Bridget and Gabe Are Not Okay

The Camelot Disasters #2

by Lex Croucher

Return to Camelot in the much anticipated and funny follow-up to the instant New York Times bestselling and YA Book Prize winning Gwen and Art Are Not in Love.

They fell in love. They won a great battle. It should have been happily ever after. But now, Camelot’s famous couples have fallen apart.

Newly crowned King Gabriel is having panic attacks in cupboards in-between council meetings. He can't tell Arthur just how not okay he is – so he's set him free, to find love with someone who can get through the day without breaking down.

Bridget has lost her spark for sparring, forfeiting again and again in the lists. When she’s invited to join Gabriel's round table, she hopes it’ll be the change she needs. But trying to navigate the post-happily-ever-after reality of a relationship with Gwen, when Bridget no longer feels like the dashing knight Gwen fell in love with, feels impossible.

With the kingdom still reeling from an attempted uprising, and rumoured sightings of the holy grail, the questing beast and the green knight happening across the country, the gang depart on a PR tour destined for disaster. Can Gabriel be the king his country deserves? Can Bridget get her jousting groove back? And will they find their way back to the courtly love that once seemed fated?

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, LGBT, Queer, Historical Fiction, Lesbian

432 pages, ebook

First published August 6, 2026

About the author

Lex Croucher grew up in Surrey, reading a lot of books and making friends with strangers on the internet, and now lives in London with an elderly cat. With a background in social media for NGOs, Lex now writes historical-ish rom coms for adults (REPUTATION, INFAMOUS) and historical fantasy rom coms for teenagers. GWEN AND ART ARE NOT IN LOVE is their YA debut.

Reviews

[b ☆]

to know me is to know how much i adored gwen and art are not in love. just know that i am seated. i’m so seated that the bookstore employees are actually terrified and begging me to leave, but i am simply too seated.

[BookishKB]

⚔️🏰 Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay 🏰⚔️

I’ll admit this didn’t land the same for me as book one, but I still enjoyed it. The tone is noticeably more somber this time around and leans away from the whimsical humor that made the first book stand out. That shift isn’t a bad thing, but it did change the overall reading experience, and I think some readers will be surprised by it.

That said, there’s still a lot to appreciate here. The found family dynamic continues to be one of the strongest parts of the story. The group has to navigate their relationships with each other. There’s a big focus on communication and working through conflict. Naturally, there is alot of miscommunication at the beginning. They figured it out by the end.

True to the book's title, Bridget and Gabe are not ok, and the story doesn’t shy away from that. This book also takes a deeper look at grief, burnout, and healing. I thought the author handled those themes with care.

💔 What to Expect
• Queer relationships
• Grief and healing
• Found family
• Mental health rep
• Court politics
• Quest adventure
• Arthurian retelling
_ _ _ _

⭐ Final Score: 3.75 stars
📅 Pub Date: August 11, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[LilyElfgreen]

why did i think this was a retelling from Gabe's and Bridget's POV and not a sequel?? I would like the second POV better than "the couples have fallen apart" sequel

[megs_bookrack]

Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay is the 2nd-book in Lex Croucher's The Camelot Disasters series. This is a Queer Medieval YA Rom-Com series that is a reimagining full of Arthurian lore.

I'll be honest, I've never read any of the original source materials that make up the backbone of these characters and lore. I have only ever partaken in adaptations and retellings, but I have read and watched a lot of those.



For me what sets Croucher's versions apart is the humor and the beautifully-developed characters. This group of characters are just so lovable, but also relatable, and their interactions together are top shelf. I love them.

Whereas the 1st-book focused on Gwen and Arthur, and the peculiarities of their relationship, this 2nd-installment focuses on Gwen's crush, the lady knight, Bridget Leclair, as well as the newly-crowned King Gabriel (Gabe).

Bridget was actually my favorite character from the 1st-book, due to the descriptions and personality that reminded me so much of Brienne of Tarth.



