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Lex Croucher’s Gwen & Art announced as winner of the YA Book Prize 2024
Lex Croucher has won the YA Book Prize 2024 for Gwen & Art Are Not in Love (Bloomsbury YA), a “masterclass in teen romantic comedy”. The novel was revealed as the winner of the £2,000 award on 22nd August, at a ceremony hosted by judge Alice Oseman at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF).
Gwen & Art Are Not in Love follows titular characters Gwen and Arthur (Art) who have been betrothed since birth. Although the pair don’t see eye-to-eye, they reach a grudging agreement when Gwen sees Art kissing a boy and Art discovers Gwen’s writings about Lady Bridget Leclair, the kingdom’s only female knight. As Gwen and Art continue their fake-dating ruse to appease their families, Arthur begins to fall for Gabriel, heir to the throne and Gwen’s brother. The characters must learn to embrace every part of themselves if they are to be happy and keep the kingdom together. The joyous story also boasts beguiling side characters, including bodyguard Sidney and Gwen’s lady-in-waiting, Agnes.
If I’d had books like the ones on the shortlist this year when I was a teen, it would have changed everything for me
Since its publication in May 2023, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love has sold 13,823 copies according to Nielsen BookScan. Having been previously shortlisted in the Children’s Fiction category at the Nero Book Awards 2023 and the winner of The Books Are My Bag Readers’ Award for Young Adult Fiction 2023, Gwen & Art is Croucher’s YA début after writing historical adult rom-coms, including Reputation and Infamous. Croucher’s second YA novel, Not For The Faint of Heart, was published in August 2024 and is a queer romantic comedy featuring Mariel, the granddaughter of Robin Hood, and Clem, a healer who is kidnapped by the Merry Men.
In an interview with The Bookseller, the author explained that they wanted their prize-winning story “to be absolutely over-the-top ridiculous, funny, escapist; full of things like flirty sword fights and terrible puns”. Croucher noted that they wrote Gwen & Art for their “teen self”, adding that: “If I’d had books like the ones on the [YA Book Prize] shortlist this year, it would have changed everything for me.” The winner added that they hope readers “see themselves a little in some of these characters and the personal journeys they go on towards loving and accepting themselves and each other”.
Gwen & Art Are Not in Love was crowned by a judging panel including author, screenwriter and former recipient of the YA Book Prize Oseman, c.e.o and co-founder of FairyLoot Anissa de Gomery, content creator Gavin Hetherington and teenage students from schools in London and Edinburgh. EIBF’s children and schools programme director Rachel Fox also rejoined the panel: “This is such a gem of a book! I loved every minute in Lex’s artfully crafted Arthurian world, which champions individuality, wit, wisdom, and a touch of drama. I can’t wait for more readers to meet Gwen, Art and the others!”
De Gomery called the novel a “stand-out winner for its refreshing and inclusive take on historical romance,” adding that: “Gwen & Art Are Not in Love captivates young adult readers with its witty dialogue, relatable characters and engaging storyline.” Oseman said of the winner: “With a crew of flawed protagonists who each traverse huge emotional journeys, writing that fluctuates between hilarious witticisms and painfully relatable revelations, and a story that transports you to a magical Arthurian realm and doesn’t let you go — Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a masterclass in teen romantic comedy.”
The panel was chaired by The Bookseller’s staff writer, Katie Fraser, who commented: “I couldn’t be happier with our shortlist and our incredibly deserving winner. It is a special year for the YA Book Prize as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the award and this year’s nominees encapsulate the strides being made in UK YA, making it a welcoming space where every young adult and teenager can see themselves represented. Lex Croucher’s YA debut is a joyous winner. Their story is filled with heart, wit and lovable characters you won’t want to leave behind. A delightful queer rom-com that champions the value of friendship, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love shows Croucher to be a glorious new voice in YA and a worthy winner.”
Gwen & Art Are Not in Love triumphed against nine other titles: How to Die Famous by Benjamin Dean (Simon & Schuster), Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald (Penguin Children’s), This Book Kills by Ravena Guron (Usborne), This Is How You Fall In Love by Anika Hussain (Hot Key Books), The First Move by Jenny Ireland (Penguin Children’s), Yours From the Tower by Sally Nicholls (Andersen Press), HappyHead by Josh Silver (Rock the Boat), Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven (Electric Monkey) and Murder on a School Night by Kate Weston (Electric Monkey).
The YA Book Prize was launched by The Bookseller in 2014 to celebrate fiction for teenagers and young adults from the UK and Ireland. Last year’s award went to Danielle Jawando’s powerful coming-of-age story, When Our Worlds Collided (Simon & Schuster). For the third year, the prize was run with EIBF. Over two days, the festival hosted panels showcasing the shortlisted authors as well as the winner’s ceremony. Eight of the shortlisted authors, including winner Croucher, attended in person.
