Pages: 220
Series: Royals in Exile #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also in this series: Royal Affair
Also by this author: When We Fall, Prime Target, Love So Perfect, Hard Target, After We Fall, Hard to Fall, Royal Affair
Goodreads
Fairy tales do come true—and so do tabloid scandals! Bestselling author Marquita Valentine kicks off a juicy contemporary romance series with a novel about a prince whose best-laid plans go deliciously awry when he marries the maid next door.
Forced to flee to the United States with his siblings after their parents’ assassination, Crown Prince Colin Sinclair takes it upon himself to become the caretaker of his family while hiding out near Charlotte, North Carolina. But after a decade in hiding, the secret’s out and Parliament demands that Colin wed a princess of their choosing. Unwilling to play their game, Colin decides to marry an American instead, and he has the perfect candidate in mind.
As a home-service professional, Della Hughes doesn’t believe in storybook endings. But when her best friend and secret crush reveals that he’s a flesh-and-blood prince, she doesn’t know what to think. Still, she’ll do anything for Colin, including becoming his wife—in name only, of course. But when their plans to stay purely platonic go by the wayside, their fake honeymoon turns all too real. After a week of white-hot nights, Della can no longer deny her feelings—not with a happily ever after so tantalizingly close.
Royal Scandal is an adorable story that will give you lots of butterflies and smiles! You have a pack of exiled royals, a girl and her stepmom who live on the grounds, and lots of secrets. This is a GREAT friends to lovers trope as well. Della and Colin were friends for 10 years before they were more. 10 years is impressive. They met in their late teens and Della helped Colin raise ‘his’ boys. But, things change when Colin needs a wife and he proposes Della be that wife…in name only. Way to sweep her off her feet, prince charming…
Overall, the story is predictable but fun. Aiden and Pierce add some adorableness to the story that only young boys can (explaining a dutch oven to Della…). Experiencing Della and Colin finally admit their love is sweet and dirty (Della is a bit of a dirty talker and Colin has a few naughty words to add as well!). The book is pretty steamy, which did surprise me a little (not bad, but it is steamier than I anticipated). Its not overly angsty since the conflict typically comes outside forces (the evil prime minister…) but there are a few miscommunications between Della and Colin that I didn’t care for. Miscommunications are my least favorite plot trope; while it was used in Royal Scandal, it wasn’t excessive and it wasn’t even the main conflict, so it didn’t make the book too angsty for me to enjoy. I am looking forward to Charlotte’s story though. She is so quite and reserved!
“Well, you know how we Americans are. Rebelling against the Crown since 1776.”
- POV: dual 1st
- Tears: no
- Trope: secret identity, royalty
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
Royally Screwed by Emma Chase, Some Sort of Crazy by Melanie Harlow, Max by Sawyer Bennett…then you will probably like Royal Scandal!
Looks like a fun cute read! I enjoy books like this one I’m wanting something light. May add it to my list. Great review 🙂
It is light and easy! Great read after you finish something heavy or angsty!
oh I enjoyed this one, I liked the royalty theme even if it was a bit predictable. I am really intrigued by these siblings though. I can’t wait for the next book.
I am totally looking forward to the siblings stories!!!