Red, White & Royal Blue: A Novel

The world doesn't really need another gushy, fangirl-y review of Red, White & Royal Blue, but I guess it's getting one anyway! I can't resist the compulsion to add my $0.02 re: the book that rekindled my love of reading after years of dormancy. It turns out, I do still love to read... I just get real bored of reading books about straight, white people. (Which, legit self. Wtf did it take you so long to figure that out.) Basically day-to-day life is depressing enough, I need comedy and queers in my escapism! As it says on the book jacket, RW&RB tells the story of America's first son falling in love with the prince of England, and all the tumultuousness that cross-country canoodling can entail. The plot in itself is not particularly original (I can think of several movies and tv shows with similar elements, not to mention dozens and dozens of fanfic for every ship under the sun). But originality is not the hallmark of romantic comedies. Nor should it be! What makes a good romantic comedy is how its creator elevates the basic tropes and uses these to make us fall in the love with the characters as they fall in love with each other. And here is where Casey McQuiston excels. McQuiston combines extremely likeable characters with wit and romance, and wraps it all in a bundle that includes epistolary exchanges that are at times so funny or sweet, I wound up making noises at my phone in public (laughter and pterodactyl screeches, respectively, in case you were wondering). Google tells me that one of the "benefits of the epistolary form" is that it "presents an intimate view of the character's thoughts and feelings without interference from the author." And while strictly epistolary fiction can often feel frustratingly restrictive at times, McQuiston weaves epistolary devices in and out of their novel. All the benefits of the narrative device and its ability to enhance our understanding of the characters and the characters' relationship! But also all of the makeouts! Because romance novel, duh. I honestly enjoyed the love letter aspect of the novel so much that I impulse-bought several anthologies of historical letters in order to roll around in these feelings awhile longer. #NoRegrets. But however much I enjoyed the novel, there were a few moments that took me out of the story. These were mainly related to fandom or politics. For the most part, the fandom references were a fun nod to our increasingly fannish culture. I'm a Star Wars geek, and every time Henry or Alex quoted the movies to one another, my cold, dead heart melted a bit more. But sometimes the fandom nods were so flagrant it was jarring. The most glaring example had to be when Alex's dad, a Senator from California, dropped a Firefly quote in response to election results. It just felt weird. And in general, I thought the political plotlines dragged on too long and mirrored current politics just a bit too well. The same aforementioned California Senator states, “I don't think this election is gonna hinge on an email server. ... Maybe if it were 2016. Maybe if this weren’t an America that already elected a woman to the highest office once.” Too soon, man. TOO soon. I don't think I could have read this book during the darkest days of the past presidency. To me at least, it was an unwelcome reminder of the anxiety and darkness during those four long years of hate and vitriol. Despite these aspects, the novel as a whole made me laugh and cry and feel all the feels. I enjoyed it so much that as soon as I finished it, I immediately started a re-read. The story was just as lovely the second time through. I purchased the library bound copy from Amazon, because if I like a book enough to want to own a copy for my personal library, then I like a book enough to own it in hardback! But I'd also like to give a major shout-out to the audiobook with narration provided by Ramón de Ocampo. The love he brought to all the characters in the novel just added to the romance and appeal, especially during the epistolary sections. It truly felt like being privy to a pair of lovers reading aloud their letters of longing and loss and love.

Alex is the son of the US President. Prince Henry is second in line for the British throne. And the two of them don’t get along. When an embarrassing incident causes an international stir, the two countries want the young men to pretend they’re friends. Almost against their will, Alex and Henry not only become friends, but over time, they fall in love. And as you can probably imagine, the next international stir looms ahead. There’s a lot to like about this LGBT romance. The plot is solid – set in the political arena, which puts a great deal of external and family pressure on the young men. Messages about love, acceptance, and personal freedoms enter the mix as a natural part of the story. Alex and Henry are likable characters, and it was easy to root for them. Secondary characters are wonderfully distinct, and many reflect the changing attitudes of the younger generation in support of loving who you love. I appreciated that the author takes plenty of time to grow the relationship between the two young men. There are pages and pages of banter via text, and it’s hysterical. I adored the sense of humor and wit that pervades the story from start to finish. There’s also a lot of tenderness and compassion. And a lot of sex. I’m not much of a fan of erotica, no matter who’s doing it, but it's well-written and not overly graphic. In general, the book is a wonderfully written and delightful read, with great characters and endless laughs. Highly recommended.

