New York Times BestsellerWhat if America had a royal family? If you can’t get enough of Harry and Meghan or Kate and William, meet American princesses Beatrice and Samantha. Crazy Rich Asians meets The Crown. Perfect for fans of Red, White, and Royal Blue and The Royal We!Two princesses vying for the ultimate crown. Two girls vying for the prince’s heart. This is the story of the American royals.…
Two girls vying for the prince’s heart.
This is the story of the American royals.
When America won the Revolutionary War, its people offered General George Washington a crown. Two and a half centuries later, the House of Washington still sits on the throne. Like most royal families, the Washingtons have an heir and a spare. A future monarch and a backup battery. Each child knows exactly what is expected of them. But these aren’t just any royals. They’re American.
As Princess Beatrice gets closer to becoming America’s first queen regnant, the duty she has embraced her entire life suddenly feels stifling. Nobody cares about the spare except when she’s breaking the rules, so Princess Samantha doesn’t care much about anything, either . . . except the one boy who is distinctly off-limits to her. And then there’s Samantha’s twin, Prince Jefferson. If he’d been born a generation earlier, he would have stood first in line for the throne, but the new laws of succession make him third. Most of America adores their devastatingly handsome prince . . . but two very different girls are vying to capture his heart.
The duty. The intrigue. The Crown. New York Times bestselling author Katharine McGee imagines an alternate version of the modern world, one where the glittering age of monarchies has not yet faded–and where love is still powerful enough to change the course of history.
“The lives of the American royal family will hook you in the very first pages and never let go. Relatable, believable, fantastical, aspirational, and completely addictive.” –Sara Shepard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars and Perfectionists series
more
What if, instead of being a democratic republic, the United States was a monarchy? What if George Washington, instead of being elected president, had accepted a position of kingship? And what if today, 244 years after our independence, descendants of that original King George still ruled the United States? This is the premise set forth in American Royals by Katherine McGee.
Synopsis
Princess Beatrice is the oldest child of King George IV and Queen Adelaide. At 21 years of age, Beatrice is first in line of succession. Thanks to a recent change in laws, she will become the first ever queen of the United States. Her parents feel that she is ready to marry, thus ensuring the line of succession. She is presented with a short list of suitable candidates at the annual Queen’s Ball. She must choose a queen’s consort from amongst this group. Lord Theodore (Teddy) Eaton, son of the Duke of Boston, seems a perfect fit for the job. Beatrice ultimately falls in love, but with someone far less suitable. What’s a future queen to do?
Beatrice’s siblings, twins Princess Samantha and Prince Jefferson, have lived carefree lives. Not being in direct line of succession they live on the wild side. Where Beatrice doesn’t even smile until she’s thought of the possible consequences, the twins are the darlings of the tabloids.
Princess Samantha finds herself falling in love with Teddy, Beatrice’s intended while Prince Jefferson is being pursued by two girls – Daphne, who he’d already dumped (she won’t give up her dream of being queen) and Nina, his sister’s best friend and a girl who is treated like an extended family member; one a daughter of nobility, the other a commoner.
Reviewer’s Thoughts
An incisive look at the private lives of a generic royal family, American Royals puts a familiar (American) spin on the story. I found it fascinating to see how these three young people handle their destinies while living under public scrutiny. Just as the reader starts to feel complacent about the outcome of the story, wham! There’s a wonderful twist that sets you up for a sequel.
With engaging characters, easily identifiable locations, and a great twist to American history, I found it difficult to put this book down.
Palace intrigue, romance, scandal, and politics makes American Royals thoroughly enjoyable and a terrific candidate for Masterpiece Theatre or Hallmark Movie Channel.
Katharine McGee is a terrific writer. Fantastic premise, great characters, terrific writing — this book had me hooked immediately. GREAT READ! Loved it so much I pre-ordered American Royals II: Majesty !
