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The Camelot Disasters #2
Bridget and Gabe Are Not Okay
Not yet published
Expected 6 Aug 26Return 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?
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?
432 pages, ebook
Expected publication August 6, 2026
About the author
Lex Croucher
8 books3,105 followersLex 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.
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Want to Read
August 8, 2025to 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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⚔️🏰 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, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
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, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Want to Read
September 9, 2025why 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
March 16, 2026
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.
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.
February 11, 2026
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.
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.
not-yet-released
November 27, 2025SEQUEL???
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Want to Read
November 7, 2025WE HAVE A COVER PEOPLE!!
March 11, 2026
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.
----
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.
May 31, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
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.
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.
Want to Read
April 21, 2026i am SO EXTREMELY excited to be brought back into this world. thank you Lex Croucher i am literally shaking in anticipation. if i could sacrifice my first born child for an ARC i would
update: ARC ACQUIRED i can't wait to revisit this world, i hope it matches the level of whimsy of the first book, i missed these silly royals so much. review to come
update: ARC ACQUIRED i can't wait to revisit this world, i hope it matches the level of whimsy of the first book, i missed these silly royals so much. review to come
July 3, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
4.75⭐️
When I first read this Gwen and Art back in 2023, I couldn't rate it any higher than 4⭐️ (which increased to 4.5⭐️ during my reread last month) as I felt it desperately needed a sequel and did not work as a standalone. I'm glad to say that past me was 100% correct, as this was such a perfect sequel that brought so much to these characters, this world, and this story. Genuinely, this is one of the most well-done sequels I've ever read, and I'm so glad I got the chance to read it early.
Whilst book 1 was fairly lighthearted in tone until the final sections, book 2 takes a darker, more emotional tone that I really loved! My preference usually tends towards darker/more serious toned books anyway, so this was very welcome to me, but Lex Croucher did such an amazing job of exploring these heavier more emotional journeys whilst still maintaining the humour and goofiness of book 1 throughout. I thought this decision leant a great deal of depth to the characters, as Croucher went beneath these guises of humour and flippability and explored their emotional sides so beautifully. I praised Croucher's exploration of mental health and disability in my review of book 1, and this was again such a wonderful strength in book 2. Mental health, grief, trauma, and adjusting to life with a new disability was such a key element of this story, and one of the strongest elements of the book overall, that really well-suited the direction taken at the end of book 1, and the more emotional and serious tone of book 2.
Both Bridget and Gabe's journeys in this book were so moving and hard-hitting, and I found myself teary and deeply proud of these fictional characters multiple times. I'm disabled myself, and have often struggled with many of the things that these characters struggled with, and I found myself relating to them deeply and feeling so happy that this sort of representation exists for young queer and disabled people, in a story were such care and respect was given to these emotionally nuanced journeys. Bridget and Gabe understandably got the most space to develop as the two POV characters, and Gabe's journey with finding his confidence and the strength to live the life he wants was particularly powerful, and Bridget's journey with accepting herself and that she doesn't need to be perfect all the time, that she doesn't owe anyone anything, and that rest is not a failure but healthy, were both particularly hard-hitting and important journeys. I felt Arthur also got to have a deeply nuanced journey alongside Gabe, and would've liked to see a bit more time given to doing the same for Gwen, who felt a bit backgrounded to me compared to the other three protagonists. The characterisation across this book as a whole was truly excellent, with each member of the round table having such a distinct and vibrant, and always lovable, personality, that added so much depth and realness to the relationships and humour throughout this book.
I also really enjoyed seeing how the world-building and political landscape expanded in this book. The lack of focus on the political aspects of the book was a criticism I had of book 1, and I really appreciated how Croucher leaned into this in book 2, exploring how much 'marketing' and propaganda is involved in monarchy and politics, the divide between regular folk and the nobility, the impact of coups and violence, and the realities of trying to enact great change. Croucher's message with this book was clear, that there will always be resistance to change and diversity, always be bigots who try to fight back and protest, and yet we must always fight back harder, and never give up on fighting for the change we know is right. I think, for our current times, this was a particularly powerful message. The plot was also excellent fun, with questing and antics and interactions that involved meeting real people with real personalities and issues, and I think this style of narrative was perfect for telling this story. I do think things were a bit too crammed in at the end and wrapped up a bit too quickly, but the ending was still satisfying and heart-warming and so deeply hopeful in our dark times.
Reading this series has been such a highlight, such a wonderful combination of fun and humour and antics, whilst still respectful and impactful in exploring the darker realities of life, mental health, and trauma. The representation across both of these books has been wonderful and so vital, and made me, as a queer and disabled reader, feel so very happy. I really recommend this series and am so glad that Gwen, Art, Bridget, and Gabe finally got the sequel they deserved!
4.75⭐️
When I first read this Gwen and Art back in 2023, I couldn't rate it any higher than 4⭐️ (which increased to 4.5⭐️ during my reread last month) as I felt it desperately needed a sequel and did not work as a standalone. I'm glad to say that past me was 100% correct, as this was such a perfect sequel that brought so much to these characters, this world, and this story. Genuinely, this is one of the most well-done sequels I've ever read, and I'm so glad I got the chance to read it early.
