3 books to read if you loved 'Red, White & Royal Blue'

History, huh?

Thinking about history makes me wonder how I’ll fit into it one day, I guess. And you, too. I kinda wish people still wrote like that. History, huh? Bet we could make some.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Back in my English teacher days, when a student fell in love with one book, it was my mission to find a readalike that would capture their attention and keep the fervor going. Often, my students opted for the same book over and over again (which was fabulous for their reading skills!), but occasionally they accepted my enthusiastic recommendations and fell down the rabbit hole of a particular genre, author, or trope.

Now, my day job involves thematically pairing classic literature with contemporary reads on the Novel Pairings podcast. Although it challenges my memory, this part of my work in the book world gives me immense satisfaction. I can't help myself; whenever I read a book, I think about its connections to other works through style, voice, topic, or something more obscure. This is how I’ve always read—or how I’ve been trained to read as a literature student—and since I left the classroom, I’m so pleased to have multiple online outlets for sharing my pairings.

As I continue my “if you loved” newsletter series, you can expect short lists of book recommendations for both backlist and buzzy new releases, depending on what I’ve read lately, what I’m not pairing on the podcast, and what I think you might enjoy. You can find countless “books like xyz” lists on the internet, but I like to think my concise, curated lists offer something special: part intertextual analysis skills, part English Teacher Energy. Today, I’m sharing three romantic comedies to fall for after reading Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.

Can you believe it took me this long to read Red, White & Royal Blue? This award-winning, fan favorite 2019 rom com trends across TikTok to this day, begat a film adaptation with a 75% critic and 93% audience Rotten Tomatoes score, and finally landed at the top of my TBR when my local bookstore announced a new romance book club with McQuiston’s debut as its September pick. I totally fell for Alex and Henry’s chemistry, honest love letters, and humorous banter (oh, and countless Jane Austen references).

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If you adored Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry’s journey from tabloid disaster to iconic power couple, I have your next read(s) lined up.

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Pride & Prejudice Vibes

A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

This NYC burlesque Pride and Prejudice retelling remains one of my all time favorite romance novels and—much like Red, White & Royal Blue—follows just the right beats of Austen’s love story for contemporary readers to enjoy. Failed interior designer Liz Bennet works at Meryton, a run down little burlesque club in Manhattan, where she meets Will Darcy, a starchy wealth manager who finds her “tolerable.” When their best friends fall in love, Liz and Will find themselves thrust together too often for their liking, but each subsequent meeting creates new sparks between them. Full of biting wit, social observations, and a Bennet sisters-inspired queer found family, this sparkling ode to the stage deserves a spot on every Austen fan’s TBR.

Enemies to Friends to Lovers

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

Floundering love interests Ari and Josh trek a similar path to Alex and Henry in Goldbeck’s When Harry Met Sally reimagining. Ari and Josh hate each other upon first meeting, letting the tension stew over years of brief encounters until they find themselves texting, and texting again, and hanging out…and falling in love. Chaotic improv comedian Ari serves as a great comp for Alex and his untamed impulsiveness while Type A chef Josh could easily stand in for Henry, right down to the high pressure family expectations. Taking place over the course of several years and seasons, this rom com also reads as an adult coming of age story, making it a beautiful follow-up to Red, White & Royal Blue.

You Know I Love a London Boy 🎵

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall 🌶️

This pairing is almost too perfect. Son of famous parents in the public eye who needs an image makeover + immaculately groomed barrister with nary a scandal on his record + fake relationship + real feelings + British banter = swoon. If you loved the opposites attract nature of Alex and Henry’s relationship OR Henry’s relentless British-ness, download Hall’s rom com via audiobook for maximum enjoyment.

P.S. No, I haven’t watched the movie yet! I’m hoping to watch it this week, but TV time has been few and far between these days.

P.P.S. If you’re curious about the chili pepper spice ratings, learn more in this 15 minute podcast episode (or scroll right to the graphic).

P.P.P.S. I have it on good authority that We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian also pairs well with Red, White & Royal Blue. I haven’t read it (yet!), but I trust my source with all things romance recs, so I can’t help but sneak it in here.

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To find out more about my current reads, favorite things, and life updates follow me on Instagram. If you’re interested in reading classic literature with accessible guidance and a cozy community, check out the Novel Pairings podcast and Patreon.