I enjoyed this for the most part! I think the first book ended on such a good note, it didn't really need this sequel, especially with the direction the story went. Still it was an enjoyable read. Both Dani and Jameson got a bit on my nerves and I didn't think their split was necessary, but it is what it is. Now, I will say this one is spicier than the first and whew! It was certainly hot! Jameson's dirty talk had me blushing!

I LOOOOOOOOVED IT. It was frustrating at times because you just wanted to shake them BOTH for being so stubborn, but it was just so good. I loved it so much.

NOW GIVE US ANOTHER!!!

If you're a fan of the American Royals series, be sure to check out The Duchess Effect! Filled with royal drama and romance, this book is a great read!

I really loved the first book in this series so I was excited to see what happened next since I always want to know what happens after. It took me awhile to read this because I knew within the first couple of chapters how this was going to go and how it would annoy me. Would I read more in the future if there was more? Probably but this was not my favorite book.

This book was unnecessary. The characters, which were already hard to like in the first book, weren't further developed at all.

Not gonna lie I do feel disappointed with the 2nd book after waiting for it. The lack of substance between these two is sad especially with how we left off in book one.

3.5 STARS

I loved the first book. I struggled with this one.

I voluntarily read an early copy.

An amazing follow up to the first novel. 10/10 I truly love Duchess and Jameson so much. They are such an awesome couple. I think I might have laughed out loud at the spades scene. It was really an awesome ride. Loved it.

I loved the first book and was really excited about this one, but it left me a little disappointed that instead of great communication and individual and couple growth, we got hit with the miscommunication trope. Jameson chose violence out the gate with that mouth of his, and I really enjoyed getting to see them try to navigate their new dynamic. I really expected to see growth between Dani and Jameson as they figure out how to combine their lives and what works for them now that they're in public, but Dani is still very much it's me, and I got to do what’s right for me. I completely understand, but I feel that as a couple working through an already complicated dynamic, the least that could have been done was her communicating with Jameson.

Thank you, Netgalley, Avon and Harper Vouyager, for this eARC.

I don’t think this author is for me, unfortunately. AMERICAN ROYALS was a miss for me as I felt
that the plot held so much missed potential and was more steam than substance. I don’t think this book really needed a sequel as it doesnt really advance from where we left off in book one, and the miscommunication trope was a big miss for me here too.

Loved the first in the series and was skeptical of a second but it was excellent and really good to finally see after the end of a book what is next in the real life of having and nurturing a relationship.

Okay, so I’m sad because I didn’t love it. I liked it. I love these characters but I don’t know if a sequel was needed, even though I always prefer a series over a standalone. Please don’t read into my dislikes on this review, I love this couple and this author!

LIKES:
1) Duchess and Jameson are perfect. Which I think was why I got annoyed with the story. (Obviously I’m way to invested with this fictional couple…)
2) Bringing more awareness to the microaggressions Meghan faced. A lot of this felt so real because I’ve watched documentaries and read books about it.
3) Duchess’s friends… 😍 the true heroes in the story for giving her a “slap” when she needed it!
4) Jameson’s mom. There is just something I really love about her.

DISLIKES:
1) where this wasn’t really miscommunication, there was some lying and misleading and that made me upset. The chemistry that Livesay pours into these characters, you are rooting for them the entire time and I guess I just didn’t want to see them struggle.

I have to thank Netgalley and Avon Books for this edition in exchange for an honest review.

Although a follow-up to American Royalty, this new entry delves deeper into Dani and Jameson's love story, showing how maintaining their relationship becomes more difficult in the glare of the spotlight and increasing pressures. But throughout their connection and feelings ring true, and I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel.

Tracey is a delight and I loved this second book in the Duchess duet. I am mad that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry did not optioned this book for a movie.

Tracey is an autobuy author for me. She can write the shopping list and I will buy it.

The return of DUCHJAY! Yes, I like them so much that I have combined her artist name with his nickname. Don’t judge me, I’m already doing that for myself. It just popped into my head and I can’t get it out.

The continuation of the American Royalty series picks up with the two on their way to an event together after Jay has been in the States for three weeks and secluded in an oceanfront home in California with Dani.

It’s their first public outing since they made headlines as a couple. Dani is nervous. The future of the skin-care line she created called Mela-Skin is still in limbo. Jay is on edge because of the contentious relationship he has with the press, especially when it comes to his loved ones. The event ends with them agreeing to keep business separate from their relationship. That’s easier said than done when there are ruthless people willing to use them for their own agenda. They want to keep what they have sacred, but that’s hard when the growth of detractors feels like it’s outpacing the supporters. The perception of their previously positively held standings in their communities is being shifted for no other reason than the existence of their relationship.

Jay’s hope to return to his previously simpler life of academia after hosting a royal event to honour his grandfather is crushed. Now he’s put in the position where he feels the need to protect his family as well as Dani. While Jay hates public life, he will do anything to protect the people he loves. Even if it makes him unhappy. From the outside, his actions come across as his duty to the “Company”. His admirable nature is being used against him to further an agenda that doesn’t take his needs and wants into account. He’s a pawn to the “Company”, but even a pawn can capture the queen.

