Lex Croucher has won the YA Book Prize 2024 for Gwen and Art are not in love (Bloomsbury YA), a “masterpiece of teen romantic comedy”. The novel was announced as the winner of the £2,000 prize at a ceremony hosted by judge Alice Oseman at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF) on 22 August.

Gwen and Art are not in love follows the title characters Gwen and Arthur (Art), who have been engaged since birth. Although the two disagree, they reluctantly come to an understanding when Gwen sees Art kissing a boy and Art discovers Gwen’s writings about Lady Bridget Leclair, the kingdom’s only female knight. While Gwen and Art continue their fake relationship to appease their families, Arthur falls in love with Gabriel, the heir to the throne and Gwen’s brother. The characters must learn to accept every part of themselves if they want to be happy and keep the kingdom together. The joyful story also features beguiling supporting characters, including bodyguard Sidney and Gwen’s lady-in-waiting Agnes.

If I had had books like the ones on this year’s shortlist as a teenager, it would have changed everything for me

Since its release in May 2023 Gwen and Art are not in love has sold 13,823 copies according to Nielsen BookScan. After being shortlisted in the Children’s Literature category at the 2023 Nero Book Awards and winning The Books Are My Bag Readers’ Award for Young Adult Literature 2023, Gwen & Art is Croucher’s debut for young adults, having previously written historical romantic comedies for adults, including Call And Notorious. Croucher’s second young adult novel, Not for the faint of heartReleased in August 2024, it is a queer romantic comedy starring Mariel, the granddaughter of Robin Hood, and Clem, a healer who is kidnapped by the Merry Men.

In an interview with The booksellerthe author explained that they wanted their award-winning story to be “totally over-the-top ridiculous, funny, escapist and full of things like flirty sword fights and terrible puns.” Croucher noted that they Gwen & Art for her “teenage self,” adding, “If I’d had books like those on this year’s YA Book Prize shortlist, it would have changed everything for me.” The winner added that he hoped readers “see a little bit of themselves in some of these characters and the personal journeys they take to love and accept themselves and each other.”

Gwen and Art are not in love was crowned by a panel of judges including author, screenwriter and former YA Book Prize winner Oseman, CEO and co-founder of FairyLoot Anissa de Gomery, content creator Gavin Hetherington and teenagers from schools in London and Edinburgh. Rachel Fox, EIBF’s Children and Schools Programme Director, also joined the panel: “This is a real gem of a book! I loved every minute of Lex’s artfully crafted Arthurian world, which highlights individuality, wit, wisdom and a touch of drama. I can’t wait for more readers to get to know Gwen, Art and the others!”