What happens when America's First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?
When his mother became President, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, genius—his image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There's only one problem: Alex has a beef with the actual prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex-Henry altercation, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse.
Heads of family, state, and other handlers devise a plan for damage control: staging a truce between the two rivals. What at first begins as a fake, Instragramable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have imagined. Soon Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret romance with a surprisingly unstuffy Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations and begs the question: …
What happens when America's First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?
When his mother became President, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, genius—his image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There's only one problem: Alex has a beef with the actual prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex-Henry altercation, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse.
Heads of family, state, and other handlers devise a plan for damage control: staging a truce between the two rivals. What at first begins as a fake, Instragramable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have imagined. Soon Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret romance with a surprisingly unstuffy Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations and begs the question: Can love save the world after all? Where do we find the courage, and the power, to be the people we are meant to be? And how can we learn to let our true colors shine through? Casey McQuiston's Red, White & Royal Blue proves: true love isn't always diplomatic.
This is a good book, for what it is. However, not much of it is really unique and mindfuckingly excellent. In fact, Casey McQuiston's other books, specifically One Last Stop and I Kissed Shara Wheeler, are full of such amazing ideas and moments, that Red, White & Royal Blue just cannot keep up. They've set the bar too high.
Then again, AFAIK, Red, White & Royal Blue is McQuiston's first book, so one could see this as evidence that they only get better and better.
Review of 'Red, White & Royal Blue' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I expected this to be a cheesy feel-good romance novel that makes my teeth decay because it's so sweet. It is exactly that, and it was A PLEASURE to read. What an absolute page-turner, I loved every minute of it, and I don't care that it's unrealistic: It's a romance novel, not a CNN/BBC report.
Yes, I could list a few things I didn't love, but frankly that would just ruin your reading pleasure. Pick it up, curl up on a couch for a few days, and don't forget some tissues.
Review of 'Red, White & Royal Blue' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
I’m so sorry. I think I’m too cynical for this kind of thing. Never mind the fact that this was already going to be a hard sell for me. I can’t stand political romances.
This is the first book I’ve read in a while that made me feel like, I don’t know, like it wasn’t written for me? Who knows. The characters are deeply annoying. Nora in particular feels like one of those early 2010’s autistic stereotypes. Just left a bad taste in my mouth. Henry is fine, but Alex? Alex made me remember why I sometimes find myself swearing only by t4t if cis boys are this obnoxiously full of themselves.
Basically, what I’m trying to say is that this book reads like it wasn’t written for the mlm crowd. Like. At all. Like it’s not fetishistic. I didn’t get that kind of vibe. I don’t know man. It’s …
I’m so sorry. I think I’m too cynical for this kind of thing. Never mind the fact that this was already going to be a hard sell for me. I can’t stand political romances.
This is the first book I’ve read in a while that made me feel like, I don’t know, like it wasn’t written for me? Who knows. The characters are deeply annoying. Nora in particular feels like one of those early 2010’s autistic stereotypes. Just left a bad taste in my mouth. Henry is fine, but Alex? Alex made me remember why I sometimes find myself swearing only by t4t if cis boys are this obnoxiously full of themselves.
Basically, what I’m trying to say is that this book reads like it wasn’t written for the mlm crowd. Like. At all. Like it’s not fetishistic. I didn’t get that kind of vibe. I don’t know man. It’s hard to pin down.
And MY GOD I don’t usually point out this kind of thing, but for this book? I gotta say it. The sex is terribly boring and milquetoast. Just the worst.
Apparently this book was marketed as being cute and fluffy and goopy and I guess I just? Didn’t get that vibe at all? If I wanted good fluffy gay romance, I’d reread The House on the Cerulean Sea. I don’t know. This just REALLY didn’t do it for me. And that’s okay! That’s cool.
The ending made me feel deeply cynical and like a bitter old man. The politics of it all made me want to tear my hair out and scream into the void.
(Listened to the audiobook by Ramon de Ocampo, who did a good job… albeit his English accent left a bit to be desired. But at least he managed to somehow enunciate a keysmash. No small feat.)
Review of 'Red, White & Royal Blue' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
This book's lineage is, at a guess, Hamilton/The West Wing/That brief liberal mania after the election of Obama. It is very much a fantasy of a different political system, one not captured by big money, where politicians may be ruthless or use means you don't approve of, but are serving in politics because of something they believe in. It is a fantasy of an America that could elect a divorced woman president.