Whilst book 1 was fairly lighthearted in tone until the final sections, book 2 takes a darker, more emotional tone that I really loved! My preference usually tends towards darker/more serious toned books anyway, so this was very welcome to me, but Lex Croucher did such an amazing job of exploring these heavier more emotional journeys whilst still maintaining the humour and goofiness of book 1 throughout. I thought this decision leant a great deal of depth to the characters, as Croucher went beneath these guises of humour and flippability and explored their emotional sides so beautifully. I praised Croucher's exploration of mental health and disability in my review of book 1, and this was again such a wonderful strength in book 2. Mental health, grief, trauma, and adjusting to life with a new disability was such a key element of this story, and one of the strongest elements of the book overall, that really well-suited the direction taken at the end of book 1, and the more emotional and serious tone of book 2.
Both Bridget and Gabe's journeys in this book were so moving and hard-hitting, and I found myself teary and deeply proud of these fictional characters multiple times. I'm disabled myself, and have often struggled with many of the things that these characters struggled with, and I found myself relating to them deeply and feeling so happy that this sort of representation exists for young queer and disabled people, in a story were such care and respect was given to these emotionally nuanced journeys. Bridget and Gabe understandably got the most space to develop as the two POV characters, and Gabe's journey with finding his confidence and the strength to live the life he wants was particularly powerful, and Bridget's journey with accepting herself and that she doesn't need to be perfect all the time, that she doesn't owe anyone anything, and that rest is not a failure but healthy, were both particularly hard-hitting and important journeys. I felt Arthur also got to have a deeply nuanced journey alongside Gabe, and would've liked to see a bit more time given to doing the same for Gwen, who felt a bit backgrounded to me compared to the other three protagonists. The characterisation across this book as a whole was truly excellent, with each member of the round table having such a distinct and vibrant, and always lovable, personality, that added so much depth and realness to the relationships and humour throughout this book.
I also really enjoyed seeing how the world-building and political landscape expanded in this book. The lack of focus on the political aspects of the book was a criticism I had of book 1, and I really appreciated how Croucher leaned into this in book 2, exploring how much 'marketing' and propaganda is involved in monarchy and politics, the divide between regular folk and the nobility, the impact of coups and violence, and the realities of trying to enact great change. Croucher's message with this book was clear, that there will always be resistance to change and diversity, always be bigots who try to fight back and protest, and yet we must always fight back harder, and never give up on fighting for the change we know is right. I think, for our current times, this was a particularly powerful message. The plot was also excellent fun, with questing and antics and interactions that involved meeting real people with real personalities and issues, and I think this style of narrative was perfect for telling this story. I do think things were a bit too crammed in at the end and wrapped up a bit too quickly, but the ending was still satisfying and heart-warming and so deeply hopeful in our dark times.
Reading this series has been such a highlight, such a wonderful combination of fun and humour and antics, whilst still respectful and impactful in exploring the darker realities of life, mental health, and trauma. The representation across both of these books has been wonderful and so vital, and made me, as a queer and disabled reader, feel so very happy. I really recommend this series and am so glad that Gwen, Art, Bridget, and Gabe finally got the sequel they deserved!
April 3, 2026
Thank you NetGallery for the eARC!! 4.5 ⭐️
Omg!! This book was so lovely. Most of the time sequels are very hit and miss, but this sequel was definitely better than the first.
Bridget and Gabe are both struggling heavily after the fall of the king. Bridget dealing with PTSD, while Gabe deals with intense anxiety. The angst is poignant and really allows the reader to understand the importance of speaking about these struggles.
With this, queerness is also a constant issue in this book—meaning the kingdom is still not entirely for the Lancelot laws. This reflection of society reacting to queerness hit a nerve for me (in a relatable way) reminding me of the struggles we still have with acceptance in our world today. But what really mattered to me was the way they never stopped fighting and let the haters rage on. A lot of books idealize a world without homophobia when that is not reality, but this world accepts that not everyone is ready to be loving, unfortunately, but that doesn’t mean you should stop being true to yourself. There was also an addition to more gender exploration in this novel, although subtly (cough, cough, Sir Bridget), which was also wonderful.
Below are two quotes toward the end of the story of Gabe and Bridget declaring/experiencing their truest loves, which I found very impactful:
“Gabriel kissed him, smiling, and Arthur's arms slid up around Gabriel's neck as he kissed him back. Arthur, the sky, the sea. In another life, perhaps he'd have been allowed peace like this all the time. He could close his eyes for a moment and pretend.
Imagine that they had all day, all week, to do nothing but walk and kiss and talk, and hold each other under the blankets at night, and remember how to be loved again.
Not in this life. But Arthur was here, and that was the part that mattered.”
“But knight or not, whether I'm a noble, a mercenary, a thiet, a damned monk... I swear myself in service to you. I will protect you, speak the truth to you always, honor you with my life and deeds. I will shield you with my body and keep you with my heart. My sword is yours. I don't know if you meant it when you said you loved me the other day-but I love you.”
