Bookish Mumma

These two chapters had a lot of growth for Alex and Henry and it was really entertaining to read. I’ve got some of my typical, witty comments, but also some more serious notes. I think that Red, White & Royal Blue is super topical and relevant and is a really good piece of popular media in today’s social climate.

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They’re rounding the corner for their eighth lap now, and he’s starting to see some flaws in his logic. Straight people, he thinks, probably don’t spend so much time convincing themselves they’re straight.

Exactly! I mean, he’s going to spiral anyway because most people do when this kind of thing happens to them, but yeah. If you’re trying to convince yourself of something that is core and fundamental, it’s probably not true for you. Also, at this point, Alex is questioning whether or not he’s gay and knowing that he still likes women. It seems to be trying to pull attention to bisexuality by first showing that it’s not default thought option which is an effect of bi erasure. Which is absolutely a thing. It is absolutely okay to like both sides of the fence and all the little split offs in between. Or none of them. We love everyone of all genders and orientations here!

Alex very professionally does not punch him. He just gets to work.

This is in reference to a staffer that he’s working with. Regardless, everyone has one (or more) very punchable colleagues.

Tonight, she’s sitting on her living room floor in a glowing circle of screens like some kind of Capitol Hill séance

Are the reasonable and respectable laws in the room with us? No? Dammit.

Henry enters stage right.
His suit is black, smooth, elegant. Perfect. Alex wants to rip it off.

And do what? I can see where you’re going in your head, Alex!

They reach the doors, and Amy is there. She hesitates, hand on the know.
“You’re not going to kill him are you?” she says.
“Probably not,” Alex tells her.

The chances are never zero! No, he probably just wants to put his hand on HRH Prince Henry’s knob. See what I did there?

Henry, the prince. Henry, the boy in the garden. Henry, the boy in his bed.

Alex, the First Son of the United Overthinkers

“You were jealous,” Alex says. “You want me.”

What is it about this line and attitude that is just so incredibly sexy? Like, this is just pointing out facts and being smug about it which shouldn’t be sexy, but absolutely is.

“I don’t suppose you’ll be anywhere near Kensington anytime soon?”
“That shithole?” he says with a wink. “Not if I can help it.”
“Oi,” Henry says. He’s grinning now. “That’s disrespect of the crown, that is. Insubordination. I’ve thrown men in the dungeons for less.”
Alex turns, walking backward toward the car, hands in the air. “Hey, don’t threaten me with a good time.”

Alex went from spiralling out of control, forgetting that bisexuality exists, impulsively showing Henry that he wants him too and into acceptance in 2 chapters. The timeline shows it’s been a couple of weeks, but damn that was fast for a reader! It does work for the story though, I don’t have any pacing issues with this one so far.

Conclusion

There was a heavy amount of character development in this block of chapters from Red, White & Royal Blue. Because there was also a decent amount of sexual exploration, there weren’t as many quotes that I could pull from it, but it absolutely was a very engaging part of the book and I do think that Casey did a fantastic job of writing it. There can be a big challenge with writing books from a perspective that you don’t align with and making it engaging for the audience that you are targeting. While Casey themselves are queer and non-binary and also not the First Son of the US or a Prince, this relationship development does seem realistic and genuine. I find both parties to be likable, though Henry could do with some more fleshing out which I know will happen as I read more.

As always, if you’d like to follow along, you can get the book here.