphic story and I loved the rollercoaster ride, the electric chemistry, and the action packed adventure.

I didn’t realize this book was YA until I started it. Clem and Mariel were the cutest pair and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them bicker and grow closer. They’re just adorable together and I loved experiencing their story with them.

Overall I’d recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in a sapphic romance YA book.

Lex Croucher does it again! Not for the Faint of Heart is a very sweet and charming historical queer adventure romance set in the world of Robin Hood. Grumpy vs. Sunshine? Forced Proximity? ONE BED?!? Say less.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

I adored Lex Croucher's Gwen & Art are Not in Love, and that legacy carried through this novel.
With a very light grumpy/sunshine dynamic, Clem and Mariel leap off the page. The way they push and pull at each other reminds me of my own first girl on girl crush. I saw a bit of myself in each character, like Mariel's desperation for her Dad's approval.
Like Gwen& Art, it started out a bit slow, I'll admit. All banter not much action-until it picks up very quickly a little after halfway through. Like G&A, the conclusion felt a little quick and a little too tied up, but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book at all.
I adore Lex Croucher, I will read more of their books given half a chance, and I recommend their books to anyone and everyone who loves a goos LGBT YA slowburn!!
Thank you to netgalley and Croucher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review