This book is great start to Marquita Valentine's Royals in exile series! I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books in this series.
Colin Sinclair and Della Hughes have been friends for ten years after Colin moves his brothers and sisters out of country in order to protect them after their parents are killed. Even though they are friends Della doesn't know the whole truth about who they are or where they are from until Colin needs a wife in order to protect his family, their name and the throne.
Della finds herself shocked, hurt and concerned that Colin is only using her, but soon their feelings change for one another and no matter what happens they are in it for the long haul.

I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

Royal Scandal (Royals in Exile #1) by Maqruita Valentine is a romantic family drama twist on the classic fairytale of Cinderella. The story centers on Colin Sinclair, a dashing prince, along with his five siblings in tow, who are exiled from their country after their parents' assassination. Taking up the role as protector and parent, especially to two toddlers, he finds himself way in over his head. Luckily help comes in the form of the caretaker's daughter, Della Hughes.

Ten years after their exile, their able to go back home and show Parliament they will no longer be toyed with, and to avoid being considered a suitable candidate for the throne instead of the rightful heir, his sister Imogen, Colin decides wedding Della is the perfect plan. What follows is an entertaining and romantic friends-to-lovers story.

I enjoyed Ms. Valentine's story very much. Colin and how he was with his little brothers stole the show for me. So cute! Also, enjoyed Della and Colin's relationship and how it progressed naturally instead of like fast and furious once they decided to marry.

Overall, Royal Scandal is a great romance and I can't wait to read Charlotte's story next. Happily recommend.

(I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book I received in exchange for my honest review)

An adorable friends-to-lovers Cinderella story!

After their parents were assassinated, the Sinclair siblings fled to the States and hid their identity from everyone around them. As the oldest, Colin is now tasked with raising his younger siblings and keeping them all safe. After they move into their estate, Colin meets Della. After a tense first meeting, these two build a friendship. Fast forward ten years and Colin needs Della to marry him so his sister can take her rightful place on the throne. Can best friends enter into a marriage of convenience and not have it turn into more?

I loved Colin and Della together. They made a phenomenal team. Their relationship showed that even best friends have secrets but when a relationship has a strong foundation in friendship, there is no obstacle that can't be overcome. The other Sinclair siblings have so much going on. I'm definitely looking forward to reading all about the Sinclairs!!

*This is my voluntary review of an Advance Reader Copy*

The Scandalous Sinclair's make for a good read! Frustration (Colin's in dealing with the babies) and outrage (Della's in receiving an eviction notice) leads to friendship and love. There are secrets galore including the shameful behavior of past royals, though this is told in a confusing fashion. Mixing English dry with Southern sauciness is a refreshing twist! First in a series. Looking forward to the next!
I voluntarily read an Advance Review Copy of book, thru Netgalley and publisher, for honest review.

4 Scandalous CROWNS

Royal Scandal, by Marquita Valentine, follows the exiled children of the Sinclair monarchy as they struggle to uncover the secrets that are hidden regarding their parents and their exile from their country, while the oldest son, Colin, tries to balance fighting for the love of his life and the protection of his family.

The whole royal family is interesting. Every single story line she has planned for this series has me intrigued based on the characters alone, especially the second epilogue (book 2, please, ASAP). Even though all the siblings are involved in the story, Royal Scandal focuses on Colin and Della. Best friends for 10 years, secretly in love with each other, but both unwilling to take the leap, until they are pushed into it. Once together and feelings have been shared, let the sexy times roll. That honeymoon is the stuff of dreams, and who would have ever thought Colin was a little rough and dirty underneath that polished royal exterior. The whole relationship was enjoyable to watch, and the love and support between the two is fantastic, a true representation of a good and real relationship.

Royal Scandal has two main plot lines. Readers will encounter the relationship between Della and Colin, and while I enjoyed it, what really sucked me into the story is the royal secrets and scandal. Each illicit act drew me further in, as well as how each secret that was exposed would affect the Sinclair royals. Readers will be anxious to see how each of the siblings will react to the secrets that have been exposed, and I just know Ms. Valentine is going to continue to deliver the scandal and outlandish behavior in the next couple of books.

