Nothing agitates me more than a cliffhanger! With that said, I loved this book!
Evan is hoping for the drama to finally settle after a whirlwind of events the last 7 months. But of course her life isn't that easy, and now being in the public eye it's even worse.
Aimee Carter pulled a fast one on me. At first I thought this might air more on the side of drama and romance, but it quickly took a different turn as new events happened. This author does amazing things with her works, and I am here for it.
If you like mysteries and drama, this is for you. I love the fictional world she has created and how she sucks you into it.
Absolutely the perfect escape.
Thank you so much for the opportunity. Aimee Carter is officially on my autobuy list, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I'm definitely invested in these characters, and I'm happy some of my fears didn't come true with the plot. Well done Aimee Carter!
I hope this review helps! Happy Reading and Blessed Be.
Lily Ashtree

In the book Royal Scandal, Royal Blood book 2 by Amy Carter. Evan is doing her best to rebound after the whole rape and attempted murder of the past six months she still dating Kit and still making headlines. In the beginning of the book the American president comes to visit the royal family and she gets to meet their son Theo who immediately wants to be friends with her and although when her heel almost breaks he saves her from falling but she really wants nothing to do with him. Then everyone gets together and goes to Scotland for Christmas and surprise surprise Evans mom Laura shows up. Laura and Alexander are still in love with each other. Evan right after arriving runs into Constantine who doesn’t give her any acknowledgment whatsoever. But when she goes after Laura the American princess gives her an earful. Laura isn’t the only Christmas surprise because Ben who skirted his watchers in Africa arrives with his mom for Christmas. In this book Evan Will be shot at, live through a bomb attack and there’s even a fire set in the Winsor private apartments and she soon learns it was to take out her mother… I think? During the bomb attack king Alexander has devastating injuries and is still in a coma at the end of the book. They also find out a terrorist organization that claims Evan and kit or members but she and princess Mary a.k.a. Macy know it’s someone much closer to home. All I can say about this book is it must’ve reached its target audience because the ratings are high it reads like a book you would get off of those write your own book apps like Whatpad. I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it it just seemed like a fantasy a teenage girl would have where she finds out her real dad is really the king and that makes her a princess then she falls in Love with a buy count who is totally enamored with her and they are so close they can read each others mine that is this book. It came really close to being a great five star read but they almost had too much drama not to mention when it came to her mom it was almost as if she was the parent and her mom the child, not to mention the about-face her and Constance‘s relationship took but once again having said that I still rated it three stars! I want to thank the publisher and net galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Back again and filled with more assassination attempts, political family drama, and a mystery to unravel for an american girl turner monarchy nightmare. Picking up where the last book left off Evan Bright has finally reunited with her mother and father and found out who tried to have her sexually assaulted, filmed, and destroyed... and tried to frame her for murder, her cousin Ben. Evan is still adjusting to being the illegitimate daughter of King Alexander, and the fact that her distant father is now dating her mom again and her mom is out of the psych ward and tentatively back in her life. Evan is also dealing with being in the spotlight and of course navigating a new relationship with her Earl boyfriend, Kit. Evan is meant to be spending Christmas with Kit and her cousin and her family, a cozy getaway from everything... except cousin Ben and his mother shows up... and things start going wrong as more news leaks about Evan tothe media, painting her as a villain and more attempts at her life begin to escalate but she can't prove it's Ben when she knows its him. With her loving boyfriend Kit beside her, Evan will have to find a way to survive all these attempts on her life while also dealing with the large amount of political family drama that comes with being part of the monarchy. This was a fun second book in the series that absolutely picked up the action and the tension, I felt so bad for Evan that after everything in the first book she had to go through even worse trials and endure so much more. I hope she finally gets her happy ending in the final book and can't wait to see what she plans to do to get revenge. This series has been such a fun read and I found myself completely engrossed until the very last chapter. I am so so excited for the next book!

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

2.5 stars rounded up. THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!