In this book, we find Bridget has lost their spark, and Gabe too has been struggling since the battles of the first book, having lost his father and his arm.

Don't let this fool you though, there's still plenty of humor and heart-warming interactions to enjoy. I also really enjoy following along with characters as they work through personal struggles. I appreciate how Croucher allows the characters to communicate openly and honestly as well.



Arriving at the end, I realized I didn't want it to stop. The concluding bits had some fun little inclusions that I'd love to see expanded, particularly in regards to a wizened old man they came upon. I'm really hoping we get at least one more book in this series. I'm not sure what the actual plans are, but I'd happily pick up another installment.

I'd also highly recommend the audiobook if you have that available to you. The narration by Kishore Walker and Theodora Taylor somehow feels very time period appropriate. I'm not sure what it is, the accents, or just the delivery, but it truly transports you into the story.



Thank you so much to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me withcopies to read and review. This series introduced me to Lex Croucher and I'm super grateful for that!

I look forward to more.

[Mac]

lex croucher, the author that you are!

Oh, how nice it is to be reunited with my children. As much as I loved Gwen & Art, I did not expect a sequel. I was obviously excited when it was announced, but I was a bit worried I wouldn’t like it as much. Not only did I just adore the first one, but I would not consider myself much of a YA enjoyer these days. However, I feel quite silly now for ever having any doubt. I know I sound like a broken record by this point, but boy, do I just love how funny Croucher is. I remember the ending of GWART taking quite a dark turn, which made sense considering the circumstances, but after such a humorous romp, the stakes really came to a head and these characters endured some harrowing losses. That’s why it was so nice to see this addressed in Bridget & Gabe. I think enough weight is given to the struggles each of these characters, but especially Bridget and Gabe, go through following the events of the last book, while still allowing for the humor of the original book to shine through. These are kids!! They’ve been through a lot! They’re hurt and scared and might not know how to express all that! It’s refreshing to see a realistic look at how each character would fare; battling ptsd and anxiety and not having a true understanding of either, especially considering the historical setting. As is custom for any Croucher book, the characters are very much oops! all queer (which I obviously love), but I appreciated how it was portrayed as something that still had to be fought for. I know some queer historicals will either make queer normative worlds or make only two characters have to hide their secret from most, but it’s nice to see everyone stand together for each other, even if the wider world isn’t necessarily ready. The new characters were a welcome addition, even if I didn’t realize I had even MORE room in my heart for additional characters in this universe. I should know by now that the charm of a Croucher character is unmatched. Anyway, all that to say I loved it. Who’s surprised?

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alyssa]

Thank you to NetGalley for inviting me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I didn’t expect a sequel to this book, so I was excited to see I was invited to read it!

This unfortunately wasn’t as good as the first one. I wouldn’t say it’s not worth the read if you liked the first book, but I don’t know if you necessarily need to jump on it right away.

I respect the author for wanting to explore mental health representation as well as a from of PTSD, but I don’t think breaking up the characters to start the novel is the way to go.

I can’t stand when we wait a whole book for the couples to get together, only for the sequel to have them break up. I get that authors want to add conflict, but there are other ways to explore that. Have Gabriel and Bridget go through their struggles, but let Arthur and Gwen be a part of that journey and help them out!

The miscommunication was awful. I get it may be hard to talk about your feelings, but Gabriel and Bridget should know Arthur and Gwen well enough that they love them and wouldn’t judge them for how they are feeling. If they were open and honest with them, half of their pain would have never happened. I also can’t stand when a character assumes what is good for another person and makes a decision for them. Gabriel and Bridget really hurt Arthur and Gwen by pushing them away. If Arthur and Gwen decide it is too much for them to handle, then at least they had a choice! I get that it may be hurtful to tell someone your struggles and they decide it’s too much, but again Arthur and Gwen clearly loved the two of them, and that wouldn’t have happened.

