Romance Roundup: June Edition
Welcome to “Romance Roundup” where I share mini reviews of 3-4 romance novels that I’ve read recently. This month’s edition includes stories long-distance relationships, the backstage view of a Bollywood film, and a Civil War spy.
“Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston (2019)
Romanceopoly- Post Office
Synopsis: First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.
The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him.
As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?
Review:
This was a buzz-worthy romance that I wanted to get my hands on for a long time and it did not disappoint me. It was fun, light-hearted, and fluffy which made it a feel-good read. It also manages to weave deeper topics into its narrative such as politics, the LGBTQIA community, sexuality, racism, and sexism. It’s as much as a romance book as it is a social commentary on today’s society. I appreciated the way McQuiston balances the heavy and lighter parts of the novel.
The thing that I love the most about this book the characters! They’re loud, outspoken, kind, courageous, and vulnerable at the same time. It was so cute to see how Alex and Henry developed their relationship. I enjoyed reading their open confessions via email and their snarky, yet lovey-dovey texts to each other. This is a humorous, entertaining across the borders romance.
TW: Racism, Homophobia
Final Verdict:
“A Hope Divided” (Loyal League #2) by Alyssa Cole (2017)
Synopsis: For three years of the War Between the States, Marlie Lynch has helped the cause in peace: with coded letters about anti-Rebel uprisings in her Carolina woods, tisanes and poultices for Union prisoners, and silent aid to fleeing slave and Freeman alike. Her formerly enslaved mother’s traditions and the name of a white father she never knew have protected her–until the vicious Confederate Home Guard claims Marlie’s home for their new base of operations in the guerilla war against Southern resistors of the Rebel cause.
Unbeknowst to those under her roof, escaped prisoner Ewan McCall is sheltering in her laboratory. Seemingly a quiet philosopher, Ewan has his own history with the cruel captain of the Home Guard, and a thoughtful but unbending strength Marlie finds irresistible.
When the revelation of a stunning family secret places Marlie’s freedom on the line, she and Ewan have to run for their lives into the hostile Carolina night. Following the path of the Underground Railroad, they find themselves caught up in a vicious battle that could dash their hopes of love–and freedom–before they ever cross state lines.
Review:
This is a long overdue TBR read. The second installment in the Loyal League series was very interesting. This novel follows the story of Marlie who is a Loyal League member at the Lynchwood residence. She is connected to the family by blood and because of heritage and her work as a spy she keeps a low profile. Through her expertise of medical and herbal knowledge that was passed down to her from her mother she also helps the locals as a healer. Evan escapes from a prison and ends up hiding out at Lynchwood where the two explore their relationship on a deeper level.
They constantly deny their attraction to one another and try their hardest to give into their feelings. The initial attraction is there and through the time they spend together they open up about the past. Both have suffered from a lot of trauma and need time to heal. The romance aspect was sweet and passionate. It was also interesting to see how this novel showed the views of abolitionists and Quakers in the South. I learned some new history from reading this book and it’s also got a good dose of action-packed scenes.
TW: Racism, Violence
Final Verdict:
Spice and Smoke (Bollywood Confidential #1) by Suleikha Snyder (2012)
Romanceopoly – Drive in Movie
Synopsis: To their adoring public, Avi Kumar and Trishna Chaudhury are Bollywood’s sweethearts. Behind closed doors, their open marriage lets them freely indulge in all manner of forbidden passions. The arrangement suits them both, but as they begin filming on the set of their new movie, the heat of new and rekindled flames singes the pages of what they thought would be a fresh script.
When costars Michael Gill and Harsh Mathur arrive on set, the sexual temperature goes up exponentially—at least for Trish. She can’t take her eyes of Harsh, for whom she’s carried a torch for years. Avi’s instant attraction to Michael, however, bounces off Michael’s solid wall of resistance.
Meanwhile, ex-boyfriends Vikram Malhotra and Sam Khanna, cast as fictional enemies, are finding it harder and harder to control the very real demons that once cost them the love of a lifetime.
Once the music starts, though, they all have no choice but to dance . And pray the fallout doesn’t ruin all their careers…and destroy their love.
Review:
This is a novel that has been on my TBR for years and when I finally read it it was far from what I expected. I felt it was a bit underwhelming because the plot was a bit confusing. The writing style was jumbled and it was hard to follow (at times) of who was connected to who. Additionally I felt like the flashbacks weren’t too clear. These factors made it hard for me to get hooked into the story.
The novel is part (very) steamy romance and part angst. The characters have endured and are still struggling with troubling with their past. The meeting of the main characters Trish, Michael, Harsh, and Avi bring up a lot of feelings of regret. I did appreciate the LGBTQIA representation. The books was very emotional because you could feel the characters pain of hiding their true identities in order to live in the limelight. Though this book wasn’t for me (due to the writing), I’m going to try Snyder’s other books. I’m not sure that I’ll continue with this series.
Final Verdict:
What romance novels have you read lately? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have any recommendations feel free (particularly #ownvoices novels) to share those as well.
