This book has been all over my social media, especially my Instagram. I even ordered a Book of the Month that I didn’t really want just so I could get this book as an add on when I missed it in December when it was the selection.
My sister also sent me a copy of this book for Valentine’s Day and as soon as I started reading, I downloaded the Audible Edition so I could keep reading even while I was in the car.
The Audible narration is fantastic by the way. Sometimes I find it difficult to read and listen to the same book together but with this one it wasn’t a problem at all.
Summary
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? (summary from Goodreads)
Review
I have read LGBTQ and M/M romances before but nothing like this. This was such a great book and there was so much to love and unpack with this one. Not only did it talk about relevant issues facing LGBTQ individuals, but at the heart of this book is the story of two characters brave enough to become the people they are—and not just gay males, but as professionals, family members, and leadership figures.
This novel had many laugh out load moments but I think my absolute favorite was when Henry and Alex meet at the wedding and crash into the wedding cake at the very beginning. Both Henry and Alex have such different personalities but they are each funny, likable, relevant, and sexy in their own ways. I felt like I was reading a fairy tale where the two characters just happened to be men and it was charming, tender, and sweet. I loved it.
I could easily see this becoming a rom-com movie because the message, characters and story are just so great and I loved the political angle even though this book wasn’t about politics, it had some and I thought it added a lot of interest to the overall story.
So here’s the big question that people asked me about a lot while I was reading this one—-is there a lot of sex in it? I mean, yes—yes lots of sex—however it wasn’t crass and it wasn’t nitty gritty detailed either. There was a lot of cursing though and for someone like me who curses like a sailor, it wasn’t offensive, but others should be warned that there is a substantial amount of language and explicit references in this one.
I was fully invested in Alex and Henry’s story and I loved the overall story here. I mean it is a little racy and probably geared toward a more open minded audience but it was such a fun and charming read that I have been recommending to my friends right and left!
The Lit Bitch 
I read it last year, but I barely remember anything about it anymore. All I know is that I enjoyed it but wasn’t wowed by it. But I was told the audiobook is fabulous, so I want to give the audio version a try. I love all things British, and I’m excited about the narration.