I recommend picking up the first novel specifically for reading this one. An absolute recommendation from me.
Omg!! This book was so lovely. Most of the time sequels are very hit and miss, but this sequel was definitely better than the first.
Bridget and Gabe are both struggling heavily after the fall of the king. Bridget dealing with PTSD, while Gabe deals with intense anxiety. The angst is poignant and really allows the reader to understand the importance of speaking about these struggles.
With this, queerness is also a constant issue in this book—meaning the kingdom is still not entirely for the Lancelot laws. This reflection of society reacting to queerness hit a nerve for me (in a relatable way) reminding me of the struggles we still have with acceptance in our world today. But what really mattered to me was the way they never stopped fighting and let the haters rage on. A lot of books idealize a world without homophobia when that is not reality, but this world accepts that not everyone is ready to be loving, unfortunately, but that doesn’t mean you should stop being true to yourself. There was also an addition to more gender exploration in this novel, although subtly (cough, cough, Sir Bridget), which was also wonderful.
Below are two quotes toward the end of the story of Gabe and Bridget declaring/experiencing their truest loves, which I found very impactful:
“Gabriel kissed him, smiling, and Arthur's arms slid up around Gabriel's neck as he kissed him back. Arthur, the sky, the sea. In another life, perhaps he'd have been allowed peace like this all the time. He could close his eyes for a moment and pretend.
Imagine that they had all day, all week, to do nothing but walk and kiss and talk, and hold each other under the blankets at night, and remember how to be loved again.
Not in this life. But Arthur was here, and that was the part that mattered.”
“But knight or not, whether I'm a noble, a mercenary, a thiet, a damned monk... I swear myself in service to you. I will protect you, speak the truth to you always, honor you with my life and deeds. I will shield you with my body and keep you with my heart. My sword is yours. I don't know if you meant it when you said you loved me the other day-but I love you.”
I recommend picking up the first novel specifically for reading this one. An absolute recommendation from me.
May 19, 2026
ARC provided directly by the publisher and this is my honest review.
Like many people I think, I was both skeptical and excited about a sequel to “Gwen & Art Are Not In Love”. Did the book really need a sequel? Not really, as everything was wrapped up well. But I was also excited since I loved the world Croucher created and was just thrilled to get more.
In some ways, “Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay” feels a bit more mature. We deal with PTSD, grief, and all that good stuff. If I were to compare this to another book, it would be the second in the Cursed Crown Duology - “The Lure of Their Graves”.
I think my biggest complaint about this book is that we lose Gwen and Art as narrators. They were so much fun and while they are still main characters here, it’s a bit of a shame to not be in their heads. I did really like POVs from Gabe and Bridget though. So, the answer is just to have a third book from all four of their POVs.
I would not be surprised if Croucher returns to the Camelot Disasters again. Since we don’t see a conclusion to the heir subplot, I wonder if we’ll see this explored in the future!
“Bridget and Gabe Are Not Okay” also just had some really funny bits throughout. Gabe, especially, was sarcastic and cynical in the most endearing way.
4.5 stars!
Like many people I think, I was both skeptical and excited about a sequel to “Gwen & Art Are Not In Love”. Did the book really need a sequel? Not really, as everything was wrapped up well. But I was also excited since I loved the world Croucher created and was just thrilled to get more.
In some ways, “Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay” feels a bit more mature. We deal with PTSD, grief, and all that good stuff. If I were to compare this to another book, it would be the second in the Cursed Crown Duology - “The Lure of Their Graves”.
I think my biggest complaint about this book is that we lose Gwen and Art as narrators. They were so much fun and while they are still main characters here, it’s a bit of a shame to not be in their heads. I did really like POVs from Gabe and Bridget though. So, the answer is just to have a third book from all four of their POVs.
I would not be surprised if Croucher returns to the Camelot Disasters again. Since we don’t see a conclusion to the heir subplot, I wonder if we’ll see this explored in the future!
“Bridget and Gabe Are Not Okay” also just had some really funny bits throughout. Gabe, especially, was sarcastic and cynical in the most endearing way.
4.5 stars!
June 21, 2026
This was a really sweet depiction of grief at a young age and coming of age in a way different from one’s peers - at least in one’s own perspective. The subtle introduces of characters’ neurodivergence and sexuality were very tastefully done; those who get, get it, and those who don’t get to learn empathy! There were a few times Croucher threw in some modern gen Z slang that just way too deliberate and anachronistic and threw me off a little, but overall the language was very readable and mostly immersive. It was nice to see new points of view in this sequel, and the newly introduced characters added a lot to character and story growth without needing too much backwards explanation of who they are
April 8, 2026
I don’t think this book was necessary. We could’ve just had Gwen & Art Are Not in Love and been okay. This whole book is these two couples not being able to communicate and being angsty while on this random quest trying to improve the public opinion of Gabe after he said that gay people were cool. I think that it would’ve been better if it was fully just a romance. However, it is a quick read and entertaining! I just found myself not caring about any of the characters except for Arthur. How hard is it for people to communicate?????? I must remember they are teens. I must give them grace. But good lord.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!
