I have loved this series. This one was no different. I love how the author has kept this storyline going. I was pleasantly surprised to see some good character development. I’m hoping for a 4th book because I need some answers and closure! I really enjoyed this one.

This was so fun, and I really want for this series to be turned into a CW series.

Though Beatrice continues to be the main character, both Daphne and Nina get their time in the spotlight too. I enjoyed getting to know both of their characters better, especially Daphne, who is humanized in this book.

The thought of royalty in America can seem so unfamiliar, but the setting and backstory are all so well written that their world is easy to understand. Though the book was a little slow at times, it was really enjoyable. The tension went from about a 17 to a 100 in the last few chapters of the book, and I could not read it fast enough. I need a fourth book now.

I LOVE the world that Katharine McGee has set up in the American Royals series. I love the concept of America as a monarch and imagining what that would look like (such as Hawaii still being it's own country!). I really enjoy the focus on creating strong female characters throughout the series. It is all so fun.

I have really hated Daphne's character throughout the series, and finally enjoyed her story. She is finally learning the meaning of true friendship, even if she was trying to manipulate someone else as it happens.

In previous books I felt that each character's story intertwined a bit more than in this installation. Daphne and Nina were certainly intertwined, but Samantha and Beatrice were very different storylines than the rest of the book, especially Beatrice. It felt like she could have been her own standalone book rather than being interwoven into this book. Alas, this book was setting the scene for the fourth installation.

I would love a quick sketch of a map of what the country looks like with the different dukedoms. This would help visualize where every place is, especially when you read the books with time in between. Also, it feels like Jeff's point of view should be worked in every once in a while. He feels like a main character, but we never know what he thinks or what his motivations are.

I can't wait for book 4. I'd also love it if this got turned into a tv show on some streaming service.

I never use this word but Y’ALL. I finished American Royals III: Rivals last night and you’re not going to see this review for a while but…I am UNWELL. I am so torn. The reader in me is shocked, the fan in me is livid, and the writer in me is impressed. First of all, Majesty was PERFECT. I enjoyed American Royals but really only cared about Beatrice’s POV. Then the world and plot just blossomed in Majesty, since it was originally supposed to be a duology. But due to reader interest, McGee was able to secure a deal for a book three…and it seems a book four.

I think Rivals is the book that suffers from Middle Book Syndrome, trying to set up so much for the final installment, but at the expense of the characters that will anger some readers. This is so hard to do without spoilers. I haven’t been that shocked and angry reading a book in a long time but also impressed! McGee is ballsy with these characters. I AM SO TORN. I loved so many aspects but also felt it dragged yet I love the world. It’s a roller coaster, clearly.

What I Liked:

Daphne’s Character Arc—Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I’d type that. Although there is a moment towards the end where I facepalmed myself and was like “no no no! don’t do that!” and I still don’t know how I fully feel about it.

The Expansion of the World—I’m fascinated by the history of the America with a monarchy, which lead to most other countries keeping theirs! I want more of it. Give me the historical fiction/romance, Katharine! I want it all.

Action Late in the Story—It kind of felt like there was a lot of nothing until the last 17% of the book. Then I could not put it DOWN.

What Didn’t Work:

Action Late in the Story—But at the same time, why did we have like 50% of the book not matter?! Make every page count or edit.

Too Much Exposition/Philosophizing, not Enough Expansion of the Plot—I kept looking at the page count and knew there was no way everything could be wrapped up and while I’m sure that’s fun, UGH it’s frustrating as a reader.

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Steam Rating: N/A Overall Rating: 3.75 but 4 for the end
Content Warnings:

Blackmail, car crash, drug use

Excuse me, Katharine Mcgee!? How dare you leave off on a cliff hanger like that. This 3rd book had me on a spectrum of emotions. I laughed, I cried (the first two books didn’t make me cry), I was so angry, I was so happy.

There was so much character development and so much backtracking. I was mad, I was angry at the book. I was at 96% and ready to DNF the book. But I kept going. And you left me on a cliff hanger!? When this book isn’t even out yet and I have to wait longer for the fourth? I’m thoroughly upset, obsessed, and here for the ride. I’m addicted to the American Royals.

