About: Explore my August Wrap Up featuring 25 books with a 4.03-star average rating. Discover a long-awaited romance favourite and my mystery/thriller journey!
(more…)August Wrap Up: 25 Books Read
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Book Review: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
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Series: Standalone
Release Date: May 14, 2019
Synopsis
First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations. The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince.
As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?
Ending
HEA
Representation
• Mexican-American biracial bisexual main character
• gay love interest with depression
• Mexican-American biracial supporting character
• Jewish bisexual aromantic supporting character
• Mexican-American side character
• Mexican-American gay side character
• trans side character
• sapphic side relationship
• Nigerian-British pansexual side character
• gay love interest with depression
• Mexican-American biracial supporting character
• Jewish bisexual aromantic supporting character
• Mexican-American side character
• Mexican-American gay side character
• trans side character
• sapphic side relationship
• Nigerian-British pansexual side character
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Racism (including from Henry’s grandmother, the Queen)
• Homophobia (including from Henry’s older brother and grandmother, the Queen)
• Forced outing
• Homophobia (including from Henry’s older brother and grandmother, the Queen)
• Forced outing
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OM drama
• Does have OW drama
– Henry is jealous when he sees Nora and Alex kiss on New Years (even though it’s not romantic)
– Alex is jealous when he sees Henry out with an OW in a tabloid (at this point, not knowing
• Does have Henry pushing Alex away
• Does have a brief separation (both celibate)
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• No OM drama
• Does have OW drama
– Henry is jealous when he sees Nora and Alex kiss on New Years (even though it’s not romantic)
– Alex is jealous when he sees Henry out with an OW in a tabloid (at this point, not knowing
• Does have Henry pushing Alex away
• Does have a brief separation (both celibate)
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: Hardback
Rating: 5-stars
This is a five-star review because of the romance – like many other reviewers, I was grinning the whole time; Red, White & Royal Blue made me so happy. The book follows the First Son of the US, Alex, who causes an international scandal at a UK royal wedding with his archnemesis, Prince Henry. As a result, both men are thrown together in a PR campaign to assure the world that there’s no animosity between them (although there very much is). Of course, what starts as “fake friends” turns into much more as they start to learn more about each other and their respective lives.
Before I dive into the review, there are two important points I want to make. First, is that I read this book as pure escapism. Despite the fact that US politics is significant to the plot due to Alex’s mother’s re-election campaign, there’s no critique of the two-party system. In fact, I’d say this book enters the land of political escapism, where a divorced woman gets elected as the president of the US. Second, the relationship between Alex and Henry doesn’t linger too long on their “enemies” phase, but the banter is immaculate throughout.
Slow-burn romance
The romance in the story is a standout, and it’s portrayed beautifully. It’s important to note that while some people describe it as “enemies to eventual lovers,” the enemies part is more one-sided and grounded in Alex’s insecurities. The evolution of the relationship is actually from enemies to fake friends, to real friends to lovers. The author dedicates significant time to each phase, making it feel authentic and satisfying. What I particularly enjoyed was that a substantial portion of Red, White & Royal Blue explores their relationship as a couple, delving into whether they want a long-term commitment and if they should go public, considering their positions in US politics and UK society.
Additionally, the email exchanges between the two main characters are a highlight, offering genuine emotional intimacy and touching on queer history, especially in the UK. These exchanges also showcase the characters’ personalities – Henry citing a bibliography was hilarious and so freaking cute.
Friendships
One of my favourite aspects of Red, White & Royal Blue is the dedicated friend group and how Henry and Alex merge their found families. June (Alex’s older sister) and Nora (the Vice President’s granddaughter) support Alex through his journey. However, I enjoyed how his scenes with June also explored their complex family (rehashing the fraught relationship between their parents) and coming to terms with how being the president’s kids both helps and hurts their career aspirations.
A big portion of this book is Alex’s realizing he’s bisexual. Alex’s journey of self-discovery as a bisexual person in his early 20s is beautifully depicted. I loved the scene where he came out to his mom and dad; there was the perfect amount of sentimentality and humour.
Escapism Politics
Red, White & Royal Blue incorporates politics into the story, primarily revolving around Alex’s mother’s reelection campaign and the portrayal of the United States as a place where a divorced woman can be elected. It provides a more idealized view of politics, contrasting it with the colonial history of the UK. The depiction of homophobia and racism within Henry’s family is done through microaggressions and respectability politics.
The book also effectively balances the public’s perception of celebrity couples with their private lives, providing insight into why Henry doesn’t feel comfortable coming out as gay and why Alex takes time to explore his feelings before committing to Henry. The complexities of being in a celebrity relationship, especially within the context of politics, are explored, with Alex’s political ambitions contrasting with Henry’s desire for privacy.
