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A review by miladimelow
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
My second reread of RWRB <3
Ok so at the beginning of this book I was absolutely loving it, especially the parts around their friendship prior their romantic relationship were so fun to read. The entire romance and side characters and everything was so fun and exciting and I was honestly loving every second of it. But then you got around 2/3s through and it felt like Mcquinston’s sort of just gave up, got tired of creating interesting plot and wrote the same thing over and over again.
The very end especially felt like they had a word count they wanted to get to so we’re trying to extend the story for as long as possible. It just didn’t quite make sense to me why the book continued for an extra 100 pages after they reveal the fact that they are dating. It just felt unnecessarily long and quite tedious
Ok but never the less this book is still so fun, and was the perfect thing to get me out of my reading slump! I think something that makes this book so special is the incredible side characters that Mcquinston creates. I wish they went into more depth about their stories and experiences, especially June’s as it wasn’t quite understandable what happened with her and why she had stayed at the white house. BUT (and yes I know I’m kinda contradicting the entire last thing I wrote) the second time round reading this I absolutely fell in love with Henry.
At the beginning you meet this incredibly bland guy, and there doesn’t seem to be much depth to him. But as the story continues and grows you see him grow with it and it just makes the whole reading experience so much more enjoyable. He is such a fun character, and he has so much good in him, forever trying to be the best guy for Alwx <3 BUT, again, near the end it felt like Mcquinston was just trying to create more plot but it was just the same tedious thing over and over again of something happening or being found out, Henry getting shy and rushing off, he ghosts Alwx for a while before they make up. I’m sorry when J tell you this happened at least 5 times I’m not kidding. It felt incredibly unnecessary especially when a shorter book would’ve made this experience so much more enjoyable.
Either way, the romance and writing was so cute in this so as usual here are some quotes:
“Thinking about history makes me wonder how I’ll fit into it one day, I guess. And you too…
History, huh? Bet we could make some.” - p241
“I gathered he was not suprised to discover I am not the heterosexual heir I’m supposed to be, but rather surprised that I do not intend to keep pretending to be the heterosexual heir I’m supposed to be.” - p298
“Alex has never met a challenge he didn’t love and he-well, Henry is a challenge, head to toe, beginning to end.” - p198
And one of my favourite text messages in a book:
Henry: You are the thistle in the tender and sensitive arse crack of my life.
Alex: thanks!
Ok so at the beginning of this book I was absolutely loving it, especially the parts around their friendship prior their romantic relationship were so fun to read. The entire romance and side characters and everything was so fun and exciting and I was honestly loving every second of it. But then you got around 2/3s through and it felt like Mcquinston’s sort of just gave up, got tired of creating interesting plot and wrote the same thing over and over again.
The very end especially felt like they had a word count they wanted to get to so we’re trying to extend the story for as long as possible. It just didn’t quite make sense to me why the book continued for an extra 100 pages
Ok but never the less this book is still so fun, and was the perfect thing to get me out of my reading slump! I think something that makes this book so special is the incredible side characters that Mcquinston creates. I wish they went into more depth about their stories and experiences, especially June’s as it wasn’t quite understandable what happened with her and why she had stayed at the white house. BUT (and yes I know I’m kinda contradicting the entire last thing I wrote) the second time round reading this I absolutely fell in love with Henry.
At the beginning you meet this incredibly bland guy, and there doesn’t seem to be much depth to him. But as the story continues and grows you see him grow with it and it just makes the whole reading experience so much more enjoyable. He is such a fun character, and he has so much good in him, forever trying to be the best guy for Alwx <3 BUT, again, near the end it felt like Mcquinston was just trying to create more plot but it was just the same tedious thing over and over again of something happening or being found out, Henry getting shy and rushing off, he ghosts Alwx for a while before they make up. I’m sorry when J tell you this happened at least 5 times I’m not kidding. It felt incredibly unnecessary especially when a shorter book would’ve made this experience so much more enjoyable.
Either way, the romance and writing was so cute in this so as usual here are some quotes:
“Thinking about history makes me wonder how I’ll fit into it one day, I guess. And you too…
History, huh? Bet we could make some.” - p241
“I gathered he was not suprised to discover I am not the heterosexual heir I’m supposed to be, but rather surprised that I do not intend to keep pretending to be the heterosexual heir I’m supposed to be.” - p298
“Alex has never met a challenge he didn’t love and he-well, Henry is a challenge, head to toe, beginning to end.” - p198
And one of my favourite text messages in a book:
Henry: You are the thistle in the tender and sensitive arse crack of my life.
Alex: thanks!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Homophobia
Minor: Sexism, Misogyny, and Racism