Bridget & 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, Queer, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Lesbian, LGBT

416 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication 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.

[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

[Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Quill&Queer]

SEQUEL???

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!

[Sol✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Erin McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[BookishKB]

🏰 Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay

I will admit that I did not love this as much as book one but I still enjoyed it. Full review to come.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

⭐ Final Rating: 3.5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: August 11, 2026

[Gail]

a SEQUEL to one of my favorite books of 2023!!!!! god loves me so much i am fully prepared to have the time of my LIFE next year

[Serena Bratten]

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO GET AN ARC

[Ryofire · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 having the angry mob scene was very important because yes, a lot of queer history was made with violence. And with worse things. And specifically bringing it up from a misogyny angle is important, too. 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 the emphasis on friendship and people working together to support each other, not just pair off or so into cliques. Everyone banding together to support Arthur in particular was really nice, given what he went through last book. Though I do wish there was a bit more time spent on his feelings about his father. I found it interesting how he mourned Gabriel's father, but I was curious to explore more of what he related to talking to Florian about Florian's father. It's not the biggest loss, and the story still works as is, but it was something I kept hoping for that we didn't get.

One odd but not bad aspect is the inclusion of what seems very obviously to be Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and Sir Ballister Blackheart from "Nimona" by ND Stevenson. I mean, Sir Leonard, a showoffish character designed as stained glass with nothing between his ears, focused on his looks and with gorgeous "flaxen"/golden hair, and Sir Bowen, who notably has dark hair and is seemingly shown as the smarter member of the duo. Also they're clearly in love from the get-go and focused primarily on jousting, which is, notably, the situation where Ambrosius injures Ballister in the comic. Of course, maybe this is just an entirely random set of blonde show-offish guy and his smart and gruff but wise dark-haired boyfriend. Notably, Blackenloin was a pretty big deal back when they were officially canonized as an m/m couple in 2013, so it makes sense, on a lot of levels, for them to be here. I know that was formative for a lot of folks. And it fits the book in a way, it just feels kind of random. For similar reasons, I'm not sure Viv is a reference to the Lady of the Lake in at least some productions of "Monty Python's Spam-A-Lot", but I don't know that she isn't, either..

I also appreciated Bridget's exploration of being genderqueer. I'm not going to put a label on it, but it was an interesting exploration of the character. It really worked with the ending message of the narrative: be fierce, not meek, and everyone who hates you can choke. If you must go down, go down fighting, not cowering. Considering the increased rise of misogyny and transphobia these days, this was a good message for the story.

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.

[Liz Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Lyra (Cardan's tail's version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

—4.5 stars—

Set a year or so after the events of Gwen And Art Are Not In Love, Gabe And Bridget Are Not Ok starts with our main two couples struggling with the aftermath of the battle, and broken up. Needless to say, they are all rather miserable about it. (and so was i).

I adored Gwen And Art (my disaster babies!!) so i was so excited for this one and it did not disappoint in the slightest! This sequel was the perfect addition to the story, and the conflict felt like a natural result of how book one ended with so many little pieces still to be carefully glued back together.

Though a slightly more serious tone overall, Lex Croucher’s dry humour and wit (arthur and sidney are hilarious) was not missing and the banter had me giggling to myself at ridiculously late hours. The inclusion of more directly Arthurian-based legends was perfect, and a good quest-based story will always make me happy.

However, Lex Croucher also doesn’t shy away from depicting the harder parts, such as Gwen and Gabe’s grief over their father, the impact Bridget’s first brush with the battlefield has on her, and the worry and fear over the misgivings many people have with Gabriel’s new laws. I think it hits hardest of all because their fears are justified. Lex shows that Gabriel’s changes and development are getting pushback, and that change is terrifyingly hard to stand with but necessary for everyone else. I really liked the discussion of their privilege giving them the opportunity to speak out and stand for all those who cannot, which is incredibly important.

