The Duchess Effect is the sequel to American Royalty by Tracey Livesay, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. If you haven’t read the first book yet, I highly recommend starting there - The Duchess Effect picks up right where the whirlwind romance leaves off.

If American Royalty gave us the fantasy - the meet-cute, the spark, the seductive allure of falling in love - then The Duchess Effect shows us what it really takes to sustain that love when the world is watching, judging, and pressuring you to become someone you’re not.

This isn’t your typical royal romance. There are no tiaras without tension here. Instead, Livesay gives us a story deeply rooted in reality - centered on two people in love but painfully aware that the world may never fully make space for them.

The story picks up shortly after the end of book one, placing us righ in the aftermath of Dani and Jameson’s very public relationship. At the heart of it Dani Nelson - an outspoken rapper and savvy businesswoman whose image has always been hers to define. Now, she’s expected to shrink into a more “palatable” version of herself for the sake of the monarchy. She’s brilliant, funny, guarded, sensitive, and deeply principled - and that’s what makes her so compelling. Dani’s not trying to become a princess. She’s trying to stay Dani in a world that demands conformity in exchange for acceptance.

Meanwhile, Jameson has his own recokoning. What does it mean to love someone who challenges everything you were raised to protect? His growth is subtle but powerful. His journey isn’t just about choosing Dani - it’s about unlearning old paradigms, redefining love, and learning how to use his privilege to support, not silence.

Now, let me be clear - both characters had their moments where they could have handled things better (as real people do). But one thing is certain: Jameson is top-tier book boyfriend material. The way he was utterly captivated by Dani, how fiercely he wanted to protect her - was incredibly sexy. And that steamy dressing room scene? Unforgettable. 🔥

What kept me turning pages was the book’s commentary, sizzling chemistry, and it unapologetic exploration of what it means to show up fully as yourself in spaces designed to erase you. Tracey Livesay doesn’t shy away from complexities of race, class or power - but still gives us moments of softness, humor, and soul-stirring intimacy.

At its core, this is a story about love as evolution. Love that asks for effort, healing, compromise, and the courage to stay soft in a world that tries to harden you.

Because in the end, The Duchess Effect isn’t about a woman becoming a princess - it’s about a man learning how to make space for a queen.

And honestly? That’s the real fairytale. 👑

I’m holding out hope for a third book, because I’m not ready to let go of these characters just yet.

he Duchess Effect is an engaging, modern royal romance with a refreshing take on love, fame, and cultural identity. Livesay’s writing keeps readers invested, and fans of American Royalty will enjoy seeing Dani and Jameson navigate their evolving relationship. A must-read for those who love strong heroines, dashing royals, and second-chance romance stories.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! I just couldn't get in the mood for this one, but I do love this author!

This book was great as a follow-up. I still enjoyed the couple in this book and it was great to see the continuation of their relationship.

I read this as an ARC and apparently forgot to write a review wow! I'm so sorry. In any case, I think i (in a rare showing) liked this book more than the first. This felt way more grounded, as in the characters felt real versus feeling like characters just doing things so people are shocked momentarily. Loved how we got to see everyone grow apart and then back together. Brilliant job.

I enjoyed this for the most part! I think the first book ended on such a good note, it didn't really need this sequel, especially with the direction the story went. Still it was an enjoyable read. Both Dani and Jameson got a bit on my nerves and I didn't think their split was necessary, but it is what it is. Now, I will say this one is spicier than the first and whew! It was certainly hot! Jameson's dirty talk had me blushing!

I LOOOOOOOOVED IT. It was frustrating at times because you just wanted to shake them BOTH for being so stubborn, but it was just so good. I loved it so much.

NOW GIVE US ANOTHER!!!

If you're a fan of the American Royals series, be sure to check out The Duchess Effect! Filled with royal drama and romance, this book is a great read!

I really loved the first book in this series so I was excited to see what happened next since I always want to know what happens after. It took me awhile to read this because I knew within the first couple of chapters how this was going to go and how it would annoy me. Would I read more in the future if there was more? Probably but this was not my favorite book.

This book was unnecessary. The characters, which were already hard to like in the first book, weren't further developed at all.

Not gonna lie I do feel disappointed with the 2nd book after waiting for it. The lack of substance between these two is sad especially with how we left off in book one.

3.5 STARS

I loved the first book. I struggled with this one.

I voluntarily read an early copy.

An amazing follow up to the first novel. 10/10 I truly love Duchess and Jameson so much. They are such an awesome couple. I think I might have laughed out loud at the spades scene. It was really an awesome ride. Loved it.

I loved the first book and was really excited about this one, but it left me a little disappointed that instead of great communication and individual and couple growth, we got hit with the miscommunication trope. Jameson chose violence out the gate with that mouth of his, and I really enjoyed getting to see them try to navigate their new dynamic. I really expected to see growth between Dani and Jameson as they figure out how to combine their lives and what works for them now that they're in public, but Dani is still very much it's me, and I got to do what’s right for me. I completely understand, but I feel that as a couple working through an already complicated dynamic, the least that could have been done was her communicating with Jameson.

Thank you, Netgalley, Avon and Harper Vouyager, for this eARC.

I don’t think this author is for me, unfortunately. AMERICAN ROYALS was a miss for me as I felt
that the plot held so much missed potential and was more steam than substance. I don’t think this book really needed a sequel as it doesnt really advance from where we left off in book one, and the miscommunication trope was a big miss for me here too.

Loved the first in the series and was skeptical of a second but it was excellent and really good to finally see after the end of a book what is next in the real life of having and nurturing a relationship.

Okay, so I’m sad because I didn’t love it. I liked it. I love these characters but I don’t know if a sequel was needed, even though I always prefer a series over a standalone. Please don’t read into my dislikes on this review, I love this couple and this author!

LIKES:
1) Duchess and Jameson are perfect. Which I think was why I got annoyed with the story. (Obviously I’m way to invested with this fictional couple…)
2) Bringing more awareness to the microaggressions Meghan faced. A lot of this felt so real because I’ve watched documentaries and read books about it.
3) Duchess’s friends… 😍 the true heroes in the story for giving her a “slap” when she needed it!
4) Jameson’s mom. There is just something I really love about her.

DISLIKES:
1) where this wasn’t really miscommunication, there was some lying and misleading and that made me upset. The chemistry that Livesay pours into these characters, you are rooting for them the entire time and I guess I just didn’t want to see them struggle.

I have to thank Netgalley and Avon Books for this edition in exchange for an honest review.

Although a follow-up to American Royalty, this new entry delves deeper into Dani and Jameson's love story, showing how maintaining their relationship becomes more difficult in the glare of the spotlight and increasing pressures. But throughout their connection and feelings ring true, and I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel.

Tracey is a delight and I loved this second book in the Duchess duet. I am mad that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry did not optioned this book for a movie.

Tracey is an autobuy author for me. She can write the shopping list and I will buy it.

Prince Jameson and Duchess return in the sequel to American Royalty. They must navigate their relationship while dealing with the pressures of fame and nobility.

This was a cute read. Enjoyable especially if you were captivated by Prince Harry and Meghan Markel