A review by plumpaperbacks
Playing the Palace by Paul Rudnick

lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

I’m always hesitant to berate books, since so much time and effort went into writing them and I put considerably less of both into reading them. However, try as I may, I can’t think of anything positive to say about this book. It was a train wreck I couldn’t look away from. Though I picked it up because of the similarities between it and my all-time favorite romance, Red, White and Royal Blue, there’s really no comparison to be made.

Playing the Palace was a story of insta-love between two poorly developed characters, with a slew of rather shallow, stereotypical side characters and an absurd number of moments where I cringed so hard, I had to put the book down. A few especially cringey parts included Carter and Edgar going into the former’s bedroom to have sex while his roommates were home, Edgar using a lion puppet to ask Carter for sex, and Carter repeatedly asking his framed photo of Ruth Bader Ginsburg questions and imagining her answers.

Honestly, I’m not sure what else to say about this book. The whole thing felt rushed, and kind of like a fever dream. It was clear that Rudnick was trying to do a lot of things with PTP, but all he succeeded in, as far as I’m concerned, is making a mess. I’m sorry to say it, but there’s just no way for me to sugarcoat that and still be honest. 🤷🏼

Representation
  • gay Jewish protagonist
  • gay love interest
  • queer Black side characters (includes gay and sapphic rep)
  • achillean romance
  • achillean side couple
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