Content warnings: sexism, racism, sexual harassment, grief, past loss of a family member

Dani "Duchess" Nelson is an American rapper who used rapping as her gateway to fame and financial success, but she wants to leave the business and focus on her skincare business. MelaSkin creates skincare products for women of color, which Dani is passionate about much more than her music.

Prince Jameson is a philosophy professor at the University of Birmingham in the UK. His deceased father was a senior royal, and the prince was allowed to continue normal life after his father's death at his mother's request. But his grandmother, Queen Marina II, wants Jameson to begin his role as a working member of the royal family with a concert to honor her late husband. Jameson is expected to step up and become one of the few royals without an associated scandal.

Jameson knows nothing about music and asks a student for recommendations of potential performers, and Duchess is mentioned. Jameson thinks it's amusing to have a performer named Duchess at a royal event and submits her name without looking into her career. Dani needs good publicity after a pop star posted a video on social media that made Dani look bad, so she accepts. But the queen was not expecting a risqué hip-hop act to be performing.

When Duchess arrives in the UK, she finds that her rented cottage sprung a leak. This forces her to move into the main house, which happens to be Prince Jameson's sprawling country estate. Dani and Jameson have a terrible first meeting, but in private they admit they're attracted to each other. When Jameson tries to correct his first impression, he ends up spending a lot more time with Dani. Will they be able to overcome their dislike and admit their desire? And once the queen finds out, will it all fall apart?

Recommended for royal watchers and fans of interracial romance.

Representation: African-American main character, interracial romance, orphan, female business owner, black business owner, POC side character

An homage to Harry and Meghan? Sign me up! In this book, we see famous rapper Duchess aka Dani get asked to play at a charity concert for the Queen of England. When she meets her host, Prince Jameson, there's an instant attraction but his cold demeanor is hard to overcome. Eventually the two break down their walls and try to determine if their fling is for the duration of her stay or something that can be forever--but, of course, it's not entirely their decision, as royal family and the paparazzi seem to get in the way.

I went into this book a little bit nervous, because taking such blatant inspiration from real life can be challenging, but I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed this book. My main complaint is that there seemed to really only be a physical connection between the two main characters. And I love a good steamy romance, but this jump to the physical really seemed to only reinforce the heroine's oversexualization, which she complained about throughout the book. It seems as though, for at least the first half of their fling, the prince really only viewed her as a sex symbol. I didn't trust that he really liked her for her. But, the book was still a fun read, especially for royal watchers and Harry and Meghan fans.

Thanks to Avon for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 8/10

Thank you Netgalley and Avon for the gifted copy!

AMERICAN ROYALTY had a lot of potential - it is a Harry and Meghan esque story but instead of Meghan Markle, we got a Megan thee Stallion type character in our female MC, Dani “Duchess” Nelson - an unapologetic, vibrant famous rapper.

On the other hand, our male MC, the introverted Prince Jameson who wants nothing, was extremely unlikable. While I LOVED Dani and was rooting for her through the entire story, I couldn’t stand Jameson for most of the book.

I couldn’t really get a handle of the pacing of the story. The two MCs don’t meet until about 25% through the book. They got off on the completely wrong foot, which was fine and caused for some amusing moments, it turned to lust SO quickly it gave me whiplash. I wasn’t convinced that these two felt anything for each other other than lust.

I wanted so much more from the story. While there is plenty of steam, the book doesn’t really go anywhere else, even when the writing hints at it. Since this story is so heavy based on Harry and Meghan, I’d hoped we’d get to know Jameson and Dani on a deeper level since Harry and Meghan have been so open on how their relationship has been affected by the spotlight.

I so wanted to like this book - Dani/Duchess was a great character, but she was the only one I was invested in.

If readers can suspend reality and the connections to Harry, Meghan, and the royal family, I see this having the potential to be a popular summer read!

⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 (rounding up)

What if Meghan Markle was also Megan Thee Stallion?? First of all, like most Americans, I'm a sucker for a "commoner" and Royal relationship. Add in the fact that it's an interracial romance and that "commoner" is a rapper, and I'm sold!

Dani might not be royalty, but she is known as "Duchess". More than that, this woman is a QUEEN. The confidence. The charisma. The fact that she rocks a pair of sweat pants. I loved her, start to finish. Jameson on the other hand, took some warming up to. I thoroughly enjoyed the commentary about the royal family's prejudice (*cough* racism *cough*) and everything about Black women working in the music industry, but the romance itself wasn't my favorite. To start with, the couple doesn't even meet IRL until more than a quarter of the way into the book. From there, it's mostly insta-lust... but where's the love? There were also a few extra plot lines that just never seemed fully-developed.

