Book Review: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

The Gist: A heartfelt slow-burn romance that deftly explores queer awakening and has fun with escapism politics.

Series: Standalone

Release Date: May 14, 2019

Format: Hardback

Rating: 5-stars

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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” becomes much more as they 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, I read this book as pure escapism. Even though 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 stands out and is 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. I particularly enjoyed 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 sentimentality and humour.

Escapism Politics

Red, White & Royal Blue incorporates politics into the story, primarily around Alex’s mother’s reelection campaign and portraying 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 explores his feelings before committing to Henry. It explores the complexities of being in a celebrity relationship, especially within the context of politics, with Alex’s political ambitions contrasting with Henry’s desire for privacy.

In Conclusion

While Alex may be 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 family relationships and the challenges of being in the public eye, especially in politics. However, some moments of confusion regarding the secondary characters’ relationships could benefit from further clarification.

Buy Red, White & Royal Blue

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