This was my first Lex Croucher book. I found it to be kind of a slow start. The first half of the book was introducing a lot of characters and I found it to be distracting, The back half of the book did pick up but ultimately the ending felt rushed. Robin Hood is one of my tales and I was excited to read a YA Sapphic version. Muriel and Clem were cute but the plot and action were light. They had good banter but ultimately, it wasn't a book that I would pick up and read again.

Thank you to Lex Croucher, NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #NotForTheFaintofHeart #StMartinsPress

I can’t think of anything else you would need to make a YA novel perfect. The author weaves in each characters differences like a tapestry. I loved reading of a world where being LGBTQ+ was normal. The characters and plot were real and realistic when dealing with flawed humans.

*Mild spoiler* As a recovering perfectionist & people pleaser it was particularly interesting to see the character growth in Clem and Mariel.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an advance digital copy of this book!

Another book for the short, but growing list of sapphic Robin Hood novels. It’s interesting that this is the first entry where our main queer characters are not Robin and Marian themselves, but original characters who interact and exist within the Robin Hood universe. The author describes this as a “historical fantasy romcom”, which is exactly how I’d describe Not For the Faint of Heart.

This book follows Mariel (Robin Hood’s granddaughter) and a healer named Clem who gets swept along in an adventure with the current iteration of the Merry Men. Robin is retired and gone from Sherwood, and leadership has fallen to his son-in-law who runs the outlaws more like a militia, focused on violently protecting their territory rather than focusing their illegal deeds on helping the local community. In this confusing era of Sherwood Forest outlaws, Mariel, Clem, and their small company of queer buddies slowly shift the mission and priorities back to its roots.

For any reader who wants to go on an adventure with queer found family through Sherwood Forest, cracking (anachronistic) jokes and counting squirrels, this is the book to read! For sure! I had a great reading experience most of the time, despite some personal issues that I had with it. Those anachronistic jokes were fun and I had several good laughs. So many people will love and adore this book.

Coming into any Robin Hood book, I come fully equipped and over-informed, along with my deeply personal preconceived ideas. With books like Not For the Faint of Heart, I knew that it was important to set as many of those aside as I could and enjoy it for what it is intended to be. In this case, a queer adventure romcom.

And I did enjoy it! But I have some qualms, too. It won’t affect the reading experience for the majority of people, but I found it disappointing that Marian was given such short shrift, with only a few one-off lines to let readers know that she existed. For a character who has an origin story of cross-dressing, running to the forest, and getting into sword fights, she seems well-suited to be more involved than she was in a sapphic Robin Hood novel.

<spoiler>In the distant past of this book, Robin and Marian amicably end their relationship so that Robin and Will Scarlet can get married, with Marian’s complete encouragement and support. With my aforementioned deeply personal preconceived ideas, I feel kind of weird about Robin and Marian being with anyone other than each other. But okay! That’s fine. Unfortunately, rather than allow Marian to stick around as a capable outlaw and a good friend, she dies without explanation and has little to no impact on the Merry Men or her granddaughter. Sigh.</spoiler>

In the end, none of that matters to the average reader. I mean, I learned this information in a grand total of four brief lines across the whole book, so it could be very easy for the average reader to skip right over this. It’s just that I have a shelf of Marian books and a Marian spreadsheet, so I care more than most about this.

Although I was cruelly deprived of seeing Marian as a grandma, Robin as a grandpa was the sweetest thing, and I have no complaints. My favorite thing about this book is undeniably grandpa Robin, who does have an impact on his granddaughter and is a kind and supportive figure in her young life, and someone that she clearly looks up to and respects. I loved that.

Some fun easter eggs I enjoyed:
- The book opens with Clem making a Robin Hood hat for a fox
- They use a horn (one time) as the predetermined signal for help, and it’s actually hilarious. “We have purchased a particularly horrible horn. You’ll know it when you hear it.”

I identify as a lesbian, and I’m writing this in my Robin Hood Corner™, so I am the target audience for this book in many ways. I enjoyed reading this! I read a good 60% of it in one sitting. It’s hard to say no to a bunch of queer characters adventuring through Sherwood Forest making Robin Hood puns and jokes. But even though I enjoyed reading this, it made me consider what I’m really looking for when I read lesbian and sapphic Robin Hood books.

Here’s what I landed on: I don’t need to feel personally represented by characters on-page in a Robin Hood story because my personal identity is already so wrapped up in Robin Hood. I’m already there, whether or not my specific sexual and romantic identity is included. So while I don’t think I’m looking for anything specific, it's delightful to know that sapphics and other queer folks get to read books like this where they can find a niche for themselves in the wide world of Robin Hood stories. The story of Robin Hood is for everyone.

Unfortunately, this book just didn't hit the mark for me. The pacing was incredibly slow even during high stake moments, the two main characters hardly interacted with each other for the first half of the book (odd considering its a romance), I found the side characters easy to confuse, and the plot overall wasn't compelling. The premise is very interesting, but the execution was weak. I think there is so much that could have been expanded upon to make it more enjoyable. While I'm sure others will love this book, this one just wasn't for me.

