American Royals by Katharine McGee

Title: American Royals

Author: Katharine McGee

Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: "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." - Back Cover

My Thoughts

The most interesting part of this novel is that it is based on the premise that George Washington accepted the American People's offer to become their king and that this is the story of the modern American Royal family. When I realized that other nations that are now republics also maintained their monarchies in the story because their revolutions were inspired by the formation of The United States without a traditional monarch, I was geeking out. I'm not sure how many people reading this type of novel normally pick up on the brilliance of that choice by the author and the historical context that it brings, but I loved it. 

As for the plot itself, it is not super original,(oldest daughter is dutiful and has to marry someone suitable, younger siblings lost with no role, plain girl has a crush on her best friend's popular brother) but it is entertaining. It was disappointing that nothing really got resolved by the end, making it feel like a ploy to force the reader to continue the series, rather than choose to pick up the next book because the first was so good. Do I want to know what happens? Yes. Do I still find this tactic annoying? Also yes.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

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