A review by annescorner
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.

It’s not like the novel or story was bad - I actually read those 202 pages in one sitting. I just had no inkling in the past 6 months to pick the book back up and finish it. Partly, because I was spoilered, but more importantly because one, why are those chapters so damn long??, and two, I heard that the second half is actually not that good *hot take, I know*. But someone I trust regarding book opinions told me, that everything was too easy, too predictable and too convenient. There, apparently, is no “will they make it”-moment, because as a reader you can tell from the set-up that they will. And I don’t like convenient and easy ways out of conflicts/problems in my stories. Especially with this political setting, it just wouldn’t make sense. And I definitely would have given this book another go in the hopes of finishing it, but let me tell you - a 50 page chapter is not the way to go in that moment. I don’t like stopping mid-chapter (it’s the way I work, so) and if I’m already very much on the fence, I just cannot bring myself to try a book for another 50 pages. This might seem a but petty - and it is to some degree - but I really just couldn’t. I’d rather read novels I’m much more interested in. Because I did in fact pick it up solely because of the hype. And honestly, I don’t think 400 pages are justified for this story. 300 would’ve been enough by far. If you want a cute, light, fun and short gay romance, I recommend “Fake Dates and Mooncakes” by Sher Lee. Under 300 pages of fluffy fun surrounding baking, cooking and the Moon Festival. Sorry to all lovers of this book - I can definitely see and understand why you love it - but it very unfortunately wasn’t for me (though I had hoped it was).