That being said, the sex scenes and physical chemistry between Dani and Jameson more than made up for the so-so romance. This wasn't my first Tracey Livesay and it definitely won't be the last!

Thank you, @netgalley, and @avonbooks, for the eARC and in return, an honest review.

“This. You. Us. That’s all I care about.”

My Thoughts:
This book is an adult fiction, contemporary, and an interracial romance. It was a quick read with some spiciness. I think it is more of lust than a love story although there were some cute and thoughtful moments. This is definitely not a slow burn romance.

Dani aka Duchess reminds me more of Rihanna, a successful singer and business owner. Dani is a strong female character. Smart, fearless, and hardworking. Prince Jameson is relatable in the sense that no one likes to be told what to do or who to love for the sake of the family. But otherwise, he’s ok. I think the ‘romance’ was a little fast and short. It did end on a high note.

The book is described as evoking the real-life romance of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. I didn’t want to go there. I read it as it was described…fiction! No comparison, speculation, or expectations.

I have never read from Tracey Livesay before, so I’m kind of interested to see how much I would like her newest book, American Royalty. And this book will bring the total opposite of attraction to another level.

Danielle ‘Duchess’ Nelson and Prince Jameson were the total opposite of each other. Like they have nothing in common, except for their denying sexual attraction for each other. Their chemistry is off the charts whenever they keep denying their attraction. They are born into two different worlds, so there is no way for them to collide. But yet, they can’t seem to not fight their attraction for each other.

Their romance together is a bit forbidden since she is a pop star and he is a royal prince. Yet, they are perfect for each other.

Oh this book. I had such high hopes - an rapper and a Prince?? Yes please! Unfortunately this book fell flat for me.

I will start by saying that I kind of adored Dani/Duchess. I loved a lot of things about her character, how she was so driven and smart, quick with her responses but also knew when to control her emotions. She was great. But the whole point of the story - her and Prince Jameson falling in love - was just so bad. The transition from "we're supposed to not want anything to do with each other" to "now we're sex buddies" to "now we're in love with each other" was so choppy. Their relationship didn't come across as something with real connection or depth at all since majority of the time was spent with them just lusting after each other. I feel like this just didn't hit the right tone, especially since in the beginning it was made clear that the men in charge of her rapping career were sexualizing her in order to make money. Jameson immediately sexualizing her was just a continuation of what was wrong with the men already in her life. And with majority of the story focusing on their physical relationship there was no time for the emotional relationship to ever develop or feel real. I would've loved some of their interactions to not include James thinking about getting an erection or Dani thinking about her nipples hardening or her panties getting wet. Like, really, every single interaction? It became a bit much. And they were both very immature through a lot of it! It became pretty annoying.

Anyway, this story had major potential. It's too bad the execution was such a flop!

Dani, or Duchess as her fans know her, is a successful American female rapper, who has been killing it in her career. However after a little drama is shared on social media by a rising pop star, some of the companies Dani is hoping to work with back out of their deals with her. She’s lucky to get the opportunity of a lifetime when she is asked to perform at a concert hosted by the British royal family. When she arrives she meets Jameson, a prince who would prefer to stay out of the spotlight. They end up very quickly realizing there is chemistry between them and start a short term relationship while Dani is in town, despite the Queen’s disapproval.

Oh my goodness I adored this book. I love a good British royal family moment and this book was a fabulous fictionalized version of that with a strong female lead. Dani was an incredible main character. She was so strong and really stood up for herself in a male dominated industry. She knew what she wanted and had no problem going for it. I loved her so much. This book was so fun and so steamy and one that everyone needs to have on their radar!

Thank you to Avon Books for the advance copy.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! This was a fun and quick contemporary romance that has a nice nod to British royalty with Harry and Meghan’s love story. Dani/Duchess is an American rapper who also runs a successful skin care line for Black women, who due to a feud with a pop star needs to do some image control. Jameson/Jay is a Prince of England (grandson of the Queen), who is a professor but forced into the spotlight to plan a royal concert fundraiser. These two main character’s worlds collide with instant chemistry when Jameson selects Duchess to perform at this event. I thought this was overall a very fun read, and I enjoyed the chemistry and open door scenes between the two main characters. The only thing that didn’t work for me in this story was the pacing being off throughout the book, with the end happening quickly. I would have loved to see a longer epilogue! But overall this was fun and lighthearted, with the right amount of instant-love and chemistry between two successful and smart characters from different worlds. I recommend this book for fans of royal love stories, contemporary romance, and a fan fiction vibe.

