Diverse Authors Annotation: Red, White, & Royal Blue

 Title: Red, White, & Royal Blue

Author: Casey McQuiston                                                                   

Genre: Diverse Authors, Contemporary Romance, Relationship fiction

Publication Date: May 14, 2019

Number of Pages: 448

Geographical Setting: Washington, DC (United States); London, England

Time Period: 2020

Series (If applicable):

Plot Summary:

*Content Warning: Sexually explicit, strong language, sexual assault*

Alex is the son of the President of the United States (FSOTUS), Mexican American, and sexually confused. HRH Henry Prince of Wales is Alex’s nemesis, but there is a very thin line between hate and love. Alex can‘t stand boring, emotionless, pompous, stuck-up, Prince Henry, so why can’t he stop thinking about him? After Henry plants one on him he finally starts to come to terms with the fact that he is bisexual and he doesn’t hate Henry, not even a little bit. Alex soon learns Henry is not at all what he thought or expected. The two embark on a secret, and very steamy relationship. When his mother’s political rivalry in the 2020 Presidential election outs his and Henry’s relationship to the press all heck breaks loose. Will their relationship be strong enough to survive? Will it be the end of Alex’s mom’s quest for reelection? Can Henry stand up to the Royal family and fight for Alex?

Subject Headings: LGBTQIA--fiction

       Romance—fiction

       Contemporary Romance—fiction

       Comedy—fiction

       Political—fiction

       Royal Family--fiction

Appeal:  

Diverse Author appeals: Casey McQuiston identifies as queer, which fulfills the appeal of diverse author.

Romance appeals:

Characterization: “Romance is a character-driven genre. Novels turn on the relationship between the two central characters.” (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019) Read, White & Royal Blue (RWRB) definitely satisfies this appeal. The story revolves around the relationship of the Alex and Henry, the two most central characters.

Story Line: “The story line in a Romance traces the unfolding courtship of the herioine and hero, their developing relationship, and its happy conclusion.” (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019) Again, RWRB satisfies this appeal of romance. The story follows the development, sometimes to graphic detail, of Alex and Henry’s relationship from beginning to its happy conclusion.

Relationship appeals:

Story Line: “These novels often relate stories of overcoming obstacles, getting second chances, finding one’s self, and starting anew.” (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019) RWRB is very much a story of Alex and Henry finding themselves as well as each other. Alex not only comes to terms with his sexuality, but also rethinks his life’s dream and ultimate goal. Henry, while quite confident is his sexuality, was able to find the strength to come out to his family and face what that meant for his place in the Royal family. Both Henry and Alex’s journey’s come with ample obstacles they have to hurtle, not the least of which is both of them living in the public eye. According to Wyatt and Sarciks, Another hallmark of relationship fiction story lines is drama. (2019) RWRB has drama in spades. From Alex’s drunken stumble resulting in both him and henry knocking the royal wedding cake, to family drama on both sides, to a show down with the Queen herself, this book is nothing if not drama filled!

Pacing: “These are not rocket reads, and the events of the novel tend to unfold leisurely.” (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019) This book definitely seems to have a more leisurely pace than a traditional romance. Due impart, I’m sure, to a lot of internal dialogue from Alex, the story does not seem to be in hurry to reveal itself. At least not until the final chapters after the proverbial “crap” hits the fan. Then it starts feel more like the frantic pace of a more traditional romance.

3 terms that best describe this book: Funny, heartfelt, hopeful

Similar Authors and Works (why are they similar?):

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

Spare by Prince Harry: In all honesty, part of the reason this book came to mind is that it is currently a very popular checkout at my library. It seems relevant because it’s about the Prince of Wales, he also the younger brother and his name starts with H and ends with y. I’m sure these all just coincidences…

Palace Papers by Tina Brown: I chose this book as a relevant read because RWRB has a lot of Royal drama in it. A book about the real-life drama of the Royal family the story is based on seemed a solid choice for a relevant read.

LGBTQ: the survival guide for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning teens by Kelly Huegel: This book is relevant for multiple reasons. The author is queer, Alex struggles with his sexuality and eventually comes out at Bisexual and Henry is in his own words “gay as a maypole.” (McQuiston, 2019)

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

Boyfriend Material by Alexis J. Hall: This book is a read-a-like on Novelist. Both books are LGBTQIA romantic comedies, with character-driven storylines, witty and engaging writing styles, and steamy tones. They both also feature fake relationships that turns real, and British main characters.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cuchron: I chose this book as a relevant work because it is also a Novelist read-a-like for Red, White, and Royal Blue. They are both classified as LGBTQIA romantic comedies with a heartwarming tone. They also both have character driven storylines.

Heartstopper by Alice Osemon: I chose this book as a relevant work because it has some similar themes as Red, White, and Royal Blue. They are both LGBTIA romances with British main characters. They also both feature the theme of coming out.  

 

References:

“Novelist: EBSCO.” Novelist, https://www.ebsco.com/novelist.

Wyatt, N., & Saricks, J. G. (2019). The readers' advisory guide to genre fiction (Third). ALA Editions.