Casey McQuiston
Casey McQuiston has published 5 books across 2 series. The recommended reading order starts with Red, White & Royal Blue (2019).
Casey McQuiston is an American author who writes romantic comedies and has also published journalism in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Bon Appetit. Originally from southern Louisiana, she studied journalism at Louisiana State University before working in magazine publishing and eventually turning to fiction.
Her 2019 debut novel, Red, White & Royal Blue, tells the story of the son of America's first female President who falls in love with the prince of England. The book landed her a 2020 Alex Award and won both Best Debut Novel and Best Romance Novel at the 11th Annual Goodreads Choice Awards, establishing her as a major voice in contemporary romance. McQuiston now lives in New York City.
Shelf & Shadows
Order of Anthologies
- Tagsparanormal-romanceshort-storiesyoung-adultromancefantasyhorrorDescriptionCasey McQuiston returns with a story that exists somewhere between the living and the dead, where love refuses to obey the rules of mortality. In "Eternally Yours," a character navigates the strange terrain of devotion that won't let go—even when it should, even when the natural order demands it. The premise alone asks the question that drives everything: what happens when the heart insists on forever, but forever isn't supposed to be possible? McQuiston, known for crafting romances that bend genre and expectation, brings that same inventive energy to this anthology entry. The writing pulses with the author's signature wit and emotional precision, but here it's tempered by something darker, more elegiac. There's a haunting quality to the narrative, a sense that every tender moment is shadowed by impossibility. The stakes are existential—not just whether love will survive, but whether it should. This is a story about the cost of holding on. About the space between wanting and having, between presence and absence. McQuiston doesn't offer easy answers or tidy resolutions; instead, the narrative lingers in the uncomfortable truth that some loves are beautiful precisely because they can't last. For readers who crave romance with teeth, who want to feel the ache alongside the longing, "Eternally Yours" delivers something both achingly familiar and unsettlingly strange.Publication dateSeptember 20, 2022Amazon rating4.2/5Print length416LanguageEnglishPublisherViking Books for Young Readers
Order of Standalone Novels
- TagsromancechildrenDescriptionWhen his mother becomes President of the United States, Alex Claremont-Diaz is thrust into the spotlight as America's answer to royalty—handsome, charismatic, brilliant, and perfect for the White House's millennial outreach. But there's a complication across the Atlantic: Alex can't stand Prince Henry of Wales, and when a photo of their very public altercation hits the tabloids, it threatens to become an international incident. The solution is pure political theater—stage a friendship, flood Instagram with carefully curated moments of reconciliation, and smooth over the diplomatic mess. What neither Alex nor Henry expects is for the fake smiles and scripted banter to evolve into something real, something that catches them both off guard. As their secret romance deepens, the stakes climb impossibly high: a presidential campaign hangs in the balance, two nations watch from the wings, and the weight of expectation threatens to crush what they're building together. This is a story about finding the courage to become who you're meant to be when the whole world is watching, about love that refuses to stay hidden even when discretion seems like the only option. McQuiston has crafted a romance that's as much about personal transformation as it is about the electric chemistry between two young men navigating impossible circumstances, asking whether authenticity and ambition can ever truly coexist.Publication dateMay 14, 2019Amazon rating4.5/5Print length448LanguageEnglishPublisherSt. Martin's Griffin
- TagsromancefantasyDescriptionTwenty-three years old and already certain that magic is a lie—that's August when she lands in New York City, armed with cynicism and a determination to prove that going through life alone is the only sensible option. The city greets her with a job slinging pancakes at a 24-hour diner, a cramped apartment full of eccentric roommates, and subway commutes punctuated by electrical failures and the dull hum of routine. Then Jane steps into her train car, and everything August thought she knew begins to unravel. Jane is all leather jackets and swoopy hair, rough edges softened by a smile that makes August's heart do things she didn't think it was capable of anymore. What starts as a subway crush—something to look forward to in the monotony of her days—quickly becomes something far stranger and more wonderful. Because Jane isn't just dressed like she walked out of the 1970s punk scene; she's actually been displaced from that era, stuck riding the Q train through decades that aren't hers. Now August, who swore off believing in anything resembling magic or fate, finds herself digging into the very past she tried to escape, determined to save the girl lost in time. It's a romance that asks you to believe in the impossible, to trust that sometimes the universe conspires to put exactly the right person in your path, even if she's from another decade entirely.Publication dateJune 1, 2021Amazon rating4.4/5Print length432LanguageEnglishPublisherGriffin
