This was such an enthralling read that captures the reader from the start. Evan's life was easy to get pulled into with the magic of having a royal/famous parent who is distant and a whole family unwilling to acknowledge her. As the story builds, it changes into something else with a mystery/suspense that becomes quite consuming. The elements of what happened are quite dark, as Evan was drugged for the purpose of assault, and though she was able to fight her way away, the details are fuzzy, so even she is unsure about whether she had a hand in the ensuing death. The discussions around the assault are really important discussing the way that blame is given but undeserved and situations in which this may not be so readily understood, but should be. While the context of Evan's particular situation is given, this is juxtaposed with others and these discussions are quite powerful. Another really strong and important theme was around mental illness, in the case of Evan's mother. The way both of these situations play out were really well done and open the door to critical discussions that would work well for book groups or buddy reads.

Evan is a compelling character. Even while she acts out and seems a bit prickly, she is really just trying to find her place in the world and people she can care for. Her life has been in turmoil since she was little. She lived with her grandmother while her mother was receiving treatment, until her death, and then her father's custody, which meant constant boarding schools. She cares deeply for her mother, but has not allowed herself to care for others as deeply for reasons she is still understanding herself. Her growth during the story opens herself up to difficult truths, but also to people for which she can care.

There ended up being a few consuming mysteries that kept the story moving quickly. This ended up being a read that kept the pages turning late at night to figure out what was happening and how all the chips would fall - with some good twists along the way. Should go over well with YA readers who like a little royal drama in their mystery.

Wow the mystery in this kept it going for me. I loved the outcome and I can not wait to read the next book. Aimee Carter has a way with words and I can not wait to check out what else she has written. I am hooked! This was humorous and dark and I loved every page.

From the very first page I was completely sucked in. Such a fun new series from Aimee! I stayed up WAY past my bedtime I’m order to finish this. Guess I learned my lesson that I shouldn’t start a book at 5pm if I want any sleep.

I’m a sucker for books about royals. I can’t help it. Especially those with secret love children. Past indiscretions eventually catch up to them and cause all kinds of drama. And I need it all.

I’ll admit there was one part that had my stomach in knots and I was fearful at the route it was going but thankfully it didn’t pan out that way.

I am so happy with the way this ended. I know there’s more to come but it ended perfectly with us wanting more.

Thank you to Netgalley, Delacorte Press, and Ms. Carter for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

Very interesting premise: WHAT IF Edward hadn’t given up his throne for Wallis Simpson? What if Edward’s descendants were the ruling family of Great Britain, instead of George’s? From there the trajectory is similar to, but not quite the same as, Charles’: what if the King was forced to marry a “good British woman” while being crazy in love with someone “unsuitable”? And what if said King had a child with the unsuitable woman (now his “mistress”, I suppose)? I really am not sure why the British royal family continues to be so interesting and alluring for Americans, who supposedly threw over their British overlords three hundred-plus years ago. Other countries have kings and queens too, but NO, it’s the British royal family who take the lion’s share of the attention.

Anyways. Ahem. The child of the King and his American mistress, Evan Bright, is brought back to England following her latest academic disaster and quickly runs afoul of the royal family, her half-sister’s friends, the British public in general, and the British media, more or less in that order. Evan suffers a massive trauma, faces emotionally fraught conflict day-in and day-out, is constantly harassed by the press, and has to prove (with limited resources) that she didn’t commit murder. There’s a lot going on here but it makes for a real roller coaster of a book. Frankly, this would make an amazing tv show or even movie. Some of the twists and turns were a tad predictable but it’s hard to care since it’s such a fun ride. Evan is exactly the brassy, bold, fierce, independent, genuine character you can cheer for.

Fairly early on in the book, Evan is assaulted. Ultimately the attempt is unsuccessful but it’s a close call, and some readers might be uncomfortable. I was frankly very impressed by the sensitivity with which the author described the encounter and its physical, mental and emotional aftermath.

