After the whiplash of reading the second book with everyone's personalities and choices just doing a complete 180, this book was a nice return to basics. Maybe my mind got over the shock, or I just got used to it, but the characters were mostly true to form although there is a lot more political intrigue and a lot less romance which disappointed me. Felt like they swung a little too hard again with that. I am glad that I read this though, and it made me understand some characters, like Daphne, a little better even though I am still not the biggest fan. Here is hoping that there is another book in the future!

✨ Sometimes they are rivals, and sometimes they are friends.

💜 This book follows 4 characters that we have been with since the first book. Beatrice, the Queen. Samantha, the princess. Nina, friends of the sisters. Daphne, society royalty trying to scrape her way to the top.

💥This is book 3 in the American Royals series, where it supposed that Washington (and his bloodline) became a monarchy. There are dukes and barons of areas as well. Beatrice, as queen, is hosting a month long conference for royals around the world, while trying to garner respect since her father's death. Samantha is trying to figure out how her new relationship with an emerging duke will afford a future. Daphne and Nine, while enemies, team up to take down the conniving Gabriela. Sound complicated? It is. There is a lot going on, but is a super fast read. My issue is that the twists were things I had seen before and was hoping for a fresh take. I highly recommend reading the first 2 before trying for this one.

My face at the end: 🤗

🍪 I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Received from @Netgalley and Random House.

💯 For more details on the books we read, be sure to follow me on TikTok (@zaineylaney). I will give you a list of reasons to read! Or join us on Youtube (@zaineylaney) for our monthly wrapups and snap book decisions.

Received ARC from #NetGalley

Give me all the American Royals!!!!! This family is so delicious. The gossip. The backstabbing. The political intrigue. It's like a soap opera and I'm addicted. Give me more stories!!!!

I had to go back and read the other two books before reading this one, but I am not mad about it! This was such a cute YA Romance and I cannot wait until the fourth book! Book three ended up being my favorite of the series because this one ended on such a cliff hanger! This book is so entertaining- so much drama wrapped up into a royal setting and wow wow wow, it makes me feel like a kid again!

“And of course people can change. What kind of world would this be if they couldn’t? We need to believe that, or there’s nothing worth fighting for.”

Holy cliff hanger, Batman! So there's a fourth book? Conflicting emotions! Feelings!!! Rivals continues with multiple POVs, new characters, drama, and romance. With YA books, I sometimes find myself rooting for couples that aren't end game and I am worried for my ship! Is this a love square? What! I am ready for some HEAs!

THINGS AND STUFF:
-multiple POV
-friendships & family
-relationship drama
-schemes
-Gossip Girl but make it royalty
-Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
-women in power
-political intrigue

Thank you Random House Books for Young Readers for an advanced copy.

This third book in the American Royals series finds Beatrice in her role as Queen after losing her father. Her relationship with Teddy is strained as they figure out what his role will be in this new dynamic. Samantha and Marshall are going strong even though no one thought their relationship could go this far. Which puts Marshall in a difficult position of deciding to stay with Samantha or keeping his dukedom. This book also finds a strange new ally between Nina and Daphne as they come together against a common enemy: Lady Gabriella Madison. Will they be able to work together or will old rivalries come to the surface? I loved diving more into the characters' relationships in this series. I really like exploring the new friendship between Beatrice and Princess Louise of France. It brought out a completely different side of Beatrice. But the ending definitely leaves me wanting more. I sure hope there will be a fourth book in this series.

This story has such an interesting build-up. I remember absolutely becoming obsessed with the first book, and the second being a minor let-down. It just seems like the drama continues to cycle through and everyone continues to affront the same problems. As much as I wish I could've loved this one, something was missing. I will say though, I am in way too deep so I will absolutely be grabbing the next book once available because cliffhangers should be illegal.

I was already a HUGE fan of the first two books, and this book just fueled my addiction to this series! Katharine McGee just has a way of pulling you into the story every time! Love it!

