Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Playing the Palace

All in all, a cute fairytale romance. The approximately six week courting period was all very breezy, granted, and the ex was a jealous nitwit out to sabotage what the protagonist managed to find himself with, but overall it was a pretty enjoyable book. Parts of it did stretch suspension of disbelief, but the whole point of the fairytale romance is to just go with it, no? ;)

I also enjoyed the side-characters, both Team James+Nana the indomitable Queen and Carter's deep bond with his family and friends. Catherine and Miriam's quick friendship was absolutely something I could see happening between two old ladies who are out of damns to give.

Content Warnings

ladylaurenexplorer's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

So I like the book. I think the romance was just enough angst and drama filling in such a short time that kept me engaged. I do wish it had more in-depth steam, instead of the fading to black moments. Their dynamics leave something to be desired. I don’t think they would have a very healthy relationship in the long run! But I do consider this to be a reread because it’s so short into the point!

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plumpaperbacks's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

I’m always hesitant to berate books, since so much time and effort went into writing them and I put considerably less of both into reading them. However, try as I may, I can’t think of anything positive to say about this book. It was a train wreck I couldn’t look away from. Though I picked it up because of the similarities between it and my all-time favorite romance, Red, White and Royal Blue, there’s really no comparison to be made.

Playing the Palace was a story of insta-love between two poorly developed characters, with a slew of rather shallow, stereotypical side characters and an absurd number of moments where I cringed so hard, I had to put the book down. A few especially cringey parts included Carter and Edgar going into the former’s bedroom to have sex while his roommates were home, Edgar using a lion puppet to ask Carter for sex, and Carter repeatedly asking his framed photo of Ruth Bader Ginsburg questions and imagining her answers.

Honestly, I’m not sure what else to say about this book. The whole thing felt rushed, and kind of like a fever dream. It was clear that Rudnick was trying to do a lot of things with PTP, but all he succeeded in, as far as I’m concerned, is making a mess. I’m sorry to say it, but there’s just no way for me to sugarcoat that and still be honest. 🤷🏼

Representation

gay Jewish protagonist
gay love interest
queer Black side characters (includes gay and sapphic rep)
achillean romance
achillean side couple

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caitlinjadams's review

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

The dialogue is specific and sharp and great. The plot would be fine if it felt earned, but again and again something comes out of nowhere and you learn about a monkey wrench that’s never been hinted at right when conflict is needed. It gets old.

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stardustandrockets's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is one raging dumpster fire after another and I can't quite figure out exactly how I feel about it. It seems so unnecessarily dramatic for the sake of being dramatic. I thought it was going to be like RWRB, but it's way messier. Which isn't always a bad thing, but in this case it might be.

Carter is one messy human—which makes sense after being cheated on for years and being made to feel inadequate. Edgar is a closed-off royal who doesn't trust easily and has to watch his every step because he's in the public eye. He falls for Carter the first time they met and the rest is on fire.

Each chapter is more drama-filled than the last it seems. I didn't think anything could get more dramatic that puking up your soul on International television, but boy was I proven wrong. Several of Carter's "fuck ups" seemed to come out of left field and gave me whiplash, leaving me thinking, "How did we get here?" I liked this one okay *at this point I haven't finished yet*, but I don't think it'll be one I'll own (unless I find it at a used bookstore).

I had high hopes, but going in expecting it to be RWRB may have been too high of an expectation. Idk. It feels to me that this one could have been longer and a bit more fleshed out and less disjointed. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it overall. James was definitely a bright spot for me in this book because he was witty, sarcastic, and everything I'd want in a gay, Alfred-esque, butler-type character. Though things felt a bit rushed and the pacing was weird, I give it 4 stars despite all of that. It was a fun read and definitely a palate cleanser after reading so much dark academia.

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anbcanty's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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irisheyz77's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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