Katharine McGee’s second installment of American Royals faces a heavy task: finding ways to continue to move four narratives forward in ways that intertwine enough for an interconnected story, while also acknowledging that young adults often must forge their own journeys that take them away (even temporarily) for those they’ve known for so long. Majesty is full of twists and turns I wouldn’t have predicted after the first book, and I’m grateful for it. McGee helps readers understand that it’s critical to live one’s own truth, that goals can shift, and that being honest is one of the keys to being comfortable with oneself. Sam’s journey was particularly satisfying in this installment.

I would have loved to read more about the intricacies of an American monarchy, and gotten to see more of Beatrice leading the country, rather than transitioning into leading. The way the book wraps up doesn’t make me think there will be a third installment, but I’d love for one that focuses on the above.

This sequel was a fascinating look into how people grow and change over time. I am hoping there will be another book in the series to tie up some of the storylines moving forward! Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It’s an interesting take on what America could have looked like, and deals with some of the challenges women and POC deal with in our current country. I was a little disappointed that the “rebels” who played such an important role in the first book essentially disappeared for this story.

Beatrice sits on the throne, Sam attempts to make Teddy jealous, Nina tries to get over her feelings for Jeff, and Daphene is up to her old tricks.

This book was the same fun as the first, while still giving the characters room to grow. I LOVED Beatrice's character arc in this series-- McGee does such a wonderful job of making Beatrice a balanced, flawed, and loveable character. My biggest complaint is that Sam returns to feeling so much antagonism towards Beatrice for a good portion of Majesty, which felt too much like the first book. I had really hoped that their friendship would grow more instead of having almost the exact same arc as the first (fingers crossed there is a third where we get to see more of Sam's growth!). Overall, even if these books are incredibly fun and full of drama and I think any fan of the first will be happy with this addition. Recommend for MS, US students who like realistic fiction with some romance and flair.

I loved this book - I stayed up until 1 am to finish it! I never wanted to leave the world of the Washington’s. I loved the story and thought that each character ended up where they were supposed to. I couldn’t put it down.

After the death of her father, the King of America, Beatrice struggles to define herself, and find her power. With her advisor insisting that she marries, she reluctantly decides to set the date. Meanwhile, her sister Samantha fakes a relationship to make Beatrice's fiancée jealous. Samantha's best friend Nina, struggles with the aftermath of her relationship with Prince Jefferson, and struggles to define herself. Prince Jefferson's power crazed ex girlfriend Daphne, continues to plot ways to get back with Jeff.

Overall, this was a fun, quick read. However, a lot of the plot seemed to be a repeat of the first book. I understand that relationship drama is the bedrock of a young adult book, but some of the angst felt stale. Despite this criticism, I would read more from this author. 3 out of 5 stars.

American Royals Il: Majesty is hands down my new favorite book about royals! While I really enjoyed the first book, I adored this one and didn’t want it to end. The characters have grown and matured and this book is such a perfect extension of the story! All the characters you love, and love to hate, are back, plus some new faces are added in the mix. With such a huge cast of characters and personalities there was never a dull moment. I couldn’t put this book down! Romance, scheming, loyalty, and of course drama—this book was overflowing with it all! I absolutely loved it! I really hope there is a third book on the horizon! *hint, hint Katherine McGee & Random House Children’s*

Thank you to Random House Children’s for providing a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is easily one of my most anticipated releases of the year and I'm happy to say that I'm not at all disappointed! My overall rating for the book is 4.5 out of 5 stars! The only reason it wasn't a full five stars is that I predicted what would happen from chapter one and continued to predict plot points as I read. That didn't detract from my enjoyment at all as I was so excited to visit some of my favorite characters. I love the journey for Beatrice, the first reigning queen in America, and how it parallels with Elizabeth I and Victoria I. It's fun to see those struggles set against a modern world. I also love all the relationships between the characters and though there are a lot of POV switches in the book, it's easy to tell which character is which and really helps to understand how each character feels about different situations. It's so interesting to hear each perspective. I'm so looking forward to book three and have no idea how I will wait as long as I have to.

