4.5 *

Casey McQuiston’s much-anticipated debut romance between the First Son of the USA and a British prince is everything early reviews promised. Alex Claremont-Diaz is the half-Mexican son of the divorced first female President…and the fantasy doesn’t stop there! When an embarrassing and scandalous incident between Alex and his nemesis Prince Henry occurs at a wedding and a video is leaked, they must pretend to be best buds to keep the President’s re-election campaign from derailing and to avoid a royal scandal. As they spend more time together, they both realize that past misunderstandings have kept them from getting to know each other’s true personalities and motivations. When Henry kisses Alex, it causes him to question his own sexuality (he’s bi and Henry is “very, very gay”). As their relationships heats up through secretive, worldwide liaisons and poetic, candid and heart-warming texts full of witty and sexy banter, feelings intensify and decisions need to be made about how and if they can take their romance public. Will Alex and Henry risk their careers and their families’ reputations to have their happily-ever-after or will British tradition and homophobia destroy their relationship?

A great cast of secondary characters helps smooth the path for the couple, including Alex’s loving family, several queer friends he can go to for advice, White House and palace security and staff who keep their secrets, and even politicians (with the exception of the villainous rival Presidential candidate). Although it drags a bit at the end with the focus on the Presidential election, it barely detracts from the story. At its heart, this book is a funny, sexy, heart-warming romance that highlights many of the same challenges most queer teens and young adults face in real life. Ultimately, the question is whether they’re willing to risk all to have the full, loving, and open relationship they deserve. It’s just unfortunate that the question even needs to be asked.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Griffin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I loved the first third of Red, White, and Royal Blue! Reading about Alex and his life and his developing relationships with Prince Henry--it was hot, but also just so well done. What was Alex going to do about his family--his mother, The President of the United States, his sister, his best friend, all of whom were counting on him in different ways--and the way Henry was making him see his past relationship with his former best friend? So much fascinating stuff! And Henry, who is clearly complicated and is taking pills (or at least does once) and has a mom who has checked out, a sister who is struggling with recovery, an overbearing brother, and a grandmother who expects certain things (and is also, you know, The Queen of England)--wow, I couldn't wait to see how Casey McQuiston handled all the moving pieces!

Turns out, they're all dropped. And it's...okay. I mean, Red, White, and Royal Blue ultimately turns out to be a good times all the way, happily ever after romance complete with a world where acceptance and love are amazingly easy to get, where respect and understanding comes from everyone, everywhere, and where the bad guys fail at lame smear tactics and the good guys win. Which is, of course, necessary in a romance, and look, who doesn't want the first (finally!) well hyped m/m romance novel to succeed? I do! I'll be pushing this one as hard as I can to readers who have been waiting forever for this, plus readers who love romance and want a happy ending in a better world.

But myself, I wish that Red, White, and Royal Blue hadn't set up so many questions and issues in the first third only to smooth them over with either no answer or by changing what seemed complex into something that can be resolved in a sentence or two. I wanted the happy ending to feel earned by the characters instead of spun into place. I wanted Red, White, and Royal Blue to keep the feeling of a story, but it shed everything in order to become a wish fulfillment, a picture of a world we all wish was here.

I liked Red, White and Royal Blue, but felt it squandered an amazing beginning by dismantling every issue it raised by dismissing or worse, simply forgetting it. Escapism at the cost of gutting character development isn't worth it, imo.

Trigger warnings: unbridled adorableness, graphic cuteness and uncontrollable laughter/swooning

Prepare yourself for my endless gushing. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!

I LOVED this book!!! I was hooked from the first chapter. I just want to hug my precious babies Henry and Alex forever and always. They are couple goals. I'm rooting for these crazy kids. Let me tell you something about myself. I LOVE hate to love stories....I know this is entirely unrealistic in the real world but come on who doesn't love an enemies to lovers story???? Especially if it's done right, and this was done so right.

"History Huh? Bet we could make some".

Swooning woman alert. I loved everything about our main characters. From Henry's proper British thing that is unfairly romantic no matter how you look at it, to Alex's self self-assuredness and unabashed behavior. These two are my everything and I will defend them until my dying breathe!!!!