The third installment of this series has been my favorite so far. The battle between love and duty, friendship and sacrifice, power and conscience. The relationships formed were so genuine and not forced. There was a lot of character development and I was hooked. However, a lot of the receding development at the end made me want to stop reading. I told myself I had one chapter left and I’d finish the book. Holy cow, I’m glad I did. That cliff hanger had me on the edge of my seat waiting for book 4.

Thanks you to the author and publisher for an advanced edition in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. There needs to be a book four solely based on this ending… I mean seriously omg… the rest of the book was good and lived up to 1/2 but the ending gah….

Another fun addition to this series! Really liked the development of all of the characters and getting a chance to learn more about other royals. I am intrigued to see how this series continues.

This is the best book in the series yet!

I absolutely devoured this third (and surprise!) installment in the American Royals series, and I cannot wait for the fourth and final book - and a physical copy of this one to reread.

What I loved most about this book is that it has all the drama and romance and parties that the last two books had, but it expands the world greatly. We meet a ton of foreign monarchs and learn more about the structure of the world this world that has followed America's lead by embracing monarchies instead of democracies. There is a new character, the Princess of France, who is introduced and plays a major role in the story, and I loved her character.

I also think that Majesty did a good job of covering the topic of race, but I think Rivals takes it to an even greater level of depth, and I really appreciated the way Katie not only included commentary on this, but ensured she made it a part of the plot.

I loved everything about this!!

Thank you to Netgalley and to Random House Children's for an advance copy of this book to review. I am very surprised and excited to say that Rivals was my favorite book in the series so far. It is definitely a testament to how much time and effort Katharine McGee has put into building out these four main characters.

This is my favorite so far because it combines everything I enjoyed in the first two books (complicated characters, alternative history, glamour, palace intrigue, and a feminist lens) with some deeper and more mature topics. Although the storyline is a little bit ripped from the headlines with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, I liked that this book spends a lot of space exploring what life is like for the significant others of the royal family, especially when they are also people of color. I think the book does a smart job of exploring the intersection of race and royalty as well as the press's role in the issue. McGee does a great job of exploring the concept of sacrifice when it comes to love, what are you willing to give up in order to be with the person you love? Another thing that McGee does so masterfully in this book is giving depth and even likability to the typical "villain" character.

This book once again takes us on a emotional rollercoaster with Daphne. She is still ruthless in pursuing what she wants but I think Rivals does a better job of showing her motivations and external pressures than the previous two novels. I wouldn't go as far as to call her likable (because that ending!) but she has more depth than you would expect from a character like hers.

I won't give away any spoilers but the ending is simply fantastic but also quite the infuriating cliff hanger, I need book four ASAP.

I loved the friendship between Daphne and Nina in this book! However, things are starting to feel a bit repetitive, and I feel like McGee barely scratches the surface in terms of racism and royalty in America. I didn’t like the cliffhanger!

I think I've managed to read all three of the books in this series through Net Galley. I do enjoy them and while I generally don't like dual perspectives, Katharine McGee does a great job of giving each young woman her own voice and desires. I am definitely ready for book four, after that cliffhanger.

McGee makes you root for every character, yet again, even when their desires contradict each other. The relationships that develop between the characters are complex and nuanced, with many twists. Beatrice is an iconic queen-- a young lady who is just trying to do the right thing but isn't quite sure how. I loved meeting royals from all over the world in this book, and the Rivalries are to be interpreted. I'm already looking forward to the fourth book of the series.

This is the 3rd book in the American Royals series.
Beatrice and Teddy are trying to navigate live together through the League of Kings Conference that the Americans are hosting and trying to discover a role for Teddy. At the conference Beatrice makes friends with Princess Louise of France and other young royals.
Nina & Daphne become surprise friends as they discover a mutual enemy in Gabriella, a high ranking aristocrat recently returned from France who is out to get them.
Samantha and Marshall are also learning to navigate their relationship as a young couple in the media eye.
If you enjoyed the previous 2 books in the series then you’ll want to read this one too.

