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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I really needed a teen soap opera set in an alternate universe that could never happen but is still a fun thought experiment - what if George Washington became America's first king instead of the first president? It's got scandals, betrayals, furtive first kisses, angst, forbidden love, parental secrets, subtrifuge, skullduggery, money-motivated life choices, and more.
Look, it's not canonical literature. Neither are the characters all that likeable or even believable at times. But it's a fun romp, ok, and we're all allowed to have a good time.
Look, it's not canonical literature. Neither are the characters all that likeable or even believable at times. But it's a fun romp, ok, and we're all allowed to have a good time.
I thought this book would be a light and fluffy read and there was a lot more depth to it than I expected. It took me a little while to get into the book, but overall it was an enjoyable read. If there is a sequel, I’d probably read it.
Goodreads doesn’t allow for half stars but my real rating for this book is 3.5 stars. I am a sucker for fantasy/royalty romance books, so American Royals was right up my alley.
Overall, I found this book pretty enjoyable, though it started a bit slowly and took me about 1/3rd of the book before I really got into it. The middle third was SO engaging - all of the romance plots were in full force and had me turning pages non stop to see what would come next. The Connor/Beatrice relationship was especially exciting to see unfold, and McGee’s writing was quite intoxicating and exciting as she described the two finally connecting with one another. The way the evening of travel to Telluride unfolds into Beatrice and Connor being snowed in together and forced to acknowledge their feelings for one another, all in a environment that felt so normal and mundane compared to Beatrice’s usual royal, controlled life, was so exciting to read, as well as sweet and wholesome and believable.
As with many romance books though, the moments of happiness and reprieve between the characters were short lived before things began unraveling again in the final third. Honestly, I found it a bit frustrating how quickly things took a turn and the end of the book felt a little rushed and like there was a lot condensed all into too few pages. For example, the Himari mystery that was slow burning through the whole book felt jipped when the true story was finally revealed quickly in one of the final chapters of the book. I also found the Ethan/Daphne relationship a little unexpected and not super believable considering Daphne’s character and motivations, and that we don’t even hear about Ethan till wayyy into the book.
This book was definitely a bit predictable and not overly deep. However, it was still engaging enough to keep me reading and had me looking to my library for the sequel right after finishing the book. I am a bit fearful that I will not like the next book as I fear the characters will make frustrating decisions in regards to their romantic lives, but alas, I plan to read it nonetheless. I place my trust with the author that she will write the characters to end up with their true loves in the end!
Overall, I found this book pretty enjoyable, though it started a bit slowly and took me about 1/3rd of the book before I really got into it. The middle third was SO engaging - all of the romance plots were in full force and had me turning pages non stop to see what would come next. The Connor/Beatrice relationship was especially exciting to see unfold, and McGee’s writing was quite intoxicating and exciting as she described the two finally connecting with one another. The way the evening of travel to Telluride unfolds into Beatrice and Connor being snowed in together and forced to acknowledge their feelings for one another, all in a environment that felt so normal and mundane compared to Beatrice’s usual royal, controlled life, was so exciting to read, as well as sweet and wholesome and believable.
As with many romance books though, the moments of happiness and reprieve between the characters were short lived before things began unraveling again in the final third. Honestly, I found it a bit frustrating how quickly things took a turn and the end of the book felt a little rushed and like there was a lot condensed all into too few pages. For example, the Himari mystery that was slow burning through the whole book felt jipped when the true story was finally revealed quickly in one of the final chapters of the book. I also found the Ethan/Daphne relationship a little unexpected and not super believable considering Daphne’s character and motivations, and that we don’t even hear about Ethan till wayyy into the book.
This book was definitely a bit predictable and not overly deep. However, it was still engaging enough to keep me reading and had me looking to my library for the sequel right after finishing the book. I am a bit fearful that I will not like the next book as I fear the characters will make frustrating decisions in regards to their romantic lives, but alas, I plan to read it nonetheless. I place my trust with the author that she will write the characters to end up with their true loves in the end!
AMAZING.
Now that ending got me in tears and shock. I can’t wait to read the next one. I loved the writing and the drama was amazing. But..... I hated reading about Daphne and the characters always make terrible choices. I guess that what makes the book great, I feel a connection to the characters.
Edit: 9/23
Hey it’s future me. I realized that this book isn’t that good lol. I skipped all of Daphne chapters...:)
Now that ending got me in tears and shock. I can’t wait to read the next one. I loved the writing and the drama was amazing. But..... I hated reading about Daphne and the characters always make terrible choices. I guess that what makes the book great, I feel a connection to the characters.
Edit: 9/23
Hey it’s future me. I realized that this book isn’t that good lol. I skipped all of Daphne chapters...:)
lighthearted
fast-paced
Such an interesting concept that I feel is dumbed down in this book. What started off as a super interesting unique take on the royal genre instantly became a book full of issues that don't really matter. Three forbidden love storylines in one story is just too much especially when they are all heterosexual romances so don't have even the slightest variation. Was excited to read but left disappointed.
Set in an alternative America, where George Washington was not the first president but the country's first king, 'American Royals' immerses the reader in this new take on history. The narrative follows Beatrice, the heir, Samantha, the spare, Nina, Sam's commoner best friend, and Daphne, a girl from a minor aristocratic family who is desperate to marry Prince Jefferson and become a princess. McGee explores themes such as the pressure of being a royal figure as well as the exposing cruelty of the media alongside healthy doses of young love and relationship drama. I enjoyed the range of different perspectives, following the ups and downs of this range of characters and their relationship to being, or associating with, royalty.
Each character has their flaws, some of which grate on the reader, such as Nina's constant lying, Beatrice's lack of fun and Daphne's cruel villainy, but these young characters are being given plenty of room to grow in the book's sequel. Let's hope they are able to stop falling in and out of relationships long enough to find some happiness.
All in all, this is a quick and engaging read. I am grateful to have been able to read the sequel of this book straight away following finishing; the ending was slightly predictable but I had been drawn into this soapy and diverting royal world completely. Definitely a winner if light-hearted fun is what you are after.
Each character has their flaws, some of which grate on the reader, such as Nina's constant lying, Beatrice's lack of fun and Daphne's cruel villainy, but these young characters are being given plenty of room to grow in the book's sequel. Let's hope they are able to stop falling in and out of relationships long enough to find some happiness.
All in all, this is a quick and engaging read. I am grateful to have been able to read the sequel of this book straight away following finishing; the ending was slightly predictable but I had been drawn into this soapy and diverting royal world completely. Definitely a winner if light-hearted fun is what you are after.
Interesting premise, lame family drama
The story line is clever... a monarchy in America! However, the characters are mostly predictable and the dialogue is so cliche. The most interesting character is the “bad guy” Daphne. The other plot points with the love triangles are so boring and lame.
The story line is clever... a monarchy in America! However, the characters are mostly predictable and the dialogue is so cliche. The most interesting character is the “bad guy” Daphne. The other plot points with the love triangles are so boring and lame.
Cruel Intentions meets The Crown. Easy read, very predictable. Almost didn’t finish it because some of the drama is silly, but… I liked that one of the main characters has two moms, and it wasn’t made out to be a big deal.
This might be the most predictable book I've ever read, but the storyline was really enjoyable. I liked that there are four different POVs cause you get to see things from different perspectives and all of the four characters were very different which helped to distinguish them. Of course with books like this, you will always have characters that you prefer their POV (Beatrice) and characters you hate their POV (Daphne), but overall I really liked the format. As soon as I finished this book I impulse bought the sequel so that's how you know I enjoyed it LOL.