Playing the Palace

Let's just get this out of the way: No, this book is not [b:Red, White & Royal Blue 41150487 Red, White & Royal Blue Casey McQuiston https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566742512l/41150487.SY75.jpg 61657690]. It doesn't try to be, and there's no rule that says we can only have one book about an American guy falling in love with a British prince. Playing the Palace is more of a fairy tale romp, a rom-com movie waiting to be filmed. Paul Rudnick, a noted gay playwright, knows how to be funny, and much of the book is plain shtick. Our narrator Carter Ogden is an insecure, recently heartbroken, wisecracking Jewish event planner who meets Prince Edgar whilst coordinating a United Nations press conference. Carter gives Edgar a few tips about loosening up before his speech, they almost kiss, and we're off and running. The Prince is proudly gay and out, so that doesn't factor into the challenges facing the two men. The dramatic tension centers primarily on Carter fearing he is not good enough for a prince, and the wacky hijinks that ensue when he tries to fit into Edgar's world. Of course Carter has a cliched loud, pushy Jewish family so that leads to plenty of humorous if stereotypical interactions as well.There is very little attempt to portray a realistic picture of the British monarchy. If you don't mind the Queen of England literally cockblocking a late night booty call, or Carter's Great Aunt Miriam stuffing extra rolls into the Queen's purse just in case she gets hungry later, you will likely enjoy this story. Carter seems like a (much) younger version of the author (always a bit suspicious of someone age 60+ writing a Millennial MC), and Edgar comes off as a bit one-dimensional. The “free-spirited American shows stuffy British royal how to unwind” trope is nothing new, but it's entertaining nonetheless.I doubt this book will have the cultural impact of RWARB, but taken on its own merits it's campy fun. It will make you chuckle more than swoon, but you'll be smiling when you finish, which is no small feat these days.ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for honest review.