I loved diving back into the American Royals Kingdom!!
I love how the chapters are split between characters, how there were big things going on with each character throughout the book, and I did not see the twist coming at the end! I will recommend this book to all of my friends! Can’t wait for book 4!!!

Wow this was a wild ride!! The majority of the action was in the last 30% but it was so so good and I cannot wait to pickup the next book and see how it all plays out. I definitely forgot some of what happened in the first two books, so some of the Royal duties and relationships with other countries confused me, but it all made sense by the end. Definitely excited to see where this books goes!

Oh my god. I don’t even know where to start. I loved the first two American Royals books, and to have the opportunity to read the third early was indescribably wonderful. These books mean more to me than I could possibly describe. Each character has so much nuance to them, they have become real people in my mind, three dimensional and living in the grey area of life, hard to quantify as good or bad or anything else. I have fallen in love with these characters. I see them in myself, in my friends, in everyone around me because they are real. One character I see so much of in myself that I cannot describe how much they mean to me. The events occurring in this book exemplify that feeling. Anyone who reads the American Royals series will walk away feeling as though they have not read a book, but been to a separate world. One that truly exists, full of real people, that feels like a second home.

This is the third book in the American Royals series, a fun young adult series set in a present day in world not unlike our own - but where George Washington became king, instead of president, and his descendants still rule America. As with the first two books, it alternates between the perspectives of four characters - two royal sisters, their brothers’ scheming on again/off again girlfriend, and one of the sister’s best friend.

Unusual for a series, I think this third one was actually my favorite so far. I am not really sure why - maybe it was getting to see the characters again after knowing them better and getting to see their growth, maybe it was getting to see another side of Daphne and the surprise friendship between her and Nina, or maybe it was just the right time to be reading a light fluffy book during a sad week in the news.

The good news/bad news about this one - as it came towards the end, it became abundantly clear that nothing was really going to be resolved. Bad because there were lots of cliffhangers, good because that must mean there will be another entry in the series.

The American Royals series would make such a good TV show, don't you think? It's the back and forth and the drama and the backstabbing and the drama! So much drama. The third installment, Rivals, is out now and I have to say I enjoyed immersing myself back into the world of Beatrice, Samantha, Nina, and Daphne and I was happy to discover that part four is coming next year! In Rivals, there is a new foe and Daphne and Nina team up to take down Gabriella. Meanwhile, their love triangle with Jefferson continues. Sam is still with Marshall and they must deal with what their relationship means for their family obligations, as well as the conversation about race that their relationship brings up. Beatrice is running the League of Kings and making new friends and alliances from Europe. ⁣While reading this series I have always felt that I wanted to learn more about what is different in an America ruled by a monarchy and I finally got one answer - Hawaii is a sovereign nation, not a part of America. I also need a map of the duchies and a chart of their rulers!

(3.5 stars, rounded up)

Content warnings: sexism, breakups, dementia, car accident, betrayal, "trapping" a man with a pregnancy

Queen Beatrice Washington is America's first queen regnant in her twenties after the unexpected death of her father in previous books in the series. Her younger sister Samantha went from being a royal party girl and the "spare" to the heir overnight.

Beatrice and Samantha, as ruler and heir, are attending a conference of the world's royals at a minor American royal palace in Orange (California). Beatrice has the added strain of her country hosting the event in addition to it being her first time attending as a ruler. Samantha's younger-by-minutes twin brother Jefferson is the regent while his sisters are away at the conference. Noticeably absent from the conference is Teddy, Beatrice's fiancé and the future king consort of America.

At the conference, Beatrice begins making friends with Princess Louise, France's heir and current regent because the King of France is ill. Both women are their country's first queens regnant and they strike a bond over the issues surrounding outdated customs and sexism.

Back on the east coast, Jefferson is dating Daphne Dayton again while his ex-girlfriend Nina tries to remain friends with him. Nina and Daphne strike up an unlikely partnership in their hatred of Lady Gabriella Madison, daughter of the Duke of Virginia. In Gabriella's quest to win Jefferson, she has used her father's power to revoke Nina's college financial aid and to remove Daphne's father's title. Without her title, Daphne can never marry Prince Jefferson. Nina will struggle to remain friends with Jefferson (or to win him back) if she's not attending King's College with him.

