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mijsfranssen's review against another edition
4.0
I updated my rating system for this year so it makes sense :))
4/5 ✨ i enjoyed it a lot
I enjoyed this book so much. It was lovely. I liked that the chapters differentiated between Dre’s and Dean’s POV. The characters were great, the plot was good, I enjoyed it lots. It is great for fans for Red White and Royal blue, but this is YA and therefore is a little different in wording, story and there are far less explicit scenes.
The fact that this story is so diverse, made it even more enjoyable. There is ofcourse gay representation, but also ace spectrum, lesbian, plus size, and POC in there.
The reason why it is not getting five stars, is because it is very very YA, which is not necessarily bad, but it made me relate a little less.
4/5 ✨ i enjoyed it a lot
I enjoyed this book so much. It was lovely. I liked that the chapters differentiated between Dre’s and Dean’s POV. The characters were great, the plot was good, I enjoyed it lots. It is great for fans for Red White and Royal blue, but this is YA and therefore is a little different in wording, story and there are far less explicit scenes.
The fact that this story is so diverse, made it even more enjoyable. There is ofcourse gay representation, but also ace spectrum, lesbian, plus size, and POC in there.
The reason why it is not getting five stars, is because it is very very YA, which is not necessarily bad, but it made me relate a little less.
finhatfield's review against another edition
3.0
Its a little cliche but it wasn't bad. By this I mean that I knew what was going to happen pretty early on.
On one hand there are some problems with how the characters are portrayed in relation to their back story. Like Dre is supposed to be a Mexican American and that heritage only seemed to be pulled out in relation to politics. I'm not saying that every Mexican American 17 year old relates to their culture all the time but this is a work of fiction and the way people are portrayed is a choice. I judge the choices made with different standards than if it was non fiction. Like there is a mid ground between stereotype and nothing.
On the other hand I really like Vikas Adam as a voice actor and I felt that he gave a lot of credibility to Dre in his performance so many sins were forgiven.
Some of those sins probably shouldn't have been forgiven though. I felt that Dre was at times rather flat.
In addition the book failed to make some of its own arguments. I feel like the idea that we should listen and try to meet people in the middle without making assumptions was a major theme, unfortunately the characters mostly dealt with this problem by not seriously talking about the subjects they disagree on. It was overall a quite simplistic way to approach politics and it wasn't even adhered to in the text.
The kids felt very 17 although sometimes it was more like YA 17.
On one hand there are some problems with how the characters are portrayed in relation to their back story. Like Dre is supposed to be a Mexican American and that heritage only seemed to be pulled out in relation to politics. I'm not saying that every Mexican American 17 year old relates to their culture all the time but this is a work of fiction and the way people are portrayed is a choice. I judge the choices made with different standards than if it was non fiction. Like there is a mid ground between stereotype and nothing.
On the other hand I really like Vikas Adam as a voice actor and I felt that he gave a lot of credibility to Dre in his performance so many sins were forgiven.
Some of those sins probably shouldn't have been forgiven though. I felt that Dre was at times rather flat.
In addition the book failed to make some of its own arguments. I feel like the idea that we should listen and try to meet people in the middle without making assumptions was a major theme, unfortunately the characters mostly dealt with this problem by not seriously talking about the subjects they disagree on. It was overall a quite simplistic way to approach politics and it wasn't even adhered to in the text.
The kids felt very 17 although sometimes it was more like YA 17.