Marquita Valentine’s Royal Scandal is such a fun read. The relationship between Della and Colin is enjoyable, and the the deception and secrets of the royal family kept me entertained from the first pages. After that epilogue, I need book 2 stat!

These royal BBFs are growing in me more and more and more every day. And this one, Mr. Crowned Prince Colin Sinclair, is undoubtedly one of the fast ones. Once I met him, once I fell in love with him. And from where to start really….

Royal Scandal is the first part in Valentine’s new Royal series, Royals in Exile. The series is about the Sinclairs, the crowned family of an UK island who were exiled in USA after their parents’s assassination. And logically, the first story belongs to the older brother, Colin. The love story begins ten years before the actual story starts, when Colin meet Della for the first time. Since that moment, these two became each other’s support and best friends. But their friendship was only the first step in their epic love.

Story cut short, because otherwise the spoilers are unavoidable, Colin has to ask Della a very important favor so she can help him gain some of his lost control over his rights back. Although, the outcome of that favor neither could imagine, but desperately wanted, to happen. Their story can be put under the “best-friends-turned-to-lovers(and more)” but with more of a …. royal and blue-blooded touch.

Both Colin and Della showed from the very first moment the kind of heart they have beating under their chest; of pure gold and full of love, passion and care. But, even thought they are the lead characters which means they have the more attention, the ones that attracted the most of mine was the two Colin’s siblings, Theo and Charlotte, and of course Della’s step mom. Theo captivated me from the start with his rawness of his character, the intense feelings and reactions he had during the story and the sensitivity and gold heart he wants to hide but can’t help come out when it comes to the people he loves. Charlotte, from the other side, captivated me because of her maturity and calm aura of her personality. She is incredible on noticing things the others can’t so easily and she always knows how to find the right solution to the problems they concern her. As for Della’s step mom, the woman is one of the most enjoying and intriguing characters I have ever met. She had such a powerful personality that I couldn’t help noticing how she was pushing Della down the right road when she seemed to lose her way.

“Your story with Colin hasn’t finished being written and it won’t until the two of you take hold of that pen again.”
The illogical thing with Marquita’s books is that even though I’m never surprised from how good her stories are written, I can’t help stay open mouthed and surprised from that same goodness. Insane right? Tell me about it!! Since the first moment I came face to face with her mind’s world, she found her way through to my list of the most anticipated authors. She has never disappointed me so far and I believe she won’t any time soon. Most of her characters have a special place in the list of My Favorites. I really can’t wait to get my hands on the nest two books of this series, Royal Affair (Charlotte’s story) and Royal Chase (Theo’s story); Especially the second one. And it’s not a coincidence that these two intrigued me the most.

Marquita Valentine's new series is just the right amount of romance, humor and heat all wrapped up in a modern fairy tale. If you are looking for an entertaining read that will have your pulse racing and heart warming, than this is the book for you!

Crown Prince Colin Sinclair has assumed the responsibility of his siblings after the assassination of his parents and the family's subsequent exile to the United States. With a womanizing brother, twin sisters who couldn't be more different than one another and two small boys who believe that Colin is their father, Colin has no time for a relationship. He has no idea what he is doing or have a single clue as to how to care for a toddler and baby. But help comes in the most unexpected time when a no-nonsense spit fire of a woman with strawberry blonde hair comes charging at him demanding him to give her and her family back their home and job. One look at Della and Colin knows that he's in trouble...

Della Hughes has no idea who the owner of the Sinclair estate is or that they are royality. She wants to keep her step mother's job as care taker of the estate and get Colin Sinclair to let them stay in the house that they have lived for as long as she can remember. What she didn't expect was to find a dashing man with two small kids and three younger siblings. A man who seemed to have no clue as to how to take care of them. When Colin agrees to let her step mother keep her job and their house she finds that she just can't turn her back on her sexy neighbor or the cute rugrats.

