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American Royalty #2
The Duchess Effect
Tracey Livesay returns in this seriously sexy sequel to American Royalty, following Duchess and Prince Jameson as they strive to turn their romance into a relationship, beneath the relentless glare of the spotlight.
Against all odds, sexy American rapper, Danielle "Duchess" Nelson and brilliant reclusive royal Prince Jameson have fallen in love! They've decided to take their relationship public and find a way to make their two worlds coexist. On their terms.
Unfortunately, falling in love was the easy part.
Jameson and Dani's love story has made them the most popular royals since Prince John, but that popularity comes with a price. Dani looks forward to signing the deal with a major cosmetics company that will make her skin care line, Mela-Skin, a force in the industry, and finally grant her the control over her life she's craved since childhood. But the company wants to take advantage of their fame and involve Jameson in Mela-Skin's marketing campaign. Dani is outraged! Her company has nothing to do with Jameson.
After stepping up for the royal family, Jameson yearns to retreat back into academia. But he's fired when his university raises concerns about his newfound notoriety. And suddenly the queen, initially against the relationship, backtracks, seeing their cooperation when the family is embroiled in yet another scandal. This isn't the quiet life Jameson was hoping for.
Dani and Jameson truly love each other. But under the scrutiny of the international spotlight, when the doubts, compromises, and secrets begin to take their toll, will their love be enough?
Against all odds, sexy American rapper, Danielle "Duchess" Nelson and brilliant reclusive royal Prince Jameson have fallen in love! They've decided to take their relationship public and find a way to make their two worlds coexist. On their terms.
Unfortunately, falling in love was the easy part.
Jameson and Dani's love story has made them the most popular royals since Prince John, but that popularity comes with a price. Dani looks forward to signing the deal with a major cosmetics company that will make her skin care line, Mela-Skin, a force in the industry, and finally grant her the control over her life she's craved since childhood. But the company wants to take advantage of their fame and involve Jameson in Mela-Skin's marketing campaign. Dani is outraged! Her company has nothing to do with Jameson.
After stepping up for the royal family, Jameson yearns to retreat back into academia. But he's fired when his university raises concerns about his newfound notoriety. And suddenly the queen, initially against the relationship, backtracks, seeing their cooperation when the family is embroiled in yet another scandal. This isn't the quiet life Jameson was hoping for.
Dani and Jameson truly love each other. But under the scrutiny of the international spotlight, when the doubts, compromises, and secrets begin to take their toll, will their love be enough?
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2023
118 people are currently reading
6809 people want to read
About the author
Tracey Livesay
16 books957 followersTracey Livesay writes smart, sexy and emotional contemporary romances where strong, successful heroines find love with powerful, passionate heroes. Her latest release, THE DUCHESS EFFECT, is the sequel to last summer’s American Royalty, which evokes the real-life romance between Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle, if Meghan was Megan Thee Stallion. She is the 2021 Emma Award winner for Best Interracial Romance for Like Lovers Do, which was also named one of the 100 Best Fiction Books of 2020 by Kirkus Reviews. A former criminal defense attorney, she lives in Virginia with her husband—who she met on the very first day of law school—and is counting down the days until they have an empty nest. (Don’t worry, their three kids are well aware.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 323 reviews
June 3, 2024
3.5 stars!
A much better book #2 -- plus you get more depth and a better feel of their chemistry.
A much better book #2 -- plus you get more depth and a better feel of their chemistry.
July 16, 2023
After reading this I’m honestly wondering if a sequel was necessary. I really liked the first book, but I felt we could’ve done without this one. Wesleigh S was the only thing good about the narration. I cringed at the hero’s voice with him doing Dani’s parts—totally unnecessary.
Also, the 3rd act breakups are getting OLD. Okay, that’s all.
Also, the 3rd act breakups are getting OLD. Okay, that’s all.
September 3, 2023
Sexier than book 1, if that’s even possible. Duchess’s stubborn decisions are high key relatable. More please!
August 11, 2023
Perfect book to continue the story of Dani & Jameson. I just love how down bad this man is for Dani, I’m convinced he would drink her bath water. This story was very enjoyable but they both got on my nerves so much in this one. I get Dani just wanted him to listen and be there for her instead of going into problem solving mode. I also get him just wanting to be a team and shoulder some of the burden. The constant arguments because of those issues were aggravating. But nonetheless, I’m glad they figured it out and got back to their normal cute selves.
