I love these characters.....I want to shake them in this book at times!
Nina and Daphne are so close to becoming real friends, I just wish Jeff wouldn't get in the way and that Daphne would be herself.
I love Nina and Sam's friendship. I am glad that Bee finally sees that she has earned her place in this world, I just wish Teddy had been by her side through it.

The cliffhanger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

American Royals 3: Rivals continues the story of the Washington monarchy. In "Rivals," we see our favorite characters, Sam, Bea, Jeff, and Nina struggle with fame, royalty, and relationships. An unlikely alliance had me screaming (in a good way) the entire book. I think what this book does so well is how real and relatable the characters are, even if they are royalty. I highly recommend this book.

I was so excited to read this and it didn’t disappoint! I quickly got swept up in the royal drama of the Washington siblings and their paramours in this vivid and addictive reimagining of America as a monarchy. McGee’s storytelling gives the reader just enough of what they want to leave them shocked when everything gets turned upside down. The romance is exciting as always but this installment of American Royals puts the focus on female friendships in a relatable and endearing way it never has before. I wasn’t expecting another cliffhanger portending a fourth book, but as Sam says, I’m all in!

Thank you for this ARC! This was a must- read for me, as I am heavily invested in the characters in this series. I do think it would be best to read American Royals and Majesty, the first two books in this series before reading Rivals. But I suppose it is not absolutely necessary because the author does fill in a little of the backstory. It was fun to be back in this alternate universe where America is ruled by the royal Washington family and Queen Beatrice just took over. I enjoy the multiple points of view and the increased development of the characters. Despite this book being young adult, the storylines are sophisticated and give you a lot to think about. I highly recommend for something light, but. not cheesy!

I loved American Royals III. Reimagined history is such an incredible way to tell a story. I love Katherines novels and am always sad when they end! Such an entertaining read that somehow has you rooting for all of the characters. Will be using this series to coach creative writing or revisionist history.

I’ve personally LOVED the Royals series, and Katharine McGee does NOT disappoint with this third book!! The twists, the turns, the rivalry!! I’m DYING to get my hands on the next one!

I received a temporary digital advanced copy of American Royals III: Rivals by Katharine McGee from NetGalley, Random House, and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In part three of McGee's American Royal series, Queen Beatrice is hosting the League of Kings, Princess Samantha is assisting her sister in Orange, while Prince Jeff stays in Washington and fillfuls Queen Beatrice's home-based responsibilities. Nina continues her college experience and makes an alliance with Daphne when they have a common enemy to take down.

After reading the second installment of the American Royal, I had no idea what to expect of the third; however, this was an excellent read. The storyline was well thought out and characters continue to develop in a way that makes sense. I loved the relationship with Nina and Daphne and the authors ability to explore their hope and fears of this new friendship.

American Royal fans will love Rivals and be extremely excited for the fourth installment after that ending!

Rivals is the third book of Katharine McGee's Royals series, which means the characters are well known to us now. The writing in Rivals is just as strong as it was in I and II, which means you'll find yourself rooting for the characters and eagerly anticipating what comes next. That said, the plot is close to outdated. We end Rivals in far too similar of a place where we ended Book II, with the characters facing the same personal dilemmas they faced at the outset. I hope we get a Royals IV, but it should end there, or move the characters past their relational dilemmas and into the next iteration of challenges.

Rating - 4 stars

I was so sad when I heard that Majesty was supposed to conclude this story but then equally overjoyed when I heard this book was coming out!!! I tore through this third installment of the American Royals saga and enjoyed it immensely. Loved the new characters introduced and the thickening of plots at several turns. This story is definitely not over, as getting to 98% and seeing no ways out indicated. There are still heavily-employed tropes that feel a little tired - namely the “something happened and everyone is jumping to conclusions rather than taking five seconds to send a quick text or call someone to clarify and now I’m going to get rageful yet unwarranted revenge” option hat lightly cheapens this story. We all saw far too little of Teddy here, I will say. And yet, we love it still. 4 stars and many thanks to an advance look from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review!

Like a great meal, this book also satisfies. After a somewhat disappointing second book this one makes up for it.

I enjoyed Rivals (maybe) more than American Royals. After being so disappointed with an unresolved Majesty, the character-driven plot of Rivals was redemptive.