And so they spend the next ten years co-parenting-strictly as friends. And even though they both keep telling themselves that there is nothing to their relationship other than friendship, they both can't seem to be able to have relationships with other people either. And when news of the Sinclair's true identity hits the papers, Colin's only option to save his family and end their exile, seems to be to marry an American. Someone he can trust, someone who is totally inappropriate and who would accept his offer of having a marriage in name only. But all their good intentions fly out the window the minute they go on their honeymoon and they find themselves unable to deny their mutual attraction.

A great start to what promises to be a fun and sexy new series. Can't wait to see the smart and calm Princess Charlotte's wild side in the next book of the series!

I was expecting a sweet romance between best friends. With some humor, light angst and some heat. What I got was an overload of sweetness, two best friends that have been in love with each other for years, little to no angst and nuclear meltdown heat (the scenes are borderline kink, who new rigid Colin was such a wild card?)

Colin's been in love with his best friend Della for years. But he's never been able to reveal to her his royal bloodline, or the fact that they have been living in the states and in exile from their home country. When he proposes a marriage in name only to safe guard his sister's claim to the throne, it doesn't take long for these two to chuck the idea of temporary for the promise of forever.

I like Colin and Della, they were perfect for each other and I loved that they have a history together, a genuine friendship that cemented their bond to each other. Did I mention that Colin stayed celibate for his h as soon as he realized he was in love with her? For years, he's been in love and hasn't thought, let alone, touched another because it felt wrong when he only wanted Della. I absolutely love that about him.

The only gripe I have about Royal Scandal is the speed in which their relationship went from platonic friends to intimate sex partners. One minute their both convinced they can only be friends and that a future is unlikely and that crossing that line would be a very bad idea, and the next, their tearing each others clothes off and jumping right into being physical. It was a bit jarring. I expected more of a struggle or at least a deeper emotional response to the huge change in their relationship. Also I felt like Della deserved a good drawn out grovel from Colin for his intentional deception. When we constantly get told he loves her and trusts her 100%, his actions contradicted that.

Still this was a solid 4 star read for me. I liked it and I'm definitely intrigued to see what's in store for the rest of the royal siblings.

This book is why I'm in love with Marquita books. When I see the author name and it's a must buy. I love a good old romance. One click this.

3.5 stars is what I would like to give this book. I really enjoy Marquita Valentine's books as they are generally sensitive, well thought out, and a good story. This book is the beginning of a new series and I did enjoy it, however for me, it didn't quite have the same feel as the other books of hers I have read. Because it is a new series, it took me awhile to get a handle on it, and maybe it's the whole "not a real kingdom, but let's pretend there is so we can have an exiled family". The idea that this family could live outside of Charlotte for ten years and not be noticed was a stretch for me. I had a harder time becoming invested in this story as I usually do. Having said that, I really enjoyed the last third of the book and the epilogue and have a feeling this series is going to get better and better. By the time I was reading the last third of the book I was totally invested and didn't seem to mind the fairytale aspects of the book. It generally felt more real to me than the beginning of the book. Thanks as always to Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read this for an honest review. These were my honest feelings.

4.25-4.5 STARS

“Royal Scandal” is a sexy, modern-day fairytale, centered on an exiled prince sporting a swoony accent and flirty sense of humor. It’s a fun, delightful read, and not to be taken too seriously. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the fantasy.

(Prince) Colin Sinclair, along with his royal siblings, make a home for themselves in a small North Carolina town after being exiled from their country. Della Hughes is Colin’s best friend and secret crush. She is also oblivious to his family’s royal heritage. But when Colin is suddenly outed by the press and demands are made upon him in exchange for his family’s return home, Colin makes Della a proposal of epic proportions... a proposition and a proposal she's powerless to decline.

Secrets, scandals and murder all come into play during this ridiculously sweet and sexy romance--it’s Cinderella meets Christian Grey. Okay, so maybe there aren’t any whips and chains, but Colin’s domination and dirty talk during sex definitely gives him an edge unlike any Disney prince we've come to know.

While the storyline straddles the line of unbelievable, it’s fantasy at its best—a light, enjoyable story that had me smiling more times than I could count. And while Colin and Della’s chemistry really lit up the pages, it was their flirtatious banter that I loved the most. So, if you’re in search of a charming and amusing read, than Royal Scandal is definitely the book for you! Personally, I can’t wait to read more about this royal family. I predict that Charlotte’s story will be an extremely hot and steamy ride!!

