Royal Spin: A Novel

by Omid Scobie, Robin Benway

Lauren Morgan knows how to craft the perfect story - it's literally her job. But when she loses her dream role at the White House press office and her DC life unravels, she jumps at an unexpected opportunity from Buckingham Palace to become their Head of Communications. It's the fresh start she desperately needs.

Her first task? Rescue the royal family's battered reputation. No pressure.

Lauren can handle scandal, protocol, and palace politics - but she's not prepared for Oscar, a disarmingly charming royal reporter, or the handsome, free-spirited Duke of Exeter. Both are tempting. Both are off-limits.

But as the headlines heat up, so do her feelings - and suddenly, the truth isn't so easy to spin. And when someone from her past resurfaces, it won't just be the royals making front page news...

ROYAL SPIN is a whip-smart romcom that pulls back the palace curtain to reveal a world of unexpected romance and high-stakes drama. A perfect escape for fans of Emily in Paris and Red, White & Royal Blue .

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Royalty, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Adult Fiction

432 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 10, 2026

About the author

British journalist and writer best known for co-authoring the book Finding Freedom. Scobie's work focuses on the British royal family.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

The only reason I didn't rate this a five-star is because of the ending. If I knew it was just the beginning of a series, and there was a second book coming, that would be different, and I would have given it the full five stars. However, it really needed at least another hundred pages or so.

Otherwise, I really loved this. Readers who are interested in politics and/or royal drama will find particular enjoyment in this book.

[Lochi's Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll be honest: I picked up this book solely because of Omid Scobie. After reading his journalism and his previous work shedding light on Meghan Markle’s turbulent time within the royal fold, I was hopeful. His reporting felt like a breath of fresh air finally, someone engaging with the institution of monarchy without tiptoeing around it, favouring truth over palace PR. So I expected realism, depth, and something bold. Instead, I got a royal rom-com dipped in glitter and tone-deaf fantasy.

My relationship with the monarchy is complicated, and it's only grown more strained with recent revelations both reported and experienced. When I visited London, I saw firsthand the opulence of the Crown, the wealth draped over historic injustices, and the pomp funded by taxpayers. Behind the gilded gates are palaces and jewels, yes but also an institution so out of sync with the modern world it feels almost fictional. Which, I suppose, is where this book belongs: in fiction.

The attempts to humanize the royal family in this story felt... well, fictional in the worst way. A feel-good rom-com? In this setting? It’s hard to digest. The monarchy is still steeped in archaic ideologies, theological claims of divine right, and a continued detachment from real communities, especially communities of colour. Despite gestures toward diversity, equity, and inclusion, the execution felt more like box-ticking than authenticity. It lacked nuance. It lacked accountability. It lacked truth.

So when fiction tries to soften that blow with heart flutters, and charm, it doesn’t land. It glosses over the deeply problematic reality in favour of fantasy. If you’re looking for escapism with a crown, maybe this will work for you. But if you're, like me, and are seeking fiction that speaks truth to power this book misses the mark.

I truly wanted to enjoy this book, I was so hyped and excited but that quickly faded.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading Royal Spin and I'm left wanting more! I'm curious how a director of communications and a reporter continue to make a relationship work. I can definitely see how this story and these characters will be perfect for a TV series. I loved Lauren's bold personality. The Duke was so dreamy he felt too good to be true. And Joy needs an entire book of her own. I found Royal Spin to be an enjoyable read with romance, comedy, and a touch of drama.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Harleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Royal Spin offers a behind-the-scenes look at working at Buckingham Palace from an American point of view. It follows Lauren as she leaves her job at the White House after her boyfriend cheats on her with her best friend (yikes I know) and finds herself as the new Communications Director at the Buckingham Palace.

This book was funny and relatable at times, but there wasn’t much romance. Even though it was marketed as a romance novel, it was a pretty low stakes rom-com that didn’t have much of a plot. It didn’t bother me as I enjoyed reading the character growth of the mc especially as a woman working in politics.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the arc! All opinions are my own.

[SuzieQuzie7973 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow and Omid Scobie and Robin Benway for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.

