Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay
by Lex Croucher
Bloomsbury
Non-binary author Lex Croucher’s debut young adult novel was Gwen & Art Are Not in Love. Set in Camelot, Gwendoline (Gwen) had been betrothed to Arthur Delacey (Art) since birth. Unfortunately, Art preferred to pursue relationships with young men. Fortunately, Lady Bridget Leclair, the first female knight, won the tournament and the right to be with Gwen.
In this sequel, Gwen’s brother is the newly crowned King Gabriel (Gabe), who experiences panic attacks and frequently hides in a cupboard in his room. The expectations surrounding whom he should bed and wed are so overwhelming that he ends his relationship with Art, who is no longer betrothed to Gwen.
Meanwhile, the kingdom’s Lady Knight Bridget has doubts about herself and begins forfeiting jousting tournaments. She no longer feels like the dashing knight with whom Lady Gwen fell in love. She is struggling with the effects of battle and finds herself unable to speak about her trauma.
While the novel retains the modern banter and humour superimposed on medieval adventures, it also explores challenging emotions, including post-traumatic stress, grief, anxiety and low self-worth.
This queer rom-com is clearly aimed at a young adult readership, although it remains enjoyable for older adults. As a result, and despite the emotional challenges faced by the characters, readers can be confident that the main cast of this historical-inspired fantasy is unlikely to come to serious harm.
Croucher said: “I’m so excited to be returning to Camelot and these characters, to put them through the emotional wringer and give them the hard-won happily-ever-afters they deserve.”
The story follows a series of quests undertaken during a public relations tour of the kingdom. As with all good quests and road journeys, there is considerable personal growth as the characters learn to follow their hearts toward their true destinies.
Lezly Herbert
