This feature is for short reviews, reviews of books in a series where it might feel repetitive, or (as Michelle suggested) books I was too lazy to write a “real” review for. Today’s books are books 2 and 3 in the American Royals series.
Majesty by Katharine McGee Narrator: Brittany Pressley
Series: American Royals #2
Published by Listening Library on September 1, 2020
Genres: Romance, Young Adult
Length: 12 hours 39 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Is America ready for its first queen?
Power is intoxicating. Like first love, it can leave you breathless. Princess Beatrice was born with it. Princess Samantha was born with less. Some, like Nina Gonzalez, are pulled into it. And a few will claw their way in. Ahem, we're looking at you Daphne Deighton.
As America adjusts to the idea of a queen on the throne, Beatrice grapples with everything she lost when she gained the ultimate crown. Samantha is busy living up to her "party princess" persona...and maybe adding a party prince by her side. Nina is trying to avoid the palace--and Prince Jefferson--at all costs. And a dangerous secret threatens to undo all of Daphne's carefully laid "marry Prince Jefferson" plans.
A new reign has begun....
Gosh this series is addictive! It’s an absolute train wreck that you see coming but can do nothing about but watch while holding your breath and hoping it doesn’t explode as bad as you fear it will. I’m addicted and can’t wait to read the third book (end of this month, thank goodness)! I buddy read this with Stephanie and Lillian, who also loved it.
We pick up right after the end of American Royals with Beatrice in her new role as America’s first queen. I love this story line – the struggles that she’s facing as being a woman in that level with the absolute worst advisor by her side (I wanted to strangle him so many times). I think this story line is going to be particularly exciting in the next book.
Then we have all the romances – here’s where the train wreck is coming and you just can’t stop it and you also can’t stop watching! First there’s the whole Beatrice – Connor – Teddy situation. And I guess that also has the side situation of Sam – Teddy… which also becomes a Sam – Marshall (New guy that I love) situation. And then there’s the Jefferson – Daphne – Ethan – Nina situation <– yeah that’s one very convoluted mess that I was waiting to explode the entire book. Clearly there’s lots of intensity going on in the romances when I have to list that many names in connection with each other, right? I feel like Beatrice’s situation is the sweetest, Sam’s the most thrilling, and that last one is just a hot mess and I don’t know what to expect there. I have mixed feelings on what I want to happen, beyond the Daphne getting hers, of course!
I’ve tried to be vague as that’s pretty spoiler territory, but the main thing is that I really loved the way Beatrice, Sam and Nina really started coming into their own in this book. Not at all what I expected from this book – in all the good ways. And for the last book I’m expecting all three of them to be fierce! Daphne’s POV continues to be entertaining, even if infuriating and devastating. I feel sorry for her, but she’s made her choices and I’m ready for her to pay for them. I find myself really wondering what’s going through Jefferson’s head since we never get his POV… how can he be so blind and clueless?
The narration for this book is fantastic. Brittany Pressley does a really great job bringing out all the personalities. I’m so glad to be able to listen to this series and really hope my library has the new book in audio as soon as it comes out, because I do NOT want to wait!
Rivals by Katharine McGee Narrator: Brittany Pressley
Series: American Royals #3
Published by Penguin Random House Audio on May 31, 2022
Genres: Romance, Young Adult
Length: 12 hours 32 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
The third book in the New York Times bestselling American Royals series is here, and a meeting of monarchs will test everyone's loyalty to the crown…and their own hearts.
Beatrice is queen, and for the American royal family, everything is about to change.
Relationships will be tested.Princess Samantha is in love with Lord Marshall Davis—but the more serious they get, the more complicated things become. Is Sam destined to repeat her string of broken relationships…and this time will the broken heart be her own?
Strangers will become friends.Beatrice is representing America at the greatest convocation of kings and queens in the world. When she meets a glamorous foreign princess, she gets drawn into the inner circle…but at what cost?
And rivals will become allies.Nina and Daphne have spent years competing for Prince Jefferson. Now they have something in common: they both want to take down manipulative Lady Gabriella Madison. Can these enemies join forces, or will old rivalries stand in the way?
Why is this series so addictive?! Despite several frustrations, I was glued to the story and so very caught up in the fate of all the main characters. It’s almost like a car wreck you can’t turn away from.
So the frustrations — the characters started off making significant positive progress at the onset. I was impressed with the way Nina was really standing up for herself, the transformation Daphne was undergoing, the hopes I had for Beatrice stepping up as the first female queen, and the relationship between Samantha and Marshall. I could see so many positive possibilities for each of them and then…
THAT ENDING. I think my exact words to Stephanie and Lillian (we were buddy reading) “What the Actual Fuck?” Seriously, what the hell happened? First off, I went into this book thinking it was the conclusion. And it felt like we could get there when it started. But then we got to the last 25% and shit started falling apart and I realized we were not marching towards an HEA. And yeah, we definitely are not there at the end. Instead we are on one hell of a cliff.
And I’m a wee-bit pissed. Most the characters regressed by the end. The twists were incredible but also why? That said, I’m still giving it 4 stars because it was damn good and you KNOW I’ll be reading the next book. But shit, if I had known this wasn’t the end I might have waited. Instead of dangling on this infuriating cliff for who knows how long.
I enjoyed the audio – Brittany Pressley is a fantastic narrator. She delivers really distinct voices that make the multiple POVs work really well. I listened at 2x (my normal speed) and it was a truly comfortable listen.
Haven’t read these ones. I do enjoy royals tho
Probably not my thing but glad you all enjoyed it.