Gwen and Art Are Not In Love by Lex Croucher

Pages: 432 

Publisher: Bloomsbury YA 

Released: 11th of May 2023 

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.

Realizing they might make better allies than enemies, they 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 and Art Are Not in Love is chock full of sword-fighting, found family, and romantic shenanigans destined to make readers fall in love.

What I Have to Say 

This book was wonderful. It was so fun to read. I love Lex Croucher's tendency to put very modern, relatable characters into historical settings. And this one had a pinch of Arthurian legend to it as well! I liked this once much better than I liked Infamous mostly because the characters were just so lovable. 

There was so much humour in this book. It didn't take itself too seriously and it made it such a fun, enjoyable experience. Arthur was my favourite character, I think, simply because he was just so outrageous. His banter with Gwen and the fact that they absolutely hated each other at the start just added such texture to the story. I haven't found many books with such a tempestuous friendship and it was refreshing to see! 

Also this book was gay. Very gay. Most of the main characters were gay and it was a delight. 

4 stars 

My thanks go to Bloomsbury for providing me with this copy for review.