"If Alex's head is a storm, Henry is the place lightning hits the ground."

There is such a buzz and a huge amount of hype circulating about this book. Does it live up to it all? It lives up to it and so much more!!!!

I've been perusing some of the reviews and one thing I noticed is that they are very long reviews. It's like everyone can't get out their true feelings without going into great detail. The reason is, is that this book is absolutely amazing and will stay with you long after you read the last page.

Alex and Prince Henry. Two young men victim to the social spotlight because of the families they were born into. Sworn enemies, now forced to make fake nice in order to maintain a close relationship between two power countries.

What will transpire when they both come to the realization that maybe their so called hatred was really never there for either of them, what happens when secrets are disclosed and it's time to chose if you will live for your country or live the life you would choose for yourself if the decision was really truly your own?

Some people will see that this is a male/male book and pass it over for that reason only. This book is about so much more. It's about acceptance, self love and learning that just because you think something is different does not mean it is wrong. In fact, it shows us that love is love. You can't hide from it.

To say this book is phenomenal is an understatement. Pretty sure this is going to be a top read of 2019 for a lot of readers including me!!!!

**Received an ARC copy through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed**

That was so flipping cute! I loved the escapist aesthetic and the jaunty tone and the banter and the fact that it felt like a royalty AU fic full of trope-y deliciousness. And it was LONG! (like the fic I love best!) So you got to really luxuriate in it.

It's "new adult" (the protagonists are in their early 20s) are so it has an older YA feel to it, with the addition of lots of explicit sex. As my coworker said when I described it, it's basically a really gay Disney Original Movie. There's nothing gritty or edgy here beyond mentions of past drug use from a character who is now sober, and a lot of drinking (but no driving). Depending on the reader -- if safe, consensual, mutually satisfying sex scenes and drinking are ok, basically -- it would be a solid read for an older teen or young adult.

This book actually does a lot of what romance does best: modeling relationships between complicated, flawed characters (not just romantic relationships, but parents, siblings, and friends), focusing on process rather than the ending. That's why the all-romance jacket copy isn't a spoiler even though there's tons of pages of fake friendship and buildup before that... it's how you get through the story that counts. And it gives you legitimate barriers -- HOW will they make this work out?? -- but you know that you're getting to the HEA/HFN eventually so you can just enjoy the ride.

It's very much of a moment, of now, from the Casper Mattress reference to every other pop culture everything, and who knows how it will age. For now, though, it's the perfect escapist beach fantasy read and I'm looking forward to recommending it all widely. I've already started.

I do not have enough adjectives to describe my love for this book. Its been a week and I am still reading my favorite passage. This book was PERFECTION! It made me swoon, cry and smile. I loved that they couldn't keep their hands off each other, Henry, Alex, Nora, June, Pez.... I miss yall! Seriously, I can't recommend this book enough. Highly recommend to any and all peoples.

As a fervent republican, royal romances aren't my usual cup of tea but this new adult novel about the US president's son Alex falling for British Prince Henry was so charming. The author says she wrote this book as a fantasy after the 2016 election, and its exactly that. Instead of Trump the president is a liberal woman with half-Mexican kids, and the prince is critical of his family's imperial past and busy opening queer youth shelters while trying to meet his family's expectations.

The romance between Alex and Prince Henry is so tender and lovely, and I could have spent hundreds more pages just reading their letters to each other. However given their public positions their relationship is constantly challenged by the intrusion of press and politics which forces them both to make difficult decisions, for Alex risking his mother's re-election and for Henry risking his relationships with his family. It felt like the perfect balance of romance and conflict and I was either swooning or crying for most of the book!

I've already added it to my comfort reads for sad times list, and think it will appeal to fans of YA, queer romance and political dramas like The West Wing and Scandal.

I truly wanted to love this one so much but unfortunately I found myself skimming excessively due to boredom and more often than not being pulled out of the story but the clumsy prose. I thought there were too many supporting characters which took the focus off of Henry and Alex. The bright spot I did find were Henry and Alex - I did enjoy their characterizations, their dialogue, their romance arc. I am not sure if I would recommend this title.

This was not for me. I just couldn't get into it. It was not what I like to read at all. I couldn't relate to any part which is usually what keeps me read.

My rating: 4.5 stars

Honestly, this might be the best book I've read in 2019. You won't believe how good this is! If you're in the mood for an LGBT, coming-of-age, hate-to-love story, you can't miss this one.

