But it didn't quite live up to its massive hype for me for a couple of reasons. First, Henry and Alex get together early in the story, too early for my liking. I had hoped there'd be more time devoted to Henry and Alex butting heads, then getting to know each other, but things happen quickly and fairly easily for them despite the fame and popularity of their families.
Second, and this was a biggie, there was waaaay too much American politics. This Canadian didn't enjoy the info dumps describing US elections and campaigns because they took away page time from the romance. And the way Alex's American family was positively portrayed versus the cliched view of the British Royals felt unbalanced.
Red, White and Royal Blue was a predictable read that includes strong sexual language (an issue for some readers) and an overabundance of American politics, but it is also a heartwarming story that focuses on the new romance between two young men while also exploring important themes of identity, self-discovery, complicated family dynamics and sexuality.
Despite this not being a five-star read for me, I think it will appeal to readers who enjoy hopelessly endearing fluffy romances with a side of saucy sex scenes and a SuperSize helping of American politics.
My Rating: 3 stars
Author: Casey McQuiston
Genre: RomCom, LGBTQIA2S+
Type and Source: eAudiobook from public library
Narrator: Ramon de Ocampo
Run Time:12.25 hours
Publisher:
First Published: May 14, 2019
Book Description from GoodReads: 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. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him.
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. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?
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