I hate to say it, but there wasn’t really a point to this book. It felt like it was just like, oh the first book did well enough, let’s just write a second. I think the character’s struggles are important to talk about, but everything else that happened wasn’t really necessary. I personally feel like everything we got in the first book was enough for me! Sure I was a little curious how the aftermath would be and to see more of the couples, but it could have been a novella or something brief, not a whole entire book.

The best thing about this book that was consistent with the first book was the humor! The humor is 10/10. Practically every page I was actually laughing out loud. The banter is so funny, as well as the character’s inner thoughts. Any comedic bit was my favorite part about the book and thankfully there was a lot of it.

Arthur remained the best character. I do really love him and Gabriel. I loved Gabriel and my heart ached for him at how scared and overwhelmed he was feeling. I thought Bridget and Gwen were a little underdeveloped compared to the first book. They were in it a decent bit, but I thought they sort of took the back burner for Gabriel. Which in a way makes sense, since he is the king, but still.

I really liked all the characters we were introduced in this novel. I loved Neil, he was so endearing. Sir Bowen and Sir Leonard were also pretty funny! Sidney wasn’t in it too much, but when he was he stole the show. Florian was my favorite addition to the cast of characters! I loved him. He gave off such baby energy. Not that he was childish, but just so adorable and endearing!

I wasn’t as impressed with this one as the first book, but if you want to read another book with these characters in it, it is not a terrible read.

[Tabitha (Reading Tabby)]

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy of the audiobook.

The first book in The Camelot Disasters series, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love was fun. There was a lot of drama and all, but it was exciting at the same time, and I gave that 4 stars when I read it in 2023...

This one is a lot of the same but a lot less exciting. It's so much dialogue you guys. So many conversations that felt like they were just rehashing the same thing over and over again, with dumb miscommunications. Did stuff happen? I guess. Did characters grow? I hope so. It's kind of hard to tell because the story sort of sent me into a trance with the constant back and forth. The tone is a lot more somber as well, which added to the droning feeling. This story is all about the trauma from the first book and how those without trauma try to help those with, it's essentially about pain and healing.

This just felt way too long, way longer than it needed to be. If this had been a tight novella, I think the message would have come across stronger and punchier than this... the knights were a good addition though I wanted more Sidney.

Overall just fine. I suppose if you were really into this world the first time around then you'll probably like this book too, but the tonal shift may make it difficult to pick up even still. For those who thought the first book was just ok, I recommend skipping this one, which I just felt wasn't as strong as the first.

[enna˚.୨ৎ ݁⋆]

2.5 stars; I wish I liked this book as much as the first one. Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay was a sad book to read. When I first read Gwen & Art Are Not in Love, I wanted to see more of the characters, but not in this way.

Bridget and Gabe are both struggling severely with their mental health, and this has taken a toll on their relationships. I think their struggles were highlighted well, but sometimes it felt too repetitive. I felt bad for the characters, but also wanted them not to be treating everyone around them horribly. At times, I was even thinking it might be better for them to just be single.

I do like the romances. I think Bridget and Gwen, and Gabe and Aruther are good together, but I do lose interest in couples once they are together. Even with the relationships being in the states they were in, I still found the book to be kinda boring because I had already seen the couple get together.

I was happy with the ending, but the book felt like it dragged me to that point.

[Ditte]

DNF @ 47%

I loved Gwen and Art Are Not in Love and Bridget and Gabe Are Not Okay was one of my most anticipated books of this year so I was super excited to get sent both an eARC and ALC of this book.

Sadly, after reading half the book and giving both formats a go, I ended up dnfing for two main reasons.

While book 1 was mostly joyful and funny, this one had a completely different tone to it. It was sad and heavy and felt somewhat forced. Having both couples essentially break up off page between the two books was a bit of a bummer. I understand that you need tension for a sequel but it just felt kind of unnecessary.