I wanted to like this book. But after not really enjoying the first one, the odds were stacked against me here. I found Evan and Maisie's relationship in the first book to be overly hateful for no reason, and while I'm glad that some of this was fixed in this book, I still think that a lot of the time they were not nice to each other for the sole reason that the other person existed.

I found the twists to be fun but to get a little pedantic, and the fact that the big reveal included a character that we didn't even meet until the second book in the series was a little frustrating to me.

I also don't love the way this book discusses schizophrenia, but that's a whole different conversation.

This is a book that immediately grabs your hand and refuses to let go until you’ve reached the end. It is set a few months after where the first book ends and shows Christmas with the family isn’t always a fun event, especially not when said family consists of a grandmother who despises you, a tell-all aunt and a cousin who tries to destroy you. This is then the base that the rest of the book continues on.

Royal Scandal is a great sequel, as it contains as much emotional angst and both personal and political struggle as the first book. This is a book that will make you feel things. Then to it it adds another layer of tense mystery, flawed alliances, and character growth. Evan continues to be an underdog you root for, and her relationships with Kit and Maisie was fun to read. Even if Maisie’s character seemed to be a bit moody and ever changing from chapter to chapter, which at times felt like one step forward and two steps back. Not to mention the coldness of some of the extended family members towards Evan, even when it was clear she wasn’t at fault.

The ending was a bit disappointing. Not only for the cliffhanger that gave me a book hangover, but because the way the story was being told it felt like it just ended abruptly. Like there should be a couple more chapters before the cliffhanger to give the reader more of an idea of what's in store for the third book.

Wooooah. This book was an absolute ride and I loved every minute of it. Plus some of the themes of secrecy in royal news was kinda eerily reminiscent of whats happening in the royal family right now 👀

Royal Blood was one of my top books from 2023 and I’ve been chomping at the bit for the next book to see what happened next for Evan. Royal Scandal is a fast paced, highly detailed whodunnit kinda story with constant twists and turns and drama.

The writing was excellent and the pace of the plot was perfect. The novel took place over the course of about a month and it felt right. There is SO MUCH DRAMA in this book. Attempted murders. Shootings. Mysterious voices. It’s absolutely wild!

I still really like Evan. She’s trying so hard to find her place and fit in with her family. And it seems like at every turn someone is trying to discredit and even kill her. She’s a strong, interesting character and I love having her as the narrator.

I still don’t like Maisie, but I’m not shocked by that. She’s very much a spoiled, temperamental princess and I DO think Evan gives her too much grace and should call her on her attitude more, but that’s just me. Kit plays a prominent role in this book, providing support and strength to Evan. The pair of them together is so sweet and I do hope it continues into the next book.

Yes, the next book. THAT CLIFFHANGER. Omg. The race to the finish was intense and I could not put my book down! I’m very intrigued into how they’re going to tie everything up in the next book.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND. If you like YA novels with mystery, royalty, some thriller-esque aspects and interesting family dynamics then pick up this book!

Another great book, wonderful writing and full of the twists and turns every good mystery needs!

Back with Evan in the Royal Palace, and everything seems to be fine... until it's not. More bad press and scandal but still with the heart that I love about these books.

I simply love this series, and honestly, I find it hard not to! It's exactly the kind of fun and enjoyable read I need to get me through a rainy weekend!

Out March 26, 2024!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

I am OBSESSED with this YA royal thriller that sucks you in and doesn't let you go. Of course it ends on a cliff hanger and I am left waiting in eager anticipation for the next installment. Great on audio and highly recommended for fans of the American Royals series by Katharine McGee. Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and @prhaudio for a complimentary digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review! Be prepared for romance, betrayals and tons of family drama when you enter this world. Definitely recommended to start with book one.

This series just gets better and better! Illegitimate royal Evan Bright is trying to move on from being framed for murder, and is still not really winning at this royal life thing. But everything goes from bad to worse when it becomes clear that there is a mole in the Palace and no secrets are safe ...