April 9, 2026
This was pretty much in line with the tone of the first book, but I felt a discrepancy between the tone (lighthearted and funny) and the subject matter (depression and PTSD). I liked Gwen and Art Are Not In Love a lot, but didn’t feel like it needed a sequel, and Book 2 felt that way. Like, not completely necessary, and a bit long and dragging because of that.
I’d still recommended if you enjoyed the first book and want to spend more time with all the characters.
I’d still recommended if you enjoyed the first book and want to spend more time with all the characters.
April 20, 2026
i’m 3.5 stars and a good second book! i was just really struggling to read it and it felt very slow to me. i love how it ended though and it was really cute!!
Read
May 21, 2026Review to be posted closer to publication date.
June 26, 2026
4.5 stars - review coming soon!
June 29, 2026
3.5 🌟 For now** I love these characters dearly but I had to WORKKK to finish this 😭 Review coming soon
July 6, 2026
review to come
Read
August 10, 2025WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO GET AN ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publisher for the early copy. I did enjoy the first book a great deal, and this leans more towards a 4.5 than a 5 star, but generally it's still quite an enjoyable book and made me laugh and grin a great deal. Since I don't have the best luck with sequels, especially with f/f stories, this speaks greatly of my enjoyment.
I'm not a fan of break-up stories in general, and this one walked the line of comfort in a lot of ways, but overall the heart worked, and it was nice to see where the characters found themselves and each other. The humor was still great, and the banter was fun, and I liked the way Croucher navigated the different plots. I also think end spoiler . I again find it odd I'm still reading so many stories about grief, but I suppose that's a lot of what life is. I don't feel particularly wiser after it all, but I do appreciate seeing others manage the more complicated aspects of it themselves, to hopefully come out more healed in some fashion. I also really loved .
One odd but not bad aspect is the inclusion of what seems very obviously to be .
I also appreciated .
If I have one criticism, it's that I had an early review copy that still had a few too many typos. It was obvious this was going to be edited more before it moves down the publishing line, but truly, maybe have someone give it at least one more full look-through. The typos aren't everywhere, but there are a number of them.
Overall, it's a very enjoyable follow-up. If you're wary of sequels in queer books, maybe give it a chance, since it's quite good.
I'm not a fan of break-up stories in general, and this one walked the line of comfort in a lot of ways, but overall the heart worked, and it was nice to see where the characters found themselves and each other. The humor was still great, and the banter was fun, and I liked the way Croucher navigated the different plots. I also think end spoiler . I again find it odd I'm still reading so many stories about grief, but I suppose that's a lot of what life is. I don't feel particularly wiser after it all, but I do appreciate seeing others manage the more complicated aspects of it themselves, to hopefully come out more healed in some fashion. I also really loved .
One odd but not bad aspect is the inclusion of what seems very obviously to be .
I also appreciated .
If I have one criticism, it's that I had an early review copy that still had a few too many typos. It was obvious this was going to be edited more before it moves down the publishing line, but truly, maybe have someone give it at least one more full look-through. The typos aren't everywhere, but there are a number of them.
Overall, it's a very enjoyable follow-up. If you're wary of sequels in queer books, maybe give it a chance, since it's quite good.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was so scared going into this book that I wasn't even going to read it, if not for my bestie asking me to buddy read, since we'd both received arcs. I read an arc of book one before it came out, and loved the book, but as that was in 2023 and I haven't revisited the novel since, I was hesitant to move into this. Why read a whole other book that was just filled with pain and heart ache? Why not leave the fun characters I hazily remembered at their happily ever afters? But my bestie convinced me. So now we're here. And I am Emotional.
I began by rereading book one, since I remembered so little. I had quite a different experience upon reread. I think part of it was knowing that there would be a sequel allowed me to see the gaping holes that I hadn't noticed upon my first read. Yes, these characters were wonderful and captivating and I loved them. But there were so many wounds we did not see tended, so many cuts that could do nothing but scar. And yet the book ended. The story closed. And we were left to imagine hopeful pieces scooped up with dedicated hands and pieced back together into a perfectly square puzzle, a perfectly complete picture.
And upon finishing book one, I realized that I was desperate for book 2. I needed to see Bridget and Gabe's sides of the story. I needed to see how they carried on after so much suffering. And I needed to see Gwen and Art again, too. It was like reaching for old friends in the dark, unsure of what I would find, but clinging to the hope that there would be someone there, and that they would reach back.
This book is ... painful. But not as painful as I expected. It's filled with heart ache and failure to communicate and self isolation and self destructive tendencies. And normally this sort of thing stresses me to no end, causing me to often put the book down because I'm so thoroughly over stupid people doing stupid things. And while yes, these characters are operating and surprisingly minimal brain cells, I wasn't annoyed by it. Because they weren't doing the stupid things for stupid reasons. Their actions made sense. Their fears made sense. They were justified, because so much of them stemmed from things that were not resolved in book 1. I was buoyed along through the story with the hope and trust that there was another happy ending waiting at the end. And that gave me the strength I needed to carry on. (I say that as though this took me ages to get through. I read it in less than 14 hours, including a sleep break.)