Royal Spin is a yummy look at what it's like to work at Buckingham Palace. Lauren, an American White House press reporter, takes a job working at Buckingham Palace in Communications. This book is funny, romantic and just the right amount of drama. It will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.
If you liked Red White and Royal Blue, then this book will be right up your alley!!!
I most definitely recommend this book to y'all.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Royal Spin” by Omid Scobie & Robin Benway is a light and easy romp about a young woman from the White House press office who moves to London to run the Buckingham Palace Communications team.
As she tries to improve the recent streak of Royal bad headlines she finds herself dealing with her own turbulent past.
The story is entertaining with a theme of personal growth and the importance of following through on your dreams.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[bookishy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Royal Spin was a lot of fun! As an English philology student, it was so incredible to get a little bit of insight into the PR workings of the Royal family. Lauren was such a likeable character, and it was interesting to see her find her footing as an American in the United Kingdom. Dealing with the royal family was the most interesting part of the book for me. I think the authors could have skipped the love triangle between Lauren, Oscar and the Duke. While Lauren is very good at her job, the love triangle was a bit icky for me. I would've much rather seen a proper relationship development between Oscar and Lauren rather than Lauren being instantly attracted to the Duke and Oscar simultaneously.

Royal Spin was a quick and fun read, with rather simple writing. It would be much better if the authors focused on one: romance or the workings of the Royal family, because 300 pages is not enough to develop both aspects.

Thank you to littlebrownbookgroup_uk for the copy of the book!

[Emi🫧 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I would like to thank William Marrow, as well as Netgalley for providing me with the eARC of this book.

This was a cute book!! It was easy to read, even if it did feel like the pace was slow. Our main girl Lauren is head strong and confident. She leaves behind a betrayal from her boyfriend and best friend. In doing this she moves across the seas and goes forward working for Buckingham Palace.

Here we meet her soon to be “bestie” Joy. Honestly, from the beginning I LOVED Joy’s character. She’s the perfect person to take on as a best friend in a new country. She was at Lauren’s side and had her back from the minute they met. Even when (in my opinion), Lauren didn’t deserve it. She was probably my favorite character in this book.

We also have Oscar and Jasper. I really liked Jasper. His character really showcased how just because he’s a royal, doesn’t mean he’s not human. He makes mistakes, gets in sticky situations, and has feelings just like everyone else. His character wasn’t perfectly polished, but it wasn’t exaggerated in chaos either, which I appreciated.

Oscar’s character didn’t do much for me to be quite honest. I never really formed much of a connection with him and found myself not really caring about him. He wasn’t bad though, so no complaint there.

The 3rd act drama was, in my opinion, unnecessary. I definitely think the story could have skipped that and kept moving. I understand wanting to add a conflict to develop the characters and story. I just really don’t think it was needed. It did put me off a little bit unfortunately.

This story wasn’t really a romance in my opinion. There were some romantic aspects, but it wasn’t the point of the story. There’s nothing wrong with that! I just feel it’s important to know when going in, if you think this is a romance book, it’s not really. I would say it leans more into women’s fiction, as it mostly is following Lauren’s journey.

One thing that I noticed, was that this story was packed with metaphors. The characters would use them at least once every couple pages. That’s not an issue per se, just felt a little redundant.

Anyways! It was a cute story and I did enjoy it regardless of the minor details.

[Abby D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have very mixed feelings about this book because on one hand, how it was described was pretty accurate to how it read, but at the same time, I feel like there should’ve been more to the story.

Lauren is a director of communications who used to work at the White House but after her life is flipped on its head, she finds herself now working for Buckingham Palace. She now has to learn how to navigate life in Buckingham and her relationships with an imperfect duke and a royal reporter.

I think this book leaned too heavily into the romance marketing that it has both in its description and in its Goodreads genre classification. The “romance” is at most a subplot, and even then, it doesn’t feel very high stakes at any point. I was honestly waiting for one of the guys to do something wrong so that it felt more like a difficult choice, but it just never happened, which is fine, but not when the book is being labeled as a romance. It was definitely more of a fiction piece than anything else. It was really heavy on the press director work, and for that reason, I didn’t love it because that isn’t an interest of mine. That doesn’t mean the book wasn’t well written or not interesting, it just didn’t align with my interests. If you are into the royal family or press coverage or anything like that, this book might be for you. It just wasn’t it for me unfortunately.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Joanne Chen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read a bit similar to Red, White, and Royal Blue. The story is well-paced and there are moments where I actually laugh!

