Queer medieval romcom inspired by Arthurian legend? Sign me up. It was SO delightfully cute. Tremendously fun banter, I enjoyed every second. Heartstopper mixed with A Knight’s Tale… too fun.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I first saw this cover I knew I wanted to read it and so I am happy I picked it up because I loved it. It was enjoyed, I felt like laughing when I read some parts. It was a very loved book that others should read if you like romance.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

This book was so fun. I loved seeing all of the relationships develop. This is the queer Arthurian story I needed. Having the characters all go through personal growth and finding out what was truly important to each of them was great to see.

dnf @ 13%
I thought this would be for me (I mean queer Arthurian is half my personality), but sadly the way the characters were written was in a way that I personally find insufferable. The idea of sitting there reading it for hours knowing it wouldn't get anything higher than 3.5⭐ didn't feel worth it with a reading slump so I put it down, but maybe I'll try again someday.
(though honestly how did you manage to make me dislike Arthur?)

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Being BRUTALLY honest, I'm not 100% sure if today is publication day or not for ɢᴡᴇɴ & ᴀʀᴛ ᴀʀᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴ ʟᴏᴠᴇ.
Netgalley & Goodreads list dates 6 months apart. Don't let that stop you if you love movies like A Knight's Tale or books by Rainbow Rowell & Alice Oseman.

This is NOT a retelling. It's set hundreds of years after the legendary King Arthur, and it's heavily influenced by it, but it's so charming and the gayest of romps imaginable for roughly the first 70%. At that point there's an attack and war, etc.
This queer, medieval romcom really shines with the characters' inner monologs & dialogue. They range from the simple & swoony- "Lady Leclair was a problem. Looking at her felt a lot like wanting something." To the chuckle-worthy "In that case, Sidney Fitzgilbert— I have decided to make a series of poor decisions in an attempt to clear my name in the eyes of those I love, most likely culminating in our untimely deaths.”

Overall- 4/5 🌟 and probably available everywhere today!

I was provided both a print and audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

I don't know why but I love King Arthur lore. I originally thought this was retelling, but it is not. It certainly is a nice twist on Arthurian lore and I really like what the author did with this.

Gwendoline is the daughter of the current king of Camelot and betrothed to Arthur, descendent of the famous King Arthur. Gwen and Arthur can't stand each other, but their parents have decided that they should spend the summer together getting to know each other before they wed. Shortly after his arrival, Gwen and Arthur discover secrets about one another and devise and advantageous plan that will help both of them. You see Arthur definitively likes boys, and while Gwen has no experience liking anyone she very much feels some sort of way about Lady Knight Bridget. They agree to play up their engagement, while seeking the company of their preferred partner. Antics ensue. In the meantime, Art and Gwen slowly develop a truce as they get to know one another.

This was a really cute coming of age story as the characters have to work together to save Camelot from those who seek to overthrow the King and seek love at the same time. Arthur was hilarious and always up to something ridiculous. Both Gwen and her brother Gabe were raised to believe in a set of rules and expectations that they had to abide by, whereas Art just did whatever he wanted no matter the consequences. Art really inspired them to step out of their comfort zones a bit, break some rules, and make some new ones.

This book is set in a historical setting but uses more modern language. I think that is important to note as it will throw some readers off. There are a few more violent scenes toward the end not related to the tournament that feel a bit out of place compared to the overall cozy nature of the book. Overall though, I really enjoyed this.

Thank you to Netgalley for an opportunity to read a digital copy of this book prior to today's publication day! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.75/5⭐ (But I selected five star because it's closer to that than four.)

I really, really loved this book! It's one I want a physical copy of now just to reread in the future.

The things I loved:
•Queer representation
• Arthurian references
• Sassy banter
• Romcom shenanigans
• Challenging the norm and acceptable of the times
• Wholesome sidekicks
• Engaging characters and development
• It was a quick, engaging read

I thought this was very fun and I got through it very quickly because I was just consistently engaged in the character development and wrapped up in this entire story.

The plot itself at times seemed a bit weak, but overall I just thoroughly enjoyed this experience! I feel like it's been a while since a read felt "fun" like this!

I definitely recommend this book!

I've never read such fluid dialogue before. The characters just fly off the page and feel so real! I couldn't help but laugh along at their jokes and small goofy moments. Such a charm of a book.

A century after King Arthur, his descendant Arthur is betrothed to Princess Gwendoline—yet the two loathe each other. Forced together at Camelot for the summer, their secrets and facades unravel. Will these enemies turn into friends instead of lovers?

