eview:

I've read varying reviews on this novel, many of which were predicated on the way the readers responded to the politics of the novel. Everyone agreed it was a delightful book - extremely intelligent, witty, well-written, excellent characterization, and hits all the romance beats perfectly. Yet, I saw RW&RB scored down because readers were unable to get passed the politics of the novel. This, I believe, is where I see the limits of reader response criticism, where the experience of reading a novel is completely rooted in the experience of the reader at an emotional, sentimental level, regardless of the execution of the work itself.

But readers don't look for reviews to break down the merits and weaknesses of reader response theory. It just got me thinking about who what I'm trying to accomplish as a reviewer if I can pan an excellent book simply because the politics are too close for my historical comfort. I wonder if scoring down a book for that reason isn't the same as downgrading a book for the identity of the character or because it features a pairing you don't agree with. It is criminal in reviewing to possess some types of biases, yet others we tolerate others without self-reflection. However, while those beliefs won't necessarily disenfranchise a group, it can sink a book in someone's opinion.

Enough rambling. RW&RB is brilliant. One of the reasons I treasure this book is because it is one of the few modern LGBQTA+ romances that demonstrates an awareness of the history of the LGBQTA+ movement. To a degree, that makes sense. After all, romance is the genre of escapism and hope. Talking about the AIDS crisis or Stonewall or Compton's Cafeteria Riot might not make for escapist reading. However, given the politics environment of the novel and both Alex's and Henry's roles in their families and respective governments, history and politics form a central preoccupation. The main characters are the sons of the leaders of their respective countries. Therefore, their romance, as it grows, has the power to alter history and our main characters know this, a fact encapsulated in Alex's phrase, "History, huh?"

But there's more to it, right? Because LGBQTA+ people have had to contend with more than just violence and intolerance. We've had to deal with outright historical erasure. It becomes a major theme of the novel. Alex and Henry are constantly analyzing their place in history, especially given the consequences of their growing love for each other. The moment they both embrace the fact that they will, in fact, occupy a glaring spot in the history of both countries, it is both epic and humbling for both characters. One of the most powerful moments is Alex speaking in a press conference and he tells his audience, "I am the First Son of the United States, and I'm bisexual. History will remember us." A constant theme, it is McQuiston's answer to historical erasure is to place the First Son of the United States and the Crown Prince of England on a world stage and dare history to ignore them.

The book is also a coming out narrative, but played out on a worldwide stage. Alex comes to terms with his bisexuality as he falls ever deeper in love with Henry. There is forced exposure of the main character's sexuality - if this is a trigger for a reader, be forewarned that it plays a central role in the plot. But the writer handles this deftly, and the responses by the different parties involved (Alex's mother, his sister and best friend, Henry's family and, finally, the public) are internally consistent for the novel but also realistic on a larger scale. McQuiston paints an optimistic world where some people are ogres about the revelation of Alex and Henry's romance but most are cheering for them and take courage from their love. Essentially, all the right people are on their side, including the British and American public. America comes off a bit better in this novel than it does in real life.

Let's talk romance a minute. There is a wonderful mashup of tropes in this novel: enemies-to-friends, fake relationships here and even forbidden love as Alex and Henry work to find reasons to see each other. The love letters between them are a work of art on their own and McQuiston models their letters on the love letters of famous people throughout history. I have a collection of letters somewhere on my hard drive that I once collected by Virginia Woolf, Alexander Hamilton and Simon Beauvoir, among others and it was thrilling to see some of these show up in the letters between Alex and Henry. Their love and longing is palpable and was one of the highlights of the novel. I could their letters alone and be happy. Alex goes from brusque American braggadocio to poetically waxing about his love for Henry and Henry's responses are positively literary. The wit and banter is hip and clever but when they talk about love, the words smoulder on the page.

And the love scenes - if you are an aspiring writer, each love scene is worth studying as an exemplar of how to write love scenes rooted in strong characterization. They are a splendid combination of sexual desire, emotional intensity and delicacy - truly some of the best love scenes I've ever read.