threeracoonsinatrenchcoat's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
mayamadeline's review against another edition
3.0
Is this book well written? No. Is it worth the read? Maybe? I had fun with it. While my enjoyment of this book is 3 stars the actual writing is only a 2. I think um enjoyment is enhanced by having read this after the 2020 election. That being said the book is basic and follows a predictable plot that is full of tropes and stereotypes. The characters are are 2 dimensional. The author tries to pad them by giving them beliefs and quirks, interests and struggles all the things that make a character but it falls short. I think this is because they all act as if from a formula it is predictable like the plot. The references to the last election and are living out a fantasy and a bit pedantic. The politics within the book are inch deep, readers keep getting told how much all these politics matter while not at all being affected by them despite the fact they would in real life all be directly affected in fact It almost seems mocking in its attempts to exhibit them. Obviously based on my critique there are numerous problems in this book. Some would even consider these unforgivable but Despite all these flaws in the writing, characters and plot it is a joyful book that made me feel good. The characters have got chemistry and are heartwarming. In essence I just liked this book because I had fun with it. It is an easy read. No it’s not good writing but I liked it anyways so I gave it a three stars. It is the equivalent of a comfort meal or a movie so bad it’s good.
dreamzyp06's review against another edition
3.0
If I could, I'd give this book 3.5 stars. I felt the main characters were very realistic; they made mistakes but they were likeable. I especially enjoyed Dean and his character arc, though he was pretty defensive. I appreciated the way the story forced the reader to rethink their preconceived ideals. I loved how the characters challenged each other. However, the main characters were defensive and constantly bickering. The writing overall wasn't my favorite. I guess I would say this book is really good and worth the read, but it's not one of the best I've read.
shewwimonster's review against another edition
1.0
Oh dear. POC rep is not good. Characterization is not good. Ace rep is exciting because it’s there but a little robotic. The ending is actually ridiculous and not in a good way.
Basically the book ignores all the complex issues or boils them down too much in favor of focusing too much on the relationship and the one character coming out.
Basically the book ignores all the complex issues or boils them down too much in favor of focusing too much on the relationship and the one character coming out.
briannareadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first Shaun David Hutchinson book, and it was just okay! I own some of his other books that I will definitely read because this book was pretty enjoyable, but it wasn't phenomenal.
The story follows Dre, the out and proud gay son of the Democratic presidential candidate, and his romantic relationship with Dean, the conservative son of the Republic POTUS. People go off about the Red White and Royal Blue vibes in this book, and I could definitely see it. It had a lot of the same vibes, and even a lot of the plot "twists" were the same, but this book was definitely more politics-oriented. Their relationship feels a lot more "forbidden" especially since their parents were opposing political leaders.
I thought it was cute and Dre and Dean both brought so much to the table as characters! They were both so unique and interesting and brought many different perspectives about the two political parties, but I don't think it was enough. I was skeptical about the author making a "There are nice Republicans, too!" point, and he didn't really end up making that point, or end up making a point at all really. It all felt sort of pointless at the end, and while I love Dre and Dean together, their relationship still felt really impractical at the end.
Overall, the book was cute! But it wasn't the most amazing love story.
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This was my first Shaun David Hutchinson book, and it was just okay! I own some of his other books that I will definitely read because this book was pretty enjoyable, but it wasn't phenomenal.
The story follows Dre, the out and proud gay son of the Democratic presidential candidate, and his romantic relationship with Dean, the conservative son of the Republic POTUS. People go off about the Red White and Royal Blue vibes in this book, and I could definitely see it. It had a lot of the same vibes, and even a lot of the plot "twists" were the same, but this book was definitely more politics-oriented. Their relationship feels a lot more "forbidden" especially since their parents were opposing political leaders.
I thought it was cute and Dre and Dean both brought so much to the table as characters! They were both so unique and interesting and brought many different perspectives about the two political parties, but I don't think it was enough. I was skeptical about the author making a "There are nice Republicans, too!" point, and he didn't really end up making that point, or end up making a point at all really. It all felt sort of pointless at the end, and while I love Dre and Dean together, their relationship still felt really impractical at the end.
Overall, the book was cute! But it wasn't the most amazing love story.
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allipolk's review against another edition
4.0
Ok am I dumb or did he ever say who won the presidency?
swah's review against another edition
2.0
It was fine. Disappointed by the lack of any resolution to the political disagreements between Dre and Dean. Doesn't really feel like either character grew much. Also, kind of feels like the author forgot Dre was supposed to be Mexican American because in a book about politics that got brought up maybe once.