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A review by ashlightgrayson
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book had surprising found family vibes that I wasn't expecting. The romance is the main focus, but we get to see the two male lead's friends and family spend a reasonable amount of time being emotionally supportive to both of them respectively. Nora's relationship with Alex is especially refreshing. Nora used to date Alex, but now they are strictly friends. It's not very often that you see depictions in media of men/women being friends platonically. Exes getting along amicably after a breakup are also rare in general. It was just very nice to see them be such good friends and emotionally supportive of each other.
There is also a good amount of representation in this modern alternative universe. Nora is sexually fluid. Alex is a person of color since his father is Latin@. It was just a conglomeration of some very nice happy representation. (The queers deserve nice happy romcoms too). This romance is an exploration of sexuality and the experience of coming out when you are a public figure. It's a rivals to friends to lovers story as well. There are just a lot of tropes in the story that are written very well. The best way I can describe this reading experience is that it's the gay romantic comedy that I didn't know I needed.
Alex and Henry, the main love interests, perceive themselves at the beginning of the story (especially Alex), as being very different from one another. The irony in this is that their experiences being in the public eye mirror each other. The story never takes itself too seriously but does have moments that are critical of major social issues. This includes things like grooming, power dynamics in age gap relationships, being outed, homophobia, etc. The themes are touched upon enough to be satisfying, but not so deeply that it makes the story dark and somber. This was an incredibly cheerful read and I'm looking forward to watching the film on Prime video. It's sure to be a good time just like the book was.
There is also a good amount of representation in this modern alternative universe. Nora is sexually fluid. Alex is a person of color since his father is Latin@. It was just a conglomeration of some very nice happy representation. (The queers deserve nice happy romcoms too). This romance is an exploration of sexuality and the experience of coming out when you are a public figure. It's a rivals to friends to lovers story as well. There are just a lot of tropes in the story that are written very well. The best way I can describe this reading experience is that it's the gay romantic comedy that I didn't know I needed.
Alex and Henry, the main love interests, perceive themselves at the beginning of the story (especially Alex), as being very different from one another. The irony in this is that their experiences being in the public eye mirror each other. The story never takes itself too seriously but does have moments that are critical of major social issues. This includes things like grooming, power dynamics in age gap relationships, being outed, homophobia, etc. The themes are touched upon enough to be satisfying, but not so deeply that it makes the story dark and somber. This was an incredibly cheerful read and I'm looking forward to watching the film on Prime video. It's sure to be a good time just like the book was.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Cursing
Minor: Homophobia
grooming, age gap relationship