Red, White & Royal Blue: A Novel

Dustin reviewed Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

A bit hyped but alright

3 stars

Somehow I expected more from this book. The idea was quite cute but I was a bit disappointed by the inaccuracies when it came to the UK bit of the story. Almost until the end I did not understand who Henry actually was. Him being called "Prince of England" feels like such American ignorance—even if it is the typical thing he is being called in the US. Prince of Wales? Why? He is not heir apparent. Anyway, apart from those things, it was a rather cute book. Many things were obviously predictable–something one expects from romance novels I guess—so there was not a lot of surprise in the book. The long chapters sometimes felt a bit too much. At least it was easy to read.

betty@bookwyrm.social reviewed Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Review of 'Red, White & Royal Blue' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

This book's lineage is, at a guess, Hamilton/The West Wing/That brief liberal mania after the election of Obama. It is very much a fantasy of a different political system, one not captured by big money, where politicians may be ruthless or use means you don't approve of, but are serving in politics because of something they believe in. It is a fantasy of an America that could elect a divorced woman president.

On the other hand, if you can't have fantasies in your romance novels, where can you?

I didn't check this out for a long time because I find celebrities, politicians, and royalty, all vaguely squicky, and this book is written on the assumption that all of these are something you are at least a little into. However, the book doesn't rely on your kink for the aforementioned; it has a lot going for it. The book has a …

This book's lineage is, at a guess, Hamilton/The West Wing/That brief liberal mania after the election of Obama. It is very much a fantasy of a different political system, one not captured by big money, where politicians may be ruthless or use means you don't approve of, but are serving in politics because of something they believe in. It is a fantasy of an America that could elect a divorced woman president.

On the other hand, if you can't have fantasies in your romance novels, where can you?

I didn't check this out for a long time because I find celebrities, politicians, and royalty, all vaguely squicky, and this book is written on the assumption that all of these are something you are at least a little into. However, the book doesn't rely on your kink for the aforementioned; it has a lot going for it. The book has a full cast of characters who are delightful, the banter is non-stop, and if you like your books to playfully reference real events, you will be rewarded.

The main couple are also constantly comparing themselves to other literary and historical couples, so if you enjoy that sort of thing, it is the sort of thing you will like.

A lot of this book was not the sort of thing I like, but honestly, it's so well written! Do you like writing?

Jonathan Zacsh

rated it

Sep 21