Tag: katharine mcgee

ARC Book Review: A Queen’s Match (A Queen’s Game #2) by Katharine McGee

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Katharine McGee
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: November 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the sequel to A Queen’s Game, broken hearts and secret loves lead three princesses to their final marriage matches, and their rightful places in the history books–from the New York Times bestselling author of the American Royals series.

As Queen Victoria tries to match her grandchildren with powerful marriages across Europe, matters of the court and matters of the heart collide for three princesses as they close in on the end of their marriage seasons. 

Exiled French princess Helene d’Orleans had no choice but to break it off with Prince Eddy–but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a broken heart. And now her parents have their sights on another prince for her…but his heart is already taken. 

The queen finally understands that her beloved granddaughter Alix of Hesse isn’t interestd in a match with Prince Eddy…but the Queen does not approve of Alix’s true love. So where does that leave her? 

And May of Teck? She’s just looking for a crown. So with Eddy back on the marriage market, she’s biding her time, letting his heartbreak settle, before she makes her move.

Set in the last glittering decade of the monarchies, A Queen’s Match is the thrilling conclusion to the story that began in A Queen’s Game.

Thank you Get Underlined for the gifted copy and PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook.

GOOGLE IT.

That was my biggest takeaway here. I spent a few minutes googling and reading historical documents about these people and learned all that I needed to know that made the book feel superfluous. I think if you go in with little knowledge or are their for the drama then maybe it would hit better.

I don’t think this book is bad by any means, it felt more like a pitfall that historical fiction can occasionally fall into. The characters were fine, the romance was fine, and I’d still read more from this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Historical Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: loss of life, illness, discussion of plague

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ARC Book Review: A Queen’s Game (A Queen’s Game #1) by Katharine McGee

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Historical Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Katharine McGee
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: October 1st, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The New York Times bestselling author of the American Royals series invites you to visit 19th-century Europe amid the glamour and intrigue of the Victorian era. In this historical romance inspired by true events, three princesses struggle to find love—and end up vying for the hearts of two future kings.

In the last glittering decade of European empires, courts, and kings, three young women are on a collision course with history—and with each other.

Alix of Hesse is Queen Victoria’s favorite granddaughter, so she can expect to end up with a prince . . . except that the prince she’s falling for is not the one she’s supposed to marry.

Hélène d’Orléans, daughter of the exiled King of France, doesn’t mind being a former princess; it gives her more opportunity to break the rules. Like running around with the handsome, charming, and very much off-limits heir to the British throne, Prince Eddy.

Then there’s May of Teck. After spending her entire life on the fringes of the royal world, May is determined to marry a prince—and not just any prince, but the future king.

In a story that sweeps from the glittering ballrooms of Saint Petersburg to the wilds of Scotland, A Queen’s Game recounts a pivotal moment in real history as only Katharine McGee can tell it: through the eyes of the young women whose lives, and loves, changed it forever.

Thank you Get Underlined for the gifted ARC.

I DID LIKE IT.

First of all, this is much more historical fiction than anything else. Which is FINE. But since I didn’t read the synopsis I didn’t know so I’m passing a long that information to you. I enjoyed seeing these people in history through this lens. It was a bit dramatic (as expected for a KM book) and held my attention well. I didn’t have a hard time picking up and continuing the story.

NOW. If you’re like me and only have a vague memory of who ends up with who, who dies, etc. you will spoil yourself by going doing historical deep dives online (aka what I did because my history nerd side came out). This didn’t turn me off from reading it and I think it added to the flair of where the story is going. I am curious how this will be pulled into a series. It’s not ROMANTIC but there is romance. There’s some sweet moments and cute things, I wish there would have been more development involved though.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction + Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: vague open door
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: Reign (American Royals #4) by Katharine McGee

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: NA Dystopia Romance
Length: 415 pages
Author: Katharine MCGee
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: August 29th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A queen’s life hangs in the balance, and her siblings’ decisions—about what to do, and most of all, who to love—could change the course of history. Romance. Duty. Power…only one can triumph in this stunning conclusion to the New York Times bestselling American Royals series.