I read primarily queer normative books, but books like this remind me of how important and empowering encountering homophobia in fiction can be, especially in a story so magical and fun like this one. It makes me feel hopeful, and powerful, and like anything is possible. I really liked the way it was handled, the reality and gravity of the politics of this world, and the hope on which they all stand and fight.
If you loved book one, you'll almost certainly love this one. And while it's a gut punch, it's not all gloom and doom and misery. Gwen and Art both have grown so much, and they keep this book from drowning in agony. Art especially is so sweet and good and wonderful and needs much many a hug. I was so proud watching them in this book. Their relationship to each other is one of my favorite things, too. They are so thoroughly /there/ for each other throughout everything, and act with the maturity brought by the hardships they've suffered.
This book is important. It's raw and emotional yet filled with the fantastic banter and shenanigans that made book one such a fun time. So if you're afraid for heart break, read on. Your heart will break, but it'll be a good kind of ache, and you'll be okay. Better than okay, even.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy!
I began by rereading book one, since I remembered so little. I had quite a different experience upon reread. I think part of it was knowing that there would be a sequel allowed me to see the gaping holes that I hadn't noticed upon my first read. Yes, these characters were wonderful and captivating and I loved them. But there were so many wounds we did not see tended, so many cuts that could do nothing but scar. And yet the book ended. The story closed. And we were left to imagine hopeful pieces scooped up with dedicated hands and pieced back together into a perfectly square puzzle, a perfectly complete picture.
And upon finishing book one, I realized that I was desperate for book 2. I needed to see Bridget and Gabe's sides of the story. I needed to see how they carried on after so much suffering. And I needed to see Gwen and Art again, too. It was like reaching for old friends in the dark, unsure of what I would find, but clinging to the hope that there would be someone there, and that they would reach back.
This book is ... painful. But not as painful as I expected. It's filled with heart ache and failure to communicate and self isolation and self destructive tendencies. And normally this sort of thing stresses me to no end, causing me to often put the book down because I'm so thoroughly over stupid people doing stupid things. And while yes, these characters are operating and surprisingly minimal brain cells, I wasn't annoyed by it. Because they weren't doing the stupid things for stupid reasons. Their actions made sense. Their fears made sense. They were justified, because so much of them stemmed from things that were not resolved in book 1. I was buoyed along through the story with the hope and trust that there was another happy ending waiting at the end. And that gave me the strength I needed to carry on. (I say that as though this took me ages to get through. I read it in less than 14 hours, including a sleep break.)
I read primarily queer normative books, but books like this remind me of how important and empowering encountering homophobia in fiction can be, especially in a story so magical and fun like this one. It makes me feel hopeful, and powerful, and like anything is possible. I really liked the way it was handled, the reality and gravity of the politics of this world, and the hope on which they all stand and fight.
If you loved book one, you'll almost certainly love this one. And while it's a gut punch, it's not all gloom and doom and misery. Gwen and Art both have grown so much, and they keep this book from drowning in agony. Art especially is so sweet and good and wonderful and needs much many a hug. I was so proud watching them in this book. Their relationship to each other is one of my favorite things, too. They are so thoroughly /there/ for each other throughout everything, and act with the maturity brought by the hardships they've suffered.
This book is important. It's raw and emotional yet filled with the fantastic banter and shenanigans that made book one such a fun time. So if you're afraid for heart break, read on. Your heart will break, but it'll be a good kind of ache, and you'll be okay. Better than okay, even.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It has been a long time since I stayed up after midnight to finish a book, but that is just what happened last night! I loved the previous book in the Camelot Disasters (ha!) series Gwen and Art are Not in Love in which Croucher visits Camelot a few hundred years after Arther Pendragon did his thing and made pretty much everybody a gay new adult. This followup looks at the aftermath of the violent events of the last third of G&A (mild spoiler) and I am here for it.
The first book focused on Gwen, the king's daughter, and Arther, a descendent of the original recipe Arthur who has been destined to wed Gwen since babyhood. The plot focuses on the funny feelings Gwen gets when she sees Bridget (Sir of Lady depending on who you ask) who is a kick-ass night in the tournament circuit. She knows she will never marry Art. He is annoying and an attention whore, although quite funny and charming. He is also looking with interest at Gabe, Gwen's brother and the heir to the throne. I'll leave you to read that delightful (until the last bit with the huge fight scene that was necessary but irritating) romp.
So everything is back to normal. Bridget and Gwen are growing organic vegetables and run a farm to table restaurant and Gabe and Art are fixing up a B&B on the seaside. Just kidding! Everyone is trying to deal with the aftermath of the rebellion and is miserable and, except for Arthur and to a degree, Gwen, think that the best course of action is to turn their backs on the one person who makes them happy.
