This sequel was so good and so infuriating. Almost on principle, I don't really read series -- I'm a one and done reader. BUT I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. I need to know now. Like the first, this book is tightly paced and twisty and a lot of fun. I continue to be so obsessed with and so annoying about this series and I make no apologies.

Very much enjoyed this installment of the series. I enjoyed how the two worlds of Evan started to collide a lot more in this book in some unpredictable ways. I figured out a few of the mysteries, but it kept my attention the whole time. Very fast paced, I read this in a few hours today. Looking forward to the next installment.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review, but opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

I recently read Royal Blood (book#1) and loved it, so when I saw this was available, I had to request it! Royal Scandal is book 2 in Carter's trilogy about Evan, the illegitimate daughter of the King of England and a solid cast of friends and family. This one is even better than the first! Someone is still out to get Evan and the stakes are literally life and death--the action does not stop and I read the entire book in a day because I had to know what was going on! My only beef is that the book ends with a cliffhanger and now I will have to wait an unbearably long time to see things wrap up for my new favorite royal family! :) I will be adding this series to my classroom library ASAP!

This book was my first 5 star read of the year. The first book was a solid 4, but this book was just perfection. I love the connection with the characters, the plot line kept me hooked, and when I read the last page I was already impatiently waiting on book 3. I didn’t feel as though anything was predictable throughout the plot. I FELT Evan’s frustration and confusion regarding if she was losing her mind. This book was just simply fantastic. I am now looking forward to reading other works by the author.

i'd say this one was quite a bit stronger than the first one, although it does require some suspension of disbelief. thanks for the arc. 4.5

even better than the first book, and that says a lot considering i adored that one. this was so drama-filled packed with twists and turns and a mystery that leaves you guessing about what's gonna happen next. literally so princess diaries coded but for an older audience.

Thank you Netgalley for sending me an ARC of this book!

Aimee Carter's "Royal Scandal" propels readers into an action-packed mystery sequel that I found even more engaging than the first book. The unexpected twists in this installment (especially in the last 25% of the book) leaves readers eager for more. While not without its flaws, the novel tells a tale of intrigue, mystery, and the complexities of royal life, perfect for those who grew up with “The Princess Diaries.”

This sequel was extremely captivating with not only the plot but also with the continued development of the characters, especially Maisie and Evan’s mom. They were both characters I wanted more of from the first book, and Carter definitely delivers in this sequel.
The intricate web of royal family dynamics, coupled with assassination attempts and suspicions, creates a fast-paced and explosive narrative that is hard to put down. I not only enjoyed the development of Evan’s mom, but also the interactions Evan has with her mom and getting to see the inner workings of the mom’s mind. I kinda want a novella in the mom’s POV. Evan’s relationship with Kit is also very well-written and engaging. I almost thought there was going to be a love triangle in the first chapter, but thankfully Carter swerved away from that, which I’m grateful for.

There are some shortcomings with this book, like the repetitive nature of certain situations as well as how some scenes were a bit unrealistic and difficult to believe would happen in real life. The book reminded me a bit of “Riverdale” in that sense. While the plot can sometimes be over-the-top, the last 25% of the book definitely made it worth it, and I was flying through the pages at that point. I definitely can’t wait for the next book; the ending of “Royal Scandal” will be stuck in my head for quite awhile.

I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 (rounded up to 5 on Goodreads).

The second book in the series picks up a bit after the first ends and our favorite characters are back with more drama and lies to comb through. Such a fun read and had me laughing out loud quite a bit.

Royal Scandal is a. very strong follow up to Royal Blood. It does not suffer from second book syndrome in the slightest.

Right off the bat, we are thrown back into the action-packed and drama-filled antics of Evan and the Royal family. Where Royal Blood was a bit slow to get to the action, Royal Scandal comes in with the drama blazing. Literal shots fire, signaling just the beginning of one twist, turn, and bombshell- pun relevant but not intended- after another.

I loved that we got to see Evan's mom be with Evan and Alexander despite the tumultuous circumstances. This provided Evan and us as the reader a port in the storm that was everything going on. I also loved Evan and Maisie's fragile relationship. They definitely need each other; Evan literally ran into a burning building for her. Although Evan swears Maisie wouldn't do the same for her, we all know she totally would, or she'd send someone in for her.

Maybe I am too American to really get it but Ben is going to a pathological amount of effort for the crown. Why be king when you get plenty of perks as prince and none of the headaches of ruling? But seriously (attempted) murders, treason, terrorism, arson, bombs, like that's a lot especially considering Ben's perceived threat doesn't want the crown at all.