However, it drags a bit during the 2/3 of the book. Overall, a solid 3 star read.

[Jensen Potrykus · Rating 3 out of 5]

A closed door, minimally on-page romance for people that care more about royal press coverage than happily ever afters.

Release Date: Feb. 10 2026
Rating: 2.5/5 ⭐️
Things to Know:
• Closed Door "romance"
• 2 separate workplace "romances"
• "Who is she going to choose!"
• Main character needs therapy
• Managing the image of the royal family
• Odd amount of anti-protester rhetoric

I just really cannot find it in myself to care about books that say "romance! workplace romcom!" and then.... have like 2% romance. And not really be funny at all. Trying to put this in the same category as Red, White, & Royal Blue is also wild.

For being the head of communications for the royal family, you would think Lauren would be good at communicating. Well, you would be wrong! She does a really great job of hurting those around her and then throwing herself a pity party for how bad she is at everything.

We end at a place where neither "romance" is really romancing, and the other just gets swept under the rug and I guess we are supposed to pretend that never really happened, because Lauren sure as hell isn't going to actually tell the other man that she was kissing someone else. 😐 She literally goes through a bit of self reflection about how she would be upset if HE was kissing another woman, but then ends that with "oh well! I already did it so what's the point in telling him!" Girl...

The plot kind of jumped all over the place in a messy way. Things feel like they have no stakes at all, seeing as big "this is going to ruin us all" stories never get printed and all the talk of using lower members of the royal family as collateral also just doesn't amount to anything.

I think if you are interested in royalty and how the media covers them, this could be a decently quick read. However, don't expect it to blow you away.

---

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing an eARC of Royal Spin by Omid Scobie and Robin Benway.

[Amanda Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a royal family fanatic and a reader of Scobie’s previous work, I was so excited to get my hands on an advanced copy of this one! I enjoyed this fish-out-of-water story about an American comms specialist taking on a new venture in Buckingham Palace. However, I did find myself getting bored with the story at times and feeling like some loose ends were left untied at the end of the story. Nonetheless, I would definitely recommend this to any fans of the Royal family or books like American Royals or The Royal We.

Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Sophie "Beware Of The Reader" · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
If I had to describe Royal Spin in just one word, it would be entertaining—and I mean that in the best, most indulgent way possible. This book swept me into Lauren’s world of palace drama, political tension, and dangerously charming royals, letting me forget real-life worries for a few delicious hours. Thank you, Little Brown Book Group, for that small miracle.

If you loved Red, White & Royal Blue or binge-watched Netflix’s The Diplomat, this is absolutely your vibe: light, fun, addictive… with just enough stakes to keep your heart rate up.

Lauren has fled Washington after a very public betrayal—her boyfriend and best friend. When Buckingham Palace hires her as their new Head of Communications, she finds herself not only in a foreign country, but plunged into a labyrinth of tradition, protocols, pearl-clutchers… and rogues. Thankfully, she quickly befriends the wonderful Joy (who absolutely steals every scene she’s in).
Soon enough, managing royal crises becomes the least complicated part of Lauren’s life. Between a sharp, persistent royal reporter and a dangerously handsome Duke, she finds herself pulled between two entirely forbidden attractions. And honestly? I couldn’t blame her one bit.

I devoured this book in a few hours and would happily inhale the sequel yesterday, not to mention watch the upcoming show. What made it so compulsively readable?

✨ The banter and friendship with Joy
I am grieving that I cannot quote from the ARC because the Lumière/Cogsworth joke lives rent-free in my head.
✨ The palace staff (aka the chaotic supporting cast)
Harriett the Grim Reaper, pearl-clutching Eugene, young and vibrant Violet… they added a layer of humor and charm that had me laughing out loud.
✨ The love interests
I had a clear favorite (my lips are sealed), but both were swoony enough that I fully understood Lauren’s dilemma.
✨ Insight into palace communications
Crisis management, public perception, rogue royals—this was catnip to my political-drama-loving heart.
✨ Lauren’s personal growth
She enters broken and overwhelmed, yet slowly finds her footing, her voice, and a sense of home.

