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

5.0

I laughed, I cried, I gasped, and I fell in love with two amazing characters. Doesn't get better than that.

November 2023 Reread: 

I don't think I could even do a normal review for this, so instead this is more of a one year review and reread reflection. 

"I laughed, I cried, I gasped, and I fell in love with two amazing characters. Doesn't get better than that." - me, reading this one year ago 

I started my reread on audio, and had to pick up the book because I knew I wanted to just binge it immediately. This is such a sweet book and I absolutely love Alex and Henry. I once again laugh and cried, but I had a bit more anxiety knowing what was coming. 

Alex has such character growth! I don't know if I noticed the first time around but he matures into himself so amazingly throughout this book. Henry was such a sweetheart. I love how perfect they are together. They understand each other on such a base level and it shows through the banter. The emails, especially later in the book, still have me swooning. One in particular - you know the one - is the first time I cried over such a sweet and romantic paragraph and it's my all time favorite quote. My heart broke for them, and they deserved their beautiful happily ever after so much! 

The whole group of 6 were a blast. I forgot some things about June and Bea, so it was fun to experience that again. I didn't mind the politics, it's a fiction book and it added drama that was really relevant to Alex and his life, including his relationship with Henry. 

As for thoughts on the movie after this, I think Taylor Zakhar Perez is a perfect Alex (especially listening to a bit of the audiobook). Thinking now I do wish they kept the parents divorce, Bea's backstory, and June because they added so much depth to the Alex and Henry's relationship. That being said, I still loved the movie.

Definitely a book and movie that will always be a favorite of mine, and looking forward to many future rereads. 

Read if you like: 
• rivals to lovers 
• opposites attract 
• fake friendship