Charles

From the very first page, Red, White & Royal Blue had me completely hooked. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in just two days — a rare feat for me! Casey McQuiston’s debut novel is the perfect blend of wit, heart, and political fairytale, delivering a beautifully crafted LGBTQ+ romance that feels both modern and timeless.

The story follows Alex Claremont-Diaz, the charismatic First Son of the United States, and his not-so-friendly rival, Prince Henry of England. Their relationship starts off with tension, fueled by years of mutual annoyance and carefully staged public appearances. But when a PR disaster threatens to sour US-British relations, the two are forced into a fake friendship to salvage diplomatic optics. What begins as damage control slowly blossoms into something tender, passionate, and wholly unexpected — a secret romance that could change the course of both their lives and their countries’ futures.

What makes this novel shine is its richly drawn characters and heartfelt exploration of identity, responsibility, and love. Alex’s journey of self-discovery is powerful and deeply relatable, especially for readers who are navigating their own understanding of sexuality. His voice is sharp, passionate, and sincere, and his evolution from a confident political wunderkind to someone questioning his future, his heart, and his place in history is both moving and inspiring. Henry, with his quiet charm and deep vulnerability, is the perfect complement to Alex’s fiery spirit. Together, they’re magnetic — a couple that makes you root for love above all else.

McQuiston doesn’t just give us a love story — they give us a world where love matters, where representation is empowering, and where two boys from vastly different worlds can change the narrative simply by choosing each other. The supporting cast is equally delightful — from Alex’s ambitious sister June to his best friend Nora, each character adds humor and warmth to an already rich story.

This book isn’t just for romance lovers. It’s for anyone who wants to see a story about growth, acceptance, and the messy, beautiful path to becoming who you really are. The pacing is fast, the dialogue is sharp and clever, and the romance? Utterly swoon-worthy. It’s exactly the kind of queer representation I wish I had growing up — joyful, unapologetic, and deeply affirming.

Whether you’re exploring your identity or simply in the mood for a heartfelt enemies-to-lovers romance with political flair, Red, White & Royal Blue is a must-read. And if you haven’t heard — it’s already been adapted into a movie, bringing this incredible love story to an even wider audience. I can’t recommend this book enough.

Every chapter was becoming repetitive with a recap that Christopher was leaving and the relationship was temporary.

Too drawn out for me. 

I received this book for free from Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

As soon as I saw Lane Hayes had a new British romance release, I knew it was just jumping to the top of my to-be-read (TBR) pile. Falling for Raine sure did not disappoint! I have always been a sucker for British gay romance books, and this one checked all the boxes.

Falling for Raine follows the trope of grumpy sunshine but adds its own twists. Raine is an American who might have lied on his resume just a little bit (or really a lot). Graham is a wealthy British CEO and the grumpy (but loveable) one in this scenario. Sparks fly when the two meet in a cowboy dive bar in Vegas. They considered it one and done and then went their separate ways. But, of course, that wasn't exactly the case here.

Surprise! Raine is the newest hire of The Horsham Group, of which Graham happens to be the CEO. It quickly becomes evident that Raine is not qualified for the positions, but one thing leads to another, and Raine is offered an alternative fact-finding spot at The Horshman Group. Around the same time, Graham and Raine realize they aren't entirely satisfied with a one-night stand and move into more of a friends-with-benefits relationship. Things continue to develop, but Graham believes he is too busy for love and an actual relationship. Raine doesn't want to push things, so he follows the established agreement.

Overall, Falling for Raine is more of a character-driven book than a plot-driven book. There was plenty of humor and sexy times! All this combined made Falling for Raine a fun and enjoyable read. If you like British/American gay romance books, this one is for you!

I received this book for free from Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Okay, so let me preface this by saying I have been in my hockey romance reading era lately. I think in the last two to three months, I have devoured 20+ hockey romance books. As soon as I saw Lane Hayes was releasing Thin Ice, I knew I had to read it! I did receive an advanced reader's copy of this book, but that does not change or sway my opinion.

Bryson and Smitty both agreed their one night was just that, one night. But isn't it funny how things don't always go as planned? Especially when Bryson's one-night stand is his son's hockey rival. Heading back to the ideal town of Elmwood, Bryson couldn't get Smitty out of his head, and that was the end of it. Or so he thought. Wouldn't you know it? A few weeks later, Smitty shows up in town!

Thin Ice explores the small-town romance genre mixed with hockey/sports in a perfect balance. I have to give Lane Hayes an A+ for the dad jokes sprinkled in; I love them! As the book progresses, we learn what is truly holding Bryson back and watch Smitty slowly break down those guarded walls. If you are looking for heat, Thin Ince packs it!

Overall, Thin Ice was a fantastic read, and I will definitely read it again. I have not read the other books in the series, but I am definitely considering it now after reading this one. If you are looking for a small-town romance with hockey, this one is for you! I can't wait to read what Lane Hayes writes next!