November 17, 2023
Oh Child!
This is where I tap out of this series. I don't know if there will be more books in this series but I'm not reading them.
I enjoyed book 1 American Royalty. It wasn't the best book but I liked it and was excited to see where the story would go. I liked the relationship between Duchess (Dani) and Prince Jameson. I thought they were cute and mostly believable. In this book tho.....
Dani is the worst. She's selfish, immature and insecure. I didn't like her and I thought Jameson was too nice to her and way too forgiving. Jameson deserves better.
If you liked American Royalty, don't read this book. I don't recommend this book.
This is where I tap out of this series. I don't know if there will be more books in this series but I'm not reading them.
I enjoyed book 1 American Royalty. It wasn't the best book but I liked it and was excited to see where the story would go. I liked the relationship between Duchess (Dani) and Prince Jameson. I thought they were cute and mostly believable. In this book tho.....
Dani is the worst. She's selfish, immature and insecure. I didn't like her and I thought Jameson was too nice to her and way too forgiving. Jameson deserves better.
If you liked American Royalty, don't read this book. I don't recommend this book.
August 19, 2023
I strongly disagree with the reviews this book was very much necessary! Especially because it invokes the real-life romance of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, it wasn’t realistic for a Black rapper from the US to have the happy ending provided in the previous (because you know, misogynoir) so I’m happy this book exists.
I loveeeed the drama and the stakes that went into Dani and Jameson’s relationship. It kept the story interesting and unique. I loved all the times we got to see the couple being domestic and in love but also seeing them facing their own issues. I honestly don’t have many complaints because it’s fictional but I just wish they had been dating for a longer time before Dani stared being a working royal! Two or three months is NOT enough.
Anyways, I’m sad to see them go and I’m happy to sag that it lived up to my expectations
I loveeeed the drama and the stakes that went into Dani and Jameson’s relationship. It kept the story interesting and unique. I loved all the times we got to see the couple being domestic and in love but also seeing them facing their own issues. I honestly don’t have many complaints because it’s fictional but I just wish they had been dating for a longer time before Dani stared being a working royal! Two or three months is NOT enough.
Anyways, I’m sad to see them go and I’m happy to sag that it lived up to my expectations
June 27, 2023
I loved loved American Royalty. Dani, a rapper with a skin care line who is unapologetically herself, and Prince Jameson, the royal who just wants to be a professor, were really so much fun. Did I think they needed a whole other book? Not really. Was I going to read it anyway? Yes, obviously.
What I don't love in sequels is when people don't act in a way that makes sense for the sake of creating some angst in the story. I did not love the way Duchess chose to use Jameson for publicity, without telling him, because it made zero sense at all to me she wouldn't have given him a heads up. He adores her, clearly, unabashedly, he would have helped if she asked. Like I get that she's self made and doesn't like to ask for help, but the keeping secrets thing was blah.
Can I get a book with Rhys next though? He was really giving me fun vibes of hotness.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
What I don't love in sequels is when people don't act in a way that makes sense for the sake of creating some angst in the story. I did not love the way Duchess chose to use Jameson for publicity, without telling him, because it made zero sense at all to me she wouldn't have given him a heads up. He adores her, clearly, unabashedly, he would have helped if she asked. Like I get that she's self made and doesn't like to ask for help, but the keeping secrets thing was blah.
Can I get a book with Rhys next though? He was really giving me fun vibes of hotness.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2023
3.25 Stars / 3 Steam Fans
Something felt off about Dani and Jamieson's relationship and connection. I like a smexy book; however, I wasn't feeling it between Dani and Jamieson and the spiciness felt forced.
CW: Racism, Manipulation, Royalty
Video review available in Week 27: Jul 2 – Jul 8, 2023, weekly book reviews on Steph's Romance Book Talk (https://www.youtube.com/@stephsromanc...)
Something felt off about Dani and Jamieson's relationship and connection. I like a smexy book; however, I wasn't feeling it between Dani and Jamieson and the spiciness felt forced.
CW: Racism, Manipulation, Royalty
Video review available in Week 27: Jul 2 – Jul 8, 2023, weekly book reviews on Steph's Romance Book Talk (https://www.youtube.com/@stephsromanc...)
