Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

58 reviews

frantically's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was an absolutely adorable medieval-esque romance and I really had a lot of fun with it! 

Still, sometimes it did feel like Chroucher themself wasn't really sure what they wanted this book to be — we've got the Monty Python/Shrek humor but also so many serious plot points about child abuse, war or questions on how to run a country and all mushed together it is a bit messy.

A main characters gets majorly injured in the third act and especially that made the pacing for that act really weird.

While I felt like Gwen and thus her relationship with Bridget got much more attention than Arthur and Gabriel, all the different relationships were still really enjoyable and I really liked how Croucher really leaned into the positive aspects of YA and made Gwen and Arthur's friendship equally as important as the romantic relationships.

Overall, nothing life-changing but still a really enjoyable read!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

dhritigupta's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

this was a fun romp!! there was endless banter, found family shenanigans, lesbian knights (😳) — everything you’d want in a queer medieval rom com!! i think the pacing was a bit off though, and one of the relationships felt underdeveloped. and while the ending was sweet, it could have been more grounded

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bunterobstkorb's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

styxx's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

purplepenning's review

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

A queer medieval alt history with all the camp, humor, and heart of a Knight's Tale!

Betrothed enemies Gwen and Art become reluctant (read: blackmailed) beards for each other during a time of increasing unrest in the medieval kingdom descended from Camelot. An unlikely but hugely likeable group of friends emerge, splinter, and rise anew in a tale of hope, identity, courage, found family, shenanigans, and adventure.

Armor your heart — it's about to get battered, bruised, and absolutely stolen by this merry medieval band!

[I listened to the audiobook for part of this one, and did not prefer it.]
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

emily_mh's review against another edition

Go to review page

lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

For a romance book this was just not very…romantic. It seemed like Arthur only got a crush on Gabe because of proximity, meanwhile we never find out why Gabe likes Arthur at all. I didn’t like how Gabe got to have a D+M about his challenges, but they didn’t have a similar conversation about Arthur’s, as this left their connection feeling shallow. They just didn’t seem to be into each other very much (and no, I’m not referring to Gabe’s personal obstacle and how it impacted their relationship), and their ending was only really an HFN. The situation with Gwen and Bridget was similar. It appears that Gwen gets a crush on Bridget because of proximity, and we never know why Bridget likes her back. Their connection seem to be purely physical, and their ending was barely an HFN. The dual HFNs were rendered even worse as the author tried to establish them in the light of a tragic event which happens with like, 20 pages to go. I was just so disappointed in how lacklustre the romance was. I wanted to be swept away in a whirlwind of romance, historical pining and soulmate-level bonding, but all I got was a small gust of air. 

The characters themselves were similarly disappointing. I’ll begin with the MCs, Gwen and Arthur, whose perspectives we read from. Honestly, Gwen’s storyline was about getting her hand held by those less privileged than her as she realises that maybe she should use her power to help others. There was development in this area, which was something, but overall I found it exasperating. 

There was so much potential with Arthur’s character, but it was squandered. Arthur is suffering domestic abuse and (let’s be real) with alcoholism, yet neither of these factors are given the weight they deserve. I feel like no one talked to him properly about his home life; he never got that chat and chance for support and connection regarding it. Arthur also has an alcohol problem which he decides won’t be a problem anymore and then miraculously it’s gone. Also, his trust issues, which are set up in the beginning, aren’t actually a thing? When situations crop up that would trigger them, they don’t. Instead his character is reduced to someone who exists to support Gwen and Gabe. This is a poor way to treat any character, but is especially concerning in light of the fact that Arthur is Iranian, and Gabe and Gwen are white. (Please let me know if I’m stepping out of my lane here, or have read the situation wrong.) 

Bridget, Gwen’s love interest, is similarly poorly developed. We never get a sense of her as a person. Granted, we know what she likes, what she is good at and wants to do, but Croucher gives her no depth. For example, what is her history? Was she born in England or did she move? Where are her parents, who are so important to her? Also, we don’t see her just talk, just be, we only really see her framed by Gwen’s physical attraction. Like Arthur, she ends up existing only to handhold Gwen. This is again a poor way to write a character, even more so considering Bridget is Thai while Gwen is white. (Again, please let me know if I’m stepping out of my lane here, or have read the situation wrong.) Furthermore, Bridget has endo but this rep felt tokenised. If you’re going to give your character a chronic illness, then you need to show it as a consistent part of their character, not as something that shows up once. Bridget’s symptoms only make the page once when she is on her period (this book takes place over several months, by the way, and endometriosis symptoms are not limited to times of menstruation). 

On a more positive note, Gabe was the most interesting and dynamic character to me, and we didn’t even get his POV! I was so engaged by how he was torn between duty and himself, being so focussed on serving others that he didn’t even know what he wanted for himself, let alone allow himself to voice and seek those wants. I was struck by the ways in which Gabe set impossible standards for himself, and the lengths he would go to to meet them, including suppressing an essential part of who he was. He felt like an actual person with real and understandable reactions to the impossible situation he found himself in. 

In terms of plot, it was meandering at times with repetitive moments, especially between Arthur and Gabe. I wish there had been a little more direction with fewer random time jumps. With the writing style, I wasn’t a fan of the attempts at humour. I think authors think the type of dialogue employed here is unique when nowadays it’s very much not, and so makes characters seem generic. Also, it was just overdone in this specific instance. 
So given all the negatives I’ve recorded here, why the 2.5 stars? Firstly, because I found the book to be a comforting space to be in, in terms of the nostalgic European fantasy vibes. The political element was compelling. Also, I genuinely was enjoying it for a while, because I was expecting it to go places. It didn’t. 

Rep: sapphic MC, gay biracial English-Iranian MC, Thai sapphic LI with endometriosis, gay LI 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

janneke2302's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was a great book. I loved the romances in it, but my favorite parts were the friendship that grew between Gwen and Art. I also really like the humor in this book
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

hazychapters's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

i’ve bought this book after my friend Anna, who hadn’t read it yet at that moment, convinced me to take it as we were browsing in one of our favourite bookstores. the promise of a very gay arthurian retelling was here and i’m so glad i read this book because it was all i needed!

we follow Gwendoline - the princess of Camelot - and her betrothed Arthur - son of an opponent to Gwen’s father. they are promised to each other as the sign of an alliance between their two fathers. but the problem is: they are not interested in each other at all, if you know what i mean 👀

i absolutely loved this book. the story is about friendship, love, first experiences and coming-out. the characters are all incredible, from Art and Gwen, Bridget and Gabriel, Sid and Agnes. i won’t call it a romance book because for me, it’s more about discovering, accepting and loving yourself. every character is different, with their own background, fears and experiences. but they are also a unique group of friends, and i loved how Art was like « you’re gay. you too. and you as well. because everybody is secretly gay ».  by the way, we love the mlm/wlw solidarity!

this book warmed my heart and i can't really explain why. but to read the story of these young queer teenagers, who overcome assumptions to love whoever they want, without fear of the gaze of others, it's just incredible. i think this book healed something in me. i couldn't stop smiling reading these lines, laughing at some sour and sarcastic responses from Gwen and Art, and being happy watching them find their soul mates and do everything to make their love possible. i think that if i had been able to read this book when i was younger, i would have asked myself a lot fewer questions and i would not have tried to bottle up what i was feeling. it just felt safe to read this book ❤️‍🩹
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

jem_carstairs's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Gwen and Art may not be in love, but I certainly am
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

_teoeo's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The dialogues really were peak comedy! When I started that book I didn't think I would relate to Arthur this much 🤠

But the story was really slow and sometimes dragged on, so it was a little hard for me to get through the book.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings