Croucher writes dialogue well, and this Arthurian inspired queer YA romance was really fun. Some of the late book plot devices lost me a bit. But I think that the witty humor and sweet romance make this a great choice for readers looking for queer historical romance.

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a highly enjoyable and unique Arthurian retelling! I loved the medieval setting, the friendships, the humor and banter, and of course the romance! This book was a delight!

The medieval settings are quite unique. I love the heavy Arthurian references, although that makes it a bit disappointing that there wasn't any real magic in this book's world.

I enjoyed the story of Gwen and Art's unlikely friendship and collaboration! The medieval setting mixed with the relatable pre-teen drama (reading diaries! Catching Art kissing someone he shouldn't!) made for a fun, light read.

I’m not usually one for an Arthurian retelling. BUT. This one hit the mark and surpassed it! I loved every second of this book and ate it up!

Who isn't going to love a queer arthurian story? I know I sure did. Lex has easily become a must buy author and GWART is definitely a favorite. Very rarely do I laugh out loud at a book, but GWART is certainly an exception.

Characters - 4/5
Atmosphere/Setting - 3/5
Writing Style - 3/5
Plot - 3/5
Intrigue - 3/5
Logic/Relationships - 4/5
Enjoyment - 4/5

Such a cute romance. I loved the characters loved their story. The chemistry was cute hot and on pointe. Cannot recommend this book enough.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was a cute story. I just fell into the story and got wrapped up in the character's stories.

the Avalon High stan in me WAS REEEELING! All the Arthurian retellings! Always! Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I am working through my backlog, and will be momentarily posting reviews for the stories I have yet to get posted but have finished reading.

An absolute favorite of mine that I read this year! I think it was really funny in all the right places, and still took itself seriously. It had an Arthurian kind of "twist" that I don't think was resolved very well, but that was ultimately okay.

so fun, love the sapphic rep! this cover is gorgeous and i really had a good time reading this! i would definitely recommend and i cannot wait to read the next one

This unique Arthurian inspired tale is a wholesome story of both love and friendship. You join Gwen and Art as they navigate their medieval world, responsibilities, and feelings. Yes, they can be frustrating and they don’t always make the best choices, but you won’t be able to resist rooting for Gwen and Art to be brave - to choose their happy endings.

This book was wonderful, adorable, and fun. I encourage everyone to pick it up. You won’t regret it.

Thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley because I really, really enjoyed this one! It was nostalgic in the way I wish I would have had this when I was much younger and it echoes themes I already love, stories I love, etc., so it feels like this one was almost made for me. Great book!

I had a really hard time getting into this book. There was just something about it that wasn;t working for me and I can't exactly place what. I was trying to push through and enjoy it when I was reading it and even tried to switch formats but nothing really helped me get through it with much enjoyment.

This was such a fun book! 3.5 rounded up!
I really enjoyed the queer twist on the descendants of King Arthur and Lancelot of Camelot. The characters were delightfully quirky and imperfect. I absolutely loved the audiobook version, as well!

Thanks, Macmillan, for the advanced read!

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher is a delightful queer medieval rom-com that blends sharp wit, heartfelt moments, and a touch of Arthurian legend. The evolving friendship, filled with banter and mutual support, is a highlight of the book. The supporting characters, including the charming Sidney and the valiant Bridget, add depth and humor to the tale. Croucher's modern dialogue and inclusive representation breathe fresh life into the historical setting, making it a standout in the YA romance genre. For readers seeking a fun, inclusive, and emotionally resonant story, this novel is a must-read

This book was so fun! I loved the silly banter mixed with the historical setting. Very much in the vein of Shrek, Knight's Tale, Princess Bride.

I really enjoyed a lot of individual elements of this book: the humor and banter was top tier, the setting interesting, and the use of Arthurian legend in a queer reframing very inventive. I liked the characters themselves quite a lot too, but I felt like having so many leads made it hard to get invested in the love stories and the plot didn’t really get going for the first two thirds so it felt slightly boring at times. For the right reader I think the whimsy and joyful tone mixed with serious themes of identity and attraction will be highly appealing though—so I do recommend giving this a try!

This one was not for me. I think I've become too old for YA.

I love retellings that put their own spin on what we think we know, but this was at the same time a bit too asynchronous.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book—a playful, queer twist on Arthurian legend set in an alternate England where King Arthur is historical canon. The setup promised humor, romance, and an entertaining blend of fantasy and history, so I went in with high hopes.

To its credit, the book is charming in many ways. The characters are likable and fun to follow—Arthur Delacey is a flirtatious rogue, Gwen has a prickly exterior that softens in satisfying ways, and their evolving friendship is surprisingly touching. The romance arcs—with Gwen falling for Bridget, the kingdom’s only female knight, and Arthur developing feelings for Gwen’s brother Gabriel—are sweet and lighthearted, and the secondary characters, like Sid and Agnes, often steal the show with their grounded, sensible commentary.

That said, I struggled with the writing style. The dialogue and narration often felt too modern for a historical romance, which made it harder for me to stay immersed in the setting. While some readers may enjoy this anachronistic tone, it didn’t quite work for me in a story that’s clearly trying to play with medieval myth and royal politics.