In short: Royal Spin is pure entertainment—warm, addictive, a little scandalous, and full of heart. And I’m absolutely ready for Lauren’s next chapter.

[Jani Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

England - Present Day

Lauren Morgan has left her job in the White House press office after the man she thought loved her ran off with her best friend. Since they all worked together, Lauren found it impossible to see them every day. And now, she's in London heading to Buckingham Palace to interview for a position on the communications team. She is still pinching herself at this opportunity, and when she is actually hired, Lauren's life changes in so many ways. With the bad press circulating about the Royal Family, as well as the arrival back in England of the newly divorced Duke of Exeter, it will be up to Lauren to smooth things out with the commercial press.

Having met the duke, Lauren is convinced that she can promote him in a way that will show the British public how down-to-earth he can be. She also takes on the London press, learning quickly that things are quite a bit different there than they were in Washington, D.C. It's all about protecting the Royal Family, but also promoting them in a positive way. Can she establish herself in her new position without offending anyone in either Buckingham Palace or the public, who expects a lot from the Royals?

Lauren learns some of the local press tactics when she meets Oscar, a royal reporter. Can she trust him? Who knows? But when someone from her past turns up, life gets a little complicated. Protecting the Royals while facing a personal problem will be challenging.

ROYAL SPIN is an entertaining inside look at a lot of the potential issues that the Royal Family, and those who work for them, have to face every day. Side stepping rumors, and showing the public the good things that the inhabitants of Buckingham Palace do is all part of the job for Lauren. Can she hold on? Don't miss this terrific story.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This contemporary romance offers a behind-the-scenes look at Buckingham Palace through the eyes of Lauren Morgan, an American press officer tasked with rehabilitating the royal family's tarnished image.
Scobie's expertise in royal journalism shines through in the authentic details about palace protocol, media strategy, and the intricate dance between the press and the monarchy. The institutional resistance Lauren faces feels genuine, as does her culture shock navigating British aristocratic traditions. The authors effectively capture the tension between modernizing an ancient institution and respecting centuries of protocol.
Lauren is ambitious, competent, but occasionally overwhelmed by the magnitude of her task and the complex personal relationships she develops.
The novel works best when focusing on Lauren's professional challenges and her efforts to navigate palace politics. The behind-the-scenes glimpses of royal communications strategy will particularly appeal to those who are fascinated by how the monarchy manages its public image. The authors skillfully weave in contemporary issues facing modern monarchies while maintaining the escapist appeal of royal fiction.
The book's exploration of duty versus personal happiness, and American versus British cultural perspectives, adds depth beyond the romantic elements. The palace setting is vividly rendered, making readers feel they're walking the corridors of Buckingham Palace alongside Lauren.

[kailee culpepper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to authors Omid Scobie and Robin Benway and publisher William Morrow for the Royal Spin ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

We follow Lauren as she starts her new job at Buckingham Palace after an impromptu move from the US after a bad break up. While I loved reading about all of the logistics of the career, there really wasn’t much to the romance side, so I’d have a hard time classifying this as a rom-com.

The conflict honestly felt very trivial too, and I think the book was too short for the development that it needed. I think adding some length here could’ve done a lot of the characters some justice in development and more time for a more nuanced and complex conflict. I don’t think a lot of the characters had the proper arc they deserved, but I did enjoy the time we did have. I really didn’t get attached to Oscar, and I think that if we had seen something like them getting together in the beginning and having the conflict surround the difficulties of them dating because of their positions, it would’ve made for a better story and more complexity. Plus… I am sad she didn’t end up with Jasper because they had way better chemistry.

I do think there was an overuse of pop culture references and redundancies that took me out of the story because they felt forced and unnecessary.

Overall, I really enjoyed the insight of the royal reporter life and inside look at royal communications as an American. I think there were lots of insider quips that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise, so I really enjoyed getting to know more about the process!

[Caitlynn Burnaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, adventurous story that reminds you, even in the face of heartbreak, you still have the power to create the life you want to live!