What a delightful historical romp! It’s a fun and well-paced story with wonderful characters. The audiobook narration is entertaining.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The author, Lex Croucher says it best in the acknowledgements at the back of the book... "it's kind of a weird book..." That it is, and funny and fun! I giggled my way through Gwen & Art Are Not in Love. I enjoyed getting to know the cast of characters as they made their way through life in medieval times (yikes), each on their way to finding their true love. It's a YA medieval LGBTQIA+ rom-com, a genre I didn't know existed or if I'd like, but here we are! My only complaint was I found myself wanting the pace to pick up in a few places, but I really wanted the best for these loveable characters and was very invested in how it would end for each of them, which kept me quickly turning the pages! This book is going to stick with me for a while because I don't think I've read anything like it! Very fun and would recommend for anyone wanting an out of the ordinary rom-com!

"To be truly brave, first you must be afraid--and to be afraid, you must have something you cannot bear to lose."

Gwen and Art's bravery is hard earned and truly life affirming in the uproariously adventurous royal Camelot inspired queer romantic comedy by premier young adult coming of age author Lex Croucher.

Camelot was centuries ago and King Arthur's descendant Art is a future Lord betrothed to the current king's daughter, Gwen, since birth. They truly despise each other but as each one's secret is revealed they agree to a compromise. Gwen caught Art kissing a man and Art read Gwen's diary all about her crush on Bridget, the only female knight at court. They will keep each other's secret and wed...but an unforeseen obstacle is in their way. Art meets Gwen's brother, Gabriel, the future king, and it's sexual tension at first sight for both of them.

Narrators Alex Singh and Sarah Ovens made these characters their own with impeccable comedic timing and heartfelt declarations of love.

This book is my favorite of the author's YA regency theme romances. It had sincere character growth, especially for Gwen and Art. There is a betrayal and battle worthy of the best of any Game of Thrones episode. Then there's the comedy. Here's one of my favorite exchanges between Gwen and Art:

"...you should act, at all times, as if your crotch is a burden."

"...I'm a man, and my crotch isn't a burden."

"Maybe not to you, but it's a burden on the rest of humanity."

Gwen & Art Are Not In Love is a perfect escape from modern times that will have you falling in love, once again, with Camelot...oh and there's a cameo from Excalibur!

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

I love a historical fiction romance book, especially when the characters are LGBTQ+. This story is for the most part very cute and heart warming! Gwen and Art go from lifelong rivals to unlikely allies while keeping each other’s secrets. As they actually get to know each other, you really see both of them opening up and learning things about themselves. There’s a lot of funny moments between them and quite a bit of banter.

Gwen’s love interest lady knight Bridget Leclair is such a great character too. I love seeing women in non-traditional roles, and being badass while they do it. Honestly she makes me want to take up sword fighting haha! Art’s love interest, prince Gabriel, is a little harder to love, but seeing how much pressure he is under as the next in line for the throne, it’s understandable why he is the way he is. And then there’s Sidney, who is hilarious and honestly probably the only reason Arthur has made it this far in life!

The pacing of this book was perfect, and it was compelling the entire time. I found myself excited for what happened next and chuckling all the time. Overall this was a really fun and enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley & Wednesday Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This was a very charming and clever book. There really should be more YA historical fiction books out there. True though, while this is historical, the characters mostly use modern speech and it never felt meant to be something out of a history book, but setting the characters along the backdrop of post-Arthurian England was very fun. I enjoyed both Gwent and Art's alternating POVs and the way they had a very cute rivalry that became an intimate friendship so at the end they are in love despite what the title is, but a different kind of love than those around them might expect.

The romance(s) in the book were sweet although I can always go for more romance. For how long the book is, some of the development there was a little rushed which I can understand seeing as the back half of the book gets rather intense which I didn't expect. 75% of this book is a light hearted romp of princes and princesses and battle training and the last 25% builds on some lingering conflict into an all out war.

I really enjoy Croucher's writing style, it is very funny and clever and her characters are always going to be worth listening to. I like the concept of this a lot and will be excited to read whatever YA they come up with.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A thousand years ago, Arthurian tales were a shared world thing, with storytellers not only in England but France and all through the German speaking polities penning their own versions or spinoffs. When I see Arthurian-related stories now I think of Hartmann von Aue or Wolfram von Eschenbach writing their stories with an Arthurian setting, reflecting a lot of current life.

