* Instant NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestseller * * GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD WINNER for BEST DEBUT and BEST ROMANCE of 2019 * * BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR* for VOGUE, NPR, VANITY FAIR, and more! * What happens when America’s First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales? When his mother became President, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, … American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, genius–his image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There’s only one problem: Alex has a beef with the actual prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex-Henry altercation, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse.
Heads of family, state, and other handlers devise a plan for damage control: staging a truce between the two rivals. What at first begins as a fake, Instragramable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have imagined. Soon Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret romance with a surprisingly unstuffy Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations and begs the question: Can love save the world after all? Where do we find the courage, and the power, to be the people we are meant to be? And how can we learn to let our true colors shine through? Casey McQuiston’s Red, White & Royal Blue proves: true love isn’t always diplomatic.
“I took this with me wherever I went and stole every second I had to read! Absorbing, hilarious, tender, sexy–this book had everything I crave. I’m jealous of all the readers out there who still get to experience Red, White & Royal Blue for the first time!” – Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners
“Red, White & Royal Blue is outrageously fun. It is romantic, sexy, witty, and thrilling. I loved every second.” – Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six
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Couldn’t put it down – read straight through to 2am.
Knew this would be a five star read.
Such a feel good book.
Not one thing I didn’t like.
Love love love
5
A re-read for me but still a great book. While I liked the little glimmer into the politics of elections, I really enjoyed the cast of characters. The wit and banter between Alex and Henry had me laughing throughout the book. I also loved reading about the group of friends, who demonstrate how to support one another through the book. Casey McQuiston takes the reader through how it is to be a young adult making choices for your career and future, while also learning about yourself and love.
So, I don’t specifically go out of my way to avoid things simply because they are popular, but there was just so much hype about this book, and it, admittedly, turned me away for too long.
Stars and stripes, am I glad I finally read it!
This book just catapulted its way into being one of my new favorite books.
I don’t understand the complaints I’ve seen about excessive smut in it. Perhaps I have read far worse, and far too many smut books for it to even be a concern, but this book had the right amount of spice with well-timed fade-to-black (personally, I would’ve rather all the nitty gritty details, but… personal preference).
Badass female president that speaks her mind? Check.
BIPOC representation, and not as a side character? Check.
Gay love interest with enemies-to-lovers and beautiful tension? Check.
Come on, now. This book is simply… *chefs kiss*
PHENOMENAL DEBUT FOR CASEY MCQUISTON!!
Ohhhh my gosh!! I loved this book so much!! There was nothing I did not love about it!! I mean let’s take in some facts here…
– Prince of Wales AKA literal Prince Charming
– son of the first WOMAN president in America
– witty banter
– Star Wars jokes
– forbidden romance
– Texas
Literally with just those alone this makes for an epic read but this book had SOOO much more. There were parts I laughed, cried and just felt so connected to the story because the state of the world right now. This book was 100% relevant and just so completely swoon worthy.
Alex first son of the first woman president of the United States has grown up in politics his whole life and wants to make it his career as well. He is all about settling into this life and doing what it takes to get to where he wants to be until one night at a royal wedding, he knocks over a $75,000 cake taking the Prince of Wales down with him. In one fail swoop he is wrapped up in his own scandal. Now he must make nice with the Prince for the world to see so that no more drama becomes of his life. What Alex does not expect is to become friends with said Prince much less more than friends…
One of the things I enjoyed most about Alex other than his wit and hilarious one liner’s was the fact he was a mixed race son of the freaking president!! McQuinston did not try to rush over it or make it seem like it wasn’t important. She talked about his life in Texas before becoming FSOTUS and his background which was sheer perfection.
“I hate this so much. I know. But we’re gonna do it together. And we’re gonna make it work. You and me and history, remember? We’re just gonna fucking fight. Because you’re it, okay? I’m never gonna love anybody in the world like I love you. So, I promise you, one day we’ll be able to just be, and fuck everyone else.”
Henry is the Prince of Wales and while he might not be in direct line for the throne, he is expected to hold up the family name and be who is expected to me. One small problem, Henry is “as gay as a maypole” and no one in his family knows. When he is expected to play nice with the FSOTUS after he takes down an awfully expensive wedding cake, he does not expect to become friends with the boy he has loved since he first met him nearly four years ago.
President Claremont, Nora and June as well as all the other secondary characters help make this book so incredible. They were all a big family and only looking out for one another. This book gives me hope for a better America, a better future for our generation and the generations to come. This book changed a part of my soul and I know that sounds cliché, but it is true it did!! It broke my heart while putting it back together and I fell so hard for this story of hope, love and the America we hope to see one day NOT just in a book.