Favorite Quotes:

"Thinking about history makes me wonder how I’ll fit into it one day, I guess. And you too. I kinda wish people still wrote like that. History, huh? Bet we could make some."

"But the truth is, also, simply this: love is indomitable."

"Should I tell you that when we’re apart, your body comes back to me in dreams? That when I sleep, I see you, the dip of your waist, the freckle above your hip, and when I wake up in the morning, it feels like I’ve just been with you, the phantom touch of your hand on the back of my neck fresh and not imagined? That I can feel your skin against mine, and it makes every bone in my body ache? That, for a few moments, I can hold my breath and be back there with you, in a dream, in a thousand rooms, nowhere at all?"

"You are a delinquent and a plague. Please come."

"Never tell me the odds."

An enthusiastic 5-star read.

5/5 stars

This book. THIS BOOK. I honestly can't speak highly enough of it? I keep returning to it again and again when I'm sad. It pulled me out of a funk, made me believe in love, gave me hope for the future of America...honestly. This book.

Absolutely loved this book! I have never read a romance novel with a homosexual couple - I'm glad that this story puts real couples like this on the map so that others who are similar can feel included, like their own stories can get told, too.

While I enjoyed this book a lot, I didn't love it as much as everyone on Booktube did unfortunately. I guess I'll start out with the negatives: I think there was actually a little too much politics and not enough romance, especially in the last 35% of the book. While this story centers around two political families and a reelection, I just felt that it could have been more focused on Alex and Henry's relationship overall. I also think that this book could've maybe been a little shorter. For me, 423 pages is a little long for a new adult romance.

Back to the positives: OMG I LOVE ALEX AND HENRY SO MUCH. I love how complex and multifaceted McQuiston wrote them to be. I also loved the pacing of how their relationship developed from hate to love. I enjoyed all of the side characters as well. This book also made me wish that we had an President like Ellen in real life.

I would definitely recommend this, but I wouldn't advise against having as high of expectations as I did going into it. Overall a wonderful LGBTQ romance!

I went into this novel expecting a fluffy little rom-com, but Casey McQuiston has blown me away. This hopeful tale of friendship, politics, and a history-changing love is funny and sweet and beautiful and it ripped my heart to absolute shreds before putting it back together and filling it with pride and the hope for a future that could be ours someday. For sure adding this to my Faves of 2019 list!!

Much thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s/Griffin for an advanced reader’s copy for early review.

Things I Loved about Red, White and Royal Blue

1. The Diversity
This book is about Alex, who is biracial (Mexican/white), has ADHD and as he realises throughout the book, he is bisexual. Alex happens to be the son of the female president of the United States, and he falls in love with Henry, the gay prince of England. As if that wasn’t amazing enough, there’s also diversity when it comes to the supporting characters, there’s a biracial character, a bisexual character, a character with no regards for gender roles and a character that struggles with addiction. And that’s just the most prominent secondary characters, there’s even more diversity when it comes to minor characters. How fantastic is that?!

2. The Romance
Now, the main focus of the story is the romance and let me tell you this book is the perfect example of the dislike to like to love trope. I was swooning so hard while reading this book, the romance was cute and angsty and hot and everything I could have ever asked for. Also, for a big part of this book, Alex and Henry communicate through emails, which are sweet, romantic, thoughtful and just thinking about them makes me want to smile.

3. Amazing side characters + coolest friend group ever
Each of the two main characters in this book had two people in there lives that were really close to them. For Alex, it was his sister, June, and his best friend, Nora. And for Henry, it was his sister, Bea, and his best friend, Pez. Throughout the book the six of them form a friendship and they become the coolest, most badass group of friends ever and I’m so here for it! I love all six of them.

Also, I need follow up books so I can get stories for the other characters (I feel like they are hints of June and Nora having a thing, but I have mentioned it to some people and no one else seems to have noticed it, so I’m fretting that I made it all up in my mind and now I’m invested in it and it won’t happen, so if you read the book and you also saw the June/ nora hints, let me know!)