America’s royal family is in shambles. Queen Beatrice is in a coma and Princess Samantha has gone missing—from the look of things, she ran away with her boyfriend, Lord Marshall Davis. Which means that Prince Jefferson is currently on the throne. For some in America, it’s exactly what they wanted: a King ruling the country. And for Daphne Deighton, who has tricked Jefferson into dating her again, it’s the ultimate dream come true. 

Surely this is all just temporary. Won’t Beatrice wake up and reclaim her rightful place? Samantha can’t really be gone…can she? And Prince Jefferson will never truly be over his childhood crush, Nina Gonzalez. Right?

For the Washington family, the stakes are higher than ever. Love might save the throne….if secrets don’t destroy everything first.

Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook.

I AM SATISFIED.

I sincerely needed this to go a certain and specific way and I’m very happy it did. This is a series where you have to lean in and enjoy the drama. I love that it’s dramatic and I don’t know quite what’s going to happen next.

I really enjoyed everyone (BUT DAPHNE) storylines and where they ended up. There were some crucial endings and reconnections, starting over and moving on and I liked how that wrapped up. Character arcs kept being pulled in different directions and I was very much glued to my headphones waiting to know how it would end.

An enjoyable series with a unique flair. McGee has the addictive quality about her books that pull you in and I was very much attached to these characters. I loved the pacing and how well the plots were woven. There wasn’t one (EXCEPT DAPHNE) POV chapter that I didn’t enjoy reading.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: retrograde amnesia, multiple counts of cheating

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Book Review: Majesty (American Royals #2) by Katharine McGee

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Rating: ☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: YA Dystopian / Contemporary
Length: 370 pages
Author: Katharine McGee
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 1st, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Is America ready for its first queen?

Power is intoxicating. Like first love, it can leave you breathless. Princess Beatrice was born with it. Princess Samantha was born with less. Some, like Nina Gonzalez, are pulled into it. And a few will claw their way in. Ahem, we’re looking at you Daphne Deighton.

As America adjusts to the idea of a queen on the throne, Beatrice grapples with everything she lost when she gained the ultimate crown. Samantha is busy living up to her “party princess” persona…and maybe adding a party prince by her side. Nina is trying to avoid the palace–and Prince Jefferson–at all costs. And a dangerous secret threatens to undo all of Daphne’s carefully laid “marry Prince Jefferson” plans.

A new reign has begun.

THIRD BOOK PLEASE?

That’s what I need after seeing how this one ended. Book three. THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE.

I thought this was a good follow-up to American Royals. The drama is wild as ever and so many things continually happen that keep you turning pages. Not to mention, I love the shorter chapters and quick pace.

I adored Beatrice’s story line. Without a doubt the best story in here. Beatrice came into her own as a queen. I loved that she got to say a proper good-bye to those who deserved it and made a true love connection with Teddy. They were precious and I absolutely ship them. Both of them together are such a match. I would have loved a longer book just to get more of their (and other’s) relationships.

Daphne Deighton. I can’t even talk about her. I hated the way her story ended. I got the vibe of it and why it was written that way, but it still screwed over too many people and I just want her to get her due. She just drags down this book.

Sam’s story was positive and I’m grateful for her character arc because whoa, I was struggling with her attitude. I love that she really grew up and fought for what she wanted. Sam worked things out well and I love her relationship with Marhsall.

Nina’s POV fell by the wayside here. She kinda fit into everything, kinda didn’t. I did like the way things ended up for her and that she took time to figure out what she wanted before making a decision. I think if there’s more to the story we’ll get even better insight for Nina.

This installment was shorter than the first when I think it needed to be longer. There was good stuff here, just needed some longer stories to really connect with everything rather than flying by.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult dystopia / contemporary
  • Language: some light
  • Romance: kisses / make-outs; a closed door scene
  • Content warnings: grief from losing a parent

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