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Royal Heirs Academy #2
Royal Liars
American Royals meets Gossip Girl in this scandal-driven sequel where four teenage royals team up to defend their beloved school from an unknown threat, risking their futures and their hearts in the process.
It’s been eight months since King Leander named Ashland’s heir apparent and a new year is about to begin at Almus Terra Academy…
Sadie is trapped in a fake dating scheme with one prince, while the other is dead set on winning her heart. Titus is desperate to make things right with the girl he wronged, but his own ambitions and secrets stand in his way. Emmeline has lost her friends, her dreams, and her family. For the first time in her life, she’s not sure she has what it takes to win them all back. Alaric goes down dark paths to strike against his traitorous father, but his quest for revenge will only keep him apart from the girl he loves.
When the Ashland heirs learn that the school and the country they’ve come to love are in danger, can they put their egos aside long enough to make a difference? Or will their rivalries cost them everything?
Complete with enemies-to-lovers romance, political intrigue, and legendary betrayals, Royal Liars is a thrilling conclusion to this commercial duology and a thoughtful, escapist read for our times.
It’s been eight months since King Leander named Ashland’s heir apparent and a new year is about to begin at Almus Terra Academy…
Sadie is trapped in a fake dating scheme with one prince, while the other is dead set on winning her heart. Titus is desperate to make things right with the girl he wronged, but his own ambitions and secrets stand in his way. Emmeline has lost her friends, her dreams, and her family. For the first time in her life, she’s not sure she has what it takes to win them all back. Alaric goes down dark paths to strike against his traitorous father, but his quest for revenge will only keep him apart from the girl he loves.
When the Ashland heirs learn that the school and the country they’ve come to love are in danger, can they put their egos aside long enough to make a difference? Or will their rivalries cost them everything?
Complete with enemies-to-lovers romance, political intrigue, and legendary betrayals, Royal Liars is a thrilling conclusion to this commercial duology and a thoughtful, escapist read for our times.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2026
58 people are currently reading
547 people want to read
About the author
Lindsey Duga
11 books406 followersLindsey Duga is a middle grade and young adult writer with a passion for fantasy, science fiction, and basically any genre that takes you away from the real world. She wrote her first novel in college while she was getting her bachelor’s in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University.
Other than writing and cuddling with her morkie puppy, Delphi, Lindsey loves catching up on the latest superhero TV show and practicing yoga.
Other than writing and cuddling with her morkie puppy, Delphi, Lindsey loves catching up on the latest superhero TV show and practicing yoga.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 12, 2026
4.25 stars
I think this book was a great followup to the first book and I liked it a lot better. The characters all had good development and it was a satisfying conclusion.
sadie-
she was less annoying this book but still not my favorite POV to read. I did like how she wanted to make change and the crazy reveal that she was the princess of the lost seclean family. I'm also happy she ended up w Alaric bc even if I don't really like her, I wanted Alaric to get his happy ending.
emmeline- she was again my favorite character and had the best development. I liked how it showed how she just wanted to be loved. And the reveal that shes actually Alaric's half sibling from her mom and his dad, and is not royal! I feel for this girl so much, she was going through it. I also liked how she acknowledged and apologized for the way she acted, realizing how it was bad and how corrupt her family was, with all the lies she had been told. I'm also super happy she ended up with Oliver, they were a really cute couple! She had a really good arc.
titus- he gives Grayson but in glorious rivals. I think he would have made a really good king, just because he sees the issues but also has that mature poise vibe. I thought him and trang were a really unexpected but cute couple. I also liked how he wasn't afraid to let people know about his ra diagnosis and he it challenged him. I think he also had a good arc as well.
Alaric- He was my second favorite character, after Emmeline and he was so sweet. He was such a gentlemen and good boyfriend to sadie. I also liked how he stood up when he realized Emmeline was his sister, I really liked their dynamic. He also didn't let not growing up with a silver spoon affect him that much and still was a great character. I'm happy his mom came back tho( yes spoiler princess Rhea is alive!!). He also stood up for what he believed in and I liked that a lot about his character.
Oliver, Oakley, Danica, Jacob, and Trang were good side characters too! ( missed Sebastian a little bit just because he was interesting to read about).
also the croft reference hinting at someone??
the only things I didn't like:
sadie annoyed me sometimes
the timeline confused me a little bit
I wished Alaric and sadie had more time together
the start was a boring
anyways I thought this was good read and a great ending to this duology!
I think this book was a great followup to the first book and I liked it a lot better. The characters all had good development and it was a satisfying conclusion.
sadie-
she was less annoying this book but still not my favorite POV to read. I did like how she wanted to make change and the crazy reveal that she was the princess of the lost seclean family. I'm also happy she ended up w Alaric bc even if I don't really like her, I wanted Alaric to get his happy ending.
emmeline- she was again my favorite character and had the best development. I liked how it showed how she just wanted to be loved. And the reveal that shes actually Alaric's half sibling from her mom and his dad, and is not royal! I feel for this girl so much, she was going through it. I also liked how she acknowledged and apologized for the way she acted, realizing how it was bad and how corrupt her family was, with all the lies she had been told. I'm also super happy she ended up with Oliver, they were a really cute couple! She had a really good arc.
titus- he gives Grayson but in glorious rivals. I think he would have made a really good king, just because he sees the issues but also has that mature poise vibe. I thought him and trang were a really unexpected but cute couple. I also liked how he wasn't afraid to let people know about his ra diagnosis and he it challenged him. I think he also had a good arc as well.
