It was fun to be back in the world that McGee has created with American Royals. It is so easy to get sucked back in to the story that each new installment has brought. I will say, this was probably the weakest of the 3 books so far, for me. I found myself getting a bit bored/annoyed at times, but enjoyed not being able to predict everything and am curious where the next book will take us.

The American Royals series is so much fun as we continue to watch these young royals figure out their new places in the world. McGee continues to keep my interest in each of the story lines and each of the love affairs. The concept of a monarchy in America boggles my mind but is a refreshing change in pace from the mess of our democracy.

In this third edition, McGee brings in more relevant topics of race, climate change, and international politics. Giving the monarchy more life than just the love drama. It was a great change in pace. Not to say there isn’t love drama, though. I mean…Daphne is still a key character. Each of the main characters have their own rivals to cause the right amount of controversy. And the ending!!!!!!!!!! Oh gosh!

I. Love. This. Series. I absolutely love Katharine McGee's writing style and I'm so obsessed with this family. This book has all the drama and romance from the first two but even bigger. I am so excited that there is going to be. a fourth book. I am not ready to be done with the American Royals!

Dear Authors, please stop writing half a book. These “cliffhangers” are a cheap and unprofessional way to get readers to come back, I liken them to clickbait on the internet. If you write good stories, people will WANT to keep buying and reading your books. Focus on your writing and your stories, and not how to drive more business in the future. Thank you. Sincerely, an annoyed and frustrated reader

Although the author’s books are certainly not fine literature, they certainly serve a purpose. I keep them on my bookshelves in my classroom because, let’s be real, teen girls (and some boys!) love drama and romance and the whole princess/queen twist makes for a perfect fantasy.
Even more importantly, I really like that the plot helps open up dialogue about a lot of other reimagined history … we have a lot of “what if …” discussions that lead to great fodder for creative writing lessons.
Stereotype characters, and a plot full of tropes has never really bothered me before, but it did in this one. It was a lot of pitting women against each other, which I really don’t like.
In addition, there was a lot of “drama” throughout the book but suddenly, in the last 10 pages it was as if the author suddenly thought, “oh no, the book is getting too long for my audience, but I really want to keep writing the series, so I should put a plethora of sudden twists to create lots of cliffhangers!” It just didn’t work for me, and actually backfired - it irritated me enough that I probably won’t read #4, and won’t purchase #3 or #4 for my library.

I love Katharine McGee's American Royals series - the swap concept is a twisted Freaky-Friday where the United States is a monarchy instead of a democracy with its first Queen of America! While it helps if readers have read both American Royals and Majesty, it isn't necessary to enjoy Rivals because the author weaves in just enough backstory for readers to catch up (whether they've had to wait a year or are new to the series). There are three story arcs, each involving one of the Washington siblings, Queen Beatrice, Princess Samantha and her twin brother Prince Jefferson. Will any of them be able to keep love in their lives? And the CLIFFHANGER?!? I cannot wait for IV to be released. Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #AmericanRoyalsIIIRivals by Katharine McGee - I loved it and am thrilled to introduce to series to upcoming students!

I cannot get enough of the American Royals stories! I love that this installment was so female focused - Nina and Daphne teaming up to take down Gabrielle, Beatrice stepping into being Queen and Samantha finding love with Marshall (swoon!). I think this might have been my favorite of all the books and as much as I hate a cliffhanger, I was excited that it means the series isn't over yet. Give me all the Washington drama, please!

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a copy of this novel.

This book was so much better than book 2 in this series! I loved the return of the characters I grew to love in the first book plus I loved the added vulnerability we saw in Daphne. It FINALLY made her likeable...until the very end, of course! This book felt very complete at the end, while also leaving open the possibility (I hope!) of a fourth book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!

The 3rd book in the American Royals series has Beatrice hosting the convocation of the world's kings and queens. She finally feels a sense of belonging when she becomes friends with the current Queen of France but it might come at a cost. Samantha fights for her relationship with Marshall. Nina and Daphne are still fighting over Jefferson but come together to fight a common enemy.
This one felt a bit more cheesy then the others (I'm thinking of a playful sword fight that had me rolling my eyes) but the ending was really great and made me excited to read the next one in the series.

Katharine McGee, what have you done to my heart? Another cliffhanger!

The American Royals series hooked me from the start and I was thrilled when Rivals was announced. Beatrice truly grew into her role in this volume, and Samantha’s reckoning with her own place in the Royal family was so emotional. What I did not expect was to actually develop some sort of warming to Daphne…surprise! I loved every bit of this.

This series is just so fun! Every time a new book comes out, I'm always so excited to read it because I know it will be a quick read that I will really like. I personally loved that this one came out in the summer because I think it's a perfect summer read! I really liked reading how each character evolved in this book, especially after reading the prequel and knowing how far they have all come. Beatrice remains my favorite character and it's so interesting reading about how she handles being Queen. I really liked Samantha's storyline in this book. I felt that she grew the most as a character and I can't wait to see what happens next with her. While I enjoyed Nina and Daphne's storylines in this book (truly never thought I'd say that about Daphne), they weren't my favorite, although I can't wait to read book 4 to see what happens next with both of them. The drama in all the view points was done well and I didn't feel like anything was forced or didn't make sense.

