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Red, White & Royal Blue
Book Club Night - Cozy night

Red, White & Royal Blue

Casey McQuiston

A swoony, big-hearted romance between the First Son of the United States and the Prince of Wales, full of witty banter, political hijinks, and tender longing. It is the literary equivalent of a warm hug with a side of butterflies.

Reading level: Easy Best for: A club that loves heart-fluttery reads, witty dialogue, and a happy place to escape to

Discussion

Warm-up

  1. 1.When you opened this book for the first time, where were you, and what kind of mood were you in? Did it match the cozy energy of the story?
  2. 2.Was there a scene early on that made you smile or laugh out loud and decide, yes, I am settling in for this one?

Digging in

  1. 1.The book leans hard into the joy of secret letters and late-night messages. Have you ever had a correspondence (texts, emails, notes) that felt like its own little world?
  2. 2.Alex and Henry both carry the weight of family expectations. Which moments in the book made you feel tender toward them, like you wanted to hand them a cup of tea?
  3. 3.The story moves between the White House, Kensington, campaign stops, and quiet hideaways. Which setting did you most want to curl up inside, and why?
  4. 4.Food, drinks, and small comforts pop up a lot (turkey chili, scones, late-night snacks). What comfort food would YOU bring into Alex or Henry's life if you could?

Going deep

  1. 1.Without giving anything away, was there a moment that made you tear up or hold your breath? What was it about that scene that landed for you personally?
  2. 2.This book is often described as a comfort read people return to. What did it offer you (hope, escape, validation, joy) that you needed right now in your life?

On the table

Claremont family turkey chili with cornbread
A nod to Alex's Texas roots and the warm, family-table feeling threaded through the book
Buttery scones with clotted cream and jam
An easy Henry-in-Kensington moment, perfect for a cozy afternoon spread
Loaded grilled cheese trio with tomato soup shooters
Late-night-snack energy for two boys sneaking around historic kitchens

To sip

Earl Grey with honey and milk (no alcohol)
Henry's quiet, comforting cup, ideal for sipping during the soft scenes
Spiked hot apple cider with cinnamon
Campaign-trail autumn warmth in a mug, gently boozy and very cozy
White wine spritzer with lemon
A breezy nod to garden parties and royal soirees, light and easy to sip all night

Run of show

7:00
Soft landing
Greet guests with mugs of Earl Grey or cider. Blankets out, playlist low, no rush.
7:15
Comfort food spread
Serve chili, scones, and grilled cheese buffet-style so people can graze and chat.
7:35
Warm-up questions
Start with the two warm-up prompts to ease everyone in, no pressure to be deep yet.
7:55
Theme chat
Move into the theme questions. Let tangents happen, this is a feelings night.
8:30
Trivia + bookmarks
Pass out trivia cards and bookmarks. Keep it low-stakes and giggly.
8:50
Deep questions + scorecards
End with the tender prompts and have everyone fill in their scorecard before goodbyes.

Host tips

  • Set the room with lots of soft lighting, throw blankets, and floor pillows so people physically relax into the conversation.
  • Make it explicit that crying, swooning, or going off on a tangent are all welcome. Cozy means low pressure.
  • Have a few extra paperback copies or a stack of sticky-noted favorite pages on the table for anyone who wants to flip and share.

Playlist

Soft, glowy pop and indie love songs for candlelight and slow smiles

  1. 01Lover - Taylor Swift
  2. 02Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood
  3. 03Your Song - Elton John
  4. 04Adore You - Harry Styles
  5. 05Cornelia Street - Taylor Swift
  6. 06Lovely Day - Bill Withers
  7. 07She - Dodie
  8. 08Heartbeats - Jose Gonzalez

Trivia

  1. 1. Who wrote Red, White & Royal Blue? (Casey McQuiston)
  2. 2. In what year was the novel first published? (2019)
  3. 3. What is the name of the fictional First Son at the heart of the book? (Alex Claremont-Diaz)
  4. 4. What royal title does Henry hold? (Prince of Wales)
  5. 5. What is the first name of Alex's older sister in the book? (June)
  6. 6. Which streaming service released the film adaptation in 2023? (Amazon Prime Video)
  7. 7. What genre best describes the book? (Romantic comedy / contemporary romance)
  8. 8. Casey McQuiston's debut novel is which book? (Red, White & Royal Blue)

Rate the book

Swoon factor ☆☆☆☆☆
Comfort level ☆☆☆☆☆
Banter ☆☆☆☆☆
Tear-up moments ☆☆☆☆☆
Reread potential ☆☆☆☆☆
One word for how this book made me feel: ______________________
The scene I want to live inside: ______________________
Who I am pressing this book into next: ______________________
You're invited
Tea, Chili, and a Royal Love Story

Come curl up for a cozy night of Red, White & Royal Blue. Bring your softest sweater, your favorite feelings, and an appetite for comfort food.