This book really goes all out on the drama, and the endless twists and turns had me dizzy. A really good read for anybody after a bit of mystery and whole lot of scandal.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of the book to review

The fast-paced plot kept me on the edge of my seat, and the twists and turns were both unexpected and thrilling. Evan's character development was superb, and I loved seeing her navigate the complexities of royal life while also dealing with personal challenges. Kit remains as dashing as ever, and the dynamic between him and Evan is captivating. This book was a rollercoaster of emotions, with moments of tension, intrigue, and heartwarming connection. However, that cliffhanger ending left me desperately craving the next installment. Aimée Carter has crafted another gem in this series, and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

This was a fun and intense time. This book was super intence and and was a non stop ride and i loved it. This book was so well crafted and i think this book def had intense vibes and it worked because i fel so connected to the characters and his book was a wild time!

Royal Scandal is the follow up to Royal Blood by Aimée Carter, and is currently scheduled for release on March 26 2024. American girl turned monarchy nightmare, Evan Bright, has gotten used to the press about her but the media attention has only seemed to get worse. From desperate clickbait articles about her and the President's son to Royal Record headlines pitting her against Princess Maisie, it seems everyone is dying for Evan to return back to America for good. Meanwhile Evan is receiving mysterious threats about her real story being revealed in a tell-all biography. When more information is leaked about Evan, she fears she will always be Britain's media villain. But the threats escalate when there is an attempted assassination with no suspects, and Evan believes the person is in the palace's walls. They say what doesn't kill you will make you stronger, but what if it's the royal family who wants you dead?

Royal Scandal is a great follow up to the first book in the series. The story picks up not long after the end of Royal Blood, and I do highly suggest reading the series in order so that the personalities and dynamics are fully understood going into this book. That being said, this book has just as much emotional angst and struggle as the first book. It was very well written with layers of growth for the characters, with intrigue and mystery woven through the whole thing. There were elements and choices in the book that surprised me, and things that I saw coming but came in from a slightly different angle than I was prepared for. Again, like the first book, it is not what I would call an easy read. It had me anger, emotional, and concerned for Evan and the rest in a variety of ways through out the book. However, it is very well written and engaging. My biggest complaint is the end, because I felt like we were just about to get another chapter or two- more wrap up or hints as to what was coming next- but instead the book was over. I am already in need of the next instalment.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ROYAL SCANDAL by Aimee Carter

📚 Second in a Series
👑 Modern-Day Royals
🏎️ Fast-Paced
📰 Mixed Media
🧠 Mental Health Rep

I tiptoed into reading this one because while I liked the first in the series, I didn't love it. I am happy to announce that this one is fantastic.

This plot moves. Just when you think something was momentous enough to dissect for a minute, Carter throws you another curveball. It was quite the ride. My chest was pounding quite a bit.

There is clear character growth with many of the characters here- specifically Evan and Maisie. It was nice to see a lot more dimension added. I also loved a lot of the historical tidbits (I have no idea if any of it was based on real legislation), but it added a layer of depth that made the story feel a lot more authentic. The mixed media parts at the beginning of the chapters were some of my favorite parts!

And that ending?! I have to wait for the third now? Sheesh!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Children's for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Both books in this duology/series always make me laugh every time. The characters and their flaws are so realistic in our society today, with just enough fiction to make it a nice escape from reality. The story could have been paced a little better for me, but that's just a personal opinion. I hope Carter continues to write more books in this universe as I would devour each and every new book every time.

Evan is finally getting used to all the media attention since the world discovered she is the illegitimate daughter of the King of England. Almost all of the clickbait is false news, but Evan has been receiving threats of another story … one that is all too true. As more and more information is leaked about her, she wonders if she will always be hated by the people of Britain. Then there is an assassination attempt … and another. Does someone really want Evan dead or is there another motive?

Royal Scandal is the second book in the Royal Blood series. This mystery had enough clues at the beginning to nudge my memory about events in the first book without feeling that the author was trying to recap everything for readers. I will say that I was constantly running scenarios in my head as I was working my way through the novel and was happy that it wasn’t completely predictable. Goodreads has an untitled third book listed and I hope that Carter can continue this series past three books.