Imagine that George Washington had been our first king rather than our first president? Then imagine the modern day Washingtons, with a female about to become the first queen. With great well drawn characters and plenty of dramatic twists, this was a fun teen/YA novel and the first in a series. I’m looking forward to the next book later this year.
I LOVED this book! I am excited for the sequel and looking forward to the day I can get me hands on it! I read this book because Sarah J. Maas wrote a review and she’s proved once again her word is golden!
It took some time to get into the book as I was trying to wrap my head around the fact that George Washington was a king and we had royals running the country. Once the exposition was finished, the book pace increased. I really feel for Beatrice and the position she in as the oldest child of the king. Samantha and Jefferson are twin siblings and know their position in life also. None of them have it easy but I hope they get their happily ever after. Daphne, I am sure is going to get what is coming to her after all she has done. Connor, Teddy, and Nina, I hope they get their happily ever after also. You just have to read the book. Be patient, it will be worth it. Now have to wait until September for book two to release.
Sigh… My feels. They are so mixed. I really enjoyed the book. It took me forever and day to get into it (initially I didn’t jibe with the 3rd person POV narrative for 4 different characters), but once I did, I could NOT PUT THE BOOK DOWN. Katharine McGee did a superb job of crafting real characters; they were all so fallible and realistic. In fact, that was actually an aspect of the story that both troubled and compelled me – from one moment to the next Beatrice, Samantha, Nina, and Jeff got on my ever-loving nerves (but not Daphne – it was hate 24/7 for her), then I would feel sympathetic and compassionate towards them. They are all young people existing in a rarefied stratosphere, thrust in positions and situations that no one could truly be prepared or well-equipped for. That being said – some of the decision making between the lot and the lack of communication (and outright cowardice in some situations) left me baffled and ready to throttle someone on several occasions. I’m so glad that this looks to at least be a duology (though I see real potential for a multi book series), because I not only long to see what happens next, I want to get lost in this novel world of American royals again. 4 out of 5 wine glasses.
I absolutely loved it! It was full of drama, and who doesn’t love royalty?
Princess Beatrice has a lot of weight on her shoulders, she knew what her role is and she needed to play it well. She didn’t realise she would fall in love along the way… Princess Samantha is the “spare”, she’s reckless but not incapable of love. She got caught in a web of love and betrayal that she didn’t know who to trust anymore. Prince Jefferson is the one every girl wants, but he seems to have eyes for only one.
Add all these characters together, and you don’t get a love triangle, but something much more complex than that. I really hope the main characters all get what they wish for. But at the end of this book, we’re left hanging, and I need to get my hands on the next book as soon as it’s available!
American Royals is a YA romance based off the question, “What if George Washington became America’s first king rather than president? Where would we be in 2019?” This novel does not offer insight into an alternate end of slavery, answers to how First Nations people were treated, or what political stresses the royal family faces. This ain’t that book though I was asking these things throughout. This is Gossip Girl meets that E! scripted drama The Royals we all pretended not to watch but secretly loved.
Was it a literary masterpiece? Oh hell no! Was it a fun guilty pleasure? Darn tootin’!
Beatrice Georgina Fredericka Louise of the House of Washington, Princess Royal of America is to be the first reigning Queen of the United Colonies of America. Quite naturally she is under unrelenting scrutiny, of a kind never witnessed in the two hundred fifty years of the monarchy. Thus far, she has been equal to the task, her intelligence, training, and sense of duty make her an icon in the eyes of her family and countrymen. But now, something has changed, her parents are forcing her to “interview” possible husbands at the Queen’s Ball tomorrow night!
“American Royals” is an excellent YA romance filled with the pomp and circumstance of a ruling monarchy intermingled with the trials and tribulations of young men and women in the searing spotlight of public attention. The twins, Samantha, and Jeff, Beatrice’s immature and wilder siblings play the wildcards, adding complications and contrast to the story. While a good girl commoner, Nina Gonzalez, Samantha’s best friend, is juxtaposed against her royal friends’ excesses. A social-climbing harpy, Daphne by name, circles through the lives of Nina, Sam, and Jeff, adding a frisson of danger. Her sole aim is to marry into House Washington; she will stop at nothing to achieve it.
