Not for the Faint of Heart

Rip-roaringly romantic, fast-paced and funny - discover the brand new Sapphic historical fantasy adventure from the author of Cafe Nero Award shortlisted, YA Book Prize nominated and Books Are My Bag Reader's Award winner, Gwen and Art Are Not in Love

'You aren't merry,' said Clem to her captor. 'And you aren't all men. So there's been some marketing confusion somewhere along the line.'

Mariel, a newly blooded captain of the Merry Men, is desperate to live up to the legacy of her grandfather, the legendary Robin Hood. Clem, a backwoods assistant healer known for her new-fangled cures, just wants to help people.

When Mariel's ramshackle band kidnap Clem as retribution for her guardian helping the Sheriff of Nottingham, all seems to be going (sort of) to plan . until Jack Hartley, Mariel's father and Commander of the Merry Men, is captured in a deadly ambush. Determined to prove herself, Mariel sets out to get him back - with her annoyingly cheerful kidnappee in tow.

But the wood is at war. Many believe the Merry Men are no longer on the right side of history. Watching Clem tend the party's wounds, Mariel begins to doubt the cause to which she has devoted her life. As the two of them grow closer, one thing is clear. They must prepare to fight for their lives - and for the lives of everybody in the greenwood.

Review

Exactly what I need right now - a delightful, heartwarming, hilarious historical romp, overflowing with queer panic and terrible jokes. I loved it ― Alice Oseman, bestselling author of HEARTSTOPPER on GWEN AND ART ARE NOT IN LOVE

Fun and genuinely funny, with lovely friendships and first-rate dialogue. Gwen and Art may not be in love, but I fell for them both ― Rainbow Rowell, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the SIMON SNOW Trilogy on GWEN AND ART ARE NOT IN LOVE

A total, rollicking delight . Lex Croucher is one of my favorite romcom authors, and they should be yours, too ― Casey Mcquiston, #1 New York Times bestselling author of I KISSED SHARA WHEELER and RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE on GWEN AND ART ARE NOT IN LOVE

Congrats to Gwen and Arthur on their permanent acquisition of my ENTIRE heart. Suffice it to say that I loved this book to a degree that's slightly ridiculous ― Becky Albertalli, bestselling author of SIMON VS. THE HOMOSAPIENS AGENDA on GWEN AND ART ARE NOT IN LOVE

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.