Okay look. I am reading Red White and Royal Blue. The movie, while in spirit in some ways has captured the same heart, is like Guardian cdrama to Guardian novel. I love them both and they're both a bit different experiences. But wow does it feel GOOD to watch a movie that makes me smile and my heart ache with things i relate to as well as happy moments I long to have. And on that note, a list of queer romance movies I recommend for cheering you up on a heavy day:

Red White and Royal Blue: theres a touch of realism in how it hits the heart, a heaping helping of fantastical with the premise of son of the president getting with the prince of england, a dollop of politics (which I've not seen in a romcom before much so I was happy for it, but if you want more get the book), a lot of loving references to the 90s kids generation in a way that makes this romcom hit in a way old 90s romcoms never could For Me be as close to home, and it's just <3 it's The Romcom for me.

But I'm a Cheerleader: gay conversion camp but make it campy, save the queers and help us love ourselves and accept we can be Whoever We Are (a message that applies to all watcher honestly), a very loving make love scene with violins that rwrb's scene reminded me of (in a good way, queer movies deserve more of this tbh), natasha Leone and Clea Duvall and Dante Basco (I'm gayer just reading that), and best of all? The cheerleader falls in love and her love chooses her back. This is THE first truly happy queer romance film I watched as a teenager, had a happier outcome than my own life at the time, and really made me believe I deserved happiness and good things and that I belonged to existing in this world as myself as much as anyone does. The overt queer politics in this film means it might hit too close to home if you're not up for that, but it's handled with humor (a LOT like rwrb handles politics) and so I'd say if you're looking for political and optimistic? This is another excellent choice. This will forever be one of my favorite movies.

DEBS: I especially recommend this to any queer teen girls out there, and any former teen girls who wished they had their own teen romcoms with lesbians growing up! It's like Agent Cody Banks meets Charlie's Angels, tonally it's Totally Spies and Teen Movie 100%, so it's silly and campy and nothing is ever actually horrifically serious and sad. A teen spy girl (our Charlie's angels for queer teen girls) falls in love with Lucy Diamond, the biggest Super Villian in the world. What ensues is falling in love, overcoming differences, overcoming heteronormativity, and friends loving and supporting you when push comes to shove. It is absolutely a fun action romance romp for queer girls. It's Charlie's angels if they were all gay and made for the queer girls to crush on Especially. It's delightful and lighthearted and fun.