This sequel perfectly answered a number of questions while pulling on and weaving threads I didn't even pick up on in Royal Blood. I got answers to previous questions but now I have a ton more questions. I really need Alexander to be okay and Jenkins to not be shady. I also need to know what Evan is planning. Honestly, I never suspected Kit or anything, even when it looked bad, so I'm not worried about him but I am side-eyeing everyone else for the foreseeable future, I need book three sooner than as soon as possible.

The first book in this series was one of my top reads of 2023! I was so happy to finish the year with receiving and reading the sequel. The only issues I had with this books is that I have no ideas how I’ll wait until the third book is released, because Aimée Carter certainly set readers up with another promising book. The reason I loved the first book so much was because Evan was such an interesting and engaging narrator. I felt like she lived up to those expectations here again as she’s more engrossed in the Royal society and all of the gossip and rumors that come with!

I was so excited to see that we were getting more books in this series, and this did not disappoint.

This is the second book in a planned series about a young American girl who finds herself at the heart of the British royal family. Evan is the illegitimate daughter of the British King, and in the first book was at the center of a murder investigation. In book 2, Evan is the target of a murder campaign, and her main suspect may just be family.

I loved seeing our characters again, especially in the fall out of the events of the last book. The family drama is back. Evan has complicated relationships with all of the people in her family, and it was entertaining to see that develop- especially with her half-sister (and the heir apparent) and her grandmother (the dowager). I'm eager to see how those continue to develop.

Likewise, the intrigue was great. I think it was actually must more interesting in this book, because instead of a murder mystery we are dealing with something much larger and with much more dire consequences. It doesn't help that Evan, possibly the least-popular member of the family in the public's eye, is the target.

I would warn potential readers that there is a bit of mental health gaslighting and depictions of mental health struggles in this, even more so than the first book. There is also a good amount of gun violence and other weapons on the page. The book also ends on a cliffhanger, making me eager to see what Evan has up her sleeve!

First of all, thank you to Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of Royal Scandal. Having enjoyed Royal Blood, I was very excited to be given the opportunity to review the second book in this series.

Now to the review...

Royal Scandal was unhinged. Unhinged in a Riverdale + American Royals series + Veronica Mars sort of way. Like, be prepared to send "disbelief" to the moon because in no way would any of what happens in Royal Scandal..... happen in the real world. Like zero percent. And for me, I just couldn't. I just couldn't go along for a ride that was so beyond believable.

Because I don't want to give anything away, I only mention this one thing that bothered me a lot throughout a good portion of the book --- A traumatic event happens to Evan and I found it wild that at no point in the aftermath of the event did anyone recommend some mental health support, especially since there are important characters dealing with known mental health issues. This is obviously a minor issue but it truly bothered me. (Note: someone does eventually suggest mental health support but that is much, much later in the book after a lot more things happen).

Anyhow, I've focused on the less ideal parts of the book enough. Thankfully there were some good things about Royal Scandal. First, Royal Scandal is really about setting up things for the next book, and so the last five or so chapters really, really pay off. In fact, they were strong enough that I will likely give the third book a chance. I also really enjoyed the usage of news articles, blog posts, text chains, etc. in between the chapters. It's a format that I really think works here. Lastly, the writing itself was easy to handle and the book itself moves fairly quick.

All in all, Royal Scandal was an okay book. As mentioned above, the last 25% or so really kept this book from being a miss for me. To those who enjoyed the first book, I would say give this a shot but just know that it is a setup kind of book and is definitely not as great as the first.

Loved! I tell everyone that this is the modern day princess diaries book. I just finished the second in the series and I cannot wait for more!,,

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of Royal Scandal by Aimee Carter.

Royal Scandal is the second book in the Royal Bloods series. After all the drama introduction to the first Royal Bloods book, we are welcomed back with more scandals and drama. I found this book to be highly entertaining and a fast paced read. Overall I would recommend this book series if you enjoyed the first book. Now that I've finished this one it's going to be hard to wait for the third book in the series to be published.

Loved this sequel, and can't wait for the next one! We continue to follow Evan as she navigates royal life. Even though her relationship with Kit, her sister, and her father are going well, she continues to deal with the fallout from when she was attacked, and new threats.

Although this is a YA book, I think that the writing and snappy dialogue would be enjoyable for many adults as well!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for the ARC!

I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for the third. What a great mix of mystery, romance and drama. This is one that teens (and adults) will enjoy!

I absolutely loved this book. It was beautifully written and the setting was beautiful. I love her books so much. I was so happy to be able to read this book.

Omg I loved this book! It’s like American Royals meets Ally Carter books. I will definitely recommend students check this one out.

This book and this series is simply IMPECCABLE! Not just as a YA book, but an impeccable book period! I cannot wait to read more from it! I’m a forever fan of this author and will read books from her until she stops writing!!!

I LOVED this book and I just can't wait for what comes next. There is a next right? I can't handle if the series doesn't finish!