... a lighthearted, delectable combination of two of America's favorite pastimes: the British royals and politics, with just the right amount of scandal ... Their flirty relationship is fueled by snappy banter that makes even historical research sound alluring, and their chemistry sparkles even at a distance, transcending politics and tradition ... McQuiston writes with optimism ... Effervescent and empowering on all levels, Red, White & Royal Blue is both a well-written love story and a celebration of identity. McQuiston may not be royal herself, but her novel reigns as must read rom-com.
This modern fairy tale unfolds in a gossipy, insider tone until emotion takes over and McQuiston gives us an aching glimpse of what it is to want someone you believe you cannot have. Yes, Red, White & Royal Blue is funny and fun, and the family and political dynamics feel spot-on, but it’s the frank and unforgettable romance between these two young men that will compel readers to start it all over again when faced with the last page. It’s that hard to say goodbye to this couple.
... a kind of queer bodice-ripper for the Trump era, a novel whose political fantasies feature as prominently as its romantic escapades ... In situating Alex and Henry’s coming-out on a global stage, McQuiston has performed a cunning bit of literary activism. The political trappings of the story both heighten and deflate the stakes of being gay or bisexual ... According to her vision, coming out is hard, but it’s also kind of a blast—just one dramatic escapade in a book full of them. Not that a casual reader would get any of this from the novel; Red, White & Royal Blue has no ambition to be a work of serious fiction. The writing, though mostly unobtrusive, can be blunt and overly emphatic ...
And although the sex is fun, it also falls into cliché ... Indeed, part of the book’s pleasure is in its unabashed willingness to be conventional—all while taking the decidedly unconventional tack of casting two men as the central romantic leads ... It welcomes queer people into the charming clichés of romantic comedy.
With clever comedic timing and a self-possessed charm, McQuiston constructs rich sexual tension between two young men who ostensibly hate each other ... The bond McQuiston fashions between them is heartwarming and organic ... Passion characterizes every moment of this smart, mischievous, gratifying and sensitive novel. The punch lines are deft, the sex is steamy and the romance is stirring.
While McQuiston’s début has a lot of charm going for it, and was a pleasure to read at times, I can’t say it’s a perfect book ... To be honest, the book almost lost me in the setup. I was incredibly excited for it based on the premise, but it’s a slow starter ... I don’t think I’d be wrong to say this book is very ‘millennial’. I’m a fellow millennial, but dear God. The humor, cultural references, and general style of dialogue between Alex, his sister June, and friend Nora is like someone was screaming ‘We’re youths!!!’ and the humor was at times funny and at others just plain forced ... once the romance sparked, it was lovely ... ne of the biggest issues I had was that the pacing – and the timeline of the book – is very odd. There are no real transitions from scene to scene ... If I sound overly critical, it’s because I think this book could have been perfect if not for the drawbacks.
McQuiston’s debut is for readers who love romantic comedies and Pod Save America: Alex is a history nerd and policy wonk, and his and Henry’s emails are full of equal parts dirty talk and literary quotes ... In between sweet and steamy love scenes, Red, White & Royal Blue allows readers to imagine a world where coming out involves no self-loathing; where fan fiction and activist Twitter do actual good; and a diverse, liberal White House wins elections. This Blue Wave fantasy could be the feel-good book of the summer.
Although the story’s premise might be a fantasy—it takes place in a world in which a divorced-mom Texan Democrat won the 2016 election—the emotions are all real. The love affair between Alex and Henry is intense and romantic, made all the more so by the inclusion of their poetic emails that manage to be both funny and steamy. McQuiston’s strength is in dialogue ... Although Alex and Henry’s relationship is the heart of the story, their friends and family members are all rich, well-drawn characters, and their respective worlds feel both realistic and larger-than-life ... A clever, romantic, sexy love story.
... outstanding ... The impossible relationship between Alex and Henry is portrayed with quick wit and clever plotting. The drama, which involves political rivals, possible betrayals, and even a meeting with the queen, is both irresistible and delicious. Readers will be eager to see more from McQuiston after this extremely promising start.
