I really like going into a book without really knowing too much about it. And with Red, White, and Royal Blue I quickly discovered that I didn’t know anything. I have not read the synopsis on the back, I just looked at the front cover. And I thought it was going to be some sort of a double romance book for some reason. But oh, boy, was I wrong! Haha!
Alex is the First Son of the United States and the book is mainly from his point of view. I think at times I would’ve liked to see Prince Henry’s point of view, too. Alex truly dislikes Henry (or so he thinks). When an accident happens at Prince Henry’s brother’s wedding, Alex is sent over to the United Kingdom to try to clear the image for the sakes of both families involved. Goes to show that spending some quality time with your enemy will probably make you fall in love with them. 🤭
Published in May 2019, Red, White & Royal Blue was written by Casey Mcquiston as her debut novel. This book* was part of my July wrap-up and I just want to say that I fell in love with Alex and Henry while they were falling in love with each other. ❤️🤍💙
*the book was published by Pan Macmillan in the UK and by Leda Edge in Romania
Sometimes you just jump and hope it’s not a cliff.
Today, Amazon Prime Studios has released the movie adaptation directed by Matthew López, starring Taylor Zakhar Perez (that I’ve first watch perform in The Kissing Booth series) and Nicholas Galitzine (whom I discovered as the Prince in Cinderella alongside Camila Cabello) as First Son Alex and Prince Henry. I felt the movie to be cute and much more PG-13 than the book was, in my opinion. I got a bit teary-eyed towards the end which is exactly what happened when I read the book, too.
I will go ahead and say that I didn’t really buy into the chemistry of the two leading men, especially that I have had my standards so high since watching Call Me By Your Name in 2017, one of my forever favourite romance movies (and books!), but it was still very sweet. I think the movie was slightly more comedy than I was anticipating which was not my favourite aspect either. It was nice to see Sarah Shahi in this movie; she is still as beautiful as she was 11 years ago in Chicago Fire, and Rachel Hilson who broke all of our hearts with her role as young Beth in This Is Us.
Overall, Red, White & Royal Blue is a fun Summer movie that holds some of the most important issues/topics in today’s modern world, but I would recommend you reading the book before diving into the movie. And please watch until the very end for a surprise end credit scene and a special dedication to Kirsty, Taylor Zakhar Perez’s sister, who died before having a chance to watch her brother in a leading role.
Someone else’s choice doesn’t change who you are.
And now, SPOILER ALERT for some of the main differences between the book and the movie:
• Henry finds out Alex’s telephone number by asking MI6 which doesn’t happen in the book. In the book, Alex gives Henry his number to facilitate communication
• The “I love you” moment happens overnight in the book, but in the movie they are broad daylight, although the location is the same in both scenes
• Miguel was not the negative character in the book and this is probably the part I didn’t like at all in the movie, because they’ve introduced a new character as a cliche villain for a romcom
• In the book, the United Kingdom has a Queen, but in the movie there is a King
• Alex’s sister, June, doesn’t exist in the movie which made me kind of sad actually
• Rafael and Luna are non-existent in the movie either
Let me know your thoughts on the book, the movie and everything in between!
Trailer:
Red, White & Royal Blue is now streaming on Prime Video.