I am thoroughly enjoying this young adult series, and with the second entry, more and more intrigue and complications arise for Evan and the royal family. Will illegitimate American daughter Evan ever be fully accepted? Will Evan and Kit eventually find happiness? Can Evan's parents get the happy ending they deserve, and along with that, will the King recover from his grave injuries? Will Princess Maisie be able to embrace her future along with what she wants most in life? And will the villain finally be caught? I cannot wait for the conclusion!

Royal Blood was such a great start to this series and I was so excited to Royal Scandal. I’m so happy to say that it completely lived up to the hype in my head, even exceeded it. What an absolute ride this was! Just like the first book, Royal Scandal handles a variety of difficult topics like infidelity, mental illness, para social relationships and complicated family dynamics with such care. It’s also such a great look at the relevance of the monarchy in this day and age, even a fictional one. The pacing was pretty steady throughout, but oh my goodness, there were times my heart was racing! And that ending! I cannot wait until book three.

TW: mental illness, infidelity, terrorism, gun violence, fire injury, mentions of sexual assault

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

---

I delved into the sequel, "Royal Scandal," picking up a few months after the events in "Royal Blood." Evan, now preparing for her first Christmas with the royal family, faces unexpected challenges when Ben, previously exiled to Africa, reappears in Sandringham. Despite Ben's claims of reform, Evan remains skeptical. The royal dynamics become even more complex as Maisie and Alexander choose to keep Ben close for strategic reasons, complicating Evan's feelings further. Amidst family tensions, Evan's concerns escalate when her mother joins the royal festivities, raising worries about her safety in this den of vipers.

As the Christmas festivities unfold, danger looms when an assassination attempt targets Evan. Convinced that Ben is responsible, Evan's fixation on him raises concerns about her mental well-being. The plot thickens as the royal family faces increasing threats, with Evan caught in the crossfire and time running out.

The first two-thirds of the book offered much to enjoy. Evan and Kit's dynamic, Evan's interactions with her mother, and the subplot involving Constance, the Queen Mother, were engaging. The narrative gained momentum, making it a compelling and hard-to-put-down installment. For fans of "Royal Blood," "Royal Scandal" is a recommended read, with a promise of an exciting trilogy conclusion.

However, some issues arose for me. Notably, the sequel seemed to backtrack on the character growth established in the first book. Extreme shifts in character attitudes lacked explanation, and certain situations felt overly repetitive, akin to being on a hamster wheel.

One major concern involved Maisie's character, who had shown growth in "Royal Blood." Unfortunately, "Royal Scandal" undid much of this development, portraying her as emotionally and verbally abusive, regressing into tantrums and immaturity. The lack of continuity in her character arc became frustrating, and I found it hard to sympathize with her.

Additionally, abrupt shifts in Maisie's beliefs without adequate explanation created a sense of inconsistency. A deeper exploration of her vulnerabilities and reasons for such shifts would have added depth and made her character more relatable.

Helene's persistent animosity towards Evan and the repetitive framing of Evan as the perpetrator grew tiresome. Despite the clear evidence of Evan's innocence in "Royal Blood," the narrative looped into a similar situation in "Royal Scandal," straining believability.

In conclusion, while "Royal Scandal" delivered an explosive plot and maintained engagement, the regression in character development and repetitive elements posed drawbacks. I appreciate the opportunity provided by NetGalley and Delacorte Press to read an early copy, and despite the challenges, I look forward to completing the trilogy.

---

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Children's for the eARC.

I really enjoyed "Royal Blood", however "Royal Scandal takes everything I enjoyed about the first book and pumps it past eleven.

Evan is settling in, getting to know her father's family after being framed for a murder she didn't commit, unfortunately the framer returns and things go south for Evan really fast.

Shootings, tabloid gossip, and so much more terrorize the royal family and the writing is so tense I felt like I was right there with Evan.

This book was fantastic and I am clawing at walls to read the next one.

I'm still getting "I was a teenage vampire" vibes from this cover. I can't explain it. I'm also wondering why the fate of the world, or at least Great Britain, falls on the daft shoulders of a group of remarkably unobservant teenagers.