HOW IT STARTED

It was a Tuesday, but it also was one of those beautiful days, where it’s not too hot out, and a cool breeze ruffled the leaves on the trees when I decided it was time. Like many people, I downloaded TikTok a month into the pandemic, and I was quick to join a growing community within the app called BookTok. I was on the search for new books, specifically LGBT+ books. So on that Tuesday after coming across another person telling me to read “Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston, I finally made my way into the nearest bookstore, and for the first time, I left the store with only one book.

I didn’t read it immediately, school and other books I had already begun reading got in the way. The first time I picked it up to begin to read it, I only made it through half of the book, however; finals (I did mention school right?) came around, and although it sat on my nightstand tempting me, I knew I wouldn’t be able to do the book justice while thinking about classes. So with finals over, I finally got to sit down with the book and finish it up, a nice reprieve from school. 

McQuiston wrote something so real, so beautiful, and so intricate. The characters; Alex and Henry, are two puzzle pieces with so many intricate designs, yet fit together perfectly. The story sells itself on the trope “Enemies to Lovers”, but it’s so much more and cannot be simplified to a single trope. This story which to me began as very fanfiction-esque turned into a wonderful literary piece. It’s a love story filled with obstacles, from Alex’s bi-panic to the Queen of England being a homophobe, but also filled with hope, from supportive parents to healthy relationships with siblings and partners. McQuiston is incredibly funny, it’s been a while since I’ve laughed so much reading a book. Alex and Henry are too smart and handsome to be real, their wit unmatched, it makes you want to be part of the gang.

HOW IT’S GOING

Books like this are the reason I can never find love because they create unrealistic ideas on how falling in love is like. Alex is the First Son Of The United States and he meets Henry the Prince Of Wales, and they get lumped together after causing a ruckus at the royal wedding, and this leads to the two of them becoming very close. That was my favorite part of the book, the pages where you see their love blooming along with the pages where they have open conversations about their feelings. Every LGBT+ person needs to strive for and settle for no less than Alex and Henry’s relationship, and support system.

If you’re looking for a book filled to the brim with love, LGBT+, politics, and the American Dream. If you want to find escapism from the 2016 presidential battle. If you are anything like me and spent the week of November 3rd to 7th watching and listening to news networks and the American people have their fate decided by the electoral college. And if you’re looking for a healthy queer relationship, I highly recommend “Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston.

The Score

I give this book a 9.3/10. Only because it created unrealistic ideals of love for me as well as unrealistic politics, my suspension of disbelief can only go so far. Also, the unnecessary sexual scenes  (that’s a personal preference) were a little too much.