We're here. Finally. The LAST book in the American Royals series. If you've read any of my other reviews, I typically start with a brief synopsis, but let's be real, if you're a fan of the series you should know by now that (1) I'd just be repeating where we left off int he last book, or (2) spoiling the entire thing for you. It's extremely challenging to write this review without spoilers, in part, because the book has such a telenovela feel--car crashes, comas, amnesia, blackmail, royalty, affairs, and more. There's so much drama packed in that every little tidbit is a spoiler. I'll say this: I am glad to see that McGee gave us an ending. I had been one of the loudest lamenters that pretty much every other book in the series ended on a cliffhanger, which imo, ruins an otherwise fabulous book. But here, we finally see a conclusion, including a 6 months later, "where are they now" style epilogue. I also wish there had been more Bea, which I think I've said after every book. But Bea is my favorite character of the bunch, and just because she's less dramatic it doesn't mean I want less of her! Her and Teddy are total #endgame for me, so I would have loved to have seen more of them on page. But overall, I enjoyed the book, devouring it in one sitting. I'm generally happy with how things turned out, plot-wise, minus one thing I can't say without spoiling. But DM me if you want to chat about it--ha!

Thanks to Random House Children's for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

Special thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Content Warning: This book includes: on-page alcohol consumption, mentioned drug use, sexual content: (fade to black scenes, several make-out sessions), cheating in a relationship, toxic relationships, blackmail, discussions of miscarriage (not detailed simply stated, did not happen), car crash, & memory loss.

Well, we have crossed the finish line. I’m laughing, crying, screaming and throwing up because it’s DONE! To say I have grown with these characters over the course of the past few years is an understatement. I am a major history buff (And a reality TV junkie) so when my friend suggested I read this series. I was totally down. I mean…. who wouldn’t want to read a book about what America would be like if we’d resorted to a monarchy instead of a democracy? It’s such a intriguing concept and Katherine McGee did a phenomenal job handling it.

As it is part of a series, you do have to read the first three books in order to truly grasp and enjoy this book to it’s fullest. This particular book had me on the edge of my seat and I pretty much finished it in one sitting. There is a small time jump from the end of the last book to this one, but we don’t really feel as if time has passed at all, so don’t worry you won't miss any of the drama.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t living for the dumpster fire that is the Washintons’ lives. It’s just too good! Every time you think the water’s finally settled for them a tsunami comes hurdling the Washingtons’ way. Would we love it as much if they were on a peaceful boat ride down the river. Yes… But the drama tsunami is definitely far more entertaining to behold.

There were a few things that I felt could have been tied up a little sooner (i.e. this whole Daphne/Nina/Jefferson/Ethan thing) but that is just my personal preference and I did enjoy how it was handled in the end. I think the politics of the situation really just sold the ending for me, because it felt like something that could definitely happen in the world today. I just love the believability that it gave to the story.

Were the characters perfect? No. Did they always make the best choices? No. But, that is why this series can resonate with many young adults today. This series covers various topics and themes that many young people can relate to. McGee handled all of those confusing and scary topics and themes in a very entertaining and relatable way. This series is definitely a must have in any library collection.

Overall, this series has been such a blast. I would recommend The American Royals series to anyone who loves history, reality television and Movies/TV shows like: Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, The Crown, and Princess Diaries. Recommended reading would be McGee’s other series The Thousandth Floor, Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean, and pretty much any of Kiera Cass’s books, specifically, The Selection series.

This is exactly what I was hoping for in the conclusion to this series. American Royals is such a fun series and this book did not disappoint. There’s so much drama and while I didn’t love all the relationships and hookups that were going on, overall I really enjoyed the plot! This book has such a perfect ending and I loved how all the characters got their own satisfying (because I wouldn’t necessary say happy) ending.

This series.

I loved book 1. I was upset with this series at the end of book 2. I thought it was the end.

Then we got a 3, 4, and a novella!

I was hopeful during book 3.

