Rivals | ARC Review

Beatrice is queen, and for the American royal family, everything is about to change.

Relationships will be tested.
Princess Samantha is in love with Lord Marshall Davis—but the more serious they get, the more complicated things become. Is Sam destined to repeat her string of broken relationships…and this time will the broken heart be her own?

Strangers will become friends.
Beatrice is representing America at the greatest convocation of kings and queens in the world. When she meets a glamorous foreign princess, she gets drawn into the inner circle…but at what cost?

And rivals will become allies.
Nina and Daphne have spent years competing for Prince Jefferson. Now they have something in common: they both want to take down manipulative Lady Gabriella Madison. Can these enemies join forces, or will old rivalries stand in the way?

I have sooo many thoughts that I can’t wait to share. The first is if you loathed Majesty as much as I did, give this book a chance. It helped mend the hole the second book created in my heart.

I was a lot less angry at the characters during this book. In fact, there were a few I actively enjoyed and loved! And Marshall is at the top of that list. He is charismatic, sweet, and so stinking insightful. We definitely didn’t get enough time to enjoy him in book two so it was so great to learn so much about him here. Samantha is also a true delight. I’ve always really liked Samantha, but it’s so great to see her grow up and decide who she wants to be and how she wants to be defined. I think this book will be a real turning point for her.

I mostly enjoyed all the characters in this book which, as I mentioned, is a complete 180 from book two. Even partially from book one. I think part of that has to do with the fact that many of these characters are finally figuring out who they wanna be and where they see their future. We see a lot of growth and development from pretty much every main character in this book. It was truly a magnificent surprise.

I would have liked to have seen more of Teddy. He’s a character that is so important to the story and that I want to love so badly, but has always fell a little short. This book does his character more justice, he’s not so much of a little puppy trailing Beatrice everywhere. I’m hoping next book we’ll really see him blossom.

Also, I have to mention that there was a beautiful Nina and Jeff moment in this book. And it’s probably not what you’re thinking. Nina tells Jeff off for being stupid (as we’ve seen in the previous two books) and it was glorious. It was exactly what needed to be said and what I’ve been thinking for so long.

Ethan was not in this book which was a little strange considering the role he played in the last two. He’s definitely mentioned, but it’s kinda like when an actor is taking a break from a TV show and they address his absence at the beginning of the season and then move on. Maybe we’ll see him again in the next book?

Was the plot of this book actually just a party? Like, there was so much drinking and partying I almost can’t be convinced that the entire plot of this book wasn’t that. That being said, it was a lot of fun seeing all the characters in this environment though. It made the book feel more youthful, a little less serious than the other two especially considering everything that happened in book two. We also get a new environment/location for this book so that was kinda fun. LA instead of DC. Adds to the whole party vibe.

I will admit, the first half was a little dull. Things were happening but nothing too terribly exciting. The second half got better. Things didn’t really make me wanna scream until 90% in though. Why does McGee always gotta end the books with me wanting to rip my hair out?

Overall, worth the read! I was really skeptical considering they were just gonna leave us hanging with the second book and not come out with a third, but I’m so glad I read this one. It was more (in many ways) than the last two books. Plus, as I mentioned, it mended the little hole in my heart left from book two.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating

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