Books like Red, White & Royal Blue

A fiercely witty, swoon-worthy collision of duty and desire wrapped in a warm blanket of political optimism. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Red, White & Royal Blue.

swoony
joyful
optimistic
warm

01
One Last Stop
Casey McQuiston
A love letter to queer history, found family, and the electric possibility of a subway crush, wrapped in a magical, swoony romance.
Shares:
- swoony
- earnest
- hopeful
02
Wayward Son
Rainbow Rowell
A chaotic, emotionally messy road trip through the American West that asks what happens after the Chosen One saves the world and loses his purpose.
Feels:
- restless
- chaotic
- bittersweet
03
Beach Read
Emily Henry
A sun-drenched, banter-filled exploration of creative burnout and the terrifying vulnerability of letting yourself believe in happy endings again.
Shares:
- witty
- earnest
- hopeful
04
What If It's Us
Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
A bustling, Broadway-infused summer romance that asks if the universe actually knows what it is doing when it pushes two opposites together.
Shares:
- witty
- earnest
- hopeful
05
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
Mackenzi Lee
A chaotic, swoon-worthy romp across 18th-century Europe fueled by unrequited pining and reckless charm.
Shares:
- swoony
- earnest
- exuberant
06
People We Meet On Vacation
Emily Henry
A sun-drenched, banter-filled exploration of the terrifying leap from platonic soulmates to true love.
Shares:
- warm
- witty
- earnest
07
The Queer Principles of Kit Webb
Cat Sebastian
An electrifying historical romance where lessons in thievery spark an irresistible attraction between a rough-hewn former highwayman and a desperate aristocrat.
Shares:
- swoony
- earnest
08
Perfect on Paper
Sophie Gonzales
A sharp, big-hearted rom-com about a know-it-all advice dispenser who has to learn how to take her own medicine.
Shares:
- hopeful
09
They Both Die at the End
Adam Silvera
A ticking-clock romance that breaks your heart while desperately urging you to live.
Shares:
- earnest
10
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Becky Albertalli
A warm, witty, and deeply relatable exploration of the terrifying thrill of letting yourself be truly seen.
Shares:
- swoony
- warm
- earnest
- hopeful
11
The American Roommate Experiment
Elena Armas
A cozy, swoon-worthy romp through a shared New York apartment that feels like a warm hug and a perfect rom-com movie.
Shares:
- swoony
- optimistic
- warm
- earnest
12
Only mostly devastated
Sophie Gonzales
A queer reimagining of a classic summer-nights romance that balances laugh-out-loud banter with the tender ache of real-world grief.
Shares:
- swoony
- earnest
- hopeful

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