Author Casey McQuiston wrote this fictional gay romance novel sort of as a response to how 2016 turned out. Instead of the political and royal figureheads, we have here in the US and in the UK, we were given ones from a sort of parallel universe thereby allowing her to tell the tales of Alex and Henry. What makes this novel work so well is her character writing. The universe in which they live in is rich with details, especially the political machinations (there is some very interesting political intrigue regarding someone Alex knows) that Alex must deal with as well as the social implications that Henry, as a member of the Royal Family, must also contend with. But it is with these two characters that McQuiston pours her soul into thereby giving life to them. Even as they go on their own character arcs (especially Alex), there remains a consistency to who and what they are even as they evolve and grow as people. Even as Alex comes off as somewhat unlikeable at the beginning, by the time his feelings for Henry begin to awaken he is transformed into someone that we can at least not detest, and by we get into the last third of the book he’s someone that we’re not only rooting for, he becomes a character that we can genuinely care about. Henry is different in that he has that royal veneer about him. He’s totally pleasant as one might expect, but even as Alex starts to see his real self he immediately becomes a likable, if somewhat sad, character. McQuiston perfectly uses their growing relationship to see both of them actually begin to blossom as they discover feelings within themselves and for each other. As I read through all of this I could sense that something bad was going to happen, and lo it most certainly did. McQuiston captures the public backlash of these two getting together repeatedly for what is clearly more than just a friendly visit. First, the challenges are strictly of the heart as they each have to admit what it is they are feeling, then the challenges they face have international implications, but McQuiston continually keeps it focused on Alex and Henry in how this fallout is affecting them. It’s a masterful reminder that despite whatever position we come into, whether it is one we attain from hard work or one that we are born into, that at the end of the day we are still people and that must take precedence. This book completely caught me by surprise. I never imagined myself reading a romance novel that wasn’t in some sort of sci-fi or fantasy genre setting, but through an unusual twist of circumstances, I discovered this book. Before reading Red, White & Royal Blue there had been only a handful of authors to cross my path whose work I would fall madly in love with, three of those being Gini Koch of the “Alien – Katherine/Kitty-Katt” series, Jonathan Latt, author of "The Geek," and more recently K.D. Edwards, author of “The Tarot Sequence” series of books, the first being "The Last Sun" (the follow-up novel "The Hanged Man" is slated to come out in December). I have read and re-read their books repeatedly because they each have created characters that I have also fallen in love with. Now I’m thrilled to say that I can add another author to that group as McQuiston has delivered a novel that I just could not put down. I never thought I would go for romance novels, even if they were of a gay nature, but her writing was so powerful that at the end of the day this book proved that what transcends genres is nothing more than just outstanding quality. Her depictions of Alex and Henry, especially as their feelings truly awoke within themselves for each other, was so beautifully written that for a time I no longer felt like an old gay man (I will soon be 58), but instead I actually felt young again and with that came the innocent feelings of hopefulness and optimism, not to mention a reminder of that emotional rush one feels when falling in love. Through Alex and Henry not only did I get to experience that all over again, but McQuiston also gave something that many hopeless romantics (yes, we gay men can also be hopeless romantics) fantasize over, and that is being swept up in love by a true Prince. It’s a theme that has existed in fairy tales for hundreds of years, and now she has given us one that we gay men can latch on to and, vicariously through Alex, experience being swept off our feet by a dashing Prince. If there is a downside to this book is that I was absolutely saddened when I got to the last page and there was no more story. Despite the fact that Alex and Henry are just fictional characters, they were so well-written and portrayed in this book that they truly became alive in my mind, and having the book come to an end felt like I had to say goodbye to them, which is something that I didn’t want to do. Just as they made each other’s lives better through their love and relationship, getting to know them in this book oddly enough made my life better. Reading their story actually made me happy, so for that, I say THANK YOU Casey McQuiston for writing a most remarkable tale. Your idea for this story that you imagined while on an I-10 off-ramp has been embraced by this old gay man who lives just off of I-10. Maybe if you should choose to write more about these two it could be told from Henry’s perspective. In the meantime, I think I will give Red, White & Royal Blue another joyous re-read!!!

