TL;DR
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston is a "New Adult" LGBTQ+ romance featuring the son of the U.S. President and a British Prince. It is funny, smart, and very well-written, but it is not a Young Adult (YA) book. It contains explicit sexual content, heavy profanity, and mature themes.
- Best for: Ages 17+ (Older teens and adults)
- The Vibe: High-stakes political escapism mixed with "enemies-to-lovers" romance.
- Watch out for: Explicit sex scenes (the "open-door" variety), frequent F-bombs, and some heavy discussions on grief and forced "outings."
- Media Links: Red, White & Royal Blue (Movie) | Heartstopper | Check out our guide to BookTok trends
If you’ve spent five minutes on TikTok or scrolled through Goodreads lately, you’ve seen this cover: the bright pink or blue background with two guys looking dapper.
The story follows Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the United States, and Prince Henry of Wales. They start as rivals (the "Cakegate" incident is a whole thing) and end up in a secret international relationship. It’s basically a fairy tale for the modern era, focusing on the pressures of public life, the complexity of queer identity, and the ridiculousness of international diplomacy.
It was a massive hit when it was published in 2019, and the 2023 Amazon Prime movie starring Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez sent the hype into the stratosphere again.
It’s not hard to see the appeal. The banter is genuinely sharp, the "what if?" scenario of a royal romance is classic wish-fulfillment, and the representation matters. For many queer teens, seeing a happy, high-stakes, big-budget romance where the main characters aren't just suffering is a breath of fresh air.
However, there’s a marketing "trap" here. Because the cover is bright and cartoonish—a style often used for YA novels—and because it’s about "coming out," many parents (and even some librarians) mistakenly categorize it as a book for 13-year-olds.
It isn't.
Learn more about the "New Adult" genre and why covers can be misleading
In the publishing world, we have "Young Adult" (YA), which is generally for ages 12-18, and "Adult." Lately, a bridge category called "New Adult" (NA) has exploded. These books usually feature characters in their early 20s (college-age or first jobs) and include the kind of "spice" you find in adult romance novels.
Red, White & Royal Blue is the poster child for New Adult. The characters are 21 and 22. They drink, they swear like sailors, and they have a very active, very described sex life. If your 14-year-old is asking for this book because they saw it on TikTok, they are asking for an adult romance novel.
Explicit Content
This is the big one for parents. This is an "open-door" romance, meaning the author doesn't cut to black when the characters head to the bedroom. There are several long, descriptive scenes involving oral sex and intercourse. It’s written with a focus on emotional connection, but it is graphic. If you wouldn't want your teen watching an R-rated movie for the "scenes," they shouldn't be reading this yet.
Language
The profanity is "real-world" level. Lots of F-words, especially from Alex, who is portrayed as a high-stress, fast-talking politico. It’s not gratuitous in a "trying too hard" way, but it’s definitely not Disney Channel dialogue.
Mature Themes
Beyond the romance, the book deals with:
- Political Ethics: Leaked private emails (a major plot point) and the invasion of privacy.
- Identity: Alex’s realization that he is bisexual and Henry’s struggle with the crushing weight of royal tradition.
- Grief: Henry is still processing the death of his father, which adds a layer of emotional weight to the story.
If your kid has already watched the Red, White & Royal Blue movie on Prime Video, they’ve seen a "PG-13-ish" version of the story (though it is officially rated R). The movie cuts out a lot of the secondary characters and tones down the political subplots.
The movie is actually less explicit than the book. While the movie has one notable "steamy" scene, the book has several more that go into significantly more detail. If you felt the movie was "just okay" for your 15-year-old, the book might still be a step too far.
Every family has different boundaries, but here is the Screenwise take on age appropriateness for this specific title:
- Under 15: Hard No. There is just too much adult content here. There are plenty of amazing YA books that handle these themes without the graphic nature of NA fiction.
- 15-16: Parental Discretion. If your teen is mature and you’ve had open conversations about sex and relationships, they might be fine. However, be aware that this is "reading up."
- 17-18+: Green Light. At this age, they are the target demographic for New Adult fiction. The themes of finding your own path while under the shadow of your parents' expectations will likely resonate deeply.
If your teen wants the vibe of RWRB but isn't ready for the explicit content, or if they loved it and want more, try these:
Ages 12+ This is the "wholesome" version of a queer awakening. It’s a graphic novel series (and a great Netflix show) that is pure sugar. It deals with real issues like mental health and bullying but keeps the romance strictly PG.
Ages 13+ The book that became the movie Love, Simon. It’s a classic YA romance about a secret email correspondence. It’s funny, sweet, and age-appropriate for middle and high schoolers.
Ages 14+ Ali Hazelwood is famous for adult "stem-ist" romances, but this is her first actual YA book. It features the "enemies-to-lovers" trope in the world of competitive chess. It has the snark and intelligence of RWRB but without the explicit scenes.
Ages 18+ If your older teen loved RWRB, this is the author’s follow-up. It’s a queer time-travel romance set on the New York subway. Like RWRB, it is Adult/New Adult and contains explicit content.
Check out our full guide on the best LGBTQ+ books for every age
If you find the book on your teen's nightstand, don't panic. It's a sign they are interested in well-written, character-driven stories.
Try asking these questions:
- "I heard that book is super popular on TikTok. What do you think of the banter between the characters?"
- "The book is technically written for adults—do you feel like the 'mature' parts add to the story, or are they just a bit much?"
- "How do you feel about how the media treats their relationship in the book? Do you think that’s how it would happen in real life?"
Red, White & Royal Blue is a fantastic book, but it’s an adult book. It’s the kind of thing you might enjoy reading yourself and then passing to your college-aged kid.
For the younger crowd, the "cartoon cover" is a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing. If you have a high schooler who is dead-set on reading it, maybe read it first—or at least read a few chapters—so you know exactly what they’re consuming.
Ask our chatbot if a specific book is too "spicy" for your teen