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literaryinluv's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
Such a delight to read! This book made me laugh with its witty banter (mostly from Arthur) and its sweet relationships. Gwen and Arthur are a classic enemies-to-friends dynamic, with their hatred for each other stemming from their childhood. Of course, the two are betrothed (Kind of like The Swan Princess movie!). But I loved the queer angle it took in this relationship with both being interested in people who are decidedly not each other. They truly went from breaking wrists to WLW/MLM solidarity. In fact, that's how I would really describe the relationship between our two main characters: WLW/MLM solidarity.
Outside of the relationships our two characters held, there were some wonderful friendships. Sidney and Arthur are brothers in all but blood and would stick together through thick and thin. Gwen and Agnes shifted from a boss-worker dynamic to friends. And the close relationship our siblings, Gwen and Gabriel, had was adorable.
My only gripe with the book was that the romances from both our couples sometimes felt a bit lackluster. Arthur and Gabriel were cute at times and they had some nice bonding moments. But Bridget and Gwen let me down! As a sapphic female myself, I was looking forward to the sapphic relationship in this setting and was especially interested in the fact that one of those involved was a femme princess and a female knight (Oh side note, Bridget is Thai!). I wanted more bonding and moments from them, & there were some but not enough. This may be my only issue with the book, but since it's largely about romance, I felt like a star should be knocked off for that. Please remember that this is my opinion!
The book was overall super fun. The friendships were great & I really felt for these characters and their problems. I loved the setting & the Arthurian aspect and how it came to play throughout the story. It was very clever, & there were moments where I was on the edge of my seat & laughing at Arthur.
TDLR; I really need to read more historical queer novels!
Outside of the relationships our two characters held, there were some wonderful friendships. Sidney and Arthur are brothers in all but blood and would stick together through thick and thin. Gwen and Agnes shifted from a boss-worker dynamic to friends. And the close relationship our siblings, Gwen and Gabriel, had was adorable.
My only gripe with the book was that the romances from both our couples sometimes felt a bit lackluster. Arthur and Gabriel were cute at times and they had some nice bonding moments. But Bridget and Gwen let me down! As a sapphic female myself, I was looking forward to the sapphic relationship in this setting and was especially interested in the fact that one of those involved was a femme princess and a female knight (Oh side note, Bridget is Thai!). I wanted more bonding and moments from them, & there were some but not enough. This may be my only issue with the book, but since it's largely about romance, I felt like a star should be knocked off for that. Please remember that this is my opinion!
The book was overall super fun. The friendships were great & I really felt for these characters and their problems. I loved the setting & the Arthurian aspect and how it came to play throughout the story. It was very clever, & there were moments where I was on the edge of my seat & laughing at Arthur.
TDLR; I really need to read more historical queer novels!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, War, and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Murder, Body horror, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Child abuse, Gore, Vomit, Incest, and Emotional abuse
ladyfaceplant's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
fast-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
God I loved this book. I just wanted more of it. Lex Croucher writes romance like no one else. One of the kissing scenes made me genuinely burst into tears. The characters were somehow all my favourite but I think Gwen will always have a special place in my heart. She’s very autistic coded and I really saw my younger self in her. It’s so wonderful to read a queer historical story that’s so full of hope and yet still feels grounded and meaningful. I would read about these six idiots for the rest of time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
Minor: Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Child abuse, Vomit, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Grief
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
Heartwarmingly hilarious and utterly swoon-worthy, Lex Croucher’s YA debut is a marvellously queer, medieval rom-com that fans of A Knight’s Tale and Arthurian Legend are bound to enjoy.
Set hundreds of years after King Arthur and his legendary court at Camelot, Gwen and Art Are Not In Love follows Gwendoline (England’s sole Princess) and her long time nemesis/ fiancée Arthur (a rakish Lord, and descendant of King Arthur) who are forced to spend the summer together in the run up to their wedding.
