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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