Rivals picks up where the last American Royals novel left off: Beatrice is settling into her role as queen while navigating her relationship with Teddy, Sam is facing challenges in her relationship with Marshall, while Nina and Daphne team up to take down a new character who poses a threat to both of them. While I've always enjoyed this series for its unique and strong main characters, I was a little disappointed because I felt the concept of American having a monarchy never really played a huge role in the book. In this installment, where Beatrice is meeting with other royals in the League of Kings, you get more a sense about how America's decision to maintain a monarchy impacted the rest of the world in this fictional universe which I liked. I also loved the budding friendship between Daphne and Nina. Overall, this was a solid addition to the series and I'm excited for the next installment!

The third novel of the American Royals series continues the story of the Washington siblings, reimagining America if George Washington had become a king instead of president. Queen Beatrice is finding her footing as the new head of state and her relationship with Teddy is strong, even if they didn't get married. She's under pressure though hosting the League of Kings and navigating the international royal scene. Plus she is worried that in giving up everything to marry her, Teddy won't be happy with his role as the Queen's husband. Princess Samantha has grown up and is serious about her relationship with Marshall, but as the future Duke or Orange (and one of the few Black nobles) he won't give up his title to marry her. Without a possibility of a future, where does that leave her? Nina has regained a friendship with Prince Jefferson and formed an unlikely alliance with his girlfriend (and former enemy) Daphne.

With loyalties to the crown and to each other tested, will they come out triumphant? Or heartbroken?

Having enjoyed the first two books in the series, Rivals had been at the top of my 2022 list of books I was excited to read. It did not disappoint. One of my favorite aspects of this series is how McGee has taken familiar traditions and historical figures and altered them - the America in these books is familiar even without the influence of democracy.

I enjoyed the budding alliance between Nina and Daphne because of any characters these two have grown. At first I was wary of how these former enemies could suddenly be okay but as Daphne lets down her guard and shows Nina her true life (she's not rich, her mother has put a tremendous amount of pressure on her) it began to feel authentic. Nina has always been the moral compass of the characters and it was interesting to see her in the position of having lingering feelings for Jeff but not wanting to do anything to betray Daphne.

The one area of weakness would be the descriptions of world politics, from world leaders behaving like drunken college students on a yacht and Beatrice worried which clique of monarchs she could sit with at lunch. I would have liked to see her handle making friendships and figuring out her role in the League of Kings with a little more maturity, reflecting her growth as a character.

At one point it felt that the struggles of these characters were running their course (how many novels can one be invested in the Nina-Jefferson-Daphne love triangle?), but McGee sets up an ending that gives the Washington siblings a refreshing new set of challenges. Be prepared for a bit of a cliffhanger- these stories definitely aren't resolved. But also get excited that the American Royals series will continue.

Thanks to NetGalley for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. American Royals III: Rivals is the third installment in the American Royals series. In this book we find Beatrice trying to forge her own path as queen, Samantha falling in love and trying to figure out how she fits in the midst of everything, and poor Jeff still being taken for a ride by conniving Daphne. Like the two before them, this installment ends on a major cliff hanger and makes the reader eagerly anticipating the next installment! Cute and fun read! Solid 4.5 rounding up to 5.

I love Katharine McGee’s take on a modern American monarchy in her American Royals series. It’s such a different concept and the fabricated history she adds in is really fun. I’d been waiting to see how the drama between Daphne and Nina would unfold, and she didn’t disappoint! Now I’ll be patiently waiting for book number four…

As someone who was left slightly unsatisfied by Majesty, Rivals was the perfect third book for the characters who I love so much. I felt like I grew up with Beatrice due to the progression of the series and have so much love for her journey. I cannot recommend this book enough!

I loved both books in the American Royals series, so to say I was super excited when I was approved to read the ARC-is an understatement. I don’t want to give too much away for those who have not read the other two yet, but this book picks up right where book 2 leaves off. The chapters switch from Beatrice, Nina, Daphne, and Sam’s POV. I really enjoyed this book and was a bit surprised when it ended in a cliffhanger (I did not realize she was writing a 4th book).

The premise of this series is pretty neat. What would have happened if Washington was not the president but instead a king? The series picks up modern day where Washington’s ancestors are still on the throne with the first Queen in history taking over. This book looks at issues on interracial dating, females in roles of power, and socioeconomic status effects.

You have time to read the first two before this one drops on May 31st.