And it’s not long before Gwen catches Arthur kissing a boy, and Arthur (in retaliation) unearths Gwen’s private childhood diary detailing her feelings for the court’s only female knight, Lady Bridget Leclair. So naturally the pair become reluctant allies and, in a scheme for mutual assured protection, pretend to fall in love. But the plan will only work if they can keep up the ruse…
With Misunderstandings, murder plots and medieval hijinx galore (not to mention the sassy adorableness of Merlin the cat)— you’ll be hard pressed not to fall head over heels for this compelling (and utterly cheeky) cast of characters.
Full disclosure, I did go into this thinking it was a queer retelling of Arthurian legend, but it’s not that at all! It’s actually a medieval coming of age story exploring sexuality, parental/ societal expectations and love in all its many forms—and honestly I LOVED it even more for its refreshing originality.
Both Gwen and Arthur were brilliantly written, witty and fabulously endearing characters whose angsty teenage woes —and journey to self discovery (and acceptance) is sure to resonate with many readers. I adored the back and forth banter between them (as well as Arthur’s banter with Sidney) and enjoyed watching their almost sibling-like bond grow. Plus Arthur’s obvious attempts at being Gwen’s wingman were super entertaining.
The romance was executed to perfection and will definitely get you in the feels with the heartfelt and tender exploration of first loves, found family and friendship.
Overall, this was an emotionally poignant, slightly melodramatic and endlessly funny historical romp that fans of Heartstopper should definitely check out.
Also a massive thank you to Nina Douglas and Bloomsbury for the fabulous arc.
Also a massive thank you to Nina Douglas and Bloomsbury for the fabulous arc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Misogyny, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
bittennailbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A blended perfection of hilarious, heart warming, and delightfully queer reimagining of post-Arthurian England.
Gwen and Art are young royals, betrothed since childhood to keep the delicate balance of Catholicism and Arthurian cultism in check. However, after Gwen realizes that the only thing her and Art have in common is their affinity for the same-sex, they form a truce to fool their parents so they may pursue their real true loves.
I was absolutely hooked by this book and read it with a goofy smile on my face at every page. I think this will be the best YA romantacy of 2023 with its down to earth prose, relatable struggles of finding ones self, and hilarious banter. I absolutely adored the characters and felt that each one was well-rounded with a balanced amount of page-time amongst them. A more specific note was how I enjoyed that Croucher really calls out the "enduring girlish gossip"/internalized misogyny we are currently seeing in fantasy books that feature female MC's. That rather than leaving "Gwen hating the court ladies for their girlish gossip", it was in fact, brought up that it was her veiled loneliness from feeling like the "other" for her inherent queerness she could not vocalize. I thought that was important as it is so easy to slip in those little woman-bashing moments into books.
So was it a nail biter? YES! This was my favorite YA read of 2022 and I thank the publisher St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Gwen and Art are young royals, betrothed since childhood to keep the delicate balance of Catholicism and Arthurian cultism in check. However, after Gwen realizes that the only thing her and Art have in common is their affinity for the same-sex, they form a truce to fool their parents so they may pursue their real true loves.
I was absolutely hooked by this book and read it with a goofy smile on my face at every page. I think this will be the best YA romantacy of 2023 with its down to earth prose, relatable struggles of finding ones self, and hilarious banter. I absolutely adored the characters and felt that each one was well-rounded with a balanced amount of page-time amongst them. A more specific note was how I enjoyed that Croucher really calls out the "enduring girlish gossip"/internalized misogyny we are currently seeing in fantasy books that feature female MC's. That rather than leaving "Gwen hating the court ladies for their girlish gossip", it was in fact, brought up that it was her veiled loneliness from feeling like the "other" for her inherent queerness she could not vocalize. I thought that was important as it is so easy to slip in those little woman-bashing moments into books.
So was it a nail biter? YES! This was my favorite YA read of 2022 and I thank the publisher St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Homophobia, War, Alcoholism, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
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