This was a good start to this series. Della and Colin have been best friends for ten years. When Colin finds out he needs to get married, he doesn't want anyone but Della. Colin and Della have never been more than friends in the ten years they have known each other, but they are the best of friends. When they exchange vows, suddenly all of the feelings they have been fighting come to the surface. They find out that perhaps they can have a happily ever after.

I liked this story and thought it was a great story to kick off a new series. Della is a strong heroine. Colin is a stand up guy and presents himself as the perfect royal. I loved getting to know the Sinclair family and look forward to all of their stories.

3.75 stars


Stories featuring royalty always fascinated me and I was drawn to the blurb it was not the usual storyline. I was curious where it would go.

A prince living in the suburbs who woukd think right? I liked the best friend aspect of it and not really knowing he was a prince. I found the relationship between Della and Colin always straddling the line between friend or somewhat more and somehow becomes an marriage of convenience. The fact that Colin and his siblings are in exile makes is more messy too. Add to that the secrets both of them as hiding from one another well watching it all unfold will something to see.

I enjoyed the story and it was entertaining, the cast of characters have a lot to offer. We only scratched the surface with Colin's story. There are things though I think though could have made it better. Like some parts tighter and expounded on. I'm still confused on some parts of the whole exile and scandal but I get the general idea. I still need clarifying on.

If you're looking a light, easy read, some steam, dirty talking prince with a fairy tale twist Royal Scandal is for you. I'm kinda more intrigued about the other siblings especially from the preview of the next book.

Who doesn't love a sweet prince falling for the maid? Della is the awesome girl next door to the exiled royals. This family is worse than the family of Dallas, their parents lead lives full of scandal and infidelity. Colin, as the oldest, steps up to care for his baby brothers as his own sons. Luckily, Della is a natural caregiver and immediately becomes attached. The Sinclair's have an incredible bond and openly accepted her into their trust. True to Valentine's skills she wows us with sexual banter, crazy siblings, and little kids to provide the funny. This should be a very entertaining series. I was given an advanced copy through Netgalley and wrote this review voluntarily.

When his parents are assassinated, Crown Prince Colin Sinclair, is forced to flee his country with his siblings, and go to live in the United States. As the oldest, at nineteen, he has to become the parent to his five siblings ranging in age from 17 to 6 months. Thanks to the caretaker of their property in Charlotte, North Carolina, Colin gets help from Della. She becomes his best friend and confidant as he tries his best to raise his siblings. Ten years have passed and Colin realizes that he's been falling in love with Della throughout the years.
Back in his country, Parliament requests a meeting with him to discuss the future of the monarchy., asking Colin to marry a princess of their choosing so he can return and rule the country. To take revenge, Colin asks Della to marry him, knowing that Parliament will not accept her, since she's an American.
Della Hughes has been in love with Colin since she met him. She has helped him raise his two young sons (a fact that he never told Della, that they are his siblings). When Colin reveals that he is a Prince and not just a businessman, and then asks her to marry him, she is not only shocked but delighted. Even if it's only a pretend marriage, she can always dream of more.
I loved this book, it was like a Disney story with hot sex. I know that sounds weird, but then this isn't a Disney story, but it is a very sexy hot book!

I liked that this was a modern version of a royal story. I am so used to deal with princess, princes and all that it involves during the regency era. That having a modern day one with the modern day issues was lots of fun. Best friends who want more but are both afraid to do anything about it is always nice and its awesome to see them finally together. I also liked how the prince snubs the council who is trying to stop him from following things they way the have always been planned.

OMG this book was amazing!!!!! I loved Colin (and Della) and Theo and the sister's were great too. This was such a great Royal happy ending story and I absolutely LOVED how Colin put Davies and the rest of them in their place to take back what was rightfully theirs.

