Reviews tagging 'Lesbophobia'

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

34 reviews

beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition

It's been too long since I last picked this up, and quite frankly, too long since I've started reading it to not be finished it by now. I was enjoying it whenever I did pick it up though, so I will probably return to it at some point.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Violence

Internalised homophobia/lesbophobia

angelofthetardis's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Princess Gwendoline of Camelot has been betrothed to Arthur DeLacey since the day she was born. There are two problems with this: 1, they cannot stand each other. And 2, her romantic interests lie elsewhere. When Art is sent to Camelot for the summer to prepare for their upcoming nuptials, it goes about as well as expected. Until Gwen discovers Art has a secret love too. Playing along to distract the world from their real feelings, might events conspire to allow them a true happily ever after? Or will they be stuck together forever, definitely not in love?

I'm not usually one for the fake dating trope, but the fact that this one comes with a bit of a twist makes it much more enjoyable to me. I was more invested in the development of the relationship between Gwen and Art purely because it was clear that there wouldn't be any romance between them; I was intrigued to see how far they would move from enemies to friends, and just how it would be achieved. While they do bounce off of each other very well, I will be honest and say that I much prefer Art as a character - he's the lovable rogue; the confident, cocky young buck compared to the petulant teenager that is Gwen. She does improve as the book progresses, but even her 'heroic' moment is quite muted compared to Art's. 

While the story overall is a fun, lighthearted ride, and the ingenuity of the setting - a Camelot that knows King Arthur existed and is trying to recapture his magic, even though his story has faded into legend - is brilliant, I did feel that the writing lacked purpose. None of the characters, with the possible exception of Art, have much depth to them; even the love interests feel more like rough outlines rather than fully fleshed out people. 

Similarly, the plot was fairly limited and, while there are a couple of moments that hit the mark, more seem to be trying to set up a sub-plot that don't go anywhere, or are moments of intrigue introduced far too late and wound up far too quickly. Likewise, a lot of the 'revelations' lose their impact or are overshadowed by wider events - it feels like there are so many missed opportunities. I just wanted more of everything!

Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable read and I would like to see a sequel dealing with the newest version of Camelot - there's plenty of scope for more from these characters!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Violence, War, Blood, and Death of parent

Minor: Lesbophobia, Vomit, Grief, Homophobia, and Cursing

lindseyhall44's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

4.5

I listened to Gwen and Art are Not in Love via audiobook, and it did not disappoint! The cast of narrators were phenomenal, and they brought to life such a fun, engaging read. I especially loved Bridget and Gwen’s relationship, and Gwen’s character development over the course of the novel. The last 30% or so did catch me off guard, but it was still a read I would highly recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, War, Death of parent, Death, Violence, and Grief

Moderate: Vomit

sea_sea's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad 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

5.0

I loved this book so so much!!! The romances were so cute and well written and the plot too!! 
The twists and turns this story had?!?!? Also it was so funny xD 
A cute queer camelot romcom! xD 
Would 100% recommend! 

The only thing that threw me of a bit in the beginning was the modern language, because the book plays in medieval times, but I got used to it quickly.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Vomit, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Death of parent, Mental illness, Violence, Murder, Lesbophobia, War, Homophobia, Blood, and Gore

knockoffrainbow's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny 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? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Cursing, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Vomit, War, Blood, and Violence

Moderate: Child abuse, Bullying, Grief, and Gore

quinnpjd930's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Death, Death of parent, Alcohol, Blood, Violence, Lesbophobia, Hate crime, Vomit, Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Cursing

tays_books's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, War, Cursing, Death of parent, Blood, and Death

Moderate: Alcohol, Vomit, Lesbophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, and Homophobia

Minor: Emotional abuse

alyssajp's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

This was so delightful. Great character development, and lots of relationship building--romantic and platonic and familial.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, War, Death of parent, and Death

Moderate: Homophobia and Lesbophobia

Minor: Medical content and Vomit

mattiedancer's review against another edition

funny lighthearted sad 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

4.0

Writing: 4.5⭐️/5 

Lex Croucher did a good job with this novel. Not only did I feel – viscerally and fully – the emotions and internal conflicts of the character, but I also understood deeply the mood and tone of the novel with ease. I liked the ease of writing, which at moments did turn to beautiful prose. 

Characters: 4.5⭐️/5

I thought the characters were extremely fun to read about. Where some of the characters may have felt a little trope-y, I’m willing to forgive because they also felt real and raw and conflicted. I loved their struggles to come to terms with both their histories and their desires and how to move forward in a world that is unlikely to accept them. 

Plot: 3.5⭐️/5 

I think 90% of the plot is so well done. At the end of the novel, it takes a turn I wasn’t expecting and, though it made sense in the course of the book, it really moved it from a fun, romantasy read to a more serious fantasy plot. The sudden change was jarring, but overall the plot was still enjoyable. 

Who Should Read This Book? 

• Fans of King Arthur retellings – with twists
• Those looking for a light fantasy-esque novel with LGBTQIA+ vibes

Content Warnings? 

Death of parent, death, war, violence, homophobia, biphobia, outing, misogyny, sexism, gore, blood, classism, emotional abuse, gaslighting, injury, injury detail, excrement, vomit, physical abuse, 

Post-Reading Rating:  4⭐️/5

Cute, sweet, and a little jarring at the end.

Final Rating: 4⭐️/5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gaslighting, Blood, War, Excrement, Vomit, Physical abuse, Biphobia, Classism, Violence, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Death of parent, Outing, Sexism, Gore, and Misogyny

sabernezumi's review against another edition

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny

Moderate: Blood, War, Homophobia, Violence, Lesbophobia, Death, and Outing

Minor: Murder, Vomit, and Death of parent