CBR18 Bingo: And (literally in the title)
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC. My opinions are my own. This book is on sale now.
I don’t know if Croucher intends this to be an ongoing series, but readers should know that this is book two, and this review is probably going to contain some spoilers for book one, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love (which I read earlier this summer, but will not be reviewing because I’m already WAY too far behind on my non-NetGalley reviews. It’s getting depressing how much I’m procrastinating on reviews).
Anyway, on to the actual review.
Gabriel is doing his best to be a good king after his father was killed in a botched rebellion, but keeps having to hide in cupboards to deal with his panic attacks. Princess Gwendoline (his twin sister) is doing her best to represent the royal family, picking up the slack for her struggling brother. She keeps writing letters to Bridget, the kingdom’s only lady knight, who very pointedly is not responding. Bridget is not doing her best, or even well at all. After wielding a replica of Excalibur in battle while defending the royal family from the rebellion, she is no longer jeered, but celebrated at knight’s tournaments, but can’t seem to find the will to compete anymore. The sound of weapons clashing or the smell of blood makes her feel sick. Arthur, Gwen’s former betrothed, has stopped using alcohol as a coping mechanism and is genuinely friends with Gwen now, so that’s good. However, he keeps seeing Gabriel, mostly from a distance, and it’s obvious that he’s struggling, and Arthur can’t do anything to comfort or help him.
The only ones from the first book who aren’t having a pretty miserable time of it at the start of the book are Arthur’s squire, Sidney and Gwen’s ladies’ maid, Agnes, who are disgustingly in love with one another and refuse to let their friends’ moping get in the way of their happiness.
Full review on my blog.