July 14, 2023
This just didn’t do it for me. A sequel wasn’t needed as this story didn’t really advance the storyline. The love story was still superficial. The ending was rushed and Dani’s selfishness (although given reasons why) was inexcusable; Jameson’s quick forgiveness was soooo unrealistic. I wish the author had explored the other storylines presented in the book, like the drama with Dani and her ex manager and/or Mela-Skin, and/or Prince John and Samantha Banks.
July 19, 2023
3.5, cute continuation but I’m not sure we really needed it 🫶🏾 smut scenes kinda OC 😂 but it was enjoyable.
January 8, 2024
A thrilling conclusion to the maddening ride that was Duchess and Jameson!
Sequels are hard to write, I get that. You sometimes have less of a plot to work with and you have to find a way to pad those pages. In this case, the padding was sex and lots of it. I’m talking every other page. And saccharine epithets. It got a bit ‘wince inducing’ (hence why the book is 4stars instead of 5).
That aside, the chemistry was still great, the characters still endearing (love that therapy was mentioned and used moving forward before rekindling their relationship), and that they FINALLY got their HEA!!!
Sequels are hard to write, I get that. You sometimes have less of a plot to work with and you have to find a way to pad those pages. In this case, the padding was sex and lots of it. I’m talking every other page. And saccharine epithets. It got a bit ‘wince inducing’ (hence why the book is 4stars instead of 5).
That aside, the chemistry was still great, the characters still endearing (love that therapy was mentioned and used moving forward before rekindling their relationship), and that they FINALLY got their HEA!!!
August 28, 2023
The story was fine but the male narrator on this killed the vibe
April 24, 2023
Quick Summary: An against all odds romance
My Review: The Duchess Effect by Tracey Livesay is the sequel to American Royalty. It is a continuation of the love story between a hip hop rapper and a European prince.
About the Story: Dani Nelson and Jameson Lloyd are not a normal couple. She is a hip hop rap goddess. He is a prince; he is His Royal Highness, Prince Jameson Alistair Richard Lloyd, the Duke of Wessex, to be exact. When they met, they struck sparks off one another, engaging in an explosive relationship that rocked the masses across both sides of the pond.
When the couple is faced with fresh challenges from the crown, from their handlers, and from others in power, will they have what it takes to weather the storms, or will they make a break for it and run?
About the Characters:
Duchess - > Dani has had a tough life. She has been hurt in her past. The very people who should have loved her, supported her, and stood by her let her down. As such, she has had to rely on her own strength. She built her reputation and her business from the ground up, making no excuses for her hustle and grind attitude. She would not bow down to anyone or relinquish any of the control she had acquired. What would she be willing do in order to reach her goals? Is her dream worth losing her bae?
Prince Jameson - >Jameson does not love the press. After what they put him and his family through, he would have no problem cutting ties with them. As a member of the royal family, however, he has not always had the luxury of being able to leave them in the wind. Now that he and Duchess are official and the Queen needs them to do damage control, he is between a rock and a hard place. How can he protect the two most important women in his life and still get the upper hand over the establishment?
About the Conflict: Internal and external factors creep in and play a part in Dani and Jay's relationship. More is going on than meets the eye. From manipulations and betrayals to distrust and gaming at the nth degree, the new "it" couple are in for a bumpy ride.
What I Appreciated About the Story:
- Jameson was a charmer and a fire starter. I adored him. His declarations of love to Dani were so revealing.
- Dani's strengths and insecurities were so understandable. I was totally with her when she finally took a stand. I felt for her when it cost her.
- The chemistry and love that Dani and Jay had burned hot, just like in book one. I loved the natural flow of their connection. I also really liked how they supported and protected each other, despite the obstacles.
- I liked that this installment was relationship rich. Not only did it present the complicated nuances of the couple, but it also highlighted other relationships between the main characters and their family and friends.
- Nyla was true. She was the kind of friend who loved you hard through the good, the bad, and the ugly. She didn't pull her punches.
- Jameson's mom was fierce. Just because she was a kitten didn't mean she didn't have any claws. I loved the relationship that she and Duchess were able to forge.
- The Aristocracy served their purpose. The end.
My Final Say: Being in a relationship takes work. It requires love, trust, communication, patience, and grace. In this book, readers get to witness the ups and downs that come with being an international multicultural power couple. Nothing is taboo. For those who want a little taste of Dynasty and The Crown with their tea, this book is for you.
Other: While this book can be read as a standalone, it would be helpful to read American Royalty first.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: Hot and heavy 🚨
Series: Duo
Thanks to the author and to Avon and Harper Voyager for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.