I did not finish this book. I found some aspects of the story a little problematic, and hopefully these will be fixed for release. Ex) June 19 for the wedding day between two white characters. With the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement and the attempts to make Juneteenth a national holiday, I felt like this was a little insensitive. I also did not like the way the author discussed the fictional history of the country post-Revolutionary war. She used slavery to move the narrative of one character along. This book just felt very white-centered in a time when we, as reviewers, should be amplifying BIPOC voices.

American Royals II: Majesty, a YA book written by Katharine McGee follows four young adult women: Queen Beatrice, Princess Samantha, Nina, and Daphne. This sequel to American Royals continues the story as Beatrice becomes Queen of America. There are four point-of-views in the story, and the author does a fantastic job at giving each woman her own unique and distinct voice. The characters grapple with identity and the ever-present question of who they are and what do they want out of life. I highly recommend this book!

I was excited to receive a Netgalley copy of the 2nd book in the American Royals trilogy.

This book did not disappoint. McGee included common romance tropes in a fresh way. The women ruled the page in this book, not taking a backseat to any of the men and finding a happy ending on their terms and not the terms of public opinion, parental expectations, and not on the terms of their romantic partners.

I appreciated some of the closure Beatrice found in her new role and in her family and love life. Sam, a favorite of mine, continued to be authentically herself and accept the HEA she's found. Nina, my heart still aches for her a bit. She gets bandied about by the whims of her royal friends and beaus, but at the end of the story, she chooses herself.

The HEA reading part of me wanted a neater ending, but I expect big, awesome, incredible things in the third book. There better be tons of happiness because my heartstrings can't take much more.

I don't know what it is I love about this series. The thought of an American monarchy is, well, un-american, but the issues the royals wrestle with are what we wrestle with as a "free" country. The monsters of our past, our present demons and our hope for the future. I love to see powerful women in control and taking initiative instead of accepting what has been granted from the patriarchy.

McGee's writing is smart, witty and page-turning. And now I have to wait for the conclusion.

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free advanced copy of American Royals II: Majesty for my honest review.

After much anticipation following the ending of the first book, I was finally able to read American Royals II and it did not disappoint! Book 2 takes place just after the funeral of the king, as Bee assumes her role as Queen. What I loved most about this book was the way that each of the main characters undergoes a transformation. I spent all of Book 1 hoping that Bee would renounce the throne to be with Connor and Sam would assume the throne, casting aside her long-held belief that she was “just the spare”. As the novel progressed, I grew to love Teddy, just as Bee did. I’ll anxiously be hoping for a 3rd novel in the series!

I love this series by Katharine McGee. After finishing the first book in the series I couldn't wait to read this second book. It is a continuation of the secrets, deceptions, lies and family problems that can occur in any family but is enhanced when there is power and glamour involved. A great twist on what would happen if America was run by a royal family. A fun read with lots of romance. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

American Royals II: Majesty is just as fluffy and addictive as the first book in the series. After American Royals, we see Beatrice struggling to step into her role as queen, Samantha doing her best to get over Teddy (or make him jealous), and Nina turning to an unexpected person for friendship. Of course, romantic entanglements ensue. It really surprised me that every relationship from the first book ended and all the main characters found new love in this sequel. It struck me as a really interesting choice to both introduce new characters as love interests and establish former background characters into bigger players. Overall, I think McGee did a good job selling these new relationships, considering the original pairings had already been established. I'm not sure that all readers will buy into the new pairings, but I appreciate the freshness of them.

I found that the pacing as off at times. Majesty started off slow for me, but while the tempo increased, certain moments didn't seem to fit well and actually left me feeling jarred. While Daphne serves as a both a foil to Nina and a catalyst for much of the action, her chapters always seemed to jolt me out of the main action. I think fans of the first book will most likely enjoy this second in the series - their favorite characters return, make mistakes, and learn in the end just how to be American Royals.

