About: Dive into my October TBR with nine thrilling books, including my long-awaited read of House of Blood and Earth and continued exploration of the thriller genre.
(more…)Book Review: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Series: Standalone
Release Date: May 14, 2019
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?
• 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
• Homophobia (including from Henry’s older brother and grandmother, the Queen)
• Forced outing
• 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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17 Books on My March TBR
About: My March TBR includes 17 books that I want to read in March. I will finally read Babel by R.F. Kuang and get started on my Diverse Reading Challenge.
(more…)11 Holiday Romances to Read this Winter
Quick Take: Eleven books to read this winter, including four new holiday romances I’ve hauled and some old favourites featuring a few grumpy Heroes.
(more…)14 New Books: My Hiemal Book Haul
14 new books make up my Hiemal Book Haul and includes books I’ve purchased from August to November. The most prevalent themes are fantasy and (as always) romance.
(more…)Sweet Yet Anti-climatic: A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova
Series: Married to Magic*
Release Date: November 6, 2020
The elves come for two things: war and wives. In both cases, they come for death.
Three-thousand years ago, humans were hunted by powerful races with wild magic until the treaty was formed. Now, for centuries, the elves have taken a young woman from Luella’s village to be their Human Queen.
To be chosen is seen as a mark of death by the townsfolk. A mark nineteen-year-old Luella is grateful to have escaped as a girl. Instead, she’s dedicated her life to studying herbology and becoming the town’s only healer.
That is, until the Elf King unexpectedly arrives… for her.
Everything Luella had thought she’d known about her life, and herself, was a lie. Taken to a land filled with wild magic, Luella is forced to be the new queen to a cold yet blisteringly handsome Elf King. Once there, she learns about a dying world that only she can save.
The magical land of Midscape pulls on one corner of her heart, her home and people tug on another… but what will truly break her is a passion she never wanted.
A Deal with the Elf King is a complete, stand-alone novel, inspired by the tales of Hades and Persephone, as well as Beauty and the Beast, with a “happily ever after” ending. It’s perfect for fantasy romance fans looking for just the right amount of steam and their next slow-burn and swoon-worthy couple.
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
• Themes of isolation and abandonment
• Does have OW/OM drama (kind of)
– The Heroine was in love with her childhood best friend, but he turns out to be an asshole. And, apparently, she wasn’t “in love” with him but loved the idea of him? (There’s kissing *before* the Heroine meets the Hero)
– The Hero tried to date/court *his* best friend 3-4 years ago; she’s currently the Hand of the King. They both agreed they were better off friends. Their relationship didn’t progress past kissing but apparently, that attempt made them closer as friends.
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: Kindle Unlimited
Rating: 3/5 stars
*Each novel in the series is Standalone
(more…)Magical and Entrancing: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
Series: Standalone
Release Date: June 4, 2019
Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.
As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.
• Asexual supporting character
• Allusion to torture
• Gaslighting
• No OW/OM drama
• Does have the Hero pushing the Heroine away
• Does have a separation between the Heroine and Hero
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 4.75/5 stars
(more…)Heartfelt and Nostalgic: Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Series: Standalone
Release Date: July 14, 2020
Today, she hates him.
It’s the last day of senior year. Rowan Roth and Neil McNair have been bitter rivals for all of high school, clashing on test scores, student council elections, and even gym class pull-up contests. While Rowan, who secretly wants to write romance novels, is anxious about the future, she’d love to beat her infuriating nemesis one last time.
Tonight, she puts up with him.
When Neil is named valedictorian, Rowan has only one chance at victory: Howl, a senior class game that takes them all over Seattle, a farewell tour of the city she loves. But after learning a group of seniors is out to get them, she and Neil reluctantly decide to team up until they’re the last players left—and then they’ll destroy each other.
As Rowan spends more time with Neil, she realizes he’s much more than the awkward linguistics nerd she’s sparred with for the past four years. And, perhaps, this boy she claims to despise might actually be the boy of her dreams.
Tomorrow…maybe she’s already fallen for him.
• Lesbian supporting character
• Bisexual supporting character
• FF side romance
• No OW drama
• Does have OM drama
— The Heroine has conversations with an ex to get closure. It stirs up past regret.
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing each other away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format:
Rating: 5/5 stars
(more…)27 ebooks: My September Book Haul
My original plan was to add my Kindle book haul to my August Wrap but it just made the post way too long and convoluted. So, I’ve decided to post a separate book haul dedicated to all the books I’ve purchased as ebooks, which, for me, are Kindle books.
(more…)The Monthly Wrap: July
A detailed look at March’s reading habits: 24 books read, two DNFs, seven books read from my Up Next Shelf. I also read books continuing four favourite series of mine, and I finally finished the Throne of Glass series!
(more…)