This book was So Good. Definitely one of my top 5 for 2019 so far! Everything from the plot, to the characters, to the writing and dialogue....just fantastic! I haven’t highlighted so much in a book ever before.

First Son Alex and heir to the throne Prince Henry embark on a fake (at first) friendship that quickly becomes real, and more than either of them ever expected. But when they start to develop true feelings for each other, they have to figure out what it means for not only themselves, but for their countries as well. A relationship between the two will undoubtedly have far reaching consequences, and they have to decide what’s more important, protecting their families or doing what’s right for them.

This book dealt with some big issues in a delightful, open, honest, and humorous way. I loved Alex’s voice so so much - the way he handled and worked through everything was so heartfelt and open. He always stayed true to self, and was willing to accept who he realized he really was with such ease, no regrets or second thoughts.

And Henry - How my heart went out to Henry! All he wanted was love, and it was the one thing he thought he could never have. Such a romantic!

Almost all my favorite tropes were represented in this book (enemies to lovers, fake friendship leading to real feelings, fake relationships leading to jealousy) - it’s all there!

Though some of this may sound spoiler-y, it’s really the journey with this book, and not necessarily the end result, that you will treasure about this book. The description itself pretty much gives you all you need to know, but it’s the journey - how these characters get from A to B is really the heart of this story.

Expect a great story. Expect beautiful character development. Expect romance (a steamy one!). Eclectic all The Feels. But mostly, expect to absolutely fall in love with this story and these characters. What an absolute delight! I will definitely be looking for more from this author!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free advance review copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

Red, White & Royal Blue is probably one of the most hyped books of 2019. I haven't stopped hearing a million rave things about this book since even before it released and rightfully so. I knew I had to listen to everyone because it sounded like they were on to something. Red, White & Royal Blue was certainly the book I was hoping it would be. It was precious, swoony, and delightful in every way. I loved the characters in this book something fierce. Alex is the first female president of the US's daughter. He was a complete riot with his smart-ass, sassy lines. He completely won me over with all the charm he laid on everyone around him. The only person who seems to be immune to his charm is Henry, a member of the royalty in England. This irks Alex to end which leads him to actively disliking Henry. Circumstances lead to them being forced to get close to each other for the sake of a fake friendship in front of the media and all of us romance fans know exactly what that means. :) Henry was the quieter one among the two, but he was definitely as lovely as Alex. He was adorable, funny, and very kind. I loved getting to know him as much as I liked getting to know Alex. The slow-burn friendship that forms between them that eventually turns into more was just my favorite. I completely ate it up and Casey McQuinston was very much heavy-handed with the swoons which you know I was a complete sucker for. The side characters in Red, White & Royal Blue were also phenomenal. They added even more dimension to this already incredible book. I was especially happy to see a fellow stats nerd in Nora, Alex's best friend! Seriously, there is no one remotely unlikable in this cast and they all brought so much joy to me as I was reading this book. Besides the swoony romance and the amazing cast, I also enjoyed all the political aspects of the story. It was done very tastefully. I'm sure you've already heard it from a million other people now, but if you haven't picked up Red, White & Royal Blue, then you mustn't wait anymore. You deserve this swoony goodness in your life too!

I'd really like to give this book 3 1/2 stars ⭐. I liked the first 30% ( 1 ⭐) and I loved the last 30% (2⭐⭐'s)! But the middle 40% could have been told in a fraction of the pages used 1/2 ⭐). I almost bailed. In the end I really enjoyed the book but I'd skim the middle, lol!

Red, White, and Royal Blue ended up being a middle of the road story for me. Everyone I know loved it, but it just didn't turn out to be a book for me. I even tried listening to it and it didn't work. Sadly this one just didn't work.

This book had everything I could have asked for in a contemporary romance: humor, hate to love, funny sidekick characters, a supportive family, steamy scenes, and just a damn good written romance! I was hooked from page one because of the humor that Alex and Prince Henry exhibited! Even the side characters were hilarious! Yeah, it could be a tad bit pushy with the one liners and zingers but it was perfect for me.

I really enjoyed reading the development of Alex/Henry’s relationship. It felt super natural to me and despite being cishet, I very much enjoyed how Alex navigated and came to terms with discovering that he was bi. I enjoyed that his family was 100% supportive of him and that his core support team never had a disparaging remark. I know for a lot of coming out stories in fiction people tend to see that and I really enjoyed just how loving and supportive his family were. His mom and her damn slideshow. I was DYING!