This is mainly character-driven, so i can’t go without mentioning my beloved Gabriel! My sweet anxious baby. He’s been my favourite character since book one, and getting his pov here was the highlight of this book. The responsibilities of being king weighs heavily on his shoulders, and there were so many moments i just wanted to hug him. The way he loves Arthur is so precious to me, and their relationship (with its ups and downs) is my favourite.
Speaking of, Arthur was still as bold a voice even without his own pov, and was hilarious and sweet as always. His moments of vulnerability with Gabriel meant everything to me! The way they care for each other even without wanting to, and their shared love of cats? Soulmates.

Bridget was a character i actually loved having a better insight to, as she’s much more closed off in book one. As the pioneering example for lady knights, and enduring terrifying bouts of ptsd-related struggles, i really liked that Lex Croucher touched on her need to be good enough, and how that partly stemmed from her parents, even though they didn’t hold that expectation themselves.
I thought Gwen really grew into herself here! She found her purpose and voice, and her development shines so brightly, especially when she finally tracks down the girlfriend who stopped sending letters mysteriously. Their love may have small pitfalls and misunderstandings, but they’re both so strong and care so deeply for each other that i have faith they’ll always find each other again.

All four of them (six counting Sidney and Agnes) are so precious to me! Their romantic relationships are beautiful, but the friendships really shone here as well. Gwen and Art supporting each other through everything was so sweet, and something i didn’t realise i needed to see. I’m endlessly proud of them all.

(many thanks to Wednesday Books, Lex Croucher, and Netgalley for this digital ARC! all thoughts and opinions are my own.)

[Juniper L.H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book. This one, I have mixed feelings. I liked getting to see a continuation of the previous story (which ended too abruptly!) and spend more time with these characters. I didn’t love that the time we spent with them was relatively sad and unpleasant in a lot of places. Why did the author break up our beloved characters? I think this novel could have worked just as well with them all together supporting each other, and it would have been more enjoyable.
If you loved the first one then you would probably still enjoy reading this one, but it is quite different and I don’t think it was quite as magical.

Highlights:
-I love the authors writing style. Lots of humor, also serious stuff, all well blended together.
-This sequel felt like a natural extension of the first novel instead of like it was forced-in, and I liked that. The first novel ended too abruptly for me, so it makes sense that this exists.
-Tackling mental health issues is always a good thing in my opinion. Topics that are not discussed enough, or properly. This novel did a decent job.
-There were some beautiful and powerful moments.

Nitpicks:
-I don’t really like it when a book ends with people getting together, just to have them broken up at the start of the sequel. It seems like you’re undermining the whole point of the first novel? Starting out the book with a bad taste in my mouth wasn’t a great beginning.
-Plots hinging on a lack of communication are never great in my opinion; weak and frustrating to read.
-This sequel didn’t seem to quite have the same magic as the first one. It’s a lot more serious, which makes sense, but it was just missing some of the fun I guess?
-The storyline kind of wandered around and got lost at times. I liked that there was follow-up to the previous novel, but I don’t think this was the best; it probably could have been a novella?

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.

[rebeccareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Gwen & Art Are Not in Love a lot, but sadly Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay didn't really do it for me. The primary issue is probably that I just don't think the first book needed a sequel. It wrapped up the story really nicely and left us with joy from our characters' growth and triumphs and hope for their futures, but no real questions or burning issues to resolve.

Still, a compelling story would have made that less of an issue. But Bridge & Gabe Are Not Okay meanders from the jump, losing all momentum from the first book's dramatic concluding chapters. The central conflict largely hinges on miscommunication tropes and two of the four main characters' debilitating anxieties. Those anxieties make total sense from a character development perspective, but they really drag the story down and are honestly just plain boring to read about.

Arthur's character remains a highlight, bringing some much-needed lightheartedness to the proceedings. That lightheartedness is a big strength of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love, so it's sad to see it somewhat sidelined here. The closer incorporation of Arthurian legends served the story well, but I would've preferred much more of that and much less moping.

Even so, if you enjoyed the first book, are not bothered by miscommunication, and don't mind reading about once-fun characters now stuck in a stressy depressy phase, you'll likely get along with this book just fine. Three stars for the competent writing and for Arthur still being a hoot (and a bit for Merly Lucy, the poor child of divorce).

