Majesty (American Royals, #2)

 

 

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CONTAINS SPOILERS

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.

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 I should have known that I would fall in love again. This is the author I will return to. Katharine McGee's American Royals is not the first series I have read and enjoyed. If I didn't fall in love with the story after reading American Royals , I will be after reading Majesty . I expected twists in the second book, but the ones that appeared were the most unexpected. I thought about the twist at the end of the book the most. It made me wish the next book in the series had no wait list at my local library. I loved the first book, but I loved Majesty as much as the first one, but I did feel that there was more happening in the second book than in than the first one. This is the series that will leave you wanting the next book. It's been a few days since I finished it, but I'm still curious about what comes next. 

Teddy was enjoyable in the first book but was not my favorite character. I completely misjudged the character; he surprised me in so many ways in the second book. I did not doubt that he loved Samantha and would eventually end up with her. I expected Teddy and Beatrice to be friends, but what happened between them was unexpected. Maybe fate brought the two of them together for a reason. I loved how he was always there for Beatrice, no matter what was going on; he was exactly what she needed, especially after her father died. I can't imagine how quickly stepping into the Queen role is so easy. I despised how some people treated her simply because she was a woman, assuming that she needed to be taught how to rule. 

Samantha and Lord Marshall Davis were my other favorite couple. I always thought Samantha and Teddy became too attached, possibly because they couldn't be together. Lord Marshall Davis and Samantha connected early in their 'fake' relationship. I wondered how long it would take them to realize their feelings for each other. I was rooting for them throughout the book; how could I not? I'm curious what happens to them in the next book. I've only read the first two books in the series, but it has already become one of my favorites. I'm excited to see what happens to all the characters in the next book.

Break The Fall.

 

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 CONTAINS SPOILERS

 

Audrey Lee is going to the Olympics. 

 
A year ago, she could barely do a push up as she recovered from a spine surgery, one that could have paralyzed her. And now? She's made the United States' gymnastics team with her best friend, Emma, just like they both dreamed about since they were kids. She's on top of the world.
The pressure for perfection is higher than ever when horrifying news rips the team apart. Audrey is desperate to advocate for her teammate who has been hurt by the one person they trusted most--but not all the gymnasts are as supportive. 

With the team on the verge of collapse, the one bright spot in training is Leo, her new coach's ridiculously cute son. And while Audrey probably (okay, definitely) shouldn't date him until after the games, would it really be the end of the world? Balancing the tenuous relationship between her teammates with unparalleled expectations, Audrey doesn't need any more distractions. No matter what it takes, she's not going to let anyone bring them down. But with painful revelations, incredible odds, and the very real possibility of falling at every turn, will Audrey's determination be enough? 

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Oh, man. I'm still determining how I'll get this story out of my head. Break Your Fall is not a book you will put down; it is one you will continue to read. Last night, I found myself reading past my usual bedtime. I used to dislike sports books, but they have become one of my favorites. Gymnastics has always been a favorite of mine. I'd had Break The Fall on my to-read list for a few years now, and once I started reading it, I wondered why it had taken me so long. It's clear that the author did a lot of research for this book; it felt like I was there with all the girls competing in the Olympics. A part of me wanted to go back and reread it, and I probably will one day. 

I had a great time going on this adventure with Audrey, Emma, Dani, and Chelsea. I didn't have a favorite among the girls; I adored them all. Dani: I don't know how to feel about what had happened to her and what it must have been like to bear it for as long as she had. I felt something was wrong when she was kicked off the Olympic team due to a failed drug test. I didn't believe they were telling the truth about what happened. Still, I had no idea what had happened. Sierra irritated me because she assumed Dani made it all up to get back on the team. Sierra should be kicked off the team based on how she treated everyone. She didn't act like she belonged to the group. 

The Olympic competition was my favorite part of the book. I knew little about gymnastics, especially after reading memoirs by Gabby Douglas & Simone Biles . I learned much more about gymnastics during the Olympics after reading Break The Fall. I loved how Audrey, Emma, Dani, and Chelsea worked well together and supported one another. They wouldn't have gotten as far as they did if they hadn't stuck together. I felt every emotion while reading this book. There is so much more I could say about this book. 

Break The Fall is not a book you will forget—an inspiration.

American Royals (American Royals, #1)

 

 

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What if America had a royal family? 

 
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.
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.

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Something about royalty fascinates me; I enjoy reading about it. This is not the first book I've read about royals, nor will it be the last. I read American Royals in 2019 but forgot to review it afterwards. Because it had been a few years, I decided to re-read the book before moving on to the other books in the series. It didn't take long for me to remember why I enjoyed the book the first time I read it. There are so many reasons why I loved this book that I don't know where to begin to describe it. I couldn't put this book down. I began reading this book yesterday morning as we began driving back from Tennessee to Maryland, and I finished it this morning. The only time I paused was when we stopped at a gas station to use the restroom. It made me glad I was on winter break and not working. American Royals is not the type of book you can put down because just when you think you've reached the end, a twist will have you turning pages again. 

I had forgotten that it was written from multiple points of view and was unsure how it would work. However, it worked out great, and I felt like I got to know each of the characters much better within a few chapters. Beatrice and Nina were my favorite characters, though Samantha won me over near the end. I can't imagine having to deal with what Princess Beatrice had to deal with; all those restrictions and not being able to choose who she married. I wanted to reach out and hug her when she found out about her father; the burden she had to bear. I hoped she'd tell someone about her father so she wouldn't have to deal with it alone, but I understood why she didn't. I admired Connor and Beatrice's connection and love, but I was concerned that it would not end well for them because Beatrice was expected to marry someone of a certain social class. I was, however, rooting for her and Connor from the start. 