Alaric- He was my second favorite character, after Emmeline and he was so sweet. He was such a gentlemen and good boyfriend to sadie. I also liked how he stood up when he realized Emmeline was his sister, I really liked their dynamic. He also didn't let not growing up with a silver spoon affect him that much and still was a great character. I'm happy his mom came back tho( yes spoiler princess Rhea is alive!!). He also stood up for what he believed in and I liked that a lot about his character.
Oliver, Oakley, Danica, Jacob, and Trang were good side characters too! ( missed Sebastian a little bit just because he was interesting to read about).
also the croft reference hinting at someone??
the only things I didn't like:
sadie annoyed me sometimes
the timeline confused me a little bit
I wished Alaric and sadie had more time together
the start was a boring
anyways I thought this was good read and a great ending to this duology!
January 15, 2026
Umm, you guys… I’m actually obsessed. 😭 This was somehow even BETTER than the first book! I am genuinely so sad it’s only a duology because I am not ready to say goodbye. I need more!! 📚✨
I’ll admit, at first it was giving "typical YA," and I was literally thinking, "I wish this had a bit more edge..." and then FIVE PAGES LATER someone tried to assassinate one of the heirs!! 🗡️💥 From that point on, the plot twists were non-stop and I couldn't put it down. It all wrapped up so perfectly. 🤌
The character growth in this one? Chef’s kiss. 🤌 I loved the journey our main characters went on, but can we talk about Emmaline for a second?! Her arc was such a highlight for me. I low-key hated her in book one after the decisions she made, but by the end of this book, she had really grown on me. We love a redemption arc! ❤️🔥 It was so refreshing to get a deeper dive into the side characters and see the whole world come to life! ❤️🔥
Also... THE LOVE TRIANGLE. 🏳️⚖️ It finally went the way I wanted it to! I am so incredibly satisfied with who ended up with who. 🫶
The only tiny "but": The 8-month time jump. ⏱️ Book 1 ended on such a "WTF" moment that I really wanted to see the immediate chaos and fallout instead of skipping ahead. I felt like I missed a few chapters of the tea! ☕️
I read an ARC of this (a little late, don't judge lol) but it is officially OUT NOW! 📢 Go get your copy immediately! I’m honestly going to go buy a physical version just so it can sit pretty on my trophy shelf. 🏆📖
I’ll admit, at first it was giving "typical YA," and I was literally thinking, "I wish this had a bit more edge..." and then FIVE PAGES LATER someone tried to assassinate one of the heirs!! 🗡️💥 From that point on, the plot twists were non-stop and I couldn't put it down. It all wrapped up so perfectly. 🤌
The character growth in this one? Chef’s kiss. 🤌 I loved the journey our main characters went on, but can we talk about Emmaline for a second?! Her arc was such a highlight for me. I low-key hated her in book one after the decisions she made, but by the end of this book, she had really grown on me. We love a redemption arc! ❤️🔥 It was so refreshing to get a deeper dive into the side characters and see the whole world come to life! ❤️🔥
Also... THE LOVE TRIANGLE. 🏳️⚖️ It finally went the way I wanted it to! I am so incredibly satisfied with who ended up with who. 🫶
The only tiny "but": The 8-month time jump. ⏱️ Book 1 ended on such a "WTF" moment that I really wanted to see the immediate chaos and fallout instead of skipping ahead. I felt like I missed a few chapters of the tea! ☕️
I read an ARC of this (a little late, don't judge lol) but it is officially OUT NOW! 📢 Go get your copy immediately! I’m honestly going to go buy a physical version just so it can sit pretty on my trophy shelf. 🏆📖
January 14, 2026
i love them so dearly it hurts
November 26, 2025
I LOVED the first book in this series when I read it last year and I was really looking forward to seeing how the story would conclude.
While I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book, it was still an enjoyable read. This story was more focused on the politics of the country and I cared more about the personal relationships between the characters, which took a backseat at times to the political drama.
Each of the POV characters were interesting and fun to read about and even though there are 4 POV characters, I never had trouble differentiating between them. They were all well developed, and I really liked seeing that dimension to them, especially in Emmeline.
I loved the romances! One in particular was my favorite (being vague because of spoilers) but I really enjoyed seeing how each romance would play out.
Overall I really enjoyed this duology. It was a lot of fun.
While I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book, it was still an enjoyable read. This story was more focused on the politics of the country and I cared more about the personal relationships between the characters, which took a backseat at times to the political drama.
Each of the POV characters were interesting and fun to read about and even though there are 4 POV characters, I never had trouble differentiating between them. They were all well developed, and I really liked seeing that dimension to them, especially in Emmeline.
I loved the romances! One in particular was my favorite (being vague because of spoilers) but I really enjoyed seeing how each romance would play out.
Overall I really enjoyed this duology. It was a lot of fun.
January 20, 2026
Thank you to the author and Christy Ottaviano Books for the free book and to Hachette Audio for the audiobook. These opinions are my own.
I adore this duology. Somehow Royal Liars was even better than Royal Heirs Academy. These stories follow four teens who all could be the next heir to the throne. It's a little bit Gossip Girl meets Succession meets American Royals. And it's also uniquely its own.
The four characters are all incredibly well rounded. Sadie, Titus, Emmaline, and Alaric have both strengths and flaws. There are reasons each would be an amazing asset to their country and reasons why each would be inappropriate. And the secondary characters are just as wel written.
There are so many strategies and secrets. But without revealing any spoilers, I'll simply say this second book takes everything to a whole new level. The danger and political intrigue all ramp up. And so do the teens' efforts to fight for the future they want to see.
I thought I was guessing the twists as I read. But I absolutely missed some. Just wow! Add in the romantic aspects, and this book truly had everything. It also feels incredibly timely right now. I strongly recommend reading both books in order.