Alex is the son of the first female president (elected in 2016!!!!) of the United States. He and his sister are very close and with the granddaughter of the Vice President, the three of them make up the White House Trio. These three have political jobs that must be upheld, especially during this period of the re-election campaign.
Alex HATES Prince Henry of Wales - he finds him "as compelling as a wet ball of yarn." He decides, after drinking quite a bit, that he's going to speak that truth right into Henry's pretty face at the Royal Wedding. However, this doesn't go over too well, and the boys end up ruining the cake. To save face, they have to appear to be best friends to the media for a while, so it looks like they were just rough-housing and not causing a scene.
Let the fun begin!
Throughout the course of this novel, Alex and Henry get to learn not only all about each other, but about themselves as well. There's great representation of politics, both American and English, and the LGBT community as well! We get to see the difficulty in non-hetero sexualities and how they interact with government jobs.
This book is hilarious! I usually try to avoid laughing out loud while reading and looking like a maniac, but that was impossible with this one! Alex is a hilarious person by himself, but his interesting dynamic with each of the other characters brings in its own dose of humor to ever single scene!
I fell in love with everyone in this book. I'm used to falling in love with the actual love interest of a story, but everyone was so lovable! Not just the main characters either, but even the assistants and secret service had depth. Just waiting for Casey McQuiston to announce a whole series of sequels about each character! Especially the relationship details between N*** and J*** because we all know it's there and WE NEED MORE!

I don't even know what I can say about this book other than READ IT! I would recommend it to anyone and everyone that thinks they might be interested in it. It won't disappoint!

Blog post goes live 5/13
Youtube Review 5/13

When I picked up Red, White & Royal Blue at Apollycon 2019 I knew I was interested in the book’s plot, but I didn’t realize how much I needed it in the current climate. Casey McQuiston acknowledges she started this before 2016’s election and it gives the idea of a future much different than today’s. It’s full of hope and love something we need more of every day.

We follow Alex Diaz-Claremont and his journey of self discovery and love with none other than His Royal Highness Prince Henry (HRH). I have to say that Casey McQuiston really delivers the angst in a fast paced and delightful story. I at the very least experienced a lot of emotions in my reading of this book. The act of discovering one’s sexuality and coming to terms with it was very real for me. It resonated in so many ways.

I will say this book hits more of the new adult category than adult romance. It’s angsty it’s that age of inbetween (21-23) with a lot of self discovery. I don’t think people who generally don’t read YA and romance would enjoy it. I really found it bridging the gap between the two for me.


I’ve marked up my book and I can’t wait to read this one again and again. If you need a little hope and joy right now I can’t recommend Red, White & Royal Blue eough.


HEA/HFN: Yes!
Representation: Mixed Race, LGBTQIA+
Content Warnings/Trigger Warnings: Child Abuse (off page), drug abuse (off page talk of rehab too), deceased parent

5/5 Stars !!!
It has been a while since I have read a feel-good book. The one that fills you up after reading. You think about it for a while even after you are done. It sparked my love for reading even more. This was such an amazing book. Put in politics from the U.S and Britain, this was the perfect mix.

We meet with Alex and Henry. Alex is the first son of U.S president who happens to be Latino and a woman. Then we meet Henry who is the Prince of Wales. It is an enemy to lovers book, but I don't think they were true enemies. I would say more " I was attracted to you, but you were too full of yourself first meet" feeling if that makes any sense.

I also really liked the two U.S. and royal politics clashing together yet the foundation of running a nation is so similar. I would like to call this book true escapism. It creates a world for you that seems so much better than what's going on. It reflects love, family, race, etc. And the best part is that love doesn't need to define a certain gender, role, or, be socially acceptable because then we are caging love in labels. Alex and Henry gave us a love story that shows that when it comes to love even a whole nation can't try to taint it. Love is love, Love is pure. As Alex says, "Love is Shakespearean".


******ARC Review********

5 stars, no question about it. This book should be shelved under "fantasy," because it's so far-fetched in today's world, but oh how I wish it could be true. The narrator and first MC Alex is the half-Latino son of the female, divorced, progressive President of the United States. His BFF is the Jewish granddaughter of the Veep. The President's closest advisers include a Muslim chief of staff and a transgender Secret Service Agent.

Oh, and Alex doesn't know it yet as the story begins, but he's in love with the grandson of the Queen of England, the very royal Prince Henry of Wales.

This is one of those books that you can't put down because it's so engaging, but at the same time you want to put it down because you need it to last longer. The writing is sharp and clever, and debut author Casey McQuiston creates a hilarious, sweet and swoony enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance that hits all of the emotional feels in a perfect arc (no Big Misunderstandings, no long separations, no rehashing the same issues over and over). Plus she sets it in a world in which goodness triumphs and crooked politicians go down in flames. If only!

