Meagen Today I’m sharing my full spoiler free review of Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. This modern day royal romance is exactly what we need right now.
If you are like me and somehow managed to put off reading Red, White & Royal Blue until now, delay no longer. Don’t even wait to finish reading this review. It’s worth diving into right this second.
I won’t be mad, I swear. Come back later. You don’t want to miss another second without this gorgeous story in your life. While you are at it also go and read Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall and then come back. I’m fine waiting 😉
Fans of this trope will definitely want to check out The Charm Offensive! Check out my full review on that as well and add it to your TBR!
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If you’ve made it this far down the post I take it you really want to hear what I think or you’ve already read Red, White & Royal Blue and you are here to see if I loved everything about it that you did.
I did.
What is Red, White and Royal Blue about?
Red, White & Royal Blue is a contemporary romance novel. I like to think of it as being set in the world we deserved but did not quite get. We have a female president and the novel follows her son on a journey of self discovery and love.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to fall in love with one of the first children of the US or British royalty this is the book for you!
Alex is the FSOTUS (first sone of the United States) so you could say he’s pretty well known. Being gorgeous and famous doesn’t mean he’s a slacker though, he’s working hard to graduate from college and become a senator himself. The only rough patch in his life is his nemesis…Henry…who just happens to be the prince of England.
This glorious novel is full of enemies to lovers, witty banter, fake romances (and real ones), secret hookups, and sexy bodyguards. It’s fast paced, full of super smart characters who will make you want to learn more about the world around you, and fiercely loyal friends who will make you want to hug the champions in your own life.
What did you love about this book?
I loved everything about this freaking book and I hate that I’m typing this right now and not using these moments to start rereading it!
The characters are amazing. McQuiston does a phenomenal job writing characters that are fierce, loyal, loving, and so so smart. It’s not enough that they’re gorgeous and famous, rich, and living this glamorous life we’d all kill for…they’re also brilliant and hard working, and willing to do the hard work of looking at their desires and even past mistakes.
Another thing I really loved about Red, White & Royal Blue was the plot! Usually with romance novels we’re not getting a ton of plot. No complaints here, I’m as happy as the next person to read about the smut all on it’s own but this one is (bonus points) also packing a really great story.
We see these characters working through past struggles, hello we’ve all got baggage, family issues, again who are you if you don’t have a screwed up family member hiding somewhere, and of course we also have a slightly sexually confused main character. Not for lack of trying Alex doesn’t seem to realize he’s bisexual and it’s comically adorable to watch him work through that realization while his bromance with Henry is developing.
What did you not love about this book?
I hate that it ended. I hate that it’s not a 27 book series. I hate that I’ll have to just keep re-reading it instead of knowing what actually happens to Alex and Henry for the rest of their lives.
Just kidding. But really not kidding at all. I would have loved for this to be a series. These characters are so much fun, they’re no doubt doing amazing things out there in this alternate reality that we all deserve!
Our mains, Alex and Henry are fantastic but we also get June and Nora who are equally fantastic in their own ways and so smart it’s nearly intimidating. Hands up if you want a spinoff with these two love birds?! Me! Ooooh oooh pick me!
If you’ve ever watched The Royals TV show I feel like you’d love this book. I was reminded of the show several times while reading and it made me want to go back and binge all four seasons!
Overall opinions of this book:
This was an easy 5 / 5 star read for me. No questions asked, wouldn’t even hesitate to assign five more. As soon as I was done reading Red, White & Royal Blue I was flipping back through to re-read sections I really loved.
Any book that kicks off with someone accidentally ruining a royal wedding is okay by me! Add in the drama of life in the public eye, royal’s and their stick in the mud style decorum, and razors edge balance between strait laced 20 somethings trying to do good in the world while also still enjoying their lives…ugh. Casey McQuiston really did a great job here.
This is one that I’ll go back to time and time again. It’s a fun, contemporary romance that was easy to read but was in no way ‘mindless’. This book is packed full of smart, witty, intense characters that made me want to pay more attention to what is going on in the world around me.
I absolutely loved Alex and Henry but I also really enjoyed Nora and June, Cash and Zahra, Pez and Bea! Be still my heart there were so many characters to adore in this one.
I would 10/10 can’t wait to see this developed into a movie. Reports are that it’s being done so as long as they don’t botch the casting we will have another version of Red, White & Royal Blue to love!
Where can I buy Red, White & Royal Blue for myself?
Here’s the links to buy the paperback and the kindle edition. I think there were some hardcover editions from Book of the Month club so you can keep an eye out for those on Mercari as well!
Kindle Unlimited Membership PlansWhat else has this author written?
Casey McQuinston is a bestselling author of romance novels. She’s also written One Last Stop which is available for preorder until June 1, 20201! Check it out. It’s a story about cynical 23 year old who thinks that there’s no way moving to NYC for work will bring her any luck in love…until she bumps into a gorgeous girl on the train!
Sure to be another whirlwind romance that we’ll all be desperately reading and re-reading, One Last Stop is not to be missed!
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