The plot and characters are enjoyable. If you are not a fan of slower books, pass on this one. The pacing was not for me but it's a good book!

I had really high expectations because I was so obsessed with Gwen and Art Are Not In Love, but this just didn't hit the mark for me. I found that it tended to drag quite a bit (despite the high stakes) & there wasn't enough banter between Clem and Mariel. However, I really enjoyed the character of Clem and her interactions with the rest of the crew.

I am always up for a good YA book & Not For the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher was a stellar YA read. This book was very entertaining, with sharp & witty writing. I would definitely re
Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press|Wednesday Books for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.

I really enjoyed "Gwen & Art Are Not in Love" by Lex Croucher, so I was quick to sign up for this book. I have to say, I think it at least met if not surpassed my expectations! Croucher's humor makes me laugh out loud, and their characters are delightful and real. They also have a fantastic handle on their tropes (enemies to lovers, grumpy meets sunshine, found family are all expertly portrayed). There are some anachronistic moments (a character references a gun, and while fascism was absolutely existent, it did not yet have that name) but honestly? The book is delightful enough that these are just a passing mention from me. Absolutely recommend for fans of queer semi-fantasy-semi-historical fiction.

For sensitive readers, this books contains depictions of intense violence, death, death of loved ones, fire, trauma, PTSD, surgical descriptions of wounds and treatments, and emotional abuse and neglect.

Lastly, and I have never done this before but this is a direct note to the author who will most likely never read this review: HOW ABSOLUTE DARE YOU?! HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO MY HEART?! YOU COULD HAVE TAKEN IT BACK AT. ANY. TIME. I LOVE YOUR BOOK BUT HOW COULD YOU DO THIS THING THAT YOU KNOW YOU HAVE DONE?!

DNF at 35%

I had such high hopes for this book and have been trying for three months now to get into it but I need to officially put it down. The writing wasn’t bad I just found the plot to move extremely slowly.

My #1 problem is that this is a romance book yet at over a third of the way through the book THERE HAS BEEN NO ROMANCE. The two love interests have barely even talked. I didn’t see the story going anywhere anytime soon either so I just need to be done.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

After a slow start, I wasn't captured right away and wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading. The first quarter of the book took me longer than the last 3/4 because it did eventually pick up! Once the pace picked up for me, this was a great, charming, exciting story with lovable characters and witty commentary on how a power vacuum plays into politics, especially grassroots organizing. Yes, this YA romance novel is fun and funny, but not just fluff! Really enjoyed overall once I got through the slower beginning. A must-read for anyone who grew up loving Robin Hood as I did, and who might love the phrase, <spoiler> "All we can do...fuck the fascists and introspect." </spoiler> Chef's kiss.

The war between the Sherrif of Nottingham and the Merry Men didn’t end when Robin Hood retired. Clem, a cheerful and talented healer from a small village, is reminded of this rather abruptly when Robin Hood’s granddaughter kidnaps her. Mariel is grumpy, fierce, and determined to prove herself, especially when her father is captured by the Sheriff’s men. On their way to rescue him with the help of Mariel’s small band of misfits, the two girls find themselves growing closer… and beginning to question the line between right and wrong.

Once again, Lex Croucher has created a wonderful historical* fiction, packed with queer characters, cute romance, and nonstop banter. The lighthearted found family vibe was once again the centerpiece of the book, and I adored it. Every interaction between these characters was hilarious and heartwarming and absolutely precious. The only flaw with the romance is that it was very “trope-y”, by which I mean that some parts of it felt like they were written just to insert specifc tropes. Like the “one bed” scene. It kind of seemed to follow a trend that I find concerning in the modern publishing industry, which is writing more for tropes than for story/characters. I’m making it sound much more dramatic than it actually was, though! It didn’t pull from the story too much at all. And the romance was VERY cute. As much I don’t like focusing on tropes, I go weak in the knees for a good grumpy/sunshine couple. Especially a sapphic one. Their personalities contrasted nicely and the banter between them was top notch. I also really appreciated the slower development of their relationship. Even if it was a little fast, it felt way more natural and less insta-love-y than a lot of books!

Also, the whole plot of this book was really interesting! It a wonderful collection of silly little adventures through the woods with plenty of heists and battles. But it was also a good critique of systems of oppression, and discussed how the systems designed to fight them can be flawed themselves, especially when they operate to further the interests of their own hierarchies. It all felt very relevant to the world right now.

Overall, this book was absolutely delightful. Sure, its a YA book with a “trope-y” romance, but it was cute and lighthearted and meaningful and all the little characters own my heart. I will definitely pick up Lex Croucher’s next books, and I loved this one.

*Besides one mention to France, it's not really clear that this story is supposed to take place in a real historical place. I honestly thought of it more as a fantasy book, without the magic.

Overall a fun story. Think Breakfast Club, but with a Robin Hood theme. The characters were fun and all the twists and turns landed their marks. My biggest pet peeve may be the pacing. The first third of the book felt like a slog to get through as characters and plot are being introduced. By the 2/3 mark the pace picks up significantly, and then the next thing you know you have finished the book.

