This was unfortunately a DNF for me. I just really didn’t click with the writing at all. I really wish I had loved it because I was super excited to read it for such a long time. I was enticed by everything the story was inspired by but did not like interpretation. I’m interested in giving another book by the author a try in the future,

It was fun and fast paced. It isn't perfect by any stretch, but it wasn't trying to be. It was just what it was and that is enough. Fans of the Mackenzi Lee will have a lot to like here. The swapping narrators was a good touch and the end was just right. We didn't need an epilogue. Lots of books like this would have that and it would ruin a lot of the work.

I DNF'ed eventually, I just didn't feel like I was the target audience of this writing style. The characters were fun and I appreciated the queer representation, it just really was not my thing. Happy reading!

I’ve had this eARC for the better part of a year and FINALLY read it - glad I did. This is a tongue in cheek, queer, King Arthur YA retelling combined with A Knight’s Tale, with both Sapphic and Achillean pairings.

Gwen & Art have been betrothed since childhood - but as they grew older - they couldn’t be less interested in that. The story unfolds, hysterically, with sharp writing and humor - with just the right amount of Arthur & Merlin lore without losing the story in historical legend. I enjoyed both Gwen and Art, for different reasons and was excited to see how each grew & got their HEA.

Come for the fluffy Arthurian romances - stay for the snappy/snarky humor and surprising political intrigue of Camelot’s Kingdom.

Thanks to @lexcanroar @stmartinspress @wednesdaybooks for the chance to review this story in exchange for an honest review.

This is a queer, medieval romance set in Camelot! It's really a fun read. It keeps your attention from start to finish. I recommend this one whole heartedly!

Many thanks to Net Galley and MacMillan Audio for an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I will be withholding my review until St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books addresses the racist and Islamophobic actions of their employee. Stand in solidarity with Palestinians. Always. #SpeakUpSMP

I will be withholding my review until St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books addresses the racist and Islamophobic actions of their employee. Stand in solidarity with Palestinians. Always. #SpeakUpSMP

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lex Croucher had me at queer medieval rom-com.

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love was such a fun young adult romance! There were so many romantic shenanigans and even though it took place in a medieval setting it felt like it could have taken place when I was a young teen. I'm not super huge on the King Arthur tale, but the little nods were familiar enough for me, a novice, to pick up and it was thoroughly enjoyable!

Now I'm going to watch A Knight's Tale and I'm going to enjoy every second of it.

I WILL NOT BE RATING OR REVIEWING THIS BOOK PUBLICLY UNTIL THE SMP BOYCOTT IS RESOLVED. This is what I will post once all demands have been met:

I don't think it's fair for me to rate this book. It just wasn't for me, but I enjoyed the writing and I know a lot of people will absolutely adore it. I'm just not a fan of historical romances or historical fiction that take place before like the 1970s. Lol I don't know why, but it's hard for me to focus on the actual plot without getting distracted by how gross things were back then. I really appreciate the author giving us a queer reimagining of medieval times, though!!

There are so, so many people who will adore this, but I was not one of them.

<b>Thank you so much NetGalley & Wednesday Books for the advanced reader's copy!!</b>

This was such a cute, fun book. I really think that fans of F.T. Lukens or Heartstopper will really enjoy it. I loved every single character and was pleasantly surprised that it isn't just an exact Arthurian retelling. I was expecting just an almost exact retelling with a *sprinkle* of gay. But this was it's whole own thing with a *sprinkle* of Arthurian legend and it was exactly what I wanted from it.

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher has sword-fighting, found family, and romantic shenanigans. It’s been hundreds of years since King Arthur’s reign. His descendant, Arthur, a future Lord and general gadabout, has been betrothed to Gwendoline, the quick-witted, short-tempered princess of England, since birth. The only thing they can agree on is that they despise each other. They’re forced to spend the summer together at Camelot in the run up to their nuptials, and within 24 hours, Gwen has discovered Arthur kissing a boy and Arthur has gone digging for Gwen's childhood diary and found confessions about her crush on the kingdom's only lady knight, Bridget Leclair. Realizing they might make better allies than enemies, they make a reluctant pact to cover for each other, and as things heat up at the annual royal tournament, Gwen is swept off her feet by her knight and Arthur takes an interest in Gwen's royal brother.

