Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
Like Alex and Henry, Elizabeth and Darcy begin with mutual dislike and sharp words. The witty dialogue and slow reveal of real character will feel familiar to fans of the banter in Red, White & Royal Blue.
12 books to read next
Books Like Red, White & Royal Blue
If you loved Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Readers who love Red, White & Royal Blue usually come for the witty banter between two people who start out as rivals, the sharp political backdrop, and the warmth of the central romance. The tone is funny and sincere at once, with a fast pace and a lot of heart. The book also looks at family, identity and the pressure of living in the public eye. These picks share those qualities, from sparkling rival romances to sharp social comedy and quieter books with a touch of royal intrigue.
Sparkling rivals to lovers
The Hating Game
Sally Thorne
Two colleagues who clash constantly are pushed into close proximity, much as the leads are forced into their fake truce. The rivalry is funny, tense and full of sexual chemistry, which is what drew readers to Red, White & Royal Blue.
Beach Read
Emily Henry
Two writers with opposing views on fiction share a summer and a lot of honest conversation. Its warm humour, emotional honesty and romance that deepens slowly will suit anyone who loved McQuiston's style.
Warm, funny modern romance
The Love Hypothesis
Ali Hazelwood
A fake relationship set up to solve a problem turns into something real, much like the staged friendship in Red, White & Royal Blue. The academic setting is smart and playful, and the chemistry builds with real charm.
Boyfriend Material
Alexis Hall
A queer romance between two very different men, with sharp humour and a public image to protect. Its frank, funny voice and tender emotional core will appeal to readers who came for the queer love story in Red, White & Royal Blue.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown
Talia Hibbert
A prickly, determined heroine and a hero who gets under her guard make for a warm, witty romance. The humour and the emotional honesty about self-worth echo what made Red, White & Royal Blue so appealing.
Royals and power plays
Crazy Rich Asians
Kevin Kwan
A glossy, funny look at a wealthy, status-obsessed world where family expectations collide with love. Its satire of privilege and public image will appeal to readers who enjoyed the palace and politics in Red, White & Royal Blue.
The Kiss Quotient
Helen Hoang
A witty romance in which a woman hires a companion to help her navigate dating. The tender, funny story of two people learning to trust each other will suit fans of the romantic heart of Red, White & Royal Blue.
The Prince and the Pauper
Mark Twain
Two boys who look identical swap places across the social divide, and the story is full of playful reversals. Its royal setting and lighthearted take on identity will appeal to readers who enjoyed the royal comedy of Red, White & Royal Blue.
Go deeper
The Importance of Being Earnest
Oscar Wilde
A brilliant comedy of manners full of epigrams, mistaken identities and class-conscious romance. Its wit and mockery of social rules will delight anyone who loved the sharp humour of Red, White & Royal Blue.
Brideshead Revisited
Evelyn Waugh
A richly written story of aristocratic English life, friendship and longing. Its mix of privilege, tenderness and the cost of hiding who you are speaks to the emotional depth readers found in Red, White & Royal Blue.
The Remains of the Day
Kazuo Ishiguro
A quietly moving portrait of a butler reflecting on duty, love and missed chances in an English household. Readers who appreciated the emotional weight behind the palace setting in Red, White & Royal Blue will find much to think about here.
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