Sarah Beth Goer and Nick Afka Thomas narrated the audiobook. I could easily have been convinced there were as many narrators as points of view. They did fantastically well.
I adore this duology. Somehow Royal Liars was even better than Royal Heirs Academy. These stories follow four teens who all could be the next heir to the throne. It's a little bit Gossip Girl meets Succession meets American Royals. And it's also uniquely its own.
The four characters are all incredibly well rounded. Sadie, Titus, Emmaline, and Alaric have both strengths and flaws. There are reasons each would be an amazing asset to their country and reasons why each would be inappropriate. And the secondary characters are just as wel written.
There are so many strategies and secrets. But without revealing any spoilers, I'll simply say this second book takes everything to a whole new level. The danger and political intrigue all ramp up. And so do the teens' efforts to fight for the future they want to see.
I thought I was guessing the twists as I read. But I absolutely missed some. Just wow! Add in the romantic aspects, and this book truly had everything. It also feels incredibly timely right now. I strongly recommend reading both books in order.
Sarah Beth Goer and Nick Afka Thomas narrated the audiobook. I could easily have been convinced there were as many narrators as points of view. They did fantastically well.
February 13, 2026
After reading Royal Heirs Academy I HAD to find out what happened next!! I enjoyed seeing these characters develop more and I was getting really nervous by the last 50 pages that it wouldn’t conclude well as there was still so much that needed to be ironed out! I could’ve used a little bit more expounding on the resolution, but maybe that’s just because I thought my favorite characters worked so hard and I just wanna bask in them and their conclusions. Emmeline and Alaric are my favorites 🫰🏼
February 21, 2026
2/5 stars: I did not like this book at all
Now I am a little disappointed because I liked the 1st book, rating it a 4/5 stars but this one truly was such a downgrade compared to the first.
First I hate the "character" growth of well any of the characters. It honestly seemed like their growth depended on the person they like, and it was only prompted by that. Emmerline they made her such a lame character omg, like they couldn't make one badass female character??? The author made both Sadie and emmerline the lamest characters to read.
Another thing that might've just been a me thing.... but the political talk just seemed so boring im sorry I was suppose to be reading a book about royal heirs not digging into the stock system bruh omg.
Anyways It was a such a let down for me. I literally was forcing myself to read the ending and I ended out just skipping/skimming through it.
Ending was also so duh duh duh compared to the first one. Anyways I wish it wasn't as lame but it is what it is.
Now I am a little disappointed because I liked the 1st book, rating it a 4/5 stars but this one truly was such a downgrade compared to the first.
First I hate the "character" growth of well any of the characters. It honestly seemed like their growth depended on the person they like, and it was only prompted by that. Emmerline they made her such a lame character omg, like they couldn't make one badass female character??? The author made both Sadie and emmerline the lamest characters to read.
Another thing that might've just been a me thing.... but the political talk just seemed so boring im sorry I was suppose to be reading a book about royal heirs not digging into the stock system bruh omg.
Anyways It was a such a let down for me. I literally was forcing myself to read the ending and I ended out just skipping/skimming through it.
Ending was also so duh duh duh compared to the first one. Anyways I wish it wasn't as lame but it is what it is.
January 10, 2026
5⭐️
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of Royal Liars by Lindsey Duga! All opinions are my own.
Y’all, I genuinely love this duology SO much! It’s giving all the Gossip Girl vibes at an exclusive boarding school with 4 teens competing for a throne. I love that each of the 4 all have compelling reasons why they deserve/should each have the throne. I know this is a duology, but I’d love more! This world that Duga has created is so vivid, and the characters feel so real and layered. This story picks up about 6 months from where Royal Heirs Academy left off and boy has a lot changed! I will leave it at that, but it was interesting to see the dynamic shift and how the characters dealt with the fallout from the previous book. I truly cannot recommend this enough if you’re looking for a good YA/chicklit type story.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of Royal Liars by Lindsey Duga! All opinions are my own.
Y’all, I genuinely love this duology SO much! It’s giving all the Gossip Girl vibes at an exclusive boarding school with 4 teens competing for a throne. I love that each of the 4 all have compelling reasons why they deserve/should each have the throne. I know this is a duology, but I’d love more! This world that Duga has created is so vivid, and the characters feel so real and layered. This story picks up about 6 months from where Royal Heirs Academy left off and boy has a lot changed! I will leave it at that, but it was interesting to see the dynamic shift and how the characters dealt with the fallout from the previous book. I truly cannot recommend this enough if you’re looking for a good YA/chicklit type story.
September 11, 2025
Lindsey Duga’s Royal Heirs Academy is an exhilarating ride into a world where power, ambition, and love collide. Set in the prestigious Almus Terra Academy, this book delivers a gripping blend of high-stakes competition, secret alliances, and unexpected romances that will keep readers hooked from start to finish.
The story introduces us to four distinct heirs: Titus, confident in his right to the throne; Alaric, hardened by his tough upbringing; Emmeline, desperate for her parents’ approval; and Sadie, an outsider with nothing to lose. Each character brings their own unique strengths and vulnerabilities, making for a dynamic and layered narrative. As they navigate the cutthroat environment of the academy, alliances shift, and rivalries deepen, leading to a thrilling game of strategy and survival.
Lindsey masterfully balances the intense competition with moments of genuine emotion, exploring themes of family, identity, and the lengths one will go to for power and acceptance. The enemies-to-lovers romance adds a delightful twist, heightening the tension while deepening the complexity of the characters' relationships.