Bridget has PTSD that is causing her to be hypervigilant to any danger. Gabe is having panic attacks and hates kinging, even as he begins reforms to education and "friends of Lancelot" legislation trying to normalize queer love. Gwen is just sad but is doing a great job of helping her brother rule.
Then Lady Odessa (or something like that), the king's PR person and Gwen's new role model, suggest a reboot of the round table where Gabe, Gwen, and a bunch of knights travel around England trying to explain his new normal to the populace - adventures, hilarity, and renewal ensue.
Croucher does a lovely job of updating the adventures of the original round table - the Green Knight, the Lady of the Lake, the freaking GRAIL - with our heroes revisiting them to different results, The secondary characters and the BEST! Sidney and his beloved Agnes are back, there are a couple of hot-daddy knights, a stick in the mud head of security knight and the son of one of the attempted usurpers who is writing their adventures and "comforting" Arthur, much to Gabe's dismay.
This is one of my favorite kinds of adventures, a scrappy band of misfits going on a quest, and the parallels to Arthurian legend are delightful. The dialogue is often laugh out loud funny despite the grief and mental illness, and everything turns out okay. I loved seeing these kids try to change the world for the better and sometimes succeeding. The parallels to the current divisiveness in the US are hard to miss, but they are portrayed as hopeful.
I would love to nominate this for the MTCBA, but I am really not sure if it would work as a standalone, I don't remember the details of the first book, but the main story arc did give me a shortcut to the characters motivations. I may give it a shot and see what the rest of the committee thinks. I think it may not qualify as it is being touted as a sequel, but I loved it so much and want everyone to read it, so we shall see...
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy!
The first book focused on Gwen, the king's daughter, and Arther, a descendent of the original recipe Arthur who has been destined to wed Gwen since babyhood. The plot focuses on the funny feelings Gwen gets when she sees Bridget (Sir of Lady depending on who you ask) who is a kick-ass night in the tournament circuit. She knows she will never marry Art. He is annoying and an attention whore, although quite funny and charming. He is also looking with interest at Gabe, Gwen's brother and the heir to the throne. I'll leave you to read that delightful (until the last bit with the huge fight scene that was necessary but irritating) romp.
So everything is back to normal. Bridget and Gwen are growing organic vegetables and run a farm to table restaurant and Gabe and Art are fixing up a B&B on the seaside. Just kidding! Everyone is trying to deal with the aftermath of the rebellion and is miserable and, except for Arthur and to a degree, Gwen, think that the best course of action is to turn their backs on the one person who makes them happy.
Bridget has PTSD that is causing her to be hypervigilant to any danger. Gabe is having panic attacks and hates kinging, even as he begins reforms to education and "friends of Lancelot" legislation trying to normalize queer love. Gwen is just sad but is doing a great job of helping her brother rule.
Then Lady Odessa (or something like that), the king's PR person and Gwen's new role model, suggest a reboot of the round table where Gabe, Gwen, and a bunch of knights travel around England trying to explain his new normal to the populace - adventures, hilarity, and renewal ensue.
Croucher does a lovely job of updating the adventures of the original round table - the Green Knight, the Lady of the Lake, the freaking GRAIL - with our heroes revisiting them to different results, The secondary characters and the BEST! Sidney and his beloved Agnes are back, there are a couple of hot-daddy knights, a stick in the mud head of security knight and the son of one of the attempted usurpers who is writing their adventures and "comforting" Arthur, much to Gabe's dismay.
This is one of my favorite kinds of adventures, a scrappy band of misfits going on a quest, and the parallels to Arthurian legend are delightful. The dialogue is often laugh out loud funny despite the grief and mental illness, and everything turns out okay. I loved seeing these kids try to change the world for the better and sometimes succeeding. The parallels to the current divisiveness in the US are hard to miss, but they are portrayed as hopeful.
I would love to nominate this for the MTCBA, but I am really not sure if it would work as a standalone, I don't remember the details of the first book, but the main story arc did give me a shortcut to the characters motivations. I may give it a shot and see what the rest of the committee thinks. I think it may not qualify as it is being touted as a sequel, but I loved it so much and want everyone to read it, so we shall see...
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Actual Rating: 4.25 Stars
Thank you to Saint Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! This comes out on August 11th.
(Note: this contains some spoilers for the first book in this series)
Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay is the sequel to one of my favorite books Gwen & Art Are Not in Love. This picks up after the events of that book, with Gabriel recently crowned king. Both Gabriel and Bridget are dealing with PTSD after the attempted uprising and deadly battle, manifesting in panic attacks for Gabe and an inability to compete in tournaments for Bridget.
Our favorite characters from Gwen & Art, and some new faces, depart on a PR tour to save Gabe’s image and find rumored Arthurian relics. 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?
Lex Croucher is one of my absolute favorite authors and this is yet another book by them that I loved. It’s much more serious than Gwen & Art, as is likely expected after the death of Gwen and Gabe’s dad and the lives Bridget had to take to survive. I could see readers picking this up thinking it’s going to be a fun romp and being blindsided by how serious it is. Don’t get me wrong - there are many funny moments and the novel is full of Croucher’s signature wit and humor, but Gabe and Bridget are really struggling. I think Croucher did a great job portraying this. One of my favorite scenes was when the two of them bonded over their PTSD.