4. The political aspect
Lastly, this book deals a lot with politics, elections, electoral campaings and all that sort of thing since Alex’s mom is up for reelection and that has an impact on Alex and Henry’s relationship. I know that may be divisive because a lot of people may not like how big of part politic plays in the book, but as someone who graduated as a political scientist, I LOVED it! I thought it was really interesting and well reserched, even if the ending didn’t feel completely realistic, it was more on the hopeful side but it went well with the tone of the book.

There are so many other amazing things about this book like the supportive family and the humor, but these were the main four things that made me fall in love with Red, White & Royal Blue.

I absolutely loved this book and these boys! I absolutely loved the slow burn between the two and the relationship felt so healthy and natural. This author has a voice for adorable romances!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free ARC of this novel. Regardless of the way I acquired the novel, the thoughts, opinions, and views stated in this review are completely unbiased and one hundred percent my own.

There is a good chance this review is going to be an incoherent gush because I LOVED THIS BOOK AND THESE BOYS SO MUCH.

I don’t know who in the publishing/writing world decided summer 2019 would be Young Adult/New Adult Pride Summer but I am l i v i n g for the queer representation that’s been all over the book channels this summer. Yes. Queens. Live your literary truth.

Alex and Henry are the perfect characters, for me, in this novel. They were each so unique and individual, while leading seemingly parallel lives. I loved how their stories intertwine, how they meet, how their feelings for each other grow and unfurl like a beautiful peacock tail (I’m really not sure why that’s the imagery I came up with in this moment…).

I read another review that mentioned they wished Alex and Henry had alternating POV’s throughout the novel. I think I liked having this first novel be all Alex because it was his discovery of himself, and his mom’s big election, so it made sense that everything was handled through his world view. However, I love the idea of getting inside Henry’s POV, and if/when we get a book two, having Henry take the lead would be, everything.

I really just want to gush about how sweet, and cute, and steamy these two romantic boys are, but that would give away all the best parts of the novel. I definitely got very emotional more than a few times while reading their love story.

The only negative thing I have to say about this novel is that it got a little political heavy. This was totally in character for Alex, our future leader of the free world, but it got to be too much for me, the reviewer who can’t even watch an entire news segment without cringing or turning it off. That’s really the only reason this doesn’t get the full 5 star rating, because I found myself skimming over some of the political discussion just so I could get to our next scene faster.

Other than that I adored this book. I ADORED the setting, and the fact that our characters included the First Son of a female President, and the Prince of England. And I adored how they navigated their relationships with their family, their countries, and each other. You guys, just read it, okay. It’s so. Cute. I want to hug them both. Love is love is love is love is love...


4.5/5

This is a difficult book to rate. I didn't connect with any of the characters. The dialogue between Henry and Alex didn't seem appropriate for their ages. It was very immature at times. Also, I don't know many 20 year old young men who speak so in depth about love and their feelings. It all just threw me out of the story and became unrealistic and because of that I never meshed with the love story.

The secondary girl characters were kick ass and I wanted more dialogue from them. I liked how Casey showed Alex and Henry's vulnerabilities. How afraid they were, but needed each other. I felt a bit disconnected to Henry more than Alex because Alex character was more fleshed out. We learned more about Henry near the books end. At that point I didn't care to know.

Now, I can definitely see why this book is beloved. A story about two high profiled young gay boys secretly having a love affair where the stakes are high. Most Americans love anything that involves Royals.

These are my quick thoughts.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the advanced eARC.

Loved this book! At first I wasn't sure, but I quickly feel in love. It's a read in one sitting kind of book!!

I unfortunately was not a fan of Red, White & Royal Blue and I feel as if I am in the minority with this opinion. Alas, it is my opinion though and I don't want to hold back.

It took me several tries to get through this book. Several months even. I would pick it up, read a few pages, and then have to put it back down because I just couldn't do it which is a shame but I was actually really excited to read this book. This one just didn't do it for me and I think it boils down to the writing. The sentences were choppy and just didn't read well to me. And the story line was SO CHEESY. I was expecting it to be slightly cheesy simply because it's a romance book and I tend to always find them cheesy but this one really took the cake. I found myself laughing at times but not in a good way sadly.