Beatrice, Samantha, and Jefferson all have very complicated feelings and relationships in this novel and the three royals start to feel more adult after the loss of their father. Beatrice must deal with grief for her father, how to be a young queen, and how to help her fiancé find a purpose in his future role as king consort. Samantha is dating Marshall, the future Duke of Orange, whose family is reluctant to have their heir join the royal family and renounce his dukedom. Jefferson is still dating Daphne but has to deal with his feelings for Nina.

I still love the world-building of this series, with America as a monarchy after George Washington accepted the offer to be the King of America. Further explored in this novel is how the African-American Dukes of Orange (California) were once kings in their own right and became a duchy when joining with America. In this universe, Hawaii is still a sovereign nation and Canada and Mexico also have royal families. There is still a Tsar of Russia, and the Greek and German royal families are also still active.

Recommended for YA readers who love royal-watching and/or soap operas.

Representation: Black side characters, interracial romance, characters of many races as royalty

This book was great! A very anticipated installment in the series and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed how long it felt and the new friendships the stories explored. For lovers of the series, they will be happy to read this! I would recommend it to YA, and adults looking for a fun read. Especially given the timing of the Platinum Jubilee, it is a wonderful option.
I found myself choosing favorites and wanting to skip over some storylines, however. Since the book is segmented and each chapter focuses on a different protagonist, this was easy to do, but then I lost a good portion of the story. I would love more books that focus on Nina and Daphne as they, and their storylines, are my favorite.

This was such a fun read! I think high schoolers through college students would enjoy this book. The relationship dynamics were a huge plus - great open communication, realistic conflict, proper resolution, and many opportunities to reflect on values and consequences of actions within a partnership. The explored personal dynamics can be translational and reflective for young adults navigating first loves or tumultuous friendships. Overall, super relatable, great tone and pace, fun, and captivating.

Rivals is the third in the America Royals series, and is just as good, if not better, than the first two books. American Royals is based on if America had a monarchy instead of a democracy, and follows the drama and lives of our modern day royal family, In Rivals, America is hosting a convocation of all the kings and queens in the world, so we get to meet some new, fresh characters from all around the globe! Queen Beatrice is busy hosting that and trying to make friends with the other royals while figuring out Teddy's role in the monarchy. Sam is in love with Lord Marshall, but their relationship is put to the test, and Jefferson and Nina head off to college. We also see a new side of Daphne, and she and Nina (the most unlikely allies) team up to take down a common enemy. I am fully invested in the world of American Royals, and I hope Katharine McGee continues the series forever! There will definitely be a fourth based on the way the story ends.

Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for the advanced copy to review. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

I tried to read this book 3 times to start. By the third time I had made it to chapter 7 before I finally decided this just was not for me. I gave it the old try, but the characters were 2 dimensional and the plot line was unbelievable.

3 stars as my initial review right after finishing. I’m so upset! How is this where we are in book THREE!? Daphne, still Daphne-ing after such a compelling redemption arc!? Ahhh!

I’ll need to think on this before fully committing to my review.

UPDATE: After sleeping on it I'm mad. I'm so upset at how this story was handled! I could not WAIT to connect with these 4 leading ladies again. So much over-the-top drama slammed into the last chapters just to leave a reader hanging. Like McGee followed an adlibs-like, plug-and-play formula all for what? To draw the story out for a fourth book? Trust me when I say it wasn't a natural ending that leads you to wanting more. It was a rushed, blunt attempt to squeeze another book out of it.

Thanks to Random House Children's and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
If you haven't read the American Royals series, you are missing out - and you need to read the first two to understand what you're coming into in Rivals. I also recommend the prequel novella Inheritance, but that one isn't required, but it does help you see some of the missing pieces from that one night...
I had trouble getting invested in Rivals, as the first 1/3 was pretty slow, but once I was invested I could not put it down. I liked learning more about royalty beyond the America at the League of Nations and seeing Beatrice grow in her role. I am not such a fan of cliffhanger endings, but I am assuming it means book four will be coming!