The two main characters in this book, as self-evident by the title, are Gabe and Bridget. I understand both carry trauma from the events at the end of book 1 but Bridget went from a character I loved to one who constantly felt sad for herself and angsted. I get it but I just wish she'd been slightly more kickass and less pathetic. And Gabe... he was the weakest character in book 1 and he doesn't feel like a strong enough character to be a lead in this book. I found him boring and honestly like a bit of a wet blanket throughout. We got maybe a single scene of Arthur trying to wrangle a new pet and that one scene was far more interesting than any of Gabe's throughout the first half. Basically, neither Gabe and Bridget were interesting as main characters and I continued to find Gwen and Arthur much more enjoyable even if they had very few scenes.

I'm pretty bummed this one didn't work for me but I guess that's just sometimes how it goes with sequels.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio for the ARCs

[Dale]

Bridget And Gabe Are Not Okay And Me I Feel Also Not So Good

[Trio]

If you enjoyed Gwen & Art Are Not in Love: The Camelot Disasters: Book One then you've got to read Lex Croucher's follow up, the second book in the series Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay.

This book was more intense and emotional than the first book, but all the characters are back, and I can read Croucher's melodic writing style any time.

The audiobook version of Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay is nicely performed by by Kishore Walker and Theodora Taylor.

an audiobook copy of Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay was provided by Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners, via NetGalley, for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own

[Andrea]

I absolutely adored coming back to Camelot with the dummies, who spent a lot of time bickering (adorable!) and growing, changing the world for the better by leading by example, chosing to fight for their loves (happy tears!), and touring the country to convince people they are not the devil but nice people who just want to love who they love and be respected for who they are. While also investigating a bunch of rumors about various mystic sightings (The Lady of the Lake! The Grail!).

Absolutely loved this from start to finish.

*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

[Caroline Brown]

this was okay but it was a welcome distraction from american psycho

[shatterinseconds]

Didn't enjoy it as much as the first book but I loved getting more insight into Gabe and Bridget.

I also forgot how much I loved Arthur as a character and wanted so much more of him (though I know this wasn't his book lol).

[vic]

Gwen & Art was one of my favorite books of 2023, so naturally this sequel was one of my most anticipated books of this year. Amazingly, I loved it just as much as I hoped it would. It was a perfect follow-up. Rather than feeling like needless conflict to justify a sequel, it felt like the logical continuation of the ending of the first book.

That does mean this book was a lot less funny. The stakes are higher, and after everything that happened in the first book, they're not in a great place mentally. On top of that, Bridget and Gabriel are both just less inclined to humor in general than Gwen and Arthur. However, it didn't feel like a departure or an absence. It still very much felt like the same world and the same author, and the humor that was there still worked.

Maybe I'm biased because I love these characters so much I would read a five-book series of them just kind of hanging out, but I do think this sequel enhances the first book as well. It's a reminder that change is never easy, and there will always be closed-minded people who will hate you for it, but it is still necessary and worth fighting for. I was so proud of them by the end, and I will treasure my time with them always.

[lorenzodulac]

WE HAVE A COVER PEOPLE!!

[Leanne]

4.5 stars! Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, Macmillan Audio, and Macmillan Young Listeners for this advanced copy! You can pick up Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay on August 11, 2026.

Oh, my heart. After seeing how much these poor characters went through at the very end of Gwen and Art Are Not in Love, it shouldn't have come as a shock that they'd still be reeling from everything they endured. But Lex Croucher led us on a heartachingly beautiful journey through both Bridget and Gabe's POV as they navigated the aftermath of battle, loss, and the identity crisis so many young adults feel but can't articulate.

Gabe, unused to being King and unable to live up to his father's legacy, suffers from constant panic attacks and anxiety as he struggles to rule Camelot. Even with Gwen's help, he feels lost and unmoored, especially without Arthur beside him. Meanwhile, Bridget is on the tourney circuit, jousting and attempting to be the knight she always dreamed she'd be. But the things that once came easily to her now feel foreign and strange, and she can't shake this sensation that she's lost before she even begins. And when it comes to Gwen, Bridget is sure her long-distance relationship with the princess is more fairytale than reality.