What a great book to start a new series with. This author knows how to give us a modern take on The classic Cinderella story.
Crown Prince Colin Sinclair of the Isle of Man has been living in exile with his siblings, he was only 19 when his parents were assassinated and as the eldest he had to grow up pretty quickly and take care of his brothers and sisters. He becomes a father to his youngest brothers and he has allowed everyone to believe that his boys are his sons so when he finally finds a way for the family to go back to the Isle of Man many people are in for a shock including Della who has worked for him and cared for the two young boys. Will this fairytale have a HEA or will the people who exiled the family win again......
I loved the characters in this book after all who wouldn't fall in love with a heroine who is kind, thoughtful and sees the best in everyone add in a sexy Prince and you have a perfect book to curl up with.

First and foremost: the cover of this book has little to nothing to do with the story, but I love it. It's one of the prettiest covers I have ever seen and it was one of the reasons I requested a copy of this book. This cover is five star.

Royal Scandal is a really fun read. In order to enjoy this book, you have to hand-wave away the fact that the Sinclairs were able to hide in what amounts to plain sight. They're Sinclairs of the House of St. Claire living at a huge estate called St. Claire, and Colin runs a multi-million dollar business, but it took ten years for someone to figure out who they were? Yeah, hand-wave that all away because the story is a strange but sweet mix of Beauty And The Beast and Cinderella with a VERY dark back story that is worth a read.

The best thing about this book was, hands down, the banter between all of the characters. The younger boys were adorable, Tressie was a hoot, Della was feisty and fabulous, and Colin was wonderful, even as he struggled with so much responsibility and the weight of the world on his shoulders. The Sinclair siblings were a strange combination of likable and eye-roll-worthy. For 99.9% of the book, Theo is the romance-novel-cliché manwh*re, though we do get to see him in a vulnerable moment which gave me hope for him. Sadly, the most likable side character was Charlotte who turned out not to be the unique character I wanted her to be, but instead she proves to be the romance-novel-cliché good girl who gets involved with a man who is both a bully and a jerk, but who the author will deem an “alpha”. Judging by the epilogue of this story, I will skip Charlotte's book. Should Imogen get a book, however I will definitely read that one. I am curious to know how such a strong young woman deals with the fate she has been dealt.

If you like a sweet, friends-to-lovers romance that has a bit of intrigue and some interesting secondary characters, you should give this one a read.

I requested a copy of this book from NetGalley because the cover and blurb intrigued me. I was under no obligation to write this review.

Royal Scandal was such an amazing read for me! I was just going to read a few chapters a day, but nope. I could not put the book down. I finished it in one night. Yes, this is why I am addicted to reading. Especially a 5 star rating such as this beauty. Royal Scandal was written to perfection! You have your hot Royal Prince Colin that was once a playboy that lived carelessly, to now a stand in father for his siblings. Not to mention trying to get his family back to their country rightfully. Did I mention he is a sexy prince with a hot accent. Yes I can hear his accent in my head...yummy ;)

The book starts off with emotions all over the place. You can feel the anxiety, the sadness, the "I don't know how to do this!" feeling, then the determination. I love learning about how only the Queen rules their country by the Sinclaire family, because why? We woman can rule the world! Or countries at a time.

Della meets Colin at an estate that his family has owned in the US. While they are exiled, they are staying there. Their first encounter is pretty heated, which makes Colin blood boiling, but in that seductive way. A decade later, they are best friends. But he needs to ask his darling Della for a huger favor.. to marry him. Oh I was on the edge with the secrets each kept from each other. I also was ecstatic that these two finally tore those royal sheets up! But can their marriage last on false pretenses? Or will these two finally give in to what they have always felt for all these years. And yes, both secrets came out and my heart broke for both. But you will see that fairytales can exist for Della <3

I am excited other books in the Royal series will coming out this year. I would love to follow my favorite royal family. This book deserves a 5 star rating and more. I can not recommend it enough!

This was a sweet, fun, sexy royal book. I really enjoyed the Sinclair's and Della.

A great start to a new series from this author! This was a very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to more about this fabulous Sinclair family. It's filled with wonderful characters, has an interesting storyline, and is very well written. There are secrets, lies, scandal, and a wonderful friends to lovers romance. I loved Della's sass and wit and I though she and Colin were great together. Della's upbeat personality and Colin's stoic nature were a perfect balance. Definitely a book I would recommend to everyone.