Katharine McGee does an amazing job building up the characters in this American Royals series, and Rivals is no exception. Rivals revs up the drama in this series and gets you invested in this world McGee has built. We revisit the main crew of Queen Beatrice, Samantha, Nina, and yes, Daphne, with the League of Kings as the backdrop as love, heartbreak, diplomacy and drama reign supreme. There are some new characters introduced and an ending that will send you REELING.

Perfect escapism! I had been mentally prepared for this book to be the last in the series, and I'm thrilled that the story will continue (but it's so hard to end on a cliffhanger!)

This series just keeps getting better and better! I loved the characters and the plot. It was great to get a glimpse at royals from other countries in this installment. McGee really knows how to hook her readers! So many loose ends need to be tied up at the end of Rivals that readers will be begging for a fourth book. This series is a great addition to all YA collections.

I was so disappointed when I though the series was over with Majesty. Not the ending I was hoping for, so I am happy about this suprise but eagerly hoped for third book in the American Royals series. Katharine McGee did not let me down. In this alternate reality of an American monarchy she has sucked me in with her multi-dimensional characters who make me want to keep turning the page. Set at a gathering of monarchs and bringing back the good, bad and complicated relationships of America's young royals, AR 3 follows Bea's efforts to become a respected leader while struggling to keep her relationship from falling apart. The Nina, Daphne and Jeff triangle takes crazy twists and turns that end in a WTF plot twist. Finally, the question whether Sam will walk away from her past (and future) for love. The last 100 pages bring us the the ultimate life and death cliff hanger...and the question of how soon we can get our hands on book #4!

Another amazing installment in an amazing series! I love spending time in this world and with these characters. Katharine McGee continues to deliver on all the things that made this series great - good dialogue, deep characterization, intriguing conflicts. There was never a dull moment and the world building is kicked up a notch (loved the details from the League of Kings conference and Princess Louise!). The ending actually left me feeling anxious - can't wait to see where this series goes next!

I believe this book picks up fairly shortly after the second book ended.

Here’s where we begin:

Beatrice is the queen.
Her and Teddy are together but not married.
He stands ready to give up his title for her.
She’s under a lot of pressure as Queen and it’s putting a strain on their relationship.

Samantha is with Marshall.
They started off just having fun but they’ve fallen for each other.
Their relationship isn’t any easy one. Marshall would have to give up his own title to be with Samantha.
Marshall also deals with unfair treatment as a Black man in a relationship with the white Princess.

Nina and Daphne are both still interested in Prince Jefferson. There’s a new enemy on the scene named Gabrielle and she’s so awful that Nina and Daphne have decided to team up to get her back.
Along the way, they might actually start becoming friends.

I enjoyed this story but it felt a bit long. And then, guys, I’m warning you all, it ends with a cliffhanger! 400+ plus pages and it ends on another cliffhanger. This is book number three, so, that’s like 1200 pages of this story and there’s another cliffhanger. Lol I need you to know that going in, ok?
I guess this means that there better be another book or we’ll all be left hanging.

My conservative criticism:
Either Jefferson needs his own chapters or I need a reminder of why atleast two girls are in love with him. There’s so much of the story devoted to Nina and Daphne but I can’t remember what that big deal is about Jefferson. I know he’s a prince. I know that’s why Daphne wants to be with him. But Nina says she cares about him as a person and not because he’s a prince. I need someone to remind me why. He just feels like a background character sometimes and others he’s just bouncing back and forth between the girls. And he wanted them to be friends?
Why does Gabrielle have a problem with Nina and Daphne? I couldn’t figure it out. Is it because she wants to be with Jefferson too?

Otherwise, no complaints. I guess I’ll be reading the next book cause god knows I can’t stop with a cliff hanger like that and I really do care about how Beatrice and Samantha especially get through everything.

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thanks!

Full review will be up on pop-culturalist.com the week of release day. American Royals III has a theme of rivals coming together and forming a truce. It also has an enemies to lovers trope that I absolutely adored!!