As per usual, Lex Croucher has made me giggle and sigh my way through a book so happily I could gush about it for hours. One thing Croucher does well for me is the tension, the full believability these two people have a magnetic force between them and it feels natural. Clem is such a badass, I cannot have enough of her - and the same of Mariel! I was invested in every aspect of this story, and the conclusion was a satisfying wrap up of everything I loved about the story

Not for the Faint of Heart is a delightful YA gender bent Robin Hood story. The story starts with the Merry Men kidnapping Clem, who quickly starts to bond with the members of the crew who are close to her age. The group she hangs out with is lead by Mariel - Robin Hood's granddaughter. I think this book is perfect for a teen reader who wants a lighthearted book with found family vibes and some heist energy. There is also a lot of interesting conversations about how movements can change and lose sight of their original goals over time.

Readers who are bothered by modern language or slang in historical books may have trouble connecting with this one. For me, there wasn't quite enough focus on the actual romance in the first half of the book to hold my interest. Other readers may enjoy the slow burn and the time spent getting to know all of the characters and the world building. There are also a lot of fun skirmishes and action!

I had high hopes for this one, because LGBTQIA YA romance? Yes please! But where's the romance? There's no build-up, no tension and they kiss out of nowhere 60% into the book. And the beginning was slowwww, I had to trudge my way through. Not for me unfortunately!

This was a really fun read - it was so funny! I loved the Robin Hood setting (imagine the Merry Men have retired.) This is one of those books where it is not so much about the plot but more about the adventure.

Mariel is Robin Hood’s granddaughter (it’s a nepo baby situation) and is always grumpy and captain of the Merry Men. Clem is a healer who is always cherry and full of terrible jokes.

Ok yes, there is kind of an accidental kidnapping and our MCs find themselves in a bit of a situation. Yes there is a lot of humor in this book but make no mistake, they are in the middle of a war in Sherwood Forest. There is quite a bit of action and adventure and we have this great slow burn happening between Mariel and Clem.

They have such great chemistry in this story and I loved their banter. We also get to meet some great side characters! This was my first book by Lex Croucher and it won’t be the last!

✨What to Expect:
🦊YA Romantic Comedy
🏳️‍🌈Sapphic Romance
🗡️Historical Romance
🏹Robin Hood Setting
🛏️One Bed / One Horse
❤️‍🔥Enemies to Lovers
🐈‍⬛Black Cat/Golden Retriever
🌤️Grumpy/Sunshine
🐎Accidental Kidn@pping
💖Found Family
🌳Meet Cute…ish

Mariel has grown up as one of the Merry Men her whole life. The granddaughter of Robin Hood leaves her with huge shoes to fill and a legacy to uphold. She is captain to a small group of bandits, and their latest mission has them kidnapping a village healer, Clem, whose mentor is rumored to be helping someone on the side of their enemy, the Sheriff.

Then the entire company gets ambushed by the enemy, they takes losses, and the commander of the company, Mariel's father, and his 2 top officers get taken. There is a mole amongst them, and the other captains think it is one of Mariel's people. Determined to prove herself she goes against the wishes of the collective and decides to go rescue the taken. On her quest she learns how far the Merry Men have drifted from what they originally represented.

This book was so camp and fun. I loved reading what the author thinks became of the Merry Men after Robin Hood's time. The found family really hit, and I loved their dynamic so very much. The sapphic romance was cute but slightly underdeveloped.

Croucher follows up her excellent queer historical Arthurian YA romance, Gwen and Art Are Not In Love, with a similar take on the descendant of Robin Hood and a plucky, happy-go-lucky healer in a sapphic ice-queen romance. As with Gwen and Art, as much of the story is about characters learning not to bury their feelings as it is the romance. A fun ride.

This book was a vibe for me. I had a fun time with it. A sapphic YA fantasy set in the world of Robin Hood. We have Mariel, the granddaughter of Robin Hood, and her company, accidentally kidnapping Clem, our orphaned experimental healer.

I found the characters interesting and the modern banter fun at times, it's well paced. It is an easy, fun, quick read.

Similar to Gwen & Art, I found myself slightly more invested in the side relationships rather than the main relationship, but I felt this one definitely improved and gave us a bit more, which I enjoyed.

If you're looking for something not plot heavy and fun, then you might enjoy this one.

Thank you to the publisher @stmartinspress @wednesdaybooks and @netgalley for the eARC.