Alex is a wonderful MC, ambitious, loyal, snarky as all get out, but it's really Henry who steals the book with his wounded heart and quiet courage. He has the tougher obstacles to overcome - as he says, Alex can choose a different career besides politics, but Henry will always be a royal, with all of the obligations that involves. I couldn't help wishing that some of the chapters were told from Henry's POV. I'm not a fan of duologies that show the same events from different perspectives, but in this case I think it might actually be warranted. Either that, or I just want to spend more time with these delightful characters.

It's rare that I read a book that lives up to the hype, but Red, White & Royal Blue does that and more. If you have been heartbroken since November 2016, this book ease your pain, at least for a little while.

ARC gratefully received from Net Galley in exchange for honest review.

Imagine Veep political drama meets Christina Lauren 🔥 romance but the cast is made up of the whose who of British royalty and America’s first family. Alex Claremont-Diaz has grown up in American politics. He’s the son of Ellen, a Texan Democrat that climbs her way all the way to the White House and who is divorced to Oscar, a Hispanic Senator. Henry is the gay Prince of England but has been forcefully closeted by the Queen his whole life. Alex has never really questioned his sexuality until Henry. This is a story of American diversity, the fears of coming out, the pressures of politics, and, above all, love. The entire cast is so endearing. In the words of the author, it is an “escapist trauma-soothing, alternate-but-realistic reality” to our current American political situation. I didn’t know I needed this story, but it was such a fun read and I couldn’t get enough.

I wasn't overly sure how I would feel about this book. I've made a rule of not reading a book that is written by the opposite gender of queer fiction, tired of reading a fetished version of a relationship written by people who don't understand being queer. But thanks to looking it up and seeing that the author is nonbinary and queer, it made me relax. And I'm happy that I gave it a chance without worrying about what it might be. All in all, it was an amazing read with a enemies to lovers, an open discussion of being queer and how living in the spotlight can leave those traumatized due to the lack of protections for their privacy. This book really got down to what it means to be queer as well, and I feel like that was one of the biggest things to come away with along with what people of color face and bigotry.

Alex, first son of the US hates Prince Henry. But after an incident that forces the two of them together as ‘friends’ brings out a real friendship with them, to sex with benefits, and then a full fledge relationship. This story is a slow burn that deals with emotions in an amazing way that will leave you in tears by the end just like me. It deals with the fact neither men were able to be fully out without hurting the other. Alex’s mom, the president, is up for reelection. Henry is second in line to throne and is expected to produce an heir in case his brother doesn’t. Both are supposed to be seen as a shining example of happy heterosexuals. But that wasn’t their truth. Thankfully, despite some homophobic characters, there are more that are accepting and let them be themselves. It shows the change in values in England and America, and the rest of the world when it comes to queer rights. And the fact this book has a number of queer characters, from a trans character, to bisexual, pansexual, gay, and so on.

The story of this book, what it brings to the table has been something I think a lot of us who are queer have needed. It’s sweet and brings together an amazing love story that gives all of us hope. And for that, I’m thankful and why this has quickly become a personal favorite for me.

No surprise, but I forking loved this book. Listen. Contemporary romance books ("chick-lit", as it were) get the same rap as rom-coms in film. Fluffy, no substance, etc. But when they are done RIGHT, there's truly nothing better, more subtly deep, or moving. This is the gay modern equivalent of a You've Got Mail or When Harry Met Sally. I can't wait to read it again and again.

Okay. Hear me out when I tell you, you NEED this book in your life okay? You might think 'pfffft, it's probably not even that good'. Well, dear friend, I can tell you it absolutely is.

This book has sad and happy points and for FUCK'S SAKE someone give Casey a fucking award. RWRB will have you hooked from page one and if yall don't, Henry and Alex's story is so so amazing and I literally cannot review this book without giving spoilers so I'll say this: if you want a fluff that will literally make you swoon and still has a splash of drama and angst this book is for you.

If you want to enjoy this book even more follow Casey on Spotify for some book related playlists!!

There are simply not enough stars to rate just how much a loved Red, White & Royal Blue. I realized relatively early on that this one was going to tick all boxes. And to think this is Casey McQuiston’s debut novel. Easily top five of 2019 for me!

The premise is fantastic and the characters are phenomenal. The writing is sharp, quick witted and filled with hilarious banter. This book has so much heart! Alex and Henry are sublime and the unfolding of their relationship is absolutely one of my favorites ever told. They’re so unbelievably beautiful in their discovery of who they are and who they we’re always meant to be. The supporting characters are equally superb and neither Alex or Henry would be who they are without them.

I truly enjoyed every moment of Red, White & Royal Blue and I look forward to not only the praise McQuiston is sure to receive but future books from her as well.

Claremont 2020, if only ♥️

I LOVED this book! Since the characters are out of high school and there are sex scenes (and a lot of cussing), I wouldn't recommend this for my middle school students, but otherwise, it's fantastic! I'm still feeling the feels and thinking about Alex and Henry (the two main characters).