Just so, with some Arthurians now. I still like Carol Anne Douglas's Lancelot: Her Story best, but I enjoyed this one in spite of a somewhat odd structure. Arthur likes the boys. Gwen has a crush on a knightly woman. The queer-friendly setting drew me right in, and I relaxed with the breezy humor. It seemed like a light-hearted take on the old tale...until it wasn't. If you don't mind a sharp turn toward the end in the direction of the old tale--which after all is about a bunch of armored guys going around bashing the crap out of each other--then this might really work for you.

Happy release day!! 🥳 Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is one of the best rom-com I've read this year. Fun and funny.

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. 😅 But then that gives space to more romance, comedy, and less dense/info-dumpy worldbuilding; all of which I enjoyed.

The ending was... surprising. I'd recommend this book!

I knew from the moment I read the synopsis for Gwen & Art Are Not in Love that I was going to enjoy the book, but I was not ready for how much I would fall in love with it! A Knights Tale meets Heartstopper is how it is described and oh man, is that spot on! I loved everything about Gwen & Art. Their interactions with each other, their love interests, their best friends, the drama, the romance, the fall-off-my-chair-laughing quips from everyone - it was all perfect. If it sounds like I'm gushing, it's because I am! This is a must read (if romance and good books are your thing), and will be a treasured re-read. Of all the ARC's I've read (and I've read quite a few this year), this is the first one that I instantly pre-ordered a physical copy for my collection. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Netgalley, Author Lex Croucher and St. Martin's Press Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I am eternally grateful!

Lex Croucher’s Gwen and Art are not In Love is a Medieval YA romcom that follows Gwen and Art—betrothed since childhood with a strong distaste for one another.

Our bratty Royal and self-deprecating jokester discover that the other queer as their enemies-to-friends bond begins to grow.

Gwen and Art is a lighthearted, slow-burn romance chock-full of humor, witty banter, and drama.

I fell hard for this found family of lovable idiots, especially Art—boy has LAYERS. Sidney is unfalteringly loyal to Art and their friendship is pure gold. Bridget, the only female knight, knows what she wants and fights hard to follow her dreams. Gwen finds herself as she becomes a more confident and courageous character. As Agnes’ personality unfolds, we see glimpses of how strong and loving she is. Gabe, well I needed more from Gabe personally.

There wasn’t much space for the romances to fully develop, but I feel like this allowed so much growth and development of the friendship of our MC’s.

The last 20% or so felt a little off and like it maybe didn’t fit the romcom vibe we had been getting, but otherwise it wrapped up fairly well.

If you have a “rapidly increasing appetite for chaos” like Arthur, this queer comfort read will charm your breeches off.

Not a retelling, but a re-imagining of Arthurian era tales. This features Gwen, daughter of the king, and Arthur, her beloathed bethrothed. Neither have ever gotten along their entire lives, but when Arthur is sent to Camelot to spend time with his future wife, they end up learning a lot more about each other, including the fact that they're both queer and infatuated with other people.

If you're looking for historical accuracy, this is not the book for you. The character all act extremely modern (one even references a Riverdale meme), and honestly aside from the last part of the book this could all take place at a like renfaire and largely track. It felt like a standard contemporary YA of fake dating and struggles with being closeted and coming to terms with your sexuality. The characters are pretty standard cookie cutter stereotypes, and the pacing is very strange. I did like seeing Gwen and Art grow to be reluctantly fond of each other, but it didn't outweigh everything else that didn't quite work for me.

This should be a pretty easy recommendation for people that like a historic-themed romcom, especially those that have been enjoying the classics retelling that have been coming out (haha) the last few years.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a queer YA romcom which follows Gwendoline and Arthur, who have been betrothed since birth, and who reluctantly team up to allow each other to pursue their actual romantic interests.

This was such a fun book! The vibe of inspired-by-arthurian-legend meets YA romcom was absolute magic, so much so that I'm already itching to get my hands on another. It was sharp and witty, funny and heartwarming, sweet with some darker moments that really helped balance it all out. I can't wait for readers to pick this book up and meet Gwen, Art, Bridget, and Sidney, who were all such absolute delights to read about.

I enjoyed this quite a bit! I liked the character of Gwen right from the start, and while I wasn't immediately sold on Art, it only took a couple of chapters for him to grow on me. I liked most of this book, especially the characters and the relationships. I think the relationships between Gwen and Art as well as Gwen and her brother were built well, but I think the romantic relationships could have been developed just a little bit more, but was also good. The plot was pretty solid, but I found the last 25% iffy. This was a fun and fast-paced read that I flew through in less than two days. I had a great time reading this and while it's not a new favourite, I'd definitely pick up another book by this author!