The League of Kings conference, a global cooperative of reigning monarchs, descends upon America and serves as the backdrop for the novel. It’s Beatrice’s first major event as Queen, and she’s learning to balance the professional and personal sides of being a head of state, all the while muddling through glitzy yacht parties and high-stakes poker games. Meanwhile, Daphne’s family fortunes have taken a dramatic shift downward, and she’s willing to do anything to stay in Jeff’s good graces… including teaming up with Nina. Jeff, as always, is oblivious to all but his own whims.

One of the things I love most about YA literature is it’s ability to delve into deep issues. As Sam and Marshall bloom into their relationship, it’s marred by the ugliness of racism; the exact racism we see in the headlines with Harry and Meghan. Beatrice battles anti-feminists and pushes for the global good with her climate accord, even when it could alienate potential friends.

All in all, I think this series is setting up well for a final fourth book. I hope McGee is able to bring it to us. I, for one, would love to finally see Daphne get hers.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

American Royals III: Rivals by Katharine McGee is the third book in the bestselling alt-universe series where America has Kings and Queens. The story is told from the third-person perspectives of four main characters: Beatrice, the Queen, Sam, her younger sister, Nina, Sam's best friend, and Daphne, a titled member of high-class society. Princess Samantha is dating Lord Marshall Davis, but the press is having a field day because he's black. Beatrice is meeting with other kings and queens at an UN-like conference. Nina and Daphne have been romantic rivals for ages, but have they found a common cause in taking down a new rival?

Here is an excerpt from Chapter 1, which introduces us to Beatrice:

"Beatrice pulled her arms overhead in a stretch. She wondered if all brides felt like this when they returned from their honeymoons: flush with a warm, relaxed pleasure.
Except that Beatrice—Her Majesty Beatrice Georgina Fredericka Louise, Queen of America—wasn’t a normal bride. Actually, since she hadn’t gotten married, she wasn’t a bride at all.
She glanced at Theodore Eaton, the man she was supposed to have wed earlier this year. His hair was an even brighter blond after three weeks in the Caribbean sun, his skin burnished to a golden tan. Beatrice knew she looked just as relaxed and well rested.
Not that it would last, with everything that lay ahead."

Overall, American Royals III: Rivals is a YA romance and drama that will appeal to fans of Gossip Girl or Tokyo Ever After. As someone who has read the previous books, I would recommend that you read them before this one so that you can get a handle on the characters. Although I've always been a fan of Beatrice, and was so excited when she became Queen, I have to admit that Nina and Daphne's storyline really stole the show this time! It was really fun to watch the two romantic rivals, who had always competed for the heart of Prince Jefferson, end up working together when a new girl enters the picture. If you're intrigued by the description, or if you're a fan of light, breezy YA romances, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in May!

A delightful third installment to a favorite series of mine! I was thrilled to hear that the American Royals series would be continued, and this book did not disappoint!

The continuation of the American royals series does not disappoint at all - but has left me on yet another cliffhanger! I need more, and I need it soon!

Another great installment in the American Royals series. I felt this one started out slow but eventually picked up and by the end left me wanting more answers. Lots of character growth and changes along the way with a few surprises thrown in. Can’t wait for the next one

I can’t even! I have so many conflicting feelings and emotions right now and I’m also mad that I read this so fast and now it’s over 😭

Once again McGee has completely sucked me in – I devoured this book in a day…could. not. stop. (Really, the book should come with a warning: Please be prepared to lock in until the end, cancel your plans and get cozy!) I have loved each installment in this series, and each time it surprises me and kind of blows my mind how my opinions and wants sway throughout the books.

As with books one and two we are delivered drama, intrigue, romance, and of course ruthless calculation. I feel like with each book, the world is better defined, but truly what I love is the evolution of the characters – their wants, needs, desires, hopes and understanding of themselves and the world around them. I love how McGee has the power to paint flawed characters that make you stare at the gray and sometimes wonder about your own convictions. (Yes, I’m saying she actually had me feeling bad for a certain master manipulator.)

That ending though!!! No spoilers but I better get a fourth book. This can’t be the end, I have two many questions, emotions, and thoughts and I need answers!

I definitely recommend this one – for fans of the series, for fans of Gossip Girl -esque drama or CW Teen drama types in general, fans of modern royal YA reads, etc. This was very addicting, completely distracting, drama and soap-y in the best way, and a total escapist read. I want more – keep them coming!

Thank you to Random House Children’s and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

This series has been a complete rollercoaster for me. I absolutely loved the concept before the first installment was even published and waited anxiously for the day I could finally get my hands on a copy. So, after devouring it and rejoicing the fact that there would be a sequel, I was SO angry, upon reading that second book, with how most of the relationships I rooted for and became invested in were destroyed that I vowed I would never read a third installment if there ever were one. However, I had to know if RIVALS would set everything back to rights and dove in the moment I received my ARC.