I love how the concept of gathering the "knights of the round table" and chasing down different Arthurian legends brought our characters back together and forced them to open up to one another. Both couples' breakups and second chances felt organic, and I loved the growth we witnessed throughout the story as Bridget, Gabe, Gwen, and Art finally confronted the fears that held them back. We still get the hilarious banter and moments of comedy that make Lex's writing so distinctive, but this book felt much more balanced to me with tangible plot and character development.

And the narrators were absolutely phenomenal. Bridget's especially really felt like her inner voice, emphasizing the struggles she faced and how much she yearned to fix herself like she's a machine. It was easy to tell when we were in Bridget's head vs listening to other characters in dialogue.

All in all, I loved this one and how well it wrapped up the tale of these disasters of Camelot. If you're looking for a queer Arthurian retelling full of heart and laughter, this is def the duology for you!

[Sol✨]

Thank you so much to Lex Croucher, NetGalley, St.Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for access to this ARC. This is an open and honest review.

----
It's just a dog, Bridget thought, palms sweaty inside her gauntlets. Stop being weird about it. But what was a knight if not an obedient dog scenting blood, hungry for the death of their master's choosing?
----

Gabriel is the king of England. Bridget is an honored knight. Both have reached the goals that others thrust upon them, but neither are truly happy. After the battle that took Gabriel's father from him and dampened Bridget's courage, England's favorite couples are very, very not okay. While Gabriel's anxiety and panic attacks force a wedge between him and Arthur, and Bridget's need to prove her strength to herself warding away Gwen, worries of an unsettled kingdom force the four out on a quest to investigate a resurgence of Arthurian legends plaguing their lands. As the stakes soar ever higher, it becomes a question of what is truly the greater good: doing what is best for the country or carving out a home for yourself.

----

Croucher absolutely nailed this continuation of Gwen & Art Are Not In Love! While the first book was a fun romp through the woes of courting someone within the castle walls, Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay really ups the ante and thrusts the group into the chill of reality. While the story is still witty and the dialogue outright hysterical at time, this a story of the ripples of the trauma of war. The loss of the king affected the kingdom a great deal, and the characters are all struggling with the aftermath in their own way. This weaves a story of grief, anxiety, self-image, and regret that deeply resounds with those who have loved and lost.

Reading through the POVs of Gabe and Bridget was illuminating. Gabriel is possibly one of my favorite MMCs in YA. He's not cut out to be a king with his soft and studious personality, but he's fiercely loyal to his father and the kingdom he created. I sympathized with him so much in this book, my heart aching at times when everything he wanted was just out of his reach. His love for Arthur is so very pure and seated in a need to be something to somebody that I truly treasure. Bridget, too, offers a stunning portrayal of the lasting trauma of war and death and the ways it can muddle identity and confidence. Poor Bridget deserves a kiss on the forehead and a warm tea for everything suffered, brave and polished knight or not.

If you're a fan of Arthurian legends, this is the book for you! The Green Knight made me laugh out loud, and encountering the Lady in the Lake was equally as fun. I truly appreciate the way Croucher is able to weave humor with the Arthurian legacy and the heart of what it means to be queer despite adversity. These books have become such a home for me, and it was such a joy to be able to experience them. Five stars, no notes.

[Ireland]

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

Bridget and Gabe are not okay is the second book in the series and follows our other two main characters, Bridget and Gabe, as they navigate the aftermath of the epic and bloddy battle of Camelot. Gabe is now king and Bridget, one of the most famed nights in the country, and both have their worlds flipped upside down. It is clear that neither is handling their new lives well, and although Gwen and Art are more than willing to help, it will take a lot of self reflection and personal growth (and maybe an epic trip around the country) get back on their feet.