There were many scenes where I wanted to shake Bridget and Gabe until they talked about their feelings. It was great to follow their two distinct journeys to greater emotional intelligence. Gabe apologizing to Art and telling him he’s still in love with him was especially satisfying. I loved seeing their romance bloom anew. I’m a sucker for opposites attract and they fit it a T.
I will say that I missed Gwen and Art’s POVs, but at the same time it was nice to get a look into Gabe and Bridget’s heads.
I liked the gender exploration with Bridget - she chooses to be called sir, likes having her head shaved, and not being read as a girl.
I also loved our new characters and getting to spend more time with Adah who is a much more minor character in book one.
Overall, I enjoyed my time back with my favorite disaster gays and would absolutely be open to further books in this world if Croucher chooses to write more.
Thank you to Saint Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! This comes out on August 11th.
(Note: this contains some spoilers for the first book in this series)
Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay is the sequel to one of my favorite books Gwen & Art Are Not in Love. This picks up after the events of that book, with Gabriel recently crowned king. Both Gabriel and Bridget are dealing with PTSD after the attempted uprising and deadly battle, manifesting in panic attacks for Gabe and an inability to compete in tournaments for Bridget.
Our favorite characters from Gwen & Art, and some new faces, depart on a PR tour to save Gabe’s image and find rumored Arthurian relics. 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?
Lex Croucher is one of my absolute favorite authors and this is yet another book by them that I loved. It’s much more serious than Gwen & Art, as is likely expected after the death of Gwen and Gabe’s dad and the lives Bridget had to take to survive. I could see readers picking this up thinking it’s going to be a fun romp and being blindsided by how serious it is. Don’t get me wrong - there are many funny moments and the novel is full of Croucher’s signature wit and humor, but Gabe and Bridget are really struggling. I think Croucher did a great job portraying this. One of my favorite scenes was when the two of them bonded over their PTSD.
There were many scenes where I wanted to shake Bridget and Gabe until they talked about their feelings. It was great to follow their two distinct journeys to greater emotional intelligence. Gabe apologizing to Art and telling him he’s still in love with him was especially satisfying. I loved seeing their romance bloom anew. I’m a sucker for opposites attract and they fit it a T.
I will say that I missed Gwen and Art’s POVs, but at the same time it was nice to get a look into Gabe and Bridget’s heads.
I liked the gender exploration with Bridget - she chooses to be called sir, likes having her head shaved, and not being read as a girl.
I also loved our new characters and getting to spend more time with Adah who is a much more minor character in book one.
Overall, I enjoyed my time back with my favorite disaster gays and would absolutely be open to further books in this world if Croucher chooses to write more.
June 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book and getting to return to this world and these characters was such a fun experience. One of my favorite things about this book was getting to see how everyone handled the aftermath of the events from the first book the grief, betrayal and emotional scars that were left behind. I appreciated seeing the different ways each character navigated those struggles and how it affected their relationships.
I just love Lex Croucher’s writing. The world they created is fun, charming and full of personality and the characters are always so entertaining to follow. A standout for me was Gwen and Bridget’s relationship. I loved the dynamic of their relationship and they were easily one of my favorite parts of the book. I also really enjoyed seeing how Gwen and Arthur’s friendship had grown. Maybe I’m a little Gwen biased but I absolutely adore her character. She’s bold, strong and brings so much energy and momentum to the story.
I ended up rating this book 3.5 stars, mainly because of the pacing. At around 350 pages (ebook) it felt a little slow for my personal taste. While I expected Bridget and Gabe to be struggling I wasn’t expecting it to take quite so long before we started seeing meaningful progress. It wasn’t until around the 250 page mark that things began improving for Gabe and Arthur while Bridget and Gwen were making a bit mire progress but still not very much.
I think I would have connected more with that journey if we’d seen smaller moments of growth earlier on that gradually built toward their healing. Instead it sometimes felt like there was very little progress for a long stretch followed by a rapid shift once things finally started moving forward. The beginning also felt somewhat repetitive at times, as the characters remained stuck in the same emotional space for so long.
My other minor criticism was the quest itself. I was hoping to spend more time with the Round Table characters but many of the side characters felt underdeveloped compared to the main cast. I also felt that some of the individual adventures and discoveries were rushed through when they could have been explored in greater depth.
Even with those issues I still had a great time with this book. I love these characters, I love this world and I was happy to go on another adventure with them. Watching them find their way back to happiness made the journey worth it and I’m excited to see what Lex Croucher writes next.
I really enjoyed this book and getting to return to this world and these characters was such a fun experience. One of my favorite things about this book was getting to see how everyone handled the aftermath of the events from the first book the grief, betrayal and emotional scars that were left behind. I appreciated seeing the different ways each character navigated those struggles and how it affected their relationships.