I've been a big fan of this series in the past, but the third installment was a miss for me. Most of the characters feel like they are not making any progress from book to book, but instead going in circles. The majority book is set during a convention of kings and queens. Beatrice is trying to prove herself as a trustworthy queen while managing her relationship with Teddy. (Side note: Teddy is kind of a snooze. Where is Connor??). Sam is trying to figure out her deepening feelings for Marshall, and Daphne and Nina are forming an unlikely alliance.

For the most part, I was bored by the plot of Rivals. 90% of the way through the book things began happening at a very rapid pace. Did I like the things that happened? No. Will I read the next book to see how they resolve? Probably.

I often compare this series to the book equivalent of a People Magazine. Normally, I love this, but occasionally there's an issue that doesn't catch your interest. It was still a fast, soapy read, and I feel invested enough in the series that I will probably continue.

Holy Cliffhanger!!! So I totally thought this was a trilogy, but that was definitely not an ending and I need more.

I adore this series, I have come to love these characters and can't wait to see what happens with them...Daphne is still the worst, I don't care if she almost became better that last bit made me go straight back to hating her.

This series has become one that I can so easily stay up past my bedtime just to see what happens next in the alternate version of America that has a Monarchy instead of a Democracy.

I liked the take on this book not focusing on Beatrice and her succession as queen but on the side characters in the previous books. There is a lot going on in this story from Daphne and Nina's joining forces to bring down Gabrielle, the love triangle between Daphne, Nina and Jefferson, Sam and Marshall's relationship to Beatrice's first role in the king's summit.

I enjoyed all the stories and my main complaint is that it leaves on another cliff hanger!! I have to wait impatiently for book 4.

I had been eagerly awaiting the third book in this series—the author does an excellent cliffhanger that always leaves you wanting more. While I still liked the first book best, this gave me the cotton candy, alternate-reality fun book I was looking for and I read it in one sitting. Honestly Beatrice has become my least favorite character and I felt like her storyline was rather dull and juvenile but I loved the character development and growth in all the other main characters. Sam in particular.

First, I am forever grateful to have a chance to read this book in advance; I love this series and am thrilled it is continuing!

This book felt like returning to old friends - both a warm hug, and a dramatic catch-up session. This book is almost all drama - to the point where I felt like some of the motion was lacking? However, I loved the prestige of the League of Kings, my ongoing love-hate relationship with Daphne (mostly hate at this point), and the variety of relationships and what they represented.

And holy woah - that ending! Can't wait for the next installment and I feel like lovers of the series will enjoy this new continuation!

The third book in the American Royals series, Rivals, is a little slow at the beginning. The drama is a little stale, seemingly the same problems as the first two books, It does pick up, and leaves you with a huge cliffhanger, so I did enjoy it more towards the end. I definitely recommend the first two books, and will read the fourth as soon as it is available.

This was. a wild ride that ended in a cliffhanger. I am glad that book 4 is coming. I loved being immersed back in this world of American royalty. I am looking forward to interviewing Katharine. for the podcast in a few weeks.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 3.5/5 stars.

First of all, HOW DARE IT END THAT WAY? I HAVE BEEN IN CLIFFHANGER ENDING AGONY FOR EACH OF THESE BOOKS. I JUST WANT A BREAK.

Okay, since that’s out of the way. I’m a sucker for these books. This is the third book in the series, and I continue to be drawn in to each character, the world system (you know, revisionist history) and how the characters continue to develop and interact. I particularly liked Daphne’s development this book, but honestly the star deduction is due to the ending and how it just completely disappeared for the “girls can’t be friends when it concerns a man” trope.

Beatrice is coming into herself as Queen, and I just want someone to give her a big hug and hold her hand and tell her she’s doing awesome. Nina is starting to annoy me because I don’t think she’s doing much for the plot at this point besides be eye candy for Jeff and Sam’s best friend. Sam is one that truly made this book better, especially with the intricacies of her and Marshall’s relationship. Jeff is an idiot and needs a reality check.

