Majesty (American Royals #2)

Author: Katharine McGee
Pages: 374
Overall: 4.5/5
Setting: 4/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Cheers Factor: 5/5
Pairing: Empress Gin French 75
I know it’s the same drink as the first novel’s pairing, but this book felt like it was such a switch up when really it was the same so it felt fitting to change the flavor profile but keep it relatively the same.


Ingredients
-1oz Empress Gin
-½ oz lemon juice
-½ oz simple syrup
-prosecco (or whatever sparkling wine you like)
-ice
-optional lemon peel

Instructions
-Add ice, gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to shaker
-Shake and strain into champagne flute
-Top with sparkling wine of choice
-Option to garnish with lemon peel twist
-Enjoy responsibly

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“Facimus quod faciendum est. We do what we must.”


Take a Shot: In an America with Royals and the recent death of the monarch Beatrice must step up and take the throne long before she thought she would. She also must marry because of political instability due to her gender. She’s also marrying the man her sister loves and Sam is not about that. Nina and Jeff are no longer dating because of the way the media harassed her and Daphne sees this as her in. Read along as these characters all navigate their way through heartbreak and back to love. 


“In real life, no one would make the person they loved social climb to prove their worth.”


Setting
I said this last time, but I love the setting. I also love the addition of new locations and new names like Orange for what is now the California region. I love the changes that the residence gets too and the more we get to see as wedding preparations begin for the family.


Characters
Once again the characters are so good and I loved them a lot. I think in this one we see a lot more in depth sides of all characters particularly Daphne and that’s really refreshing to see and a reason to read in and of itself. I still want more of the other characters, particularly Jeff. He’s literally a royal sibling and he’s in like a pitiful amount of chapters.


Plots and Themes
The flip of the storylines from the first book was great to see how the characters come back. I originally was not a fan, but about halfway through fell in love with the way that the story was working. Each of the characters really changed and grew into themselves and it’s great to see. The theme of the character growth was my favorite part.


Conclusion
I think I originally was hesitant and didn’t love the book, but kept reading and truly grew to respect a lot of the characters and their decisions. It was truly a great duology.
Reasons to Raise a Glass: character growth, realistic relationships
Too Strong: WHERE IS MORE JEFF?, it’s hard to get through the beginning until you understand the characters motives

​Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk!
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“You lie to me and to Jeff, and most of all you lie to yourself.”

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    Okay I started this book and HATED it. That’s the truth and I was seriously upset with the way that our relationships we got in the first book weren’t happening in the second book. I really wanted so much to happen to get our characters back to their original loves. I wanted Sam to be with Teddy, Beatrice to be with Connor, Nina to be with Jeff and Daphne to be alone (none for Gretchen Weiners style). However, I did really love watching Beatrice with Teddy. Their relationship was actually really touching. The way the two matured into their relationship was actually amazing and I loved it. I also loved getting to watch Sam really try to mend her friendship with Nina despite fake dating the sexy Lord Marshall. I liked getting to see her go from “the spare” to “the heir”. I even liked watching Daphne scheme and lie her way to getting Jeff back despite it being painfully obvious she actually cares for Ethan. For Daphne I loved the poetic justice of her really not finding happiness and realizing she’s been fighting for something she doesn’t want for years and she’s meant to be unhappy for forever. It’s even better seeing Nina is now happy and is the exact opposite of Daphne. 
    Did I like this one more than the first one? No. Was it still really amazing and the characters had to end up where they did due to their evolution as people? Yes. I did really love the story overall and despite being upset I understood it. I’m praying we get another book that follows Jeff though because I want to see more of the Himari, Ethan Daphne and Jeff debacle because they were supporting characters, but they deserve to be given the full spotlight given that this novel was really Samantha and Beatrice’s. 
    Basically I felt this title was awesome and a good wrap up to the first book plus a strong moment for the women because Beatrice rules by herself and all the other women really take on their destinies. 

“The only thought running through her head was what an utter fool she had been, to build her life around the wrong boy.”