Exiled, run out of his own country with his siblings in tow, he is now the father figure for his family at the age of 19. Living in a foreign country and shrouded in secrecy he has to lie to the people around him.
Della and her stepmother have worked for the Sinclair's for years, but when she gets home and sees an eviction letter, well she demands to see the eldest Sinclair, Colin and get her job and home back. What happens next is 8 years worth of dancing around their feelings for one another.
This book is the ultimate fairy tale, I mean you have a Crown Prince, a maid and a love filled with so much passion it will make Cinderella blush!
Colin with his dirty mouth and forceful nature will make you blush as you read a courting that is nothing like the fairy tales you remember.
Intrigue and a promise of more stories to come as we get to learn more from each of the Sinclair siblings. I for one can't wait!

TEN YEARS????? How does anyone keep any kind of major secret from their so-called best friend for ten years????

Besides that rather important point, I enjoyed this story and meeting this family. I look forward to more in the series.

I loved Colin and Della's story! Who doesn't find themselves following royal or Hollywood gossip at one time or another? This book is like having an insider's view and a fairy tale wrapped into one story. I couldn't read it fast enough! The second book will definitely be on my TBR list!

Note, I did request and receive an advanced copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.

« Royal Scandal » is a cute story, a fun take on the commoner falling for a prince trope. Colin Sinclair is a European crown prince and single “father” of two little boys. Together with his family, he was forced to flee his country in tragic circumstances and was exiled to America. He is trying to work through his grief and figure out his future.

Della Hugues was living in the caretaker’s house of his newly acquired estate. She was jobless and has accepted to help him raise his kids. Della doesn’t know who Colin really is, though. She sees and treats him as a friend, but he is secretive and private. She knows he and his family are different.

Colin is relentlessly working with his country’s prime minister and government to get their exile overturned. Their conditions are unacceptable, though, they want him to marry a woman of their choosing. His only alternative would be to marry immediately. Della would be the perfect candidate for a marriage of convenience, she would be totally unsuitable for his country’s parliament. Although she doesn’t believe they have a future together, she accepts to help him. Can their arrangement become a real marriage?

This book was not what I expected. My issue was that the overall premise of this story was lacking depth and character development. I wanted to know more about Della and Colin’s personalities and backstory. The plot was rather predictable, and the ending felt rushed. Overall, this book was a light, easy read but I expected more.

Couldn't put it down. Love the author and cannot wait till her next book is out. Addicting and fun read.

Royal Scandal is the first book in Marquita Valentine’s Royals in Exile Series. In general, I like Marquita Valentine’s writing style. I enjoyed the main characters, Colin and Della, and their noticeable chemistry. The general idea of a fairytale story is adorable, but many of the details missed the mark for me.
I loved the idea of the exiled royalty finding love with the commoner. I enjoyed that the friends-to-lovers transition happened over an extended period of time; the foundation of Colin and Della’s solid friendship is believable. Crown Prince Colin Sinclair is a successful business man whose appeal lies in his devotion to his siblings/family. While he can be charming, it is really that familial loyalty that Della Hughes finds attractive. Della and her step-mother, Tressie, are the salt-of-the Earth. In fact, I’d say that secondary character, Tressie, is my absolute favorite of all. Her calmness and sage advice made her a lovable influence over the rest of the characters. She provided the calm in the storm, and she frequently got everyone centered and refocused. Everyone could use a Tressie in their life.
Some works of fiction are realistic, and some require suspension-of-disbelief. Royal Scandal does require a bit of suspension of disbelief, and even with that, there were a couple key things that just didn’t work for me. First, the assassinated parents. Their egregious behavior was overplayed, and the addition of questionable parentage was too much. That may play into the grander series arc, but for me, it felt like an unnecessary addition to the story. Another unnecessary addition to the story was the pseudo-kink/erotica once the main characters eventually consummate their relationship. It added absolutely nothing and felt entirely out of place and out of character. The parents’ storyline and the kink made the book feel unfocused. Sometimes less is more when it comes to plot points and antagonists.
Overall, Royal Scandal was a quick, entertaining read that contains plenty of characters and situations to appreciate. I would have thoroughly loved the book had Ms. Valentine not added so many extraneous issues at the story’s zenith. While I had several issues with Royal Scandal, I wouldn’t hesitate to continue with the series in hopes that the overall storyline comes together.

