Red, White & Royal Blue

5 stars, no question about it. This book should be shelved under “fantasy,” because it's so far-fetched in today's world, but oh how I wish it could be true. The POV MC Alex is the half-Mexican son of the female, divorced, progressive President of the United States. His BFF is the Jewish granddaughter of the Veep. The President's closest advisers include a Muslim (I think) chief of staff and a transgender Secret Service Agent.

Oh, and Alex doesn't know it yet as the story begins, but he's in love with the grandson of the Queen of England, the very royal Prince Henry of Wales.

This is one of those books that you can't put down because it's so engaging, but at the same time you want to put it down because you need it to last longer. The writing is sharp and clever, and debut author Casey McQuiston creates a hilarious, sweet and swoony enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance that hits all of the emotional feels in a perfect arc (no Big Misunderstandings, no long separations, no rehashing the same issues over and over). Plus she sets it in a world in which goodness triumphs and crooked politicians go down in flames. If only!

Alex is a wonderful MC, ambitious, loyal, snarky as all get out, but it's really Henry who steals the book with his wounded heart and quiet courage. He has the tougher obstacles to overcome - as he says, Alex can choose a different career besides politics, but Henry will always be a royal, with all of the obligations that involves. I couldn't help wishing that some of the chapters were told from Henry's POV. I'm not a fan of duologies that show the same events from different perspectives, but in this case I think it might actually be warranted. Either that, or I just want to spend more time with these delightful characters.

It's rare that I read a book that lives up to the hype, but Red, White & Royal Blue does that and more. If you have been heartbroken since November 2016, this book will ease your pain, at least for a little while.

ARC gratefully received from Net Galley in exchange for honest review.