This book was an adventure and I was so glad to be in it! The chemistry between Clem and Mauriel was so so good, and every single interaction of theirs was intense. I went from laughing to crying to back laughing throughout reading this book, which made the reading experience so exciting. It was a queer take on Robin Hood, and I really loved all the queer elements. The stakes are always high and the journey is intense. I need to read more from this author immediately.

NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART is a (mostly) joyous romp through Sherwood forest. All Clemence wants is to be a healer and perfect her medical experiments to help people. But when she is kidnapped by the Merry Men (aren't they supposed to be the good guys?!), Clem finds herself in a bit of a predicament. She's always yearned for an adventure but this isn't really what she is looking for. Now, as the captive of the youngest ragtag team the Merry Men have to offer, Clem begins to find that these noble heroes of yore aren't what she thought. But maybe this team... is? Clem wasn't supposed to get along with her captors but, unfortunately for her, she's always been an outgoing optimist.

Mariel just wants her fathers approval. As the youngest captain of the Merry Men and the daughter of their commander, Mariel needs to work twice as hard to prove her worth. That means following orders, wrangling together her unruly team, and definitely NOT staring at their cute new captive. But when her father is kidnapped and the Merry Men thrown out of balance, Mariel finds this might be the exact team she needs to rescue her father and prove her usefulness in the process.

Lex Croucher is wonderful at character work. It can be a challenge to write voice and yet Croucher is able to create two distinct characters that are engaging in completely opposite ways. I had a blast with this cast of characters and I think that is this story's biggest draw. Clem was bubbly, warm, and kind while Mariel was standoffish, strict, and unsure. They fit together as a pair beautifully and it was exciting getting to see them fall for each other. They were the epitome of opposites attract. Not to mention the complete cast of characters completely captured my heart. I laughed with them, I cried with them, I hoped with them. If you're a character person, get ready to be sucked in by a ragtag yet badass yet warm group.

This book, however, was far from perfect. For one thing, it was loooong. Or, at least, felt long. It was often uneventful and slow going. While this book excelled (mostly) at character, it had a big pacing issue. There was a lot of sitting around until random bursts of action that quieted back down until the next one. For that reason, it took me forever to finish it. And by the story's end, it felt like many storylines ended limply, getting little to no closure.

I've also noticed something about both of Croucher's books, they will often maintain a romcom-y vibe up until the end where it gets suddenly serious. Like, kill off characters serious. Which is crazy because I often complain that fantasy authors have a hard time killing off their characters, and the one time someone does, it's exactly when I DON'T want it. How dare you make me laugh and kick my feet, only to rip my heart out later?! But jokes aside, I do think my issue here is that the tone takes an abrupt change. At least this book maintains less of an abrupt change to her other story as there is more violence and fighting sooner in the novel.

All this to say, I did enjoy it but I didn't love it. But that's okay! Sometimes that's what you want in a book and it kept me comfort as I sought out entertainment for the long hours spent diffusing my hair (people with curly hair get me, Clem included). I'd happily still receive and read Croucher's next work just because it's always a bit of fun.

3.5 stars rounded up

This book was wonderful!! I loved the cast of characters, especially the main two, Mariel and Clem. The romance was sweet and the plot around the Merry Men was gripping and well-done.

thank you so much to netgalley and wednesday books for the arc! i love gay robin hood! i really enjoyed this book- i liked the fast pace of the story and this unique take on the story of the merry men. clem and mariel together was so cute- we love a grumpy/sunshine trope!! i very much enjoyed that they taught one another a lot- especially in terms of who they are at their core. i also loved that the romance plotline was well balanced with the main storyline. i never felt like one over took the other at any point. clem was such a delight, truly just wanted to help people no matter what and wore her heart on her sleeve always. seeing her grow and build these beautiful relationships with kit, baxter, morgan, and josey was so lovely. i loved our lil misfit gang- i loved that none of them felt one dimensional and that they each had true purpose in the book and none were used solely for throwaway plot development. the squirrel game they played had me cracking up throughout the book! we love a diverse character group! morgan is a nonbinary icon!! mariel- love that stubborn gal! seeing the way she was at the end of the book compared to the beginning was chef’s kiss character development!! truly so proud of her! also the lowkey political themes in this book absolutely hit hard and croucher did a phenomenal job getting her message across with them. i really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it! truly a great modern take on a classic story!

