Title: Red, White & Royal Blue
Author: Casey McQuiston
Release Date: May 14, 2019
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, LGBT
Rating: ★★★★★
Synopsis
First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.
The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him.
As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?
Review
Red, White & Royal Blue is a book that will now forever hold a special place in my heart. To me, the election of 2016 was a tragedy. All the progress we’d made erased. People who had found a place in this country were suddenly lost again, having no where safe to land. This book is that safe place until change can be made. While it’s simply a book about two boys trying to make their way in the world and fight for the love they deserve, it’s also much more than that.
Alex was such a fun character to follow. So open so everyone and while a tad full of himself and a bit of a prick at times, he always had the best intentions. I loved being in his head and trying to understand what life would be like under a microscope or if big things were expected of you. He starts off a little lost but by the end finds himself. His relationship with his parents obviously isn’t a typical one, but it was an interesting dynamic and they were so open to what he wanted or his decisions. The trio of him, June and Nora was so cute. The best of friends with an envy inducing connection.
Henry is my sweet little cinnamon roll, a rug marched over for his entire life until he falls into a cake with America’s first son. He was poetic and had such a way with words. Still not back on his feet after the loss of his father but doing his best to please those around him and not cause waves. My only complaint is I’d loved to have had a dual perspective, to get inside that head of his.
One of the best romances I’ve come across since those of Jane Austen. Alex was so frustratingly clueless but in the most enduring way. Him and Henry together were chaotic and messy while also being sweet and downright hilarious. I loved their first few intersections and the witty banter they shared. I was enthralled by them and utterly jealous.
Red, White & Royal Blue is a progressive book with an important story to tell. One that everyone should read honestly. I had no idea the depths it would take me into while just simply being a book about a boy who loves another boy.
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