【 GWEN & ART ARE NOT IN LOVE 】

Genre: Historical Fiction
Audience: Young Adult
Author: Lex Croucher
Published: May 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 423 (paperback)

This was absolutely magnificent and has to be one of my favourite reads of the year so far. I wasn’t 100% sure what to expect going into this because I thought I’d heard some good and some meh things, but I can confirm that this is all the good things.

A retelling of the Camelot tale, but a self-aware retelling (none of the characters are actually Gwen or Arthur, etc., but supposed descendants/named after the legends) and that was one of the great things about it. It made it fun without having to take anything too seriously.

I think the queer angle of this story was the thing that made it, though. The banter between Gwen and Arthur is hilarious. As they try to navigate their animosity and also the appeal of actually working together to achieve their own means, it’s almost like a never-ending comedy as they manage to hate and love each other at the same time.

The variety of personalities that we get to meet also kept the story spinning at a nice pace throughout. From Arthur’s (insecure) jokester personality, to the gruff, macho one of Bridget – and everything in between – it all felt real, and nothing felt flat or underdeveloped. In fact, this had surprising depth to it and there were plenty of complexities to each and every character to explore.

This is a great read for anyone into Arthurian-inspired novels, or for those who just like a good enemies-to-lovers (except not in the traditional sense, but it’s that vibe), and who are still after a solid plot. The excitement of the era/setting mixed in with the character-driven plot gave a good balance; the story wasn’t sacrificed in the name of serving up only romance, put it that way.

All I know now, is that I need more Lex Croucher in my life.

You may also like …

Title: Gwen & Art Are Not in Love
Author: Lex Croucher
Add it on Goodreads

Heartstopper meets A Knight’s Tale in this queer medieval rom-com YA debut about love, friendship, and being brave enough to change the course of history.

It’s been hundreds of years since King Arthur’s reign. His descendant, Arthur, a future Lord and general gadabout, has been betrothed to Gwendoline, the quick-witted, short-tempered princess of England, since birth. The only thing they can agree on is that they despise each other.

They’re forced to spend the summer together at Camelot in the run-up to their nuptials, and within 24 hours, Gwen has discovered Arthur kissing a boy, and Arthur has gone digging for Gwen’s childhood diary and found confessions about her crush on the kingdom’s only lady knight, Bridget Leclair.

Realising they might make better allies than enemies, Gwen and Art make a reluctant pact to cover for each other, and as things heat up at the annual royal tournament, Gwen is swept off her feet by her knight, and Arthur takes an interest in Gwen’s royal brother. Lex Croucher’s Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is chock full of sword-fighting, found family, and romantic shenanigans destined to make readers fall in love.