The story introduces us to four distinct heirs: Titus, confident in his right to the throne; Alaric, hardened by his tough upbringing; Emmeline, desperate for her parents’ approval; and Sadie, an outsider with nothing to lose. Each character brings their own unique strengths and vulnerabilities, making for a dynamic and layered narrative. As they navigate the cutthroat environment of the academy, alliances shift, and rivalries deepen, leading to a thrilling game of strategy and survival.
Lindsey masterfully balances the intense competition with moments of genuine emotion, exploring themes of family, identity, and the lengths one will go to for power and acceptance. The enemies-to-lovers romance adds a delightful twist, heightening the tension while deepening the complexity of the characters' relationships.
December 7, 2025
📚Royal Liars
✍🏻Lindsey Duga
Blurb:
American Royals meets Gossip Girl in this scandal-driven sequel where four teenage royals team up to defend their beloved school from an unknown threat, risking their futures and their hearts in the process.
It’s been eight months since King Leander named Ashland’s heir apparent and a new year is about to begin at Almus Terra Academy…
Sadie is trapped in a fake dating scheme with one prince, while the other is dead set on winning her heart. Titus is desperate to make things right with the girl he wronged, but his own ambitions and secrets stand in his way. Emmeline has lost her friends, her dreams, and her family. For the first time in her life, she’s not sure she has what it takes to win them all back. Alaric goes down dark paths to strike against his traitorous father, but his quest for revenge will only keep him apart from the girl he loves.
When the Ashland heirs learn that the school and the country they’ve come to love are in danger, can they put their egos aside long enough to make a difference? Or will their rivalries cost them everything?
Complete with enemies-to-lovers romance, political intrigue, and legendary betrayals, Royal Liars is a thrilling conclusion to this commercial duology and a thoughtful, escapist read for our times.
My Thoughts:
Royal Liars is an exhilarating ride into a world where power, ambition, and love collide. This story was more focused on the politics of the country and I cared more about the personal relationships between the characters, which took a backseat at times to the political drama.
Royal Liars is the second book in the Royal Heirs Academy. This enemies-to-lovers story is told in alternating voices, so readers have a full picture of what is going on, even if the individual characters do not. The intrigue goes beyond the usual teen issues and moves onto the global platform. This is a duology, so readers can finish this book with the assurance that they know where almost everything ends. A great escape read for fans of romance or royal tropes.
Thanks NetGalley, Christy Ottaviano Books and Author Lindsey for the advanced copy of "Royal Liars" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#ChristyOttavianoBooks
#Lindsey
#RoyalLiars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Lindsey Duga
Blurb:
American Royals meets Gossip Girl in this scandal-driven sequel where four teenage royals team up to defend their beloved school from an unknown threat, risking their futures and their hearts in the process.
It’s been eight months since King Leander named Ashland’s heir apparent and a new year is about to begin at Almus Terra Academy…
Sadie is trapped in a fake dating scheme with one prince, while the other is dead set on winning her heart. Titus is desperate to make things right with the girl he wronged, but his own ambitions and secrets stand in his way. Emmeline has lost her friends, her dreams, and her family. For the first time in her life, she’s not sure she has what it takes to win them all back. Alaric goes down dark paths to strike against his traitorous father, but his quest for revenge will only keep him apart from the girl he loves.
When the Ashland heirs learn that the school and the country they’ve come to love are in danger, can they put their egos aside long enough to make a difference? Or will their rivalries cost them everything?
Complete with enemies-to-lovers romance, political intrigue, and legendary betrayals, Royal Liars is a thrilling conclusion to this commercial duology and a thoughtful, escapist read for our times.
My Thoughts:
Royal Liars is an exhilarating ride into a world where power, ambition, and love collide. This story was more focused on the politics of the country and I cared more about the personal relationships between the characters, which took a backseat at times to the political drama.
Royal Liars is the second book in the Royal Heirs Academy. This enemies-to-lovers story is told in alternating voices, so readers have a full picture of what is going on, even if the individual characters do not. The intrigue goes beyond the usual teen issues and moves onto the global platform. This is a duology, so readers can finish this book with the assurance that they know where almost everything ends. A great escape read for fans of romance or royal tropes.
Thanks NetGalley, Christy Ottaviano Books and Author Lindsey for the advanced copy of "Royal Liars" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#ChristyOttavianoBooks
#Lindsey
#RoyalLiars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A great end to this duology!! It was one of my most anticipated sequels after the amazing first novel!!
There were so many plots twists in this book and they were all absolutely amazing! I did not expect them at all. I also feel like the twists were well timed-out throughout the book; they didn't all get thrown on us at the same time, which I appreciated!!
The romance subplots were also sooooo good. All the couples I wanted to be together got together by the end, which I was very happy about!! I'm also glad to see the character growth in each of the core four. There were some reality checks, but I think they were much needed!!
Overall, I'm so happy with this duology's ending and it was a great choice for my first book of the year!
Thank you Lindsey Duga, Christy Ottaviano Books, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!!
There were so many plots twists in this book and they were all absolutely amazing! I did not expect them at all. I also feel like the twists were well timed-out throughout the book; they didn't all get thrown on us at the same time, which I appreciated!!
The romance subplots were also sooooo good. All the couples I wanted to be together got together by the end, which I was very happy about!! I'm also glad to see the character growth in each of the core four. There were some reality checks, but I think they were much needed!!
Overall, I'm so happy with this duology's ending and it was a great choice for my first book of the year!
Thank you Lindsey Duga, Christy Ottaviano Books, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!!