My Review: The Duchess Effect by Tracey Livesay is the sequel to American Royalty. It is a continuation of the love story between a hip hop rapper and a European prince.
About the Story: Dani Nelson and Jameson Lloyd are not a normal couple. She is a hip hop rap goddess. He is a prince; he is His Royal Highness, Prince Jameson Alistair Richard Lloyd, the Duke of Wessex, to be exact. When they met, they struck sparks off one another, engaging in an explosive relationship that rocked the masses across both sides of the pond.
When the couple is faced with fresh challenges from the crown, from their handlers, and from others in power, will they have what it takes to weather the storms, or will they make a break for it and run?
About the Characters:
Duchess - > Dani has had a tough life. She has been hurt in her past. The very people who should have loved her, supported her, and stood by her let her down. As such, she has had to rely on her own strength. She built her reputation and her business from the ground up, making no excuses for her hustle and grind attitude. She would not bow down to anyone or relinquish any of the control she had acquired. What would she be willing do in order to reach her goals? Is her dream worth losing her bae?
Prince Jameson - >Jameson does not love the press. After what they put him and his family through, he would have no problem cutting ties with them. As a member of the royal family, however, he has not always had the luxury of being able to leave them in the wind. Now that he and Duchess are official and the Queen needs them to do damage control, he is between a rock and a hard place. How can he protect the two most important women in his life and still get the upper hand over the establishment?
About the Conflict: Internal and external factors creep in and play a part in Dani and Jay's relationship. More is going on than meets the eye. From manipulations and betrayals to distrust and gaming at the nth degree, the new "it" couple are in for a bumpy ride.
What I Appreciated About the Story:
- Jameson was a charmer and a fire starter. I adored him. His declarations of love to Dani were so revealing.
- Dani's strengths and insecurities were so understandable. I was totally with her when she finally took a stand. I felt for her when it cost her.
- The chemistry and love that Dani and Jay had burned hot, just like in book one. I loved the natural flow of their connection. I also really liked how they supported and protected each other, despite the obstacles.
- I liked that this installment was relationship rich. Not only did it present the complicated nuances of the couple, but it also highlighted other relationships between the main characters and their family and friends.
- Nyla was true. She was the kind of friend who loved you hard through the good, the bad, and the ugly. She didn't pull her punches.
- Jameson's mom was fierce. Just because she was a kitten didn't mean she didn't have any claws. I loved the relationship that she and Duchess were able to forge.
- The Aristocracy served their purpose. The end.
My Final Say: Being in a relationship takes work. It requires love, trust, communication, patience, and grace. In this book, readers get to witness the ups and downs that come with being an international multicultural power couple. Nothing is taboo. For those who want a little taste of Dynasty and The Crown with their tea, this book is for you.
Other: While this book can be read as a standalone, it would be helpful to read American Royalty first.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: Hot and heavy 🚨
Series: Duo
Thanks to the author and to Avon and Harper Voyager for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.
August 16, 2023
I don't really know if this sequel was necessary, but I read it because the concept in the first novel was interesting. I didn't love the execution of it and the sequel had similar issues. However, unlike the first novel, this one had Dani make a completely unnecessary and stupid decision that was certain to lead to drama and it made the last half of the book annoying to read through.
Again, Dani was the character I found the most interesting in the first novel. So, I was surprised that this novel had a set up that made Jameson sympathetic and Dani hard to understand. Her entire goal in the first book was to make Mela-Skin take off, it was even implied that was why she became a rapper - to gain enough notoriety to pivot. I get that, but it's hard to sell a romance when she went against everything Jameson wanted for her own brand.
This book continued to make me feel like these two didn't love each other; they were just horny. Perpetually horny. I would turn the page from a completely normal scene of dialogue and suddenly there's a c*ck out. I blinked and there were tongues in places they hadn't been seconds before. At times, it felt like the story stopped dead to have these scenes and they felt out of place. Add to that, the times they'd come together again and claim to have missed each other and there's an immediate sex scene right after. Did they miss each other, or were they just horny?
The other strange thing about this book was that Dani was all gung ho to use the power and attention of the monarchy to comply with Genesis' request, but 79% in, all the sudden she's talking about the issues of colonialism and the monarchy. Did it take the conversation with the PM of St. Lucia to make her remember that? She was fine a second before.
