I finally read this almost a year after I was approved for this! Honestly I’m not sure why I waited this long. Just based on the synopsis, this was a really interesting concept. I really loved the friendship between Gwen and Art. Maybe not at first, but the way they grew to care about each other more was really sweet. The romance part wasn’t as great. The author writes about the separate relationships between Gwen and her knight, and Art and his guy. This leads to each relationship having to develop in double time, something that it greatly suffers from. I find this happens in books that are in split time periods as well, when there are two separate plot line each one has to be a little less detailed. Overall, this was a great book and I enjoyed it, but I wish that some parts didn’t feel so rushed.

I would recommend this book a thousand times over. I was lucky enough to read the ARC of this thanks to Netgalley, and have since purchased my own copy to continue reading again and again.

TITLE: Gwen & Art Are Not in Love
AUTHOR: Lex Croucher
410 pages, Wednesday Books, ISBN 9781250847218 (hardcover, also e-book and audio)
I am sucker for anything Arthurian, and especially these days for anything that tweaks the Arthur-Guinevere-Lancelot triangle, so a title like Gwen & Art Are Not in Love, with appropriate medieval dress characters on the cover, was bound to attract my attention. Especially so if the book posits queer relationships for the titular king and queen. I somehow missed the part of the book description that says this novel takes place “hundreds of years after King Arthur’s reign.” And you know what? I’m not disappointed at all.

In college, as part of a course on science fiction, I created my version of a world in which Camelot never fell. It was very different from the world Lex Croucher created for Gwen & Art Are Not in Love, but that didn’t stop me from really enjoying the world Croucher did create, and the characters they populated that world with.

In the present day of the novel, Arthur’s descendant line no longer rules Britain, and the city of Camelot is a shadow of its former self even though it is still the capital. King Arthur’s descendant Arthur is well known as a womanizer and gadabout. He’s also engaged to the current Princess of England, Gwendolyn, and neither of them is happy about it. Especially not when they’re forced to spend the summer together as a lead-up to their nuptials, where they quickly discover that Arthur likes men, and Gwen has a crush on the only female knight of the realm, Lady Bridget. Add in Bridget’s bookish brother Gabriel, next in line for the throne, Arthur’s man-at-arms and confidante, Sidney, and Gwen’s lady-in-waiting Agnes, and you have a fine group of main characters with sometimes-competing agendas and interests who find they have to work together to survive not just the summer tournaments but bigger problems.

Because there is also political upheaval across the land. A group of cultists who want a return to the “pure” ways of King Arthur are making increasingly bold moves against Gwen’s father, the current King. This starts as background world-building but slowly builds to being a major part of the book’s climax. Croucher seeds this development well. Near the end, I found myself thinking back and going “Oh, that’s what that was about...” a couple of times.

All the main characters are well-developed. The book is not in alternating first-person (as so many queer romances seem to be), but the primary points-of-view are Gwen and Art’s, allowing us to see events through both their eyes (sometimes, the same event). Even with chapters focused on the two of them, I felt like we got to also see complexities in the personalities of Bridget, Gabriel, Sidney, and Agnes that fleshed them out as real people rather than love interests and sidekicks. I can’t say the same is true for the older adults of the book – Gwen and Gabriel’s parents, Arthur’s father, and the other members of the King’s Court that we see are for the most part one-note. But that’s okay. They perform the function tertiary characters are supposed to perform and don’t necessarily need to have deeper inner lives in an alternate-historical romance like this. (I hesitate to call the book a fantasy romance (or “romantasy”) because other than the difference in history, I don’t recall any truly “fantasy” elements in the world-building.)

In addition to characters I cared about, the book was paced well. There are just enough sub-plots and side-encounters to keep the ultimate outcome of the romances and the political intrigue delayed without feeling like they are just delaying tactics. The book is just the right length for the story Croucher wants to tell, neither too short nor too long.

If you’re looking for an Arthurian romance that takes place outside of, and builds on, the known Arthurian lore, with queer protagonists and plenty of swordfights and happy endings all around (well, except for the bad guys), then Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is for you. Check it out.

I received an electronic advance reading copy of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I received the e-ARC well before publication date but never posted the review. Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is available now wherever books are sold.

This was such a great LGBTQ twist on a teen medieval rom-com with allusions to Arthurian lore. All the characters were great and I really loved how well written and relatable Gwen and Arthur are. This is very much a Knights Tale but made gay which is the most apt description of this that I could think of. I love the found family trope and how Gwen and Arthur becomes allies and while not in love with each other they love each other. This is perfect for anyone who loves a good Queer historical romp.

Thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Although I did not finish this book on netgalley, I did get the opportunity to read this physically after the release. Highly recommend this book for anyone who loves queer historical stories with a fun dating trope twist!

this book was such a fun delight! my first encounter with lex croucher, and it certainly will not be my last. i love anything with arthurian lore, and this had such a lovely twist on the traditional story. gwen and art were equal parts charming and funny. the only thing that really detracted from this being an ultimate fave is that i wish i'd gotten to know the characters better, which was hard with a split point of view. otherwise, i had a really good time and would rec this to anyone wanting a cute, queer historical romp.