I’m not one for politics (in our current climate it gives me super bad anxiety and sends me into a rage), but I did enjoy the political aspects of the book. I’m not sure how realistic it is but I did enjoy what was included. I was never a huge history buff either but I thoroughly enjoyed how big of history nerds Henry and Alex were and how they used quotes for their love emails! MAJOR HEART EYES!

Honestly, I could blabber on and on about how amazingly well done this book was, how much I enjoyed it, and how badly I think everyone should go pick this up! Just know that the hype is definitely real and genuine and you will not regret checking this wonderful story out!

This was a charming romance for any reader. It perfectly captures modern dating, and is full of humor, fun, and heartwarming feels. I loved it!

America's first son Alex, in an alternate America where 2016 saw the country elect its first female president, can't stand royal son Henry. This is a romance novel; we know the enemies are going to fall for each other and find a happy ending. This is also so much more than a romance novel. It's an engrossing tale of infuriation, turned infatuation, turned love. It's told by a great kid with a great future in politics and a great circle of friends, and a strong sense of right and wrong.

It's impossible not to like Alex. Or his family. Or his royal nemesis. But the book's themes, of inclusion and justice, while never treated didactically, elevate this to an instant classic. There's fan art out there already. This is the book America needs right now. Choose kindness. Be true to yourself. Take that chance. This feel-good story will give you hope for our world. It brought me to (happy) tears more than once. I have been hand-selling it left and right and in my small library, at least three of our staff have read it (some multiple times). It is quite nearly a perfect book, definitely of this moment in time, but already timeless.

Overall, I found this book to be a fairly cute read. It started out promising, and I absolutely loved the premise and thought it was very original and refreshing. However, my hang-ups came later on. On the plus side, I think we had pretty well-developed side characters, a fun story, cute interactions between the two leads, and I loved that Alex had a unique voice.
However, I found it very unrealistic that the main characters kept rushing off to the other's countries on such short notice. You're telling me that the First Son of the United States can simply go online and buy a plane ticket and rush over to visit his boyfriend at Buckingham Palace whenever he feels the need? WITHOUT notifying security? Hmmm. Hard pass.
The second thing that I was hung up on was the politics. Yes, I get that it is a fictional world and all of that, and I also understand that most authors/actors/artists have political leanings differing from my own, but I got annoyed with the conservative-bashing. I don't mind a little, but it was a little too much for me. The more I think about it, the more this was a 3.5 star book.

4.5 stars
Oh how I adored Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. This was a rich and deep story inside a masterfully constructed world and Top Pick for 2019!

Alex Claremont-Diaz, President Ellen Claremont’s son he is not only in the presses eye he has political ambitions of his own. Alex is smart, witty, bash (often very in your face) and sometimes neurotic (or maybe undiagnosed ADHD) and oh how I adored him!

Prince Henry of England, oh the Prince of England…buttoned up, aloof and at first hard to read. As the story progresses so much of Henry comes into focus and his personality comes out as he opens up to Alex through, text, emails and phone calls all of which the reader gets to experience.

Buckingham Palace deeply rooted in traditional is strangles Henry in the process of holding into the past. And this becomes more and more clear as the Henry the reader comes knows is such a contract to the prop the media displays.

Henry and Alex were complex characters… both embraced the good and bad of the other and this added to much to the books real feel. Both are believably, truly flawed and head over heels in love with the other while knowing the other deeply and with acceptance. Alex’s comments about Henry’s dark moods was so well done!

Witnessing Henry stepping into this own; finding his voice; stepping out from behind his royal facade was captivating.

This was far from a boy meets boy and love fixes all; this plot was complex and laced with more than just coming to terms with sexuality, it was also about how sexuality is part of history, world history and global politics.

And yes I know that is a lot but all that never distracts from the love the reader can feel deepening.

Thank you, Casey McQuiston for this story!

<i>*** ARC graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ***</i>

Favorite book of 2019 so far. And let me tell you, it's going to be really hard to top Alex and Henry's story. Politics and romance all in one pretty package? And they're boys? SIGN ME UP!

Casey McQuiston's debut novel is off the charts amazing, and I don't care what you're doing or reading or what right now, but you need to stop, grab this book, and enjoy the heck out of it. (And also maybe wish it could be a true story because yeah).

Alex Claremont-Diaz is the first son of the United States. Henry is the freaking Prince of England.. Sworn enemies after their first meeting at the Olympics a few years back. At least according to Alex. That is, until they're required to socialize at a royal wedding,.and 'socializing' leads to a $75,000 wedding cake being smashed when these two go crashing into it,

Photos of the entire debacle end up splashed all over the front page of the rags. The White House and the Castle are in damage control mode, thinking that throwing Alex and Henry together for some photo ops will prove the two are actually friends, and that the wedding disaster was all just a happy accident among mates.

