Lex Croucher, Gwen & Art are NOT in Love, Bloomsbury, May 2023, 432 pp., RRP $19.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781526651792
All Gwen wants is to be left alone. Unfortunately, as the princess of England, this is unlikely to happen. To make matters worse her gadabout fiancée Art is coming to Camelot for the summer to begin preparations for their wedding. Betrothed since birth, the only thing they seem to have in common is mutual hatred for each other and as such the summer promises to be a long and painful one.
However, when Gwen catches Art kissing a stable boy, and Art uncovers evidence of Gwen’s pining for the kingdom’s only female knight, Lady Bridget Leclair, they strike up an uneasy alliance. Perhaps pretending to fall for each other isn’t such a bad plan.
A delightfully witty yet genuine tale of reluctant royals, unexpected alliances, and finding the courage to live your truth. Amid jousts, royal feasts, political plots, and wedding planning the loveable cast of characters learn both about themselves, and how to be a good friend to others.
Bookish princes and sword lesbians, queer romance, found family, cults, castles, and coming of age – this novel has it all. I thoroughly enjoyed escaping to Camelot for a summer. Colourful and heartfelt I’d highly recommend this queer medieval YA romcom by Lex Croucher.
Reviewed by Libby Boas