All opinions are my own.

happy release day for not for the faint of heart • lex croucher!!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

oh, I loved this!! this was my first lex croucher book, and I was quite literally giggling and kicking my feet in public over these characters. the introduction immediately sold me! this is overflowing with funny found family moments. the comedic timing and banter felt highly reminiscent of that in casey mcquiston books, which makes a great deal of sense given their recent interview together at lex’s author event!

we follow clem, a healer, who is kidnapped by mariel, the captain of the merry men and none other than the granddaughter of Robin Hood. their dynamic is so endearing, only emphasized by their intense stubbornness. their interactions are witty and fast-paced, and I devoured them.

this sapphic robin good reimagination is perfect for lovers of diverse & queer ensemble characters, historical fantasy adventures, fiercely loyal and loving found families, grumpy/sunshine character dynamics, and quick banter

4.5 stars out of 5 from me. I’ll round up for Goodreads sake. I enjoyed this book so much! I loved the fresh take on an old story, the characters the plot! All so good. Croucher has a keen sense of humor that is laced through the plot making for an enjoyable experience. I will definitely be picking up more of Lex Crouchers Books!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the arc of this book! I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be recommending to others!

I absolutely adored this campy, irreverent take on the tale of Robin Hood’s granddaughter. Robin Hood has retired and the Merry Men may have ever so slightly lost their way under new leadership. It’s in this political climate that young healer Clem finds herself caught in the crossfires, although she soon ingratiates herself with her captors, including the serious and uptight Mariel. Full of adventure, witty banter, and found family, this queer grumpy/sunshine YA romance was a total win for me. Bonus: trans and non-binary rep.

Pub Date: 11/26/24
Review Published: 11/26/24
eARC received from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"I don’t know how to have purpose if it isn’t given to you. If there isn’t someone…waiting for you to fulfil your potential."

"So you can’t do any of this for them. You have to know that you might be the only person who ever truly sees everything you do, how hard you work, what you believe in – and just do it anyway.’‘

For all the uproarious silliness, the nail biting swashbuckling fights, and odes to Robin Hood, there are sincere beautiful moments like the one above between our main characters, that make the endearing medieval Not For The Faint Of Heart, by creative eclectic YA RomCom author Lex Croucher, a story for all ages.

Mariel, the granddaughter of the renowned Robin Hood, Captain of the Merry Men, is on a mission to prove herself worthy of her legacy. She mistakenly kidnaps Clem in a misguided revenge plot and finds her grumpy self out of sorts next to the sunshine filled natural healer. As Clem befriends and heals the Merry Men, and becomes a part of their dangerous missions to rescue Mariel's father, Mariel is thrown by her attraction to her "hostage."

Voice actresses Kat Griffiths and Olivia Dowd are the equivalent of a full cast performance. From the goofy Merry Men, to the solemn Baxter to two young women finding their way through the vast Sherwood Forest toward each other, these narrators revel in their performances.

Reading and listening to this latest reimagining from a writer that always makes queer romance accessible for everyone, I understood that the love story, the betrayals, the clashes, the deaths are not always for the faint of heart but the joy, laughter and acceptance are for everyone.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

What an easy read! The next story from Lex Croucher is a feel good story with adventure, found family & a little love. It took me a little while to really get into the story (like 20%) but it picked right up with a few twists/turns along the way. Clem & Mariel are the classic golden retriever/black cat relationship with a slower burn romance but tons of banter. CUTE CUTE CUTE.
4/5
Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for honest feedback.

Mariel, Robin Hood’s granddaughter, learns that the Merry Men, whom she proudly serves as captain, may not be as honorable as she thinks in this queer historical YA romance from Lex Croucher.

It starts when she kidnaps a healer per her father’s orders. The healer, Clem, resiliently bumbles along with her kidnappers, eagerly helping to heal anyone who needs her assistance.

Clem’s cheerful presence and outsider’s perspective cause a shift in Mariel’s worldview, and as the two spend more time together, a tenderness grows between them.

Read it for
- The grump-sunshine pairing
- The queer representation
- The fiercely loyal found family
- That coming-of-age moment when a protagonist learns that parents are fallible humans, too
- The quips and sense of humor

I received an advance copy of the ebook from Wednesday Books. All review opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this one quite a bit. It was a bit Robin Hood lover growing up and it was awesome to get like a glimpse into the future with his granddaughter. I recommend this to all my Robin Hood lovers.

My thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books/St. Martins Publishing for the ARC of "Not for the Faint of Heart" in exchange for an honest review.
Had a great time with this one. Memorable cast of characters, loads of swashbuckling 'Robin Hood' action and topped off with an unlikely, funny and finally touching, sweet romance between our two lead girls.
But keep in mind, this is a teen Never Neverland version of the Sherwood Forest legends, with contemporary phrasing, sarcasm and quips liberally sprinkled into the dialogue. (Think of it as a new Netflix teen series, 'Robin's Grand-kid')
The grand-kid mentioned is Mariel Hood-Hartley, raised by her stern father to be a fierce warrior and captain of her own little band of Merry Men( and women). Unlike her Grandfather's role as a champion of the poor and downtrodden, Mariel's father just likes making perpetual war on the Sheriff of Nottingham, with the oppressed villagers only thought of as collateral damage.
Commander Hartley, seeking to track down a traitorous mole, has Mariel kidnap a potential suspect, an elderly woman who's the village 'healer'. But the group accidentally abducts the healer's more talented teen apprentice Clemence. She's a sunny, witty ray of sunshine who proceeds to confound and aggravate the driven, humorless Mariel. But 'Clem' as she's called, gradually captivates all around her with her unending warmth, empathy and genius healing skills........and even manages to romantically defrost Mariet.
But that nasty Sheriff is relentless, sending Mariel, her Merry band and Clem into bloody battles and breathless rescue missions. And here's where the book dials down a lot its snarky quipping and settles into a good old fashioned high stakes adventure, with clashing swordplay, zinging arrows and surprise revelations that stagger both Mariel and Clem.
Pure fun all the way.. If there's ever a movie or series announced, I'd be scouring the entertainment websites to see who'll play the leads.

Grumpy bandit captain Mariel and optimistic healer Clem plot to rescue Mariel’s father amid a brewing war. Their unlikely partnership blossoms as they fight for survival and question their loyalties.

This is fun and fast-paced adventure romance. Mariel and Clem are well-developed characters with complicated backstories. While they’re very different, they’re both strong and responsible, committed to helping those around them.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I think people will love this, I really do. I unfortunately could not get past the writing. I love some fun writing styles, but I think this was just a little too quirky of a writing style for me believe it or not.

Lex Croucher has a flair for retelling legends of old with clever twists and charming characters. They did it brilliantly with last years Gwen & Art Are Not in Love, and have scored another hit with Not for the Faint of Heart, a timeless tale with a host of irresistible twists.

This story is Robin Hood and his Merry Men, redux. Robin looms large but is not the star of the adventure. He is the inspiration. It’s his granddaughter Mariel who is trying to uphold the dignity and purpose of the Men, all while her father diminishes what they once stood for, and tears Mariel down at every opportunity in the process. Mariel is hardened and her life joyless in her efforts to gain some sort of positive recognition from her cold and callous father, while resenting her absentee mother. Little did Mariel know how much she was going to need, or come to depend on, the ray of sunshine she kidnaps and holds hostage.

The only word for Clem is lovable. That single word encompasses who she is: her personality, her caring and compassion, her dedication to her patients, her charm, her wit. As Mariel is bark and bite, Clem is the light that slowly and determinedly penetrates the walls Mariel fortifies with every harsh word she utters and every decision she makes. If you love the grumpy/sunshine trope, Mariel and Clem are that, with vigor. Watching Mariel pull and Clem push is, at first, the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object. Watching Mariel become helpless against the radiance and energy that is Clem is reinforced by the danger and grief that ensues.

Even amidst the battles and losses and heartbreak there is a bright and uplifting story told here of found family and affirmation and acceptance. The representation and support among Mariel’s group of Merry Men—who Clem so helpfully points out are not all men, nor are they all merry—is why LGBTQIA+ rep in YA novels matters. Not for the Faint of Heart represents splendidly.

At this point I feel like I know exactly what to expect with a Lex Croucher book, yet still, they continue to surprise me in the best ways. Croucher is a fantastic writer, their books are always clever and engaging and they always take very clever conceits and turn them into suspenseful and fun romantic books I can't seem to get enough of. With Not for the Faint of Heart, Croucher takes the story of Robin Hood and gives it a fun and very queer twist. This is basically a grumpy/sunshine romance between Robin Hood's grandaughter Mariel and the healer that she kidnaps, Clem. I adored both Mariel and Clem although Clem is a bit easier to like. What makes Mariel appealing is the found family of Merry Men that she commands. I admit to being especially fond of Morgan and very much want to learn more about them.

Equal parts entertaining and suspenseful, I really didn't know which way this book would go. There are very real, intense fighting scenes where the stakes are high. Croucher isn't afraid to hurt or kill the characters in their books so you are always on edge whenever there is an arrow or a sword out and that is most of the time. I really appreciated the twists and turns this book had while also just generally loving the banter and relationship between the characters. While extremely anachronistic, I just had the best time with this book and clearly I am along for the ride for whatever Croucher decides to do next.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I read this between the audio and e-arc and thoroughly enjoyed both. I will say I think that the cast of characters really thrives in the audio version but Croucher has managed to make a wonderfully enjoyable story