I got this book as an ARC from St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for free in exchange for my honest feedback.

This book is amazing! It's playfully anachronistic and very well written. It takes a little bit to get going, but once it does, it takes off and you can't put it down. I cannot wait for this book to come out.

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love explains right off the bat why they aren't in love. They are far from it. And then they discover that there's another reason on top of just being enemies. Arthur is very much into boys, (especially one particular prince) and Gwen can't seem to keep her eyes off a Lady Knight.

There's a lot of stolen kisses, sneaking out, a cat with two names qhos probably having an identity crisis-the poor thing, way too much wine consumed, and of course, it wouldn't be an Authurian tale without a battle to the death, where one of our heros can barely even walk, yet somehow makes it out alive, probably just because of the fact that they're too stubborn to die.

I loved this book! I immediately loved Arthur and Gwen instantly. Each had their own personalities that were just too big for each other. But over the summer they were stuck together, they leanered to care about each other. Just not in the romantic way. Actually quite the opposite. They learned to care about each other because of the fact that they dont–and never will–care about each other romantically.

There was just one thing I thought was missing when I read it, and that was why Gabriel felt the way he did for Author. It's clearly stated that he's liked him for years, but it never quite says why, especially since Author was always so mean to his sister, who Gabriel has always been close with. Was it just physical attraction? Surely not. Knowing Gabriel and how passionate he is about things, I would love to know why he' grows so passionate about Author, because of things that happen both during the story–but because of the shenanigans that happened before the story takes place. What is it about Arthur that Gabriel found enticing before Arthur came to stay at Camelot, bringing the expected chaos with him?

I love Arthurian tales, and this one is no different! Of course I love it even more than usual because it's queer. And it has birds and a cat. Who could ask for anything more in a book?

first of all, I LOVE the book cover 😍
and secondly, I absolutely loved the book and the characters.
the banter between Gwen and Arthur was hilarious and I loved how their relationship went from hating each other to being genuine friends. Gwen and Brigit owns my heart, their relationship was heartwarming and I couldn't stop smiling every single time either of them was mentioned. Gabe and Arthur had a little more complex story but heartwarming and lovely nonetheless. even the side characters had a lovely relationship with their partners. I was rooting for every single character till the end.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Heartstopper meets the Guinevere Deception in this gorgeous coming of age queer romance! Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a literary masterpiece of character design, romance and humour. There is just enough plot to keep the story moving while still giving lots of time to the developing friendships and love stories. One of my favourite parts about this book was the focus on the platonic friendship that grows between Gwen and Arthur. It is a great reminder that enemies-to-disgruntled BFFs is just as good as enemies-to-lovers. This book is perfect and I will be buying a copy for everyone I know.

3.5 ⭐️

really incredible premise but it was just ok? I didn't love Gwen or Art and it kinda flopped as it was kind of cringy at some times but I know booktok especially will love this one. I just didn't vibe well with it unfortunately.

I just finished reading this incredible book. I wasn't expecting much going in and I loved every moment of this book. It made me laugh at times and at others on the verge of tears. I have always loved books that take place in the past; this one was no exception. In most of those books, the characters are straight and I love that this one shows characters that love anyone they want. I feel like that is really needed in more historical books. I would recommend this to people who want a funny and queer cast of characters and those who love reading about history.

The MCs are not in love (thank goodness for that), the kingdom is facing a revolt, and those last few chapters had my heart in my throat. Well-written, witty banter, and good character development (although not as much romantic relationship development). The author eases the reader into this medieval world and sets a good pace. I must admit to feeling impatient with the Gwen and Bridget sections and doing a bit of speedreading to get to the parts with Arthur and Gabriel, but that's just my preference. I also wish we got a bit of Gabriel's and Bridget's POV, but maybe that can be a future novella. This story ends on a hopeful note that is definitely open enough for a sequel about a "grown-up" King and Prince Consort -- hint, hint, Lex Croucher! I recommend this book as an interesting change of pace and scenery for anyone who typically reads adult LGBTQ+ novels.

Arc received from NetGalley -- looking forward to this coming out in November!

I did enjoy this for the most part. I found Art and Gwen's relationship fascinating, but the hatred Arthur has for Gwen feels weird for the most part considering it wasn't a set up for a traditional enemies to lovers story.

I liked Gwen and Bridget's story more than Arthur and Gabriel's, but they both were cute.

The thing I didn't really care for is how unhistorical this feels. I'm a history minor and taught history for years and it just feels like the author did minimal research into how people would've acted and talked in medieval times. This took me out of the story quite a bit and it was really jarring.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for a review.