This fantasy will interest those who enjoy reading about the British Royal Family and all their activities. The writing will not disappoint. The characters are well developed and conflicted, while the twisty plot moves at a rapid pace. Left out are the harsher realities of American history like slavery and the civil war, but it is a fantasy after all.
At this point I am wondering if there will be a sequel, there certainly is room for a series of them. I recommend “American Royals” for those looking for something unusual.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
What if at the end of America’s Revolutionary War, George Washington was offered a crown and what if he said yes? This is the entire premise of Katherine McGee‘s new novel American Royals. Hooked from the first words, I became deeply committed to the modern day lives of the House of Washington. While I was initially drawn to the story because of the alternate history, I kept reading for the political intrigue and drama. If you like me are fascinated by the British monarchs, then by all means do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK!
Beatrice is the eldest Washington and the first in line for the throne. Not only is she the first in line, she will also be America’s first reigning queen. She never steps a toe out of line, does everything her parents require of her, all in the name of the crown and the country she will one day serve. Now her parents are requiring her to marry. They’ve given her a list of pre-approved candidates to choose from. But her heart wants someone else.
Samantha is one half of a duo, her twin brother Jefferson makes up the other half. In Sam’s eyes, Jeff is the male version of her elder sister. He can do no wrong in the eyes of her parents or the press. Sam, on the other hand, stays in trouble. She is the “spare,” the extra, the second in line for the throne. No one cares about her, at least that’s what she thinks. She is determined to be the opposite of her perfect sister. Sam is loud, parties, speaks her mind, and lets nothing hold her back. How else can she make an impact on the world?
Nina Gonzalez is Sam’s best friend. Her mother works for the Washington family and has since Nina was little. It is how she first met the precocious princess. Sam and Jeff became Nina’s constant and closest friends. But that friendship changes when Nina finds herself falling in love with the prince. Nina struggles with her feelings of inadequacy, knowing America will never accept a commoner with their prince. Will she take a chance at happiness with him anyways?
Daphne Deighton is the daughter of American nobility and the ex-girlfriend of Prince Jefferson. America’s Sweetheart to the press, Daphne is the perfect choice for Jeff to settle down with….at least on the outside. This girl is nothing that she appears to be. Determined to win a spot at Jefferson’s side, she will stop at nothing til she gets what she wants – a crown. The question is just how far she will she have to go.
Alternating chapters among the four girls’ POV, American Royals is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Twists and turns around every corner, cliched-but-can’t-stop-reading drama, and oh-so-sweet romance moves this book to the top of my favorites list. Nina’s perspective is by far my favorite as she gives a commoner’s view of the palace, political intrigue, and the royals. Beatrice is a close second with her sacrifices and secret romance.
American Royals is a must read and I cannot wait for more!
***Thank you to Random House Books for Young Readers for providing an advanced copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
The concept of this book really intrigued me. What if George Washington, instead of being the president of the United States, he became KING of the United States. What would America look like today?
American Royals follows the lives of four women. Beatrice, the future queen; Samantha, the next in line; Nina, Samantha’s best friend, and Daphne, the ex-girlfriend to the prince.
The book is full of teenage drama and love triangles. The world-building for this book really took me in and I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would. Each of the girls was relatable and you really felt their emotions and the difficulty of having so much pressure on them.
The book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I can’t wait to see what’s next for these girls because there was a lot of open-ended situations that kept me hooked enough to read what’s next for these girls.
Definitely a book my teen girls will enjoy!
So much fun imagining America with a monarchy. Love live future queen Beatrice! This is the perfect summer read if you can get your hand on an early copy!