She is kind and awkward, a bookworm from a literary family who speaks like it’s 1800 and relates better to book characters than her IRL classmates. In Amanda Sellet’s YA debut, Mary Porter-Malcolm is the new girl at the public school. This is definitely a 2021 highlight for me, and brings the rom-com genre to a new level. I think this book will help a lot of people (myself included) learn more if they are curious, both about themselves and the myriad identities we can all possess. The guidance given to him by loved ones is tender and insightful. Second is Charlie's exploration of his own sexual orientation. Both Dev and Charlie are able to love someone because of all their pieces and parts, not in spite of them but they're still learning that they themselves deserve such love in return. They are a characteristic of many people in the book, and a genuine component of the main love story. First-the sensitivity and respect used towards mental health challenges. What really makes this book incredible to me is two-fold. The plot-a reality TV show romance between the Bachelor (or Prince Charming, in this case) and his producer-is fun and precious. Even as someone who doesn't tend towards rom-coms, I truly loved this book.

I am hooked and cannot wait for the next two installments.įans of Red, White & Royal Blue, get ready: Charlie and Dev are the new couple in town and you will adore them. The slow-burn relationships, as they all learning to truly see and trust each other, are splendid. Wes and Tessa are delightful Corrick and Tessa are dynamite. The use of morally-grey protagonists and the complexity of politics vs. The main characters are all deeply wounded by traumatic parental deaths they cope in drastic ways, whether by cruelty, coldness, or trying to heal the kingdom's ills. For me, it's the outstanding character arcs and THAT TWIST that make it juicy and delicious and compelling. In the castle, King Harriston and his brother, the King's Justice, Prince Corrick try to balance the expectation of their consul members with a looming rebellion against systemic inequality. Two friends, Tessa and Wes, risk their lives nightly to Robin Hood the cure into the hands of their poor neighbors.

The premise of the story is simple enough: a mysterious illness is sweeping the kingdom, and the cure is unfairly distributed between wealthy citizens and the rest of the populace. I would cancel plans to get back to these pages if needed.

Count me as the newest member of the Brigid Kemmerer fan club.

By the book amanda sellet summary