4.5 stars

This book deserves all the praise it gets!

Read it.. ( )

It's not a bad book, I just personally didn't enjoy it. But it was a nice experience. :) ( )

My mom-of-a-gay-son heart.

My funny bone.

My over-flowing pride for author Casey McQuiston's courage to write this book.

If you have ever believed in love between two people. If you have ever felt the weight of your family, keeping you from being who you are. If you have ever felt the pressure to conform and fit in. READ THIS BOOK.

First Son of the United States, Alex, is born to a Mexican father and white mother, who happens to be the first woman president. Alex and his sister, June, are the most loveable, hair-pulling, in-each-others'-business, typical siblings. Throw in Nora, granddaughter to the VP, and you have the three hottest 20-year-olds in the country.

When the three are in London to attend Prince Phillip's marriage, Alex runs headlong into his arch-nemesis, Prince Henry. Wedding cakes are toppled, photos are leaked, drama ensues and a spicy web is woven. The tabloids pick up on things, and their tongues wag, always a step behind as Nora is seen with Princess Bea, June is hanging out with the BF of Prince Henry, and Alex and Henry, well, they are just Henry and Alex, the Prince of England and the First Son. But nothing is as it seems.

Written in relevant, youthful dialogue woven into rich, complex thoughts about society, family, and duty and steeped in deep romance (with a lot of steamy sex), Casey McQuiston puts the rights of all people front and center, and she does it beautifully. Did I mention it is wicked funny?

Red, White and Royal Blue is not a 'gay' love story. It is not a story about being gay. It is a story about two individuals who find each other, fall in love, and happen to both be men.

This may well be my absolute favorite book read in 2023. #loveislove ( )

One of the most adorable books I’ve ever read. I really enjoyed all of the characters, the storyline, the writing. Highly recommended, I loved it. ( )

I am so glad I finally read this novel because I loved, loved, loved it.

The premise is quite simple, although the situation of the characters is not: Alex, son of the US president, and Henry, grandson of the Queen, have had a feud for years. After they clash openly at a Royal Wedding, their respective teams decide that this situation cannot continue and they have to stage a friendship for the benefit of the press - which means that they have to see each other much more often and slowly discover that they really might be friends and so much more. However, this is not easy, given their positions and status in the world, the traditions in Henry's family and the upcoming US election in which Alex has a crucial role as the First Son, aiming to become a politician himself.

I adored all of the characters in this story, from the protagonists to their sidekicks, families and friends. Although their worlds are apart from mine, the descriptions felt authentic and the story and the emotions just seemed real to me. I rooted for these two so much and just couldn't stop reading.
There are many steamy scenes and sometimes they were a bit much, but I decided not to lower my rating because in the end this is a minor quibble as there are so many other aspects I enjoyed. ( )

really cute story! fun to read
great characters :)
loved the concept
some hilarious quotes


3rd read:
this is the only valid romance book ( )

unfortunately i am well versed in fanfiction and ao3 (lmao) so i had basically read this exact story elsewhere, like as in entire paragraphs word for word and lines of dialogue copy pasted from a hundred different fanfics. (and not necessarily GOOD paragraphs or dialogue at that...) so unfortunately not a fav of mine! ( )

WOW WOW WOW!

See full review and more here!

Recommended: YEEEESS! :D
For those who love characters you truly root for with all your heart by the end, for inspiration to live your own life bravely, and for a great book that delivers a much more complex and detailed story than impressive.

Thoughts:
Wow, guys. Wow. What an impressive surprise this book was. I thought it would be a light, funny read (if probably a bit predictable and cliched). While it had the lightness and humor at points, it also was startlingly deep and sensitive and sexy as hell.

Our MCs, Alex & Henry, have that hate-to-love thing going on. But my god, is it so much more than that. You don't often seen a romance struggling with political and international constraints where the people involved are teenagers (or under the age of 30, really). YA political romance is something I never knew I needed in my life, and McQuiston has filled a void I never knew needed filling! So from the start, kudos for a quite original premise and delivery.

The personal identity questions around Alex's bisexuality is handled with honesty, tact, and just as much angst as you would expect when his crush could cost his mother her presidency. The actual romance between them is steamy, too, with both beautifully touching and searingly sexual scenes that capture what love and passion really are.

The supporting characters are all delightful and well developed as well. Far from feeling flat, they add to the story with their own paths in addition to being foils for Henry and Alex to develop further from.

Ending: A I was actually holding my breath, flying through the last pages so fast with one question: "WHAT HAPPENS WITH TEXAS?" Was it predictable? No, actually. As I said, I haven't read much political love intrigue with such young stars, so I really wasn't sure how it would play out. Maybe some things I saw coming, but there was enough uncertainty to keep me devouring this book (as you may have noticed, I slammed out all 423 pages in two days). ( )

3.5

This is like gay Royal We. (I’m fact, I found the book because the Fug Girls recommended it.)