When I saw that there was a 3rd American Royals book out as an egalley on NetGalley, I was so excited. I really enjoyed books 1 and 2, finding them creative and innovative. I enjoyed that Beatrice is not a simpering ninny, and Sam's feistiness lent an air of originality, too. I do wish Jefferson had a little more spine, but enjoyed Nina and Daphne's rivalry and could see how a stronger prince could mess with their parts. I dove into Rivals, wanting to see Bea and Teddy's relationship develop and see how Sam and Marshall progressed, and, of course, the Prince Jefferson saga continued. I felt like this book tried too hard when I reached the conclusion of it, though. First, I was under the impression there would only be two books to begin with, and now I can see she still isn't done. It seemed like McGee wanted this one to go out with a bang, taking out everyone with it. The story lines didn't even seem to fit the characters. In fact, I felt like Beatrice and Sam had swapped bodies throughout most of this story. I can't help but feel that this book should have wrapped up in 2, instead of spreading out the misery of many characters and readers by adding a 3rd book. I hope that McGee concludes this series with her next book and doesn't continue to draw out a storyline that continues to get further and further from where it started.

Another American Royals book, another reason to read YA books and enjoy life.

These books always deliver exactly what I go to them for: delicious and absurd royal intrigue that feels utterly divorced from real life, romance with conflict where ultimately we know (or hope) that most things will work out, extremely ridiculous female villains who wear even more ridiculous clothing combinations, and just a whole lot of fun.

I had no idea this book was being written, and I'm happy that certain storylines (Daphne's, Jeff's, Nina's for sure) are actually getting more resolution than Book 2, and I really enjoyed the direction that the author went with all three of these.

I love that McGee is willing to tackle race and gender roles head on, while also not diminishing any of the flash and fun of the book. While it may feel pretty unsubtle, I actually think she does a good job with this in comparison to how it could feel. I also appreciate that while sometimes her villains can lack depth, she has made a concerted effort in this installment to actually grapple with why *certain people* act the way that they do, without being overly sympathetic to unsympathetic actions that they take.

I overall loved this one, although one certain storyline (Beatrice's) lagged in the first half of the book for me. I enjoyed the focus on everyone else, and thank you to RHB and Netgalley for an early copy!

Rivals is an exciting third book in this series (stronger than the second, in my opinion) and had me falling in love with these characters all over again. I am dying for a fourth now!

Told in alternating perspectives between Beatrice (Queen of America), Samantha (her sister, the princess), Nina (Samantha’s best friend) and Daphne (the prince’s girlfriend), this series imagines an America where George Washington became king and modern day America is ruled by a monarchy. McGee is so good at world building - every detail is thought out and so fascinating to imagine. Worth diving into this series for sure.

These books just aren’t for me, as much as I keep hoping they will be. There’s some character development for Nina and Daphne that brought them both past being one dimensional characters. For some reason, the choice was made for that character growth to devolve, though it was perhaps the most redemptive feature of the series so far-and the thing that kept me reading this book.

These books do not seem informed by research; it sometimes seems as though the book’s idea of what a monarchy is is solely informed by tabloids and fictionalized movies and tv series. Also, I find it particularly strange that the universe of the novel supposes that, since America didn’t become a democracy, that *all* countries of the world would somehow only be monarchies 200 years later? That quite a large portion of global history is just wiped out by not addressing the bloody moments in history (most glaring in this particular book: the French Revolution? Not even a rewrite of that history-just didn’t happen at all), because I guess none of it would have have happened under monarchical rule? I couldn’t finish the second in this series, I’m not sure I should have finished this installment.

Katharine McGee does it again! The American Royals series is one of the most popular why a series at my bookstore, and readers are going to be delighted by this dramatic and fun third book.

This was a much-enjoyed surprise third book in a series I truly love. After the second book disappointed me, this one redeemed the series heavily for me. I loved Sam and Marshall much more in this book than in Majesty, and I will do anything to ensure Sam's happiness in the future books. Beatrice is still such a compelling character and her arc reached new heights in Rivals. Daphne is the most interesting character for me, and Rivals made me root for her redemption that much more. And, surprisingly, Rivals made me actually care about Nina, which I didn't think was possible! I'll update with my full review & link when I post on IG, but this was a solid third entry in the series.

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What is there to say other than I love these characters, I love this series, and I'm ready already for book #4!

I tried to restrain myself by only reading a couple of chapters a day so I could make this one last longer than Books 1 & 2 did for me and I have to say that enjoying it over 5 days was the right choice.

I loved how Rivals picked up right where Majesty left off and it was easy to remember exactly what was happening in each of the different stories. I think my favorite part is Katharine McGee's ability to both keep all the storylines separate and worthy of their own parts in the book, but also weave them all together in a way that just makes you want more. I appreciated how each character's development progressed, and they dealt with real-world issues.

Honestly, the only criticism I can give this was that it wasn't long enough!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my free copy--you completely made my day with this one!