Della and Colin meet on the night that his family finds exile in America from his home country where he is a crown prince, his sister, Imogen, its future Queen and his brothers and sisters are also royalty. He and his family have to remain in America in secret so Colin and Della form a friendship that spans the next 10 years in which she helps him raise what she believes to be his sons. Della was pretty crass when she first meets Colin and he showed great patience in putting up with her. Colin and his family long to return to the Isle and keep the lines communication open with their Parliament to see what they will need to do in order to be granted permission to live there again. It was a story woven with deceit, partial truths and unrequited feelings. Colin and Della both hold back from going after what they feel for the other during the span of their 10 year friendship, each because of their own secrets. Colin finally comes mostly clean with Della when their secret is exposed to the press and he is trying to thwart the demands made on his family and him by the Prime Minister. Della agrees to his request and so begins another tale in which both of them still hide things. After agreeing to a marriage of convenience, Colin wants to change the rules and see if they can have a real future, not an end date. Della fights it at first but then gives in. As always happens, the truth comes out on both their secrets. Colin did handle his final secret in an extremely illogical manner when taken in context with Della's secret, but his intentions seemed to be pure. Della did have some soul searching to do since it didn't comport with what her "dream" of their life together was going to be. I did like the ending and it was a good start to this series. I was graciously given an ARC in order to provide an honest review by NetGalley.

Royal Scandal is a modern day take on Cinderella with a major exception. Della' stepmother is a sweet lady that took on raising her after her father died. Della & her stepmother have lived on the estate where her stepmother is the caretaker for years. When Colin & his family move in, Della & Colin become friends. As the years go by, they each develop a crush on the other but don't want to admit it. Things come to a head in regards to the family's exile & Colin asks Della to help him with a marriage of convenience. Can they resist their true feelings?

The writer does an excellent job creating characters that the reader can fall in love with. Colin is a hot young alpha man that is so devoted to his family he basically gives up any personal goals to take care of them. The plot keeps throwing situations at him & he keeps rising above them. Della's character is sweet & romantic at times and at other times,comes across as sarcastic & funny. She can actually go toe to toe with Colin & not let him get his way all of the time. The rest of the family has very distinct personalities that you can't wait to see develop as the series goes along. The plot seems straight forward but the writer keeps your attention by throwing in unexpected curves. I can't wait for the next one!

Summary

When crown Prince Colin Sinclair’s parents were assassinated, both he and his siblings were placed into exile and had to take care of each other in American while trying to figure out a way to get back in the good graces of Parliament, so that his sister can rule. Colin knows that it won’t be easy but will do everything he can to see that his family are placed in their rightful place as they were meant to be. With two infant brothers to take care of, he hires on a local, to ehlp be a caretaker for them. Delia Hughes is a home service maid, and even though she has always had feelings for Colin, she will do anything for him and his two boys. And when the secret is out, and he is in need of a wife out of convenience, she accepts not knowing what will happen in the future or what Colin expects of her. The last thing she ever imagined would be falling in love with a prince.
Plot and Story Line

This is a classic maid falls in love with royalty scenario but I enjoyed certain details that this author shows in this one. This royal family was fun, their banterting with each other pretty lively and you quickly fall in love with each of them, especially the youngest two boys. This royal family rules by the female, which I found to be very interesting. Even though Colin is the Crown Prince, it is his sister who is the true future Queen. In the beginning of the story, we see Colin and our heroine meet and not under the best of “circumstances” but you sense the chemistry flare between them. And then we skip ahead ten years later. Colin and Delia are still working together, but Colin is very close to having his family return to their home. Now Colin and Delia have had ten years of working together closely, so we sense that they already care for each other. But then Colin has a idea, and at first its a platonic agreement, but both of them soon realize they have too much chemistry to keep it that way. Now I found this story to be quite charming at times, the characters were easy to love but the actual romance fell a bit flat for me. I couldn’t quite feel anything from their romance, which was a bit disappointing however I was fascinated with every other aspect of the story. So guaranteed I will be picking up book 2 because I can’t wait to see how this family gets back their kingdom.
The Cover

Interesting…I like the yellow and her shoes are gorgeous!!
Overall View

Royal Scandal is a lively and charming romance that will leave you wanting more from this delectable family and their antics!!

