lexibutwithbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
3.5
elligo's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
cute but stupid, the plot wrapped up kinda quickly i thought
efsimpkin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.25
I haven’t yet checked other reviews but my main flaw with this book was that it felt like it wanted to be two different books. On one hand you’ve got two lovely romances (I so wished we had seen more of Art and Gabe, I feel like Bridget and Gwen got a lot more screen time) that aren’t given enough room to breathe. On the other hand you’ve got a fantasy-typical political intrigue that also doesn’t really make much sense until it suddenly does, catastrophically changing the tone of what had been a cute and hilarious book to something with teeth.
I loved the glance of the epilogue we had and wish that would become a sequel, just to see how all the characters continue after the events of the book, but idk I feel like the marketing and cute cover and blurb completely missold me on this
I loved the glance of the epilogue we had and wish that would become a sequel, just to see how all the characters continue after the events of the book, but idk I feel like the marketing and cute cover and blurb completely missold me on this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Violence, and War
Moderate: Blood and Alcoholism
chelbawamba's review against another edition
4.0
This book is DELIGHTFUL. I was taken out of the setting a couple of times by language choices, but overall I loved it.
emilieef's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
lycheeteareads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
dancingimp's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
teensyfry's review against another edition
3.5
This was a fun book! Gwen and Art are betrothed but haven't really seen each other since they were little. There is some fun chemistry among the main characters, including Gwen's brother Gabriel and a knight, Bridget Leclair.
This was a fairly lighthearted read, and it was enjoyable to step back in time to read this one. Thanks to Netgalley for the book!
This was a fairly lighthearted read, and it was enjoyable to step back in time to read this one. Thanks to Netgalley for the book!
dianapiskor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
GWEN & ART ARE NOT IN LOVE is a really interesting book for a variety of reasons. I think what I was expecting was not what I got, but in a great way. With concepts of found family, finding your identity, and being faithful and true to yourself, you have a great story that, while there is action with sword fighting, also focuses on how a person can live authentically, even if they are not within the "norms" (because, really, what does normal truly mean anyway?) of what society values.
Part of what makes this book so special, as I've stated, is that this book considers the idea of living as your true self. We meet Gwen, who has been engaged to Arthur since childhood, as a princess in Medieval England where the legend of King Arthur has become just that: a myth . They despise each other. Yet they find common ground in the fact that they are both gay in a time where that is frowned upon or that needs to be hidden. While this seems heavy, and it is in some places, it is more about becoming who you were always meant to be, to be accepting of what makes you unique, and to go for what you truly want to live as you see fit, not as society tells you. Mix that in with some really fun banter and you've got yourself a novel that was an enjoyable read. And the interactions with side characters like Sidney and Arthur? They were just incredibly well written and so much fun.
While I loved those aspects of the story, it does get a little repetitive between Gwen and Arthur and their hatred of one another. And because this is more an introspective, character growth novel, I would say the plot moves a bit slow at times and then rushes towards the end. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but I think the length could be reduced a bit to have that be more balanced.
However, I think that this story is definitely worth reading, especially if you love the idea of living authentically, love some Medieval LGBTQIA+ love (with a lady knight and a prince!), and character driven novels.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Part of what makes this book so special, as I've stated, is that this book considers the idea of living as your true self. We meet Gwen, who has been engaged to Arthur since childhood, as a princess in Medieval England where the legend of King Arthur has become just that: a myth . They despise each other. Yet they find common ground in the fact that they are both gay in a time where that is frowned upon or that needs to be hidden. While this seems heavy, and it is in some places, it is more about becoming who you were always meant to be, to be accepting of what makes you unique, and to go for what you truly want to live as you see fit, not as society tells you. Mix that in with some really fun banter and you've got yourself a novel that was an enjoyable read. And the interactions with side characters like Sidney and Arthur? They were just incredibly well written and so much fun.
While I loved those aspects of the story, it does get a little repetitive between Gwen and Arthur and their hatred of one another. And because this is more an introspective, character growth novel, I would say the plot moves a bit slow at times and then rushes towards the end. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but I think the length could be reduced a bit to have that be more balanced.
However, I think that this story is definitely worth reading, especially if you love the idea of living authentically, love some Medieval LGBTQIA+ love (with a lady knight and a prince!), and character driven novels.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
romanovaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
i decided to read this book as a nice and easy way out of reading stagnation but i didn't expect it to be actually that brilliant and captivating. absolutely one of the favorites of 2023, i’m so so glad i stumbled upon this book by a pure accident.