Heartbreak doesn't define you. Setbacks don't have to derail you. Our queen, Lauren, finds herself skipping across the pond to interview for a communications position with the Queen herself. alas she tries to adjust, life keeps throwing twists and turns. Lauren is escaping a bad breakup and bad press - she does her best to remain confident. She's headstrong and brash, yet quick on her feet.

I loved watching Lauren rediscover her spark, make friends, and win over grumpy coworkers. She begins to change palace life for the better. Her determination and resilience are so fun to cheer for. The romance, however, left me a little frustrated at times. Still, readers who enjoy a bit of slow-burn and tension mixed with self-discovery will enjoy connecting with it.

The writing is so clear and easy to follow - I was swept away in the adventure of moving continents, accepting a job on a whim, and the thrill of new romance. This mixes royal charm with themes of personal growth - and of you're needing the inspiration to rediscover your own zest for life, this is the book for you!

Thank you to William Morrow publishing, authors Scobie and Benway, and NetGalley for access to the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[tinny]

another early dnf but it was kinda on me for expecting a far more historically conscious depiction of the setting (of the literal royal family of THE enslaving ass british empire…like idk what i was expecting) but this office-romance style didnt really work for me personally or flow well enough for me to be invested either

also like i hate to be nitpicky about how we arrive to the actual stakes of the story but the fact that:

1) lauren came from the literal white house was kinda wild and did not exactly make me consider her as competent as the narrative would like us all to believe nor did her hiring scene which actually did the opposite

2) she kept making the strangest comments about her mom giving her regular worried mom advice despite the fact that she works for the CDC and was saying completely normal things like “remember to use hand sanitizer” (…also like Sure that’s how your mom who works at the CDC acts) 3) was generally kinda unfunny and boring even despite the amount of pop culture references infused in like everything about her inner monologue for some reason

3) i was pretty early on the dnf so it’s possible their slow burns are one for the ages but i just did not care for her love interests really at all so i couldnt see myself routing for even one romance let alone being giving the option of two

i know the author actually worked w the royal family so its clear that theres A realistic angle to the crisis management backdrop of their “office” but that also just felt so odd and kinda just like thinly veiled references at (what i hoped wouldve been a more in depth analysis of) the reality of the royal family but in the most surface level, simply referential way like idk “oh no a royal was racist and we have to cover it up!” is just such a difficult sell if you’re not coming to me with actual olivia pope from scandal energy but like idk this all just ended up feeling like white people working for racist white people going “gosh can you believe this? racism…in my british empire?!”

ultimately i’m sure there’s a way to read this and not really notice or care about any of this so i acknowledge it’s simply not for me but i am bummed that i imagined a better experience for myself

thank you nonetheless to netgalley and william morrow for this arc to review!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

BP—better known as Buckingham Palace—is quite an intimidating location for a job interview. At twenty-eight years old, American Lauren Morgan is determined to rebrand herself as far away from The White House as possible. After six years of grit and determination in D.C., she was ousted with a broken heart, as her ex-love and ex-bestie became the “it” couple of the moment. After accepting the position of Director of Communications, Lauren quickly learns the palace is more chaotic than she ever imagined. She must master the protocols and British lingo as she navigates these halls of history, protecting the royals and their honor—no matter the cost. Her quick-witted team is busy determining how she takes her tea and biscuits, and Lauren falls for a feisty, very handsome journalist named Oscar, and when they’re off the record, their flirting certainly sizzles. Throw in a sexy Duke who’s a hot mess and a world where news travels at lightning speed, and you have a laugh-out-loud British romcom you absolutely won’t be able to put down! This well-paced, enjoyable novel (it reminded me of The Royal We) makes it no surprise this co-authored gem is already heading to the big screen—proof that when two writers click, the spark on the page can be downright cinematic. This five star read releases in February. Get your TBR ready!! Thanks to netgalley for the early peek!!

[Szilvi_Tamas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always admired Omid Scobie for his honest, fearless storytelling as a journalist. He never shied away from hard truths, and I’ve appreciated how consistently unbiased he’s remained. So when I heard he was writing fiction, I was really curious — and ’Royal Spin’ didn’t disappoint.