3 Stars- As with all Fairy tales... you need to be willing to follow the tale that is given... meaning logical current understands may need to be put aside...If you are able to do that... then this is a lovely start of a new series by Marquita Valentine.
Take a young prince saving his siblings... running to the States to protect and hide them. For ten years they have been living in a small town in North Carolina... and all has been working out ...especially with the help of the Grounds keeper's daughter. She has been the one true friend of our lost prince; helping him manage from the start with tiny babies to handle and other parental duties thrust upon him...

Now after ten years...the country he fled has laid down the hammer... saying he must wed a princess he has no interest in...Due to the Royal decree of the Queens ruling, not Kings...He thinks he will pull a fast one and marry his friend as the elders would never think her suitable...allowing his sister to right take the Ruling position.

Instead of being insulted by how her dear friend and secret love asks... our gal says yes...
Let the games begin...

As a start of a series there were many hints of what is to come.

I have to say that I read the most "royal" books in 2016 than ever. And while they all seem a bit the same, Royal Scandal was enjoyable and a quick read. The characters, Della and Colin were very easy to connect too. And I loved the supporting cast, making this a must-read series going forward for me. However, I have a huge pet peeve in books and that is when a character hides a really big secret from their love interests. And unfortunately, Colin did just that. So I found that to be my only issue with the book.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Loveswept for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have to say that I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and could use some work but I liked the story line. I found some things farfetched or a little unbelievable but not so much that I had to stop reading it.

I really enjoyed the rags to riches story and the fact that Della is down to earth and seems real. I also like a best friend to love romance because they seem so natural. It’s a struggle to start a relationship and worry that the friendship won’t be there in the end.

Some things I found farfetched. Living in America for 10 years and going unnoticed as royalty. That Colin didn’t tell Della who he was when she was so close to the family and they trusted her so much. That he was pretending to be the little prince’s father when he is their big brother.

If you are looking for a quick, light read then this is a good one.

Royal Scandal is the first book in Marquita Valentine’s newest series…Royals in Exile. I really enjoyed this friends to lovers story with the Royal background.

I have been a fan of Marquita’s ever since I read her Take the Fall Series. Her writing style is what I like reading the most. She gives us interesting and lovable characters, but also intriguing storylines to keep you attention all the way through. I love that she does pack her stories with unnecessary drama. Her stories are always fun, sexy and very entertaining.

Royal Scandal is told in Dual POV and is a quick and fairly steamy read. I love that we got both POV’s in this story because then we got to see what both Colin and Della were thinking. It also gave us the angst factor to their story. This book was filled with secrets and lies. I liked that they slowly came to light for the reader because it just made me want to turn the pages that much faster to see where this story was going.

This story begins when Colin is nineteen and Della is seventeen. Colin has been exiled to the US because of some scandals that his parents have brought into the kingdom. Colin the the Royal Prince of the Isle of Man. Being young and in charge of his infant brothers, Colin is just trying to keep his family afloat. This is when Della pops into the picture. Colin did something that is going to risk Della’s home, so she confronts him. What happens after that is a beautiful friendship. Fast forward 10 years and Colin is now being called back to his country. What happens when Della finds out his a Prince?? Will she stick around once all of his secrets are revealed?? What will Colin do when Della’s secret comes out?? Read this fun story to get all those answers.

I enjoyed all the secondary characters and I can’t wait to read all of the siblings stories as well. I think Charolette’s story is going to be an interesting one ;)

So if you are a fan of the friends to lovers story with a Royal Trope, then this is a book you should give a try. I think you will really enjoy Marquita’s storytelling. I know I do!!!!