Image credit: Red, White and Royal Blue (2019), published in Australia by Pan MacMillan Australia. Cover design by Colleen Reinhart. All rights reserved. Image from my Google Play copy of the novel and used by on this blog under the “Fair dealing for criticism or review” provision of the Commonwealth Copyright Act, 1968. Vogue article in the background is by Michelle Ruiz and can be found here.
Alex Claremont-Diaz is the FSOTUS – the First Son of the United States. Smart, handsome and popular, he’s also the son of the USA’s first woman president, a Democrat, elected in 2016. Yes… this is a Trump-free alternate universe.
Alex hates Prince Henry of England, whom he regards as insufferably arrogant and pompous. But after a scuffle at a royal wedding, they’re forced to pretend a friendship for the sake of the cameras and international relations, and romance isn’t far behind. But Henry has a royal image to maintain and Alex’s mum is fighting a tough re-election campaign…
This is an absolute page-turner: smart, funny, sexy and frothy. It’s full of enjoyable and diverse characters, zingy dialogue and a touch of politics. Lots of fun.
Title: Red, White & Royal Blue
Author: Casey McQuiston
Cover design: Colleen Reinhart
First published: St Martin’s Griffin, 2019
Awards: Goodreads Choice Award for Best Debut and Best Romance, 2019; 2020 Alex Award
Genre: rom-com, spicy romance
Representation: LGBTQIA+, BIPOC (main character & others)
Suitability: 18+
Fyi: graphic sex, much swearing, brief recount of attempted sexual assault, minor drug references
Themes: sexual identity, coming out, love, family, friendship, fame, politics
Literary features: witty dialogue, free indirect style, well plotted, excellent ensemble characters
If you like this, try: Love, Simon: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE LIBRARY... 
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