Daphne. I tried to find something I liked about her, but I couldn't. I despised how far she went to get what she desired. The worst part is that when Nina approached Jefferson about it, he took her side. I hope Jefferson discovers what she has done. I don't think she even loves him; she just wants him back so she can be a princess. She's the type of character who's impossible to root for. Nina, on the other hand, did not deserve what she had to endure. Regardless of how her and Jeff's relationship ended, I hope they can find their way back to each other; they belong together. 

That ending shattered my heart into a million pieces. I can't help but wonder how that will affect everyone. How could it not? I can't wait to find out in the next book in the series.

The House On Biscayne Bay.

 

 

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*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher: Berkley for the ARC ,in exchange for an honest review*  

As death stalks a gothic mansion in Miami, the lives of two women intertwine as the past and present collide in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton’s atmospheric new novel. 

With the Great War finally behind them, thousands of civilians and business moguls alike flock to South Florida with their sights set on making a fortune. When wealthy industrialist Robert Barnes and his wife, Anna, build Marbrisa, a glamorous estate on Biscayne Bay, they become the toast of the newly burgeoning society. Anna and Robert appear to have it all, but in a town like Miami, appearances can be deceiving, and one scandal can change everything. 

Years later following the tragic death of her parents in Havana, Carmen Acosta journeys to Marbrisa, the grand home of her estranged older sister, Carolina, and her husband, Asher Wyatt. On the surface, the gilded estate looks like paradise, but Carmen quickly learns that nothing at Marbrisa is as it seems. The house has a treacherous legacy, and Carmen’s own life is soon in jeopardy . . . unless she can unravel the secrets buried beneath the mansion’s facade and stop history from repeating itself. 

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Haunting. 

This author is one of my favorites. I've been hooked on her books ever since I started reading them. You can't help but fall in love with ; Chanel Cleeton ; books. I've been anticipating ; The House On Biscayne Bay; since the author announced it on Instagram. When I saw a copy available on Netgalley, I immediately requested it. When I was approved, I was delighted. I'd read and enjoyed almost all of Cleeton's books by this point. I liked how her books differed from other historical fiction and how she mixed it with suspense. Her previous books that I had read were set in Cuba, as opposed to b> The House On Biscayne Bay, which was set in Florida. However, out of all her books that I've read, I believe this one was the most mysterious. b> The House On Biscayne Bay /b> will keep you guessing from start to finish. Just when you think you've got it figured out, another twist makes you question whether anyone is telling the truth. 

I liked how the story was told in two timelines, years apart, and how Carmen and Anna's stories intertwined. I enjoyed the atmosphere described, and I felt as if I were being transported to Marbisa and its surroundings. Cleeton has a way of making the reader feel a connection with her characters. Not long into the story, I felt as if Anna and Carmen had become my friends. It's one of the reasons I didn't want the story to end. I wouldn't want to live in that house if I knew its history. My suspicion grew after the second person drowned in the bay. Cleeton surprised me again and again. That's one of the reasons I enjoy her books so much; she always manages to keep you guessing. 

Carmen and Anna's stories were both excellent. Carmen's story seemed more intense to me than Anna's. I couldn't help but wonder who was behind it all and why. It's impossible not to be drawn into this story. I think it's my favorite of her books because of the title and cover. Even if you haven't read any of her books, those two will immediately draw you in. I'm so glad I got to read an early copy, and I have a feeling I'll be returning to it once it's released. Highly recommended, especially for suspense fans.

2045 Clementine Lane : Catherine ( 2045 Clementine Lane, #1)

 

 

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 *Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher,in exchange for an honest review*  

When the body of a female homicide victim, Elizabeth York, is found in MacArthur Park, LAPD Lieutenant Aiden Flint begins his investigation at her last known address: 2045 Clementine Lane. But instead of the next of kin he’s expecting to find there, he encounters four high-end escorts: Catherine, Lyla, Juliette, and Antoinette. Despite his reluctance to become personally involved with the girls, Aiden soon finds himself navigating a personal entanglement with Catherine—the only girl without an alibi for the night of the murder. 

Thrown into a relationship she never imagined for herself, Catherine Beauchamp must choose between the woman who saved her life in the past and the man who is quickly becoming her future. But little does she know that her past is coming back to haunt her, and her future has never been more uncertain… 

 

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 I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I've always enjoyed murder mystery novels, which is what drew me to 2045 Clementine Lane: Catherine . I've read a lot of murder mysteries over the years, but none of them compared to this one. Like the majority of readers who have read the book, you are left wondering who murdered Elizabeth York and why she was murdered. Given Elizabeth's history, I also wondered if it was murder or an accidental overdose. Just when you think you've figured out what happened to her, more clues arise, forcing you to reconsider your entire theory. 

I liked how this story was written from Catherine's and Lieutenant Flint's perspectives; it allows the reader to get to know both characters. Catherine's point of view was intense at times, particularly when discussing her experiences prior to moving in with Toni and the other girls. I felt myself being transformed into Catherine's mind as I read from her point of view, feeling everything that she was. You could sense Lieutenant Flint and Catherine's attraction to each other from the moment they met, even if they tried to deny it. Catherine, I know, tried because of her profession. Even I couldn't see it working. Yet, I was hoping that they would find a way to make it work. 

I did think the ending was a little too long, as if it dragged on a little too long. I enjoyed most of the book because it was unlike any other book I had read. Each of the characters was distinctive in their own way. 2045 Clementine Lane: Catherine will keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. I'm excited to see where the next book takes us.