I am so glad there is a book 4 because that cliffhanger ending was crazy!! I cannot wait until the next book comes out and we get some answers! I really enjoyed the setting of this book, and liked that the characters were spread out in this book. I enjoy McGee's writing style and I think this book is written well. I like the continuity between all the books and feel that that story flows well. I would highly recommend this book if you're looking for a quick, fun and drama filled read this summer! The whole series has been great so far and I'd definitely recommend starting it if you haven't already.

The drama in these royals lives continues in this third installment. Beatrice is growing into her queenliness and trying to find her place amongst the royals in other countries. Samantha and her beau are trying to find a way to stay happy the way they are without the pressures of their familial and political duties tearing them apart. Jefferson continues to be oblivious to Daphne's recent schemes.

While this was not my favorite book in the series, it has a lot of new elements to keep you intrigued. Nina and Daphne form and unlikely alliance against a new mean girl and that dynamic is enough to constantly keep your brain focused because every time they speak your brain is going, "Whaaaat is happening??" It was fun to see Beatrice let down her hair a little and try out being an actual teenager. And the ending... O my word the ending. If you didn't think this series had anymore dramatic cliff hangers for you, boy were you wrong!

Great for people you like political drama/relationships, girl power, and awesome endings (even if they're cliffhangers!).

The third installment in Katharine McGee's American Royals series. I'm still not 100% sure how I feel about this series so far. I have been firmly Team Beatrice, but this book changed that. I don't know why, but Bea went from being a strong minded woman to someone trying to get people to like her. I typically LOVE multiple POV stories, so while I did appreciate that aspect, it wasn't enough to keep me excited about the plot. It's very important to read the first two books in the before this one or you will be confused. The next book is due out in 2023, which should give the readers more closure than we have been getting.

Book was a little slow in the beginning, but it picked up in the middle and then I was hooked from there all the way to the end.

SORT OF SPOILERY FROM HERE ON OUT:

I am super impressed that McGee was able to make me hate Daphne, then like her, and then hate her just as much as I did in the beginning. It's a real rollercoaster fueled by disgust and disdain. I hope that the next book gives Jeff a little more dignity and makes him appear less fragile. Just like in the other two books of this series, I am appalled by the tiptoeing around this character's feelings - like he can't handle the truth about anything. It's insulting and I really hope that McGee chooses to strengthen his character and how he's seen to those closest to him in the next installment.

This one had me so torn! I love the direction she has taken some of these characters I’ve enjoyed following. But some of them make me scream at the book! I still love the concept of the American monarchy and how the author weaves all the details in. And the twist at the end will of course have me picking up the next one. But I don’t know how much more I can take of Jeff being dumb. His character has been very disappointing. But towards the end of the story I got sucked in again. It continues the growth of some of the characters so I’m hoping the next one will offer growth opportunities for the other characters.

This is the third book in the American Royals series, and while I enjoyed it, it is my least favorite so far.

I loved getting an unexpected third book and was so glad to revisit these characters. I think the reason I didn’t love this one as much as the first two is because of Nina, Jeff, and Daphne. Beatrice and Sam are my favorite characters, and I loved their chapters and viewpoints. But the love triangle with Nina, Daphne, and Jeff is just old at this point, and I’ll just say it- why are these girls so hung up on Jeff?! He seems to have a lot of growing up to do. Maybe we will see that in the 4th book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC.

I LOVE the American Royals series… and while Rivals wasn’t McGee’s best novel, it was still entertaining and fun. Like many reviewers mentioned, I didn’t become invested until about 1/4 of the way through. Beatrice’s role was great but I missed Theodore!!!! Ugh. That was disappointing. Excited for the 4th one because this ended on a big cliff hanger in true McGee fashion.

Thanks to Random House Children's and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Better than the second book.. Really enjoyed reading about these characters again. I can’t believe it ended in another cliff hanger but that just means we need a fourth book

Rating: 3/5

Did I just read the same book as the first two? A book that dragged in the middle, didn't totally accomplish anything but we had a major cliffhanger. It always feels like we stop in the middle of these books and they are 400 pages.

The drama got old fast for me, it stopped being entertaining when it became drive by the women being spiteful and attempting to one-up each other. I was feeling like I was back in High School and then I remembered they all pretty much are that age. I think this is why I don't read YA generally.

I did however enjoy the redemption arcs and then ending was a great set up for book 4. Will I read book 4? Probably, but I won't be rushing to read it.

I was so excited when NetGalley gave me the chance to read an Advanced copy of this book. I love this series. I have listened to the other books a few times since getting them. They are easy when I need a good, light read. This book continues on the story. The gap year is over, and relationships are changing. Misunderstandings are all over the place. The ending surprised me, and all I can say is there better be at least one more book!

I really enjoyed books one and two of this series, but I was content with just two books. This third installment felt like too much of the same thing, and I couldn't get into it, either in print or on audio.