I honestly did not expect this to be a series, but I think the author made a good choice by focusing on the two other characters in the first story, and giving them a chance for some major character development. It's always intresting to see the afermath of the "getting together" part in relationships, especially fantasy, because sometimes authors forget the trauma and action of the book can actually have a negative impact on both the characters and their relationships. To me, this was a very character-driven book, as we really got to focus on Gabe and Bridget finding themselves and really establishing the two relationships. There was still action and adventure, however it felt a bit secondary, and while there were some interesting, and certainly funny, moments during their travels, I didn't feel as impactful as the first book.

In the first book, Bridget was a total badass, and I'm glad she got some much needed love in this book. Being able to really see her emotions and coming to terms with her identity really rounded out her character. Gabe also changed a lot, seeing him going from a bit shy and insecure to a king who is able to stand up for himself and the ones he loves and enact meaningful change in the kindgom. My maybe one critique about the characters is that because the first book focused on Gwen and Art, it felt a bit like Gabe and Bridget were catching up to them a bit in terms of maturity and development, however based on their archetypes, I can undestand why.

I would give this 3.75 rounded up because I did actually laugh out loud a couple times while reading this. Arthur quickly became one of my favourite characters because wholy cow did he kick himself into shape in this book.

[Lee Fr]

loved to be back with these guys soo much! idk if it's nostalgia or my immense love for the first book (back when i've read it ages ago and sadly haven't had the time to reread before this one ugh but it left a deep enough impression so all good ig) but even tho in the majority of this one there was absolutely nothing happening (in terms of action not romance antics)-there was just tiny bit of it almost at the very end (80ish percent or smth) it still filled me with so much joy to be able to return to this world with these characters and altho gabe had real potential to be the mc since book one imo i was not so sure about bridget at least initially since i didn't really remember much about her from the first book but as it progressed she proved to be deliciously complex and more than capable to stand as the mc too. and yeah i've probably would've liked more concentrated plot/action but it still delivered even without all the shenanigans of the first instead focusing on often quiet interpersonal relationships and its difficulties after trauma which is a feat in itself imo

[tory]

JESUS CHRIST MY HEARTTTTT 🥹😭 this was quite different than gwen & art but not in a bad way. a bit of a slower and heavy tone, not as much “action” per se but lots of inner monologue and intense emotional complexities. 5⭐️ for making me tear up constantly, making me feel validated and seen and for alllll the queer joy ⋆˙⟡

[milly]

this book was everything!!
I don't know why but this series has been such a warm hug for me. as a lot of people mentioned, the second book does have a different tone compared to the first one, but it is still amazing.

the character development, the relationships and the humor are everything for me here, and I've had so much fun reading this installment and going back to that world. I really really hope there is another book coming, because I am not ready to say goodbye to these characters yet.

[Erin McLaughlin]

Thank you to Edelweiss for the ARC!

I think this suffered from me not re reading the previous book before reading this, as I had a bit of a harder time getting back into the cadence of the writing and the characters. All in all I think it covered some really important ground and topics, and didn't shy away from certain things or say "and then love fixed it!" I also think the addition of the Arthurian legends was pretty fun.

[Irrivarti]

This book had a very different vibe from the first one, in my opinion. I guess that makes sense, considering the note the first book ended on.

Gabe and Brigit are not okay. They are both in pain, but they are so focused on being strong that they can't acknowledge their trauma or accept it enough to begin healing.

Honestly, I really appreciate how Lex Crouch portrays PTSD and panic attacks so realistically. I felt much more connected to the main characters' struggles than I did in the first book.


I think this book digs much deeper into emotions and trauma, and I really liked that. I enjoyed watching Gabe's whole world fall apart under the sudden responsibility of having to do everything right and live up to his idealised image of a leader. I also loved seeing him slowly accept that mistakes are inevitable and learn to be brave enough to carve out his own path.

