“Studying for what?”
“Um. Everything? My future,” Gabriel said.
Arthur’s instinct was to laugh, but he managed to keep himself in check. “You’re studying for life? For your life? Is there a—is there a how-to guide for monarchs? Tips and tricks for subjugating the masses? Prevent a revolt in ten easy steps?”
― Lex Croucher, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love“If you wanted to come and find me, I’ve actually been pretty stationary. You know. Nearly dying.”
― Lex Croucher, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love
CBR16 Bingo: Rings (1 bingo diagonally from Bananas to Rings)
Gwendoline, the princess of England (no, not that Gwen), just wants to be left alone to do her embroidery, beat her brother Gabriel at chess, and moon over Lady Bridget Leclair. Unfortunately, she is betrothed to Arthur Delacey, who has been sent to Camelot for the summer tournament to get to know his bride and maybe possibly get some good gossip for his father, Lord Delacey.
Arthur and his servant-slash-bodyguard-slash-best-friend Sidney arrive at the castle drunk in the middle of the night. Things do not improve much from there.
Arthur and Gwen loathe each other and have done so since they were children. Arthur does not want to marry Gwen and instead delights in taunting her and being a cheeky nuisance at every opportunity.
However, within the first week of his arrival, they learn that neither one of them is interested in the opposite gender. With the help of some light blackmail, they agree to pretend to be friends just so everyone will quit watching them. This way, they can sneak off and do other things (and other people).
I really enjoyed how this story shook up the fake dating trope. Since Art and Gwen are not interested in each other at all, there is no lead up to any eventual romance between the two of them.
The dialogue is incredible. I adore Arthur, Sidney, and Bridget. I could, however, do with less Gwen and Gabriel. Ugh, abolish the monarchy. For real.
The main issue I had was that Gwen and Gabriel are incredibly sheltered and disconnected and careless. Art is a selfish jerk, but at least he’s entertaining enough that people put up with him. He relies on his charm and luck to get him out of most messes, and for Sidney to help him out with the rest.
Oh, OH! And what was with all of the foreshadowing (that was not actually foreshadowing at all) of Gwen being brilliant at chess? She could not see more than ten feet in front of her at a time!
For this year’s CBR16 Book Bingo Reading Challenge I’m choosing albums from the 1970s that helped raise me. When I think of Rings, commitment, and hoping that you’ve found someone who loves you for who you are regardless of your flaws, I think of Abba’s hit, “Take a Chance on Me” from ABBA: The Album (1977).
