Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Rojo, blanco y sangre azul by Casey McQuiston

82 reviews

btg's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I genuinely just want to turn around and read this book for the first time again. Alas, since we have yet to invent time travel, I'll say this -- McQuinstin created an incredibly heartwarming, relatable novel about coming to terms with your own queerness and what it means to build a legacy. I absolutely cherish Alex and Henry, who are realisticly portrayed as normal boys in difficult situations and so clearly make each other better. Their love story is adorable and sucks you in -- I legitimately could not put it down. If you like queer love stories mixed with a bit of political intrigue, do not skip this one.

Do note that this novel has even more sexual content than a typical romance novel -- if you're uncomfortable with reading sex scenes, you'll be skimming a couple of chapters. That being said, I want to applaud McQuinston on so easily integrating the emotional and physical relationship between Alex and Henry. It was very clear from the beginning that although the boys are VERY physically intimate, their emotional intimacy is given just as much importance.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content

Moderate: Terminal illness and Death of parent

Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Racism, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation

bubbly_lara's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

All the stars 🌟 this story, these characters have my whole heart. Rereading this one after having watched the film (loved it, btw) was even more precious. I can't even count the times this made me tear up on my commute to and from work, how I cried so much. I've read this every year since first reading it in 2021 and this will now be my annual August tradion. Can't recommend this book enough and obviously can't even write a coherent helpful review. JUST GO READ THE BOOK ALREADY!

History, huh? Hell yes, they made some!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Outing, and Alcohol

Moderate: Biphobia, Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

kingspite618's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

this book does not belong to the genres I'm usually into, but it was nevertheless super enjoyable and inspiring. definitely a must read if you're into romance (especially if you're queer!)

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Outing

elauer24's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Outing

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent

The addiction & death mentioned in warnings are past events in the one of the character's lives. The outing is used for personal gain.

vaguely_pink's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Outing

Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, and Racism

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol

lucyatoz's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

"To the weirdos & the dreamers" ~ I love the dedication in Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. 

It is a great alternate reality story of Alex, the First Son of the American President (who just happens to be a woman) and Henry, spare heir of the British Monarchy. I really liked Casey's easy writing style, taking us on a journey of life and love between two young men, from two very different families on opposite sides of the pond. This story made me laugh, cry and feel almost every emotion in between. I am looking forward to watching the movie based on this novel and seeing Alex and Henry brought from the page to the screen. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Outing

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Death of parent

emeraldeunoia's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

very cute romance wise but a little bit too much politics for me, shouldve expected that though. 
the ending also just didn't feel like an ending? im not sure how to describe that but overall good book, I'd reccomend as a gateway for reading more queer books.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Outing

willoughby's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Outing

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

bethanynemec's review against another edition

funny inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Outing

Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol

Minor: Grief and Death of parent

3ndt4p3s's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

i’ve been trying to finish this since 2019… we did it joe

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment