Actual rating: 2.5 stars

Thanks to Random House Children’s via NetGalley for giving me a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I ended up getting a physical ARC from a local indie bookstore before I was approved for the eARC.

Well, this was and wasn’t what I expected it to be.

Oh boy. Perhaps this was filled with too much drama for my taste. There’s a lot going on. The book has four POVs, and it took me a while to settle into each character. This mainly had to do with everything feeling shallow–too surface level. It’s not like the author doesn’t give a backstory to each character, but I found it difficult to care a bit. I didn’t particularly care for one POV because I didn’t like the character at all. I sympathized with the two other POVs, Samantha and Beatrice’s, while completely agreeing with a lot of what Nina, Samantha’s best friend, had to say in her POV. Perhaps if there had been less of this, and more energy spent on digging deeper, I would have liked this book more. The concept was good, though I have a wandering through in the back of my head. The whole American Revolution was about rejecting the British king and now I have to believe the American people bent a knee to give George Washington a crown? And he accepted? That part is too hard to believe. Due to this alternate history route, we also see royal families in other countries (even ones who no longer have a royal family today) and how America is even broken up into different duke and earldoms. I mean, I really live for this stuff in general. I expected something lush and sumptuous but unfortunately this book really feel flat for me.

You know what I really would give an arm and a leg for? A whole book focused on Beatrice and her actual love interest. I felt like so much could have been explored there but again…there’s the falling flat part. The internal struggle she and Samantha both faced really captured me though. All the characters here are older–Beatrice is 21, while Samantha and Nina are both college students. It fell into the “upper YA” category that probably doesn’t actually exist but here I am. Maybe that’s why I wanted more? Who knows.

Let me tell you what though, I absolutely did not like Daphne. She’s shallow and self-absorbed. There’s one particular character who sees right through her facade and for good reason. I don’t think even Daphne knows who she is or what she wants because, like everyone else in this book, people have been telling who and what she ought to be so she assumed the mold. It’s tragic, really.

The prince, Jefferson, also seemed kind of wishy-washy. I don’t think he fought hard enough for the girl he truly wanted. I can’t figure out if this means he’s just a nice person or he’s just…meh about everything.

I haven’t read McGee’s previous series, The Thousandth Floor, so I can’t compare this book to her previous work. I met her last year during an multiple author book tour and bought The Thousandth Floor because she made it sound so interesting. Well, surprise surprise that I haven’t read it yet. 🙊 The writing style wasn’t bad, per se, it was just…lackluster, hence the whole “I wish there was more” vibe I keep giving the book. This doesn’t mean I won’t read her previous series; I’m simply not sure I would read the next book in this series. The ending was such a shocker, and that was mainly due to the fact that I didn’t know there was a sequel, LOL.

Katharine McGee quickly became one of my favorite authors with the release of The Thousandth Floor. If you've read that series, you know that she loves writing messy romance and complicated plot lines that are portrayed amongst numerous different perspectives. American Royals keeps this trend going on both counts, with much success. Beatrice has always been the perfect daughter. She's never really been given the chance to do anything otherwise; she's next in line for the throne of America. Meanwhile, her younger siblings Samantha and Jefferson are free to do nearly anything they want, because they aren't going to inherit the throne. Understandably, this causes both parties (particularly Beatrice and Samantha) to have resentment for one another, as they think that the other has the perfect life. There are quite a few swoony boys and catty girls in American Royals, and romance that blooms where I didn't see it coming. I was fully invested in everyone's story, and there wasn't a single character's perspective that I didn't look forward to reading. If it's not clear, I loved American Royals. It lived up to every bit of hype that I had built up in my head for it. I gave it 5/5 stars. I'm already anxiously awaiting the day I get my hands on the next book.

Imagine if George Washington became the King of the America. That is the backdrop of American Royals. We meet current day royal sisters Beatrice and Samantha, along with Sam’s twin brother Jefferson. Included in POVs are some friends that are “just commoners” and another aspiring to join the royal family. Beatrice has been groomed her entire life to be the first queen and as it gets closer to reality, she begins to feel trapped. Sam is the “spare” and always feels second rate to her perfect sister. All the siblings and their friends are either just out of college or about to go and are feeling life’s pressures on them. All take it a little differently. This is a fun coming of age type book that has Gossip Girl vibes to it. It was enjoyable to see all the character either embrace their roles or act out. The only thing I didn’t really like is that no one seemed to get a happy ending on this. As in, all the acting out and trying to go against the standards was for naught. Maybe in the upcoming books we will see more of that

Katharine McGee’s novel imagines an alternate reality in which George Washington was not voted president of the newly independent United States of America, but was installed as king of the new country instead. So now, there’s a king of America, whose oldest daughter, Beatrice, is next in line for the crown, and who also has twins named Jefferson and Samantha. They face all the concerns royals do, or at least that we commoners imagine royals have to deal with, as evidenced by popular books and movies.

This book has one clever idea to recommend it, but the rest is as cliché as it gets: American Royals copies familiar storylines used in movies such as “The Princess Diaries” and “The Prince and Me” and trots them out in predictable fashion. The reader can guess what’s coming next: Here’s the first crisis one set of young lovers will face, then conquer, then here’s the next they will face and conquer — for now. There’s another set of young lovers with everything going against them, and, oh, another!; the story also features a manipulative young woman, a clear villain, who will let nothing stand in her way of marrying a prince.

This is all not to say that a book full of tropes can’t be a guilty pleasure; it can be juicy and fun and romantic and addictive. But this one is just a bit too write-by-the-numbers to be pleasurable. The reader can practically see the recommended outline of a standard book lying underneath like a skeleton, thinly covered by the finery that dresses it up. The dialogue is reasonably well done, but there is too much in the way of exposition, which is stilted, rather amateurish, and not as engaging.

I guess I’m disappointed because I had high hopes for this being a good beach read, like The Royal We or The Heir and the Spare, which were both predictable but well-written enough I was able to sink in and enjoy being transported.

Rated: Mild. This is supposedly a young adult book, but I’d really put it in the new adult category. The characters are all over 18, high school graduates and college students. It’s definitely mild for an older audience; there is actually only one instance of moderate language (maybe two?). Sexual content includes kissing and references to sex happening or having happened but no details. There are references to these characters (young adults of almost or just at legal drinking age) sometimes drinking too much and making some bad decisions when drunk.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It was a nice break from too much drama or mystery. This focuses on an alternate history where America is a monarchy and its current royal family. Beatrice has been training her whole life to be the first Queen of America and her timeline is put into rapid speed all of a sudden. The story also focuses on her royal siblings and a few other teens they are close to. I think I can get several of my teen readers to pick this one up and I anticipate the next one (it seems there will be one?).

What if at the end of America’s Revolutionary War, George Washington was offered a crown and what if he said yes? This is the entire premise of Katherine McGee‘s new novel American Royals. Hooked from the first words, I became deeply committed to the modern day lives of the House of Washington. While I was initially drawn to the story because of the alternate history, I kept reading for the political intrigue and drama. If you like me are fascinated by the British monarchs, then by all means do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK!

Beatrice is the eldest Washington and the first in line for the throne. Not only is she the first in line, she will also be America’s first reigning queen. She never steps a toe out of line, does everything her parents require of her, all in the name of the crown and the country she will one day serve. Now her parents are requiring her to marry. They’ve given her a list of pre-approved candidates to choose from. But her heart wants someone else.

Samantha is one half of a duo, her twin brother Jefferson makes up the other half. In Sam’s eyes, Jeff is the male version of her elder sister. He can do no wrong in the eyes of her parents or the press. Sam, on the other hand, stays in trouble. She is the “spare,” the extra, the second in line for the throne. No one cares about her, at least that’s what she thinks. She is determined to be the opposite of her perfect sister. Sam is loud, parties, speaks her mind, and lets nothing hold her back. How else can she make an impact on the world?

Nina Gonzalez is Sam’s best friend. Her mother works for the Washington family and has since Nina was little. It is how she first met the precocious princess. Sam and Jeff became Nina’s constant and closest friends. But that friendship changes when Nina finds herself falling in love with the prince. Nina struggles with her feelings of inadequacy, knowing America will never accept a commoner with their prince. Will she take a chance at happiness with him anyways?

Daphne Deighton is the daughter of American nobility and the ex-girlfriend of Prince Jefferson. America’s Sweetheart to the press, Daphne is the perfect choice for Jeff to settle down with….at least on the outside. This girl is nothing that she appears to be. Determined to win a spot at Jefferson’s side, she will stop at nothing til she gets what she wants – a crown. The question is just how far she will she have to go.

Alternating chapters among the four girls’ POV, American Royals is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Twists and turns around every corner, cliched-but-can’t-stop-reading drama, and oh-so-sweet romance moves this book to the top of my favorites list. Nina’s perspective is by far my favorite as she gives a commoner’s view of the palace, political intrigue, and the royals. Beatrice is a close second with her sacrifices and secret romance.

American Royals is a must read and I cannot wait for more!

I really enjoyed the “what if” aspect of the story. The Washingtons all have their own problems, like normal people and Beatrice is going to be the first Queen, ever! For 250 years it’s only been Kings and she has the pressure on her.
I really like the different povs that McGee writes and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next story. I believe there is going to be a sequel.

I loved every freaking minute of this book. It's one of the most fun and compulsively readable books I've had the pleasure to read. It's full of heart, and full of the best kind of drama. It's basically a well-written soap opera, and I am not mad. I am just going to gush about all the reasons I love it, yeah?

• Family (and friends) first. There is just such an incredible focus on family and friend dynamics. And don't get me wrong, there is a lot going on, and it's not always happy. But it felt very authentic, because of that. The thing that mattered most at the end of the day? These people genuinely loved each other.

• All the romance! Oh, this was fun. Who is going to end up with who? Idk, your guess is as good as mine! But I shipped so. many. couples. Even some of the "bad guys"! And the way the relationships were written... it draws you in, and makes you root for the pairs. SO many swoons!

• The alternate US History is just so fun. And honestly, it's very believable! How far could we have been from this type of governance? I have no idea, but it's certainly something that I could see! And imagining us having a similar political landscape as the British is just plain interesting. Especially seeing how much everyone enjoys following the Royal Family, this works so well.

• It's beyond charming, well-written, and frankly just plain entertaining. It's probably not going to provide life-changing insight, but it's full of wonderful characters and relationships, so there you go.

Bottom Line: If this doesn't become a legitimate TV drama, I'm suing. It's a new favorite, no question. Need. Sequel. Now.

American Royals was one of my more anticipated contemporary books of the year. I've never read Katharine McGee's books, but I had read her short story in Meet Cute, and I enjoyed her writing style immensely.

This story is told in four different points of views, all of which have their own distinct voices and character arcs. The characters with points of views also had conflicting relationships with the others, and the dynamic was very interesting to read.

My only qualm is that I thought it was a standalone, so when the book ended I was upset by the cliffhanger.

True American royalty - this book reimagines the history of the United States where the executive branch remained a monarchy. Three siblings struggle with being America’s royal family, and all the limitations that come with it. Each of the three sibling stops is looking for purpose and planning their futures, in light of their respective roles in the monarchy. Full of soap-worthy drama, first romance, and family dynamics, this book explores the choice between following your heart and duty to something greater than yourself.

When I first saw American Royals up on NetGalley, I was excited to try something new. The writing was articulate and easy to follow, but unfortunately, I have not been able to get into this book. The characters fell flat, and the plot could not hold my attention. I am sure this will be a big hit for anyone who loves drama & teen angst. I am just not the right reader for this book.

Very interesting concept. Good execution on the romance. A tad slow in a couple places, but the drama in the story makes up for it. Overall, I really enjoyed this read and would recommend it to teens who are into the royal family.

I was provided with an eARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.

I finished this in a single day! It was just so good, I couldn't put it down! The book follows 4 different POVs and weaves the story together seamlessly. In this universe, the Revolutionary War ended and George Washington became the first Monarch of America, rather than the first President. Fast forward to modern time, and we meet the current ruling family - Princess Beatrice (heir to the throne), Princess Samantha (the spare), and Prince Jefferson (twin to Samantha).

Fans of Gossip Girl, The One, and The Luxe series will loooove this alternate history contemporary. I am so glad this is just the first in a series, because it left off with a HUGE cliffhanger, and I need more!!

I so badly wanted to love this alternate present novel about an America where Washington accepted the monarchy. And there were lots of things to enjoy about it-- especially exploring what an American royal family might look like. That said, it fell short for me. Maybe it was the numerous POVs that didn't always seem to add that much to the story, maybe I wanted more intricate and thoughtful exploration of the American royalty premise, or maybe it just felt a bit too predictable. Probably a fun read for anyone looking for more royal romances, I think, but not one of my favorites.

I really enjoyed this read. It was fun, full of drama, and an interesting look at how the present could have been if only one choice was different: George Washington accepted a King's crown, instead of becoming an elected President. The characters are interesting and engaging. I wish I could have read more about them!

In the wake of Meghan Markle's successful marriage into the British monarchy and capturing the hearts of both British and American public, this book looks to be an equal success in winning the hearts of readers. Witty dialogue, descriptive narrative, and captivating characters make this a must-read for anyone interested in royalty both at home and abroad.

Like The Thousandth Floor, McGee’s first series, American Royals thrives on a character-driven plot, with lots of gossip and drama that has the reader choosing sides immediately. I knew who I would be rooting for from the very first chapter, but as the perspectives deepened I found myself sympathizing with all of the characters. This is a fantastic historical re-imagining that takes readers on a whirlwind journey through the minds (and hearts) of the fictitious American royal family.

I love Beatrice. McGee did an excellent job portraying the struggles of growing up with a crown in her future, and how Beatrice both loved and felt trapped by her job. Obviously there are no American princesses in the present day, but I could easily imagine how celebrities might feel the same way as Beatrice did—she was controlled by her image, which is hard for a young person, who of course has their own interests and must balance that with a duty to their fanbase or, in Beatrice’s case, her citizens. If you’ve ever wondered how movie stars really feel, I think American Royals gets a lot of it right. Of course, I’m not famous in any way, shape, or form, so take my advice with a grain of salt and read this book for fun anyways!

Beatrice’s romantic storyline also hooked me. I don’t want to spoil anything here, but I will note that there is a love triangle of sorts and that I love the internal tension that caused. It’s a lot easier for me to read than drama of the gossip and blackmail sort, so I was very invested in the outcome of Beatrice’s love life.

I also enjoyed reading about Beatrice’s relationship with her younger twins. Beatrice is the heir, and Samantha and Jeff won’t rule in all likelihood, so of course there were some interesting emotions there, especially between the sisters. American Royals had a fair few moments of sibling rivalry, but there were also some sweet moments that I loved.

Nina, Samantha’s best friend, was such a sweetheart, and I loved reading about both her friendship with Samantha and her relationship with Jeff. I’m always a sucker for friendships that get a lot of page time, as well as friends-to-lovers romance storylines, and I liked Nina’s perspective throughout the novel because I got a fresh dose of both! Nina herself is amazing, and I’m very happy with the choices she made throughout the novel. She isn’t royalty, so it was interesting to see a “commoner’s” perspective on the madness of the royal lives.

Lastly, that ending? I just CAN'T. I'm so glad American Royals is the start of a series, because I need to know more. That being said, I expected there to be more resolution at the end of the book. I felt like the story would continue for another fifty pages or so, because new questions were still being introduced when the plot should have been wrapped up. The novel now becomes reliant on its sequel for the full context of the story.

Overall, I’m giving American Royals 4/5 stars for a neat concept and sympathetic-yet-scheming characters! Pick it up!

. What if, when George Washington was asked to be the king of the United States, he said yes? American Royals take this alternate reality and runs with it giving the reader a glimpse of the American monarchy, complete with a king, queen, two princesses and a prince. The trials and tribulations of young adult life are maximized under the spotlight of being American’s First- I mean, Royal- family. The eldest princess, the heir to the throne, feels the pressure to find her King as her time to rule approaches. The younger princess and prince also try to navigate love and skirt the paparazzi and social media buzzards. I was more interested in the logistics of what a United States with a monarchy would look like – what are the laws like, what are the key differences between our US and this US, how and if the states self-govern... McGee gives us some tidbits, like governors and senators are replaced with the more aristocratic barons and dukes, and the Secret Service is replaced with the Revere Guard. Despite the unique concept, the story still felt predictable, and not entirely exciting. It was a romantic, coming-of-age, YA novel. I think McGee would have a better book with a little more fleshing out of the environment, and maybe give us characters that weren’t as formulaic as the goodie-two-shoes, the rebel, the girl-next-door, the mean girl, and the not-that-smart-but-means-well cutie.

Reviewed by: Nicole


American Royals reimagines the start of the United States and instead of becoming president, George Washington is crowned as the new leader of America and this story follows his descendants in a contemporary setting.

Beatrice is set to be the first queen of America and she has a lot of pressure on her from all sides. From the book description, I expected more drama and scheming regarding her sister, Samantha, because it’s implied they are both vying for the crown and a prince’s heart. While they certainly aren’t close, there’s no big competition between them. Samantha knows Beatrice will be the Queen and she feels like the spare and just as unimportant and while she’s not pleased with Beatrice’s relationship, it was far more mellow than I thought it would be.

There were 4 total points of view, Beatrice and Samantha, as well as Nina and Daphne. Nina is Samantha’s best friend and is in love with Samantha’s twin brother Jefferson. Daphne also has her sights set on Jefferson, but mostly for the prestige of being loved by America and dating a prince. It kind of irritates me the focus of two pairs of girls are on one guy, but I thought overall it was handled well. It did feel as though 4 POVs was too many because I never got attached to anyone. There was a lot of ground to cover to set up past relationships and while this book was already over 400 pages, it needed to be longer to develop everyone further. I had no emotional connection, except maybe disgust at how terrible Daphne is on a personal level. I was waiting for her to get her just desserts and felt kind of let down to have no resolution.

This ended on a cliffhanger and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’m at least intrigued for book two, but am also irritated that I feel like everyone’s progress in the book was set back. I know, that’s all part of the drama that leads to the thrilling conclusion, but I wanted some results!

This book is being marked for anyone that likes Harry and Meghan or Kate and William or Red, White, and Royal Blue and The Royal We (but for the ya set instead of adult) and I found myself wishing this was an adult book instead of a ya book. A lot of the issues were very borderline adult and if taken a step further, this could have been such a great addition to adult or new adult. I will say, I think my teen book club would really enjoy this one. There is so much to discuss and dissect from duty to friendship to class. I would also recommend this for readers who enjoyed The Selection series by Kiera Cass because some parts felt similar.

I went into this expecting something more than a dishy soap opera. I can’t say WHAT I thought it would be, but something more than romance, clothes, and a villain monkey-wrenching things up. Once I figured out what American Royals actually is and got my expectations in line, I was nicely entertained. I would’ve liked more character depth for all of them because it felt pretty surface-y and I wanted to know more, especially about Beatrice. The plot moved along at a good pace with some frustrating complications thrown in to keep my interest. I had no idea this was a series opener until I was at 90% and realized there was no way this was all going to resolve. I tend to get annoyed about everything being a series but I can see how this could play out over a couple of books. And excellent, momentous ending to this volume! I have to say that I’m curious how Beatrice is going to get out of her situation.