Oh my stars what a DELIGHT this was! The banter is witty and well paced. The friendships are believable and strong and real. And the fantastical nature of the arthurian setting is just picture perfect. If you are a fan of A Knights Tale or BBC's Merlin and the implied and shipped relationships within it you are going to have a GREAT time. I can't believe the world has to wait until November for this. Its the kind of read that you will just NEED to talk about chapter by chapter, page by page with someone. This book is so good I am GIDDY

Thank you Wednesday Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I love the hilarity and sass! Gwen and Art are betrothed to one another. Only thing is they can’t stand each other. Not to mentioned that Gwen catches Art making out with a guy and Art in return reads Gwen’s diary to find out she has the hots for a lady knight! Their only solution is to pretend that they are both on board with getting married while really being able to do what they want. Will they be able to put their animosity aside? What happens when Art starts to like Gwen’s brother Gabriel? Not to mention the kingdom has in fighting with the cultists (those who still believe in the story of King Arthur). This book contained multitudes and I was here for all of it! You had the fake dating, real dating, humor, and fighting! Gwen and Art’s relationship leads to a lot of sassy moments and I loved it! But Sidney really brought the humor for me! I very much enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read it again!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

While definitely not a retelling of Arthurian Legend, it was a fun twist on it. It did take me a few chapters to really get into the story, but once I did it was a quick read! The characters were overall easy to love, and while there were times I felt largely frustrated by their actions (or inactions), it felt justified by their current characterization. There was a large amount of growth for each character, though I wish there had been more depth for Bridget! While there were some high stakes and tense moments, it was majority a cozy, queer, romcom read.

In Gwen and Art Are Not in Love, Lex Croucher leads readers on an hilarious, but heartfelt, romp through Camelot. Betrothed teens Gwendolyn Allmot and Arthur Delacey have big expectations to live up to, especially regarding their impending nuptials. Unfortunately, they can't stand each other. The unlikely pair become allies when they discover each other's biggest secrets - namely, that neither of them are fans of the opposite sex at all. Mishaps, romance, and not-so-courtly love ensue.
Croucher has introduced a lively main cast of characters. Though told from the perspectives of Art and Gwen, the personalities of Gabriel, Bridget, Sidney, and Agnes shine through brightly and add color and life to the plot. While other Arthurian retellings tend to paint the cast entirely white, Croucher has populated Camelot diversely, reflecting more closely the habitants of actual late-medieval England.
Overall, Gwen and Art Are Not in Love, is a quick and delightful read about young love, friendship, and bravery.

I preordered a copy for myself before I even finished it. I always get sucked in by the words "queer retelling", even though I never end up liking them, but there's so many things I loved about this, and I think Croucher executed them all really well. FIrst, I appreciated that it wasn't a true retelling that took itself too seriously. In fact, the nods to Camelot and Arthurian legend and figures worked extremely well in forming the background and the plot. And FINALLY a hist. fic. author who can work in themes of repression and internalized homophobia and still make an uplifting novel full of community and queer joy. I loved seeing all the relationships grow: romantic, platonic, familial, and the banter and dialogue made me laugh out loud at parts.

A hopeful and beautiful read! I really liked Arthur’s character in particular, he wants to be seen as heartless but is in fact overflowing with heart. I haven’t come across a character quite like him before. I just wish we could have seen more of the gang have more fun with each other!

I had a wild time reading "Gwen & Art Are Not in Love," and I loved every page. This story full of queer characters takes place in the arthurian timeline and has such a fun cast of characters, my favorite being a cat named Merlin (or Lucifer, depending on who you ask). As it was not a retelling, I had no idea where the story was going to go, and it did not disappoint. Croucher did a great job developing these characters and their stories, I care deeply for each of them dearly.

Such a great queer historical fiction romance for teens! Loved the writing and the fun retelling of such a classic story! This would be so great for any queer youth!

3.5/Very sweet and quick to read. I enjoyed the characters but some of their choices frustrated me. I do love a good historical retelling though and this definitely hit the spot. If you’re looking for something for an easy read with some fun characters definitely pick this one up. I loved Gabe so much and I wish him nothing but the best.

Thank you net galley for the opportunity to receive this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

5 stars! Gwen and art are not in love is a YA historical-ish romance.

Perfect for fans of A Knight's tale and Heartstopper! This book is SO. MUCH. FUN.
There are knights, there are "wizards", there is fake dating, and secret (but not so secret) love.

Lex Croucher has created a world that I never want to leave, the characters are balanced, and lovable, and infuriating. I was instantly and entirely engrossed from page one. I am looking forward to November when I can buy a physical copy for my bookshelf!

This book is so cute! The romance aspect was quite adorable and I love how often they called out each other for things that would be traditionally toxic behaviors. The friendships in this were quite great and I loved seeing the different levels of being out and the way they supported each other. I lived seeing them challenge each other and deal with their crazy parents. This book is fun, cute, and a little cozy.

I loved every minute of this book! So funny and cute. I loved art and Gwen’s banter. I disliked Gwen at first and even at the end for a second. I need another person me of these asap. I need freakishly tall women and unicorns.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me the ARC. My opinion for this book is honest.