I was laughing so hard for most of this book and my heart was aching along with Henry and Alex. I wanted so bad to place them in this protective bubble where they could just exist and be happy forever and always.

I haven't read a book for a while which has evoked such strong feelings and attachment. This is a book to end all reading slumps. A fun summer read. I book to make you laugh. A book to make you scream out loud how much you F**king love these people. I loved our side characters, as well, who were all unique and vibrant. It's not often that you read books where most every character you encounter is just as good as the last. I want these people in my life. I want these people to exist. I cannot gush about this book enough. I read in a day flat and could not stop listening to the audiobook. Definitely recommend to any and everyone especially if you like a light summer read that is complex in its own right. But be warn...having waited a day to write this review (to make sure I still love it this much or if it was the book high---spoiler alert I still love it and stand by everything I said) you may experience a book hangover which I may be in the midst of. Sadly, everything I have attempted to pick up after this has been a no go so far. I guess the only cure might be to reread this over and over again ;)

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book for what it was. It was nicely paced, entertaining fluff about a boy discovering that he's bi and how to let go of insecurities to pursue love. The largest problem for me was trouble suspending disbelief, and much of that is not the novel's fault. America's political scene no longer seems to follow the rules being written about in this book, and I can no longer remember if the extent the novel puts public interest in the children of the president is normal. I know the Clintons and Obamas had some trouble, but the novel frequently has the son of the president and his antics in the papers, prominently displayed with group nicknames. Maybe this is normal? It still sounds a little too much for me, like the sons of kings or rich lords in a typical romance.
The romance itself was pretty good, even if the setup is a little forced. It feels like the author is throwing a little shade at Will and Kate by making their counterparts so boring and stiff, while Harry's counterpart is more fleshed out.
Overall, I feel like this was an entertaining enough read, even though my mind kept asking about the real world feasibility of some of it. There is not enough representation of bi protagonists in fiction, and I especially enjoyed that he was firmly bi, not secretly gay, or just interested in one man. I would definitely read a sequel or another book from this author.

In an alternate Trumpless universe, two young men, one the son of the president of the USA, the other second in line to the British throne go from enemies to love. Prejudices are confronted, diplomatic issues are overcome. This is a heartwarming romance without being saccharine. It is the ideal modern fairytale.

The mainstream gay romcom we've all been waiting for! I read this at the beach and I think that's the absolutely perfect setting for this confection of a book. There's a LOT of plot for a romance (and it's also long for a romance -- I think around 350 pages, in a trade paperback!) but I was happy to go along for the ride throughout. Alex was a wonderful protagonist, with believable flaws and admirable drive, and I loved that his sister and (female) best friend were so prominent in the book as well. McQuiston did a great job setting up the initial conflict between Alex and Henry in a way that made sense but could also be explained in a way that didn't make either of them into a(n irredeemable) asshole. Obviously if you're picking up a book in 2019 about the bisexual son of a female president who won the election in 2016 you're expecting some serious wish fulfillment, and this book delivers, but there's also a lot of serious discussion about political and social struggles. If "The West Wing meets The Wedding Date but make it gay" sounds delightful to you -- you're right, it is! Strongly recommend to all romance readers.

I didn't know how much I needed this book. I am going on record and saying that this is my favorite romance book of the year. I know it is a little early to be making this assumption but I don't care. With the way the world is in chaos and politics making me physically sick daily, I need some hope and good things in my life. This book is HOPE and everything good. The humor, the romance, the politics, the hope, everything is perfect.
I didn't know how I was going to feel about going into this book. Not because of the LGBT content but because it's written in third person point of view. I like my romance with first person point of view, please and thank you! But after I got over that, I was swept away with the romance.
Need to feel happy for a little while. Read Red, White, & Royal Blue.

I laughed, I cried and I swooned.
This was such a delightful book and my goodness what a debut novel!
The book focuses on two young men, who are always in the spotlight, thanks to the families they were born into.
Alex is the first son of The President of The United States, a lovely woman by the way and Henry is prince of England.
After being forced to fake a friendship, the two actually form a very strong bond which turns into a romance. Both men must know question what they're willing to risk for love.