It was ok, just middle of the road for me. I enjoyed the relationships that did develop it just seemed like it took a very long time for us to get there. Overall not bad I was just hoping for a little bit more.

Gwen and Art, the central characters in Lex Croucher's story, are not in love despite the initial assumptions one might make. Their relationship is a complex, nuanced one that defies easy categorization. On the surface, their dynamic may appear romantic, with an undeniable chemistry and intimacy that could be mistaken for the throes of young love. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that the bond between Gwen and Art is not that of lovers, but rather of two kindred spirits who have forged an intensely close, platonic connection. Their interactions are marked by a deep understanding, an effortless banter, and a level of emotional vulnerability typically reserved for the most trusted of companions. Yet, there is an underlying current that precludes their relationship from blossoming into a romantic one. Perhaps it is an unspoken acknowledgment of incompatibility, or a mutual respect for the sanctity of their treasured friendship. Whatever the reason, Gwen and Art's story is a refreshing exploration of the many forms that meaningful human connections can take, challenging the notion that the most profound relationships must be rooted in erotic love. Through their nuanced dynamic, Croucher invites readers to consider the richness and complexity that can arise when two individuals forge an unbreakable bond that transcends the bounds of traditional romantic narratives.

I think most readers live for those moments where books make us feel visceral emotions. A lot of times, this manifests as sobbing and catharsis, but I am always equally happy when it involves me giggling and kicking my feet over just how fun a book is.

Gwen and Art Are Not In Love is a book which is so ridiculously fun, and on top of that so incredibly gay that it makes me squeal with joy. Gwen is a Princess, Art is the son of a poor nobleman but apparently the descendant of King Arthur. They have been engaged since they were children. And since they were children, they have hated each other with a vengeance. Normally, what you would expect from a setup like this is an enemies-to-lovers romance where the reluctant fiances end up falling in love. But not from this book! Instead, when Art comes to live with Gwen and her family at their castle before the two will marry, they quickly discover that they are both gay! So naturally they make a pact (or mildly blackmail one another) where they agree not to tell anyone and in fact to help the other sneak around with their love interest.

It was incredibly cool to get a fun, young adult book set in medieval England. It is a time period that is usually associated with really grim and depressing fiction, and I can only think of a handful of YA books set in similar time periods. It also really emphasizes that gay people have always existed.

That being said, the novel captures the many different ways that queer people of the past may have reacted to their own queerness (and the way queer people of the present do!). Some characters feel no shame, others feel intense internalized homophobia. Some of them have known they were queer for years, and some of them are just letting themselves discover it. There was a real diversity in the way these characters experienced their world, which I really enjoyed reading.

Gwen and Art are such different people, but both were extremely fun characters to read. I can certainly see how some people might be frustrated with Gwen's cowardice, but that was the point of her character! I loved that we got that moment where she recognized that she was holding herself back, and that she was being a coward. And I have to say, as another self-identified coward, I could relate to her a lot.

The interactions between the characters are excellent as well. The two main characters mean we have two different couples to enjoy, as well as the various cross-friendships. There are also plenty of shenanigans from side characters which I promise are highly entertaining.

Although this review is incredibly positive, I certainly went into the story skeptical. Although I thought the set-up sounded good, I have historically not enjoyed Lex Croucher's writing. I thought the writing in their Regency books was a bit dull and the voices of the characters were caricatured. But I did not have those issues with Gwen and Art at all. I was immediately sucked into the story, and I found the use of modern language to be much less egregious. Instead it blended in much more. There were only a few points where I felt that it pulled me out of the story.

I would certainly recommend Gwen and Art Are Not In Love. I have already recommended it to many of my friends, and they have all reported back that they really enjoyed it. And given how much I personally enjoyed this one makes me incredibly excited to read Croucher's next Robin-Hood inspired release.

I genuinely had a great time reading this book! It definitely lived up to to its descriptiton of "A Knight's Tale" meets "Heartstopper," which are two stories I adore!
Part of the reason that I love A Knight's Tale so much is because it's a historical story that doesn't take itself too seriously. It doesn't shy away from anachonistic elements to create likeable and relatble characers, and Croucher accomplished this beautifully as well!

My only criticism is that I wish there was more chemistry between Gwen and Bridgette. Aruthur's romance felt more natural and easy, and I wish Gwens had that effortless feel as well. Bridgette is such an amazing character, I really wish we got more story from her.

Gwen & Art was overall a decent book, but I struggled to be interested in all the various side plots that were happening. It felt like there were about a million side plots that were unrelated to Gwen and Art's individual love stories and it was hard to keep up. I know that some of it was necessary, but it felt like overall too much. I was really excited about this book because of the queer romance, but it felt like there wasn't much of it or enough of it to be the main focus of the book. Overall, I think this got overhyped for me, but I'm willing to give Lex Croucher's other books a try because I think there's a lot of potential and the characters were in general pretty lovable.

