Red, White & Royal Blue

Apparently I'm going to read this approximately every two years! Nora/Pez/June is the true OT3 of our dreams. Still 4 out of 5, still cute, still here for the kissing.

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Y'all, this book was so dang cute!

Okay, so here's the thing: if someone talks to me for more than 5 minutes, they will realize I am a giant, sappy romantic, the kind of person who believes true love conquers all and other such nonsense things. This is the flip-side to my horror-obsessed, gothy self. I am a study in opposites! Such a complex woman!

The point is, while I don't often gravitate toward romance novels - fanfic is generally where I get my sappy romance fix - I am most assuredly a sucker for a cute love story. And Alex and Henry are actually the cutest? I am 100% here for all the enemies-to friends-to lovers tropes, and their developing friendship is so adorable. Any relationship based on relentless teasing will instantly destroy my heart.

I cannot believe even mortal peril will not prevent you from being the way you are.

Henry heaves another almighty sigh. He's always sighing when Alex is involved. It's amazing he has any air left.

That is the kind of flirting I am here for!

There are a lot of other things I liked about this novel outside of the love story: Alex has a really strong friendship with his sister, June, and I love the idyllic world where a remarried, Democratic woman with biracial children from her previous marriage is president.

There were problems, of course, the main issue being that the writing was often very “tell” and not “show” which made the dialogue occasionally clunky, but who cares? I'm here for the kissing. 4/5 adorable, kissy stars.