Red, White & Royal Blue Casey McQuiston 2020 422 pages Overall Rating: 5/5 MM Contemporary Romance Plot: Rising political star and overachiever Alex Claremont-Diaz gets a kick out of being a tabloid darling, thanks to his association with the most famous family in the world. Raised to work hard and dream big, the First Son of the United States is busy trying to finish college and become the youngest person ever elected to Congress. But those same tabloids he always laughs at won’t quit comparing him to the equally handsome and debonair First Son from Across the Sea, Prince Henry of the UK– as if the two are involved in a heated contest for Most Eligible Bachelor in the World or something. And Alex hates to lose any competition, especially if it involves his royal arch-nemesis. After an embarrassing public mishap occurs between the two young men during the middle of a contentious election season, some speedy damage control is required, forcing Alex and Henry into a fake friendship to help keep the peace between the two nations. And as it turns out, they have a lot more in common than they thought. First Take: This book will always hold a special place in my heart as the one that turned me on to dudes— as in gay romances. I was always afraid to dip my toes in the MM pond because it felt so forbidden, but then I picked up this book and never looked back. I was obsessed immediately. This book is so earnest and sweet and dang did it make me remember my own first love and the intense, I-will-die-without-you feelings that go along with that. Nothing gets me going like a high stakes forbidden love story with a strong emotional connection, and this book is that– political empires are at stake here, people! There may or may not (emphasis on may) be a gay awakening that is just so believable and beautiful to watch. And who doesn’t love the idea of a prince falling in love with a commoner? This one hit all my buttons. Characters: The story is told entirely from Alex’s perspective, so we get great insight into his thoughts and feelings. He is sarcastic, loud and playful, but not afraid to be serious and follow his heart when it points him in the right direction. Henry, on the other hand, is outwardly the epitome of “stiff upper lip” until you get to know him, and then all his ooey gooey sweetness comes out. He is passionate with a Capital P. There is also a great supporting cast, with Alex’s stylish and protective older sister, June, and super-smart number-crunching best friend, Nora. Special appearances by a no-nonsense Madame President with a heart of gold and aging queen who specializes in cold shoulders. Praises: There are so many things to praise about this book. Alex’s voice is so earnest and introspective, and I really enjoyed going with him on his journey of self-discovery. The romance is sweet and intensely emotional, and the high stakes feel real– my heart was racing to the very end. The writing has a sense of poetry and yearning that I really enjoyed. The story takes place in an alternate universe that felt both familiar and unique, and ultimately very relatable. Critiques: If I have one critique, it would be that it’s a tad heavy on the politics. I understand the author wrote this book in response to real-world events and the fear and uncertainty that people really felt at the time, and ultimately it is meant to be a story of hopes and dreams of what the world could be. That being said, the election process is a big part of the story and the politics lean pretty heavily democrat, which might alienate some people. I would hazard a guess that many of those alienated people aren’t terribly interested in MM romance, so it’s likely not a huge problem for most. Themes: Politics, Coming of Age, Contemporary Romance, Identity, Man v Society Overall Tone: Earnest, heartfelt tone with plenty of sarcasm and wit mixed in Prose: Some of the descriptions are so vibrant and feel like poetry when you read them. This book is full of beautiful yearning. Steam: 3/5: The s*x scenes lack the nitty gritty details of some of the more erotic romances. They are sweet and meaningful and rather oblique– you have to use your imagination a bit. Trigger Warnings: Some