Is ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Based on a Book? Where To Buy The Romance Novel

Prime Video‘s latest buzzy rom-com, Red, White & Royal Blue is now streaming on the platform.

The film, which marks the directorial debut of Tony-award winning playwright Matthew López, begins with a big cake and a full-blown international incident.

When First Son of the United States Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez) and Prince of England Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) have a physical altercation at a royal wedding, they’re forced to fake a very public friendship as damage control. Over time, that fake friendship becomes real, and the real friendship blossoms into something more…

The film also stars Uma Thurman as the President of the United States alongside Stephen Fry, Sarah Shahi, Ellie Bamber, Rachel Hilson, and Clifton Collins Jr.

Is Red, White & Royal Blue Based On A Book?

Yes! Red, White & Royal Blue is based on the 2019 new adult novel by author Casey McQuiston.

(What’s “new adult,” you ask? It’s an up and coming genre that focuses on characters who are not quite teens, but not exactly full-blown adults yet.)

In the novel’s acknowledgements, McQuiston wrote that they first got the idea for the book in early 2016, and never imagined what it would turn out to be.

They also wrote, “What I hoped to do, and what I hope I have done with this book by the time you’ve finished it, my dear reader, is to be a spark of joy and hope that you needed.”

Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime Membership ($15/month). Learn more here.

In June 2019, about a month after the novel was released, it debuted on the New York Times Best Sellers list, and since, has spent 23 consecutive weeks on the list.

Where to Buy Red, White & Royal Blue:

There are currently a few editions of Red, White & Royal Blue available to purchase.

The first is in paperback, which is what the book was originally published in back in 2019. Both Amazon and Barnes and Noble have the paperback with the original pink covers in stock, and you can also snag a paperback with the movie tie-in cover from Barnes and Noble.

In October 2022, the book was released in hardcover for the first time with bonuses like illustrated endpapers showing key moments from the book and a new chapter in Henry’s POV. Amazon and Barnes and Noble both have the collector’s edition available for less than the $30 list price.

Those who prefer to read on e-readers, tablets, or phones can also purchase a copy of Red, White & Royal Blue in that format. Depending on your preference, you can snag the Kindle e-book from Amazon or the Nook e-book from Barnes and Noble, both for $10.

Finally, if you like to read with your ears, the audiobook production of Red, White & Royal Blue is available on both Audible and Barnes and Noble. Both retailers offer a subscription-based plan where $15/month will get you one credit to spend on an audiobook — your first book is free on both, too.

Can I Read Red, White & Royal Blue for Free?

You sure can!

Right now, Red, White & Royal Blue is part of Kindle Unlimited‘s library. KU is Amazon’s subscription-based library that gives members access to thousands and thousands of books to read on a Kindle e-reader or with the Kindle app on smartphones and tablets.

New Kindle Unlimited subscribers automatically get one month for free before being charged the standard $12/month price, so technically, if you cancel before the date your trial ends, you can read Red, White & Royal Blue and as many other KU books as you want (including McQuiston’s second and third novels)!

New members can also take advantage of an extended discounted trial period — your first two months will cost just $5 total, instead of $24.

For more like this, check out the Decider Shopping section.