In Conclusion
Overall, while Alex may come across as frustrating at times, his character growth and exploration of his family dynamics add depth to the story. Red, White & Royal Blue successfully portrays the complexities of both family relationships and the challenges of being in the public eye, especially in the world of politics. However, there are some moments of confusion regarding the secondary characters’ relationships, which could benefit from further clarification.
Buy Red, White & Royal Blue
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26 Reasons to Get Excited: My Ultimate Summer Book Haul
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About: Checkout my summer book haul of 26 exciting books, including a few perfect fall transition reads. I’m not just summarizing plots but digging into why I bought each book.
(more…)Dive into the Best Summer Books: 23 Unputdownable Reads
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About: As summer draws to a close, check out the summer books I loved from genres including romantasy and historical fiction, all rated 4.5 stars or higher.
(more…)Book Review: The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester
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Series: Standalone
Release Date: September 28, 2022
Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author Natasha Lester delivers an unforgettable story of an orphan turned WWII spy turned fashion icon in Paris—perfect for fans of Kate Quinn and Fiona Davis.
1943. After spearheading several successful advertising campaigns in New York, PR wizard Alix St. Pierre comes to the attention of the U.S. government and finds herself recruited into a fledgling intelligence organization.
Enlisted as a spy, Alix is sent to Europe where she is tasked with getting close to a Nazi who might be willing to help the Allied forces–but there’s also the chance he might be a double agent.
1946. Following the war, Alix moves to Paris and takes a position as head of publicity for the yet-to-be-launched House of Dior. But when a figure from the war reappears and threatens to destroy her future, Alix realizes that only she can right the wrongs of the past and bring him to justice.
The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre is a thrilling, sumptuous work of historical fiction told in three timelines: before, during and after WWII. This completely immersive story takes readers from the dangerous, intrigue-filled rooms in Switzerland where elites of both sides mingled and schemed during the war, to the glamorous halls of the House of Dior in the golden age of French fashion and journalism.
Ending
HFN. Alix and Anthony end up together with plans to take over Anthony’s father’s newspaper business together.
Representation
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
Possible Triggers: Yes
War themes
• Classism
• Sexism
• Alcoholism
• Reference to abduction
• Description of war crimes, including r@pe, dismemberment, and torture
• Allusions to and brief mention of suicide
• Grief
• Classism
• Sexism
• Alcoholism
• Reference to abduction
• Description of war crimes, including r@pe, dismemberment, and torture
• Allusions to and brief mention of suicide
• Grief
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• Does have OW drama
– Alix presumes that Anthony slept with the woman who’s out to get her (Alix was incorrect)
– misunderstanding where Alix thought Anthony slept with a woman he hired (again, Alix was incorrect)
• Does have OM drama
– Anthony is a friend of Alix’s dead fiancé
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a brief separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• Does have OW drama
– Alix presumes that Anthony slept with the woman who’s out to get her (Alix was incorrect)
– misunderstanding where Alix thought Anthony slept with a woman he hired (again, Alix was incorrect)
• Does have OM drama
– Anthony is a friend of Alix’s dead fiancé
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a brief separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5-stars
The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre was an amazing historical fiction book with just the right amount of romance and action. The story alternates between three timelines, each representing a different “life” of Alix’s: her life before she’s recruited as a US spy in WWII, growing up orphaned and a rich girl’s companion, her time working as a spy for the US against fascist Italy, and present day, living in post-WWII Paris as the new public relations director tasked with helping launch the (fashion) House of Dior.
This book was the perfect example of the author’s research without the book coming across as a thesis (looking at you, Babel – don’t worry, I still gave that book 4.5 stars). The author uses real historical figures – including Christian Dior and Allen Dulles (before he became the director of the CIA), to name two – to situate Alix’s story in the real efforts of the Allied powers in WWII. Of course, because The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre is situated in real history, the author only had so much leeway with how she could depict the end of WWII. For sure, it was a victory, but I appreciated how the author leaned into the criticisms of how society almost went back 20 years to compensate for women becoming principal economic actors during the war. In fact, the main conflict of this book is Alix’s encounters with a Nazi who she developed as an informant during the war and who has sprung upon again in her present day. This mystery around the informant felt very realistic and didn’t veer into rewriting history.
Romance and Feminism
I loved the slow-burn romance and how the Hero was pulled into the present-day mystery of Alix’s espionage past. While Alix and Anthony initially get off on the wrong foot, circumstances force them to work together (forced proximity, anyone?), and slowly, they develop a great friendship that turns into more. I especially enjoyed the soft touches of feminism: the remarks about how it was illegal for women to wear trousers in Paris post-WWII, how it was considered gauche for a woman to work, or how Alix was immediately considered Anthony’s mistress rather than his equal because of their differing economic backgrounds were all feminist concerns contemporary to the 1950s but also resonate today.