Interesting mix of romance and politics. Enjoyed it for the most part but wished it was a little less crude.

I’m not talking about the gay stuff - that’s fine - but I just thought the way they talked to one another - in particular the parents/kids seemed unnecessarily peppered with cursing. It’s a silly nitpick but it bugged me.

I was also annoyed with how much the young people were involved in the politics - they seemed too young for the roles they were given in the campaign. I get they had to be young to still live in the White House but living there didn’t really seem essential to the plot because the relationship between Alex & Harry would be a huge deal even if he didn’t live there and I think the romance and it’s implications would have held more weight if they were older.



( )

Pure gay joy. ( )

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. ( )

I was warned ahead of time that this book was ~spicy~ and I'm really glad I was because, if not, I would have been very thrown off by it. I read the audiobook and the narrator threw me off so much with his voice that I put the book down for a day or two after only getting 2% in. I'm not sure why, it just did. That aside, this book was super cute and I loved it so much that I read it in like a day when I finally picked it up. It has quite a few parallels to Boyfriend Material (which is also one of my favorites of the year) like enemies to lovers, British people, and some others. I did tune out some of the political talks because I didn't understand some of it, but otherwise, it's cute, tense, spicy, and endearing (and also how I wish the 2016 and 2020 elections would have gone). ( )

Bello, un libro che complessivamente mi è piaciuto molto, simpatico e anche divertente e scritto bene, in maniera intelligente e acuta tanto da riuscire a farti entrare nella testa dei protagonisti. Personaggi ben tratteggiati e coerenti nel loro sviluppo, un libro tutto sommato abbastanza corposo che, per me, forse avrebbe tratto beneficio da qualche piccolo taglio che lo avrebbe reso più agile ed efficace.
Due protagonisti Alex, il figlio della presidente degli Stati Uniti e Henry, il principe quarto in linea di successione al trono britannico, da anni nemici giurati che, per rimediare a un incidente diplomatico che li ha visti coinvolti assieme a una torta nuziale durante il matrimonio di un membro della famiglia reale, saranno costretti a deporre le armi e a fingere un legame di amicizia. Ma le cose tra loro sono destinate a complicarsi perché quello che nasce come un rapporto forzato è destinato, in breve, a trasformarsi del tutto e a creare, forse, problemi ancora maggiori.
Una lettura decisamente godibile, molto più del film che ne hanno tratto che, come nella quasi totalità di simili casi, a mio avviso non riesce a rappresentare in modo ottimale la storia qui narrata che invece consiglio sicuramente di leggere. ( )

3.5 stars, rounding up to 4. It occurs to me I don't have a romance shelf/tag but probably should go back and make one... anyway, this was a nice, fluffy alternative to the current political hellscape (and reading in the year much of it takes place, too!)

There's just enough similarities to our reality (actual previous First Families mentioned, pop culture, etc.) and then some Suspiciously Similar Substitutes ("Mountchristen-Windsor", Stanley Connor essentially being Bernie Sanders and characters are told Prez. Clermont is lucky Connor didn't primary her, email server security comes up, etc.) The Republican rival is like a mashup of Romney (Utah senator, perfectly coiffed) and Larry Craig (for spoiler reasons but also for coming from a mountain west state). I've heard other people mention that they felt Alex and Henry read a little younger than their ages, but remembering what my early twenties were like, this feels pretty authentic in terms of grappling with who you're attracted to, FEELS, and horniness.

I do question really how often VIP kids can wander off to do things in private unless they have very savvy, in-the-know security (which both Alex and Henry do... but my disbelief is stretched). Besides being a male-male romance, we have plenty of representation of people who'd actually exist and live in Texas or DC. Overall, quite fun, would love to see under the hood at the alternative modern worldbuilding (it's implied that the Edward VIII equivalent abdicated because he was a Nazi, though our version was definitely sympathetic, etc. and I can't help but feel Alex would be treated by tabloids like Meghan Markle was for being mixed-race American but RW&RB's world is slightly kinder so maybe not? idk) ( )

Where do I even start? It’s ridiculous and fantastic and so much fun and is everything I could ever want for a book. I sobbed through the entire last third of the book—it’s fine, I’m fine. So grateful to Casey for writing stories where I can see myself so easily. ( )

I LOVE ALEX AND HENRY ( )

Amazon Prime got me again. I’ve found so many good books that they’ve based their shows off of! This movie has quickly became one of my favorites and I just had to read the book! It’s not common that I’ll buy a book and read it before all the others on my to read list, but this one I did!