What I did like is how this book didn't hold back when it came to LGBTQ+ rep, I wish more books had the capacity this one did. I also like that Red, White & Royal Blue is definitely not Young Adult but rather New Adult. I think more books need to branch out into this category. We can have books with early 20 characters in this genre without the story being all smut. I hope this book helps break through that stigma!

This book was fantastic! The witty personality that Alex has is amazing and had me laughing out loud a few times. This is one of the best romantic comedy I have read in a long time and just fell in love with this story. I will definitely be buying this book and rereading it a few times.

I can see why everyone and their mother loves this book, it's cute and witty and just a fun time while also shining light on important political matters. I admire the author for their work and I hope to read more from them in the future.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an exchange of an honest review.

The ARC came to me as a PDF for me to read on my phone...I was less than thrilled by this due to the fact that my phone is a third of the size of my kindle.

The plot had me intrigued though, First Son secretly dates The Prince, so I opened my microscopic ARC and the next thing I know I had spent hours squinting and page adjusting and it was totally worth it!

This story is sexy, clever and so much fun! I was so elated by the end I didn’t care how it was sent to me as long as I got to read the story. Now go out and read it too!

O.M.G.

This is one of the CUTEST novels I have ever read!! I was living for Alex and Henry. I will say though, Henry is real close to Harry, so for about half the book I thought his name was Harry. Oops.

I loved all the characters. I instantly fell in love and cared about them. I wanted them all to do well in their chosen careers and in their personal relationships.

There was just enough political intrigue to keep me interested without being too political-y. There was backstabbing and switching sides PLUS some royal politics. It was amazing.

I loved how the book ended. It left me wanting more, but it was all tied with a pretty bow. I just loved Alex and Henry SO MUCH I wanted to keep hearing about their day to day lives.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves YA contemporaries, LGBT romance, political intrigue, and just a good time. Red, White and Royal Blue had me laughing and crying. I could definitely see myself re-reading this book in the future.

Isn't is amazing when a debut book is so good? Red, White & Royal Blue is one of my favorites reads of the year. Refreshing characters, an amazing story line and a new author for my favorites list.

I loved this book! What a cute, fun read! I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves Chick-Lit.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Angel: As soon as I read the synopsis for Red, White & Royal Blue, I knew that I needed to pick it up, and what better way to read a new romance novel than with your bestie.

Ely: I actually saw this book come up on Goodreads while on the train to have lunch with Angel. I sent her the link on Messenger and told her we absolutely had to read it together. She mentioned it was on NetGalley, so I requested it as soon as I got home.

A: I’m a massive romance reader if you hadn’t noticed, and I love reading new romance books that are different and unique. While Ely isn’t a massive romance reader, I’m always raving about all these romances I read – so she knows how I feel about them.

E: I feel like I am a romance reader just from hearing you talk about your favourites so often!

A: Yer, to tell you the truth I am not even sorry about that. I don’t have any readers in my life, let alone romance readers, so you are the person that I need to let all my emotions out to.

E: No complaints here, to be honest. I’m pretty sure I’ve loved every romance novel that you’ve ever convinced me to pick up. Like, hello Elle Kennedy.

A: You know me too well, I try and recommend Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen to as many. I think the thing that caught my attention with this book first was the cover! It’s bright pink with two very different males on the cover.

E: The cover is absolutely gorgeous. I’m a sucker for a cover with good typography and some cute illustrations, and here’s one with both. I think I got sucked in by the title as well. I mean, who doesn’t love a good royal romance, right? The pre-teen inside me who loved movies like The Princess Diaries, First Daughter and The Prince & Me was just like yassssssss.

A: Yes! There is something about royal romances that just melt my heart. I think it’s the combination of forbidden love and then the added pressure of representing a country. I’ve also recently enjoyed romances with one of both characters being the children of someone in power. And Red, White & Royal Blue puts those two together and makes even more forbidden – and gosh did it make me smile.

E: Plus we both love the fake dating trope, right? I was actually just about to ask whether you found yourself interested in the politics side of it as well?