February 23, 2026
I LOVEDDDD THIS BOOK it was so interesting and kept me reading because of all the drama and mystery but I wish it had more. I loved this book and the characters such a fun read if you enjoy royalty book and mystery
Emmeline
ANNOYINGGG!!! I hated her and I didn't understand why every review says they like her she is horrible. In the first book she was so rude to sadie!! Why would she throw away sadie belongins knowing she is a poor and an orphan. I was so confused on why the author finally made her apologise at the end that was a stupid thing for Emmeline to do. I did like how strong she was and I liked her relationship with Oliver so cute. I am glad she got a redemption arc.
Titus
He was alright I loved how sweet he was and his relationship with Trang it was so sweet!! I wish everything well for him.
Alaric
He was kinda annoying as he was typical conventional enemies to lovers character. I felt like the audience just made a clique character. However I loved his character development and how he became nicer to Emmeline and everyone else. I onew he would end up with sadie and loved how he felt loyal to everyone.
Sadie
I loved how fierce her character is and how nice she was to everyone. I am glad she became her true herself but I also liked her evil herself because she was finally standing up for herself and becoming interesting. Again this was such a clique character like I feel like I have met this type of character in several different books. But I still loved and appreciated her so much even though she was kinda boring at some times, I wish they made her more interesting. I liked the twist though and her genuine care for the country.
Oliver
So perfect and cute he seemed so nice and I loved that him and Emmeline dated.
Trang
AMAZING I loved this character so sweet.
I hated the parents and king Leander and the other horrible people mentioned so annoying.
I really did love this book overall and I love the friendship formed between all the main characters it was excellent.
Emmeline
ANNOYINGGG!!! I hated her and I didn't understand why every review says they like her she is horrible. In the first book she was so rude to sadie!! Why would she throw away sadie belongins knowing she is a poor and an orphan. I was so confused on why the author finally made her apologise at the end that was a stupid thing for Emmeline to do. I did like how strong she was and I liked her relationship with Oliver so cute. I am glad she got a redemption arc.
Titus
He was alright I loved how sweet he was and his relationship with Trang it was so sweet!! I wish everything well for him.
Alaric
He was kinda annoying as he was typical conventional enemies to lovers character. I felt like the audience just made a clique character. However I loved his character development and how he became nicer to Emmeline and everyone else. I onew he would end up with sadie and loved how he felt loyal to everyone.
Sadie
I loved how fierce her character is and how nice she was to everyone. I am glad she became her true herself but I also liked her evil herself because she was finally standing up for herself and becoming interesting. Again this was such a clique character like I feel like I have met this type of character in several different books. But I still loved and appreciated her so much even though she was kinda boring at some times, I wish they made her more interesting. I liked the twist though and her genuine care for the country.
Oliver
So perfect and cute he seemed so nice and I loved that him and Emmeline dated.
Trang
AMAZING I loved this character so sweet.
I hated the parents and king Leander and the other horrible people mentioned so annoying.
I really did love this book overall and I love the friendship formed between all the main characters it was excellent.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Royal Liars picks up roughly eight months after Royal Heirs Academy ends. As the new school year at Almus Terra Academy begins all four heirs are experiencing difficulties of their own. Sadie and Titus are trapped in a fake dating situation, thanks to King Leander's royal command. Alaric is full of rage for his despicable father, while also pining for Sadie. Emmaline is a social outcast thanks to her malicious behavior last school year. There's a boat load of hurt, confusion, and mistrust between all of them. When they discover their beloved academy and their country is under threat, will they be able to put aside their differences to save what they dearly love?
I absolutely loved the intricacies of the storyline for Royal Liars. The interwoven plotlines of government corruption, corporate overreach, treasonous acts, and hidden agendas kept me turning the pages until the climactic end.
The character development of each heir was well defined as they, in their own individualized way, learned to face their own demons while working to create solutions to the challenges they faced. I loved the trust building, forgiveness, and reconciliations that took place!
Plot twists and Holy Cow moments were in abundance throughout the entire book. Some of it you could see coming, but most of it was a complete surprise. The pacing was great, with moments of high drama balancing out the slower pacing.
I truly hope the author decides to make this a trilogy, because there is so much potential for more with these characters!
Thank you to Little, Brown for Young Readers for the complimentary book. All opinions are my own and freely given.
I absolutely loved the intricacies of the storyline for Royal Liars. The interwoven plotlines of government corruption, corporate overreach, treasonous acts, and hidden agendas kept me turning the pages until the climactic end.
The character development of each heir was well defined as they, in their own individualized way, learned to face their own demons while working to create solutions to the challenges they faced. I loved the trust building, forgiveness, and reconciliations that took place!
Plot twists and Holy Cow moments were in abundance throughout the entire book. Some of it you could see coming, but most of it was a complete surprise. The pacing was great, with moments of high drama balancing out the slower pacing.
I truly hope the author decides to make this a trilogy, because there is so much potential for more with these characters!
Thank you to Little, Brown for Young Readers for the complimentary book. All opinions are my own and freely given.
January 9, 2026
The Royal Heirs Academy series kicks off with Royal Heirs, a fight for the crown that pulls together long lost royal cousins and a commoner thrown into a world of power, politics, and constant scrutiny. At Almus Terra Academy, alliances are tested, reputations are destroyed, and nothing stays secret for long.
This is your royal Gossip Girl. Politics, secrets, lies, and betrayals drive the story as the pressure keeps building and the stakes feel personal.
In Royal Liars, following the chaos left behind in Royal Heirs, everything gets more intense. Sadie is navigating a fake relationship under constant scrutiny, trying to protect herself while everyone around her has their own agenda. Emmeline is forced to confront life without the future she thought was guaranteed, making her journey one of the most grounded and emotional parts of the book. Alaric’s storyline takes a darker turn as revenge and loyalty blur, and the cost of his choices becomes impossible to ignore.