This is my favorite book. I have read it so many times and I would recommend that straight people read it before writing their own so they know not how to fetishize gay people when writing about them.
2.5 stars
I’m going to cut to the chase; I was utterly bored by Red, White & Royal Blue. It received a ton of accolades, so I really think this is a case of it-must-just-be-me.
Alex and Henry are appealing characters and their romance is sweet, but almost saccharine. I did enjoy their email exchanges. However, their rivalry is half hearted at best, and their romance seems almost instantly intense so there’s nowhere for it to go. The coming out of a gay member of the royal family has more ramifications than that of America’s first son. I blinked, though, and every conflict seemed to be wrapped up in a tidy bow.
It could easily have been a satisfying short story, but by elongating it to a full-length novel, the shortcomings are more obvious. Despite a secret affair, a scandal, and a close presidential campaign, it failed to sustain my interest, and I found myself repeatedly putting the book down and taking a break.
Perhaps it was just my mood or my expectations, but Red, White & Royal Blue just didn’t do it for me.
loved this book so much.
LOVE LOVE LOVE Henry and Alex *sigh*
You know those books that make you feel all the feels? The ones that make you want to rush through them, but also make you want them to never end? That’s this book! I had heard on TikTok and other Social Media that it was worth the read, but that was an undersell! This book has it all, from drama to romance, secrecy, politics and royalty and an extremely diverse cast of characters.
There were some legitimate laugh out loud moments and some moments that made me tear up. I haven’t felt the complete anxiety of an election since the actual 2020 election! And the romance made me feel those butterflies of the teenage crush years.
The characters, in addition to being so diverse in ethnicity and sexuality, were well developed and very likeable. I really enjoyed the growth of the characters, especially Alex. There were a few characters to hate as well, but for the most part I really did like the characters.
One thing I was not expecting was the twist toward the end. I feel like it brought to light some difficult situations and topics that need to be talked about more. I would love a sequel or even an epilogue type story showing Richards get what’s coming to him.
If you are a fan of NA Romance, Royalty romance, or any type of political drama story, I think you will enjoy this book. I’d really love to see it made into a movie someday.
Sharp, witty dialogue and excellent characterization make this a super satisfying, romantic read!
Wonderful idea fabulously executed.
This was my first secret bromance and I loved it! It’s a potent combination of wit and humour, political passion, blue-blooded cool, secret agents and top TOP secret relationships! Son of first female American president falls for British prince. I was hooked from start to finish. A jewel of a debut by Casey McQuiston!
Love finding new authorsWill definitely be on the for her next book.
Books rarely come along these days that have me staying up until past midnight to finish them. This one, I’m pleased to say, was an exception. This was exactly my kind of story. FSOTUS Alex and Prince Henry make an unlikely but wonderful couple on their secretive journey from enemies to lovers. More than this, the side characters were all integral and likeable. June and Nora helping the oil the wheels for Alex, but also foul-mouthed Zahra and her opposite number in the Royal Family, the ice cool Shaan. This is my go-to book when I’m out of things to read. The writing is wonderful, witty and contemporary.
What else could I say besides that this was bloody brilliant!
“History, huh?”
I heard people praising this book. I heard people saying it was silly. And I say it was amazing.
Take the First Son of the United States and the Prince of Wales. They are almost the same age, leaders of their own country, compared all the time. And take one rivalry based on one moment years ago. Add in the upcoming presidential elections, a disastrous royal wedding and desperate try to make Alex (FSOTUS) and Henry (Prince of Wales) look like best friends to avoid international drama.
And you got it. The perfect set for a romantic, funny, political and very LGBTQ story!
I loved the story. It was an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, oblivious bi-awakening, long distance romance, with lots of comedial elements, deep political thoughts and a struggle to be free and live free despite what your country and family needs you to be.
I loved how this story was built. Starting with a tentative frindship, morphing into becoming confidants and bearing their problems to the other while struggling with different kinds of family pressure. Then turning into a passionate affair without rules or roots and finally becoming something very very real.
As I mentioned before, the presidential elections provide a great backdrop to Alex’s story. We get to glimpse into the workings of preparation, politics and press of a campaign. We also peak into royal grounds with Henry and his troubles as a gay prince.
The characters were spot-on!
Alex, our hero is FSOTUS with big political aspirations and a grudge against the prince of Wales. He is smart, he is witty but he’s also a workaholic and has a rebellious tendency. He’s also very much oblivious why he’s so obsessed with Henry. We see the whole story from his POV.