I will be more than happy to read about Evan’s future adventures. It would appear that this might be a trilogy. Maybe Evan goes to Uni? Whichever way, here’s hoping that Tibby and Jenkins are along for the ride! 😉

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

I really enjoyed this fresh take on the royalty genre and I think a lot of YA fans will love it too, it’s fun, it’s got mystery and the pacing is great, the chat are relatable too, definitely recommended

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I am always so happy when I read a book I know I’m going to enjoy but end up absolutely loving it and that is exactly what happened with Royal Blood. I knew from reading the description that it would be right up my street, a proverbial cat amongst the pigeons in a high profile family and some big scandals thrown into the mix, it sounded like the perfect book to while away the weekend, a bit of light-hearted drama.

Turns out it wasn’t really all that light-hearted but was all the better for it, whilst there was the entertaining drama that I was hoping for there was also a lot of big themes in this book that meant that I was so much more invested in the characters and the story than I maybe initially thought I would be.

I will admit that I wasn’t sure about Evan at first, it kind of felt like she was doing everything backwards, but as the story progressed and I found out more about her and her situation I was definitely in her corner. I loved that she was still snarky and upfront with the royals when everyone else wasn’t and that she wasn’t afraid to stick up for herself in some pretty intense situations.

I really liked that we got to see Alexander making mistakes and then trying to rectify them, that his intentions looked different the more you got to know about his situation. There were a lot of characters that added the right kind of balance to the story, so that the conflict wasn’t just from what was happening but also from those around Evan, and there was a lot of room for growth which I think was done really well with some of the characters.

The plot was fantastic, there were the events surrounding the murder but there was also a lot of politics and manipulation around Evan being in London, I felt like it kept the pace and the tension going throughout the story. There were a few things that I didn’t expect at all which was a nice surprise, sometimes it can feel too obvious as to what’s about to happen, but in this book I was so engrossed in what was happening that it didn’t feel too predictable.

I have to say I was very excited by the ending because I think that this is going to be a series and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Happy Monday y’all! I hope everyone had a great weekend! Mine was a little stressful because my dog had to go to the ER on Friday night for some stitches, but he’s on the mend, and pretty much feeling back to normal now! While I was waiting for him to be sedated and get his stitches, I was able to read some of the book I’m featuring today, which I’m very excited about! Thank you so much to TBR and Beyond Tours for having me as a part of their Royal Blood tour– make sure y’all check out all of the other stops on the tour too!

Royal Blood 4/5 Stars

Summary from Goodreads:

An American girl becomes the British Monarchy’s greatest nightmare in this thrilling new series where royal scandals just got deadlier.

As the King of England’s illegitimate daughter, 17-year-old Evan Bright knows a thing or two about keeping secrets.

But when she’s forced to spend the summer in London with her father and the royal family, who aren’t exactly thrilled she exists, her identity is mysteriously revealed, and suddenly the world is dying to know every juicy lie the press prints about her.

After a fun night turns deadly and Evan becomes the primary suspect in a murder investigation, the escalating rumors and fallout threaten to tear her life apart. As she fights to uncover the truth about what happened, she discovers royal secrets that are even more scandalous than she imagined – secrets that could change the monarchy forever.

And her own may be next.

Content Warning: attempted sexual assault, use of the date rape drug

I really enjoyed Royal Blood! I’ve been a big fan of Aimee Carter’s writing since I was in high school, so it was great to be able to read a new book of hers. I also really like aspects of the royal family and all of the things about the monarchy, so it was super cool to be able to see those. I liked how each chapter began with a snippet of an article or some text messages that were exchanged between characters or a transcript of a conversation between characters before it went on into the actual plot of the chapter. I think the way that the murder happened and the order of events made a lot of sense and really helped drive the book forward without it being boring or jumping around too much. Character wise, I really liked Evan and Jenkins and Tibby and Kit and Maisie- pretty much everyone! I felt like Aimee Carter did a good job showing their motivations for different things and I felt as though I understood almost all of them and why they did everything they did (the only person who confused me was the real antagonist- their motivation was confusing, but I’m hopeful we’ll learn more about them in future books). Overall, I really enjoyed Royal Blood and I highly suggest picking it up when it comes out tomorrow! Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

I absolutely loved this book! I already can't wait for the sequels. I think my students will enjoy it as well.