Another fun light read. The only comment I'll make is that the book isn't about Beatrice ruling. It's about her wedding.

Fun sequel to the first one. The characters are more fleshed out and you get a good feeling about Beatrice and how well she will do as queen. Both Beatrice and Samantha grow up a bit and Daphne shows her true colors.
There is enough background info covered so that you could read this as a stand alone - but it would make more sense to read the first one before reading this one.

This book is one big royal soap opera! This sequel is from the perspective of four strong, young women. With the passing of the king, Beatrice is now queen and is planning to marry Teddy, much to her sister, Samantha's dismay. Samantha has met a new fellow, Marshall Davis and the two conspire to make their love interests jealous. Nina has dumped Prince Jeff and befriends Jeff's best friend, Ethan. Lastly, Daphne is a pot stirrer and conspires against everyone for her own benefit and to win back Prince Jefferson.
McGee does a great job of giving insight to what life might be like for royalty through descriptions of the characters' public scrutiny, paparazzi experience and lack of normalcy. The author did a fantastic job of writing Nina's character because you loathe her more with each chapter. As I read, I felt sorry for the majority of male characters because the women are all dramatic and indecisive. I enjoy that Queen Beatrice is breaking the mold and becoming the first leader of America. Readers of Kiera Cass's Selection series and Rachel Hawins's book Prince Charming, will thoroughly this series.

I wasn't exactly a fan of the first book in this series but somehow I did want to know what happened to these characters, which counts for something? I still think the royal worldbuilding here is dumb and this book comes so close to being like "oh the American monarchy is a bad idea" but then I got whiplash from it being like "jk actually the PATRIARCHY is bad and it will be better when we have a QUEEN" and like

is it??

a lot of predictable but enjoyable tropes in here--multiple kinds of fake dating ending in real dating?? arranged marriage turning into true love?? trapped in a panic room with your ex-bf?? coma victim waking up and then dramatically regaining her memories? it's all here babey

I did like the introduction of Marshall as a bigger character and this book continuing to vaguely try to grapple with racism?

Anyway folks who liked the first book will probably also like this one. I spite-liked it in the same way that I liked the first one so I figure that follows.

It's...fine.

Received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest opinion.
Well! This book is better than the first one, and that's unusual. I couldn't put this one down! While I wasn't that thrilled with who ended up with who, I'll get over it. I hope there is another one in the series on the way.

Majesty is a wonderful sequel to American Royals, complete with the romance, drama, angst and fun of the first installment. I usually read much darker books than this series but Katharine McGee books are my guilty pleasure reads and this one is exactly what I expected. Can't wait for the next one!

The Quick Cut: A girl recently moved from Princess to Queen struggles with the complexities of her new role.

A Real Review:
Thank you to Random House for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Royalty is intriguing to many of us due to the level of responsibility they hold, along with the lavish lifestyle they're born into. However, have you ever truly taken the time to understand what that is like? For Beatrice, that reality is far too real when her father the King does, leaving her the new ruler and Queen of America.

Beatrice knew that her day as the ruler of America was coming, but in the wake of her father's death, that reality is impossible to ignore. The change in responsibility and schedule alone is grueling. However, America has never had a Queen ruler and getting the people on her side is no easy feat. Will her fast approaching wedding bring others to her side? Or will it only speed up her disaster?

Two words perfectly describe this book for me: too much. For being three hundred plus pages long, the author tried too hard to make all the storylines she began in the first novel continue at a breakneck pace. It's unfortunate because the bones of this book make for so much possibility, but there isn't enough breathing room for them all to flourish. So they all flounder when instead these should've been broken up across multiple books.

You have a litany of narrators, including Beatrice, Samantha, Nina, and Daphne. On top of their own narratives, each one has their own relationship to track: Beatrice and Teddy, Samantha and Mitchell, Nina and Ethan, & finally Daphne and Jefferson. You aren't given enough time with each couple to get satisfying character progression much less feel chemistry between them.

A sequel filled with too much potential to satisfyingly serve all the storylines.

My rating: 3 out of 5