Jameson had very real reasons to want to be away from the the Company and to want to protect Dani and to be upset she didn't tell him about what Genesis wanted. She had him running around anxious and scared when they were "Caught" by the press and that was cruel. Also, everyone and his mom knew that, if she'd just told him about her plan, he would've helped her out. So, it's confusing to use this as the set up for conflict because 1) it makes Dani look selfish and uncaring about Jameson's anxiety and 2) it was completely unnecessary.
Other pet peeves: the rapper name Dirty Junkie (???), Dani talking about loving Jameson's mother when she'd barely spoken to her, why were Jameson and Dani discussing having children when they hadn't been dating very long?
Overall the conflict made Dani look bad, there were too many times the book stopped dead for these two to bone, and the messaging about the monarchy was clouded because Dani was willing to use the family's clout for her brand.
Again, Dani was the character I found the most interesting in the first novel. So, I was surprised that this novel had a set up that made Jameson sympathetic and Dani hard to understand. Her entire goal in the first book was to make Mela-Skin take off, it was even implied that was why she became a rapper - to gain enough notoriety to pivot. I get that, but it's hard to sell a romance when she went against everything Jameson wanted for her own brand.
This book continued to make me feel like these two didn't love each other; they were just horny. Perpetually horny. I would turn the page from a completely normal scene of dialogue and suddenly there's a c*ck out. I blinked and there were tongues in places they hadn't been seconds before. At times, it felt like the story stopped dead to have these scenes and they felt out of place. Add to that, the times they'd come together again and claim to have missed each other and there's an immediate sex scene right after. Did they miss each other, or were they just horny?
The other strange thing about this book was that Dani was all gung ho to use the power and attention of the monarchy to comply with Genesis' request, but 79% in, all the sudden she's talking about the issues of colonialism and the monarchy. Did it take the conversation with the PM of St. Lucia to make her remember that? She was fine a second before.
Jameson had very real reasons to want to be away from the the Company and to want to protect Dani and to be upset she didn't tell him about what Genesis wanted. She had him running around anxious and scared when they were "Caught" by the press and that was cruel. Also, everyone and his mom knew that, if she'd just told him about her plan, he would've helped her out. So, it's confusing to use this as the set up for conflict because 1) it makes Dani look selfish and uncaring about Jameson's anxiety and 2) it was completely unnecessary.
Other pet peeves: the rapper name Dirty Junkie (???), Dani talking about loving Jameson's mother when she'd barely spoken to her, why were Jameson and Dani discussing having children when they hadn't been dating very long?
Overall the conflict made Dani look bad, there were too many times the book stopped dead for these two to bone, and the messaging about the monarchy was clouded because Dani was willing to use the family's clout for her brand.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2023
This is sequel to American Royalty, it was good, especially at the start with a lot of promise but it was not enough. Dani and Jameson have a lot of sexual tension but emotionally was not giving andending felt incredibly rushed.It was still entertaining and I liked the characters even though it just wasn't it for me.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2023
I kinda hated the dilemma in this because it seemed so simple and silly. Just TALK! But, I still love them as a couple. So plot wise, a 3 but I’m such a sap, so it’s a 4.
September 2, 2023
Being that this is the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, this is a great book to read if you want to combine romance and see how far female hip-hop has come.
What I liked about this book is that it was a straightforward but fun read, but it had a lot of significant issues that were tackled. The primary item that it showed was love in a relationship. It shows love for a black woman in a loving relationship, especially an interracial one. I love that this book had an emphasis on just a black woman wanting to be loved correctly no matter what the color of her partner was. Now, in general, interracial love can be a very polarizing topic due to the highly complex history of slavery in this country. I understand why there is apprehension and a lot of concern. In this book, there is no fetishization of white men in general or black women on the other side; it’s a mutual relationship. They madly love each other through their ups and downs. There are a lot of issues that go on in the relationship, but at the end of the day, they love one another, and through all of the trials and tribulations of being in a relationship, they make it work. The main characters in the book have undeniable chemistry and love for one another, which I appreciate, and the sex scenes are also very steamy.
The book illustrates the misogynoir that the main character goes through as a hip-hop artist and businesswoman.
You can see the micro-aggressions of being in the industry and business. You can feel the frustration of Danielle “Duchess” Nelson as she navigates life as a very successful black woman.
I love the touch of the newspaper/tabloid headlines as well!