Reading Royal Heirs and Royal Liars back to back was seamless. The story flows naturally from one book to the next, with tension that never fully lets up.
I loved Royal Heirs, and Royal Liars brought the series full circle in a way that felt earned. Dramatic, messy, and satisfying from start to finish.
This is your royal Gossip Girl. Politics, secrets, lies, and betrayals drive the story as the pressure keeps building and the stakes feel personal.
In Royal Liars, following the chaos left behind in Royal Heirs, everything gets more intense. Sadie is navigating a fake relationship under constant scrutiny, trying to protect herself while everyone around her has their own agenda. Emmeline is forced to confront life without the future she thought was guaranteed, making her journey one of the most grounded and emotional parts of the book. Alaric’s storyline takes a darker turn as revenge and loyalty blur, and the cost of his choices becomes impossible to ignore.
Reading Royal Heirs and Royal Liars back to back was seamless. The story flows naturally from one book to the next, with tension that never fully lets up.
I loved Royal Heirs, and Royal Liars brought the series full circle in a way that felt earned. Dramatic, messy, and satisfying from start to finish.
February 3, 2026
I was given an ARC of Royal Liars by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. We return to the world of the heirs as they attempt to navigate their new responsibilities while still trying to succeed at school. This series continues to work for me because the heirs are genuinely easy to like—even when they’re frustrating or disappointing. True to form, teenage miscommunication and misunderstandings drive much of the plot, all while they’re surrounded by truly deplorable adults who desperately need to touch grass.
While I do enjoy the story overall, one aspect still pulls me out of the narrative at times: the heavy focus on Titus’s RA. And that’s coming from someone who works in the disability field. It often feels like an oversized focal point, which occasionally disrupts the flow and vibe of the story. I think the representation would blend more naturally into the plot if the focus shifted toward symptoms and lived experience, rather than repeatedly naming the specific diagnosis.
That said, the pacing is fast, the twists are numerous, and the plot remains engaging. I’m very interested to see where the author takes the story next, especially after the twists introduced in this second book.
Definitely a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
While I do enjoy the story overall, one aspect still pulls me out of the narrative at times: the heavy focus on Titus’s RA. And that’s coming from someone who works in the disability field. It often feels like an oversized focal point, which occasionally disrupts the flow and vibe of the story. I think the representation would blend more naturally into the plot if the focus shifted toward symptoms and lived experience, rather than repeatedly naming the specific diagnosis.
That said, the pacing is fast, the twists are numerous, and the plot remains engaging. I’m very interested to see where the author takes the story next, especially after the twists introduced in this second book.
Definitely a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 2, 2025
Royal Liars is the fun, drama-filled, action-packed sequel (and conclusion) to Royal Heirs Academy. I absolutely love this series! Eight months after King Leander named Sadie as his Heir Apparent, the four royals are all dealing with the decision's aftermath. With Sadie still upset with Titus and Titus trying to earn Sadie's forgiveness, they find themselves trapped in a fake dating scam. Furthermore, Sadie is trying to prove herself worthy of the title Heir Apparent and Titus is still trying to adapt to his RA diagnosis. Meanwhile, Alaric is continuing to fight his feelings for Sadie, and Emmeline is coping with the loss of all her friends, family, and dreams.
Lindsey Duga does an amazing job of further developing her characters in this second book. All of their arcs are extremely well-written and satisfactory. The dialogue throughout both books is fantastic! The romance is handled perfectly - drama, tension, lust, and happily-ever-after vibes. The side characters are all great and truly add to the overall plot. I'm really hoping for a surprise third book. I just want to continue following all of these characters! Easy five stars!!!!
Lindsey Duga does an amazing job of further developing her characters in this second book. All of their arcs are extremely well-written and satisfactory. The dialogue throughout both books is fantastic! The romance is handled perfectly - drama, tension, lust, and happily-ever-after vibes. The side characters are all great and truly add to the overall plot. I'm really hoping for a surprise third book. I just want to continue following all of these characters! Easy five stars!!!!
January 28, 2026
Eight months after King Leander names Sadie his Heir Apparent, the four royals are still dealing with the fallout of that decision. Sadie is trying to prove she’s worthy of the title, while Titus is working to earn back her trust - and somehow, the two of them end up tangled in a fake dating situation.
At the same time, Titus is adjusting to his RA diagnosis, Alaric is still struggling with his feelings for Sadie, and Emmeline is coping with the loss of her friends, her family, and the future she once imagined. There’s a lot happening emotionally for all four characters, and the stakes feel high across the board.
While I really enjoyed Royal Heirs Academy, this sequel fell a bit short of my expectations. The pacing felt slower, and even with a few added twists, the plot didn’t pull me in the same way. This installment leans more heavily into the politics of the country rather than the personal relationships between the characters, which made some moments feel less impactful. The timeline also jumps around at times, and I found myself wishing we had more time in certain scenes that felt glossed over.
That said, I did appreciate the full cast of characters and watching them come together to work toward a common goal. There’s also noticeable character growth throughout the story, which helped balance things out. While this one didn’t quite hit the same highs as the first book, it’s still a solid conclusion and a duology I’d recommend to readers who love royal drama, elite academies, and high-stakes competition.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
At the same time, Titus is adjusting to his RA diagnosis, Alaric is still struggling with his feelings for Sadie, and Emmeline is coping with the loss of her friends, her family, and the future she once imagined. There’s a lot happening emotionally for all four characters, and the stakes feel high across the board.
