What would you get if you combined modern-day royalty and Gossip Girl drama? A whole lot of excitement and political intrigue. đ American Royals was a compelling and fun story that kept me constantly entertained.
I marathoned this book on my 12-hour flight from Taipei to Los Angeles, and I became so invested in this story. ⨠I couldnât sleep or watch any movies until I finished the book, and WOW I was living for every moment.
AMERICAN ROYALS by Katharine McGee
PUBLISHED BY Random House Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House) on September 3rd 2019
GENRE: Contemporary, Romance
PAGES: 448
ADD TO GOODREADSÂ Â Â //Â Â Â BOOKÂ DEPOSITORY
What if America had a royal family?
When America won the Revolutionary War, its people offered General George Washington a crown. Two and a half centuries later, the House of Washington still sits on the throne.
As Princess Beatrice gets closer to becoming America’s first queen regnant, the duty she has embraced her entire life suddenly feels stifling.
Nobody cares about the spare except when she’s breaking the rules, so Princess Samantha doesn’t care much about anything, either . . . except the one boy who is distinctly off-limits to her.
And then there’s Samantha’s twin, Prince Jefferson. If he’d been born a generation earlier, he would have stood first in line for the throne, but the new laws of succession make him third. Most of America adores their devastatingly handsome prince . . . but two very different girls are vying to capture his heart.
Content/Trigger Warnings: drinking, sex, exposed relationship, cyberbullying, manipulation, cheating, drugging a side character
American Royals is set in an alternative version of the modern-United States where instead of a democratic government, the United States is a monarchy. đşđ¸ After winning the Revolutionary War, General George Washington became the new King of the States, and subsequently, his descendants ruled the country.
The story follows the perspectives of four women: Beatrice, Samantha, Nina, and Daphne. Beatrice, the future Queen of America, was easily my favorite character. If you told 5-year-old Tiffany to imagine a princess, this is who I would think ofâsomeone kind-hearted, passionate, and ethereal. Her romance was by far my FAVORITE. đ If you are a fan of bodyguard and princess ships, you will be heart-eyes all around.Â
“From now on, you are two people at once: Beatrice the girl, and Beatrice, heir to the Crown. When they want different things, the Crown must win. Always.”
In terms of plot, there isnât a clear direction or mystery that needs to be solved. We read through the various relationships and wonder which of them will prevail. Personally, I thought it was still very entertaining and soap opera-esque to see how things unfolded, but fair warning, if youâre not a fan of ~drama~, this might not be the book for you.
After finishing this book, I immediately went to pick up Katharine McGeeâs debut trilogy, The Thousandth Floor, which I finished in less than a week. If youâre a fan of Gossip Girl, The Princess Diaries, or Casey McQuistonâs Red, White, & Royal Blue, Iâd definitely recommend picking up this book!!
“Real love comes from creating a family together, from facing life together — with all its messes and surprises and joys.”
The worst part about reading this novel is that the next book doesnât come out until Fall 2020 so youâll be waiting impatiently (like me) to find out what happens next. đ
My Annotations đ
I don’t normally annotate all the books I read, but since I listened to the audiobook during my flight, I took notes on my iPhone to keep track of all my thoughts…aannnddd I thought it would be fun to share.
âźď¸ WARNING: SPOILERS, SPELLING ERRORS, & FANGIRLING AHEAD âźď¸
Have you read American Royals?
What were your thoughts?
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Read By Tiffany 
I have the same feels with you. Fall 2020 is so far away! I just want to see Beatrice reign and how she will deal with all of the things her father left. I want to know if Connor and Beatrice would be a thing now that she’s queen or if it would be a byebye for them
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Right?? I’m so excited to read about it, but it’s also soooo far away!! I really love Connor and Beatrice, but I can also understand why they wouldn’t be together đ
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Me too! But I want them to be together so bad!
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Aw.. I had seen this book around but I didn’t know too much about it!! But the plot set up is so interesting and unique. Literally American Royals!!
I feel like there is certain times when I’m in the mood for a dramatic plot and this book will be perfect!! I feel like royal drama is more exciting as well!!