discussion of the death of a family member Tropes: Fairytale, Bi awakening, Enemies-to-Lovers, Coming Out, Forbidden Love Kinks: None Swear Jar: 5/5: If you made this a drinking game, you’d be drunk AF Memorable quotes: “As your mother, I can appreciate that maybe this isn’t your fault, but as the president, all I want is to have the CIA fake your death and ride the dead-kid sympathy into a second term.” “Should I tell you that when we’re apart, your body comes back to me in my dreams?” The lines of him are long and languid in the moonlight, and he’s so beautiful that Alex thinks this moment, the soft shadows and pale thighs and crooked smile, should be the portrait of Henry that goes down in history. He wants to match the new freckles across Henry’s nose to the stars above them and make him name the constellations. Worthy of a reread? Obviously. Already read this one like 4 times. I think I actually read it twice in one week– basically finished it and then immediately started over. It was that good. Stand-Alones, Prequels, Sequels, & Tangents: Stand-alone novel. Would dearly wish for a sequel but will likely be waiting in vain. Check out more romance reviews at The Hopeless Romanticist blog!

4.5* This is a heartwarming and funny tale of love between the son of the U.S. president and the Prince of England. Escapist fiction at its finest and all told from Alex's perspective. 💜Alex: bi-racial (half white and half Mexican) and son of the U.S. president; bi-sexual; wants to be in politics for the rest if his life; so busy with his mother's campaign he has little time for anything else and doesn't have a lot of friends; 💜Henry: Prince of England; closeted gay except to all his closest friends and family; 💜June: Sister to Alex; 💜Nora: an MIT wiz and statistical genius; daughter to the Vice-president; 💜Bea: Henry's very supportive sister; This romance starts out with our popular hate to love trope that seems to be present in many books as of late. Henry's brother, Philip is getting married and Alex has to accompany his mother and her cabinet to the wedding. During the reception, a spat between Henry and Alex ends terribly and in the destruction of a $10,000 wedding cake. This incident calls for Henry and Alex to be publicly seen together on many occasions to instill faith in the stability of the diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and England. I do love the hate to love trope (if done properly) and I feel this fit quite well into our storyline overall as it helped to create a natural conflict that led them to spending tons of bonding time together. I love witnessing the progression of their friendship and ever closer into love. Do not mistaken this book to be all hearts and love letters. Before they were in love, they were two friends that "pleased" one another. The beginning instances of their relationship were met with gritty descriptions that had little to do with love itself. As someone who reads these books for all the mushy details, it was a shocker to see such gritty descriptions laid raw in such carnal detail. I couldn't knock this too much though because it also lead an element of realism you don't often get with a modern romance. This angle also made sure to keep away the dreaded instalove trope, which played no part in this slow ascent into love.Love was never just a ready made thing with this book. As their relationship built upon itself with time, so the depth of their love increased. Alex also bridged the gap of his sexual self discovery and he went from not being 100% sure of his sexuality to knowing what it was. A love that you can find your true self in is so rare and valuable and I loved that we saw Alex blooming into the person he was meant to become. The supporting characters in this were incredible and as the U.S. president (who was female 😍😍 and Alex's mom) had everything to possibly lose in her re-election campaign by a possible sex scandal, she always stopped to check in with Alex to see how he was doing. First and foremost she was his mother and second a president. I loved her so much and knew what support him may cost her, but she did it anyway. This is such an ideal that so many kids in the LGBTQ+ community