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC.

This book aches in the most tender way.

It’s painful watching someone you love try to navigate the aftermath of something traumatic, especially when they insist on carrying it alone. Gabriel’s struggle is deeply human in the way he tries to protect the people he loves by pushing them away.

What makes this sequel so special is how these four characters and the people orbiting them show up for each other. Not perfectly. Not always gracefully. But earnestly. The story explores multiple relationship dynamics: siblings, lovers, friends, rivals-turned-allies. It’s a reminder that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. Community matters. Chosen family matters. Love isn’t just grand gestures...it’s staying.

We also get a deeper dive into Bridget’s internal battles, and that perspective adds so much emotional weight. Watching her question who she is outside of the “dashing knight” identity is just as compelling as any quest or political turmoil. The post-happily-ever-after reality feels honest: what happens after the victory feast? After the battle is won? Who are you when the spark dims?

I strongly encourage readers to read (or re-read) Gwen & Art Are Not In Love before picking this up. The book doesn’t spend much time reintroducing characters or recapping relationships (which I personally appreciate) so you’ll get so much more out of the emotional beats if the first story is fresh in your mind.

This isn’t just a continuation. It’s a healing journey, and a reminder that love—romantic, platonic, familial—is something you keep choosing.

[M. L. Valard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This was a delightful sequel to a very delightful book. While I initially wasn't certain I needed a follow on to the first one this book rapidly proved me wrong. There was a lot at the end of the first book that could use a bit of addressing and it was both interestingly and enjoyably covered here. I haven't read the first book in ages but this did a lovely job of sliding me gently back into the story, world, and characters so very well that I was reminded of everything I needed to know without feeling as if I were retreading absolutely everything. Impressively managed.

It did surprise me just how much I enjoyed revisiting this world and the characters, though this time for Bridget and Gabriel's point of view. I still enjoy all the characters I remember from the previous book and felt as if I got a great deal more insight into them. I also really enjoyed several new characters introduced here, particularly Sir Florian.

I really enjoyed the bit of further expanding on the world building and the bits and pieces of fallout from the previous book. This was a far more entertaining read than I had expected and went from a sequel I wasn't sure I needed to one I am very glad to have read. I think anybody that enjoyed the first book will find a great deal to enjoy in this one too, though I would definitely suggest having read that one first.

Overall this was a really pleasant surprise and improved on the first book for me, which a sequel should do if it can manage. A very solid four stars.

I received an eArc through Netgalley in exchange for my review but my opinions are my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggled with this one because I LOVED the previous book. In my mind, it practically sparkled on the page. There was wit and action and indelible characters you could not help but love.

This is word for word my review of Art in the last book: "Arthur is THE BEST, clearly the most fun/funny/endearing character in the book. The story sings whenever he's in the scene."

So I'm sad to report, in this book...there just is....no sparkle, no singing. Everyone is traumatized. Art makes a few passing jokes, but mostly he frets about Gabe, who can barely function anymore. Gwen fairs better (becoming more of a fully realized character with her own talents.) But she too spends most of the book pissed or sad about Bridget who also is a shell of herself.

This ended up being more of a book about PTSD and how to support a partner that is struggling in a world that does not accept queer people. It is less of a love story than a survival story. To be clear, it does an excellent job of portraying that story. But for readers of the last book, this huge tonal shift is a BIG adjustment.

I guess I liked these characters so much that after the last book I wanted them to have lives filled with love AND joy. To find them instead as war-scarred adults struggling with against the same systems of oppression that young queer people still face today was deeply sad.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably my most anticipated book of 2026. I will never forget the experience of Art & Gwen are not in Love for the first time - it was unlike anything I’d ever read before and returning to Lex Croucher’s Camelot is a literal dream. As expected, I devoured this, but have had to sit on it a bit to gather my thoughts. On one hand, this story perfectly follows from where we left off. The first book ends hopefully, but also following great violence and tragedy. It tracks that these characters would now need to face their grief and trauma. As a reader I was chasing the effervescent joy I experienced reading the first book and struggled with reading some of my favorite characters in pain. But ultimately, I think it was very brave to write such a grounded follow up. There wouldn’t really be a point to this story if it didn’t take the characters into this darker, more complicated, place. The writing is excellent, as can always be counted on from Croucher, and I’m so grateful to read these characters growing up.