On the other hand, if you can't have fantasies in your romance novels, where can you?
I didn't check this out for a long time because I find celebrities, politicians, and royalty, all vaguely squicky, and this book is written on the assumption that all of these are something you are at least a little into. However, the book doesn't rely on your kink for the aforementioned; it has a lot going for it. The book has a …
This book's lineage is, at a guess, Hamilton/The West Wing/That brief liberal mania after the election of Obama. It is very much a fantasy of a different political system, one not captured by big money, where politicians may be ruthless or use means you don't approve of, but are serving in politics because of something they believe in. It is a fantasy of an America that could elect a divorced woman president.
On the other hand, if you can't have fantasies in your romance novels, where can you?
I didn't check this out for a long time because I find celebrities, politicians, and royalty, all vaguely squicky, and this book is written on the assumption that all of these are something you are at least a little into. However, the book doesn't rely on your kink for the aforementioned; it has a lot going for it. The book has a full cast of characters who are delightful, the banter is non-stop, and if you like your books to playfully reference real events, you will be rewarded.
The main couple are also constantly comparing themselves to other literary and historical couples, so if you enjoy that sort of thing, it is the sort of thing you will like.
A lot of this book was not the sort of thing I like, but honestly, it's so well written! Do you like writing?
Review of 'Red, White & Royal Blue: A Novel' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Moving, sexy, politically relevant - a true gem
It’s hard to describe this book. It’s modern with talk of social media, it’s classic with literary references, it’s historic with snippets of American and British history. But mostly, it’s a great coming out and love story.
Review of 'Red, White & Royal Blue' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I know this is a controversial one but I honestly enjoyed it despite how cheesy it was. Felt like listening to a hallmark romance movie with some extra ~spice~. Not for everyone, but I loved it.
Review of 'Red, White & Royal Blue' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Very sweet story and an excellent pallet cleanser if you are suffering from a heavy book hangover. The story and characters are fun, engaging, and heartwarming. I felt a bit old for this story. I think 16 year old me probably would have gotten the biggest kick out of it but it's a fun read outside of that age anyway. I was also amused at the political shade towards recent events in the US and the UK. Nice, feel-good read. Can recommend.
Review of 'Red, White & Royal Blue: A Novel' on 'GoodReads'
2 stars
This book was written by someone who thinks alcoholism is a fun pastime and useful literary device to induce spontaneity, who has to insert a pop culture reference in every second sentence, and who seriously believes that politics is about having a the best binder with voter demographics. The politics of this book is the most smug post-political liberal brain worm bullshit I have read and the plot isn’t even that good to compensate, to the extent that it exists at all. If this is an escapist fantasy it’s an escape out of the frying pan and into the fire of bleak capitalist realism.
2 stars for cute Henry and good writing around Complicated International Relationships. I only cried once.
You may not know this about me, but one of my favorite activities is to look on Ao3 for cursed fanfiction to show people. I often go to RPF, not because I have anything against it, but because real people already inspire revulsion, so if I can find, say erotic Ben Shapiro fic, I've hit "gold" so to speak.
I've read some Political Real Person Fic (usually the ones starring Margaret Thatcher, because as a USian, that inspires less revulsion than looking at a Reagan fanfic) and sometimes just prompts to see what people like writing about.
I would be VERY surprised if Casey McQuiston has not written Political-RPF, because this very much reads like a Politics RPF with fictional characters (OCs if you will).
It hits all the right notes, it's heartwarming, but, unlike what you may expect about a Royal Romance, it is very honest about how fucked …
You may not know this about me, but one of my favorite activities is to look on Ao3 for cursed fanfiction to show people. I often go to RPF, not because I have anything against it, but because real people already inspire revulsion, so if I can find, say erotic Ben Shapiro fic, I've hit "gold" so to speak.
I've read some Political Real Person Fic (usually the ones starring Margaret Thatcher, because as a USian, that inspires less revulsion than looking at a Reagan fanfic) and sometimes just prompts to see what people like writing about.
I would be VERY surprised if Casey McQuiston has not written Political-RPF, because this very much reads like a Politics RPF with fictional characters (OCs if you will).
It hits all the right notes, it's heartwarming, but, unlike what you may expect about a Royal Romance, it is very honest about how fucked up the Royal Family is (as is the US).