Book: American Royalty
Author: Tracey Livesay

I wanted to love this book, the premise really drew me in. Unfortunately, it was just okay for me. I felt the pacing was a little slow at the start of the book and I wish that the relationship was built a bit better, instead of just what felt like Insta-lust.

This story keeps you wanting more. I love the celebrity trope and how the author wrote Dani. Dani is a badass. I loved seeing the background of her business, and her inner dialogue. However, I would have loved to see more of the Prince he was more of the grump in the story and I wish we would have seen more of his backstory in the beginning but it came out towards the end. I also feel like we needed to see more of their relationship to make it more believable. I loved the writing and the representation.

I was gifted this book from Net Galley/ Avon Publishing in exchange for an honest review as always all words are my own.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate how stunning the cover for AMERICAN ROYALTY by Tracey Livesay is stunning!!

I’m an absolute sucker for a royal romance and this one did not disappoint in the least!!

The pacing was perfection, I loved getting to read from Dani and Jameson’s POVs. Getting to hear from both of them just really added something extra that just really sold the story. Reading about their mutual pining and all of the not-so-secret glances they would throw each other’s way? Immaculate vibes 🤌🏼

I feel it in my could that this one is going to be THE summer romance to read! If you’re a fan of the British monarchy and the drama that follows them (think Prince Harry & Meghan Markle) - this is the book for you!!

Thank you so much to Avon Books for the gifted ARC and the opportunity to read an e-ARC!

I will forever read books where "ordinary" people become royals or date royals - they are my catnip. American Royalty takes that trope even further and allows our "ordinary" person to be royalty herself but in a different way. Dani ("Duchess") is not only a successful rapper but runs an incredibly successful skincare brand catering to darker skin types. When she tries to reshape her image after a scheming pop singer tries to use her for her own career she ends up in England about to perform as part of a tribute concert the Queen is putting on. While she is there she meets Jameson, a prince who is just trying to help his grandmother while also avoiding scandal.

All the parts are here and I loved reading Dani and Jameson's different POVs as they try to navigate what they want versus what people around them want. It takes a while for them to even meet and then their relationship takes off immediately, their chemistry palpable on first meeting. Something felt a little off with the pacing for me - maybe I wanted more time with them pining and getting to know each other?

I did really love the romance and both characters were well defined on their own. However, I thought the ending was kind of rushed and although it was satisfying, I felt left a little wanting. There were a lot of lingering threads and also one of the most dysfunctional royal families I've ever read.

Overall, I enjoyed this fun romance and would definitely recommend to fellow lovers of royal romances.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Avon for letting me read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

<b>cute, sweet and royally spicy!</b>

I really enjoyed this! I loved the FMC, Dani! She was confident and unapologetically herself - a Black queen! I loved the Blackness of this book! 🙌🏽

I also liked the MMC. Jameson. He was a little bland but I loved how prim and proper he was on the outside but was able to be himself around Dani. He was definitely a gentleman in the street and a freak in the sheets 🔥.

My main criticism is how the Brits were written at times. I would’ve appreciated more attention to details surrounding British colloquialisms - the basics were there but that tad extra research would’ve made things that much more believable. For example, one of the Royal British characters said something like “I should’ve known […] when you got an attitude”; a Royal would never speak that way and I found it cringey. I also didn’t find it believable that the queen’s children, who were well into their 50s, behaved like teens. They just seemed so crass and low class with the way their scandals were described. I would’ve found it more believable if their “scandals” had been older events that had been discovered but for them to be having the way they were at 50 made zero sense.

Overall, I found this entertaining and I really enjoyed the romance between Dani & Jameson!

3.75 rounded to 4⭐️

Thank you so much to HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tracey Livesay has a new fan and that person is me! American Royalty was everything I never knew I needed. Duchess aka Dani was such a great protagonist to follow. She was funny, ambitious, caring, blunt, and more that I couldn’t help but love. The love story between her and the prince was so enjoyable and spicy! I loved how they went from hating each other to loving each other. When this book ended, I was upset! I would’ve loved a chapter or two more. That’s how you know you loved a book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 Q: do you have a favorite royal couple? I’m team Harry + Meghan all the way!

The stunning cover of American Royalty—& the premise, of a white future prince of England & current duke falling in love with a Black American rapper named Duchess—had me pressing request on this one really fast.

