Logan Crowne needs one year from Ella.Twelve months living in his house, holding his hand, wearing his ring on her finger, and in exchange, she’ll get her father’s company in the divorce settlement.They have one year to convince his skeptical parents that they’re happily in love, and he’s settled enough to run Crowne Industries.Ella wants the company badly enough to live with a man who will never … who will never love her. She’ll sleep in his room and kiss him for show.
Her heart may melt whenever he’s around, and his touch may ignite a fire inside her, but surrender will break her heart.
She’s sure she can last a year without giving him her body.
She’s wrong.
more
Crowne of Lies is the second book that has been published for this family, they are standalone that you do not have to read in any order. I have to be honest, I did not think I would like this one as much as I did the first book Iron Crowne but I did, and in fact, I like them both equally just in different ways.
Logan and Ella are a different set of characters. They knew each other in high school but it has years since they have seen each other but both of them are in need of something. For both of their dreams to happen, they are going to have to do something that they don’t really want to do.
While Logan and Ella are in the middle of a love story neither of them sees everyone else sees it. Logan is selfish and like a child when it comes to love and relationships. It takes Ella to make him see that not everything can be about him.
C.D writes stories that are so real life that time just standstills while you are reading. I am in love with this family and am excited to see where C.D. takes us.
I am so in awe of CD Reiss’ unrivaled talent. Her words hold me captive book after book. Crowne of Lies is sexy and serious, with a vein of humor that had me smiling. This story, a marriage of convenience between an unlikely pair, could have gone down the path of a hundred other books.
What makes this book different is the characters and their arc through the story. Logan and Ella have been crafted with care, with less than perfect lives and real life challenges. I loved them, flaws and all, and fiercely rooted for a happily ever after. Kudos to Ms Reiss for another 5 star read!
AHHHH!! CD Reiss did it again. Crowne of Lies was an amazing blockbuster that took my breath away. If you are a fan of marriage of convenience stories, then this is for you!! Logan and Ella were so fiery and their banter was explosive. I loved this story so much!! This is one of the best stories I have read from Reiss!!
After reading the amazing Iron Crowne I was so intrigued about Logan’s story. I needed to read the story and meet the woman that brought this powerful man to his knees. His steadfast and sole focus on the family business wavered however when Ella entered his life. I love how she was his gamechanger and how pivotal she became to him. What he figured would be a marriage of convenience was anything but!! I loved the passion in this story and how we saw different facets to Logan in this book from the prior book in the series.
Overall this story was emotional, powerful, sexy and so addicting. This is another win from Reiss and I for one can not wait for more from her in the future!! Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula
A dizzying tale of love, which will make anyone a believer by the last page. Hopeful and uplifting, This book is custom fit for romance lovers. It tied up my stomach in knots, made me giddy with excitement and managed to squeeze tears of sympathy for the couple.
“Biggest lie ever told for the two biggest lie-tellers ever.”
I love Ass-Backwards stories of fake marriages, where tension and stress strings stretch taut, and almost definitely we know the couple will be in a quandary when real feelings seep in to make a mess. I always feel like a smug reader with a I told you so shit- eating grin by the end of the story.
Pick up any book by Reiss and you’re guaranteed that elusive Tingle.
“Let’s hurt each other. Let’s hurt each other so bad we walk out of this thing on broken legs, screaming in pain. When it’s over, I want to be praying for death and wishing I could do it all over agaiN”
See what I mean, it’s going to be raw and hard, chafing and hurting but it’s going to feel so good!
When these two faves of mine meet, I’m in for a delightful treat that makes me giddy with excitement. Reiss knows how to make the tropes her own. She gives new meaning to the age old, possessive claim of alphas, that fall flat in other books, but acquire a new dimension and depth in her skilled hands.
When swoon-worthy Logan Crowne says to Estella Papillion “Mine,” he said, closing his eyes. “You’re mine.”
He MEANS IT. It’s not just words lifting like plumes of smoke and drifting in the air, vanishing seconds after utterance.
They transfer from Logan’s mouth, poured into Ella’s heart, with a stopover in mine. It’s not a simple claim, it’s an surprising exclamation and then acceptance. Very momentous occasion in their relationship.
Ella is talented protégé of Papillion legacy, frustrated, vengeful and trapped. I think add clueless and misguided in her anger too. It often triggers her rebellion, making her reckless.
She has to cross paths with Logan Crowne, it’s not per chance encounter. It’s sought out meticulously and deliberately by him, complete with cut and dry contract & black and white clauses.