A: Oh yes for sure. I think because Alex and his sister were also caught up in their mothers work, that it was easy to be invested in what was happening politically. I also really enjoyed that aspect, it’s only really in recent years that younger people being interested in politics is being represented in books has come about, and I find it really fascinating.

E: I totally agree. I only really became interested in politics following the 2016 election, and we’re not even American. I thought it was really interesting to see a different side of politics. It wasn’t just old, straight white men. Alex and his sister are people of colour, and so is his mother who is the president—I really enjoyed that aspect. I also loved that his mother was the president. Not to get political, but I felt really disappointed when the U.S didn’t get its first female president. I’m glad the country in this book got that chance.

A: That is one of the things that caught my attention immediately. The US election has also intrigued me. Maybe because it’s compulsory to vote here, that I feel all the lead up to the US election was interesting to watch to say the less. I loved that there was a female president, it just made everything a little more interesting.

But what I really loved about this one, was the slow burn romance – holy crap – it got to me so bad.

E: I felt like this book really had a sense of hopefulness to it. A ‘this too shall pass’ kind of message, if that makes sense. I know a lot of people felt defeated when Trump became the president, especially in the LGBTQ+ community and other minorities. This book is like, you know what—we’re going to get through this too. I loved that.

The romance literally ruined me. The whole haters, to friends, to lovers thing? I’m 100% here for it.

A: Yes, I felt exactly the same, this wasn’t just a book about the political side of the US, it was a star shining bright. It’s one of my favourite romance tropes and Casey McQuiston did such a fantastic job.

E: That and fake dating? Like Casey, you could’ve just asked me to marry you.

A: Yes!!! I think one of my favourite things about this one was that nothing felt rushed. I feel like that sometimes in romance books, the romance is rushed and everything moves really quickly. But not only was a past built between Alex and Henry, but also a present and a future.



E: Yes! One of my biggest pet peeves with books is when the romance moves too fast and the characters lose themselves because they’re so ‘in love’ with the other. Alex and Henry are still themselves throughout the book, even though they both grow as characters, and we learn more about them and their personal history, as well as their connection to each other. They get to be Alex and Henry, but they also get to be just Alex, or just Henry. I really appreciate that in romance books especially.

A: Totally. They were whole characters, they had their own stories, and characters arcs that grew throughout the book. And the reader is really able to hook on to this and as the novel goes on, and both Alex and Henry grow so do their stories.

E: What about some of the other characters? I really loved both Alex and Henry’s respective sisters—they are so different, but they both added so much to the story and added extra depth to the history of both boys too, I think. Not that that’s their sole purpose, but they gave a little extra insight into what each family was like and the differences between the ways Alex and Henry grew up. It really added to the understanding of why everything happened the way it did.

A: I feel that family was a massive theme here and like you said it added another layer to both Alex and Henry, but the sisters are also their own characters that have their own journeys. I’ve always been one to say that family, or those that are around you, influence the person that you become. All going back to the saying a nature vs nurture.

What really makes Red, White & Royal Blue stand out for me from other royal/political romances is that it is a gay romance. And it doesn’t shy away from that. I think that Casey did an exceptional job and intertwining something that isn’t very often seen in both books and in real life – but made it very real.

E: Absolutely. None of the side characters feel like side characters. They all have their own lives and stories, and it’s really amazing how Casey managed to intertwine them all without it feeling too busy or making any seem less important.

This is something that could very much happen in the near future. Maybe it won’t be the Prince of England and the First Son of the U.S, but who’s to say a child of someone in power won’t be part of the LGBTQ+ community. I’m sure someone already is out there, but I don’t know of any of the top of my head. I think it’s important that those kids/teens/adults/whatever see that it’s possible and that it’s okay, as well as everyone who isn’t in that position too.

I for one hope that we start seeing some more of this kind of story in books and film/TV more often!

A: When I finished it, I felt hopeful. I was left with a massive smile on my face that made me feel good. It’s not often that a book does that to me. But I felt satisfied. And it’s something that I know I will recommend to people all the time at work now.

E: I absolutely agree. I felt like the huge weight was lifted off my chest after I finished reading it. It made my heart feel full and gave me hope for other books in the future.