While the basic premise is great (with a nod to Harry & Meghan), the book’s celebration of a female rapper also trying to amp up her skincare line is something worth cheering for, & there are some 🔥 sex scenes (including 🍑 action!), I also feel like things between the leads moved quickly & the hero sometimes comes across as judgmental & uptight (& not in a way that I appreciate).

Rapper & businesswoman Dani “Duchess” is in England to perform at a memorial concert for the King. Pretty much immediately Duke Jameson acts like a jerk, mainly because he judged her based on her music videos & because he’s secretly so attracted to her.

Forced proximity fans might rejoice when they realize they’re going to be spending so much time together on Jameson’s estate…

I noted what does & doesn’t work me earlier but on the whole this book just feels uneven to me.

On one hand Jameson can be an awkwardly adorable & cerebral beta hero; on the other, he makes weird, sexist judgments about how much cursing he might expect from Dani based on how she’s dressed (like women might be expected to curse more or less just because of how they’re dressed), as an example.

The couple doesn’t meet until 27% in which feels late to me, then they get physical a little too fast for me, & then there just isn’t enough emotional intimacy to have me falling in love.

But this was a fast read for me, largely because I found Tracey Livesay’s writing to be entertaining & enjoyable to consume & I had a lot of fun meeting Dani.

In the end this wasn’t an unqualified win for me but I’ll definitely try Livesay’s writing again!

3.5 ⭐️. Release date: 06/28

CW: Palace interference & negotiations. The Queen looks down on Duchess. Paparazzi. His dad’s scandalous life & death. Offensive misogynistic language used by others.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

American Royalty follows famous female rapper Duchess as she works to propel her career forward, through her music and her skincare company. When an invite arrives from the British monarchy for a concert charity event, Duchess sees an opportunity for positive PR that might also help her company find greater success. What she doesn’t expect is the tall, dark, and handsome Prince Jameson, who is spearheading the event and whose house she’ll be staying at in the weeks leading up to the concert.

There were a lot of good ideas in this book. The dynamic between a Black American rapper and businesswoman who knows her worth, and the stuffy British monarchy, held a lot of potential for me going in. And, of course, who doesn’t love a romance with a gorgeous prince? There was solid social commentary, but ultimately, a lot of this book did not deliver on what I was hoping for.

Pretty much every character except for Dani was annoying, and even she had her moments that felt odd and out of character, or even just plain illogical. Additionally, the romance between Jameson and Dani… wasn’t really romance? They had sex. A lot. We spend more time watching them have sex than watching them interact as human beings getting to know each other, and even then sometimes those more tender moments or conversations are punctuated by internal dialogue about how hot the other person is and how much they really want to bone. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with physical intimacy in a romantic relationship — in fact, I love a good spicy book — the spice was almost the entire substance of our main characters’ romance. There were full weeks that they spent together that we almost entirely skipped over, except for the moments of physical intimacy. I don’t actually know what they like about each other as people. I’m not confident they understand each others’ struggles and vulnerabilities. I felt like their relationship had no real emotional foundation at all.

There are a few other nitpicky things I struggled with, particularly with regards to the resolution of basically every conflict in the book. While I love a good romantic moment where our love interests confess their feelings and decide to face the world together, I do still want some sort of solid resolution to the other parts of their lives. Does Dani continue rapping? Does Mela-Skin get the big deal? Does Jameson return to teaching? Beyond the basic romance, these were the plot points that kept me reading, and they all resolved in a fairly unsatisfying “we’ll figure it out.”

While I do think this book has its merits — I liked a lot of the writing, the spice was a fairly good time, and like I said earlier, the ideas were there — I do also think it could have just used more emotional depth to feel more substantive as a story. It wasn’t a bad read! I was just left wanting more.

I was really excited for this one. I am really into the royal family, so seeing that this was loosely based on prince Harry and Megan Markel I was here for it. However, it was just okay for me. I liked overall but it was just okay. It started a bit slow and didn’t really pick up until about half way through and the ending was just okay. I’d give it 3.5 stars

I thought this was a fun contemporary romance, clearly inspired by Meghan Markel and Prince Harry's romance. I really liked Dani and Jameson as characters, and I thought they had fantastic chemistry. I did think their relationship could've used a little more development-they were clearly hot for each other, but I wanted to see them bond on an emotional level a little more than they did in the book.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I made it 28% in and forced myself to get that far.

I didn't vibe with either character or the writing or the plot, and I just don't want to continue with it if I'm not going to give it an honest and fair shot.

Will be DNF-ing, which means I will not be reviewing or rating it on any platform.