Member Reviews

Katharine McGee could write a grocery list and I would read it. Seriously. I love her work, I love the world building and character development, and I love love love devouring her writing.

Was this review helpful?

A great finale to the American Royals series. The characters and the drama didn’t disappoint! I love the character development and likability of even the most conniving characters! This series has been such a clever take on how royalty would live if America had a monarchy. I look forward to reading more by Katharine McGee!

Was this review helpful?

The absolute chokehold that the American Royals series has on me is unreal and I don’t understand it. I was so happy to see everything resolve and to return to the characters that I love. This series has me in love with McGee’s writing and I’m eager to see what she reads next.

Was this review helpful?

Katharine McGee's American Royals IV: Reign delivers a thrilling conclusion to the series, where the balance of power and matters of the heart are at their most precarious. Queen Beatrice, the pillar of America's royal family, lies in a coma, leaving her siblings grappling with their roles and choices. The narrative's pace is brisk, propelling readers through a whirlwind of political intrigue and personal dilemmas that keep the stakes high and the pages turning.

Central to the story is Prince Jefferson, who finds himself unexpectedly thrust onto the throne. His journey is fraught with tension as he navigates the responsibilities of leadership while being ensnared by Daphne Deighton's manipulations. Jefferson's internal conflict and the resurfacing of his feelings for Nina Gonzalez add layers to his character, making his decisions and development compelling to follow.

However, the story occasionally feels rushed, with some plot threads not given the depth they deserve. Princess Samantha's disappearance and her relationship with Lord Marshall Davis, for instance, could have been explored more thoroughly to enhance their impact. Despite these minor shortcomings, the novel's fast pace and the intricate dynamics within the Washington family provide a satisfying conclusion.

American Royals IV: Reign is a fitting end to a beloved series, balancing romance, duty, and power with enough twists to keep readers engaged. McGee's ability to weave together the personal and political realms of her characters makes this installment a worthwhile read for fans of royal drama.

Was this review helpful?

This is a wonderful conclusion to the American Royals series. Still lots of drama with Daphne and Jeff, things are changing for Sam, Beatrice is having challenges of her own and Nina has found another prince. Now that this series is done, I'll have to read the other books written by Katharine McGee!

I read and listened to the audio and enjoyed every minute of it! Brittany Pressley is one of my all-time favorite narrators.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 29 August 2023

Was this review helpful?

I am not much for YA books but this series had me hooked. That being said, I'm glad it's finished now as this book feels recycled and just...done. I am glad Daphne has some growth, finally, because she was just a terrible character.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Not sure why I kept going with this series but I thought this was okay. I think it is a good series of American Royals if we had them, but YA isn't really for me anymore.

Was this review helpful?

I love this series! I was so glad to hop back into this world and see how everything resolves. These books are like juicy soap operas in book form. Wish this series was continuing but look forward to what McGee will write next.

Was this review helpful?

A fantastic conclusion to one of my favorite series that I've ever read. I love Katharine and how she wrapped up this story overall.

Was this review helpful?

Katharine McGee blessed us American Royals fans with a very satisfying conclusion to a fun series. I was hooked on these books from the opening pages of American Royals, and that never once changed throughout the four books.

Every book in the series has ended with a lot up in the air, if not an outright cliffhanger, and I am really happy that this book wrapped everything up so well. The character growth and relationship development for all of our main characters – Bee, Sam, Nina, and Daphne – were all so well done. Sam and Nina were my favorites from the beginning, and that didn't change, but I am totally impressed at McGee's ability to get me to care about Daphne so much when she was such a villain in the first couple of books.

I loved this journey, and cannot recommend this series enough for fans of romance and YA contemporary. It's such a fun history twist to imagine America with a royal family. The drama, the unforeseen twists and turns, the political maneuverings. I really loved it all.

Of course, the ending is a bit bittersweet for me because I don't want this series to end. I would love to see another book, especially continuing Sam and Nina's journeys, but it doesn't sound like there are any current plans. But, we can hope, right?

Was this review helpful?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Receiving an advanced copy was much appreciated. I believe both existing fans and newcomers will find it equally enjoyable.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you so much for the opportunity to arc review this!

Reign is perfect for someone who loves over-the-top drama and angst. I binged the first two books in the series around the time the second book was published, and absolutely adored them. They are well written, but my taste in books has changed in the past few years and I don't love the way that I used to.

