![]() ![]() What if we got a different president than the one we wound up with? What if we said a firm NO to hate and division? I definitely teared up at times, thinking about how this world avoided (though narrowly) the one in which we live now.Ĭasey McQuiston obviously knows her shit. This book is part romance, part “what if?” scenario. There seems to be actual repercussions for the Republican candidate, Richards, who was a racist and a sexual predator, on top of being a slimy piece of shit. People rally in support of Alex’s relationship with Henry and his bisexuality. This book is also bittersweet to read for a very different, much more serious reason: It asks the question, “What if there had been a genuinely good female candidate running against the hateful, xenophobic, and racist misogynist in the 2016 election?” Enter President Ellen Claremont. I was absolutely thrilled by such a happy and sweet story that had some definite bumps along the way but ultimately ended on a very high note. Rafael Luna gets a pretty good ending, as does June and Henry’s family. Alex’s mother gets re-elected to a second-term as president, thanks to her home state of Texas, which turned “blue” for the first time in several decades. A beautiful, romantic relationship between Alex and Henry. In fact, I almost didn’t believe there could really be a happy ending because of Alex and Henry’s circumstances, but I was so pleased to be wrong. This book is so heartwarming, despite the fact that it takes place in the world of politics. Henry fell in love with Alex years ago but never acted on his impulse to pursue him because of his position and the fact that Alex seemed very straight. This is one of my favorite tropes, along with the love-interest-falls-in-love-first trope. ![]() “Red, White, and Royal Blue” is the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story of the year. There is a gay relationship that is absolutely wonderful, and all that angsty, misunderstandings-abound bullshit is very much absent. There are real world parallels that are equally fascinating and bittersweet. There are extremely intelligent and take-no-nonsense female characters (June, Ellen, Nora, Bea, Catherine, Zahra). There are quite a few Star Wars references. But then, once Henry and Alex begin to spend time together in order to set right their big blunder at the Royal Wedding, the two grow closer and discover they have way more in common than they ever could’ve imagined. ![]() He also has a rivalry with the Prince of England, Henry, whom he’s hated since their first meeting years ago in which Henry acted like total tool. Alex is ambitious, intelligent, and very into politics. His mother is the first female president of America, and for the first few chapters we get to know Alex, his sister June, and their close friend Nora, who’s the granddaughter of the Vice President. The story follows Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the White House. I am SO GLAD I did because this book is so warm and emotional and beautiful that it deserves all the stars. But when I saw someone recommending it in my OSRBC Facebook group, I reconsidered and figured, “What can it hurt?” So I requested a copy and was granted one. However, when I came across it the first time on NetGalley, I skated right on by with little interest. “Red, White, and Royal Blue” is the first book written by Casey McQuiston. I received an ARC e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ![]()
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