- Tagsyoung-adultromancehorrorDescriptionThere's something electric about a mystery that begins with a kiss—especially when it's delivered by the golden girl of an Alabama high school right before she vanishes without a trace, leaving behind only questions and three very confused people who each received the same cryptic farewell. Chloe Green has spent years as Shara Wheeler's academic rival, locked in a battle for valedictorian at their conservative Christian school, and she definitely didn't expect to be kissed by her or pulled into the scavenger hunt Shara left behind. Now Chloe finds herself reluctantly teaming up with Shara's quarterback boyfriend and her chatty neighbor boy, following clues that wind through their small town and force her to see beyond the carefully constructed facades everyone wears. What starts as an investigation becomes something more complicated—a reckoning with identity, belonging, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we're supposed to be. McQuiston crafts a sharp, funny exploration of queer identity in spaces that don't always make room for it, wrapped in the propulsive energy of a treasure hunt that matters less for where it leads than for what it reveals along the way. This is a story about the masks we wear, the people we become when we stop performing, and the unexpected connections that form when three people realize they've all been seeing the same person—and themselves—incompletely.Publication dateMay 3, 2022Amazon rating4.3/5Print length368LanguageEnglishPublisherWednesday Books
- TagsromanceDescriptionFour years after their breakup, Theo and Kit find themselves booked on the same European food and wine tour—a trip they'd planned together back when they were still in love. Neither is willing to give up their seat, so they strike a deal: whoever can sleep with the most people during the three-week journey wins. It's petty, it's messy, and it's exactly the kind of chaos two heartbroken exes might devise. Casey McQuiston serves up a bisexual romcom that's equal parts spicy and tender, set against sun-drenched vineyards and intimate tasting menus across France, Spain, and Italy. The competition becomes a backdrop for something more complicated—lingering attraction, unresolved hurt, and the question of whether some people are meant to find their way back to each other. What sets this apart is McQuiston's refusal to sand down the edges. Theo and Kit are flawed, funny, and unapologetically queer, navigating desire and regret with a rawness that feels lived-in. The European setting isn't just scenery; it's sensory, almost decadent, mirroring the indulgence and risk of their wager. This is a second-chance romance for readers who want heat, heart, and characters who don't have all the answers. McQuiston writes longing like few others can—sharp enough to sting, sweet enough to savor.Publication dateAugust 6, 2024Amazon rating4.2/5Print length395LanguageEnglishPublisherSt. Martin's Griffin
Frequently Asked Questions about Casey McQuiston
Casey McQuiston writes standalone novels, so there is no required reading order. Readers can start with any of their books and enjoy them individually. Some readers prefer to start with the book that introduced them to the author's work, while others may choose based on the premise or cover that appeals most.
A good place to start with Casey McQuiston's books is with Red, White & Royal Blue, published in 2019. This novel was their debut and gained significant attention. It introduces the author's characteristic blend of romance, humor, and engaging characters. Following this, One Last Stop, published in 2021, offers another distinct standalone story.
No, Casey McQuiston's books are standalone novels, meaning they do not need to be read in any particular order. Each book features a unique story and characters, allowing readers to begin with whichever title captures their interest. You can pick up any of their novels and dive right in without needing prior knowledge of other books.
Casey McQuiston primarily writes standalone novels. Each of their published books, including Red, White & Royal Blue, One Last Stop, and I Kissed Shara Wheeler, tells a complete and independent story. They have also contributed to an anthology. There are no series that link these individual novels.
Casey McQuiston has written four standalone novels: Red, White & Royal Blue (2019), One Last Stop (2021), I Kissed Shara Wheeler (2022), and The Pairing (2024). They also contributed to the anthology Eternally Yours in 2022. This brings their total to five published works across these categories.
The first book Casey McQuiston wrote and published was Red, White & Royal Blue, released in 2019. This debut novel established their voice and style, focusing on a contemporary romance with a political backdrop. It set the stage for their subsequent standalone novels, which explore similar themes of love, identity, and connection.
Casey McQuiston's most recent book is The Pairing, published in 2024. This novel continues the author's tradition of writing standalone stories that explore modern relationships and personal growth. It offers a fresh narrative for readers to engage with, following their previous works.
Casey McQuiston writes contemporary romance novels. Their books often feature themes of love, identity, and finding connection, frequently set against relatable, modern backdrops. While primarily focused on romance, their stories also incorporate elements of humor and character-driven narratives.
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We verified the reading order for Casey McQuiston's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.
Last verified: May 2026
Shelf & Shadows. (…). “Casey McQuiston Books in Order.” Retrieved …, from https://www.shelfandshadows.com/authors/casey-mcquiston