Book 3 in the “America Royals” series picks up where book 2 left off: America is a monarchy to which Beatrice is the queen, her sister Sam and brother Jeff are still working to find their place in the crown family, and Nina and Daphne, the non-sovereign friends, are navigating life as a parallels to royalty.

This book is very similar to its predecessors; this version of American is fascinating, the friendships are sincere and kind, and the many star crossed lovers keep the story enticing. YA, but a cute, easy read.

Rivals was a good continuation of the American Royalty story. Commonly later books in a series are just not as good as the previous books but this one held its own. In this novel we see Beatrice and her siblings stepping more into their roles as royalty. They are coming to see how their position affects the lives of those around them both in friendships and romantic relationships. We get to see more nobility from other countries in this book as well as get to know other characters better. There were a few topics/actions of the characters that I believe shouldn't be in a YA book but at least they are seen as bad and not glorified. If you enjoyed the first two books I would recommend reading this as well.

"That right there is one of the many
reasons I love you. You refuse to accept defeat, even when
it's staring you in the face."

The third installment of American Royals hooked me, just like
the first two books. I loved being back with Beatrice and the
gang.

There is so much going on with each of the characters that
made me keep turning the pages until I got to the end. I'm
already ready for

Book 4 though, because that ending - UGH! What is a girl
supposed to do now?!


Read this if you like:
- Royals
- Political Summits
- College Dramas

American Royals Rivals is an alternate reality where Washington was king. This is the third book in the series and I highly recommend reading in order to understand the backstories. Rivals picks up where Majesty ended. Beatrice and Teddy are grappling with what his being Prince consort will mean; Samantha and Marshall are similarly dealing with what it might mean if he gives up his title; and Nina and Daphne have a new nemesis in mean girl Gabriella.

What I liked: McGee does an excellent job of crafting Daphne - I had all the emotions with her in this book! At one point, I was *gasp* rooting for her.

The ending - it left me wanting to read book four (tell me there is a book four). But if you had cliffhangers, this is not for you.

I liked how this one dealt with a lot - friendship, racism, and class. The discussion of how Marshall and Samantha’s relationship was viewed was thoughtfully done and I think even casual royal watchers can see shades of how Megan and Harry were treated irl.

You get more insight into how the world is set up with mostly monarchs.

What didn’t work for me: The first half moved a little slow for me but by the last half it was hard to put down.

You need to read the entire series to really enjoy this book.

Jefferson and Samantha seem older than their actual age. At times, I question how old they are to be making such life changing decisions.

Beatrice’s storyline felt a little flat and boring.

Who should read it: Your dream show would be Gossip Girl meets The Crown.

After reading the last book, I thought this one would wrap up the series on a neat little bow, but that was not the case at all! I was not prepared for that cliff-hanger ending.

The third book is still told from the ladies’ POV (Beatrice, Sam, Daphne, and Nina). There’s some new characters introduced and other completely missing, which made me sad (no spoilers so I won’t say who).

I was cheering Beatrice on the whole way! New friendships are forged, new enmities are made, and relationships are tested in the third installment of The American Royals series.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

GAHH ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER ENDING.

This was another great installment in the American Royals series! We got intro'd to some fun new characters and got plenty of time with our OGs. This book touched on some important topics too like racism and sexism. I continue to route for Beatrice, love Nina, and enjoy Sam. Daphne ALMOST had me liking her at some points in this book, but alas... that did not last long lol

Very interested to see where the next book goes given this ending!

Rating: 4 stars

Rivals gave us everything we wanted in a follow up, then quickly yanked it away with that cliffhanger. I enjoyed seeing more of Nina and Daphne, but missed Teddy and more of the royal fsmily. This book keeps your attention and if we don't get another book soon I might rebel.

She has done it again, folks! i didn't expect another book but i was not disappointed! I am in love with this story and these characters, i need more and i need to know how things continue!! if you haven't started this series, seriously what are you waiting for??