“our contract was built on known lies and unknowable truths.”
He’s suave, sharp and competitive, any woman would jump at the chance to be the one to occupy his home, with slippers by the door and open her legs for him in bed.
It befalls upon ella to make him wear Santa Fuzzy socks and transfer some of her warmth to him.
As is predicted, it gets super emotional, super fast and both get super confused. Regular chants of It means nothing becomes their daily mantra, but somehow bodies block out that as noise, skin igniting in each others proximity. Its getting hot in here folks!!
“I was in a tunnel, and he was the oncoming train. He’d crush me or he’d put on the brakes. I was too deep in the shaft to run.”
Christine has embellished it with multi faceted crystals, In rainbow of emotions.
I want to see that bejeweled GAC wall,I wanna wear Papillion vintage gown, I wanna sit on the roof of the building, spray paint the billboard and then I want to be kissed and owned by Logan.
Naughty was the wrong word for Logan. He was a completely and wonderfully debauched demon.
He makes my heart jump a beat, my knees go weak and skin flush.
Ella is a warrior without weapons. A princess who needed a champion.
I aspire to be her- genuine, authentic and pristine.
Christine has created this Crowne stead full of iron willed men who love completely, rule ruthlessly and support unconditionally. In short Perfect Men
This series will keep on giving, I’ll be counting days till the next one.
5 stars for Puppy dogs who grew up to be pack horses
5 LOGAN AND ELLA STARS!! I was waiting for Logan’s story and it was PERFECTION! Logan and Ella are fun to watch with their banter, sexiness and love. These two have a few things to work through from lies, marriage and family issues. You will enjoy their story, so sit back with a drink and listen to what they have to tell you.
I really enjoyed this book. I love the Crowne family. This is Logan Crowne’s and Estrella Papillon’s story. Great story and characters with depth. It’s a contract marriage for two totally different people to ultimately benefit both parties’ goals in the end. There aren’t supposed to be any feelings involved, just a show, a pretense, when in public and around family. Both think they are wrong for each other, total opposites; he’s controlled, orderly, works 24/7 while she’s more chaos, artistic, free spirit, spur of the moment. Neither realizes it, but both have been living lies, thinking they want one thing but really wanting, needing something else. In the end they get what they want, but not in the way they contracted.
It’s their past, the things they believe, things misunderstood or perceived wrongly, even lies they’d been told, secrets hidden, that made them who they thought they were, needed to be. But the biggest lie, their not real marriage, is going to change them both and make them realize what’s important, what they really want and who they really are. Along the way are some funny moments and some sad ones, some tender moments and some angry ones, some of confidence and some of insecurities and doubt, some cold shoulder and some hot sex. All of which leads to pieces of themselves being broken apart, truths discovered and secrets revealed, which shatters them completely allowing them to put themselves back together in a way that is more true to themselves and each other.
I was all set to give this 4 stars, until their lie, the contract marriage, is revealed. What happens after that had my heart breaking for them and then ultimately crying tears of joy for them. In the end, I had to give it 5 Stars!
There’s a link to a free shorty offered in this one that tells brother Byron’s story (he’s already married in this one). Also, a second epilogue in this book leaves you with a lead-in to Dante Crowne’s and Mandy’s story (Crowne Rules) which is next in line, and now I can’t wait to read that one.
Fantastic series!
I loved this book, and could not put it down. Ella is a fantastic heroine with quite the character arc and Logan proves to be hotter than I expected him to be. If you like the Marriage of Convenience trope, this book is definitely for you.
This is shaping up to be a great series. This is the second book of the Crowne brothers series. After. Byron Crowne–intended successor to lead Crowne Industries–finds his own success outside the family business, Logan is waiting for official word of his appointment of CEO. He went to school to study business, put in the long hours to show his father he was the only choice. Before handing Logan the keys to the corner office, Ted issues Logan the challenge to find love, and not focus so much on making CEO of Crowne Industries. He asks Byron to take charge again, while Logan takes time off to enjoy life. Once he settles down and has a partner in life, Ted will appoint him CEO. This infuriates workaholic Logan to no end. He doesn’t want or need a wife, but if he’s going to run Crowne Industries, he needs to find one.
Ella, heiress to the Pappillon fashion house, the one her wicked stepmother has taken the reigns after her father’s passing. Making changes to her beloved father’s company, Ella feels Bianca is ruining her father’s company, reputation, and replacing his high-end couture with adolescent garbage. If she only had the money to get the company away from her scheming stepmother, things would be good again. When Logan approaches her with an offer that will help them both achieve their goals, a deal is made.