Evan Bright has been kicked out of multiple boarding schools, and it's time for her to face her family....the family that didn't really know about her. She's the daughter of the king, but not in line for the throne. Her half-sister and her are born on the same day. One is a princess, the other is Evan. Then Evan goes to a party and someone ends up dead. There is so much in this fast read. It definitely keeps you on your toes.

I think it's important to address that it does talk about some serious topics (sexual assault and schizophrenia. They are major points to the story. i think the story originally sounds like it's for a younger age group, but the topics make it for more age appropriate for high school.

An enjoyable read!

All of the characters were special in their own way. Although I simple could not stand the Queen. Which was most likely the point. It’s been a while since I’ve absolutely hated characters for their actions. But, oh my, did I HATE some of these characters and their actions.

Evan is a wonderful representation of a “lost soul”. What with her upbringing and all. Her thoughts and actions are exactly what I imagine a seventeen year old would do. The things she goes through are awful, honestly. But for the story it fit. My heart broke for Evan more than once.

If you love the Found Family trope, a little mystery, a lot of drama this book is for you! Thank you NetGalley, TBR and Beyond Tours, and Delacorte Press for sending me an advanced ecopy! This review is being left voluntarily, all opinions and thoughts are my own.

I loved this love story! Thanks for the fun ride! I couldn’t put it down and am so glad I didn’t peek at the ending. I didn’t expect the tough, personal issues that Royal Blood was going to attack and still retain its charm. I can’t wait for book 2!

This was a bit lackluster -- a bit convoluted, a bit too rushed, and not thought out very well. I am curious as to where this series will go but I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to really get into the story so far and the purported facts of the book. Definitely recommend if you like all things royal and love YA, however.

Royal Blood comes out next week on March 7, 2023 and you can purchase HERE.

I read the code of conduct for St. Edith's -- along with the eight other boarding schools I've attended since the age of eleven-- cover to cover, and I can quote whole sections in a pinch. Knowing the rules, after all, makes it easier to manipulate them. And to break them in spectacular fashion.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Delacorte Press for my ARC. I kept getting 2003's What a Girl Wants vibes from reading this book. I guess I wanted Evan's dad to step it up and be more forthright. I finished the book and would recommend to students but the twist was not that original.

Set in an alternate 2023, Royal Blood is a YA murder mystery set in the world of royals.
and with a surprising amount of depth to it. Evan Bright is the illegitimate daughter of the King of the United Kingdom, who is brought to court after a boarding school incident. She goes from being a no-one, to thrown into the spotlight with everything that it entails. Something that takes a turn for the worse when she’s the main suspect in a murder case.

I really liked Evan. She’s a relatable character, who’s empathic and resilient while also being a grouchy teenager. The book also features a great cast of supporting characters, with Jenkins, Tibby and Kit being standouts. Especially Tibby being an absolute delight, and now I want someone like her in my life. I also have to mention Princess Maisie, who’s character growth felt very real as well as being a nice foil to Evan.

Royal Blood is a fun and quick read, which was a fun look into what an alternative history could have looked like if Edvard VIII hadn’t abdicated. But it also has a great amount of depth to the story. Throughout the book features discussions about, among other things, sexual assault, family issues and how vicious the profit seeking media is for public figures. My one big complaint is that the ending didn’t feel satisfying. I just want some explanations. But I guess that’s what the sequel is for.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Aimée Carter for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Royal Blood coming out March 7, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

As the King of England’s illegitimate daughter, 17-year-old Evangeline knows how to keep secrets. 

After getting kicked out of school, Evan has to spend the summer in London with her father and the royal family. They’re not exactly thrilled to find out she exists. Then her identity is somehow revealed, and suddenly the world is dying to know every juicy detail about her.
 