What starts out as a rough relationship eventually morphs into an unlikely friendship, and then, even more. Alex is in the middle of a reelection campaign for his mom (aka President Mom), and he's ambitious about this own political future. The stakes are high, but he can't resist Henry's draw. The young man he once saw as arrogant and rude quickly becomes so much more, and it's not long before all the hatred has disappeared and now their biggest obstacle is their status among two different countries.

I don't want to give away too much--just that I hesitated reading this because the cover was a bit cheesy. After, I saw so many people recommending it that I decided to request it, and I am SO GLAD I DID. Because I am still thinking about it days later and looking forward to a re-read very soon. This book is seriously amazing, and I really hope Casey is busy writing her next novel. She's earned a fan in me for life.

I can see why a lot of people fell head over heels with Red, White, and Royal Blue. I enjoyed it, for the most part, but there were a few big things that gave me cause for concern.


Red White and Royal Blue CoverA big-hearted romantic comedy in which First Son Alex falls in love with Prince Henry of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends…

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? (Goodreads)

Goodreads

I received an eARC of Red, White, and Royal Blue via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Red, White, and Royal Blue needs trigger warnings for on page alcohol use, discussions of drug use and addiction, homophobia that is challenged on page, anxiety, un-named ADHD, depression, depictions of racism in media, discussions of past death of a parent, mentions of pancreatic cancer in the past, discussion of attempted sexual assault in the past (from a side character), nonconsensual outing, and extensive discussions of politics.

This new adult romance has a great slow burn romance where other people have to help the main character figure out he’s bisexual which is frankly just… entirely realistic for a lot of bi and pan folks.

One of the major issues for me is that neither Alex nor Henry ever once gave a thought to the fact that someone might be able to access the emails they sent each other at some point. These were two kids who grew up in the limelight in the digital era. Did no one ever teach them that you should never send anything online that you wouldn’t want on the front page of the newspaper? Especially when you’re a prince and the son of a senator and the President? I get that love makes you careless but it was causing me anxiety from the first email.

That being said, I did love the way the emails and group chat moved the story along in a realistic way for a long distance relationship without skipping months at a time. I loved the ways they slowly got to know each other while still missing out on some of the really important things about each other that made conflict possible without being relationship destroying.

This story was written as a kind of 2016-election do-over which I love as a premise, but in execution, it kind of made me nauseous to read. The parallels are clear and painful, particularly with the shitshow that has been 2019.

If this sounds up your alley, then you can pick up a copy from Amazon, Indiebound and The Book Depository.

I enjoyed this book to an extent. Some of the characters in my opinion were very annoying and the romance was very questionable from the beginning. I feel like maybe if this book would’ve been rerouted into a different storyline all together it would’ve made me feel more connected to it. I had super high hopes for it because everyone was so excited and I got hardly nothing out of it.

3.5-3.75⭐️
I was really looking forward to this book but I don’t feel like I loved it as much as other people I have seen reviews from. I liked the characters but didn’t love them. I absolutely loved the storyline. I enjoyed the second half of the book a tremendous amount more than the first half. I hated how the relationship between Henry and Alex began and didn’t really become invested in it until the second half of the book. I wanted to love this book but it was just okay to me.

I was provided this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

This book has been such a fun read this summer, and I love it. It's definitely refreshing to live in a world where the 2016 election never happened and we have a nice lady president with her progressive agenda and values. So refreshing, in fact, that putting the book down and going back to the bleak reality that is our current political climate in the US is even more depressing than normal. I'm happy to have found this book and I'll definitely be checking out anything else Casey McQuiston publishes, especially since this one was recommended by my all time favorite authors, Christina Lauren. This was also a fun read since I've been listening to Pod Save America pretty much non-stop, so reading a political novel with a happy ending has been right up my alley.

Alex Claremont-Diaz is the current first son and son of the first female president. Prince Henry of Wales is his nemesis. After a very public incident occurs, they are forced to pretend to be best friends. This fake friendship quickly becomes a real friendship and then much more.

Everything about Alex and Henry is perfection. Their banter, their strength, their love. I can’t put into words how much I love them, as individuals and together. Just imagining the first son of the US and the Prince of Wales creating a relationship together, it’s something that should never work but this book makes it work so well. Their drive to be together but also to keep their families names intact, it creates a forbidden love any like any other.