don't always have the benefit of having a support system, and I loved how his mother emulated what a parent should be doing for their child. Along with a cast of highly likable and heart warming characters you get a mix of comedy with this. There is an instance at the beginning involving domesticated Turkey's that made me laugh out loud. I won't say more because seriously, you need to read this. This book had so many layers. It wasn't just two boys who were learning how to love one another; it was two boys learning how to love themselves in a judgmental world. And being that both Alex and Henry are very public figures, it was also about the rest of the world learning to love them too. Overall, I really only had one problem with this book. There was a part toward the beginning of the book when they were just starting to "get to know" one another in which Alex threatened to put Henry on a No-Fly List if Henry didn't come to Alex's room so he could do "very bad things" to him. To me, this was an abuse of power for personal gain and that is "never" okay in the context with which this was used. I found it hit a nerve that didn't set well with me. In spite of my one problem with this book, I did enjoy reading the rest of it. It made me feel so many things and it was so touching and beautiful.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston ★★★½ (3.5/5) A politically-charged romance that delivers more wit than wisdom, "Red, White & Royal Blue" occupies that peculiar middle ground between mainstream appeal and genuine depth. The novel presents itself as revolutionary while following a rather conventional trajectory. McQuiston crafts a narrative structure that effectively transitions from enemies to lovers, with Alex and Henry's relationship evolving through layers of witty banter and gradual vulnerability. Their development from diplomatic adversaries to secret lovers unfolds with technical precision, though the emotional resonance remains somewhat superficial. The dialogue shines as the novel's strongest element, particularly in moments of authentic connection: "Thinking about history makes me wonder how I'll fit into it one day, I guess. And you too. I kinda wish people still wrote like that. History, huh? Bet we could make some." The thematic exploration of public versus private identity offers the most compelling analytical material. Both protagonists navigate the suffocating constraints of their public personas, with Henry's struggle particularly nuanced. Alex's journey of sexual self-discovery feels authentic in its confusion and revelation: "Straight people, he thinks, probably don't spend this much time convincing themselves that they're straight." This internal conflict provides the narrative's most genuine moments. The "found family" element creates a supportive framework around the central romance, grounding what might otherwise feel like a political fairy tale. However, the novel's treatment of international politics often veers into the whimsical rather than the realistic, sacrificing complexity for palatability. What ultimately prevents the work from achieving greater significance is its reluctance to fully confront the messier implications of its premise. The declaration that "That's the choice. I love him, with all that, because of all that. On purpose. I love him on purpose" represents the novel's philosophical peak, but these moments of profundity remain islands in an otherwise pleasant but unremarkable sea. 📦 What to Expect 💖 Political Romance 🌟 Witty Dialogue 👑 Royal/Commoner Dynamic 🏛️ American Politics 🌈 LGBTQ+ Representation 💌 Secret Correspondence 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family Elements 📚 Book Tags Keywords: LGBTQ+ Romance, Politics, Royalty, Coming Out, First Son, Prince, International Relations Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Secret Relationship, Forbidden Love, Coming of Age, Found Family Triggers: Homophobia, Political Scandal, Public Outing 🎯 Final Thoughts For readers seeking a light political romance with clever dialogue and a heartwarming arc, this book delivers adequately. Just don't expect it to rewrite the rules of diplomatic relations or romantic storytelling.

Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston an overall rating of 4.5/5. It was a really cute queer narrative. You’ll be led to believe it’s an enemies to fake friends to lovers but the reality is so much better cause we’re reminded yet again that men are dumb and communication is truly key b/c turns out that Alex and Henry are down bad for each since the beginning. The Prince of England and The First Son of The Untied states enter a secret love affair after they’re forced to pretend to be friends as a result of an altercation and need to show the world that they in fact don’t hate each other. Through their time together Alex comes to the conclusion that Henry is not that bad and is quite layered and although he still thinks he’s perfect there’s more to him than the image he’s built and so romance ensues. The book offers political commentary, Queer character diversity, conversations on race power dynamics, political controversies, abuse of power, political drama, and contemporary references. It reads like a fanfic and i don’t think that’s a bad thing but also y’all need to remember it’s fiction b/c the characters can be eccentric and chaotic at times and I think some of those aspects make them love able but unrealistic. The writing style makes it and easy read keeping the reader entertained and makes you want to keep reading. The romance aspect of it was so cute, grossly from flying to London to confess your love to incognito meet ups or the use of romantic letters and e-mails that really should not be had on a government server, to scenes of intamacy. The spicy scenes I think were tame but also I think a person perception of Queer sex might make that debatable. I honestly found myself laughing and giggling at times and full disclosure thinking awww that’s so cute I hate love I do have criticism but not in a cancel the author way. The political commentary at times was cringe b/c valid commentary but it seemed out of place, awkward, and very your preaching to the choir. The politics aspect of it was iffy in general. Alex talks about nepotism but then dude walks into any senators office and is an analyst for his moms campaign like can’t criticize the system and then benefit from it. I liked that McQuiston had diverse characters however it seemed like we were reminded at awkward times that Alex was Mexican or mixed race and some narrative were promoted that could be harmful well they are . POC people trying to take over government like yes it’s true but keep it down low they’ll figure it out Jk. But that’s an actual conservative narrative and it helps promote gerrymandering. Also the awkward use of Spanish at awkward times like it didn’t fit the setting or context. This isn’t a criticism of was Alex Latin enough it’s more of like if you’re gonna do it at least have someone take a glance maybe more than one. Also intersectionality is a thing so consider that. But overall I really did love it and it was cute.

“Red, White, and Royal Blue” has been in my TBR since I decided to jump back into reading at the beginning of this year. I've been a sucker for "White House-related” romances since I can remember and this book drew me in like a magnet. But I'm a fantasy junky so I didn't pick up the book until the first trailer for a “RWARB" movie came forth from Amazon Prime. Fast forward two days before the movie comes out. I had just finished reading another fantasy book and after much debate, I decided I wanted to read the book before watching the movie. So I proceeded to do nothing other than work and come home to completely devour this book. By the end of chapter one, I was hooked. This book is unapologetically funny, I've never laughed harder while reading a book, every other page if not every single page. Even the sad or slower pages had me screaming laughter. Casey's comic timing deserves a medal, truly spot on *chef's kiss*. As for her charters, Alex is PERFECT!!! His internal battle over Henry, over his sexuality, over his career, is so painfully real. He's so relatable. His charm and personality which he's built over the years, are clearly built for others, not himself. Henry is DREAMY and also painfully perfectly imperfect. Always wearing a shield his family build so no one sees him for who he truly is. Alex being the only person who's broken the shield, finally seeing him the true Henry, not what the royal crown has created of him. I love how hard yet easy it was for them to learn how to take care of and love each other. Henry's anxiety and ticks, Alex's trauma responses. The plot twists are truly delicious. A bit predictable but in the best way possible. Alex, June, and Nora will forever be one of my comfort trios. How they complete each other. How they protect each other. Each one having a role they play so beautifully it should be a sin. June's relationship with Alex is everything a sibling should aspire to have with their sister or brother. Nora is the kind of best friend everyone wishes they had but is incredibly hard to find in this world. Nora with the emails killed me. Luna and Nora completely sneaked up on me in that chapter but filled my heart with so much joy and love knowing it was Luna, I almost cried. Speaking of which, can we just talk about the diversity of this book? Holy crap! Casey truly didn't hold back. Alexander, named after Alexander Hamilton, the mixed son of the first divorced, Woman President of the United States of America. One of Alex's mentors, Raphael Luna, is an openly gay senator who's also Hispanic. How unapologetically strong Zarah, the president’s Chief of Staff. All these people strong and beautiful and portrayed as they should be. All the mentions of gay, bi, etc characters. Nora, Bea, Liam, etc. Again, Perfect. Is there a little bit of spicy? yes. Is it tasteful? absolutely. I read this book with the audible narrator (which I 1,000% recommend, he's brilliant) and it made the experience 10x better. Nothing was overly explained, They came together and they made love, simple as that. In more words obviously but you get my point. Not really smut, more sensual than sexual. I love smut but this was beautiful and exactly what it needed to be. It's almost impossible to put into words how beautifully rich this book is. In story. In love. Inequality. The way the story unfolds reminds me of aged fine whisky, smooth and rich in flavor. Pacing, like the majority of this book, was spot on as well. I was never bored or trying to look ahead, it was incredibly well-paced so I was just living in the moment. Enjoying every page, paragraph, and sentence. Without much effort at all, this book has become hands down my comfort read of 2023, possibly my comfort book forever. If you decided not to read this whole thing, I understand, it’s a lot. And it’s more for me than it honestly is for you. But, nonetheless, at least read this sentence. Take this one thing with you. It’s worth it, read it. Enjoy it. Devour it. You won’t regret it!

