My takeaway of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher: I started out a little annoyed because it wasn’t quite what I expected or wanted, writing-caliber and Arthurian-wise. Then I took a deep breath and told myself to read the book on its own terms, which sometimes works. For this one, it did. I had a fun time reading it, ended up liking it.

Be forewarned: it is a miscommunication romance, at least for the first while. If that tends to bother you (it does me), then just expect it. Other things you might want to know: it’s unconventional since the two main “love interests” aren’t into each other (as the title explicitly tells you), making this a book more about their friendship and their other romantic high-jinks. Also, it’s sapphic. Also, it’s more like Renaissance times, not Medieval, since it’s hundreds of years later, but also an alternative history where Arthurian occult religion is still relevant and plenty of things are anachronistic and Tumblr-style modern. We’re really appealing to Gens Z and Alpha here. It’s light and fluffy except when it isn’t, then it’s dark and fluffy. These are teens and this is YA, which means their level of relationship is still largely physical and “figuring it out.” Deal with it. And finally, alcoholism in this book is more first-year-college binge-y, not real alcoholism, which may get under some people’s skin (like mine).

Another complaint brought forth by some book club friends: there is a strong element of both POV MCs blackmailing one another by threatening to out them. Yeah, I could see how that would bother some. I took it in stride since—gay or not—it’s such a common romance trope. And they’re kids. And they’re building a sexuality-affirming world from ground zero.

Some things book club members said in favor of this book (which most people liked): “It’s cute”; “It did what it set out to do and that was good”; “My inner teenage self was so into it”; and “It was so unashamedly British” (said by a British person).

I could have used more Arthur, more setting, but ultimately it’s a rom-com, not fantasy. For that genre, it mostly worked. And like I said, I enjoyed it and most readers at club liked it, too.

There is a sequel coming out really soon, in the POV of the two love interests, Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay. I plan on reading it, but I guess I’m not running out, going to any midnight readings or anything.

A month later…

At the book club meeting for Gwen & Art, someone mentioned getting a NetGalley copy of Bridget & Gabe. I have been avoiding NetGalley for a long time because I don’t like to read e-reader books. My soulmate is paper books. But now and again I would want an e-reader for an ARC I couldn’t get any other way or even for traveling lighter. I caved and bought one last month (since my really old one was apparently obsolete). Bridget & Gabe was the first book I requested.

It was mostly what I expected.

Basically, repeat most of what I said about the first book, with the YA stuff and anachronism and sapphic stuff and light and fluffy until it’s dark and fluffy. Though this one had more Arthur (sort of) and was built more like Arthurian stories, which are essentially strung-together tales. This book was set up as a journey that would take the MCs (all four of them) through various adventures at different Arthurian stops along the way. It had less of a through-line, much less of a plot, which was largely emotional; turns out Bridget and Gabe aren’t okay. More specifically, they’re both dealing with PTSD from the events of the first book. And also trying to build a more inclusive, pride-full society.

I was torn. While half of me was missing some real, juicy plot points, I was happy to see that it was built more like Arthurian stories. Just anachronistic until it’s basically silly. So, like a fun reimagining for queer peeps? And you’re going to have to let go of your snooty literary expectations once again, if you have them. And just enjoy.

There are some surprising bits of wisdom secreted away in this book. It’s not as funny as the first one, but still has some good humor. On the other hand, Croucher kinda sucked the magic out of the original legends, up to a point. We’re such an era of skeptics.

If you liked the first book, you may want to read this one, but I wouldn’t say you have to. I seriously doubt that I will read on if Croucher writes another in the series. How are Sidney and Agnes doing? Are they not ready? Like to start a family or something? Then again, you never can tell with me what I will and won’t read.