RIVALS again follows Beatrice, Samantha, Nina, and Daphne as they attempt to grow into their respective (royal) roles, dealing with backstabbing peers and relationships where one partner will eventually have to make sacrifices for the other.

Perhaps because I was further removed from the story, having read the sequel when it first came out, I enjoyed RIVALS much more than I did it’s predecessor, MAJESTY. Some of the high points were the deeper dive into the idea of interracial relationships, reminiscent of the Harry and Meghan situation, which was only just touched on in the sequel and the soapy drama that worked so well for AMERICAN ROYALS. And while some of those relationships I (and so many other readers who had the same complaints I did) fell in love with were somewhat repaired, RIVALS was enjoyable enough that I am going to continue on to the fourth book in the series in order to find out what happens after several juicy cliffhangers.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the gifted copy of Rivals: American Royals 3. This book comes out May 31, 2022.

Rating: 4 to 4.5⭐️
Genre: YA

When I read the first book in this series, I was obsessed and couldn’t wait to read book two to see how this series ended. After reading book two, I felt disappointed that was how the characters would end. Once book three was announced, I knew I had to read it.

After reading this book, I realize that this is written to be a continuing series. When I started these books, I honestly thought there would be only two. I went into the third book, again, thinking the series would be wrapped up, but it doesn’t seem to be the case.

I will say the story and characters are phenomenal! This could easily be a tv series! My caution would be don’t go into this book thinking it’s an ending or you will get closure to these characters. It really feels like this series is just getting started!

4.25

I love the American Royals world Katharine McGee has built and the third installment was everything I wanted. It picks up right where Majesty left us - and even though it's been a while since I read it - I was quickly brought back up to speed on all the main characters.

I love the multiple POVs and the fact that each chapter is quite short. Even though this is a 400 page book, I read it quickly because of these two things. Don't want to spoil anything, but I even found myself rooting for Daphne (!!) during some parts of the book - which just speaks to Katharine's ability to really show the perspectives of each character.

Based on the ending, there MUST be another - can't wait to see what happens next! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC of this book!

I absolutely LOVE this series. After the end of the second book, Majesty, I knew there needed to be more to this story. I was so glad when I saw that there was going to be a third book and hopefully a 4th.

Just like the other books in the series, we have multiple POVs which gives the reader insight into how each character is processing each situation and how they're affecting the other characters in the story. I do think Rivals is a great title for this book because each character that we follow has a rival of their own whether it's a person or situation. For this review, I'll break it down by character with a POV in the book.

Beatrice - Beatrice is trying to find her footing in her new role as Queen. It reminded me a lot of Mia in The Princess Diaries. She has to forge her own way forward but still keep enough tradition to have the public trust her. The big event for her in this book is the League of Kings conference which is being held in America. We are introduced to the Princess of France, Louise. Beatrice has to figure out how to navigate politics, friendship, and fitting in in a way that she has never had to before. Of course, we do get a check-in with Teddy, but that is really secondary to Beatrice's journey as a new queen.

Daphne - Everyone's favorite villain is back! Daphne is facing the risk of losing her social standing, and she cannot risk that meaning she loses Prince Jefferson, too. Daphne will do anything that it takes to maintain the facade that she has built including teaming up with a former rival in order to take down a new rival, Gabriella Madison of THE Madisons.

Nina - I found Nina to be more likable in this book than in the previous one. I do think it's clear she still has feelings for Jeff, but since he is with Daphne, she has to exercise a lot of restraint. Nina faces losing her scholarship at King's College also due to meddling from Gabriella Madison. Nina teams up to take down Gabriella, but she finds that she sees her former rival, Daphne, in a new light.

Samantha - Samantha is really in her own world here, a love cocoon with Marshall of Orange. Marshall is in line to become the Duke of Orange someday which makes a relationship with Sam more complicated. Sam and Marshall are forced to decide what they are willing to give up for each other.

This book brought the drama in the same way the other two did, but I really feel like we are in a new phase here with the story. The characters are older, somewhat wiser, sometimes more mature, but still have to fight for what they want in their world whether it's love, status, or both. And some choose to fight dirty. I loved this book, and I cannot wait for the next one.

Thank you to Random House Children's and NetGalley for the eARC review copy.