The story follows Lauren, a former White House employee who starts a new job at Buckingham Palace. It’s completely fictional, of course, but Scobie’s deep understanding of royal life, royal rota and what happens behind the scenes really shines through. With Robin Benway as co-writer, her experience in the new adult genre helps shape the tone and character of the book.

I’ll admit, it was hard at first to separate the story from real royal drama — especially now, with Andrew (formerly Prince and close friend of Epstein) back in the news for all the wrong reasons. But once I let go of that and took the book as fiction, I found myself really enjoying it. It’s well written, full of little insights, and has that mix of glamour, tension, and romance that keeps you turning the pages.

By the end, I was totally invested in Lauren’s journey. I can easily see this story translating beautifully to screen — and yes, I’m definitely going to watch the series when it comes out!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren leaves her White House job in D.C. after discovering her longtime boyfriend’s affair with her best friend. Lonely and disillusioned, she crosses the pond to take a position at Buckingham Palace, working with the royal family. Between balancing her new career, a charming reporter, and an elusive Duke, Lauren struggles to stitch her life back together while still falling apart in unexpected ways.

This book leans more toward women’s fiction than straight romance, and I was here for it. While her relationships with Oscar and Jasper often take center stage, the real story is Lauren herself, and the authors do a great job showing how messy, complicated, and beautiful life can be. The ending honestly surprised me (in a good way, I think!). It was refreshingly realistic, even if my own royal-loving tendencies would have taken things in a far more unrealistic direction.

All in all, this was a quick, engaging read about a woman with a high-profile job, a fun personality, and a messy past, trying to rebuild her life in a new world. Definitely recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Elvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Royal Spin is a lovely little low stakes romance that manages to check all the right boxes. Scobie has created a universe that feels familiar in setting while being fully unique in execution.

I love a lighthearted quick read at the end of the day and this definitely fit. Lauren is a likable main character who makes mistakes that feel realistic without being too heavy for the tone of the story.

The timeline is a bit rushed - I’m still unsure how the Duke ended up in Singapore so quickly, but otherwise the pacing is well done for a book that’s only around 250 pages.

While the length of the book doesn’t allow for extensive plot development, Lauren, Oscar, and the Duke all feel charming enough to make for a good read.

If you’re looking for a cute romance that’s a little cheesy, a bit flirty, and that manages to be set in politics without feeling at all related to the current political landscape, you might enjoy this one.

Thank you to William Morrow Books for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren was a rising star in the White House press office until her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend and she lost her focus. After some time off, she accepts a job with Buckingham Palace communications. Lauren is finally getting her bearings at work and is even getting friendly with a charming reporter (and maybe also with a dashing duke) when some dirt from her past is dug up and a leak is threatened. Will this throw Lauren off track too?

Ultimately, I’d round up to 3.5 ⭐️. With a royal biographer and journalist as the author, this book was filled with behind the scenes palace details which I loved. I also appreciated Lauren’s feisty personality and her relationship with Joy. The ending felt abrupt and incomplete and I wanted more of the Duke and less of Oscar 🤣. I can’t be the only one. Give the people what they want in a royal romance!! There is so much potential for a sequel or even a spin off with Joy’s story. I’m here for either or both!

Thank you to Net Galley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read and review Royal Spin. Check it out on February 10!

[Alison T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren catches her long-term boyfriend cheating on her with her best friend. Her boss asks her to take a leave from her job at the White House because they all work together and she isn’t handling it well. So, she sits at home in a messy state. That is until she gets a call to interview for her next job… as Communications Director at Buckingham Palace. This is where the story of The Royal Spin begins.
Lauren takes a chance and jumps across the pond to start fresh. The novel shares her successes and challenges with heartbreak and humor, allowing me to fully engage with the story. I loved Lauren and her relationship with her new friend Joy!
There were enough characters to keep the story entertaining, and the details about the Palace were both interesting and intriguing. I think this is because of Omid Scobie’s prior work following the Royal family.
At times, you have to suspend disbelief with this story, but I was happy to do so as the book was quite charming.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Maria Piedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the premise, the book had a few really great moments and others that just fell flat. A more accurate rating is 3.75/5. I enjoyed our protagonist's journey, but ultimately, I wished we had delved more into her issues rather than quickly moving on. I have a similar complaint about our love interests; at times, it felt hard to root for either of them. The reader is only given surface-level connection between Lauren and either protagonist. I think Lauren's friendship with Joy was a highlight of the book, as a beautifully and accurately depicted female friendship. As an American, I can't vouch for the accuracy of the British monarchy, but I thought it was a fun setting for our story. Overall, I would recommend this book as a classic rom-com with a fun twist. As an American, I can't vouch for the accuracy of the British monarchy, but I thought it was a fun setting for our story.

