From the Bookshelf of Challenge Corner…

Red, White & Royal Blue

Casey McQuiston

Start date: June 1, 2019

Finish date: June 30, 2019

Discussion: Book of the Month

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What Members Thought

May 16, 2022 Emma rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary

This was much better than I thought it would be!

19 likes · Like · see review

Sep 30, 2019 Sibil rated it really liked it

Quando è uscito questo libro lo si vedeva praticamente ovunque, ha riscosso un successo immediato, ma io ho sempre continuato a snobbarlo. Non per un qualche motivo preciso, ma solo perché non mi interessava particolarmente ed ero in vena di altre letture. Ma poi nell'ultimo mese ho letto un paio di recensioni che hanno detto la cosa giusta al momento giusto e non c'è più stata storia. Ho gettato all'aria la mia TBR e ho subito trovato un piccolo spazietto per questo libro perché dovevo assoluta Quando è uscito questo libro lo si vedeva praticamente ovunque, ha riscosso un successo immediato, ma io ho sempre continuato a snobbarlo. Non per un qualche motivo preciso, ma solo perché non mi interessava particolarmente ed ero in vena di altre letture. Ma poi nell'ultimo mese ho letto un paio di recensioni che hanno detto la cosa giusta al momento giusto e non c'è più stata storia. Ho gettato all'aria la mia TBR e ho subito trovato un piccolo spazietto per questo libro perché dovevo assolutamente leggerlo!
E non me ne pento affatto. E, detto tra noi, questo libro è andato molto vicino a prendersi 5 stelline. C'è stato un calo nel ritmo narrativo ad un certo punto, e la mia attenzione per un po' ha divagato, e questo è il motivo per cui, alla fine, non è arrivato a prendersi tutte quante le stelline, ma è comunque un libro meraviglioso, che merita tutto il successo che ha avuto e ancora qualcosina di più.
Intanto i personaggi. Sono deliziosi! Alex e Herry sono così carini! E non solo sono carini insieme, sono proprio carini come persone. Probabilmente è anche vero che sono un po' troppo carini (e perfetti) per essere veri, ma durante la lettura sembrano veri al 100%, reali e complessi, con mille sfaccettature. E accanto a loro c'è una rete di personaggi non da meno, come Jude e Nora, Bea e Pez, tutti reali, tutti importanti e tutti pronti a conquistarsi un pezzetto del tuo cuore.
E poi abbiamo le famiglie. Che per quanto uniche nel loro genere, una è la prima famiglia americana e l'altra è la famiglia reale d'Inghilterra, sono presenti e ben caratterizzate. E' vero che questo non è uno YA perché i protagonisti sono entrambi maggiorenni, ma di solito in questo genere di libri dobbiamo sempre stendere un velo pietoso (o due o tre) quando si tratta di famiglie. Ma non qui. E poi ho trovato la famiglia di Alex fantastica! Una volta tanto abbiamo dei buoni esempi di famiglia e la cosa mi ha riempito immensamente di gioia.
E poi l'ambientazione generale del libro e l'atmosfera della storia sono complessivamente piene di speranza. Speranza per un futuro migliore in cui quello che conta sia più la sostanza che non l'apparenza. Sia sul piano politico e sociale generale che sul piano che riguarda la sfera intima delle persone. Un Presidente degli Stati Uniti donna e divorziata, ad esempio. Una storia d'amore non solo tra i figli di due famiglie IMPORTANTI (alla Romeo e Giulietta, ma non così catastrofico) ma una storia d'amore che abbraccia le diverse identità di ognuno.
E' una storia che scalda il cuore, con personaggi adorabili e momenti divertenti. Una lettura consigliata che spero si decidano a tradurre in fretta anche da noi!
...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Jul 07, 2020 ❀ Crystal ✿ - PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-read-list

I’ll be honest. If it wasn’t for a group challenge I may not have picked this book up and that would have been a huge ginormous mistake. This book was absolutely amazing, at times sure it was super cheesy or super emotional but hot damn if this book doesn't pack one hell of a punch. Closed minded idiots won’t like this book of course. The book is really so much more than just a relationship between two men. There’s a whole political aspect that really serves as an extra hurdle so for the heroes I’ll be honest. If it wasn’t for a group challenge I may not have picked this book up and that would have been a huge ginormous mistake. This book was absolutely amazing, at times sure it was super cheesy or super emotional but hot damn if this book doesn't pack one hell of a punch. Closed minded idiots won’t like this book of course. The book is really so much more than just a relationship between two men. There’s a whole political aspect that really serves as an extra hurdle so for the heroes Alex and Henry to overcome. The book brings up so many modern questions society needs to address immediately. People shouldn’t live in fear of who they are, who they love etc. Racism, bigotry, xenophobia they’re all bullshit and shouldn’t need even exist this far into mankind so existences. I won’t even touch on the whole monarchy and the farce about image lol. I absolutely loved the blend of American politics with British Royalty. Not to mention that the (sadly) fictional world the author sets is modern day US after the 2016 presidential election where Alex’s mother became the first female president. Even more amazing if a bit unbelievable was that she was divorced, from Texas, a Democrat and an open supporter of her bi racial bisexual son. ***Ughhhh moment of sadness/silence that this is not our reality in the US 😭😂😭*** Alex’s family were truly amazing people and I only wish everyone had such family’s and friends in their lives who always and without question support them and give zero shits about their sexual preference, gender etc.
Alex was a truly incredible character and I can’t help but admire him and his personal throughout the book. He’s beyond brave and confident, almost immediately accepting himself as bi after a surprise kiss from the Prince. Sure he had qualms about telling his sister and parents but who wouldn’t have some fear or hesitation. Boy even dove into his own past, did research to better understand himself and what he wanted. Honestly he’s just a great character overall, truly humble and normal even in the crazy world he lives in. This wasn’t just a good book (no matter how lame this may sound) instead this book was an experience. Such a great read everyone should favor themselves by reading. Great great book. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jan 26, 2022 Ellen-Arwen Tristram rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: buddy-read, e-books

4.5 stars LOVED THIS - thank you for the buddy read! Review to come xx

4 likes · Like · see review

Dec 04, 2022 Saar The Book owl rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: wheel-22, series-22

This is the Dutch translation of Red, White & Royal Blue. I was in doubt if I would give the book 2 or 3 stars, but, well, I went for 3. It wasn't my cup of tea, allthough a lot of other readers enjoyed the book. There was a lot of politics and I hadn't expected that, so that was a bit boring to read. The beginning of the romance between Alex and Henry was cute, but all the physical stuffe slightly began to feel like reading something like 'Fifty Shade of Grey', the light version. My favorit cha ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 02, 2022 Naomi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: enemy-to-lover, mm-romance, royalty, young-adult, politics

I loved this so much. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel. Henry and Alex have great chemistry in this frenemies-lovers, political romance. I enjoyed their banter. The side characters were great too. The story line is pretty unique in that Alex is the first son and Henry is the Prince of England. I'm glad I finally dived into this story; I was leary since it was so heavily popular and marketed that I may not like it. Casey McQuiston is a great story teller and I look forward to reading mo ...more

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