Also, yeah, the ending was upsetting but also opens up SO MANY WAYS TO CONTINUE THIS SERIES.

3.5 stars

Here are my two top tips before I really get into this review: (1) Don't try to read this without having read the other two first. (2) Know that this is not the final book in the series. It's going to FEEL like a middle book, and there's also a confirmation that a fourth is coming in the end notes.

All of the folks we love - and those we love to hate, so Daphne - return to this third installment of _American Royals_. Everyone is struggling in their own ways, and this "rivals" setup gets employed in a pretty intriguing manner throughout. As usual, the characters share perspectives here. Beatrice is grappling with her role, her love life, her past decisions, and the idea that she has never had a real gal pal (which is mostly where her "rival" situation comes in). Sam is having similar struggles with her role, choices, and love life, but her "spare" situation (what a gross term) really distinguishes her from Beatrice. Though she has been one of my favorites in earlier books, her storyline fell a little flat for me in this round, and I am rooting for more Sam action in #4. The standout rivalry pairing is with Nina and Daphne (no one is surprised), and it is fun to watch the two of them battle common enemies instead of just each other. These two kept me the most engaged throughout by far.

I enjoyed this book overall, but my knowledge of/relationships with these characters from the earlier novels was vital to that outcome. Some of the scenes feel a little long and the emotions a little intense based on what happens just in this context of this work, so having that background is essential for really understanding and appreciating the characters' current states.

I really need to read this fourth book now. McGee leaves readers with a lot of questions, and I am very much looking forward to the answers!

Katherine McGee blows me away again! I thought this was the end of the series but is there more to come??

Official Blurb:

“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? “

Character thoughts:

Daphne- She is definitely one of the most interesting characters in the series. She is willing to do anything to get where she wants. I think that Daphne showed a lot of character growth, but it was all thrown out the window by the end.

Beatrice- Beatrice has been going through a lot lately. She feels as if she has to take it on her own, being America’s first queen. When she finally meets the people who make her feel less alone, they aren’t who they say there are. I just wanted to hug Bee, she’s been through so much.

Sam- I’m so happy that Sam finally found herself! She’s grown up so much throughout the whole series.

Nina- I still love Nina! But surprisingly enough, I don’t think I have too much to say about her.

This book was one of my most anticipated releases for the year and I screamed when I found out it was going to be coming out, especially after Majesty! I had fun reading it and I hold a lot of fondness for all the characters. They’ve got me through the pandemic and given me a chance to imagine a different world. I would say that this book and the whole series is worth a read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved the first book in this series! I was really gobsmacked by the second book in the series, and did not enjoy it at all. I hesitated about reading the third, but wanted to give the series another chance.

Rivals was interesting. There were still many things I didn't like going on in the story. Nina, Daphne, and Jeff make me crazy. I wish I could read the book without reading about any of them. Beatrice and Teddy still don't seem to make sense to me.

The one thing that will keep me reading this series (besides the fact that it ends on a huge cliffhanger), is that I genuinely loved the storyline revolving around Sam and Marshall. I thought that the struggles they face were really well thought out and were realistic. Their issues surrounding being a mixed race couple, and the issues surrounding their positions in the monarchy were well done.

I liked this one much better than the second, but am interested to see what kind of turns we are in for in the last book. Maybe that one will be the one that redeems this series for me.

Thank you to Random House Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was just...aggressively fine for me. Rivals is the 3rd installment of the American Royals series and follows Beatrice, Sam, Jefferson, Nina, and Daphne as they continue to deal with the fallout from events of previous books.

The thing about this book is that...genuinely almost nothing happened until about 75% of the way through. It was SO boring. I'm also annoyed that it ended on a cliffhanger becuase I think ultimately I just need this series to end.

I did enjoy seeing a different side to Daphne, though I do think almost all of her character growth was thrown out the window at the end there.

I think I just need to be done with this series and I am not the target audience. I think if you love YA, you might like this series. Though I think in particular it is meant for younger YA readers.