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a book with a little bit of everything- but no one aspect of the book takes precedence. There is romance, there is coming of age and trying to figure out who you really want to be. There is also danger, family, and intrigue. I enjoyed the read and the way the book uses legends combined with the struggles of people trying to find their place amid expectations, social pressures, and conflicting desires. I love how timeless some of these ideas are, and that the era and setting of this book do not make these themes any further removed from the reader than the pages of the book. There characters were well written, as imperfect and questioning as real people even though they are facing things we are never going to. I think this book will be a much loved book for many young, new, and those of us older adults.

I really enjoyed this! Queer princess joins forces with her Queer betrothed and we get an excellent cast of characters!

It was cute and funny and lighthearted. The only thing I didn’t love is that it felt like everything sort of happens at the very end and it doesn’t leave enough time to wrap it up as much as I’d like. The conflict is resolved, I just wish we got a little more, or even a clear sense of what might be to come.

But definitely give it a go if you’re looking for something low-angst and fun!

Boycotting st. martins press, including wednesday books, will come back to this and post a full review when the publisher takes accountability.

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love was a beautifully written and fun filled historical romance with beautiful character building and a beautiful storyline. You couldn't ask for more than Lex Croucher has provided in this beautiful read. Art and Gwen are so easy to love, and the story just gives us so much more than the retelling of a story. You can't help but to fall in love.

Thank you to NetGalley for sharing this beautiful story with me in exchange for an honest review. Easily a 5 star read!

Lovable, irreverent, bright. I adored both Gwen and Art and their not-love so much. This was a riotous adventure with well-rounded characters, amusing side plots and friends, and a completely fascinating medieval setting. Highly recommend.

This book took me on a delightful rollercoaster of emotions with its quirky characters and charming storytelling.

Characters? Gwen and Art were like a breath of fresh air. Their banter and individual quirks made them incredibly relatable. The supporting cast added depth, contributing to the overall charm of the narrative.

Plot? The plot had me hooked from the start. The exploration of friendship, self-discovery, and navigating the ups and downs of teenage life was beautifully done. Lex Croucher weaved an authentic tale with a perfect blend of humour and heartfelt moments.

Writing style? Lex's writing style was a standout. It was witty, engaging, and had a unique voice that resonated with the story's theme. The pacing kept me turning the pages, and the narrative flowed seamlessly.

Romance? The exploration of the "are they or aren't they" dynamic between Gwen and Art was both frustrating and utterly charming. It added a layer of tension that kept me invested in their journey, and the resolution felt satisfyingly genuine.

Ending? The ending was heartwarming and left me with a sense of contentment. It tied up the main threads of the story while leaving room for the characters to continue growing beyond the final page.

Overall vibes? This book radiated warmth and authenticity. It's the kind of story that makes you reminisce about your teenage years, complete with awkward moments, genuine friendships, and the rollercoaster of emotions that come with it.

This book was so worth the wait! The characters were amazing! They were so fleshed out and wonderful that you couldn't help falling in love with them!! Not to mention the little bit of King Arthur lore sprinkled throughout!! A must read!

Coming from someone who loves all things Camelot, this was such a fun and unique take on the Arthurian legend! This historical romcom twists the story we know, focusing on two queer teens whose preexisting betrothal and natural disdain of the other causes them plenty of issues.

Gwen and Art’s friendship was delightful to behold and their banter had me giggling. The entire cast of secondary characters was just as charming and I wish we’d gotten to see a bit more of them. The queer representation in this novel was utterly enchanting and it was wholesome to watch these characters blunder around as they discovered their individual paths to happiness.

While the beginning of this story fully gripped me, I felt that there was a tonal shift towards the end of the book that came on abruptly. The lighthearted nature gave way to a seriousness I wasn’t expecting. After that, the ending felt a bit rushed and I wish we had seen a little bit more of the aftermath.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!

A super cute YA that is a great twist on some very famous characters! I fell in love with this story and everyone in it; I think it's a must read, even if you don't typically pick up YA.

I liked how this novel isn't a direct take on the classic Arthur and Guinevere story but rather takes inspiration from that tale. It was also interesting to have an LGBTQIA+ take on a love story we all know (or at least think we do). The humor and wit were spot on and I found myself laughing out loud through much of the book. I would totally recommend it.