I also loved Brigit's journey as she tried to rediscover herself after both her passion and her purpose were shattered by the never-ending nightmare of real war and death. Watching her learn to open up and realise that she could be loved without constantly proving herself through achievements was one of my favourite parts of the book.

Still, Art remains my favourite character. Even in this book, his habit of using jokes as a shield, together with his open heart and puppy-like approach to people (meaning he'll keep giving you chances even after you've hurt him), completely stole my heart. He's so me.

What didn't work for me was Gwen's sudden change. I understand that people react differently to trauma and responsibility, and perhaps her suddenly becoming mature, serious and supportive is a believable response. We even saw hints of it in the first book when she put on the armour. Still, the change felt too abrupt for me. Or maybe she's simply a character I don't connect with.

The other thing that gave me pause was the disability representation. I know it wasn't the main focus of the story, but losing an arm is life-changing. Both the physical and emotional recovery are significant, yet here it felt like it was mentioned so briefly that I sometimes forgot it had even happened.

Perhaps that was the author's intention—to make it simply one aspect of the character rather than something that defines him, while focusing more on his personality and emotional struggles. But I'm not entirely convinced that approach worked for me. From my own experience talking to people who acquired disabilities because of the war (I'm Ukrainian), many of them don't want to be defined by their disability or treated as helpless. At the same time, they also don't want people to pretend it isn't there. It's part of who they are, and learning to live in a changed body is also part of their story. That said, I can't speak for people with disabilities as a whole. If the book had sensitivity readers and they felt this representation worked, then I'll happily accept that my perspective is simply limited.

I also didn't enjoy the plot very much. It felt like it existed mainly to keep the characters together and give them opportunities to have emotional conversations. I wasn't particularly invested in the adventure itself, and I honestly think you could remove most of that storyline without changing the emotional core of the novel.

Maybe it's my own fault for expecting more plot from a romance, but I picked this up because it was advertised as an Arthurian-legend-inspired romance. In reality, I felt the Arthurian elements were mostly limited to the medieval setting, the names, and occasional references to the legend, albeit in a heavily reimagined form.

Overall, I'm struggling to rate this book.
Emotionally, it absolutely got me. I cried, I related to the characters' mental health struggles, and I think Lex Crouch did an amazing job portraying those complicated emotions. Plot-wise, however, I came away disappointed. I also felt that the romance itself was less prominent than in the first book.

So... I think this book will really depend on what you're looking for. My expectations were probably different from what this sequel was trying to deliver.


Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for honest review.

[Tilly]

I too would like to embark on a royal public relations tour/quest for Arthurian artifacts with my funniest friends and work out all of my emotional baggage, please! This was a lovely follow-up to my fave medieval YA romcom of last year, “Gwen & Art Are Not in Love,” a surprising sequel that maintains the effervescent humour and swoony queer romance while also putting in the work of unpacking the traumatic events of the previous book.

This story starts almost a year after the last one ends, and there have been lots of changes in Camelot; while I fell quickly back into the swing of things, there were a few confusing moments as the characters reminisced about times past in the middle of a present-day conversation. This technique did fill in some of the gaps, especially as the two central relationships were quite different than we left them, but made it a little hard to follow at times. However, I am so fond of these courtiers and lady knights, and it was a joy to be back in their world.

The overall narrative tone is more serious in this book, as the title characters are in fact very much not okay, but there was so much love and care shown to Bridget and Gabe and the rest of the gang while they deal with the after effects of war. It warmed my heart to see the way the relationships evolved, and there was plenty of hilarious modern dialogue and silly camping shenanigans to brighten up the darker moments. I love this little found family, and while it took them some time to get there, I was so glad to ultimately see everyone untangle their own complicated webs and find their ways to their own happy endings.

Thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC for honest review!

[Isa]

“The real difference between them, Bridget thought, was that the most these men were willing to do for their cause was to kill for it. A knight of the round table would die for theirs.”