Great review and you’ve definitely made me excited to check this book out!! â¤
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Yes!! I was the same as you where I didn’t know too much about it, but it did sound pretty interesting. I agree that you need to be in a certain MOOD to read it but once you do…IT’S SO ADDICTING!! â¤
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Ahh yes I read American Royals awhile back and definitely felt the same, Beatrice aw!! And yes the next book is so far away; I read the thousandth floor trilogy first, Iâm curious as to what you think about the similarities/parallels between characters because thatâs one thing I realised/kinda didnât like after I read American Royals?
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Ahhh yes! I definitely understand what you mean. I saw a lot of Avery in Beatrice (and the whole forbidden relationship) as well as Calliope in Daphne and Leda in Sam. I would say I still prefer American Royals over The Thousandth Floor, but I got really invested in the trilogy because it was super addicting to read too đĽ°
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I wrote out an entire parallels sheet and it made me a little sad inside but I still love both, I completely agree w all of those though and hmm so far I think I like the trilogy more bc itâs finished so far so all the storylines resolved but weâll see when the american royals series is completed đ
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If you have any recommendations similar to both, I’d love to read them đ
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ooh can’t think of anything right now but if I do I’ll let ya know!
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You’ve got me sold!
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Yay!! I’m glad đ
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Ahh I’m so SO happy you loved this book so much Tiffany and your NOTES ahh I love them ahah it’s so much fun to read. I adored this book and loved Beatrice’s romance SO much as well. I can’t wait to read the sequel ahh why do we have to wait so looooooong!
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YES!! I’m so glad that you appreciated my notes đ I wanted to include them, but I wasn’t sure if people read the book would read the review. I can’t wait to share thoughts when the sequel is out!!
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I think it’s so much fun to see your reactions like that, too, definitely brings something more to the review, too đ
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ahhhh I loved this!! I loved reading American Royals, and I really liked your review, and I’m so happy you enjoyed it too! Your annotations are giving me years of life xD Actually, I read American Royals as e-book and if there’s one book I wouldn’t mind to buy a physical copy of to re-read just because it’s that good, it’s this one!! (and also, Red, White and Royal Blue eheh)
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OMG YES IM SO GLAD THAT YOU READ IT AND CAN RELATE!! I feel the exact same way!! I read this via audiobook but I was lucky to receive a physical copy from a friend after đ I can’t wait to read the next book BUT IT’S NOT COMING OUT UNTIL SOOOO LONG!
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I knoooooow! I mean, I was totally ready to keep turning the pages and then: The End. I immediatly looked up the release date of the second book and I can’t wait!!!
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Ommggg, your annotations are SO GOOD!! Like they literally represent my thought process when I read the book! I am secretly obsessed with high drama books and I was constantly gasping while reading this đđ
Beatrice is also my favorite character! I feel like she tries so hard and I just hope everything works out for her. I literally CANNOT WAIT for the next book to come out!!
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AWW OK IM GLAD YOU LIKED THEM (i was lowkey scared no one would read them). I LOVED this book so so much, and I really can’t wait for this Fall because I want to know what happens in the sequel already??? I’m excited for us to fangirl together when it’s released đ
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Ooh this book sounds super exciting! I skipped the annotations because spoilers but I’m definitely adding it to my TBR. I will however wait to read it until the next book comes out to spare myself the torture đ
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Yes!! I’m so glad because it’s sooo fun and gives RW&RB + Gossip Girl vibes (so it’s basically royalty…BUT DRAMATIC) I would definitely recommend reading ASAP but also I don’t want you to suffer for the next book with me so maybe waiting until the next book is out is best đ
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ooh I love drama and this book sounds so much fun!!
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if you love drama, this is definitely the book for you! it’s so much fun đ
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awesome!!
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I just read this book and I’m in love. It was so much drama and love. I love that you sometimes add your notes in reviews!
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Ahh I’m so glad that you liked it too!! It was soo much fun to read, and I’m glad that you liked my annotations too đĽ°
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