Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

452 reviews

nexusthegreat's review

funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

It wasn't my cup of tea, not that I didn't get some good laughs out of some jokes, but it's just not my favorite genre. I don't typically read romances because it feels like the character's personalities turn into being all about a relationship (typically they lose that uniqueness). Although this book did a good job at really making sure that the characters stick with their differing personalities, I just wish there was more build up before they got together. If I am remembering correctly, they get together about 30% of the way through the book. I would just love more interactions with them before confessing so I could have slowly fallen in love with Alex and Henry and really understand what they saw in each other prior to getting together :/. I could be bias because I'm a huge fan of friends to lovers with romance as a sub plot....
Oh also note, it's very political, hence the title. Which I did oddly enjoy! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Cursing, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Drug abuse

daisyofthemoon's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use, Death of parent, Grief, and Drug abuse

Minor: Racism, Sexual harassment, and Cancer

imcalledzoe's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I had high expectations for this book due to all the hype surrounding it and it did not disappoint! This was such a fun, cute story, and I absolutely loved it! Henry and Alex's dynamic together and relationship was so well written, and I loved the dynamic of all of the friendships in this too! 
I listened to this as an audiobook and it was a really engaging and easy listen which I liked. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Outing

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Drug abuse, Racism, and Sexual assault

beaky's review

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Casey McQuiston first wowed me with I Kissed Shara Wheeler, then again with One Last Stop and now Red White and Royal Blue is one of my favourite books. The storytelling, the character development, the depth each character holds is all amazing. The writing is sad but hopeful,  joyful and beautiful all at once. The characters are so so loveable (like all MQuiston novels) and I would 100% recommend Red White and Royal Blue. Also it’s a crime the film did not include June. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, and Homophobia

Minor: Drug abuse and Death of parent

ninahuynh's review

emotional funny 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? No

4.0

After seeing the videos and trailer of the film adaption floating around and telling myself I'm going to read the book first, I finally did! They are an adorable couple. Their relationship via email and text were fleshed out, but when they are in person, it feels like we can do with a few less sex moments. The ending leaned into the political side of the story, so unless you're verse or interested in US Presidential election, you will likely end up skimming through it to the character portions.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, Stalking, Addiction, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Sexual content, Alcohol, Cursing, and Racism

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Incest

lindasoderlundd's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, Outing, Homophobia, Biphobia, and Alcohol

Moderate: Drug abuse and Death of parent

Minor: Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Stalking, Grief, Racism, and Sexual assault

catsm95's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Outing

Moderate: Grief and Death of parent

Minor: Drug abuse and Sexual assault

jeslis's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Notes:
- Henry and Alex my beloveds <333
- This political/royal monarchy setting was such a great silly little concept that is perfectly escapist if a bit too ideal for today's world. But we can always dream :') Really going all in on the world gave this book a solid foundation for the characters to play in.
- The romance was executed well and the banter was my favourite part.
- Not quite 5 stars just because I felt like I could hear the author's voice through multiple characters and I would've really loved to have seen more distinct voices between the characters and in their inner narratives especially!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing

Minor: Drug abuse

quiet_reader's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol and Outing

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, and Sexual content

Minor: Death of parent and Cancer

cats33's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Biphobia, Death of parent, Sexual content, Death, Grief, and Homophobia

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Cursing, Alcoholism, Addiction, Infidelity, and Sexual assault

Minor: Misogyny, Cultural appropriation, Sexism, Colonisation, and Racism