- NICE!!!!!!! I loved that line, damn.


To be fair, I am a huge sucker for the whole knights, chivalry and romance theme. That always gets 3 stars out of me, in exchange for a good story of course. I always love books like these. I feel like this book would have been a cooler movie, if that makes sense, but nonetheless the themes were important, the characters typical and well-written. I enjoyed reading it and “seeing” the growth of the characters. Sometimes there were a little too many issues that could be solved with just communication and a little less Arthurian adventure or action than prefered, but again, I liked reading it and would do so again!

I am checking out other books by this author too, because I simply loved this duo of stories!! :)

[Charlotte]

3,75/5 ✨
Trop chouette lecture 🫂🥰 quel plaisir de retrouver les personnages du premier tome, cette petite found family que j’aime tant!
Si j’ai passé un bon moment, j’ai trouvé le rythme un peu lent, poussif, les intrigues des deux narrateurices n’avançant pas tellement, et ça m’a parfois un peu sorti de ma lecture. Je m’attendais aussi à retrouver l’humour du tome 1, mais il était moins présent - quoique l’idée du PR tour était délicieusement anachronique, c’était hilarant. Mais l’auteurice traite dans cette suite de sujets plus lourds, comme la dépression, le handicap et le PTSD et je pense qu’elle le fait très bien, avec beaucoup de justesse et d’intelligence. En somme, un poil moins bien que le premier, mais une jolie lecture anyway 🤗 à mettre dans les mains de toustes les adolescent•es !

[Monika K]

This queer King Arthur retelling is a very charming sequel told from the dual POVs of Bridget, a celebrated Knight, and Gabriel, who is now King. They are both gripped by PTSD from the battle at the end of Book 1, and Gabe has debilitating social anxiety. It’s about the pressures of being King, and the pressures of being a famous Knight, both required to perform for the public and they are reluctant. So relatable!

Gabriel has declared that you can love anyone you want and he loves Arthur. He hates being King and just wants to stay home and read (also relatable!) His “PR” person asks that they gather a round table of Knights and the entire group, including a few new faces, go on a PR quest and “love is love” campaign through the English countryside to Wales. It’s very cute.

It's a very slow burn with a lot of Romantic suffering for both main couples Bridge & Gwen and Arthur & Gabe. A tad too much angst and longing for my current mood, but it pays off nicely. If you liked Gwen & Art Are Not in Love you will like this sequel.

*Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for the ARC

[Emily]

When we left off in Gwen and Art Are Not in Love, Gwen and Bridget were canoodling, while Art and Gabe may have been caught kissing around the castle. In this book, we find one miscommunication trope after another, along with a series of tours and quests whose purpose I’m still a little murky on. Gwen and Art are both stuck in limbo, wondering and waiting for Bridget and Gabe to have some sort of conversation with them. As a result, the plot felt a bit meandering and directionless.

I had such high hopes for this book. After reading Gwen and Art Are Not in Love, I was on cloud nine after finding such a delightfully queer YA story. Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me. I loved the continuation of Gwen and Art’s friendship and the support system they’ve created in their pursuit of love. They saved the book for me and bumped it up in my rating.

This book suffers from sequel syndrome, with wonderful and beloved characters brought back due to popular demand… without anything meaningful for them to do. Maybe as a younger reader, this would have worked better for me, but as an adult reading YA fiction, it felt like three raccoons in a trench coat attempting to recreate the magic we found in the first book.

Thank you so much to Lex Croucher and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book as an e-ARC.

[aditi]

i love these characters sm these books have become a comfort read for me. i rr the first one before diving into this one and i finished both of them in 2 days couldn't put them down.

there was some unnecessary miscom but i can overlook that bc the resolution was great. i liked all the additional characters as well. i did miss gwen and art's pov in this one and i hope there's a third book with all 4 povs coming up next