Overall, I’ll get the book a 4.5. Thank you @cocoachapters @tracey.livesay @williammorrowbooks, for letting Me be a part of this tour!
What I liked about this book is that it was a straightforward but fun read, but it had a lot of significant issues that were tackled. The primary item that it showed was love in a relationship. It shows love for a black woman in a loving relationship, especially an interracial one. I love that this book had an emphasis on just a black woman wanting to be loved correctly no matter what the color of her partner was. Now, in general, interracial love can be a very polarizing topic due to the highly complex history of slavery in this country. I understand why there is apprehension and a lot of concern. In this book, there is no fetishization of white men in general or black women on the other side; it’s a mutual relationship. They madly love each other through their ups and downs. There are a lot of issues that go on in the relationship, but at the end of the day, they love one another, and through all of the trials and tribulations of being in a relationship, they make it work. The main characters in the book have undeniable chemistry and love for one another, which I appreciate, and the sex scenes are also very steamy.
The book illustrates the misogynoir that the main character goes through as a hip-hop artist and businesswoman.
You can see the micro-aggressions of being in the industry and business. You can feel the frustration of Danielle “Duchess” Nelson as she navigates life as a very successful black woman.
I love the touch of the newspaper/tabloid headlines as well!
Overall, I’ll get the book a 4.5. Thank you @cocoachapters @tracey.livesay @williammorrowbooks, for letting Me be a part of this tour!
August 5, 2025
Did we need this sequel? I'm not sure. Fans of Megan and Harry will likely enjoy this loose reimagining of their love story featuring a Black American pop star who falls for a reclusive member of the Royal family.
Prince Jameson and Dani "Duchess" are back with more complicated relationship and royalty problems and tons of STEAMY sex but overall it was just an okay read for me. The romance and chemistry between the characters just didn't move me like I wanted, especially with all the deception on Dani's part.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and Librofm for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Prince Jameson and Dani "Duchess" are back with more complicated relationship and royalty problems and tons of STEAMY sex but overall it was just an okay read for me. The romance and chemistry between the characters just didn't move me like I wanted, especially with all the deception on Dani's part.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and Librofm for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!
July 20, 2023
DNF @ 66%
I might come back to this but I am just so deeply disappointed by the central conflict that I can’t With this book anymore. Dani’s just being stupid and her motivation for her actions aren’t strong enough to overcome it.
I believe that Jameson is in love but Dani is being far too selfish and irrational for me to believe she is. The way she is using him is SO distasteful
I might come back to this but I am just so deeply disappointed by the central conflict that I can’t With this book anymore. Dani’s just being stupid and her motivation for her actions aren’t strong enough to overcome it.
I believe that Jameson is in love but Dani is being far too selfish and irrational for me to believe she is. The way she is using him is SO distasteful
November 29, 2023
I LOOOOOOOOVED IT. It was frustrating at times because you just wanted to shake them BOTH for being so stubborn, but it was just so good. I loved it so much.
NOW GIVE US ANOTHER!!!
NOW GIVE US ANOTHER!!!
October 31, 2023
First things first this series kills it with beautiful covers! I will say that I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but I was very curious why there would be a need for a second book. While I did enjoy this book, I honestly still don't feel like it was necessary. For me it felt like this book had so much going on (so many side plots), and some felt like afterthoughts in the long run. For example the Samantha Banks drama was such a big deal in the first book, and I was waiting for it to be amped up in this one, but it kind of fizzled IMO. Instead there was a new plot point with Samantha and a member of the royal family that was never resolved. Also there was so much talk about Cash (Dani's previous agent) and how terrible he was, but never got to see that resolved either. The nice thing about this one is that we do get to see more of Dani and Jameson together compared to the first, BUT I didn't care for the fact that there was so much lying, and non communication with each other at this point in their relationship. There were so many outside forces coming for their relationship on both ends and I really wish that this book would have sold me on the connection (not just the physical connection because that is definitely there), and love between them. I was really hoping to go away feeling like they were a team but I didn't. With all of that said I did not hate this one at all. While it was a completely unnecessary addition, I did enjoy it enough to finish it. There were parts of this one that I did find funny, there were some really sweet moments between the two MC and it was definitely brought the steam. I have a few standalone titles from this author and I am looking forward to getting to them soon.
