Casey McQuiston

    I chose this author because I read and watched the story Red, White, and Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston and I absolutely loved it. They are such talented writers, who were able to incorporate real-world issues into their work. I loved this story in particular because we see two very prominent public figures go against societal norms, proving love is stronger than all. I think this sets an example for the younger generation, carrying a strong message. 

Author Introduction

    Casey McQuiston is part of the LGBTQ+ community, they are non-binary and choose to go by they/them pronouns. Born on January 21st, 1991, they grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where they later attended Louisiana State University, LSU. There they obtained a bachelor's degree in journalism. They use their personal experiences as growing up in the LGBTQ+ community as plots or topics for their books (1). They mention how they attended a "conservative evangelical Christian school", and how that made them feel "isolated" (1). They mention how their books are, in a way, helping other teenagers like them, feel less alone in their identity. They use their books as a safe place for teenagers like them and how, as an author, this is what they are meant to do for the people reading the young adult genre (1). 

Casey McQuiston (1)

  They are most known for their novel Red, White, and Royal Blue, which was later turned into a romance movie. Casey focuses on the new adult fiction genre where they write romance novels (1). They mention how they take their own personal experiences and put them into the books, like how many "straight authors" do as well (1). They also mention how their struggles with ADHD, while writing, can skew some scenes to be "written nonlinearly" (1). Now they describe writing as a way of dealing with the grief of their father's death (1). I will be discussing one of their most successful novels, Red, White, and Royal Blue. 

Red, White, and Royal Blue

    The idea of this novel came about from the actual Royal family and how Lord Ivar Mountbatten came out with his gay relationship (2). As well as other queer works by other authors and other prominent political and social figures (1). Previously, thinking it is usually not a topic the royal family is normally open about, or encourages members to be open about (2). Even though there were rumors about other members of the royal family being LGBTQ+, it was never publicly proven or addressed by the royal family (2). The book is very similar in the dynamic of how this would not be acceptable in the royal family and how it would affect their image in today's world. 

Red, White, and Royal Blue (3)

    Red, White, and Royal Blue is about the First Son of the USA, Alex Claremont-Diaz, and the Prince of England, Henry, fall in love with each other (1). Originally, they had to pretend to be friends for the media and to fix the incident they pulled at the wedding (3). What started as a media clean-up turned into feelings neither of them could hide from. The MacMillan describes how this book shows "true love isn't always diplomatic", which encapsulates the story of the book perfectly (4). This book is a slow burn, enemies to lover's romance, while also going against what is socially acceptable for their roles in society. As their feelings grow for each other, Henry makes the first move by kissing Alex, which sends Alex spiraling (3). I personally, loved this scene because as much as Alex is trying to run from his feelings, he cannot. Publisher's Weekly describes the drama in this book as, "both irresistible and delicious" (3). I completely agree with this, the book keeps you hooked on the love story and hardships that come with it. Especially, when the secret eventually gets out, being leaked to the press, which was inevitably going to happen with them being two of the most known people in the world (3). This is a reoccurring theme I see in a lot of books where a big secret eventually gets leaked. We even see this happening today; one look and the whole world is speculating on social media. 

    Red, White, and Royal Blue has been published in a variety of countries around the world, making it an internationally known story (1). This book won many awards including two awards from Goodreads in 2019, making it the only book to do so that year (1). It won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Debut Novel and Best Romance Novel (4). It also appeared on New York Times and USA Today's bestseller lists, along with becoming Book of the Year in multiple magazines and newspapers (4). There are many other awards and reviews covered in Macmillan Publishers page on Red, White, and Royal Blue (4).  

Personal Reflection

    I have read the book and the watched the movie, so this was an easy author to take a deep dive into. Seeing how McQuiston uses writing as an escape or way to cope was really moving, and how sometimes scenes become more or less than what they were originally supposed to be. I admire the freelancing and how they change the story a little as they go. The book itself is moving in multiple ways, not just as it being about two prominent political figures falling in love, but also, we see a female president in this book. It doesn't just help encourage teenagers of the LGBTQ+ but also encourage young women. It emphasizes on all of the things that aren't as acceptable in today's society and gives a glimpse of what our society could be. If you want to learn more about Casey McQuiston and their books, you can visit their website: Casey McQuiston (5). 

References: 

(1) “Casey McQuiston.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Oct. 2026, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casey_McQuiston. 

(2) Taylor, Elise. “‘Red, White & Royal Blue’: The Lesser-Known LGBTQ+ History of the British Royal Family.” Vogue, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2023, www.vogue.com/article/red-white-and-royal-blue-lgbtq-history-british-royal-family. 

(3) “Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.” By Casey McQuiston, Publishers Weekly, 14 Feb. 2019, www.publishersweekly.com/9781250316776. 

(4) McQuiston, Casey. “Red, White & Royal Blue.” Macmillan Publishers, 6 Oct. 2025, us.macmillan.com/books/9781250316776/redwhiteroyalblue/. 

(5) “Casey MCQUISTON.” CASEY MCQUISTON, www.caseymcquiston.com/. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.