I LOOOOOOOOOVE EVERYTHING. This book was hard to ignore, every page was a turner and engaging, the story was charming, the characters were witty and adorable too. I am super glad I got to read this ♡

4.5 Stars
I was expecting something different from what I got from this book.
I loved everything about this book. The characters were perfectly written, and I loved the chemistry between the six MCs, I miss them already. The jokes, and banters? Yea, they made me laugh out loud!

This was a fun read and the end didn't disappoint.
I love you, Arthur!! Sid, You have a special place in my heart!

Thank you Netgalley and St.Martin's Press for this ARC

Set in a Post-Arthurian Medieval world, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a low-stakes (mostly) historical ya romance.

The romance is earnest and endearing, especially between Art and Gabe. Unfortunately, this book suffers slightly under the double weight of its dual romances and POVs. By the end, I rooted for love entirely but wished I had gotten to know the love interests slightly more, or had seen Gwen internalizing her behavior and cowardice outside the lens of her romance. The action in the 3rd act is decently written.

I enjoyed my time in this world and I wouldn't mind reading a few novellas set in Gabe, Gwen, Art, Bridget, Sidney, and Agatha's futures.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC. This review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

I'm a hardcore fantasy girlie. I normally read doorstoppers of books and get lost in worlds that aren't this one. I'm really not a romance person.

I've changed my mind. I'm specifically a Lex Croucher romance person because oh my god.
Gwen and Art Are Not in Love is presented as a romcom about two queer youths being forced to get along while pursuing their own interests- but it is also so much more.
I had heard about it on booktok, with people getting their scratch-off cover ARCs (no, I'm not jealous). The premise immediately interested me- I'm a sucker for Arthurian legend, especially when it's twisted like this (and NO, it is not a retelling. More of... inspired? Yet those familiar characters are still there, long in the distant past).
The characters are incredible, the banter lovely, the DRAMA?? Not to mention that reading Bridget is a fellow SEAsian really made me smile from ear to ear. I laughed out loud several times while reading, to the point where some friends of mine looked at me like I was nuts. I loved the way the relationships developed, and how the main cast wasn't one-dimensional and all had their own goals.
I will admit it took me a hot minute to actually start reading- I was reading an e-ARC, which I am eternally grateful for, but ebooks are hard for me. Now I'm mentally smacking myself because I REALLY should've gotten off my ass and finished reading sooner.
As a queer person of color from a religious background, parts of the novel hit hard for me (in a good way). It reminded me that there's still hope, and that things can change for the better. Maybe my own medieval romcom is sitting around the corner, waiting to be found.

In short, if the premise of Gwen and Art Are Not in Love interests you at all, I'm asking you to give it a shot, because you might find yourself pleasantly surprised like I did. A lovely debut, and I'm more than willing to read more of Croucher's work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thank. you so much NetGalley for allowing me to read an eARC of "Gwen & Art Are Not in Love" in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a fun read! While I do not reach for YA much recently, I knew I had to request a copy of this one. I was intrigued by the premise and wow, this book did not disappoint! It had everything I love -- funny dialogue, lovable characters, plenty of gay panic (!), magic, a beloved cat -- and I was easily entertained throughout my read.

Gabriel was my favorite character :") I loved him -- I loved Bridget as well. We love a lady knight love interest <3 !!

The only reason I didn't end up giving it 5 stars was that I thought this could have easily been a series instead of a standalone. I could be wrong there -- perhaps there will be a sequel (??) but I felt like the addition of a coup/war was a little more conflict than this book needed. I think the internal conflict of having to manage coming to terms with one's sexuality while also being in line for the throne was enough of a struggle for me personally that when the battle scenes came around I was taken out of the story a little. But that is honestly the only little nitpicky thing I could mention -- I really enjoyed this read.

Overall, I really recommend this novel and will definitely be purchasing a physical copy upon release!

I really liked this story! It is told in dual POV from the two main characters and I like both of their voices. They are very different from each other and pretty interesting. I really like how they both show some growth throughout the story. The Arthurian stuff was fairly interesting also. I've never read a book from a time period long enough after Arthur for him to have faded a bit, but not so long that he was just a legend.

What a delightful romp of a book. Gwen & Art are not in love was a pure joy to read. There were moments that felt a little slow, but the payoff was expertly done. There is not enough wonderful things to say. Each character, even our side characters, are a joy. Do yourself a favor and read this book when it is released!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Arc.

Very cute and fun romance!
Gwen is a princess and it’s time for her to marry.. except she’d rather have a princess than a prince. Art is to be Gwen’s betrothed, but he’d rather end up with a prince!

This book was pretty funny and had some likable characters. Unfortunately, Art was not one of them and he kind of ruined the book for me. I couldn’t stand reading from his perspective- didn’t like how he treated Gwen either. I actually would have rather only read from Gwen’s POV and only dealing with her. Also couldn’t stand her brother!
I did feel like the ending was rushed and that it took so long to get there. I read this as an ebook, but still felt extremely long. Apparently the physical is 416 and for something that is more romance it should have been shorter IMO. Overall, though - enjoyed the romance Gwen had and now she grew overtime. Art did become likable towards the end thankfully! So I would recommend