Alex is the son of the President of the United States (the first female president, nonetheless). When he's invited to a royal wedding in England, he crashes, literally, into his rival, Prince Henry. In order to avoid an international incident, the two must pretend to be best friends. Friendship soon turns to something more and the two young men have to figure out how to be happy with the person they love while still doing the right thing for their respective countries.

As previously mentioned, I adored this book. I read it in just a few hours and couldn't even stop for a soda or a snack. I would recommend this for readers 16 and older, and for anyone who wants to read a good love story.

Red, White & Royal Blue is a fun, heartwarming story about two young men under a worldwide spotlight that discover their hatred might be covering up something more. This book has a very modern take on humor and banter, which I loved, and being in Alex's head was a much-needed break from reality. Alex has struggles, he's not perfect, but what endeared me most to him was that he genuinely kept at it until he felt satisfied with himself. He's charming, fun, and relatable.

Surprisingly, so is the Prince of Wales. Of the male leads, Henry is the more complex of the two, but his worries and concerns aren't alien despite his royal status. He's got the same worries as Alex, as any person his age, even if his stakes are a bit higher than most people's. Of the two, I personally found Henry more compelling from a character standpoint -- I found myself thinking 'what's with this guy' and 'what's his deal' much more than I did Alex. Since we're reading Henry from Alex's point of view, we see him as Alex does -- mysterious, changing, and not quite what he seems on the outside.

RW&RB is a great read, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good modern romance. However! This is definitely a book for adults, rather than teens. I was on the fence about the intended audience from the cover, but the sexual content is definitely present (and well-written!), so I'd say this comes down on the 'adult' side of the line.

4/5 Stars.

This book was everything I was hoping it would be and more! The writing was witty and hilarious and the characters were charming. I loved Alex and Henry’s hate to love relationship. I loved watching them get to know each other and being there for each other while dealing with their responsibilities and their families. And I loved all the female characters that were fierce and unapologetic, but still amazingly kind. Overalls, I sincerely loved everything about this book and I already want to read it again!

What an adorable book! Whilst it relies quite heavily on British stereotypes (we’re not all emotionally stunted!), the happy ever after was just what i needed! A lovely, lighthearted read with great LGBT+ representation

4.5 wonderful stars, and it's dedicated to the weirdos & the dreamers - even the dedication is great! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 Song this book reminded me of: History Has Its Eyes on You from Hamilton.

So Red, White & Royal Blue is a super cute m/m romance in which the First Son of the United States, Alex Claremont-Diaz, and Henry George Edward James Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, the Prince of Wales, have...international relations, if you know what I mean. 😏

They start off as not-quite-enemies, with the press casting Alex as the American equivalent of Henry, setting them up as rivals of sorts. This gets under Alex's skin as he finds Henry to be this placid, boring Prince Charming with no personality while Alex is the epitome of sparkling wit and charisma, of course! Then, at the royal wedding of Henry's older brother, an embarrassing mishap involving the two of them forces Alex and Henry to spend time together to repair their images. Cue the enemies to lovers trope, which is done really nicely here.

Alex and Henry's forced relationship leads to texting and then writing emails, their modern equivalent of the love letter. I especially liked the historical letter tidbits that were sprinkled into Alex and Henry's correspondence - queer love throughout time! A Hamilton/Laurens letter is included, which further made me listen to Hamilton as I read this.

Prince Henry is 100% gay, though in the closet, and his hair is also somehow always perpetually tousled. Anyhoo, Alex on the other hand is bi. Bi everything! He's biracial, bilingual, and (this one is a bit of surprise to him) bisexual. And he's figuring this out on the world stage, no pressure! His realization of his identity felt organic and real to me.

And can I say, what I might love most is the alternate reality in which Trump never became President, but instead America elected a divorced woman with a biracial family. Claremont 2020! May it come true one day. McQuiston also included a character with an addiction who was in recovery and a trans character - yay representation!

The end had me tearing up - I don't want to give too much away so I'll just say the end of Chapter 13 was emotional. It reminded me of the photos of Irish people abroad flying home to vote YES for gay marriage in 2015, just incredibly moving.

I have a friend that immediately loses interest in a romance as soon as the couple gets together, so the happily ever after has to happen really close to the end for her to keep reading and enjoying it. That is the only type of reader I could see that might not enjoy this story as much, since Alex and Henry do hook up pretty quickly. They have to fight through oppression and long distances and such, but the conflict in the story is mainly how to make this crazy dynamic work rather than a lot of angst and anticipation about getting together.

Supposedly the author is writing a f/f romance next, and I will *definitely* be reading it!

Thank you to NetGalley for this digital ARC to review. :)