Not For the Faint of Heart is a grumpy/sunshine trope embedded within Robin Hood's band of Merry Men once he's old enough to be a grandfather and passed the torch, so to say. It's core themes are that of friendship, coming of age, trust, and inclusivity - this is a queerer branch of Merry Men (and Women and Genderqueer folks) than we've ever read on the page. It's more adventure than romance and the later action scenes are striking, well-paced, and where the majority of the character work happens. This book is teen-appropriate and explores the stories we are told by elders and learning how to think critically about them - and others' - for one's own wellbeing. The primary issue is pacing, which is the cause of my reduced star review, and detailed below with spoilers.

<spoilers ahead>

The primary issue this book suffers from is poor pacing. The majority of the book is getting into scrapes that allude to /very/ small bits of each character's history, so the reader never truly bonds with the characters emotionally. They are endearing and kind and loyal and you /want/ to be friends with them, so you will be. But you don't really get to know them much. The most forthcoming, to a point, is our golden retriever character, Clem, who has been conditionally kidnapped by Mariel's command. In my opinion, this book would have benefited from more intimate, character-narrated moments to bring the reader closer to the fold. The characters are all distinct and lovely, but surface-level in the end - including a main character, Mariel. She never has a chance to connect with readers and explore, even briefly, the emotional impact or source of her discontent/disappointment/parental emotional abuse. Mariel is a girl of action and the book reads that way, too. Clem, on the other hand, is more fleshed out and better explored in narrative form, perhaps because she's more forthcoming as a character to begin with. But it makes Mariel feel like she's held even more from a distance than she ought to be as a lead.

The second pacing issue - and perhaps more important for a book billed as a romcom - is that nothing happens or builds between the characters until page 253. That is over 2/3 of the way through the book. Because Mariel is held so much at a distance, including from Clem, this makes the stumbling into it drunken kiss even more surprising. You've been waiting for it, but is this how it's really going down? After that, it is accepted that they're together, but there's been little reason to believe so far that they'd like each other, let alone lust after each other. The characters decide to be together, so you as the reader go with the flow. However, once they are together, the last 100-ish pages are great and what I wanted from the book all along. There's great banter, emotional stakes, skirmishes and escapes that mean something, and character growth. Knowing that this writing was possible makes the earlier 250 pages disappointing.

The third pacing issue - the book tells us this story takes place over the course of a week. Romcoms love a time-contained story and high schoolers can probably relate to the bonds made over a weeklong event like camp, but the novel feels like it could have been set over a matter of weeks or months, and likely should have been to build the care and affection and investment in this band of Merry Men that the reader wants to have. That said, a single week makes it more understandable why you know the characters so little, and why character growth is hard to come by in the first 2/3 of the book.

Overall, Not for the Faint of Heart is a romp riddled with adventure, trick stories, and the hope of something better to come. This book is all about learning to "see the forest through the trees" while maintaining your core values and loyal, well-earned camaraderie, a valuable life lesson for all at any age.

I also can't believe they missed the chance to call it "Not for the Feint of Heart"!!!

First I’d like to say a huge thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday books for providing me with an early copy of this book!

Not for the Faint of Heart is a YA historical fantasy that follows the granddaughter of Robin Hood and the girl she’s accidentally kidnapped.

Truthfully, this book is like 20% plot and 80% vibes. The vibes? Great, I really enjoyed the Merry Men and their interactions and personalities, they felt fleshed out and really added a lot to the story! I think my major issue lies with the romance aspect of this book. I couldn’t really tell that Mariel and Clem were in love until they were kissing at the sixty percent mark. I craved more from them, more pinning, more longing glances, more tension and angst.

