Red, White, and Royal Blue | A Book Too Overhyped?

Alex is the the son of the first female president of the United States, and he knows just how important that is. He can’t do anything to ruin his mother’s chances of getting re-elected. Prince Henry of Wales is his archnemesis. When the two are now stuck in a fake-friends scenario to appease the media, they realize they might have more in common than they originally thought. As feelings develop between the two, both must determine what they are willing to risk and how loyal they are to their prominent families.

I had such high hopes. I really wanted to love this book after seeing it be so hyped up. I am here for the LGBTQ representation, but somehow the rest of the book fell flat for me. The enemies-to-lovers trope was resolved way too quickly and for a large portion of the book, not much happened in the plot. Instead, there was the passage of time to sexual tension and steamy scenes that lasted for several pages.

The universe where characters are more politically and socially aware seemed like an ideal scenario, but none of the dialogue made me believe it could be authentic. The attempts at recognizing how the British Monarchy gained its power and wealth felt a bit shallow and forced.

The book was a light read filled with steam that featured two gay protoganists. As a new adult, fun read, this accomplished what it was supposed to. For those seeking representation and #ownvoices work or those who love plots surrounding royal families, this could be the read for you. If you want a strong plot and something a bit ore realistic when it comes to politics and social justice, this may not be for you.