With a surprise wedding to announce to his family, Logan introduces Ella as his new bride. The family is surprised, but Logan is determined to make it through his “marriage” so he can be back in the Crowne C-suite. Ella can’t wait to kick her stepmother out of her father’s company. Being married to a Crowne has plenty of perks. What neither of them expect is the strong chemistry between them. But they can fight it, right? WRONG!!
I loved this opposites attract thing going between Logan and Ella. By learning so much about each other, it forces them to realize some truths about themselves they neede to confront and conquer. This marriage becomes a soul-searching journey that neither of them expected. There are some issues other than theirs going on, which plays into Logan and Ella’s issues. I loved the searing heat between Logan and Ella, wish there was more. Thanks for that, Christine.
The catchup with the rest of the Crowne family is great. Can’t wait for Dante’s story.
Another great read by CD Reiss. Logan and Ella enter into their marriage with a contract and no feelings. Well except for that spark that ignited into an inferno. Almost derailed by family they finally get their HEA.
Logan Crowne had been looking after the family business for a few years now, he was devoted to it, the business was his life, his wife one could say. His parents thought he needed to step away, bring his personal life back into focus, get himself into a relationship and get married. Logan saw this as a threat one could say, slow down, get a life, get a wife or lose the helm of the family business. Logan would tell you he wanted all those things but he also worked probably 20 of the 24 hours in each day. So in order to do that he had to hurry the “marriage thing” along.
Ella Papillion’s father was a design master! His clothing designs were coveted by all the big names in society. However, first Ella’s mother passes away, so her father needed someone else to run the business, enter her stepmother. Not long after her father passes away, leaving the business in the hands of her stepmother. His last words to Ella, “my name is your responsibility now,” so she stayed at the company, even when it was evident her stepmother was trying to get rid of her.
Logan and Ella knew each other from school and had lost touch. You could say they were on a collision course, he wanted the helm of Crowne Industries and Ella wanted to save her fathers design house. An agreement is reached, two totally opposite people marry for a year and they get what they want! It’s all business and cut and dry right; or is it?
Can they make this one year scheme work? Will they get what they are both after of will it be messy and end badly. Oh there is an attraction, a steaming hot dirty sexual attraction between them, but a sexual attraction can’t be enough for them. There has to be some kind of respect for the other person, being open to discussing things during the year, compromising when something needs to be compromised on. Do Logan and Ella have the ability to do what has to be done to make it through that year or will one of them break and in doing that end the contract early?
CD Reiss has given us a story of two people who might look good in a picture but both of them have demons and hurt that could be insurmountable. This ride is bumpy, it is messy, it is crazy and it has one year to work itself out.
When I finished reading Iron Crowne, I wasn’t sure I wanted to read Logan’s book. He was just a little too desperate and a little too narrow minded. Just my opinion, of course. I did enjoy the interactions between he and Bryon in Iron Crowne. Like two little boys constantly trying to one up the other. It was cute.
Now that I finished Crowne of Lies, I have done a 360 on Logan. He just needed Ella to complete the puzzle. I enjoy billionaire romance and marriage of convenience stories. A plot doesn’t necessarily have to be believable for me to enjoy it. Sometimes the implausible plots are the best ones to escape the unfortunate reality of every day life. Ella is artsy and creative and a free spirit. True case of opposites attract.
I have two things that bother me a little bit but aren’t deal breakers. I can’t quite figure out the dynamics of the Crowne family and it bothers me. All I think I know for certain is Byron is the oldest and Lyric is the baby. I guess I’ll have to be patient to figure out the others and their story. Ugh.
My other issue is sometimes I felt like I missed a step or missed a point or something somewhere along the way. Several times, I had to go back and reread a few pages or chapters because something didn’t feel right to me. Like some detail was missing. It could just be me because I had the same problem with Bryon’s book.
I’m a little late to the CD Reiss fan club but I’m a card carrying member now.
I was blown away by the writing and storytelling of this book, then add on narration by Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell and f*cking wow! I’m officially obsessed! The dialogue. The play of power and truth. Scorching sex scenes. Just, wow. Highly recommend!
Crowne of Lies is the second book in this stand alone but interconnected series. This time, we have the story of the other Crowne brother, Logan.
