I’m sure you’ve already heard of this book if you keep up with book news on twitter, goodreads, or instagram. This book really took the reading world by storm this year and I understand why. Red, White, and Royal Blue is the debut (once again, debut) novel by Casey McQuiston and it is one of my favorite books of the year.
It’s about Alex, the son of the first female president of the United States. He’s handsome, smart, ambitious, and incredibly funny. America loves him. And it’s about Harry, a prince of England. He’s handsome, smart, reserved, and a bit snobby. The world loves him. The only person who doesn’t, is Alex and the feeling is mutual.
One night, Alex and Harry cause a mess and as a PR ploy by the Crown and the US government, the boys are forced into a friendship to make the world think that neither boy actually wants to kill the other. This forced friendship turns into a real friendship, the boys texting and calling each other way into the night. Sharing secrets and problems that only another person in a political spotlight could understand. Then their friendship becomes even more and love starts to blossom between them.
And it is So Good.
I’ve read this book twice now. Once as a NetGalley eARC and the next time on audio while I highlighted my favorite bits in my final copy that I pre-ordered. I’m in love with this book. I wish the tension between the two boys, the “hate” part of the hate-to-love was drawn out a bit more, built up a bit more, so that when they became lovers it was a bit more POW, but I still loved it.
This book is fun, deep, emotional. It’s about someone coming to terms with their sexuality, it’s about families protecting families – for better or for worse, it’s about confronting your fears and hoping for the best. It’s just so darn good. I cried during this book as well and I feel like my whole “I don’t cry often in books” persona is going to be revoked since I keep saying I do it, but I promise I don’t. It really does take something special to make me cry and Red, White, and Royal Blue, is that something special.
History, huh? ❤
Just Read It 