I want to start this review by saying I understand some people’s reviews regarding frustration with the politics in this book but to be completely fair I don’t mind reading an idealized version of politics that is better than the shit show we actually live in, it was refreshing. American and British politics obviously aren’t this way in real life, but it is a book so maybe chill? Also people claiming “l historically red states wouldn’t turn blue” should maybe look up actual history and see that shifts like that really aren’t all that insane. The author’s point that Texas could be a swing state if more time and investment was put into people who have been disenfranchised is not wrong… so yeah. 

Okay now to the actual crux of this book, the romance. I thought this was an extremely well done finding yourself story. Alex doesn’t just fall in love, he also realizes it’s okay to change your ideas for the future as you gain perspective and get older. I think that’s what made this book so real to me.

The families in this book were the best part honestly, while it is unlikely in real life that a president or the royal family would ever be as supportive as these characters were I enjoyed the moments of “not as the president but as your mom” and “as a princess I’ll use my leverage to fight for you.” They brought some levity and love into this story and it was great. Not to mention the Dad and sister’s willingness to accept Alex at every turn and defend him in whatever ways they could, same with Henry’s sister Bea (and eventually his mother). Those were the moments I think really made this book special.