it's a very slow paced book that if u take your time to enjoy and appreciate, you'll be given an incredible story that will forever be in your heart. Without going into detail, I found the ending to be a little too neat, especially considering my previous point. I am glad everyone got their own version of a happy ending, in whatever possible way conceivable, but it just felt like something was missing to tie it all together. If you like Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher you might also like: our reviews of Scattered Showers by Rainbow Rowell, The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers by Jen Campbell, Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, Challenge Everything by Blue Sandford and Taylor Before and After by Jennie Englund.

If you enjoyed that movie from yester-year, The Knight's Tale, then I'm sure the writing would definitely be to your liking. Arthur was VERY annoying at the start - I really could not stand him or anything that he was spouting from his mouth - believe me, I TRIED. This is such a fun romcom, full of genuinely funny moments and dialogues, with both an f/f and m/m romance that I guarantee you will love. Their scenes together made me laugh out loud, made me tear up a little, and made me smile with so much joy. I wish I could have liked it more as a cute fun YA romcom with a modernish medieval twist, because I really feel like a dark cloud over the happy and promising reactions to it.I lived for the cultural references in this book, which I know isn't for everybody, but they really made me fall in love with this book. It's humor and the medieval setting with a modern twist reminded me a lot of the movie A Knight's Tale and the Adventures in Aguillon series by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey. Additionally, this site may receive a commission if you decide to purchase a magazine or an online course. Maybe I'm so accustomed to dual POV's alternating between the two love interests, I FELT SOMEWHAT deprived of getting a glimpse into his mind - what he was thinking, what he was truly feeling at those moments with Arthur. I loved every single part of it, it managed to keep me engaged and interested for the whole of its 416 pages, which is, frankly, quite rare for me.

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love is an engaging read that will appeal to fans of Rainbow Rowell and Alice Oseman who are looking to stretch their reading tastes into the realms of historical fiction. especially with this being a romcom, i think the heavier themes and topics were handled incredibly well and in a way that wasn't too "light", yet didn't weigh the book down either. Gwen and Art Are Not In Love somehow managed to exceed all my expectations and I’m still trying to figure how to cope with it being over. Heartstopper meets A Knight’s Tale in this queer medieval rom com about love, friendship, and being brave enough to change the course of history. For as long as the book was, the relationships really weren’t given enough space to develop, just with how the book was paced and plotted out.

I loved the enemies to reluctant allies to friends arc for Gwen and Arthur, and Gwen and Gabriel's sibling relationship too - it all really worked, and I thought the minor ensemble characters (Sidney and Agnes) were well integrated. With Gwen growing closer to Bridget, and Art becoming unaccountably fond of Gabriel, Gwen's infuriatingly serious, bookish brother, the path to true love is looking far from straight . I cheered Bridget on when she jumped into a fight to save someone, and I said aww, when Gabriel took care of a wounded baby crow.

The worldbuilding is likewise a mess - this book takes place in the real world, we know that because there are mentions of England and Norway and Catholics, but also England is split between Catholics and "cultists" (people who believe in/worship the legends of King Arthur) and also, see above re: the proliferation of anachronisms that are just there for the sake of a joke.His descendant, Arthur, a future Lord and general gadabout, has been betrothed to Gwendoline, the quick-witted, short-tempered princess of England, since birth. gwen's character was annoying at first, she was judgmental, crass, and often felt like everything was targeted regardless of it was or not. Overall, The ambiance of the book was incredible, and it definitely hit that A Knight’s Tale modern historical mark, but I wish it developed the romances fully. I really loved the ensemble cast of characters in this one - they were all very distinct personalities who all developed really well over the course of the book. I wasn't necessarily expecting such high stakes at the end but I really liked the climax of the book and was very invested in the outcome because of how much I cared about these characters - it also added a bit of potentially traumatic drama that wasn't related to the queerness of the characters.

Suffice it to say that I loved this book to a degree that's slightly ridiculous' - BECKY ALBERTALLI, bestselling author of SIMON VS. I'm a huge fan of making playlists for every feeling, season and reason; I always say that music is like reading for the soul. following gwen who has to deal with how people see her and how she actually is, arthur who was loved carefree throughout his entire life and wants people to live like that too, gabe that it's the total opposite, not wanting any complications even if it means hiding a huge part of yourself and bridget, someone that has to carry the weight of everyone's judgements for wanting to be something else.Not only is the setting and voice a delight, from a technical point of view, it’s perfectly executed. One that carves out a little pocket of time and space and makes it so beautifully real, tangible, and fun. This book is an absolutely delightful rom-com, full of humour as well as heartfelt moments that will bring tears to your eyes.