Red, White, & Royal Blue is a romantic comedy by Casey McQuiston in where the First Son of the US gets into a tiff with the youngest Prince of Britain and they’re forced to fake a friendship for PR reasons. In the end they fall in love and are forced to make difficult decisions that’ll impact both their families, futures, and countries.

This was a fast moving storyline and highly entertaining. It was a creative storyline and hooked from the beginning. The characters are all likeable and the politics were kept to a minimum which I appreciated. The ending was good and this was a positive representation for the LGBTQ community. The humor was just the right amount and not over done like it is in some comedic novels.

There were quite a few differences between the movie and the book, including the villain of the storyline. I’m not sure what the decision was in changing who the bad guy was in the conflict, but it still flowed well in the movie and did not minimize the relationship of the main characters.

★★★★★ I pray for a sequel! I definitely recommend buying the collector’s edition if you are going to read it. It has a final chapter that is set 5 years later from the ending of the original storyline and wraps their story up nicely. ( )

If Prince Harry was gay and Meghan was a man and her… err his mom was the president, I feel like this could be their story! Kinda… ( )

There is absolutely nothing I don't LOVE about this novel. It's smart, sexy, and is full of impeccable prose and razor sharp wit. The fact that I burned through it on the day Trump got impeached just makes it all the more magical. I really can't give it any higher accolades than that, so I'll just leave you with a resounding GO READ IT... NOW! ( )

Every bit the fantasy romance novel you fear it will be. Thoroughly enjoyed it and also wanted to throw up in my mouth a little. ( )

What I did not expect was to laugh as much as I did. There were plenty of tough moments, plenty of tender moments, all with a lot of my kind of humor thrown in. The characters had flaws that made them believable. I enjoyed this far more than I expected to. ( )

why are popular contemporary romances so cheesy

Red, White & Royal Blue follows Britain's Prince Henry and US President's son Alex going from a years-long feud to falling for each other, as socio-political elements stand in their way of love ( )

Alex Claremont-Diaz, First Son of the United States, and Prince Henry, Prince of Wales, have never particularly got along and find themselves in an international incident when they crash into the $75,000 cake at the royal wedding of Henry's brother Philip. To save face, they are required to be seen in public acting like friends, only to discover they may, in fact, love each other.

I read the first half of this book almost in one sitting, and though the young men are very 20s party people, I still found myself involved in their story and enjoying their texts and emails back and forth. After that, unfortunately, the pacing became really uneven and it took a little too long to wrap everything up. There are certain aspects of the story that are most definitely wish-fulfillment after the 2016 election, and it does not take a huge stretch to image Prince Henry as a gay Prince Harry. An okay read, I'd try more by the author, but not a favorite. ( )

Red, White and Royal Blue

Specifics:

Book: Red, White and Royal Blue

Author: Casey McQuiston

Published: 14th May'2019

Genre: Fiction, Romance novel, LGBT literature

LGBTQIA literature: Yes

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Cover design: Colleen Reinhart

Pages: 422

My rating: 4/5

Blurb:

What happens when America first son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?

When his mother became president of the United States, 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 an actual Prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving and Alex / Henry altercation, U.S. / British relations take a turn for the worse.

Heads of family and state and other handlers device a plan for damage control: Stage a truce between the two rivals. What at first begins as a fake, instagrammable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, then 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 presidential campaign and upend two nations. It raises 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 are true colours shine through?

Dedication:

For the wierdos and the dreamers.

Review:

'History huh? I bet we could make some!'

This is the single dialogue that can sell the book. I probably will remember this forever. This and many other dialogues which will grow on you, like they did on me.

The book is a medium paced, long chaptered with fairly good writing. The story is presented to us from Alex's point of view who initially came across as annoying but as the story progresses, I absolutely fell in love with him and all the other characters.

The name of the book is so apt. It suddenly hit me in the end and that fooded me with happiness.

Just as the blurb says, this is an enemy to lovers trope but also so much more. We learn about politics, we learn about anxiety, we learn about family and friendships. It's a whole package filled with love.

The relationships that the protagonists share with other characters are also well depicted and relatable. The book felt real. Most of the characters have a witty side to them, so expect laughs and sometimes hysterical ones.

Towards the middle, I felt like it did go on a plateau if not a dip down the 'interesting line'. I think we have the long chapters to blame for that and the initial stage of their alleged relationship felt very repetitive. But it came back really good. The last few chapters especially were irresistible.

The love that Henry and Alex share is to die for. I really want to get out of the ' I am happily single phase' and find something that they share.

The best part of the book, according to me is how much the other characters shine. Each of them had a very good description and even though we see more of the two protagonists, the author managed to show us enough of them to expect spin offs.