A: While I did love this book, I did feel that it did lack a little conflict towards the end. I felt that it was building up to something and was a little flat for me. Did you feel the same?

E: I did. I felt like the stakes weren’t really that high, and everything was sort of tied up a little too nicely. Maybe I’m being too pessimistic, but I feel like life doesn’t always work out like that. I know this is a romance novel and readers want that happy ending, but it almost felt as if Alex and Henry’s lives were suddenly perfect. I feel like they still would’ve had a lot to work through.

A: I am all good for happy endings, I mean I love happily ever after, but like you said I felt that it was tied up a little too neat. Obviously, in the end, I wanted everything to be amazing, but like I said there was all this build up and then nothing. It wasn’t like they are just two ‘normal’ boys. They are in the spotlight, whether they like it or not and that does make a difference.

In saying all this, I liked how the inner conflict was dealt with. Both Henry and Alex have a lot going on in their lives, then to add them falling in love. While it was hard to do deal with it at times. I adored watching then fall in love. It just made me melt so damn hard. Oh, and I was cheering for them the whole way through.

E: They are truly the cutest. Not only that, but they’re funny together. I love a good romance where the characters can be comfortable with one another and be friends with one another. Sex is great, but I’m all here for that love and support in healthy relationships.

A: I feel they are like puppies, I don’t know why. And yes totally, I would also like to mention that this is a New Adult novel, not YA. Please be warned.

E: Lol, in typical Angel & Ely style, we forget to mention the important details and spend the entire time gushing. You’re all welcome.

Just before we sort of wrap-up, I wanted to mention the next book Casey has mentioned on her Goodreads just because it sounds amazing. There’s no title or release date or anything like that, but I’m already super pumped.

She describes it as ‘two girls falling in love under extremely unlikely circumstances which may or may not involve some light romcom-style time travel’. I just think this sounds so amazing. I get this feeling that Casey is going to be one to watch when it comes to LGBTQ+ romances, and frankly, it’s about time.

A: I am so intrigued by this. It sounds so interesting and I can’t wait to see where and when this time-travel takes place. There so needs to be more girls falling love in both NA and YA so I am all for it.

E: Honestly, I’m kind of hoping for 90s/early 00s time travel. Like I am so here for that. But I’ll happily take any f/f time travel story that Casey wants to write.

This title came to me highly recommended, and I can definitely see why. The writing was solid, the political aspects were well done (what I wouldn't give for this alternate reality to be reality!), and the romance was adorable.

BUT ... it's very new adult. For some reason, I wasn't expecting that, even though—DUH!—I totally should have. At its heart, this is a coming-of-age story, and as such, it was often silly and messy and ridiculous (as it should be).

I flew through the first half of the story, and then things got stagnant. I feel this story could've easily been 100 pages shorter. I'm all about letting the romance breathe a bit once the MCs finally get together, but it started to feel repetitive and dragged the pacing all the way down. Unfortunate, really, since it meant I was able to put the book down for weeks and not feel compelled to go back to it.

I did eventually read to the end, and I did like where it all ended up, but it went from what could've been close to a 5-star read for me to something less spectacular. At any rate, I'm excited to see what this author does next.

RATING: B+ (4½ stars)

3.5 Stars

I received this book through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley.com, to St. Martin's Press, and to Casey McQuiston for this opportunity.

The President's son, Alex, and Prince Henry have a friendship that grows into something more. They find themselves in a secret romance that could upset the balance of both their nations. For Henry, being gay is unacceptable to the crown. For Alex, he needs to keep his affair hidden because it's an election year and he doesn't want this to scandalize his mother's presidency. Alex is learning that he's been hiding this secret for a while and he's finally realizing what he wants. But can true love exist for him when he's in the spotlight in the midst of American politics?

I didn't realize this was a LBGTQIA book until I had already accepted it, so this isn't normally a book/genre I would read. But, I thought I'd give it a try. It was actually a really sweet book. The characters were both lovable and well developed. Overall, the subject matter was handled sensitively. I think the end dragged a big when the focus switched to the election but, overall, this was a pretty good read.