I have really leaned into reading romance books for the past several years, and have a very low tolerance for romantic drama that unfolds for book after book (or on TV!).

So, while the writing is well done and I can see why most people rate this book 4-5 stars, I didn't find it to be very enjoyable.

Was this review helpful?

This was a worthy conclusion to the Washington Family saga. I'm so sad this series is ending but what an ending it is! The "what-if" of this storyline has been fantastic!

Was this review helpful?

This whole series has been a joy, and while I'm sad that it's over, this is an excellent ending. It does a nice job having its own plot while piecing together the future for the characters in a way that feels true to the storylines and individuals.

Was this review helpful?

These books have such a fun light aspect to them (hello love triangles galore!) but there’s also so much complexity to the characters, and I love how the POVs are only from the women in the series. They constantly have to compromise their own wants with duty, family, and social pressure, and getting their inside POVs makes all of their motivations more relatable and confusing and makes even the “villains” sympathetic.

We finally get an answer to Beatrice’s crazy cliffhanger in Rivals, and the consequences of all of that. Daphne finally has Jeff, and a spot as a royal, closer than ever but I think she’s finally realizing that just because she has been taught to do something doesn’t mean she has to go against what she really wants. And Sam is dealing with the consequences of her actions, and how following her heart may not always be the best thing to do, but I’m so proud of how she’s coming into her own and becoming independent in this book! And Nina is Nina-ing as per usual; I really like seeing her away from the royal family more (though maybe closer to another one 😉).

I’m really sad to see this series come to an end, and will definitely be rereading in my future!

Was this review helpful?

I really loved how this story began in the first book of the series, but felt like the books lost some of their charm by the conclusion of the series. Everything felt a bit haphazard and I still felt there were some story lines that did not get their due. I'd probably still recommend, but for me the series steadily went downhill.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book and this series! It picks right up with where the 3rd book left off and provided a satisfying conclusion. Can't wait to see what McGee. comes up with next

Was this review helpful?

"American Royals IV: Reign" by Katharine McGee is a captivating and dramatic conclusion to the New York Times bestselling American Royals series. Packed with romance, duty, and power struggles, the novel unfolds a riveting tale that keeps readers hooked until the very end.

The story delves into the chaos within America's royal family, with Queen Beatrice in a coma and Princess Samantha missing, presumably having run away with Lord Marshall Davis. The resulting power vacuum places Prince Jefferson on the throne, a situation that some in America welcome, while others resist. McGee skillfully weaves a narrative that explores the intricate dynamics of love, duty, and power in the context of royalty.

The characters are well-developed, each grappling with their own dilemmas and desires. The portrayal of Prince Jefferson, Princess Samantha, and Daphne Deighton adds depth to the storyline, with their relationships and decisions shaping the fate of the royal family. The emotional turmoil and internal conflicts of the characters contribute to the overall richness of the narrative.

McGee's writing style is engaging and adept at building tension. The novel expertly balances the various plotlines, creating a sense of urgency that propels the reader forward. The exploration of love and secrets within the Washington family adds layers to the story, making it not just a tale of royalty but also a complex family drama.

One of the strengths of "Reign" lies in its ability to keep readers guessing about the ultimate fate of the characters and the monarchy itself. The uncertainties surrounding Queen Beatrice's condition, Samantha's disappearance, and the romantic entanglements keep the suspense alive throughout the book.

While the novel provides a satisfying conclusion to the series, it also leaves room for reflection on the themes of love, sacrifice, and the consequences of secrecy. "American Royals IV: Reign" is a four-star read that delivers a compelling mix of romance, intrigue, and royal drama. Katharine McGee skillfully ties up the loose ends of the series, providing fans with a satisfying and memorable conclusion to the American Royals saga.

Was this review helpful?

I'm glad this is the last book in the series, because it starts to feel like we're recycling plots. It kind of feels like book three undid everything in book one and two and then book four redid it. That being said, I have enjoyed the series over all.

This book did me the growth in Daphne that I wanted to see as well as everyone realizing Jefferson was a terrible person to the women in his lives.

Was this review helpful?

Another great read by this author. I love the continuation of the Washington family saga and the story's conclusion. Lots of intrigue, romance, duty, and decisions are made that affect the lives of the each of the Washington family members. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?