From the Bookshelf of DMPL Book Chat…

Red, White & Royal Blue

Casey McQuiston

Start date: January 24, 2022

Finish date: February 19, 2022

Why we're reading this: Red, White & Royal Blue is South Side Book Discussion's February selection! This book club will be held i…more
[close] Red, White & Royal Blue is South Side Book Discussion's February selection! This book club will be held in person at South Side Library on Thursday, 2/17 at 2:00 PM. Visit our website or call 515-248-4152 for more details, including current COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions.

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What Members Thought

Oct 22, 2021 Rose Daugherty-rudd rated it it was amazing

Super cute. Makes you want to believe that love can truly conquer anything. I don’t like romance (as a rule) but this one was so lovable and happy in a contagious way. I did take a break mid-way through because they were too happy (do other people ever do this? Want to read about miserable people instead?), but there was a crisis for them too that they overcame. It is also worth noting that this book had the makings of everything I love: coming-of-age story, bisexual protagonist, liberal politic ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Nov 26, 2019 Danielle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-own, audiobooks-read, adult, lgbtq, romance, contemporary

"Four years ago, in 2016, we stood at a precipice as a nation. There were those who would have seen us stumble backward into hatred and vitriol and prejudice, who wanted to reignite old embers of division in our country's very soul. You looked them square in the eye and said, 'No. We won't.'"

Y'all.
This. Book.

It's been several days since I finished this book and I still don't really have the words to express how I feel about this book. Let me start by saying this book was 12.5 hours in audiobook "Four years ago, in 2016, we stood at a precipice as a nation. There were those who would have seen us stumble backward into hatred and vitriol and prejudice, who wanted to reignite old embers of division in our country's very soul. You looked them square in the eye and said, 'No. We won't.'"

Y'all.
This. Book.

It's been several days since I finished this book and I still don't really have the words to express how I feel about this book. Let me start by saying this book was 12.5 hours in audiobook form and I listened to it in less than two days. If that tells you anything about the quality of the book, then I don't know what does. For the past year, I have listened to several (perhaps too many) daily news podcasts to keep me updated on the world's events. I completely put them on hold to listen to this audiobook. I have never done that before, but this book was that good.

The biggest thing that struck me about this book is just how much I loved living in this alternate universe where 2016 had a completely different outcome and a leader like President Claremont could win in this country of ours. This book gives me hope that we can reach the goal of having a badass single mom win the presidency. (The powerpoint talk she gave to Alex about safe relationship choices had me rolling). Oh how I wish I lived in a country led by President Claremont. One day.

Of course, this book is a romance. It got a little 🍆 at times, but I felt that the relationship between Alex and Henry was authentic and dealt with some very real issues that even the most common of us can relate to and sympathize with. I'm a sucker for a good romance, and this book is high on my list of romance books to recommend to others.

I can't emphasize enough how much I loved this book. It is definitely worth your time to read or listen to. I went the audiobook route and I felt like the narrator, Ramon De Ocampo, did a great job switching between the characters, the narration, and the other text features like text messages and tweets. Highly, highly recommend. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 28, 2021 Becky rated it it was amazing

Shelves: i-own-it, travel, fiction, romance, humor

I enjoyed this book so much. Romance genre can be so cheesy, so predictable, but this book is so much better than that. Alex Claremont Diaz, the First Son of the USA (FSOTUS) because his mother is President, hates and antagonizes the second grandson of the Queen of England in the first few chapters, but is madly in love with him by the end of the book. The pleasures of the book include hilarious dialogue among Alex and his sisters and cousin, and a realistic plot that echoes the real political p ...more

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Jan 22, 2022 Hayley Ellis rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Okay. This was amazing. It had 50 shades moments where I was like “get it!” But also brings in my love of politics and who doesn’t want a Prince Charming? Ugh I need a second book.

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Feb 18, 2020 Chelsea rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-own, favorites

I reread this book once a year because it's so special to me. Is it too idealistic? Are there very good critiques to be made? Probably, but I do not care. No thought just vibes when I'm rereading this book. My favorite comfort read <3 ...more

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