September 12, 2024
2.5⭐️😬
Dani/Duchess got on my everlasting nerves! I don’t think a sequel was needed 🤷🏾♀️. And the third act breakup was impending from the beginning and it was all her fault! The smut was a bit cringe for me but to each their own 😟. Dani was loud and wrong the entire book😣
Dani/Duchess got on my everlasting nerves! I don’t think a sequel was needed 🤷🏾♀️. And the third act breakup was impending from the beginning and it was all her fault! The smut was a bit cringe for me but to each their own 😟. Dani was loud and wrong the entire book😣
July 30, 2023
3½⭐. I kinda lost interest along the way and stopped to read another book. I finished, but I think I'll give it another shot eventually.
August 28, 2023
Highly enjoyable on audio!
February 8, 2024
4.5 🌟
I liked this better than the first book. Idk why I keep reading reviews with people saying they didn’t feel like this book was necessary— I think if you rooted for the characters in the first book, you’d definitely want to see how they faired now that they’re out as a couple. I loved that we got to see how Dani and Jameson would navigate being a couple under public scrutiny.
It was so fun to see Dani & Jameson interact with their friends as a couple. There’s a lot of smut scenes but it didn’t feel as lust driven as the first book since there were a lot interactions that showed their growth in the relationship too. I cannot say enough how much I loved them as a couple.
I was definitely frustrated with Dani by the middle / end of the book. I wish she wouldn’t have waited so long to tell Jameson what was going on with her business.
But they each came into the relationship with past traumas and the author did a good job highlighting when those past traumas were affecting their current life. Typically, I don’t like 3rd act breakups but it felt necessary in this book. Without their breakup they wouldn’t have fully realized how much their past was driving their current emotions & reactions. I loved that they both were in therapy & working on themselves….and then they got back together. It was a breakup with a purpose other than drama.
I also like that this book delved more into race. Dani & Jameson’s relationship is a play in Meghan Markel and Harry’s relationship— and the book did a terrific job highlighting how ‘the company’ (the royal complex) wanted to dim Dani’s personality to be more conventional (ie white). I do wish that there was more closure/action with Dani’s former agent, Cash, who was claiming Dani was less black because she was dating a white man and it was impacting her music career. It felt like that plot point was forgotten.
Overall: this book was so freaking well done. It was entertaining, heartfelt, and so well written. Characters made mistakes and acted selfishly (I’m looking at you Dani) but nothing felt out-of-pocket because the author did such a great job with characterization. Dani & Jameson might be one of my favorite fictional couples. ❤️🔥❤️🔥
( 🎧 )
I liked this better than the first book. Idk why I keep reading reviews with people saying they didn’t feel like this book was necessary— I think if you rooted for the characters in the first book, you’d definitely want to see how they faired now that they’re out as a couple. I loved that we got to see how Dani and Jameson would navigate being a couple under public scrutiny.
It was so fun to see Dani & Jameson interact with their friends as a couple. There’s a lot of smut scenes but it didn’t feel as lust driven as the first book since there were a lot interactions that showed their growth in the relationship too. I cannot say enough how much I loved them as a couple.
I was definitely frustrated with Dani by the middle / end of the book. I wish she wouldn’t have waited so long to tell Jameson what was going on with her business.
But they each came into the relationship with past traumas and the author did a good job highlighting when those past traumas were affecting their current life. Typically, I don’t like 3rd act breakups but it felt necessary in this book. Without their breakup they wouldn’t have fully realized how much their past was driving their current emotions & reactions. I loved that they both were in therapy & working on themselves….and then they got back together. It was a breakup with a purpose other than drama.
I also like that this book delved more into race. Dani & Jameson’s relationship is a play in Meghan Markel and Harry’s relationship— and the book did a terrific job highlighting how ‘the company’ (the royal complex) wanted to dim Dani’s personality to be more conventional (ie white). I do wish that there was more closure/action with Dani’s former agent, Cash, who was claiming Dani was less black because she was dating a white man and it was impacting her music career. It felt like that plot point was forgotten.