Henry, in line of succession to the brittish throne, quiet, resolved and utterly boring. Or at least that’s what he shows, what he’s allowed to show to the world while deep down, he is kind and smart and loving. Also… very gay.
June and Nora, part of Alex’s White House Trio are perfect sidekicks who give advice and try to help.
Bea and Pez, part of Henry’s gang, who are the sunshine in his life who try to make the prince’s life easier.
One female president, two confident and bossy keepers of rebellious young men and fathers, political figures completing the set of this exciting and unconventional story.
The writing was sometimes a bit slow for me, especially at the beginning. But the letters, texts, tweets and articles shaked the narration up a bit.
The letters. I want to talk about the letters! They are the best thing ever. Basically love letters between our guys, Alex being the crass american, and Henry being the talented brittish writer. And they put utterly heartbreaking quotes of other love letters in it and it’s amazing!
All in all, I loved this story with my whole heart! I could both see myself in Alex and Henry. I found them, the book’s voice resonating with me.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
2/5 Steam Rating
The hype is real y’all… this book is witty, charming, and just down right swoon worthy!!! This is a LBGTQ+ romance, but it’s perfect for ANY romance lover!! My favorite part of this whole book are the character. Im not even sure if I can pick a favorite character from the Super Six; while four of them only played in supporting roles, they quickly stole my heart with their own unique personalities. I loved watching Alex & Henry grow and transform throughout this story, neither character is the character he started off as at the beginning of the book.
One of my absolute favorite things about the books were the emails/texts back and forth between Alex & Henry. I loved the way that they bridged the long distance gape between our characters, while also giving us a real insight to their true feelings and their silly banter. I think I fell in love with them a bit more each time an email/text conversation occurred!
Total side note- but this book reminded me a lot of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry; I’m HUGE fans of theirs, so I quite enjoyed that aspect of it. Obviously there are a lot of differences between these characters and Meghan & Harry, but there was enough similarities that I kept reflecting back on how they were treated during their own courtship.
Red, White and Royal Blue is the first book by Casey McQuiston that I have had the chance to enjoy! I loved her writing style, her characters and the storyline was a perfect balance of fun banter and great conversations.
Alex and Prince Henry may not have started off even liking each other but they really didn’t know each other. Once the lines of communication opened up between them all bets were off because they really enjoyed each other’s company and conversation. They did have a few overwhelming obstacles to overcome. The biggest of those was making their relationship public knowledge and they both did this because they realized that being true to yourself was the only way to truly find love and happiness.
I had the added enjoyment of listening to the audio version of this story and it really brought the characters to life.
Very funny and positive messages.
I absolutely adored this book! It was less steamy than what I like my romance books to be, but it made up for it with amazing and compelling writing, fun and intelligent characters, and a couple that is #relationshipgoals!
It’s funny, but for me, the fact that the couple happens to be 2 men isn’t what is different about this romance. I’ve read a lot or romance books in the past year, and I feel that in most of them, the story is too rushed, within 2 weeks, the couple is madly in love and ready to get married. They’re sexy as hell, but don’t feel realistic, and after a while, I feel like the stories all sound the same…
What I loved about Henry and Alex’s story that made it different from other books I’ve read recently was that it sounded realistic, and the falling in love part felt right, after how much time they spent getting to know each other over phone and e-mail and clandestine meetings. I miss the times when we used to write letters, but e-mail is the next best thing
And Alex is right, Henry should write poetry, I’m swooning over here reading his emails! like I said #relatioshipgoals
Love this book so much! Yes, Casey, I do feel more positive and hopeful after reading your uplifting and very romantic book! I want to believe people can find where they are meant to be with the one they are destined to be with, even if the journey is difficult.
This book was a real favorite. I enjoyed the repartee and the wit. Best book I’ve read in a long time. I would definitely buy all of this authors books.
I am sitting on my couch with tears streaming down my face. To begin: I fucking love Alex, who is brilliant and neurotic and thinks his life is a straight line spread out in front of him and has to push himself every moment without really taking the time to figure out who he is or what he really wants from life. I love the brilliant and good and fun women of the story, Nora and June and hell yes to a female president. I love Henry and how he struggles with his sadness and pain and tries to keep the proverbial stiff upper lip while never believing he could have more. I love all of them, their depth and their emotions and how much they shine.
Also, it was really hard to read this book because of where we as a nation are not. We are struggling to move past our racist and homophobic foundations and this book gave me a glimpse of how it could be and I hope to hell we get there and then soar beyond.
To sum up: you should read this.