A review by thewordsdevourer
Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love is an enjoyable book that is humorous and poignant in equal measure, giving a much needed and refreshing queer rep to the historical genre that typically deems queer people non-existent.

The characters and their dynamics are what make this book. They all struggle with living up to or reject others' expectations with being true to themselves, the stakes higher with their social positions. We see them wrestle both without and within, and ultimately grow and develop all while relying on one another. Gwen and Art comprise an enemies-to-friends combo that actually lives up to the trope; Gwen and Bridget are smoldering together; Art and Sidney the bro-est besties. 

The book is appropriately serious and poignant when it needs to be, but Croucher's use of humor is perhaps my favorite thing about the book. The narrative voice is memorably wry and the characters - especially Art - are effortlessly hilarious, be it with their words, actions or situations they find themselves in. However, while the climax is surprisingly but welcomingly action-packed and dramatic, I wish the ending was at least a little longer. Currently the aftermath of the violent coup is only mentioned offhandedly in the last chapter with only a couple of sentences, inadequate in showing the full aftermath of a significant event that has both high personal and political stakes for the main characters. Art's father, for example, has been shown to be an abusive and despicable man, and I wish we learned what comeuppance he got in the end. 

In sum, this is a rollicking book that is equally poignant and humorous, led by a cast of lovable and multidimensional characters, one whose ending I wish was less abrupt.
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