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A review by cozycritiques
Playing the Palace by Paul Rudnick
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
”I want to know I’m in love, no not even know it—I want to understand why it’s called being in love.”
- Playing the Palace
Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley for the e-ARC.
Tropes: Royalty, Royal/Non-Royal, Opposites Attract, Instalove
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay), Jewish
Spice Scale: 🌶
CW: Vomit, Infidelity
A lot of people are saying that this gives off RWRB vibes, and I will admit that that is one of the main reasons I picked it up. But now that I’ve read it, I can say that the fact that an American falls in love with a Prince is the only thing these two books have in common. Playing the Palace isn’t trying to be Red, White & Royal Blue. It is entirely its own thing, and that thing is a wonderfully campy, messy, fairytale-esque tale of insta-love between two opposites.
I don’t read a lot of insta-love stories (I’m such a sucker for a slow burn), and I will admit that I have a feeling that this book didn’t get a lot of royal protocol strictly correct. But sometimes, it’s nice to take a break from the tension and drama of real life, and that’s what Playing the Palace is. It’s an escape. Sometimes you just want to read a story about two people falling head over heels in love.
Now, that’s not to say there isn’t any drama in this story—because there is. Carter and Edgar have to figure out how to navigate their relationship in the public eye, and there are many bumps along the way, mainly because, as I said, Carter is kind of a neurotic mess, and he doesn’t quite know when to keep his mouth shut. However, all of that drama that ensues is still lighthearted and is bound to make you laugh (sometimes from second-hand embarrassment).
Overall, this story was absolutely adorable, and if you’re looking for a quick read that will make you laugh and has fantastic side characters, I definitely recommend it.
- Playing the Palace
Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley for the e-ARC.
Tropes: Royalty, Royal/Non-Royal, Opposites Attract, Instalove
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay), Jewish
Spice Scale: 🌶
CW: Vomit, Infidelity
A lot of people are saying that this gives off RWRB vibes, and I will admit that that is one of the main reasons I picked it up. But now that I’ve read it, I can say that the fact that an American falls in love with a Prince is the only thing these two books have in common. Playing the Palace isn’t trying to be Red, White & Royal Blue. It is entirely its own thing, and that thing is a wonderfully campy, messy, fairytale-esque tale of insta-love between two opposites.
I don’t read a lot of insta-love stories (I’m such a sucker for a slow burn), and I will admit that I have a feeling that this book didn’t get a lot of royal protocol strictly correct. But sometimes, it’s nice to take a break from the tension and drama of real life, and that’s what Playing the Palace is. It’s an escape. Sometimes you just want to read a story about two people falling head over heels in love.
Now, that’s not to say there isn’t any drama in this story—because there is. Carter and Edgar have to figure out how to navigate their relationship in the public eye, and there are many bumps along the way, mainly because, as I said, Carter is kind of a neurotic mess, and he doesn’t quite know when to keep his mouth shut. However, all of that drama that ensues is still lighthearted and is bound to make you laugh (sometimes from second-hand embarrassment).
Overall, this story was absolutely adorable, and if you’re looking for a quick read that will make you laugh and has fantastic side characters, I definitely recommend it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity and Vomit