If you are after a predictable, but fun, quick read this would fit the bill.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lex Croucher has quickly become an anticipated author for me. I adore how they infuse Regency classics with so much queerness and joy and vulnerability. Mariel Hartley-Hood, much like Gwen and Art, are saddled with a legendary lineage that theyre trying and failing to live up to. After Bisexual icon, Robin Hood, sails off into retirement bliss with Will Scarlett, the Merry Men have descended into a paramilitary force that has started far from being the cheerful champions of the downtrodden. And Robin's granddaughter is a cog in the machine who kidnaps a healer who refuses to remember she's been kidnapped and not recruited. Mariel's unit, so chock full of diverse queer characters, is easily the most lovable found family who you root for immediately. Mariel is grumpy, Clem is bantery; honestly, the vibes in this are immaculate for a Robin Hood type story. The sapphic romance is a little too close to Stockholm Syndrome for my comfort, but Clem has so much agency, spunk and easy camaraderie with the crew that it's easy for even the reader to forget she's been kidnapped. The romance also isn't super central to the story, which starts mostly as a situationship hookup with loads of shared trauma on the side. Which in itself is not a bad thing -- I'm all for romance lite YA. However, the other focus of the novel, about Mariel and her struggle with her legacy and her quest for parental approval and love, is not well addressed either. The thing that really tripped me up a lot is actually the anachronistic nature of the language and unaddressed social expectations in terms of gender and queer identity. This is not something that stood out to me before in Croucher's previous historical works, but it really distracted me in this throughout.
Overall a pretty fun and light read that should have had a bit more gravitas to it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ebook ARC.

All style, no substance. This is a fun read- just don't go in expecting a lot of plot. It wasn't bad by any means, just not deep!

I will always always always read anything Lex Croucher publishes. Whether YA or Adult, these are always fun, insightful, and adventurous! This Robin Hood one especially felt made just for me. I wish Croucher was published when I was younger but I'll take all I can get now!

Thank you to St. Martins Press and Net Galley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

An adorable, surprisingly heartfelt teen retelling of Robin Hood with a queer twist. A found family story at the core, about a sunshiny healer, Clemence, who gets abducted by a band of Merry Men and their grumpy leader (and granddaughter of Robin Hood), Mariel. The group goes through rescue missions, heartbreak, and many a wound patch-up around the legendary woods from the original Hood stories.
The characters were lovely and the romance was perfectly paced. My coworkers are big fans of Lex Croucher, and now I am too!

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5 stars rounded up. Not for the Faint of Heart is a fun adventure, told in the dual POVs of Mariel, the grumpy granddaughter of Robin Hood and Clem, the sunshine healer she kidnaps.

Once again the author shines with their characters, a charming found family you can’t help but love. I also really enjoyed the anxiety representation!

The pacing of the first half was a bit slow but picked up later. The ending did feel a bit rushed and I wanted much more of the romance.

Overall another great story from Lex Croucher, looking forward to more from them!

(Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for providing this EArc)

Not for the Faint of Heart is a fun queer YA romance that tells the story of Robin Hood's granddaughter, Mariel, and a town healer, Clemence, that she takes captive. They end up going on a quest with Mariel's crew to try and save Mariel's father, the leader of the Merry Men, which is no longer like the Merry Men of the old stories.

The characters are all fairly well fleshed out and likable, especially the two main girls, though I wish there was a little more backstory for some of the side characters. I found Clemence especially endearing and admirable and lighthearted than Mariel, who admittedly had a lot going on.

The "bad guys" are a little bit cartoonish to me, but it mostly works in a 'fairy tale' setting. The ending is a little abrupt, and I could've definitely done with a bit more of the romance, but overall, this is a fun, quick, and enjoyable read.

I feel emotionally compromised by this book.

It took me a bit to get into it but I feel so lucky to have been sent this book early. Lex Croucher has done it again with this medieval masterpiece inspired by Robin Hood and it tugged at all my heartstrings and left me quietly crying in the middle of the night. I'm a sucker for found family and this delivered in the best way possible - I would literally die for every single one of these characters, especially Clem because she's a woman in science and she speaks to my soul. And Mariel. God. That girl deserved so much better in life and my heart broke for her so much throughout it all.

I love this. I love this. I would've read 400 pages more but if this is all we get I'm so happy it exists.

Lex Croucher's "Not for the Faint of Heart" is a queer historical YA romance where Mariel, granddaughter of Robin Hood and captain of the Merry Men, accidentally kidnaps Clem, a spirited healer. As they navigate a dangerous mission to rescue Mariel's father, tensions rise amidst the Merry Men's uncertain reputation. With humor, heart, and unexpected romance, this thrilling adventure promises to redefine loyalty and love in the Greenwood Forest.
The first 60% of the book felt slow to me; I found myself wishing for more world building or deeper character development during this portion. However, the story began to pick up significantly afterward, which kept me engaged. Unfortunately, just as the plot started to become more compelling, I found the ending to be quite abrupt.
Given the young adult genre, I understand the balance required between romance and plot development. While I would have appreciated more romantic tension or banter between the two female main characters, I recognize the constraints of the genre. Overall, I have given the book 3 stars.