While I really enjoyed Royal Heirs Academy, this sequel fell a bit short of my expectations. The pacing felt slower, and even with a few added twists, the plot didn’t pull me in the same way. This installment leans more heavily into the politics of the country rather than the personal relationships between the characters, which made some moments feel less impactful. The timeline also jumps around at times, and I found myself wishing we had more time in certain scenes that felt glossed over.
That said, I did appreciate the full cast of characters and watching them come together to work toward a common goal. There’s also noticeable character growth throughout the story, which helped balance things out. While this one didn’t quite hit the same highs as the first book, it’s still a solid conclusion and a duology I’d recommend to readers who love royal drama, elite academies, and high-stakes competition.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 22, 2026
This book is the second, and I believe last, in a series. This book is not a stand alone. If you haven’t read book one, please go read that first or nothing will make sense here, ok?
About 9 months have passed since we last met with the heirs.
Sadie is the heir apparent and is fake dating Titus.
Titus is helping Sadie because he feels bad for hurting her.
Emmeline feels like she’s the best pick to be the heir apparent but she does feel bad for burning Sadie’s keepsake from her parents.
Alaric is still crazy about Sadie but thinks she’s really dating his cousin Titus.
They are some lies being told, and there are some massive secrets being kept.
Alaric remains my favorite but I felt like all the heirs are likable. They’re probably all more humanized here because they aren’t all in battle with each other.
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as book one. I can’t point my finger to an obvious reason why though.
There were lots of twists and turns, some of which could absolutely never be guessed.
About 9 months have passed since we last met with the heirs.
Sadie is the heir apparent and is fake dating Titus.
Titus is helping Sadie because he feels bad for hurting her.
Emmeline feels like she’s the best pick to be the heir apparent but she does feel bad for burning Sadie’s keepsake from her parents.
Alaric is still crazy about Sadie but thinks she’s really dating his cousin Titus.
They are some lies being told, and there are some massive secrets being kept.
Alaric remains my favorite but I felt like all the heirs are likable. They’re probably all more humanized here because they aren’t all in battle with each other.
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as book one. I can’t point my finger to an obvious reason why though.
There were lots of twists and turns, some of which could absolutely never be guessed.
February 25, 2026
Picking up 8 months after the end of Royal Heirs Academy, Sadie, Titus, Alaric, and Emmeline return for a new semester at Almus Terra Academy, filled with surprising new twists and revelations.
Royal Heirs Academy was one of my favourite books of last year, and somehow this book managed to be even better. Even though it's been a year since I read the first book, I had no trouble jumping right back into the story. All of the tensions and drama from the first book were amped up in this book and there were so many unpredictable twists. I hated Emmeline at the end of the first book, but she ended up being one of my favourite POVs in this book and went through so much great development. I'm also not usually a huge fan of heavy pop culture references, but I feel like there were so many references in this book that were specifically tailored for me. I love how the all the main characters' plots wrapped up and I'm a little sad to be leaving this world behind. I can't wait to see what else Lindsay Duga cooks up in the future.
Royal Heirs Academy was one of my favourite books of last year, and somehow this book managed to be even better. Even though it's been a year since I read the first book, I had no trouble jumping right back into the story. All of the tensions and drama from the first book were amped up in this book and there were so many unpredictable twists. I hated Emmeline at the end of the first book, but she ended up being one of my favourite POVs in this book and went through so much great development. I'm also not usually a huge fan of heavy pop culture references, but I feel like there were so many references in this book that were specifically tailored for me. I love how the all the main characters' plots wrapped up and I'm a little sad to be leaving this world behind. I can't wait to see what else Lindsay Duga cooks up in the future.
December 6, 2025
Sadie is now the heir apparent for Ashland, and life has not settled down as it is time to start a new school year. She has been told to fake date one of the princes, yet the other prince wants her for himself. The other “royal heirs” have their own drama they are dealing with, and it soon becomes apparent that they need to trust each other. Can these teens put aside their differences and come together for the country they love?
Royal Liars is the second book in the Royal Heirs Academy. This enemies-to-lovers story is told in alternating voices, so readers have a full picture of what is going on, even if the individual characters do not. The intrigue goes beyond the usual teen issues and moves onto the global platform. This is a duology, so readers can finish this book with the assurance that they know where almost everything ends. A great escape read for fans of romance or royal tropes.
Royal Liars is the second book in the Royal Heirs Academy. This enemies-to-lovers story is told in alternating voices, so readers have a full picture of what is going on, even if the individual characters do not. The intrigue goes beyond the usual teen issues and moves onto the global platform. This is a duology, so readers can finish this book with the assurance that they know where almost everything ends. A great escape read for fans of romance or royal tropes.
November 16, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5 rounded up)
ARC provided by Little, Brown Books—thank you!
Royal Liars is the second book in the Royal Heirs Academy duo, and it truly works best if you’ve read book one first, since this one picks up right where the story left off.
This series is such a fun escape. It nails that early-2000s CW teen-drama energy (think the original Gossip Girl) mixed with the glitzy, high-society drama of American Royals. If you love privileged-but-messy characters, exclusive settings, and deliciously soap-y plots, this series delivers.
Book two offers more character development and gives us the conclusion we’ve been waiting for. The ending did feel a bit rushed as it tied everything together, but overall it’s still a very enjoyable, quick read.
I’d recommend reading both books back-to-back for the smoothest experience following the character arcs and overall story.
ARC provided by Little, Brown Books—thank you!
Royal Liars is the second book in the Royal Heirs Academy duo, and it truly works best if you’ve read book one first, since this one picks up right where the story left off.
This series is such a fun escape. It nails that early-2000s CW teen-drama energy (think the original Gossip Girl) mixed with the glitzy, high-society drama of American Royals. If you love privileged-but-messy characters, exclusive settings, and deliciously soap-y plots, this series delivers.