American Royals was such an addictive, drama-filled book that I totally fell in love with. After not loving the sequel, Majesty, for a few reasons, Rivals put this series back on my favorites radar. I think going into this story telling myself to not get attached to any couple was a smart move as fans of McGee know that happily ever afters do not always exist in her books and there are always major cliffhangers at the end.

I have to say that Rivals is probably my favorite installment of the series. Like her other books, McGee did such a great job covering topics of sexism, race, stereotypes and power. However, in this one I feel like the characters were more well-defined and the plot was less irritating and believable. I was rooting for all the characters and loved the emphasis on friendships and family across all POVs. I do not want to give much away, but seeing Daphne and Nina team up, and become friends while seeking revenge on a new rival, allowed me to see a different perspective of Daphne that I enjoyed. Plus, we got to meet the Royals from other countries and watch Beatrice make some positive changes while in power.

Get ready for another book that feels exactly like your favorite binge-worthy soap opera. Looking forward to book 4 already!!!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House in exchange for this honest review. Pub Date: 5/31/22

**Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

IF I DON'T GET A FOURTH INSTALLMENT OF THIS SERIES, I AM GOING TO RIOT. I loved American Royals but was iffy about Majesty, so I'm excited to report that this book is a really strong addition to the series.

There is a lot to love about this book. We get a much more in-depth look at the world the characters live in and meet other country's royals. The character development is really strong and very believable, especially for Daphne and Nina. And there is a cliffhanger at the end that sets the series up perfectly for a fourth installment.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was Teddy's character. I didn't appreciate the gender stereotypes that were at play in his plotline. But overall, this is a great read!

These books are a wild ride. I mean, the pack all the things. Drama, romance, deception, a little action, politics, family, and friendships. It’s the whole package.

This book was much needed after how Majesty ended but Katharine McGee, that end. Not cool! I hope we get more books in this series because I need more from this world!

There is a large cast of character in this series and we get a few new ones added in this book. I loved that extra layer.

Bea is my favorite. She is everything I love in a heroine while still being a flawed human who struggles. Teddy is book boyfriend goals. Jeff, Nina, and Sam have always been on and off for me. Daphne is the literal worst. I hate her with a passion.

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Thank you Net Galley and Penguin Random House for the ARC! I was all too happy to jump back into the world that Katharine McGee has created in her American Royals series! It is a welcome escape from the Omicron winter. Unfortunately I didn't like this book as much as I did the first two. I find the relationship between Beatrice and Teddy hard to buy into and I found the plot point about the climate change accord to be far-fetched (obviously I'm not reading this book for its realism, but that was too cheesy and beyond belief). Nina continues to be my favorite character and I liked the developments with Nina and Daphne. Despite its downsides, will I be reading book four when it comes out? Yes.

So book 3, and not the finale, lacked so much of the warmth and wonder of the 1at book. Character growth yes but not only did it feel like a placeholder walking in circles, it ended badly.

Book 3 in the American Royals series, we pick up after Beatrice decided not to marry Teddy, Sam and Marshall are official, Nina and Jeff are no longer and he is back together with Daphne.

Gahhh I love this series so much!!! It’s such a cool concept thinking about America having royal family and I’m so invested in every one of the characters arcs…. The beginning of this one started out a little slow, and I wasn’t a huge fan of Beatrice’s storyline. I hated how her and Teddy pulled away from each other and she focused most of her energy on friends. I loved Sam and Marshall’s story, and I really enjoyed Daphne and Nina becoming friends but the ending!!!!!! I can’t even believe she would end it like that!!!!! Now I cannot wait for the next book! Why would you do this?! I’m so anxious about everything that occurred! Sam doesn’t know! Jeff is acting king! And he thinks Daphne is pregnant (which is so unbelievably disgusting) and Nina has no idea… I literally can’t believe that all happened in the last 2 chapters. So so good! I’ll be thinking about this book for ages I know it.

This is a fun and interesting story -- and a worthy next chapter in this great series. The series presents the story of America if George and Martha Washington became the king and queen of America, and the royalty continued through the present day. The main character, Beatrice, became queen at a young age, following the unexpected death of her father. In this installment, America is hosting the regular gathering of royalty from around the world, and Beatrice is excited, and nervous, to be leading this meeting -- at the same time she is navigating feelings of isolation as a result of her role. Her younger sister and brother are also both in relationships that are facing their own pressures. Each must figure out what they want from their partners, friends, and family, as they balance their personal relationships with their responsibilities as royals.

I enjoyed the previous two books in this series, and the latest one was also terrific. With the alternate history of America, this book is often thought provoking while also being a thoroughly engaging story.

Highly recommended!