New Adult Annotation: Red, White & Royal Blue

Author: Casey McQuiston

Title: Red, White & Royal Blue

Genre: LGBTQIA Romance, New Adult Fiction

Publication Year: 2019

Number of Pages: 421

Geographical Setting: United States (Washington D.C.), United Kingdom

Time Period: 2019-2020

Series: N/A

 

Plot Summary: First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is finishing out his Bachelor's, preparing to assist in his mother's campaign for reelection as United States President, and dreaming of his own political future. When his anger towards his stuck-up "rival" Prince Henry of Wales results in international publicity, the two are forced to play up a friendship to the press. Alex learns quickly that Prince Henry may not be as boring as he seems, and the two grow closer in secret amidst political, familial, and personal conflicts.

Subject Headings: Children of presidents, International relationships, Royal houses, Family relationships

Appeal:

Characterization: Both new adult readers and others will appreciate the characterization of the novel's main pairing (Alex and Henry) as well as side characters like June, Nora, Pez, and Bea. Despite the "unrelatable" contexts of the novel (international affairs, presidential and royal families, etc.) the characters are relatable and young, growing into themselves and their relationships throughout the novel.

Tone: Readers who enjoy novels with a heartwarming tone, real familial and friendly connections, appreciation for history and life, and more will be happy to find these in this novel. Readers should also note that this is considered a "steamy" romance, though not necessarily explicit.

Writing Style: While primarily written in third person limited point of view (centered around Alex's thoughts and actions, the novel also includes epistolary elements both through text and email as well as stretches of other styles, including speeches and headlines. These choices offer an interesting, varied reading experience.

3 terms that best describe this book: heartwarming, engaging, witty

Relevant Fiction


Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan’s The Royal We has a similar basis as Red White & Royal Blue, following unexpected romances and relationships between Americans and British royalty.

Meryl Wilsner’s Cleat Cute is a sapphic romance centered around characters in their twenties, a rivals-to-lovers relationship (much like Red, White & Royal Blue), and similar steamy and heartwarming tones.

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall is another romantic comedy with a fake relationship (friendship in Red, White & Royal Blue, dating in Boyfriend Material) between public male figures.

Relevant Nonfiction

Dan Glass’s Queer Footprints explores London’s LGBTQIA history, a resource that may interest readers as this is a recurring topic of conversation within Red, White & Royal Blue.

Hidden from History: Reclaiming the Gay & Lesbian Past, edited by Martin Duberman, Martha Vicinus, and George Chauncey, is an anthology diving into the LGBTQIA presence and experience through global history, another relevant and related topic to Red, White & Royal Blue.

While Red, White, & Royal Blue is not based on real individuals, readers with an interest in the royal family (particularly after reading the novel) may enjoy Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, detailing his royal upbringing and eventual exit from royal life.

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