This series of Lex Croucher’s is never allowed to stop. I fell absolutely in love with the writing and characters in Gwen and Art are not in Love and this did not disappoint as a follow up to that series. A sapphic Robin Hood?? Yes please!! The wit and banter were still there, the chemistry was fun and I love the characters.

“You aren’t merry, and you aren’t all men.”
This one surprised me—equal parts charming chaos and real emotional depth. Mariel and Clem’s banter had me grinning, but it’s the questions about legacy, identity, and chosen family that lingered. Not perfect pacing-wise, but the heart? Absolutely there. Lex stays on my auto-read list.

I loved Gwen and Art are not in love, but I think this might be my new favorite! This story felt like a cozy hug, taking me back to my days of swooning over Robin Hood. I love enemies to lovers/opposites attract storylines, and this absolutely fit the bill. Instantly a classic to me for sure!

This was a fun, chaotic, and very queer Regency adventure. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which made it an easy, entertaining read. The main character is bold, messy, and super fun to follow, and the banter throughout kept things lively.

The middle dragged a little and some of the plot points felt a bit too convenient, but overall, I had a great time. If you’re into historical fiction with a modern twist and a lot of heart (plus a fair bit of drama), this one’s definitely worth picking up.

Truly, the cutest story to read! I enjoyed every bit of it. And I know that you are too if you enjoy reading queer ya romance story.

I'm so greatful I found Lex Crocuher through "Gwen and Art Are Not in Love" two years ago. The book was an isolated 5 stars. Now "Not for the Faint of Heart", leave a different but good impression. This retelling, almost continuation, of the Robin Hood story brings a fun addition to the original plot.

Clem and Mariel are the definition of opposites attract. While their chemistry isn't Love at first sight, their is such a natural progression to their relationship. This is what YA historical romance fiction should be.

It has an entertaining plot and characters, while bringing an original twist to a literary classic, with a small twist at the end. Highly recommend to anyone who reads historical fiction / retellings.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review!

Not for the Faint of Heart is about Mariel, captain of the Merry Men and granddaughter of Robin Hood. In the process of forcibly recruiting a healer from the wood, she meets Clem, who challenges her notions of who the Merry Men are and their legacy. The flaws in the system are revealed and Mariel needs to decide what side she will land on.

I loved Gwen & Art Are Not in Love with my whole heart and I was so excited for this one. Lex Croucher is very talented at balancing levity with heavier topics, but I will say that it has a slightly more serious tone than Gwen & Art. I liked the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Mariel and Clem. What I love the best about the Robin Hood story is the unwavering goodness of the Merry Men in the face of an unfair system, so I think I missed that quality in this story. I did really enjoy the mismatched ragtag crew of Mariel's company, as that is one of my favorite tropes. Their friendships were really sweet, and the losses heartbreaking. I'm obsessed with queer historical retellings, but certain aspects of this one fell slightly short for me. I'll definitely check out whatever Lex Croucher has in store for us next.

This was such a charming story! Mariel, the granddaughter of Robin Hood and newfound captain of the Merry Men, accidentally kidnaps the wrong healer, Clem. These two could not be more opposite! Mariel is high strung, serious and set on proving herself to her not so nice father. While Clem is witty, free spirited, and as laid back as they come! I think my favorite part of this story was just reveling in their back and forth banter. While Clem may be laid back, she’s no pushover. Some of her one liners/comebacks had me absolutely chuckling. It was lovely to see the influence Clem’s presence had on the rest of the Merry Men as well. While I enjoyed this story, some parts seemed to drag a little. I would have loved to have seen an even larger emphasis on the romance between Mariel and Clem.

Such a fun story! It’s fast paced and doesn’t let up all the way through. The characters are likeable and it was a delight to see their relationship unfold. Definitely a fun read.

I adored Croucher's GWEN & ART ARE NOT IN LOVE. It was one of those whimsical, indulgent books that I was so happy to just get lost in. I loved the humour and characters, and Croucher has been on my radar ever since.

NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART sounded like a recipe for another fun romp, but it unfortunately didn't achieve quite the same levels as the previous novel. Don't get me wrong: I enjoyed the world-building, the familiar elements of the Robin Hood narrative, and Croucher always knows how to defuse a serious scene with a snarky comment or two.

