WELCOME to the scandalous lives of America’s royal family. If you think Gossip Girl’s Serena and Blair have problems, you haven’t met the Washingtons yet!
This is a book set in an alternate reality where America has a monarchy. It is exactly what one would imagine being royal would be like.
The characters encounter forbidden loves and class differences. Instead of the usual cheesy romance stories where everything ties up neatly, the author really put the characters through some trying situations, which made them feel relateable and human.
Princess Beatrice is the queen regent, and is being pressured by her parents to find a suitable match. Unbeknownst to many and even to herself, she is falling in love with her bodyguard, Connor.
All of the sacrifices she has made since she was a child to become the future queen has made her jealous of her twin siblings, Princess Samantha (Sam) and Prince Jefferson (Jeff). The twins, being the spare royals, are free to do what they want.
However, the twins have their own problems, too. Sam has a crush on a guy she met at a party. Unexpectedly, he turns out to be Beatrice’s proposed fiancé.
This causes the sisters’ relationship to turn awkward when the engagement is announced.
The other twin, Jeff, recently broke up with social climber and socialite Daphne Deighton, a sly and cunning woman who is constantly scheming to get back into his arms.
However, Jeff has already fallen for someone else in the few months they’ve been apart – Nina, a commoner who is also Sam’s best friend.
Unfortunately, Nina isn’t that adept at the politics and publicity involved with dating a royal.
Trouble brews when Jeff, who is oblivious to the schemes put into motion by Daphne, falls for some of her machinations. But Daphne has deeper secrets to hide and keep too.
Overall, this book by Katherine McGee is an enjoyable and fast paced read, which I could easily visualise as a film. However, those who wish to explore the world will be disappointed, since most of the story centres around the royal family.
Most of the scenes take place in the palace, and nothing is said about how different America is with a monarch instead of a president.
Granted, the plot centres on the romance angle but a bit of world building would have been nice.
