[Review] The State of Us - Shaun David Hutchinson

Summary: When Dean Arnault’s mother decided to run for president, it wasn’t a surprise to anyone, least of all her son. But that doesn’t mean Dean was ready for the public scrutiny or the 24-hour news cycle that comes along with it. As far as everyone knows, Dean is button-down shirt wearing, church-going, straight A-high school student. Yet no one knows who Dean really is, not even himself—at least not until Dean meets Dre Rosario. Finally, there’s someone in Dean’s life who actually understands him. The only problem: Dre’s the son of the Democratic opposition.

But when Dean and Dre find themselves locked together in the green room before the start of that first debate, they’re surprised at their instant connection. And as their meet-ups on the campaign trail become less left to chance, their friendship quickly becomes the deepest connection either of the boys have ever known. But if it wasn’t hard enough being on opposite sides of the aisle, a shady third-party candidate suddenly claims to have “pictures that will change everything,” pictures that could cause Dean and Dre’s world to explode around them.

It’s a new modern-day, star-crossed romance about what it really means to love your country—and yourself—from acclaimed author Shaun David Hutchinson. (Pub Date: Jun 02, 2020)

If you liked Red, White, and Royal Blue, this simpler version is surely your thing.

3.5.


Because their parents are of completely different points of view, Dre and Dean always felt the two couldn't get along. But after being locked down for some time and exchanging contact, they find out they're closer than they'd ever imagined. Maybe even in love. But the relationship could cost not only their parents' election but the future of the country with the sudden rise of an independent candidate, who is better described and the devil incarnated.

As mentioned, the comparison to Red, White, and Royal Blue is inevitable. But I'd say RWRB is still the better book, for a more round plot and characters, even though I found The State of Us much more pleasing to read, exactly because while there is some drama, it's just the strictly necessary, plus in RWRB the couple got together in the middle of the book and the rest was even more boring drama. For here, although they do get together much before the ending, the book knew how to hold the story. I also prefer my YA's with less smut scenes, and RWRB was just too much for two teenagers.

But focusing on The State of Us, now that is out of the way, their romance could have been cuter, yes, but it was already quite cute. I loved how they dealt with one another, even when they didn't understand why they disagreed. One of the characters is possibly demisexual, too, which entails lots of welcome explanation on the spectrum of the asexuality. Though what I really liked was Dean's dilemma, being a Republican's son but also queer, how could he come out without disappointing his parents?

To be honest, though, what I liked the most was the half with the bit of a mystery. I can't spoil anything, so I can't explain well, unfortunately, but when it comes to YA romances, you don't usually get much more from other genres. The mystery solution was quite obvious, by the way, but how they dealt with it and the bit of action and plot twist involved was exciting.

This is not as a universal (?) read as Red, White, and Royal Blue was, and you won't get any royals (that I can remember of), but this couple is also super cute, the characters are lovely, and the book is just the right length for an enjoyable YA read, even if the plot is something we've seen around.


Honest review based on an ARC provided by Edelweiss. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

Rating: 4 out of 5.