“Sometimes you just jump and hope it’s not a cliff.”
Red, White And Royal Blue is the 2019 young adult romance debut novel by Casey McQuiston. Winning both Best Debut Novel and Best Romance in the Goodreads Choice Awards, this viral bestseller follows First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz and his longtime nemesis, Prince Henry. When a photo surfaces of Henry at a royal threatens to derail Anglo-American relations, the pair decide the best way of preventing further damage is by faking a friendship. But, as his mother kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself diving headfirst into a relationship with Henry that could jeopardise both the campaign and the two nations. If you loved Alex and Henry’s story, join us at What We Reading for the best YA, LGBTQ+, and fake relationship books like Red, White and Royal Blue!
Heartstopper (Heartstopper #1) – Alice Oseman
Kicking off our list of books like Red, White and Royal Blue is Alice Oseman’s 2018 bestselling graphic novel, Heartsopper. Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn’t been too great for him, but at least he isn’t being bullied anymore. Nick Nelson is in the year above and on the school rugby team. He’s heard about Charlie, the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months but has never had the chance to talk to him.
The pair quickly become friends, and it doesn’t take long for Charlie to fall hard for Nick. Not that he thinks he has a chance. But, love works in strange and often unexpected ways and, sometimes, good things are waiting just around the corner.
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Him (Him #1) – Sarina Bowen And Ellen Kennedy
Jamie Canning has never been able to figure out how he lost his closest friend. Four years ago, his tattooed, wise-cracking, rule-breaking roommate cut him off without any explanation. Even if things got a little weird between them on the last night of hockey camp the summer they were eighteen; it was just a moment of alcohol-fuelled foolishness.
But, for Ryan Wesley, coaxing his straight best friend into a bet that pushed the boundaries of their relationship has become his biggest regret. Now, with their college teams set to face off at the national championships, his chance to apologise has finally arrived. But, one glance at his old friend and all the feelings come tumbling back in again. And when the pair turn up together as coaches for one more hot summer camp, the pair will have a fair few things to discover about their friendships, and themselves.
The Charm Offensive (The Charm Offensive #1) – Alison Cochrun
Dev Deshpande has always believed in fairy tales. So it’s no wonder then that he’s spent his career crafting them on the long-running reality dating show, Ever After. As its most successful producer, Dev always pens the most perfect love story for his contestants, even his own love life resembles something more akin to a trainwreck. But then the show casts disgraced tech hotshot Charlie Winshaw as its next star.
Far from the sort of romantic Prince Charming the show expects, Charlie only agrees to appear on the show in an effort to mend his broken image. Nevertheless, he is shy and awkward with no idea how to date twenty different women. As Dev encourages Charlie to connect with his female co-stars, they begin to realise that they both have better chemistry with each other, especially when the cameras aren’t rolling. One of the best MM romance books like Red, White and Royal Blue, Alison Cochrun’s The Charm Offensive is a cutesy contemporary read!
Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe (Aristotle And Dante #1) – Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Another one of the best YA coming-of-age stories similar to Red, White and Royal Blue comes from Benjamin Alire Sáenz in Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Dante can swim. Ari can’t. Dante is confident and articulate. Ari struggles with his words and suffers from self-doubt. Dante gets lost in poetry and art. Ari gets lost thinking about his older brother in prison. With all of that in mind, Dante would appear to be the last boy in the world capable of breaking down the walls Ari has built around him.
Yet, against all odds, when Ari and Dante meet, they strike up a special bond that will teach them the most important truths in their lives and help carve out the people they want to be. Nevertheless, there are big obstacles on their path. It is only through believing in each other that they can emerge stronger through overcoming them.
Boyfriend Material (London Calling #1) – Alexis Hall
When the famous Luc O’Donnell is forced back into the spotlight in the worst way possible, he has to think of something fast if he wants to preserve his reputation. Enter Oliver Blackwood. Stunningly handsome and immaculately put together, Oliver is accomplished, principled and never had a feature in the scandal section.
In other words, Oliver is perfect boyfriend material. And exactly what Luc needs to appear respectable again. But, when their fake relationship begins to feel like something a lot more real, Luc and Oliver are forced to reckon with whether they’re willing to fight for the truth of their relationship in Alexis Hall’s 2020 romance book, Boyfriend Material.
Royal Blood (Royal Blood #1) – Aimee Carter
If you’re looking for another Anglo-American-themed romance read like Red, White and Royal Blue, look no further than Aimee Carter’s 2023 book, Royal Blood. As the King of England’s illegitimate daughter, seventeen-year-old Evan Bright knows how to keep secrets. But, when she’s forced to spend the summer with her father and the royal family, her identity is mysteriously revealed. Suddenly, the world is dying to know every last detail the press prints about her.
And when a fun night turns deadly, Evan finds herself as the prime suspect in a murder investigation. As she fights to uncover the truth about what happened, she begins to unearth more and more secrets about the royals that are far more scandalous than even she could have imagined.
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If This Gets Out – Sophie Gonzales And Cale Dietrich
Eighteen-year-olds Ruben Montez and Zach Knight are two members of the boy band Saturday, one of the most successful acts in America. Alongside their fellow members, Angel Phan and Jon Braxton, the four are teen heartthrobs on stage and best friends off it. But, behind the scenes, their once easy-going friendships are starting to crack. Ruben one day confides in Zach that he is starting to feel smothered by their management’s pressure to remain in the closet.
On a whirlwind tour through Europe, Ruben and Zach start to depend on each other more and more. Their already-close friendship soon develops into a romance. But, just as they begin to truly understand who they are and live freely in the public eye, their management makes it clear they will be doing it without their support. Another one of the best LGBT romance books like Red, White and Royal Blue, If This Gets Out follows Ruben and Zach as they attempt to cling onto each other, even as the whole world seems to want to come between them.
The Song Of Achilles – Madeline Miller
Madeline Miller whisks readers back to ancient Greece and a time of heroes in her bestselling book like Red, White and Royal Blue, The Song of Achilles. Patroclus is an awkward young prince who has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia, condemned to live in the shadow of King Peleus and his perfect son, Achilles. Achilles takes the shamed prince under his wing and their tentative connection soon develops into an unbreakable friendship.
But, when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, the men of Greece rally to lay siege to Troy in her name. Lured by the promise of glory, Achilles joins the cause. And, whilst he may be torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows him into war. Both moving and vividly-told, this retelling of the legend of Achilles and the Trojan War is both an immortal reimagining of war and a devastating love story that any romance fan is sure to love.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