However, I found myself slogging through the first half or so of the book. In particular, I struggled with the militaristic spin on the Merry Men (though I appreciated how this was a deliberate choice by the author that is interrogated throughout the novel), and sometimes felt the story was held together mostly by funny quips or its own cleverness. I got tired of the constant discussions over Clem's status as kidnapped-but-not-really, and wish the book had just committed one way or the other. I did quite like the members of Mariel's company, particularly Josey, Baxter, and Kit, but never really warmed up to Clem or Mariel themselves. I think I wished we could see more of their romance as it grew, but instead it felt very much like they just fell in love over a series of mostly unfortunate and silly events.

All that said, Croucher is still very much on my to-read list, and I do still very much look forward to whatever they publish next!

While I appreciate this book and this author, I was really not the right audience for this story. YA fans of romance will be delighted with this tale though and I would recommend it to young people that I know.

I had postponed posting this review due to the St. Martin's Press Boycott. Now that the boycott has lifted, I can give my review. Lex Croucher is an artist of creative retellings and does not get enough applause. Robin Hood never piqued my interest but her story did the trick. The two protagonists were so different but following the progression of their relationship was riveting and moved the story even in uneventful chapters. If you like retellings this is the book for you!

This is probably the most fun Robin Hood retelling I have ever read!

Mariel is Robin Hood’s granddaughter. She’s incredibly rigid and by the book, following her father’s rules, always trying to live up to his unreachable expectations. She feels unloved by both of her parents, keeps herself distant from her team, and holds herself to ridiculous standards.

Clem on the other hand is full of life and joy, even cracking jokes when she’s kidnapped. She believes in helping people and has immense confidence in her healing abilities, coming up with new and better treatments.

This book is very LGBTQIA+ friendly, featuring characters across the spectrum, though never specifically identifying any character’s identity. Everyone just accepts that Robin Hood and Wil Scarlett fell in love after Robin and Marian split up. No one questions other relationships either, including Clem and Mariel’s.

The Merry Men aren’t what they used to be, and Mariel has to make some difficult decisions. I liked the way the story ended and the choices that were made.

While this story is mostly fun, there are a few tragic scenes that broke my heart.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC for review consideration through Net Galley on behalf of the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lex Croucher is writing queer historical fantasy romance like no one else right now.. I wish these stories were around when I was a teen

I really enjoy Lex Croucher's books, and this was another delight to add to the list. A queer feminist retelling of Robin Hood was right up my alley, and I was so excited to dive in. While the beginning of the book does start slow, it's easy to root for the main characters and want to know how it will all end up. I recommend this for those in the mood for a slow burn, character-driven retelling.

I enjoyed the premise for this one, I mean Robin Hood mixed with sapphic fantasy vibes is always a beautiful win in my book. It did wrap up a bit early for me without much character development. But all in all, it was feel good and cozy. And I do recommend it!

Another excellent book from Lex Croucher! Funny, sweet, and at times sad, this is a great coming of age story with an ensemble I would read about for a long time.

I enjoyed this, but it didn't quite have the same vibe as the others. There was humor and romance, it was just missing a little of its "muchness".

Not for the Faint of Heart takes place several years after Robin Hood and his Merry Men first helped the villages in need. However, their mission has since shifted—from a band of outlaws aiding the oppressed to a structured military force. The story follows two main characters: Clem, a healer from the village of Oak Vale, and Mariel, a captain leading a group of Merry Men.

One of the novel’s strongest aspects is Mariel’s character development. She starts off as a hardened leader but gradually transforms into someone more open and kind, making her journey compelling to follow. My favorite character, however, is Kit—a Merry Man who is kind from the very beginning. His warmth and loyalty make him especially endearing.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, there were a few aspects that didn’t quite work for me. The pacing felt rushed at times; just as I was getting to know a character, a major plot development would occur, making it feel as though I had missed something important. Additionally, the phrase "dicking around" stood out to me. While I don’t mind some strong language, this particular phrasing makes me hesitant to recommend the book to younger readers.

Overall, Not for the Faint of Heart is a fantastic read, particularly for those who enjoy cozy fantasy novels. Despite some pacing issues and occasional language concerns, I would still recommend it to students who appreciate character-driven fantasy with a fresh take on the Robin Hood legend.

Okay this book was so fun! I loved the first one in this series so I was very excited to get this one and it didn’t fall flat for me. Admittedly, I did like the first one a little better but they’re both super strong. I loved the characters, the banter and the overall feel.