I was told not to read this until 45 was out of office (because I became aware of it around the darkest times of his presidency, and I was worried it would piss me off like other contemporaries that mentioned Trump like it was no big deal everyone will be fine). I'm not saying things are ideal now, but slightly less painful, and now's as good as any time to read it (because unless you wait a bajillion years, I doubt things will ever be ideal)
Give it a chance, I feel it did most everything right.
Review of 'Red, White & Royal Blue' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
I expected trashy romance but instead I fell in love with it
I’ve been reading queer fiction to make 2021 more bearable and was expecting to read a slightly trashy and brainless (but fun) romance novel; the premise is, essentially, the President’s son falls for his enemy, I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-Prince-Harry.
Instead, I was completely captivated by these two loveable young men and their friends and family. And I cried happy tears on more than one occasion (including through most of a whole chapter). I particularly enjoyed that there’s a few chunks of the book where the 2 men are emailing each other and signing off with quotes from queer people from history, all of which are simply heart-swelling.
I expected trashy romance but instead I fell in love with it
I’ve been reading queer fiction to make 2021 more bearable and was expecting to read a slightly trashy and brainless (but fun) romance novel; the premise is, essentially, the President’s son falls for his enemy, I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-Prince-Harry.
Instead, I was completely captivated by these two loveable young men and their friends and family. And I cried happy tears on more than one occasion (including through most of a whole chapter). I particularly enjoyed that there’s a few chunks of the book where the 2 men are emailing each other and signing off with quotes from queer people from history, all of which are simply heart-swelling.
I originally bought this book because [a:Everina Maxwell|19466165|Everina Maxwell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596703569p2/19466165.jpg]’s [b:Winter’s Orbit|54811115|Winter's Orbit|Everina Maxwell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1607765763l/54811115.SY75.jpg|72867360] had been described as “[b:Ancillary Justice|17333324|Ancillary Justice (Imperial Radch, #1)|Ann Leckie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597476110l/17333324.SY75.jpg|24064628] meets [b:Red, White & Royal Blue|41150487|Red, White & Royal Blue|Casey McQuiston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566742512l/41150487.SY75.jpg|61657690]”; I absolutely loved Winter’s Orbit and I absolutely loved this. I guess that means I’ll be buying Ancillary Justice pretty soon!
CN: outing, mention of past sexual abuse, discussion of drug use and addiction, mental health issues, discussion of racism in the media, mention of past death of a parent
Review of 'Red, White & Royal Blue' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
L’idée de départ de ce roman est plutôt sympathique : Alex, le fils de la Présidente des Etats-Unis (une sorte d’Hillary Clinton qui aurait été élue en 2016) tombe amoureux d’Henry, Prince de Galles et troisième dans l’ordre de succession à la Couronne d’Angleterre.
Alors évidemment, on ne va pas chercher du réalisme parfait dans cette histoire, mais c’est une romance gay bien écrite et plaisante à lire. Un divertissement bienvenu.
Review of 'Red, White & Royal Blue' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Heart.
If there is one word to sum up what this book is, it is this. All heart. With books like this, I am always wary of clichés and stereotype-traps. Oftentimes there is such a need to force-fit queer themes into a book, that it distracts from the book itself.
Well, this book cleverly swerves around these pitfalls, and hums and vibrates with what it really is - a love story. McQuiston's words sing (yes, sing!) of emotions - hatred, bitterness, affection, love, passion, each finds a place within the pages of this book. The characters are nicely sketched out, and I promise you that you will be rooting for each of them through the book.
Call me biased but I am a die-hard romantic, and warm stories of romance such as this one get me every. single. time. I raced through this in a day, and I just …
Heart.
If there is one word to sum up what this book is, it is this. All heart. With books like this, I am always wary of clichés and stereotype-traps. Oftentimes there is such a need to force-fit queer themes into a book, that it distracts from the book itself.
Well, this book cleverly swerves around these pitfalls, and hums and vibrates with what it really is - a love story. McQuiston's words sing (yes, sing!) of emotions - hatred, bitterness, affection, love, passion, each finds a place within the pages of this book. The characters are nicely sketched out, and I promise you that you will be rooting for each of them through the book.
Call me biased but I am a die-hard romantic, and warm stories of romance such as this one get me every. single. time. I raced through this in a day, and I just know I will be revisiting it again.