Mela-Skin is more than just a company to Dani. It’s a symbol of security – a feeling that she hasn’t had for most of her life. She met Jay while on a mission in hopes of signing a contract after negative publicity. After everything she did for the good press to secure the deal – her future – the condition changed unexpectedly. What started out as lust has become a real love, yet that understandable need for security might just put it in jeopardy.

The Duchess Effect was another page-turner for me. I was on edge most of the time, wondering how things were going to turn out. The stakes felt so real and left the future uncertain. There were times I wanted to shake both Dani and Jay for their actions while understanding their feeling and the choices they made behind their actions. The characters on the page were humanized. Those are the best characters because I care and the stakes become higher.

Despite their difference, Dani and Jay have a genuine connection. Their backgrounds are very different, but there are still commonalities that go beyond geography and class. They have both been let down in ways that influence the way they move through the world and each other. Those traumas explain the reasons for their actions that pull and push them together.

Just because there is a Prince in the story doesn’t mean it’s a fairy tale. The novel really went there. It broaches the subject of race. In particular tokenism and colonialism. Themes that I equate with the British monarchy. Colonialism for the reasons that the British monarchy was central to the establishment, expansion, and maintenance of the British empire and the transatlantic slave trade. The way I see the experience of Meghan Markle, but also the Monarchy’s inaction with ethnic groups – for example with people of the Commonwealth – illustrates their continued practice of tokenism. These are themes that are not usually discussed in a romance novel, but add authenticity to the story since it would be in conversations surrounding a couple like Dani and Jay with their particular background as was and still is the case when it comes to Harry and Meghan.

This is the second book I’ve read by Tracey Livesay. As with American Royalty, there is a realness to the plot that kept me constantly engaged because those lines between reality and fiction blurred in a way that comes of effortlessly, but I know is not easy to achieve.

I personally want more of Dani and Jay because I always want more of a good thing, but am happy with the way it ended as well.

I look forward to reading more books from this author in the future.

Prince Jameson and Duchess return in the sequel to American Royalty. They must navigate their relationship while dealing with the pressures of fame and nobility.

This was a cute read. Enjoyable especially if you were captivated by Prince Harry and Meghan Markel

Tracey Livesay has done it again! Her books are so steamy and full of red hot romance that somehow makes the pages sizzle. Loved this one!

Tracey Livesay did something that most romance authors don’t by giving us a follow up, full length novels with characters we already loved. She did not disappoint. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I love reading about the process of falling in love & now I think I can appreciate stories when the couple is already together. Livesay gave us a lovely glimpse into Dani & Jameson’s life after falling for each other & if you loved the first story you’ll love this as well☺️

I loved American Royalty and I was so excited when I learned there was going to be a sequel. I fell in love with Dani and Jameson in the first book so I was excited to get to read more and revisit that world. It was nice to see them figuring out what their relationship was going to be like now that they were in the public. I was slightly disappointed however in the directions Dani went and it kind of felt out of place for her character. I am also not of fan of miscommunication tropes, especially with characters that have had previously good communication. It was still a fun read and I still enjoy the author. I think other characters could've been brought into the forefront for this story to set up a further connected world that we could explore with future books. I also wish that some other plot lines had more depth then we got. It was still a fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the advanced reader's copy.

4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
The Duchess Effect is a little bit of a celebrity romance and a little bit of modern royal romance with a healthy splash of comedy! I loved this story. In this sequel to American Royalty, we get to see Dani and Jameson navigate the consequences of their romantic declarations to the world.

What I loved most about this book were all the outings and dates this couple went on. This opposites-attract relationship between them was endlessly entertaining and I like the fact that dual narration made it easy for us to see how both characters loved each other. They both have complicated pasts with their families in different ways.

Dani and I did not see eye to eye on some of her decisions but I was rallying behind her strong intuition to do good and give back to the people who supported her. I could not stop being impressed with how savvy Dani was and how she never let the monarchy or the press dwindle her down. She was so true to herself and her fight to keep her own voice in managing Melaskin but also within her love life and personal relationships.

Prince Jameson, my favorite was perfection just as in the first book. I was already firmly on his side after the first book and with this book, it was no different. He is so considerate and protective in a quiet way. He’s not the kind of alpha bok boyfriend who goes into situations with guns blazing, but he does still do everything he can to keep the people he loves safe, especially Dani. For Dani, Jameson is willing to do anything to keep her safe and comfortable. I’ve said before that this man is the best at grand gestures and he did not disappoint! The swoon was hard to contain. I’m not a fan of Regency romances or royal romances but this one is different because it feels more like celebrity romance since Duchess is such a huge performer.

I can’t forget to mention how spicy this book was! I think the chemistry between these two characters was just intense. They could often be found sneaking around to get a chance to be together since they are under such high scrutiny. Jameson said many HOT things that aren’t in this review but being a philosopher, the beautiful way he sees Dani… Y’all. That’s my prince.

I highly recommend these books to those who like celebrity romance, obsessed MMCs and strong FMCs. This is book two and you will need to read American Royalty first.