The insights into the royal family and the White House were good too. They made the story feel real and not a work of fiction. I love their email exchanges. I am a sucker for emails and every time I saw emails coming my way in the story, I was excited and the author did not dissapoint me there.

It's an enjoyable read but because of the annoyingly long chapters and the failure to captivate my interest towards the middle, I rate it 4/5.

Spoiler alert:

The moments that Alex and Henry shared during their journey were so precious. The way Henry tagged along to Texas and had a beautiful BBQ picnic, the way Alex was shown the part of Buckingham palace that Henry was so connected to, the ups and downs they went through and the love that triumphed. Beautiful! Magical! Breath-taking!

When Raphael Luna ditched them to join Richards, I really felt that Oscar was behind this and he knew it. I thought that he was betraying his family. I should have given him the benefit of the doubt though. Turns out they worked only for the best of Ellen Claremont.

I liked both their mothers. Even with their misplaced priorities, they loved their kids and would bring down the world to protect their hearts.

The siblings were gems. If not for them, their already hard journey would have become impossible and the White House trip or the super six were such a bright additon to the story. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?

June's speeches that Alex and Ellen recite during their respective times are so heart-warming. They win the election and somehow tears escaped my eyes too.

The way people all over the world come to support these two lovebirds moved me. The drawings made, the t-shirts sold and the rally's conducted surely helped them be together.

I really wouldn't wish anyone to be outed by an anonymous source for any sorts of gains though. It is hard as it is with these choices to make. Giving them time and space to present their true selves in their own way is a very important thing that shouldn't be robbed off of them. But Richards did pay the price by losing the election and hopefully is in the fiction-worlds biggest jail.

Coming to the characters:

Alex Claremont-Diaz: Has anyone ever started working their way up the political superiority from the moment they set foot on Earth? Because that is Alex, ever so sure of what he wants but unaware of his own orientation in the beginning. He hates Henry, due to a lot of reasons but it is sort of obvious that it might just be irresistible attraction that's making him behave so. I think out of all the characters, Alex loves the hardest. I adore him for always caring for Henry and I adore his parents for being ever so supportive of his choices. Shout out to his mother for never letting Alex feel like he's a burden to the campaign and only making sure that if he is going for it, he is a thousand percent sure.

HRH Prince Henry of Wales: The tom-boy who turned out to be a poet in disguise, Henry has a lot on his shoulders. He lost his father to pancreatic cancer when he was young and his mother went into 'not-so-active' mode. He tries his best to not defer from his royal duties of which he considers his sexuality to be one. Once he falls in love with Alex, in a very hard 'I hurt my head in the process' kinda way. There is no going back. He fights and he wins. Love him for his courage and his emails. Can he email me, please?

June Claremont-Diaz: The smart ass with a goal to take over journalism with her words is probably the world's most protective and loving sister. You can always find her with a bunch of tabloids in her hands. She doesn't waste a second to step up and take a bullet for her brother when his relationship with Henry leaks into the tabloids. I really wish to find out more about how things went with her and Pez, may be a spin off would do us some good. She did get a book deal so, I guess that settles some part of her life.

Princess Beatrice: 'The Powder Princess', who has been the only calming point in Henry's life since their father's death. She goes out of her way to support Henry and makes sure her mom comes to senses once they need her to back them up. She also always protects him from Philip being a bully and somehow ensures he realises what he's doing and tries to correct himself too.

Nora: My second favourite character who exhuberates Determination, zeal and has the best things to say, always. I love her witty side. She's clever and you can find her running numbers on everything and somehow making sense of it. When she went MIA for two days I was really scared but she comes back with research to bring Richards down for outing her best friend and I want my friends to go and take inspiration from her and I will to because no one, not a single soul can come after my friends and get away with it.

Zahra: Handsdown! My favourite character from the book! She's the most sarcastic person in the lot with a lot of tough love to spread. She's engaged to Shaan and the way she handles situations makes her stand out to me. When she said (cover your eyes, kids), 'I'll staple your dick to the inside of your legs if it keeps it in your fucking pants', I lost it. I have stored it in my 'must have memory' part of my brain and will use it at any given occasion.


What I liked about it:

- LGBTQIA plus literature
- Beautiful love story (the one that makes you want to end your singledom, if that's a word)
- It's definitely a page-turning in the end
- Brave, Real and independent characters
- It is a sort of an inspiration to the youth to learn about politics
- Has strong friendships and family relations
- Very spiteful and funny dialogues (that I'll definitely use in real life)
- The side characters shine
- Emails are the main form of communication.

Cons:

- felt a little repetitive in the middle
- The interest won't be constant, it starts off okay then dips down and then goes up real quick
- a bit predictive
- annoyingly long chapters ( )