For me this story dragged a bit. I kept walking away from it, but I came back because I kept thinking about what happened with Gwen. The character development is good. There is an abundant amount of detail in the tale. The last third of the book really hooked me and from then on I thoroughly enjoyed Gwen & Art Are Not in Love. There is action, love, drama, betrayal, and lots of violence. Read it and tell me what you think.

I loved the romance! they understood each and could be themselves together. The chemistry between them was amazing! I also loved the slow-burn and the sexual tension between the main characters. There were several scenes that made me blush and smile so much. The writing is beautiful and descriptive. I honestly felt like I was living in the world with the characters. I felt so many emotions while reading this book, I cried, I laughed and I smiled. This book will stay in my heart for a long time.

What an entertaining romp of a book. Gwen & Art Are Not in Love ticked so many of my ‘favourites’ boxes, including queer love, found family, friendship, sibling relationships, action, humour, and so much more. There was something so completely charming about this story and its characters. I read it during a really difficult time in my life, and I looked forward to picking it up each day and seeing what kind of scrapes, antics, and shenanigans Gwen, Arthur, Gabriel, Bridget, Sidney, and Agnes would get into. I’m looking forward to reading more from Lex Croucher in the near future.

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher is a delightful and adventurous tale that will captivate readers who adore LGBTQ+ romance, Arthurian legend, and stories of self-acceptance, making it a perfect fit for anyone seeking a lighthearted and humorous exploration of identity, love, and the complexities of the human heart.

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! The pacing of this book was lovely, but did feel a bit slow at times., 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!

Descendant of King Arthur, Art has been betrothed to Gwen of England since birth. What not many know, is that they despise each other. Gwen is sent to Camelot to spend time with Art for the summer before they get married and is confronted with a surprising truth about Art 24 hours before the wedding. What both of them realize post-realization is may be better for them to be in each other's corner instead of at each other's throats.

I was pleasantly surprised by this. I kind of just jumped in with both feet because it was Camelot and I am totally an Arthurian nerd. But to have this follow some of the myth of Camelot and bring it to a more modern audience was pretty rad. I am very much looking forward to Lex's next foray into historical myth.

Thanks for the ARC!

These queer chaos gremlins!!!!!!!!! I loved them SO FLIPPIN MUCH oh my GOD.

Arthur and Gwen and Gabriel and Sid and Agnes and Bridget oh my GOD they were SO FREAKIN CUTE and funny and I cackled so loud so many times and I just ahhhhhhhhh PERFECT.

The battle threw me off?? A little??? I didn’t expect it to be so detailed???? And seemed …..aggressive?

But!!!!! Aside from that!!!!! I love these stupid muppets and I want to be their friend and the Gwen and Arthur banter was 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼 and the audio was EXCELLENT and I am SO HAPPY.

I love anything Arthurian so obviously I was really excited to read this when it was announced! The news got even better when I learned it was queer!

“to be truly brave, first you must be afraid—and to be afraid, you must have something you cannot bear to lose.”

I really enjoyed this book! it was funny, sweet, and full of surprises. There are some darker moments that propel the book forward, but overall it is super fun and lighthearted. I flew through this simply because it was so fun, and I think it will appeal to all ages due to that. I really enjoyed all the characters as they’re so endearing. At the end I was 100% scared (no spoilers) but I was happy to see how everything wrapped up. The stakes got much higher than I expected!

My favorite parts of Gwen and Art were the lovely moments between friends and family. Watching Gwen and Art’s friendship blossom was so heartfelt! I loved watching them grow as individuals AND as leaders! Not only that, but the banter in this book is STELLAR!

This books has major Princess Bride and A Knight’s Tale vibes to it, and if you enjoy that, you’ll love Gwen and Art are Not in Love!

✨ 𝐑 𝐄 𝐕 𝐈 𝐄 𝗪 ✨⁣
⁣
“‘Nobody else is ever going to care as much as you do about the things that you want, Gwendoline. So it’s up to you - you can put them aside forever, if you can live with that, or you can put on your big-girl girdle and demand more for yourself.’”⁣
⁣
𝘎𝘸𝘦𝘯 & 𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 by Lex Croucher⁣
☆ ☆ ☆⁣
⁣
Today, I have for you a very late and short review.⁣
⁣
I finished 𝘎𝘸𝘦𝘯 & 𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 back in March, but let’s not discuss how long ago I 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 reading this book. 🤦🏻‍♀️⁣
⁣
𝘎𝘸𝘦𝘯 & 𝘈𝘳𝘵 is cute and delightfully queer, but I honestly think it could stand to be either cut down or spiced up (not in a dirty way because yes, I know it’s YA) because the middle of it is so intensely boring that I simply had to step away from it for…several months. Despite my break, I still wound up enjoying the end and thinking it is a pretty cute, queer read for the teens out there.⁣
⁣
At the end of the day, I’m glad I read it, but it was just okay. Too many lengthy detail passages where the reader is told instead of shown and not really a whole lot of kindling of romance. Once again, I say this knowing it doesn’t need to be spicy romance. But like hello, you can have romance through conversation, too, and I felt like the love interests had very little of that. 🤷🏻‍♀️⁣
⁣
Thank you so much to @wednesdaybooks for my digital and physical copies of this book! 🤩