My only complaint is that I wish we got to know the Knights of the Roundtable a bit more. I do think the entire narrative would have been lightened by a big personality side-story, like what Sydney brought in the first book. This could have particularly elevated this story, given Bridget and Gabe’s personalities being more subtle than Gwen and Art’s.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday for access to the -ARC in exchange for this unbiased review. I’m always honored to be a Lex Croucher hype girl in my small corner of the internet.

[Aila Krisse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah this was really fun.

I mean, Imma be honest, I didn't expect this to recapture the exact same lightning-in-a-bottle type excitement I felt for the first book, I did expect it to be just as fun and charming though, and on that front it delivered. I would've been content if the ending of the previous book was the end of the story, but I also really loved reading more about the shenanigans of my favourite dysfunctional gays from 'medieval times'.

So, don't go into this expecting it to make you feel just like Gwen and Art are not in Love, if you want that just go reread that book. It's still got a fair bit of yearning and romance, but mainly it's focused on the lingering effects of trauma on the 4 main characters and how they are (not) dealing with it. It was a wonderfully fun journey through a very historically-inaccurate medieval Britain, where at least like half of the population is queer and I love that.

Also I don't know if Gabe is written as autistic-coded, but he sure does feel very relatable for my specific experience of autism. Because I too get overwhelmed all the time and have a brain that is often painfully slow in the uptake and processing of information and struggle with social interaction to a stupidly annoying extent, so I feel very seen.
----
Many thanks to Wednesday Books for the ARC!

[ChronicallyReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday books for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I was very excited to see that this crew of characters were being revisited. I liked the first book quite a bit.

This book had a few issues for me such as the random smatters of old English; I’m unsure if this was done to remind us we are in medieval settings rather than the modern day. (Ie. He was five and twenty) it unfortunately took me out of the story.

There were a lot of words and nothing happened—there were a few cool scenes like the one with the boar and sermon where it felt like we were being invited into the world and then it went back to not a lot happening.

The group, this tends to happen with large groups. We get a bunch of cool characters but are stuck with 2 - 4 of them while the others are there to further along relationships or plot.

I also just honestly wanted to see a few different relationships explored further like the platonic relationship Art and Gwen were growing.


But that being said I did also like a few themes that were explored such as:

- PTSD
- Grief
- Panic Attacks
- Self doubt and Imposter syndrome
- Quests

All in all, If you really liked the first book this could be something you either really love or really do not jive with.

[Laurel Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed returning to the world of Camelot in Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay. This sequel takes the humor and chaotic energy of the first book and adds a more introspective look at what happens after the supposed “happily ever after.”
Gabriel’s struggle with anxiety and the pressure of ruling felt particularly compelling. Watching him try to balance being a king while quietly falling apart added emotional depth to the story. Bridget’s arc was also interesting, especially as she grapples with losing the confidence and identity that once defined her.
One of my favorite aspects was how the book explores relationships after the initial romance. Instead of presenting love as a perfect solution, it shows how relationships require growth, communication, and self-reflection.
The Arthurian elements and quest-like journey kept the story fun and adventurous, while the humor and banter between characters gave the book the same charm that made the first installment so enjoyable.
Overall, this is a thoughtful and entertaining sequel that explores mental health, identity, and the reality of life after the fairy-tale ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book early.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars
Several months after the events of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love, the characters deal with the challenges of life after life-changing events. Gabriel is king, and his mental health is not faring well. Bridget returns to the tourney circuit, but faces backlash to her openness to be herself in a world dominated by men. She also struggles with her mental health after the challenges of felling an enemy in battle.

While the premise is intriguing and it is delightful to revisit this world and these characters, beginning with our favorite character broken up is a challenge to reinvest in their stories.