Utterly Charming and So Sexy! Loved this Cinderella with a twist, romance story. Love, Love, Love reading about Royals and the writing in this royal romance was pure perfection. It was written in dual POV and I simply adore reading a book with both perspectives. The characters are well defined and likable as well as relatable. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down.

Colin Sinclair is a crown prince of the Isle of Man whose wealthy family has been exiled after the assignation of their parents. When they move to Charlotte, Colin must change his whole life from a Prince that loved to party to the head of the family with two small infants, a set of twin boys, a sister who was suppose to be Queen, as well as a brother just a few years younger. His life consists of dirty nappies and colic.

When his neighbor Della Hughes confronts him regarding his attempt to remove the caretaker of the property, her mother, he feels he has found a kindred soul in her. Taken by her beauty, compassion and empathy. But he also is taken by a shot of desire that blasts through him when he takes her hand.

Ten years later Della is not only his best friend but he also loves her, but with his family still in exile he can't tell her how he feels. Colin has been working tirelessly with parliament to get his family back where they belong as well as expanding Sinclair Enterprises their family business. But when Parliament demands that the family can come back from exile only if Colin becomes King and he marries a princess of their choosing, he takes matter into his own hands and asks Della to marry him in name only. Shocked to find out that the man she loves is a Prince, Della is fearful that she is not good enough for him.

Will Della and Colin be married in name only to look back at this moment and regret that they weren't brave enough to believe in themselves enough to try for a real marriage? Or will they succumb to their desires and make all their dreams come true. Don't miss this Utterly Charming, Sexy, Sweet romance with Princely manners and tons of Sex Appeal that will literally sweep you off your feet. I swooned over this story hard!

Can't wait for Royal Affair #2 in this series.

I voluntarily requested a ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Having enjoyed Marquita Valentine’s Take the Fall new adult series, and enjoyed the characters, their voices and the writing, this was an easy choice. Royals, love and a dance around a Cinderella-like romance and I was all in.

Solid writing with witty banter and a clear path from Colin’s employee to his friend for Della, the initial mishmash brought our story forward, introducing the characters and establishing voices (and some personality traits) that gave a clear sense of the story. Then we get into the meat of the plot, with the back and forth, a romance and the kerfuffle that follows, and most of the goodwill built in the early part of the book started to evaporate.

From losing that strong feel and sense of characters’ voice and personality, I was seeing not so well-placed insertions that were redolent of, if not quite over the edge of direct retelling of a plot (or 5) of a romantic comedy movie. I can name four or five. Now, I’m as game for another retelling of Cinderella, or P&P, even Earnest and Pygmalion, but I want those to be unique and feel as if they organically arrived and appeared as part of what I am reading. These didn’t. Not true to the characters that were introduced, and their purpose felt more filler than actual events that happened to the characters, or even could have.

Then, we have the change in dialogue, or lack of when we moved to sensual scenes. From a clear and defined, rather proper and erudite man, Colin turned into a filthy mouthed parrot – repeating the same phrases and words that were better suited to anyone but him. And there was little variation or imagination applied as scenes progressed. I’m all in when the scene calls for some dirty talk, and when it fits, it really fits. But, the reverse is also true: when it doesn’t work, the discomfort with the scene increases, and repeated use shows a failure to imagine something different where that character is concerned. It just didn’t work. Period.

So, I’m left with a book that showed promise and soon took that away, with frequent veiled and not so veiled inclusions that felt out of place and interrupted flow and character continuity. I wanted to like it, I just couldn’t with the issues and I’m now left with a conundrum. I don’t know where this story failed in the writing to release process, I just know for me this was a miss.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

I really enjoyed this. I haven't read about royals in forever and remembered why I like it so much. I can't wait to read about the rest of the family. I posted a review on Goodreads.