[Vans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will be honest and say that I've never given any real thought to the royal family outside of seeing Her Majesty on all my coins growing up, but the thought of a Royal Romance written by someone who specialises in Royal Family Matters sounded great!

Spoilers ahoy!

I kind of feel like I got bait and switched? She kissed the Duke (whose only qualities are being Hot and Bankrupt) ONCE, and the rest of the lackluster romance was with a journalist named Oscar (who for some reason I pictured as David Krumholtz) who had less personality than even the duke!

Similarly, the work troubles the blurb hinted at Lauren having were...not a big deal? This felt like 320 pages of barely any plot, but it was an easy, fun read all the same. I never once doubted Lauren's ability to handle her new job duties, even if the romance fell incredibly flat.

Thank you to author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Catherine B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a lighter, easier read for the holiday season, which is exactly what I found in Royal Spin. As someone who doesn't read much romance, I appreciated the balance of Lauren's new job and friendships in London and her romantic plot. The characters were largely likable (one of my main concerns going into any romance). I also loved how the loss of her ex-BFF is mentioned nearly as often as her ex-boyfriend and treated as an equally serious wound emotionally.

I did notice a lot of specific, current cultural references, some of which probably won't age well. The most annoying references were to AI; If this wasn't an ARC, I 100% would have stopped reading when the protagonist mentions asking ChatGPT a question.

I received this ebook for free via Netgalley. This review is my honest opinion. Royal Spin releases on February 10th, 2026.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very interested in the premise of this book and excited to see some “behind the scenes” looks at the royal family. I definitely don’t keep up with the royals but certainly know some about the family and the press around them.

The book started off very strong and I thought it was a great blend of what palace life might actually be like and a fictional story. While the entire book did mostly keep my attention I think it lost itself a little bit in the middle. It was hard to tell if this was an insider look at high level government operations or if this was a rom com. And honestly both sides of the story were interesting there just wasn’t quite enough of either.

That being said I did want to keep reading and I would look forward to reading works by either of these authors again!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC!

[Krista H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC!

I really enjoyed The Royal Spin by Omid Scobie and Robin Benway. Lauren leaves her White House job after discovering her best friend’s affair with her boyfriend. She decides she needs a drastic change, and after successfully navigating an interview full of red flags, she is offered a position as the acting director of communications at Buckingham Palace.

Lauren is a fish-out-of-water as an American working in communications with the Royal family. Her colleagues are mistrustful of her ideas at first, but she soldiers on, confident in her approach and eventually wins their approval and respect. I love that this story focuses on Lauren re-building her self-confidence in her career and developing her friendships with Joy and Una. The romance is sweet and supportive, with relatively low angst, which helps Lauren to solidify her new position. There is a bit of drama surrounding Lauren’s family and a possible romantic dalliance with a Royal family member to create the “third-act breakup” for this story, which resolves satisfyingly.

This story has humor, heart, and a bit of mess that kept me entertained throughout. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a redemption story with a strong female lead.

[Carey’s Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars! So this was a good book but not really a rom-com. I didn’t get the romance at all. It felt more like a description of the work life of a woman who worked at the White House & now works at Buckingham Palace. The main character is Lauren & she was likable. I wouldn’t say there is a main male character, more like 2 secondary male characters, Jasper & Oscar. I liked both of them and it was hard to pick which one I was rooting for. It’s more a book about a woman readjusting to starting her life over in a new country with new coworkers and friends. Still a decent book that I enjoyed reading, just not what I was expecting. I’d definitely check out future works by the authors.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*