And then book 4! I was nervous thinking it’s either going to cause me to love or hate this series. The first half of this book had me leaning towards a strong not loving of the series. I ended up loving the ending of book 4 though and almost where all the characters ended up. There are 1 or 2 I would’ve swapped where they ended up but overall I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars.

I'm like...lowkey sad that this series is over. I've loved each and every book and the drama and the characters and just...it's so good? This wraps up the series nicely, but it did kind of feel like the whole Beatrice plot was basically a "oh no what else can we have happen in this world" but I like how it brought all the different stories together. I'm glad Nina got her ending that she deserved, Jeff learned more about himself, Daphne figured out her life, and Sam had SO much growth. TBH it probably isn't a 4 star read just because the plot was there but it wasn't like...really there and solid...BUT I do think it was well done and it truly did wrap up the series well....to where I still want more books about each of the characters.

What a lovely send off for the Washington family! It feels so weird to think that the series is over - but that could be because I just did a binge read to get ready for Reign's release and I never wanted it to end.

Title: American Royals IV: Reign
Genre: young adult fiction
Format: Digital Galley
Pub Date: 08.29.2023
Star Rating: 4 STARS

The twist and turns in this book will keep you on the edge of your seat! Picking up right at the cliffhanger at the end of book three (the reason I waited to read book 3 until this book was out was because I heard there was a wicked cliffhanger - and people were right), the Washingtons are fighting enemies at their own door and working to retain their hold on American politics, minds, and hearts.

You really feel for the male characters in this book - and it makes me wish that there had been some book that covered their POVs. Marshall, Teddy, and Jeff would have made such compelling counterparts to the females of the story.

Like - give me more Teddy. I want more Teddy.

The one thing I did not care for, knowing it was the last book in the series, is that the epilogue didn't jump forward enough. I wish that McGee had, instead of bringing all of the characters to the same moment in time, that they'd each gotten a different part of their future written out for us. Like the end of Parenthood - where you saw one character just a few months into the future, and others were several years or decades. I would have liked to see Beatrice's future a little further down the line, after we became so invested in her ascent to the throne.

But honestly, if you're a fan of the series, you'll be happy with the Washingtons final chapter. I know I was.

OMG I AM OBSESSED! I am sad that this is the final book of the American Royals series, but it was wrapped up so well. Seeing how the Washingtons all have grown into their adult selves and embraced their new roles was amazing.

What a nice conclusion to this series. I know this was the last book…but there could be some more story to tell…with Nina as the main character. It wrapped up the characters nicely for the most part. It made me happy that B n T finally got married! I like how Daphne’s character played out. I really liked her in the end, and I’m glad the author humanized her in this last book. She seemed like over the top “bad girl”in previous books. Jeff and Nina are the holdouts…would love an extended epilogue about them…😊

I love this series but was unable to finish this book because I couldn't get past the amnesia plot line. I don't know why, but I can't stand this trope and it felt really forced to me.

I loved this series and was so excited when I got a chance to read the ARC of the 4th and final book.

It was a nice ending to a fun series about what it could have been like if America was a monarchy instead of a democracy.

This is such a fun series and I loved this last installment! There was plenty of royal drama of course, but also a ton of lovely growth and development in all the main characters. I loved seeing them all figure out what they really wanted and follow their hearts, rather than always doing what was expected. Anyone who has enjoyed the previous books will surely love this one!

Reign is the final entry in the American Royals series and wraps up everyone's story arc with a nice bow. While I maintain that the series could have ended after book two I did enjoy the series and soap opera-level drama. Mild spoilers below.

Reign picks up where Rivals left off: Beatrice is still in a coma, Sam is in Hawaii with Marshall, Jeff is acting king and Daphne is scheming her way into becoming a princess with a fake pregnancy and engagement. Nina is also there doing college stuff and sorta pining after Jeff. However, McGee immediately ramps up the drama by introducing new love interests, palace intrigue and amnesia for Queen Bee. Of course because this is the last book everything works out for our Royals in a pretty much expected way.