Make sure to check this one out, it was everything I didn't know that I needed!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really was going to write a longer review, because this book just means so much to me. But then I found that I could not properly put into words how much I love it. It's so personal because I could relate to BOTH of the main characters. Henry and his depression, the way that he grieves, him feeling as if he has to hide who he is because his family would be ashamed to learn he's gay. And with Alex, I'm not nearly as bold or loud as he is, but his bisexual awakening so closely resembled my own that it was so hard not to feel as if this book was just written FOR ME. And I'm totally sure that's why Casey wrote it. Not for any other reason than to peer into my life and pull out all the bits that make up who I am. That's why I love this book so much. But also it's such a great study on politics, queerness, and PEOPLE. And I fucking loved June and Nora and Pez as well. I would gladly read another book or two about these same characters. Because I don't want to leave them yet. 😭

Oh my lanta, I loved this!

Red, White & Royal Blue was everything I needed it to be and more!

A distinctly charming book set in an alternate reality of our own where a Texas woman is president and her lovable son finds him self falling in love with a Prince. The most you need to know about this book is that it has lovable characters, fun adventure, romance, and just enough drama to keep it interesting!

I'll be honest, politics aren't really my thing so I wasn't interested in this off plot alone. It was highly recommenced to me by a friend who read it early so I decided to request the arc on NetGalley and boy I am glad I did! While it did take me some time to finish this (life just kept getting in the way...okay Hockey playoffs kept getting in the way) I was hooked from the start.

I adored every character. Alex, Henry, Nora, June, Zahra, and really everyone our main couple interacts with. Seeing the relationships between everyone was wonderful. I loved the main White House Trio and how each of them really had their own quirks and strengths. Also seeing the Trio of Henry, Bea, and Pez was wonderful as well. Together these six characters all in one way or another became some of my favorite people.

The only thing that I didn't enjoy as much was all the political elements. They were wonderfully done and not overwhelming, which I appreciated, but there were a few scenes I skimmed because it just didn't interest me. That is all on me though, as stated above I'm not big into the finer points of politics so it made since that the romance and side plots were more of interest to me.

This book also has one of my favorite tropes, from hate to love. I loved seeing Alex go from completely hating this guy to questioning everything to love. It didn't feel forced there and everything came about at a reasonable pace. Their relationship was wholesome and adorable but also still filled with problems and stress, as it should be considering one is the First Son and the other the Prince of England.

All in all I adored this book and recommend it to anyone that loves love. It's a good, fun love story with a little bit of politics and drama thrown into the mix.

This book features an alternate reality in the sense of a very different 2016 election. Alex’s mom, a Texan, was elected as the first female president. Her ex husband (Alex and his sister June’s dad) is the son of Mexican immigrants. Alex is in his early twenties, trying to survive and thrive under the scrutiny of being the president’s son. His archenemy is Henry, the Prince of England, with whom he has had a very Harry-and-Draco obsession with for years.
What follows is a hate to love romance, with political intrigue (not just American politics, but British as well). Alex and Henry have to navigate their growing feelings in a very public environment, where at any turn they could be outed, and what the implications would be for their families.
I really enjoy the royal trope (The Royal We is one of my favorite books), and this was a fun take on it.

A book that will have laugh, then sigh, cry a bit, and then back to laughing. Hard to believe this is a debut novel

In the past 5ish years, I have not had the desire to re-read a book immediately after finishing it. "Red, White, and Royal Blue" is the only one I have wanted to do that with since high school.

Because I received a review copy from NetGalley, I wanted to write a full, robust review. But I just don't know how to articulate my love for this book in an expansive way. So I'll just write how I feel using bullet points.

-the dialogue was accessible - it read the way I and those I know actually talk in real life.
-Alex's reflections about how he should have known his sexually sooner made me reflect on my own tendencies as a tween... and I'll be damned, I was gay as hell even at 13.
-the representation in this book is off the charts
-Alex & Henry are precious
-I lost track of how many times I laughed out loud while reading this. I probably drove my husband crazy
-Literally I can't think of a single flaw in this book.
-I finished it 4 days ago and it's still on my mind.
-oops I'm re-reading it right now.

Such an adorable m/m romance.