If you had followed this series, then you would have a glimpse of Logan on the first book. What I loved about it, is that this is a marriage of convenience trope, and definitely one that I like. The tension and chemistry between Logan and Ella is everything that I’m expecting for this trope and more. Overall, another must read and recommends to fans of the author.
Logan Crowne needs one year from Ella. Twelve months living in his house, holding his hand, wearing his ring on her finger, and in exchange, shell get her fathers company in the divorce settlement. Loved it as usual Reiss gives us a story line full of angst and hot sex and a pair of characters with an emotional depth that goes deeper than you expect. The story line was a page turner although the female character did get annoying at times to the point where you wanted to screem into the book “Just chill out and stop acting like a brat lol”. All over this was a great read.
Logan Crowne is CEO of Crown and has been given an ultimatum by his father he must get married
to continue to be CEO. His father puts his brother in charge of the company and tells Logan to
take time off and find a wife. Ella Papillon working at her fathers designer dress company wants
nothing more then to be in charge instead of her stepmother who inherited the company on the
death of her father. Logan and Ella make a deal to be married for 1 year so they can each achieve
what they want. Logan agrees to buy up the stock of Papillon designs so Ella can own the company and take charge. From the get go Logan is intrigued with Ella, an alpha heroine who makes her
own rules. Logan an alpha hero is taken with Ella and together they agree to this arrangement with them both getting what they want with a no strings attachment just a contracted marriage and it ends in 1 year. The arrangement changes both of their perspectives
on love and life. The story shows the struggle of two people living together as a married couple to the outside world. But living a lie is not easy for Logan or Ella. What the story tells me is
what you think you want and what you really yearn for in life is not always the same thing.
I love the angst and banter between Ella and Logan. Another winner by C D Reiss.
I really enjoyed this book. Fake marriage changes them both and what seems unattainable is right there before then. Lies and mistakes almost cost them the one thing they truly want. To be married to each other. Why? Not for their original intent at all. Something far more genuine and fulfilling than they ever dreamed of together.
Loved the narrators!
First things first before I even opened this book to read it, I lovingly stared at the cover. It’s unquestionably BEAUTIFUL…
Now, onto the book. I have read many “marriages of convenience” and fake marriage books, and I enjoy them, hence why I read this book. CD Reiss has a bit of a different way of doing this trope, and I utterly loved it.
I, unfortunately, didn’t read the first book in this series (but it’s okay I was okay reading this), but I want to go back and read it so darn my TBR list is never going to end.
The relationship between Logan and Ella…a slow burn romance for sure. The angst of the back and forth, the pull between these two was tremendous. I enjoyed watching these two grow as individuals, and as a couple. They may not be the perfect couple on paper, but as they get to know each other – it seems that just maybe they are meant to be.
I loved seeing Logan a bit vulnerable, seeing that what he was doing to Ella wasn’t kind and wanting to change that – all while being a strong alpha male! Ella was such a nice person who has a bit of a metamorphosis during the book (yes – like a butterfly – wink wink), and I loved seeing her come into her own.
Be prepared for a slow burn that once ignites is holy moly H.O.T., but you know that’s what we get from CD Reiss, and she did it exceptionally well with Crowne of Lies.
4 Stars
Review by Lisa
Late Night Support Group
Up All Night With Books Blog
Crown of Lies by CD Reiss is one of those stories of opposite attracts, trailing the lines of a cinderella story but all is not what is believed. A romance story that starts off as an arrangement that will help each of them get what they want in return. But when the chemistry is jumping off the pages and the connection is on fire between the characters, CD Reiss delivers on a great story.
Logan has taken over the family business. It’s all he wants. But when his parents flip his world upside down and take control away from and give it to his brother, things can spiral out of control.
Ella only wants to continue to make her passed father’s memory and name alive. But when the evil stepmother makes some moves and pushes Ella to the side, things can start to fall apart at the seams.
When a mutual friend has Ella and Logan making an arrangement who would know what was about to unfold. Love, hate, family, drama, finding oneself and all that fun and not so fun stuff in between.
Great wording, easy to read, the story just flows right through that you will not want to put it down.
CD Reiss has written another fabulous story with Logan and Ella. Logan being the reluctant bachelor who is being forced into something he didn’t think he wanted. Ella was the perfect counterpart for him and opposite from him. Their story is fantastic, the steam is over the top hot and all just comes together perfectly. This story providers the perfect amount of pull and I loved how Ella was such a strong independent force and kept true to her identity when she could. My heart pulled for her during this whole read as I found her character to be so easy to relate to.