Gwen and Art Are Not in Love

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher (2023)

Okay, so let me just start by saying this book is like the perfect mix of funny, awkward, and totally relatable. Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher is a super cute and quirky contemporary romance that had me laughing and cringing (in the best way) all the way through. It’s the kind of book that makes you feel like you’re living in the main character’s messy, slightly chaotic life.

So, the story is about Gwen, who’s this totally relatable, kind of awkward girl trying to figure things out with her friends, family, and—of course—crushes. Gwen is a 17-year-old who’s dealing with some major life changes (hello, senior year vibes), and she finds herself caught in this hilarious and awkward situation with Art, this charming, but kinda complicated guy who seems to have his own secrets. They pretend to be in love for reasons that are honestly so awkward but also hilarious, and things spiral from there.

The thing I loved most about Gwen is how real she feels. She’s not perfect. She’s not the popular girl or the “dream girl” in every romantic comedy. She’s got insecurities, doubts, and big, messy emotions, and honestly, it’s so refreshing to read about a character who feels like someone you could actually be friends with. She messes up, she says the wrong things, but she’s trying her best, and that makes her so easy to root for. Plus, her inner monologue is hilarious, like, you just know that if you were hanging out with her, you’d be laughing the whole time.

Art—ugh, Art. He’s complicated, okay? He’s cute and cool and definitely has that “I’m mysterious and a little messed up” thing going on, which, like, totally draws Gwen in (and me, too). He’s the type of guy who’s kind of an enigma, and for a while, you’re not sure if he’s just acting cool or if he actually has deeper feelings. Their fake relationship is, honestly, a trainwreck at first, but a really fun one to watch. Art is kind of a disaster, and while he’s a good guy deep down, he’s also a bit frustrating because he doesn’t always know what he wants, and he’s kind of closed off. But that just makes him more interesting, right? I was constantly like, “Wait, are you actually in love with her? Or are you just pretending?”

The dynamic between Gwen and Art is probably what keeps you glued to the pages. They have zero idea what they’re doing, but that makes everything so much more fun. Their chemistry is off the charts, and I loved watching them try (and fail) to act like they were in love. It was like secondhand embarrassment but in the best way, because it’s so easy to see how they actually do care about each other, even if neither of them wants to admit it at first. It’s like watching two people dance around their feelings, and it’s adorable.

The secondary characters also bring a lot to the table. They add some comic relief, and you get some great group dynamics, especially when things start to get more complicated in Gwen’s life. Everyone has their own issues to deal with, and Gwen’s interactions with her friends and family really ground the story and make it feel real. It’s not all about romance, and there’s a lot of focus on friendship and finding your way through your teenage years.

Now, here’s where I’ll say that the book isn’t perfect. Some parts of the plot are a little predictable, and Gwen’s internal struggles can feel a bit repetitive, especially when it comes to her trying to figure out her feelings for Art. But, honestly, it’s easy to overlook that because the humor and the characters are just so good. Also, the pacing can be a little slow in places, but the fun, lighthearted moments more than make up for it.

Conclusion:

If you’re into rom-coms with messy, lovable characters and moments that are awkwardly hilarious, Gwen and Art Are Not in Love is such a fun read. The romance is cute (and definitely a little bit of a disaster), but it’s also about figuring out who you are, what you want, and how to navigate all the weird stuff that comes with being a teenager. Gwen and Art are seriously adorable, even when they’re not trying to be. So yeah, if you’re looking for a light, funny, and totally relatable book about love, friendship, and figuring it all out, this one’s definitely worth reading.