History, huh?

HUHHHHHHHHHDGXSAGVJKJFBYUDHBTHCB

Do you ever cry thinking of what could have been? Do you ever cry reading an acknowledgments page? DO YOU EVER CRY AND LAUGH OUT LOUD AND SCREAM AND SMILE SO DAMN HARD OVER A BOOK?

I never do - but this did it.

This was a very sweet and fun royal romance. I liked the enemies to lovers theme, and it shines through here. I loved Alex as a character and I loved his banter with Henry. I rooted for them the whole time. I would highly recommend and cannot wait for more titles from this author.

I think this book would have been a lot better if there was a better balance between the romance and politics. I thought the book was good when it was Alex and Henry together and it's nice to read a mainstream M/M romance.

This was such a cute book! I loved the relationship between Alex and Henry. The side characters were also very fleshed out and fun. I definitely laughed out loud during this book and swooned at parts.

While it took me some time to get to this, it was a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. The romance was charming with a great deal of chemistry between the leads. I also appreciated the political setting both in the UK and the US. It represented a political environment that now seems almost quaint. This is a novel that I would read again.

I had never read a male/male romance before, but this was a perfect place to start! The main characters felt so real, and it was definitely bittersweet reading a story about a woman winning a presidential election. I cannot wait for McQuiston's next novel.

This book was a joy to read. I loved seeing multiple characters learn about themselves and reflect on their lives and that each character helped one another to become their true selves.

A new favorite! I love that this has an alternate future without a Trump presidency. It's such a great book to dive into as a means of escapism. I loved their relationship and banter between them. The ending was perfect. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next. They're definitely one to watch.

I recieved an ARC of this novel from netgalley in exchange for an honest (and belated) review.

Red, White, and Royal Blue is
a modern and vital portrayal of two young men navigating sexual stereotyping and awakening. While a butterfly-inducing enemies-to-(fake)friends-to-lovers romance, the story and beautiful writing evolve into a moving manifesto about the inherent right of a human to love whomever their heart chooses. It's so close and intimate, you almost feel as if you are intruding on all of the main characters most private moments. Like both Henry's and Alex's dark and neurotic moods, respectively. But it's about so much more, like politically charged parent-child relations--

"Knowing your parent as the person who raised you isn’t the same as being able to guess their moves as a world leader."

--and the grief of loss--

"The way Henry talks about him is a physical feat, drifting up in the corners with fondness but sagging in the middle under the weight."

It is a much heavier book than one might go into it expecting. It's not just another royal romance or fraught enemies to lovers trope. It reaches beyond its genre and tropes and tells a story that feels real and leaves an actual weight with you.

" 'I’m as much a person and a part of this family as you. I deserve to be happy as much as any of you do. And I don’t think I ever will be if I have to spend my whole life pretending.' "

If your heart doesn't break and soar in equal measure, then I dare say you aren't human, and there is nothing to be done for it.

I gave this book a four out five stars. I really like the story, the two main characters and their relationship. I loved the dynamic of the friend group as well. I want to see more of from these characters of after these events took place.

I really wasn't a fan of this novel, despite it having a royal backbone. I'm really surprised, as many others loved it and spent last year (2019) raving about it.

It’s been a while since I truly could not put a book down. As in, when I blearily finished the last page of this delight of a story and glanced at my phone, it was way, way later than I ever stay up. I have no regrets, though! Alex and Henry have a permanent place in my heart.

I think I was hesitant to read this book for many reasons. It’s a royal romance, and I have found very few royal romances work for me. Politics. Blech. I read enough politics in the news; I am cautious about what I let into my romance novels. It was also SO hyped.

Luckily, I decided to dive in and was immediately hooked by the banter, the chemistry between Alex and Henry, and the many epistolary elements that made this 400+ page book fly by. The whole book felt young and fresh in a way many books strive for, and few succeed with. The pop-culture references, the razor-sharp wit, and showing young people as motivated and smart all combined to create an enjoyable book with a message that didn’t hit you over the head.

After reading the acknowledgments, I realized Casey McQuiston did exactly what she set out to do. She created a type of alternate reality that was fun and deftly walked the line between over the top fluff and gritty/emotional/heavy topics. At the end of the day, I just loved the romance between the main characters and relationships with the secondary characters.

I did think the tense was a weird choice and I was sometimes a little confused about who the narrator was. I also wanted a little more oomf in the sex scenes. They were an odd mix of fade to black and open door. Often they ended rather abruptly.

Overall, I adored this book. ADORED. It sucked me in and didn’t let go. I can’t wait to reread to feel all the warm and fuzzies again.

**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**

This is such a fun book. I really enjoyed the royal/political dynamic. I was surprised by the adult content because I assumed based on the cover that this was more for teens. In fact, I think this story may have better suited a teen audience.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston is such a delightful queer romance. It was the perfect escape I needed to read.

Really enjoyed this one. Though it was a mildly slow start. Overall I really enjoyed the story and I absolutely shopped Alex with Henry. They were too freaking cute! But, Alex did tend to annoy me in the beginning. I also felt the pacing was off and quite a lot of stuff could have been edited out (just my opinion) but I did appreciate the whole political Behind the Scenes we got from this book. I loved Henry immensely and his sister. I loved seeing both Alex and Henry triumph in the end and coming to terms with who they are and who they want to be. The end had me smiling like a fool and I felt for the Claremont-Diaz family.

Well, this was certainly a book that made me happy. Loved the premise, especially loved the two main characters, loved the diversity and how visible diverse characters are in this book. The acceptance! The celebration! This book is the embodiment of pure joy and happiness. My only criticism is that the author made some mistakes or errors in her depiction of the UK and the Royal Family but it wasn't enough of a problem to hamper my enjoyment of the story itself.

Love love LOVED this book! absolutely no criticism on any of it! the characters were all so well developed and detailed. you could connect with each of them and they all grew throughout the story. i loved the overall plot and concept of starcrossed lovers but with a twist of them being political heirs. i would love to read a sequel of alex in the future (perhaps as president?) that would be so much fun!

It's a cute read, but I found it very difficult to suspend my disbelief at the whole premise. As a British person, I also felt that a lot of British culture was very stereotyped.

Red, White & Royal Blue is really a must read book!

I got a copy from NetGalley and I swear I need a physical copy soonest possible. It's the kind of book where you won't get tired of re-reading.

I enjoyed this book! It was a fun a light read.
I loved how acceptance is portrayed as in today’s day and age that is important.
I think everyone should read.