I just love Lex Croucher’s writing. The world they created is fun, charming and full of personality and the characters are always so entertaining to follow. A standout for me was Gwen and Bridget’s relationship. I loved the dynamic of their relationship and they were easily one of my favorite parts of the book. I also really enjoyed seeing how Gwen and Arthur’s friendship had grown. Maybe I’m a little Gwen biased but I absolutely adore her character. She’s bold, strong and brings so much energy and momentum to the story.
I ended up rating this book 3.5 stars, mainly because of the pacing. At around 350 pages (ebook) it felt a little slow for my personal taste. While I expected Bridget and Gabe to be struggling I wasn’t expecting it to take quite so long before we started seeing meaningful progress. It wasn’t until around the 250 page mark that things began improving for Gabe and Arthur while Bridget and Gwen were making a bit mire progress but still not very much.
I think I would have connected more with that journey if we’d seen smaller moments of growth earlier on that gradually built toward their healing. Instead it sometimes felt like there was very little progress for a long stretch followed by a rapid shift once things finally started moving forward. The beginning also felt somewhat repetitive at times, as the characters remained stuck in the same emotional space for so long.
My other minor criticism was the quest itself. I was hoping to spend more time with the Round Table characters but many of the side characters felt underdeveloped compared to the main cast. I also felt that some of the individual adventures and discoveries were rushed through when they could have been explored in greater depth.
Even with those issues I still had a great time with this book. I love these characters, I love this world and I was happy to go on another adventure with them. Watching them find their way back to happiness made the journey worth it and I’m excited to see what Lex Croucher writes next.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC of Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay by Lex Croucher.
Returning to Camelot felt a little like coming home. I absolutely loved spending time with these characters again, and while this book isn't quite the carefree chaos of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love, it does something a lot more emotional: it asks what happens after the happily-ever-after.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
True to the title, Bridget and Gabe are... not okay. And honestly? I appreciated that. After everything they survived in the first book, it would've felt strange if everyone just moved on without scars. This story digs into anxiety, grief, burnout, self-doubt, and the pressure of trying to be the person everyone expects you to be.
Gabriel's storyline hit especially hard. Watching him struggle under the weight of being king while feeling completely overwhelmed made my heart hurt for him. Bridget's loss of confidence was also surprisingly relatable, even in a medieval fantasy setting.
That said... the miscommunication drove me a little nuts. I know it's kind of the point, but there were so many moments where I just wanted everyone to sit down and have one honest conversation.
Thankfully, Lex Croucher is still ridiculously funny. Even with the heavier themes, I found myself laughing constantly. The banter remains elite.
What I Loved
• The realistic exploration of anxiety, grief, and healing
• Getting to spend more time with characters I already loved
• The found family dynamic
• The humor and banter, still absolutely hilarious
• The queer representation and relationships
• The new characters, who fit surprisingly well into the group
What Didn’t Work for Me
• The miscommunication got frustrating at times
• I wasn't fully sold on breaking up the couples to create conflict
• The plot felt less focused than the first book
• Bridget's storyline occasionally felt overshadowed by Gabe's
Overall, while I don't think this quite reaches the heights of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love, it's still a heartfelt, funny, and thoughtful return to Camelot. It's less about falling in love and more about learning how to stay in love when life gets messy, which honestly might be the harder story to tell. 💜⚔️🏰
Returning to Camelot felt a little like coming home. I absolutely loved spending time with these characters again, and while this book isn't quite the carefree chaos of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love, it does something a lot more emotional: it asks what happens after the happily-ever-after.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
True to the title, Bridget and Gabe are... not okay. And honestly? I appreciated that. After everything they survived in the first book, it would've felt strange if everyone just moved on without scars. This story digs into anxiety, grief, burnout, self-doubt, and the pressure of trying to be the person everyone expects you to be.
Gabriel's storyline hit especially hard. Watching him struggle under the weight of being king while feeling completely overwhelmed made my heart hurt for him. Bridget's loss of confidence was also surprisingly relatable, even in a medieval fantasy setting.
That said... the miscommunication drove me a little nuts. I know it's kind of the point, but there were so many moments where I just wanted everyone to sit down and have one honest conversation.
Thankfully, Lex Croucher is still ridiculously funny. Even with the heavier themes, I found myself laughing constantly. The banter remains elite.
What I Loved
• The realistic exploration of anxiety, grief, and healing
• Getting to spend more time with characters I already loved
• The found family dynamic
• The humor and banter, still absolutely hilarious
• The queer representation and relationships
• The new characters, who fit surprisingly well into the group
What Didn’t Work for Me
• The miscommunication got frustrating at times
• I wasn't fully sold on breaking up the couples to create conflict
• The plot felt less focused than the first book
• Bridget's storyline occasionally felt overshadowed by Gabe's
Overall, while I don't think this quite reaches the heights of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love, it's still a heartfelt, funny, and thoughtful return to Camelot. It's less about falling in love and more about learning how to stay in love when life gets messy, which honestly might be the harder story to tell. 💜⚔️🏰
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