Personally I felt like some of the plot lines in this book were rushed or should have been referenced in the earlier books. For example the Madison storyline felt very rushed and nothing really came of it. I think it could have been more relevant if McGee had started the storyline a little earlier. I also was not a fan of Nina's storyline. Nina just felt wishy-washy through the entire book and I really disliked her ending. While all the other characters got a pretty definite ending her ending felt like there was too much left hanging which was basically her character arc in every previous book.

Not too be all negative though I did enjoy Sam's storyline and her learning to be more than just the party princess. She and Marshall are still cute together and their happy ending feels well deserved. Similarly Daphne's storyline and ending was really fun to read about and her powers of manipulating the press are used for good finally.

Overall this was a pretty good conclusion to the series and easily readable. I would recommend to existing fans of the series but those expecting something new might be disappointed

The fourth book in the series wraps up perfectly! So much drama and satisfying endings for each of the main characters. It was the perfect ending to a royally fun series.

The end of an era. I can't believe I've been with this American family of royals for so many years now, but alas, all good things must come to an end.

As we've come to expect from this series, they change love interests every book. At least with this one, we kinda landed on a guy for each girl since this was the last book (but only kinda). I don't understand why we had to keep introducing new love interests in this book. We've had so many that I feel like we have a list to choose from, but whatever.

This book was pretty well paced. I felt like we were getting a good amount of "screen time" from each girl as it's a multi-pov book. I felt like Nina's story in this book was a little forced and kinda boring, but like, she was apart of the other three books so we had to keep her around.

Overall, this book did end how I wanted it to and mostly how I saw things going. It was what I needed to feel closure about ending this series.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Beatrice is in a coma after her accident. Sam is unreachable in Hawaii with Marshall, so Jeff is named Regent. Congress strips Sam of her titles, and she must learn to live like a normal person when she rushes to Beatrice's side when she learns the news. Jeff and Daphne plan their wedding, but Daphne and Ethan are being blackmailed with their secret relationship: Break up with Jeff or else. Nina starts seeing Prince James of Canada. Beatrice wakes up, but isn't quite the same. Will anyone end up happy?

I have loved this series. This is an excellent conclusion with the three siblings of the American Crown coming together for each other and the country. Each storyline ends in a way that McGee could spin off. Wouldn’t we live to see where Sam, Jeff, and Nina all end up in their lives? The characters in these books garner live and support from the readers.

Great series that continues a good story line. This is such an interesting premise, and my high school students have really enjoyed it.

The finale to the American Royals series, Reign is an enjoyable read with a satisfying resolution. At times throughout the series, some of the characters’ storylines lost my interest, and I think the series overall would have been stronger if it had been condensed into a trilogy or even a duology. Despite that, the imaginative premise of this series has been fun to explore and it ended with the right balance of some loose ends tied and some left open to the imagination. The romantic plot lines, though a bit “soapy” at times (in this book alone: amnesia, faked pregnancy, and love triangles), still allowed room for powerful themes of identity, friendship, and family to flower. Like its predecessors, the final book in the American Royals series will be a popular title in our high school library.

I am a sucker for this whole series by Katharine McGee. As someone who grew up on Meg Cabot (The Princess Diaries and All American Girl), this is a series that feels so familiar but new. It's fresh and interesting and juicy, but not at all diminishing to the female characters. They're all flushed out in compelling, realistic arcs that have me begging for another installment. I cannot recommend this enough to new YA readers or to older (30 something) YA readers who want that same dopamine rush!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Katharine McGee and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A series finale that will keep you on the edge of your seat! America's royal family is crumbling. Bea is in a coma and Samantha ran away, which means Jefferson is the acting King of America. Will the Washington family lose their throne? The stakes are higher than ever.

I thought Reign was a great wrap up to the series. I am going to miss Bea, Sam, Jefferson, Nina, and Teddy. I though Sam grew up a lot in "Reign" and I like seeing that for her character. I really hope Ms. McGee will change her mind and write another story to this series.