Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Updated for my post movie thoughts: August 2023


Overtime, this has become a comfort read - one I go back to when I need a pick me up. Ahead of seeing the film and being who I am, I purposely did not read reviews or even go near booktok until I had a chance to see the film for myself. 


Loved this  movie. I will be watching it over and over - I am sure.


I think what I loved most of all from the movie, which, in retrospect, is also one of my favorite aspects of the book, is the transformation for both MC’s from “game face on” in to their private selves. That type of vulnerability that one can have to be one’s authentic self in front of another person - both actors capture that so well and I was really impressed. Particularly in the Paris scenes, the absolute presence of Henry/Nicholas Galitzine - it was so sincerely played, that I almost felt voyeuristic - like I was intruding.


There are so many great book quotes that were not in the the film but the movie had its own great lines. Most of them would give spoilers so I will not include them here but for anybody who loves LOVE this book is absolutely amazing and the movie was incredible. I recommend both.


🌶️  the movie is almost as spicy as the book, be prepared

⚠️triggers: getting outed publicly

🏷️ #romcom

#LGBTQcontemporaryromance 

#supersteamy 

#RWRB🇺🇸🇬🇧

#princeandfirstson

#henryandalex

#doyoufeelforeverabouthim

#thankyouCaseyMcQustin

#gamechangerbook




Original review 2021

This book was absolutely delicious. 


Now fair warning: if super steamy is not how you like your romcoms, this is not for you. 

The characters had me totally invested: both leads had me cheering for their happiness and cringing when they would invariably get in their own way. 

I, for one, adored the romance and the heat too. By the time I was half way through I could not put this book down. It had so many laugh out loud moments, which I always appreciate. However I did have to read through tears a few times, as well. 

I look forward to the movie adaptation, the progress of which I have been following on IG.  I also plan on reading anything Casey McQuiston writes. 

Overall, this has everything I want: romance, heat, love, comedy and so much relatable humanity. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Banned Books Club by Brenda Novak

Image
  OK, first of all what I liked: I appreciated the characters and their depth, including the villains—with a few exceptions most of the characters were very multifaceted. The story itself was super engaging and a real page-turner.   What I didn’t like:    some parts seemed underdeveloped and rushed, particularly transitions in relationships. Also, unless I was missing some deeper nuances, it seemed a missed opportunity to pull in the themes of some of the banned books into the storyline.  Overall, I really liked the story—it was intriguing. I just wish some parts of it were fleshed out more. And that there was more of a point to the banned books component of the story other than to illustrate the main    female character’s strength and personality. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and MIRA for the opportunity to review this ARC. I was given this ARC free of charge, but the review opinions I express here are my own. ⏰ I read it in a few days 🌶️intimate but not over the top  🏷️ trigg
Read more

On The Plus Side By Jenny L Howe

Image
I loved this book.  Everly is our hero in this story of a young woman set to be featured in a reality TV makeover show geared toward plus-sized participants. Prior to this, she has been trying to hide herself for so long that she has procrastinated    pursuing any of her dreams.  As her story unfolds she begins to face challenges - some from unexpected places - as her character grows and changes. This was funny and entertaining but also a really worthwhile read. Initially, I expected the plot to be fairly straightforward, but there are some surprising twists and turns afterall. What I liked most about this story was the development of Everly‘s gumption.    I laughed, I gasped and cried my way through this book.  This is another book that I’m reading this year that features a female main character who becomes her own hero and really rescues herself. As far as the intimacy level, it was more implied than explicit, which is fine and left plenty to the imagination.  As always, when reading
Read more

Midnight Magic by Savannah Lee

Image
  Another page-turner from Savannah Lee - I could not put this book down. It helped that I was anticipating book two in the Clover Pack Series since the moment I finished Midnight Mated.   Book two finds half-ling (shifter-fae) Rowan learning more about herself and her past - and becoming more powerful in the process. No spoilers here but if you are back to find out if the romance between Rowan and the brooding shifter Callan is going to progress - you will not be disappointed. The story delves more deeply into the faerie realm and there are more character introductions along the way. It was fast paced with in-depth world building while keeping the action moving on the conflict between Rowan and her enemies.  The book was entertaining, spicy, and I definitely recommend it and the series. I particularly appreciate a fantasy romance that is not so complicated with overblown world building that I cannot keep track of who is who. It is just the right balance of telling the story of this re
Read more