This book was adorable. I applaud Casey McQuiston at writing such an intriguing and well-researched new adult novel that has taken the internet by storm (for good reason!) I wasn't the hugest fan of the incessant pop culture references and some aspects of her writing bothered me but other than that, I loved the plot of this book so much and can talk for hours about these characters–they were incredibly fleshed out and real to me. I might write a formal review for this on my blog but for now I will simply commend McQuiston for her debut novel that is actively changing the literary landscape and paving the way for more LGBTQ+ representation in young and new adult contemporary.

This book gave me a cavity it was so freaking sweet.

Red, White & Royal Blue is the starcrossed lovers, Prince Charming book that we deserve. Alex is simultaneously an ambitious genius and an impulsive dumbass and I would die for him. While the book was in third person, we still got to see into Alex’s head throughout the whole novel and I loved every minute of getting to know him and his quirks. That said, I do wish that we had gotten a little more view into Henry’s life than just what Alex knows. Either way, this book was delightful and Henry is a cinnamon roll and the Best Boi who’s trying his best.

I love a good enemies to lovers trope as much as the next person. At first, I did think that the transition from enemies to friends to lovers went a bit fast, but the more I read the more I fell in love with these two together and I think the pacing was done well after all.

As much as I adored Alex and Henry, the side characters can’t be overlooked. All of them were extremely dimensional and completely necessary to the story. From the friends of each main character to the White House staff, there were so many wonderful characters to get to know and love. There was such a strong friend group that belonged to both main characters, but we really get to know Alex’s friends, the “White House Trio,” which includes himself, his sister June, and best friend Nora. Their friendship was so incredibly wholesome and refreshing. Henry’s sister, Bea, became a prominent character as well as the story went on, and she is the princess we didn’t know we needed. I do wish that Henry’s best friend Pez has been given a bigger role towards the end, as he’s only really present towards the beginning and middle of the novel. Regardless, he was a great character and a wonderful friend to Henry.

And then, inexplicably, you had the absolute audacity to love me back. Can you believe it?”

Why you should read this book:
-enemies to lovers trope done exceptionally well
-gay Prince Charming story we all deserve
-incredible characters that pull you into the story and you can’t help but root for
-multiple strong female characters
-female president!
-probably the cutest romance you’ll ever read while still getting your daily dose of angst

“Take anything you want and know you deserve to have it.”

Honestly, this was a little too long for me. It felt much more stretched out in sections than it needed to be. And I was a little thrown in the beginning because I thought it was YA but then it didn't feel like YA and the characters are all in their twenties but kind of live like teens and it just didn't seem to fit anywhere. I don't know. It's probably more New Adult than anything else? The romance was cute and the set up was fun and a great group of friends is always one of my favorite parts of books but I just didn't love this one. It was too long and too sappy and everything was too easily solved after the predictable troubles. Maybe I'm being too harsh because it was cute and we obviously need more romances like this but it just didn't blow me away like I had hoped.
Also, I admit, I'm still a little bitter about the 2016 election and reading about a world where a woman won and her son is bi and falls in love with a prince of England and everything turns out happy and perfect was a little bit painful. But that's on me.
If you're looking for a swoony, escapist, enemies to lovers romance with a bit of royalty and tons of sappy emails, this is definitely one for you.

Red, White, and Royal Blue felt like a missed chance. I wanted to enjoy the rom-com aspect except I knew, thanks to other reviewers' content warnings, that I couldn't. This book deals with two boys who are always in the public eye. Two boys who should know better than to put their correspondence online where people can find it if they tried. It felt like their supposed experience with life was wasted just to start shit up. I didn't care for the conflict since it cheapened Henry and Alex's relationship and used the two women in their lives as pawns to avert the media's attention. The book and writer were aware of this and yet still did it. It was disappointing. I get why a lot of people like this. There is a charm in the book. A charm that was put out by the terrible public outing of the main characters.

I am quite perplexed why Alex, the brown bisexual son of two politicians, has to coddle Henry, who is a white gay boy. I don't deny that Henry is also in a tight position being a prince, but has the world forgotten how people of color get treated?

I want to look forward to more of this author but I'm not so sure. Reading RWRB felt like being locked up in a room and facing a single anxiety, over and over. For a person who's closeted like me and whose life is online, I'm terrified at this book.

This is a story of the First Son, Alex, and the Prince of Wales, Henry, who go through a classic trope of mortal enemies, to fake friends to best friends, to in love. This was a fun read for the summer, but the characters also had much depth, layers, and conviction. This was reminiscent of The Royal We, with nods inside the politics of two countries, and had a great flow and banter among characters. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the copy.