The overall story was good, I just craved a little bit more. Shockingly I think I would’ve loved this book in first person-but unfortunately historical/fantasy books don’t always translate well. I really liked the vibes and aesthetic of this book, the traveling and sitting around fires and sleeping in tents really created a nice atmosphere and you can tell that the author did her research on the Robin Hood topic.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick, sweet YA queer historical romance that has a fun cast of characters and impeccable vibes!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was happy to get this ARC as I really liked Gwen & Art Are Not in Love, and it did not disappoint! If you are looking for a feel-good story with a ragtag group of friends who love each other unconditionally (with a side of lesbian love story) then this is for you! I actually loved the friendship dynamics more than the romance, but I am a huge sucker for fluffy found-family friendship groups who weather hard times together (Becky Chambers style!) so that did not surprise me. If you like those too, then you would love this!

Normally historical takes me a while to get through, but this book flew by in a flurry of action, banter, romance, found family, and complicated family dynamics.

Clem is a healer kidnapped by a company of Merry Men led by none other than Robin Hood's granddaughter Mariel. The fight between the Sherrif and the Merry Men is very much alive, but it seems like the band of vigilantes has somewhat lost their way.

I laughed so many times at Clem's commentary. I loved the found family aspect and actually cried at the tragedy that befall them. The cast of characters is diverse in a queer normative world. For a book taking place within a couple weeks, it held no punches. This is easily my favorite yet by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

On the whole, I loved this book! Clem grew on me, though Mariel was harder for me to like. I instantly loved Mariel’s company though. What a great gang of people. I liked how the Robin Hood story was expanded upon, to see what his legacy looked like a couple of generations later. It’s complicated. And complicated makes for a good story.

Yet again, Croucher has captured my heart with a lovable cast of characters alongside a wonderfully paced and packed adventurous tale. This author will surely appeal to any reader searching for a heartwarming tale that will bring comfort and solace, a glimmer of hope in a chaotic world.

What a fun twist on Robin Hood! I really enjoyed this one, and I know that it will be enjoyed by teen patrons. Also really love how diverse it is, and I can’t wait to see what else this author will write!

Lex Croucher continues to write amazing historical-ish romances and I'm HERE FOR IT. When I saw a LGBTQ+ Robin Hood vibes book, I was so stoked! I loved the adventure here... with poor Clem getting kidnapped (several times) by the Merry Men and the utter chaos of it all. I was happy to see the expansion on Robin Hood's bloodline. My only slight critique is how quickly the books wrapped up. Without spoilers, it felt very rushed and I think I would have loved to see a bit more before the end.

Thank you, NetGalley, for advanced access to this book.

I laughed, I cried, I gasped, I kicked my feet in giddiness. Lex Croucher perfectly blended a sweet romance with an exciting Robin Hood adventure in "Not for the Faint of Heart."
I loved that Croucher expanded on the story of Robin Hood, imagining what things would look like if the Merry Men continued their work even after he retired.
"Not for the Faint of Heart" explores some of the best themes of right vs. wrong, found family and paving your own path among all the expectations placed upon you.
Even with all the twists and turns, I felt the characters were well-developed and the pacing was just right. Croucher balanced the politicking of the Merry Men and the sheriff with the relationships and growth of the characters. And the romance leaned into my favorite tropes - sunshine and grumpy, and forced proximity.
"Not for the Faint of Heart" is the perfect book for someone who wants a happy little romance and a high-paced adventure that involves secrets, disguises, jail breakouts, robberies and working to right the world's power imbalance.

I tried so hard to like this book. I enjoyed Lex Croucher's other book, Gwen and Art Are Not in Love, and I thought this one would follow suit. However, I found Not for the Faint of Heart to be convoluted and difficult to follow. There is strong LGBTQ+ representation and some great banter throughout, but the characters are sometimes difficult to differentiate and the story wanders quite a bit. It'd make a funny show, I think, but something about the prose just gets lost.

Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher is a thrilling and darkly humorous take on the classic enemies-to-lovers trope, set in a world where danger lurks around every corner. The story follows the fierce and determined protagonist, who finds herself entangled with a brooding love interest amidst a backdrop of perilous adventures. Croucher’s writing is sharp and witty, effortlessly blending humor with moments of tension that keep you on the edge of your seat. The banter between the characters is particularly delightful, making their journey feel both engaging and relatable as they navigate their complicated feelings for each other.

What I loved most about this book is how it tackles serious themes like bravery and vulnerability while still delivering an entertaining narrative. The characters are well-developed, each with their own flaws and strengths that add depth to the story. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and their growth throughout the book feels genuine and satisfying. While some plot points may stretch believability, the overall experience is a fun ride filled with unexpected twists. If you're looking for a romantic adventure that balances humor with heart, Not for the Faint of Heart is definitely worth picking up!

Oh, how I loved Gwen and Art Are Not in Love, so I was excited to read Not For the Faint of Heart. But alas, it is not for me, I DNF at 25%. I didn't connect with any of the characters, I didn't really care about any of them, and we are constantly reminded that they're all just 14 years old. I think if the author didn't point it out so much, I might have forgotten it eventually, but here we are.

The writing is easy to read, but nothing is incredibly memorable. Nothing really grabbed me and made me want to finish this book. Which sucks because, like I said, I loved Gwen and Art, but this book is just not for me.

Thank you, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the ARC

DNF at 23%

Similar to Gwen and Art are not in love, this book begins painfully slowly, I can see where the humour will be, and I'm sure it'll pick up at the end but it's really just not grabbing my attention enough to continue on.

The 'fast paced' bits aren't really that fast and I'm having a lot of time visualizing the world.

I loved the premise of a Sapphic Robin Hoodesque retelling, but I just can't get into this.

I loved this super fun, YA romp. (Bi Robin Hood?? Helloooo!) There was representation of all manner in this book, and I can't help but think as a young person how much I would have LOVED reading about a character that was like me. Also love me some "just one horse"! Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher St Martin's Press, and the author Lex Croucher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Lex Croucher's YA has never failed to hook me. I wasn't sure if this would top GWEN & ART, but it was so much fun. I loved the entire cast of characters and their relationships, and I found the plot and themes to be super well done. Mariel's character arc in particular felt very important for teen readers to read, and I can't wait to see where this author goes next! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Clem, a cheerful healer’s apprentice, is abducted by the uptight Mariel - granddaughter of Robin Hood - and the group of Merry Men she oversees for suspicions that Clem has been helping heal their enemy the Sheriff of Nottingham and his family. An unexpected found family dynamic blooms between Clem and her captors as they go on an adventure to save Mariel’s father. Along the way, everything Mariel has believed to be true about her father and the Merry Men is tested and Clem and Mariel develop feelings for one another that go far beyond captor and captive. 

I’m so impressed by Lex Croucher’s ability to blend both humor and sorrow. This book is both full of both moments of adventure and devastation, eliciting both laughs and tears. Impressive too, is Croucher’s witty dialogue, strong characterization, and the queer, trans, and racially diverse cast no matter the time period. 

Clem is one of my favorite characters that I’ve had the pleasure to read about in a while, at turns both hilarious and compassionate. The entire cast is strongly written and I appreciate that Mariel isn’t a traditionally likable female character. 

Something that I’ve found can be rare in young adult books is a sense of nuance. Croucher isn’t afraid to write morally ambiguous characters or to tell a story where there isn’t a clear “good” and “evil”. There’s a flawed idea that teenagers need their books to tell them what is wrong and right. Croucher knows their readers can form their own opinions and ideas.  

I settled on a four star because I don’t know if I loved the ending. Without getting into spoilers, I thought more character work and growth was needed in order to truly earn it.

Regardless, I’ll definitely be picking up more of Croucher’s books and I’m excited to see what they write next.