Reviews

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

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kestrelfire's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

allycereadsbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

heddas_bookgems's review against another edition

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4.0

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a charming, feel-good read that balances humor and heart with finesse. It’s notable for its thoughtful handling of endometriosis and queer panic, crafting a story that’s both sweet and insightful. The romance unfolds at a slow burn, full of enemies-to-friends tension, but ultimately, Gwen and Art find themselves falling for other people. Both characters undergo significant growth, with multiple perspectives adding depth—Arthur’s viewpoint, in particular, stands out with its nuance.

The book’s banter is sharp and the jokes hit the mark, providing a light touch that complements its heavier themes. The found family trope is handled with warmth, creating a supportive and genuine atmosphere.

However, the romance, which starts strong, starts to fade into the background as a subplot takes center stage towards the end. It would have been nice if the romantic arc had been more evenly woven throughout the story. The subplot, while engaging, feels somewhat less significant compared to the rest of the narrative.

Overall, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a delightful queer retelling of the Arthurian legend, filled with humor, heart, and a strong sense of community. It’s a great choice for anyone who enjoys a slow-burn romance with a modern twist on a classic tale.

emilyjbrown's review against another edition

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4.0

A 4.5 ⭐ read for me. Really enjoyed the book

hmmlynnwrites's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This book is supposedly set in Medieval England, but there was no dramaturgical editing for contemporary slang/words or items (like grapefruit) that wouldn't be available during that time period, which really took me out of the time period.
This book did not need 400 pages to tell the romantic portion of the story and the tone completely changes in the final quarter of the book after a poor political intrigue set up. Additionally, the main problem of the book--that gay kings or queens cannot produce an heir--is not addressed. A happy ending does not resolve the social, hierarchical issues the author has to grapple with by choosing a monarchy to explore queerness through. I might have forgiven the rest of the issues with this book if there had been a more masterful wrap up of both political and romantic plots.