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is the first romance novel I've read in a long time, and it left me pleasantly surprised. Croucher does a terrific job of making the relationships realistic -- none of the characters are perfect, and they don't always treat each other fairly, but I found myself rooting for them anyway. The plot begins with a familiar trope: Gwen, a teen princess, dreads her impending marriage to Arthur (Art), a supposed descendant of King Arthur. But rather than falling in love, they develop an affectionate friendship and a mutual agreement to keep each other's secrets. I loved watching them both grow and change for the better. I did feel, however, that the political aspect of the story was underdeveloped and perhaps unnecessary.

I have been in a bit of a slump for a while with not a single book able to hold my attention for more than a chapter or two - until Gwen & Art Are Not in Love! I can't recall the last time a book made me laugh quite this much while reading it. If you were a fan of the Swan Princess animated film growing up - in particular the "This Is Not My Idea" song in the beginning - then this is absolutely the book for you. Arthur, Gwen, Sidney, Gabriel, Bridget are all so fantastic, the dialogue equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking at times, with plenty of twists and surprises to keep the reader on their toes.

Arthur and Gwen might not be in love but I certainly am. I cannot wait to have this one on my bookshelf. Honestly, I wouldn't mind a sequel! It ends quite nicely but I am not ready to say goodbye to this dramatic and lovable cast of characters.

This is the kind of funny, angsty, queer coming-of-age romance goodness that I love. I devoured this book in half a day and have no regrets!

But what is this book about? The story is set in an alternative(?) Medieval England, where people are divided by religions - Catholicism versus the cultists (people who believe in King Arthur). Amidst the political uncertainty, Princess Gwendoline is betrothed at birth to Arthur Delacey, a son of a nobleman. But because The two kids don't get along, they are separated so that they don't prank each other to death. Now, the princess has turned seventeen, and it's decided that she should start to get along with her future husband. Only, (1) they still hate each other, (2) she finds out that he's gay, and (3) he finds out she's lesbian for a certain female knight. So, shenanigan ensues!

This feels like a light fantasy, in that it's closely connected to the Arthurian legend, and it's set in a city called Camelot, but there isn't any magic. I really like how the Arthurian stuffs are woven into the culture in this world, because it brings up some interesting points about religions, how they are used in politics, and how they actually affect the conducts of each individual. The political plot is in the background for the most part, but it's done well and adds a very nice tension to the book. Interestingly, Lady Leclair, the knight of Gwen's dream, is from Sukhothai Kingdom, the other foreign kingdom mentioned in this story. As a Thai person, I was very pleasantly surprised by this! This part of her identity doesn't play any significant role in the plot, but the things about Sukhothai that were brought up in the story are quite accurate. And I like how the story contrasts her family's values to that of the English society.

The main four characters (who are on the cover) are the true stars of the book. Their characterizations are very unique and vibrant, and their found-family dynamics is just spot on. My favorite character is Arthur. He's that asshole with a heart of gold and a daddy issue. He's unapologetically himself, but also hates himself more than other people hate him. Basically, my ideal type of fictional crush!

The romance plots are pretty nice. Just the right balance of angsty yearning and fluff that you would expect from characters in this age range. There is mild homophobia in this world, at the level where homosexuality is not against any laws, and homosexuals are not picked out and bullied, but it's not the norm, especially for royalties who have the obligations to continue the bloodline and whatnot. One of the characters therefore grows up to be a homophobic closeted gay. I think the story handles the discussion of identities and relationships very well in overall.

There are only two reasons why I don't give this 5 stars. One is because the political plot (and how it ties in with the romance plot), though solid and well executed, is simple and predictable. I was hoping there would be a twist, but there wasn't. Another reason is that I wish it was longer and that there's a bit more fluff at the end. I hope there would be a short story or something in the future where we can just see these characters being content and happy, because I already miss them!

ARC review for Gwen & Art Are Not In Love by Lex Croucher
Publication date Nov 27th 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
LGBTQ+ rep
It’s in the realm of historical fiction & romcom it’s about the Knights at the round table.
There’s banter, love, lots of laughter, heartbreak.
This is a book about self discovery, & identity.
At times this book had me on edge waiting to see what happened, others I’m balling my eyes out, and the next I’m so filled with love!
I really felt like I was in this story and felt connected to each of these characters and their ending! This was an amazing read and I’m very excited to read her other books!
❤️❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️

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I requested Gwen & Art Are Not In Love because I loved Lex Croucher’s queer regency rom-coms, Reputation and Infamous. I knew this would be a departure from their previous work, as this book is YA and loosely tied to Arthurian legend. My knowledge of Arthurian legend and Medieval English history is spotty at best (perhaps I can blame this partially on being American…?) so I didn’t really know what to expect, but I can safely say I somehow love each of Croucher’s books more than the last. I’ve never read anything quite like Gwen & Art.