In Conclusion
The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre blew away my expectations. It was incredibly evident how much research the author did to craft such a rich WWII espionage story. However, as the reader, you couldn’t tell what was research vs. fiction, which is how fiction books are supposed to feel, as it makes the atmosphere and plot so much more realistic. There’s a lot going on in this book with the three different timelines, but I thought the author did such a great job tying them together. This book is 400 pages, and I read it in one sitting, which is a testament to how much I loved this story. While some of the plot twists were a bit predictable, and the fact that there was the stereotypical third-act breakup, neither was enough to detract The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre from being a 5-star read. In fact, this book is my leading contender for my favourite read of 2023!
Buy The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre
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7 Books on My September TBR
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About: My September TBR includes 7 books that I hope will get me in the mood for autumn. Included in my TBR is a recent Pulitzer Prize winner and a fun YA novel about a soccer prodigy I can’t wait to jump into!
(more…)April Wrap Up: 25 Books Read
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About: My April Wrap Up unpacks my best reading month yet, and includes a mini-review of the 25 books I read.
(more…)Book Review: Weyward by Emilia Hart
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Series: Standalone
Release Date: February 2, 2023
Synopsis
I am a Weyward, and wild inside.
2019: Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she begins to suspect that her great aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.
1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. As a girl, Altha’s mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence for witchcraft is set out against Altha, she knows it will take all of her powers to maintain her freedom.
1942: As World War II rages, Violet is trapped in her family’s grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives––and for her mother, long deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom.
Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart’s Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world.
Ending
HFN
Representation
• wlw main character
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Intimate partner violence
• R@pe
• Sexism
• Attempted murder
• Murder
• Abortion
• R@pe
• Sexism
• Attempted murder
• Murder
• Abortion
Mature Themes
• Alcohol abuse
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 5-stars
Weyward was a five-star prediction when I selected it as my Book of the Month pick back in April. It has everything I gravitate toward in historical fiction: feminism, a character-driven plot and magical realism. The novel follows three women from the same family in three different timelines spanning 2019, 1619 and 1942. Connecting the women are their struggles with male violence, sexism and the power that ties them together: their magical relationship with nature.
Feminism
The first perspective follows Altha in 1619, who’s standing trial for witchcraft. This narrative invokes the most classic feminist imagery: the witch trials that lashed out at independent women who existed outside the patriarchal archetypes of wife and mother. I loved how this storyline centred a complicated friendship between Altha and her ex-best friend, the wife of the man Altha is accused of killing. The author subtly explores the nuances of womanhood during this time and lightly touches upon a potential sapphic relationship between the two friends.
Violet’s story in 1942 and Kate’s story in 2019 are more closely connected, and both explore intimate partner violence. I enjoyed how Kate’s story appeared to end the trauma cycle that started with Violet. The contrast between these two storylines puts into stark perspective how the decades have given women more agency through increased rights and education. However, despite these differences, Violet and Kate both struggle with the same problem. I loved the emphasis on healing fractured family relationships in these timelines (Violet and her brother and Kate and her mother).
I thought the use of magic in Weyward felt very realistic – it lent itself more towards magical realism than the paranormal. There was a common theme of how women are socialized to punish themselves – to make themselves smaller – because a powerful woman (represented by the protagonists’ access to magic) is seen as a threat. Altha, Violet and Kate each have a moment where they realize they had suppressed or ignored or feared their powers because they had been socialized to believe that powerful women were dangerous to everyone, including themselves. But, really, their power only threatens patriarchy.
Character-Driven
The writing in Weyward felt very whimsical, capturing the magical relationship the protagonists had with nature. I’ve always loved character-driven books, especially in the historical fiction and literary fiction genres, as it allows the reader to better connect with the characters.
However, my only critique of the book was that the discourse felt highly internalized, by which I mean the secondary characters didn’t feel developed. There was a distinct lack of depth between the protagonists and their supporting cast, which made the stakes of losing their relationships not as impactful.
In Conclusion
Considering the author navigates three timelines, spanning 500 years in just over 300 pages, I’m blown away by Weywards‘s impactful and nuanced feminist messaging. While the book isn’t easy to read, I became completely absorbed in the witchy and whimsical atmosphere. I’m blown away that this is the author’s debut novel! In her sophomore book, I’m hoping for more developed supporting characters and a diverse cast.
Buy Weyward
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The Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag: 2023
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Quick Take: My Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag explores twelve books, including my favourite 2023 read so far, a book that made me cry, and anticipated new releases. I also have a TBR list to read before 2024!
(more…)March Wrap Up: 37 Books Read
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About: My March Wrap Up unpacks my best reading month yet, and extracts a quote from each of the 37 books I read.
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