I also want to say that their struggles are realistic, as dealing with anxiety and PTSD are, but the rest of their challenges could be solved with clear communication! The entire premise of their journey through the realm to prove or disprove the return of Arthurian legend was kind of boring. The action only really picked up near the end with the couples actually talking to each other, the kidnapping and fight sequences, and the mushy romantic scenes. The ending did bring up my initial star rating.

I enjoy Lex Croucher's writing, but this sequel in particular was not my favorite.

[Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Wednesday Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. A wonderful follow up to Gwen and Art are not ok! Gabriel is having panic attacks and he can’t tell Arthur he isn’t ok so he decides to let him go. That way he can fall in love with someone who go through the day without breaking down. Bridget has lost her drive for fighting and can’t figure out what’s wrong. She’s happy with Gwen but she no longer feels like the person Gwen fell in love with. As she’s invited to be on Gabriel’s round table maybe she’ll get that spark back she’s been missing. The country is still reeling from the attempted uprising and there have been reports of a questing beast, a green knight, and the holy grail. They have no choice but to set out on a PR tour. Can Gabriel be the king his country needs? Can Bridget get her grove for fighting back? Can they save the loves they once thought were destined? I loved returning to Lex Croucher’s world and getting to be with the characters again! This one takes on some tougher but very real elements of grief and trauma. But still adds in the humor! A fun read that builds off the first one and show great character development!

[Jessie Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for me to review.

There are so few books that touch on what happens after the happily ever after in book 1. So I was thrilled to read this sequel to Gwen & Art Are Not in Love. Although book 1 didn't hit it out of the park for me - I think it was a 4-star read - this one absolutely did!

It's nearly a year after the events of the first book. Bridget is off competing in tournaments while Gwen is roaming the castle and sorting out things after her father's passing. Gabe is mostly hiding from everyone, including in a cupboard, to avoid having to go through the motions of being the king.

Relationships have ebbed and flowed, and all of our main characters are a little miserable. Can a road trip bring them back together and help heal the bonds?

Croucher is SUCH a funny writer to me. Their scenes have me giggling, but this novel also deals with a lot of issues surrounding anxiety, PTSD, and grief. It was a truly lovely adventure and a fun queer romp in ye olde England.

[Olivia Pilling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is such a compelling yet lighthearted dare I say masterclass on grief and the effects of war. This book helps us see what the consequences of war really are while also managing to still be quirky and teen focused. It doesn’t get too gruesome or showy with its prose; instead it showcases the characters and lets them painfully work through their issues as a unit and also as individuals. Also, this book is so funny!! I surprisingly loved the disguised modern references (which is almost never the case) I also loved the way this book handles sexuality & gender. It focuses it in the narrative without coming off as preachy. Our author knows how to create compelling characters and let them do all the talking.

It was refreshing, fun, and absolutely heart wrenching to read. I would re read paragraphs 3 or 4 times just so I could feel my heart break again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc from Netgalley

This book focuses a lot on responses to trauma, grief, and one processing their emotions and trauma. A lot of the topics of grief and responses to trauma were very relatable. This story really shines in showing how self-acceptance can often be the first step to healthy love. This story truly shows that healing and overcoming struggles is something that does not happen alone, it happens with loved ones and friends, and the entire community.

Throughout this story, I found myself falling in love with the characters more and more from the first book. Gabriel’s struggles and the way he acts according to them, feels so deeply relatable and human. The way he pushes away everyone in his life even though he loves them as a way to protect them feels so deeply personal and how someone would react. I really enjoyed this book and how throughout it more of Gabriel’s and Bridget’s emotions and struggles were shown.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for sending me this ARC! I absolutely LOVED Gwen and Art Are Not in Love, so getting to continue the story from Bridget and Gabe’s point of view was fantastic. So many stories have a large conflict end and then there is no follow-up on how those characters are coping afterwards. I love that Croucher delved into the after-effects of an attempted coup and the strain on an introvert having to become somewhat extroverted in a short amount of time. It was also refreshing to read about both couples learning that a relationship runs primarily off of communication!! If you can’t communicate, then you will always struggle to be on the same page and understand one another. Overall, I thought this was a fantastic follow-up and I can’t wait to get my hands on a hard copy!