In summary, Gwen and Arthur are promised to one another from birth, but they do NOT get along. Forced to spend a summer together at Camelot, the two quickly discover that each other is hiding their queer identity, so they decide to cover for one another rather than continue butting heads. The witty banter had me laughing out loud, and I adored Gwen, Arthur, Gabriel, and Bridget — and oh my goodness, Sidney and Agnes! Each of the main characters and their friends are so lovable, yet so fully formed, flawed, and evolving as the novel progresses. From the first page, I only wanted to keep reading, and when I wasn’t, I was wondering what the gang was up to.

This novel has adventure, romance, sweeping grand gestures, complicated family and found family relationships, hysterical dialogue, and heavier, moving moments too. My fingers are crossed for a sequel!

Big thanks to NetGalley & Wednesday Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love is an adorable Young Adult novel by Lex Croucher, and one I'd recommend to all fans of LGBT YA and witty banter.

First of all, let me say that it was an absolute struggle to put this book down; I rarely read a book in one sitting, but this was a notable exception!

I absolutely loved the characters and the worldbuilding - from Gwen and Art's banter to the Arthurian cultists and the animals Gabriel holds so dear. All of the characters are so distinct and vibrant, and I found myself captivated as Gwen and Arthur's hatred developed into genuine friendship. I found myself rooting for all of them to get their happy endings, even down to Sidney and Agnes.

I've been a fan of Lex Croucher's since her early days on YouTube, and I can absolutely say that I was delighted to be invited to read an ARC of this book by Rivka Holler at St. Martin's Press! Gwen and Art Are Not in Love exceeded all expectations, and will definitely have a permanent place on my shelf!

Pitched as A Knight's Tale meets Heartstopper, Gwen & Art reminded me of how much I loved Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness series when I was a teen mixed with how much I enjoyed the found family, historical rom-com vibes of Mackenzi Lee's Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue. Anyone who knows my reading habits well knows I prefer a standalone, but if we don't get more books with these characters I am going to be bummed. The ending felt a little rushed but I'm hoping that's because there was a page limit and it's just setting up for a continuing story. But even if we don't get any future stories with these characters, I still suggest picking it up.

I dove into this book blindly after reading only the first line of the description because I knew I’d love it, and I was right. Gwen and Art Are Not in Love was hilarious and provided a fresh take on the tale of King Arthur and what comes next.

The POV switches each chapter, alternating between Gwen and Art. We get introduced to Gwen, a princess who’s been told her whole life that she has no choice- it is her duty to have a political marriage. And her brother Gabriel, who is quiet and bookish and feels immense pressure knowing he is next in line to be king. Gwen and Gabriel have a great relationship as brother and sister, and seeing them both grow in confidence and power throughout the story was really cool.

Arthur is a total comedian, the class clown who doesn’t take anything seriously and always finds himself in chaotic situations. His character really grew on me. I was annoyed by him when he was first introduced, mainly because the only information we had from him was given from Gwen’s perspective and she despised him, but by the end of the book he was easily one of my favorite characters. There was a lot more depth to Arthur than I had expected.

This story was never boring. There’s a lot going on between the tournament being held at court, the budding romances between the main characters and their love interests, the court politics, the arranged marriage between Gwen and Art looming ever closer, and even some stuff about secret societies. This was the queer medieval rom com I didn’t know I needed.

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher was hilarious and heartwarming.

I loved the humor and I laughed out loud multiple times while reading. The relationships between characters were lovely to see. The banter and dialogue was fun to read.

My only complaint was that it got a bit slow in the middle. The same problems got rehashed with no progress. When it did pick up it was a relief.

Regardless, Gwen and Art Are Not in Love was fun and a good read.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This book was strange, adorable, and laugh-out-loud-funny. I loved the alternate version of England these characters inhabit and the charms of some of the main characters (especially Arthur). I didn't necessarily feel tons of chemistry from the romantic relationships but the fun of the book outweighed that. I would highly recommend this to any fans of A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue and its sequels or perhaps (gasp) Red White & Royal Blue

I read Lex Croucher's first book and had a great time, but this was somehow even better! I am a sucker for a good queer romance, but Arthurian legend vibes, queer friendships, unlikeable to likeable main characters? Absolutely brilliant. This book was so funny, heartwarming, infuriating, and so well written. I can't wait for everyone else to read this too so I can finally discuss.

The writing in this book was flawless, and the idea of reimagining a very well-known story is very interesting in the manner in which this is presented. I can see this being a huge appeal to many and it will, most assuredly, fly off of shelves everywhere! It was funny, quirky, and a great twist on an extremely beloved story. Great work!