It is all about overcoming the standards set for an individual, duties and obligations and handling the affairs of one's heart.
This book was really an enjoyable read with endearing characters and some joyous moments.

I was provided with an eARC of this book on Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Small spoilers ahead.

Red White & Royal Blue, follows Alex Claremont-Diaz, the Mexican-American first son of the United States, and Prince Henry of Wales. The pair cannot stand each other, but are forced into a friendship to repair international relations after Alex ruins the royal wedding of Henry's brother.

--

So I have a new favourite book. Hoping and praying that this will be picked up by an Australian publisher so I can flog this at work to everyone who will listen!!!

This book is addictive. Addictive and endearing and altogether very very special. I finished it about three days ago (at the time of writing) and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it! The characters are alive and loveable, and the alternate universe in which the 45th President is a female Democrat with a biracial family is heartbreakingly hopeful - what could have been......

Alex and Henry's romance was incredible - enemies to forced friends to lovers is my favourite trope ever. Speaking of tropes, this book was FULL of them - forbidden lovers, secret relationship, saying 'I love you' for the first time in a heated argument - all Very Good and Valid things. As individual characters, both Alex and Henry are three-dimensional and easy to fall in love with. Alex as a narrator was convincing and his journey of self discovery and acceptance was lovely to experience as a reader. Henry's experience and story was heartbreaking and frustrating.

I really loved the inclusion of emails and group chats!T he formatting was confusing at times but for that I blame NetGalley. In particular, the excerpts from queer love letters from history were a nice addition. This book was also so funny! I will very rarely actually laugh out loud when I'm reading but I did this several times when reading this. Alot of the time it was due to political / social commentary, or at the expense of a character doing something dumb and hilarious.

Has this been optioned for film yet?? Because it absolutely should be. Point me in the direction of the Kickstarter and I will fund this damn thing myself if I have to! As I was reading, there were certain scenes that appeared in my brain, fully formed - the 'Don't Stop Me Now' karaoke scene, the entire scene of the New Years' Eve party, the moment when Alex is stuck in his bedroom with the two turkeys, and the final scene in Texas all spring to mind immediately, but there are many more.

For maximum enjoyment, check out Casey McQuinton's Spotify playlists for each character as well as a general one for the whole book. I've added half the songs to my current playlist, and still get chills when Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now comes on.

Five stars. Obviously. Everyone should read this bc it's hilarious and fun and heartbreaking and hopeful.

Thanks to the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

So, I'm really behind on my reviews of books so I'm just now getting to this one. I absolutely loved this book, the romance was adorable and well written. I kinda wish the world of this book was reality with the political landscape and the happy ending! The romance between Alex and Henry was adorable, the world building was pretty spot on, and the background characters helped to create a book that I was so happy to escape into. I can't wait to read more from Casey McQuiston in the future.

He's absolutely sure that guys who kissed the Prince of England and liked it don't get elected to represent Texas.

THIS IS MY JAM!

I was on vacation in London while I read this book and the city made for the perfect backdrop. It's perfectly romantic!! The premise of this book is beyond realistic, but McQuiston is a mad genius and some how pulls it off in a way that's believable. The politics, the national security, the inner workings of DC; I loved all the details McQuiston put into this book. It could have been all fluff, but Red, White & Royal Blue is a legit story which may inspire young people to get involved in politics. But yeah, it's also romantic fluff too.

I'm a McQuiston fangirl now.

If you're looking for something like Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda or Him, then this is what you should be reading right now.

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Story: 5 stars
Character Development: 5 stars
Writing/Prose: 5 stars (for YA/Romance it's pretty great!)

A fun romantic comedy style novel with charming characters and easy to follow plot lines. This would make a fabulous beach read for your summer vacation.

Red, White & Royal Blue is the perfect summer read! It's witty and quite humorous. I enjoyed the pace of the story and found myself rooting for Alex and Henry the entire time. I highly recommend this novel for a quick and entertaining read.

I've seen this one all over social media, and I liked it, but didn't LOVE it. It was written very conversationally, but very close to YA fiction. I was under the impression that this was NOT YA, so I was turned off by the conversational language - it felt misplaced and immature. However, there is a layer of relatability within that that a lot of readers enjoy; I just am not one of them.