Ho comprato questo libro per i disegni e il capitolo in più ( nonostante avessi già il libro) E non ne sono rimasta delusa, anzi è meraviglioso!!! Disegni bellissimi, e il capitolo extra è stratosferico!! Questo libro mi ha fatto amare ancora di più questa storia.

Originally bought the book in 2020-2021 in my native language, didn’t read it because the translation didn’t catch my attention. This year I bought it along with another series in English, now I am obsessed!! I’m determined to get every single version ever released lol, pray for my bank account 🙏 Must read!!! The writing, the emotion, the storyline, everything is perfect from start to the very last word!! 💙❤️

Conforme

Boken kom i bra kvalitet, inga skador på omslaget vad jag kan se, sidornas kanter såg dock ut som om dom har varit blöta och torkat igen, däremot inget större problem för mig

Well this book was kind of everything and I loved every second. I had heard so much about this from other reviewers and I was so excited when I was approved for the eARC. This book was absolutely adorable and definitely was worth all the hype I had been seeing about it! Red, White, & Royal Blue is about Alex, who is the First Son of the United States of America. He was thrust into the spotlight after his mother became President, and basically become like American royalty. It's no secret that Alex really does not get along with royalty, Prince Henry, but they soon get mixed into an international scandal at Prince Phillip's wedding. They are forced to become "friends" and participate in photo ops and spend time together to help save face for both of their families. However, they soon figure out that maybe all the animosity between them was really something more all along. Okay, first things first. I've seen this being labelled as a young adult contemporary book on some websites, but this is definitely not. It is a new adult romance at the very least. There are a lot of steamy scenes and fade to black moments, nothing too descriptive, but more than what you would see in a typical YA contemporary book. With that out of the way, I loved basically everything about this book. I thought the plot was amazingly well paced, I never found myself bored or hoping that the plot would just get going. I was entertained the entire time, and even though it does follow the typical romance formula, the author did some intersting things in the story that made it feel fresh and fun. I also really enjoyed the political elements of this story. We got to see the President and Alex trying to navigate this whole romance and its ramifications during the election year, and see Henry struggle on his end with what this relationship would mean for the "Royal Image". I thought all of that was super intersting and gave the book a deeper level of story telling. This book was also extremely diverse! We have bisexual and gay characters, a transgendered character, and lots of POC rep. And the cherry on top is that these labels did not define the characters! They were part of who they were, and yes their sexuality and race was important to the plot, but it was not their only defining characteristics in the book, and every character was developed beautifully. We also had a female president and tons of strong female characters in positions of power. Speaking of characters, Alex was hilarious. He is outspoken, brash, but still so unfailingly loyal to those he loves, that it made it hard to not love him. Henry was Alex's perfect foil. He was calm, quiet, and more subdued, but so passionate about topics and people he loved. The way they came together and worked through the tough times was really beautiful, and the really are a new OTP of mine. Nora and June were equally amazing. I loved seeing them grow individually and really learn what it as they wanted to do with their lives. Seriously, I loved all the characters, I can't think of a major character who was flat or not talked about enough. I felt connected to them all and enjoyed reading about their character arcs. Basically the TDLR is that I loved this book.