After a fun night turns deadly and Evan becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation, the escalating rumors and fallout threaten to destroy her life. As she works to uncover the truth about what happened, she discovers royal secrets that are even more scandalous than she imagined – deadly secrets that could change the monarchy forever.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I thought it would be like the movie What a Girl Wants. I did get those vibes and the first part of the book was fun. But the plot became a little too messy for me. I thought a lot was going on and it seemed a little too soap opera for me. I didn’t really enjoy the sudden murder case and Evan being accused of murder. Evan seemed to cause a lot of drama and it’s mostly her father’s fault but it wasn’t as fun as I thought it’d be. The relationship with Kit was also a little too closely related for me. It still felt like her cousin even if he wasn’t related by blood to Evan’s father. I just couldn’t relate to the characters well.

Is it too early to order the sequels? I have no doubt that this series is going to be a hit with some of my freshmen girls. Throw a royal in with some scandal and people come running. Make that scandal a murder? You'd better batten down the hatches. This has already been compared to other royal series. I get the comparison, but the mystery sets this one apart. It doesn't portray the characters as anything but imperfect, and I reveled in that. I know my students will too. I think the unlikeability of many of the characters will make them even more appealing. I also have to add that by the end I appreciated the treatment of paranoid schizophrenia in the text. I think it humanized a very misunderstood mental health condition. Some of the early portrayal of the condition was troublesome, but those elements were resolved as the story unfolded.

When I write these reviews I always try to keep in mind that I am not the keeper of literary canon. If there's a lid for every pot, there's a book for every kid. Even when a book might not be my first pick, I can imagine a child for whom it would be a first pick & I try to evaluate it accordingly. This book, however, would absolutely be one of my own self-indulgent fun reads. I am looking forward to seeing how this series plays out!

#RoyalBlood #NetGalley

For fans of the Y2K movie "What A Girl Wants" this book will be everything you want and more! It has the action, secrets, and dramatic flair of a James Bond movie, wrapped up in a sarcastic teenager. I had a BLAST reading this book and cannot wait to share it with my young adult patrons.

This was a super fun who-done-it by Aimee Carter. Evan is the illegitimate daughter of the King of England. After getting expelled from the last of many boarding schools, she is sent to England until things are sorted out. Not only is she unexpected, she is unwelcome. After getting tangled up in a murder, Evan has to figure out who is on her side and who isn't. Definately recommended.

Thank you to Random House & TBR Beyond Tours for sending me an arc of this in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun read! it reminded me of the film What a Girl Wants with a mix of vampires.

I absolutely loved this book. I like the idea of a secret love child of royalty. I thought that the characters will very well developed and they all interacted nicely with one another. The twists that happen throughout the book threw me through a loop. I guessed pretty early on that Ben was the other character that was going to play a big part in the main conflict in this novel, but I still was not expecting everything that happened. The main part of this book that makes it different from anything I've read in awhile, is the relationship between Alexander and Laura. I thought that the backstory Alexander tells Evan on the plane was beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. I thought the backstory of Laura having a mental breakdown and almost drowning Evan was well executed and didn't feel like a plot device for something traumatic to be added to Evan's story. I will most definitely recommending this to everyone and I look forward to reading the second book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4.5/5 stars.

I'm not going to lie, I initially thought this was a vampire novel. It is not a vampire novel, I repeat, it is not a vampire novel AND I really need to start reading the summaries more.

Anyways, this novel? PHEMONEMAL. It had all the royalty vibes, plus princess diaries vibes, plus murder mystery?? Evan (Evie, Evangeline) is one of the most realistic YA protagonists I've read in a while to where she actually does not deal with a complete and sudden upheaval of her life by getting over it. She actually lays in bed for a while and doesn't get up. She refuses to see the King of England...her dad...who she's the bastard child of. Her mom has Schizophrenia, and it works so well in the novel to destigmatize it. This also may be the first murder mystery YA I've read in a while where I did not guess who actually was at fault.

There is attempted sexual assault though, and it's a big plot point. Definitely could have used a content warning before reading it. Otherwise? Phenomenal. I could not put it down and I'm so excited for hopefully more books in this series.