Book two offers more character development and gives us the conclusion we’ve been waiting for. The ending did feel a bit rushed as it tied everything together, but overall it’s still a very enjoyable, quick read.
I’d recommend reading both books back-to-back for the smoothest experience following the character arcs and overall story.
December 29, 2025
It definitely took me a minute to get into this one, but the first one in the series did too. Give it a minute and you’ll start to enjoy it. I was glad to see each of the characters grow, I just wish there had been a little more plot development with the woman in black. Emmeline overcoming her past and acknowledging her mistakes was fantastic. Titus openly acknowledging his RA and how chronic illness affected his daily life was perfect.
And Croft is obviously Elon Musk, right? 1 billionaire taking over everything, meddling where he shouldn’t be? LOVED the reference.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. 3.5 ⭐️ out of 5, rounded up to 4.
And Croft is obviously Elon Musk, right? 1 billionaire taking over everything, meddling where he shouldn’t be? LOVED the reference.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. 3.5 ⭐️ out of 5, rounded up to 4.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2026
I think most of the book was actually really interesting, all upto the end. The book does an amazing job at redeeming characters I thought I'd never bring myself to like in the first book, especially Titus, who is now my favourite character by a large margin. However, the ending is so easy, as in, it comes so easy to them. Everything they plan just coincedentally happens to work out, and I could predict the plot twists really easily. I still have to say that the whole 'fell in love with Ashland' thing never really resonated with me because it didn't make much sense. I do think that the characters, the relationships, and some political aspects were really well fleshed out, but yeah.
February 27, 2026
I will say I like this book!
The only problems I have are the POLITICS like I wanted to read a enemies to lovers book that was set in a boarding school in a country that (I'm pretty sure) does not exist. With the stock market and other stuff i sort of skipped those parts (I still sort of understanded it) bc I just don't and can't understand it that well. I still loved how Titus and Emmaline ended up with someone else bc how the families intertwined.... it took a while to understand who were siblings or cousins or not
ANYWAYS great book Id recommend it if you understand some things like the stock market to fully understand this book (jk i still got most of the story and loved it)
The only problems I have are the POLITICS like I wanted to read a enemies to lovers book that was set in a boarding school in a country that (I'm pretty sure) does not exist. With the stock market and other stuff i sort of skipped those parts (I still sort of understanded it) bc I just don't and can't understand it that well. I still loved how Titus and Emmaline ended up with someone else bc how the families intertwined.... it took a while to understand who were siblings or cousins or not
ANYWAYS great book Id recommend it if you understand some things like the stock market to fully understand this book (jk i still got most of the story and loved it)
January 27, 2026
This sequel was soooooo tea. Like hello plot twists around every corner (including one that actually had my jaw on the floor???!) and the romances were so swoony. Safe to say I think this was even better than the first book! Emmaline redemption arc, we love to see it. Also Alaric got hotter somehow?! Leander you’re still trash but….not as a trash as some OTHER ROYAL FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WILL NOT BE NAMED. This was almost soapier than Gossip Girl and I had a freakin great time.
TYSM to NetGalley & and Little, Brown Books for the copy xo
TYSM to NetGalley & and Little, Brown Books for the copy xo
February 16, 2026
So thankful to the author and publisher for allowing me access to the eARC for this title.
I have been awaiting this title since I finished the first book in the duology -- was very much a fan of Lindsey's universe creating skills. Almus Terra felt like a high school that I wish I was smart enough to get into. Even as a 30-something adult, I don't find this to be too "young adult" for my enjoyment. Drama, royalty, and a dash of love, Lindsey created the perfect distraction from the real world.
Also very much a fan of the audiobook for the duology -- very well cast voices.
I have been awaiting this title since I finished the first book in the duology -- was very much a fan of Lindsey's universe creating skills. Almus Terra felt like a high school that I wish I was smart enough to get into. Even as a 30-something adult, I don't find this to be too "young adult" for my enjoyment. Drama, royalty, and a dash of love, Lindsey created the perfect distraction from the real world.
Also very much a fan of the audiobook for the duology -- very well cast voices.
December 7, 2025
This was a really great follow up to Royal Heirs Academy, and added a lot of great shading to characters and relationships that I already loved, while also bringing in some new faces and dynamics which were all winners. I hope that this series continues because I'd happily read whatever future problems these characters will inevitably end up in (they're all magnets for trouble, it's going to continue happening). While things took a bit longer in this book to
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Overall, I enjoyed this follow to Royal Academy - it continued with all four points of view and we could see how each character struggled after the events in the first book. I liked the political drama and the relationships but the time jumps took away from the emotional continuity for me if that makes sense. In addition, the ending was a little too clean and quick and I wasn’t ready for the end of the series.
I received an advanced copy for free, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an advanced copy for free, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 21, 2026
I enjoyed reading Royal Liars by Lindsey Duga; it was a captivating, fast-paced read filled with intrigue, secrets, and sharp twists. The characters felt vivid and morally complex, keeping me invested as alliances shifted and truths unraveled. The courtly setting added glamour and danger, while the mystery steadily tightened. I appreciated how the stakes escalated without losing emotional depth. Most of all, the ending did not disappoint
October 16, 2025
Eight months on from Royal Heirs Academy, things have changed. Every character is still reeling from the events at the end of the last book, and there is even more betrayal and heart break.
I love the way this book was written and I'm obsessed with all of the characters. Definitely one I'll be recommending!
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review
I love the way this book was written and I'm obsessed with all of the characters. Definitely one I'll be recommending!
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review
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