Overall: this book was so freaking well done. It was entertaining, heartfelt, and so well written. Characters made mistakes and acted selfishly (I’m looking at you Dani) but nothing felt out-of-pocket because the author did such a great job with characterization. Dani & Jameson might be one of my favorite fictional couples. ❤️🔥❤️🔥
( 🎧 )
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2024
4⭐️
THANK YOU AVON BOOKS FOR A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK!
rep: black fmc, black sc's
this is the sequel to american royalty, and i'm still not quite certain of which one i liked best (yes ik i rated the first one 4.25 but i'm still debating on the rating for this one ok let me live)
i adore dani and jameson so so much, both as characters and as a couple, literally so cute and adorable, their chemistry is off the charts and he is sooo obsessed with her ughhh!! this one seemed to be spicier as well and ngl, i really enjoyed that. i also really enjoy the way tracey introduces several important topics that are important to give a voice to and speak up about, and to do so so naturally into the story.
i think my main personal issue here was the angst? it wasn't like, proper angst, but it was there and it made my stomach hurt. most of this book and their conflicts do fall into miscommunication tho which can be frustrating, but it was never miscommunication for the sake of it, yk? like they had their reasons (and traumas) for it, but still. i looooved their last chapter tho and im just wondering if this was the end for good bc i know if there is gonna be a third one my stomach WILL HURT. LET MY BABIES LIVE HAPPILY IN PEACE THANK YOUUUU
THANK YOU AVON BOOKS FOR A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK!
rep: black fmc, black sc's
this is the sequel to american royalty, and i'm still not quite certain of which one i liked best (yes ik i rated the first one 4.25 but i'm still debating on the rating for this one ok let me live)
i adore dani and jameson so so much, both as characters and as a couple, literally so cute and adorable, their chemistry is off the charts and he is sooo obsessed with her ughhh!! this one seemed to be spicier as well and ngl, i really enjoyed that. i also really enjoy the way tracey introduces several important topics that are important to give a voice to and speak up about, and to do so so naturally into the story.
i think my main personal issue here was the angst? it wasn't like, proper angst, but it was there and it made my stomach hurt. most of this book and their conflicts do fall into miscommunication tho which can be frustrating, but it was never miscommunication for the sake of it, yk? like they had their reasons (and traumas) for it, but still. i looooved their last chapter tho and im just wondering if this was the end for good bc i know if there is gonna be a third one my stomach WILL HURT. LET MY BABIES LIVE HAPPILY IN PEACE THANK YOUUUU
August 6, 2023
This was equally well done.
I'm looking forward to a 3rd installment
I'm looking forward to a 3rd installment
August 21, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
July 21, 2023
DNF at 52%
Taking a general premise from real life & real people's lives is one thing. But when it's the same story beat for beat, it no longer becomes interesting. It has the same energy to it as copying someone's homework but changing a few answers so you don't get caught.
But that's before we dive into the very contrived plot.
Taking a general premise from real life & real people's lives is one thing. But when it's the same story beat for beat, it no longer becomes interesting. It has the same energy to it as copying someone's homework but changing a few answers so you don't get caught.
But that's before we dive into the very contrived plot.
September 1, 2024
⭐️4.85⭐️
“Do you think I wouldn’t move the heavens to satisfy you and support you?”
“What do you want from me? EVERYTHING. (He shouted) I want all of it, all of you, your smile, your intelligence, your faith. I want your soul. I need your trust.”
This was definitely everything and more! I loved this story so much, as the reader we got to see a deep dive of Jameson and Dani’s relationship. The way the author was able to depict the harsh realities of the effects on Jameson and Dani’s relationship once they became a public image was gut wrenching but beautiful. Both of them were in vulnerable situations and hard decisions had to be made in series of seconds. I appreciated and understood the impact of past trauma creeping into how they both dealt with pressure and the impact on choices! I love the support system Dani had with close friends, I loved the way Jameson’s mother showed constant love and support and the best advice. The angst, the longing and tension was stellar and I ate up their argument scene!
“Do you think I wouldn’t move the heavens to satisfy you and support you?”
“What do you want from me? EVERYTHING. (He shouted) I want all of it, all of you, your smile, your intelligence, your faith. I want your soul. I need your trust.”
This was definitely everything and more! I loved this story so much, as the reader we got to see a deep dive of Jameson and Dani’s relationship. The way the author was able to depict the harsh realities of the effects on Jameson and Dani’s relationship once they became a public image was gut wrenching but beautiful. Both of them were in vulnerable situations and hard decisions had to be made in series of seconds. I appreciated and understood the impact of past trauma creeping into how they both dealt with pressure and the impact on choices! I love the support system Dani had with close friends, I loved the way Jameson’s mother showed constant love and support and the best advice. The angst, the longing and tension was stellar and I ate up their argument scene!
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