With the paparazzi hot on her heels, Mandy Bettencourt is desperate for a place to hide, and her best friend has just the place.It’s perfect. No Internet. No phone. A deep bathtub she’s soaking in when HE shows up.Her best friend’s brother, Dante Crowne. Rich as a cardinal sin and handsome enough to piss off the devil. A man with a reputation for unforgettable bedroom games. Mandy got an early … got an early taste of them in high school–for seven minutes in a closet. She can tell you, the rumors are all true.
Dante knows he’s got a reputation for a lot of things, including a love of solitude.
But there’s a beautiful socialite in his bathtub, and the memory of those seven minutes isn’t inspiring him to kick her out.
So he offers her a deal.
If she wants to stay, she has to work.
If she makes a mistake, she’s corrected with pink hand marks on her backside.
That’s the deal.
Beg for it or leave it.
He’s surprised when she gets on her knees, and he’s even more surprised when she likes the punishment.
The most shocking thing, though, is how much he’s starting to like her.
They can’t stay in paradise forever.
Los Angeles awaits.
But an old nemesis sets his sights on tearing them apart, and Dante may be the one left begging.
—
Crowne Rules is a complete STANDALONE. You don’t have to read any of the Crowne Brothers books to pick this up, but you might want to once you’re done with Dante.
more
Another great book in the Crowne series. Watching Mandy and Dante grow together as a couple was really amazing to see. Dante was so sure of himself but Mandy showed he so much of what he thought was not the real him. Mandy thought she had to become a stronger version of herself and Dante showed her she already was couture Mandy, she just needed to have an outlet to show her. This is a couple who without a doubt bring the light out in each other!
This Crowne Ruled Me!
There is no question that C. D. Reiss writes with the touch of a master. I have never been disappointed in any book I have read by her. This book is another notch in her repertoire of brilliant works. And as such, my comments are not so much a review, but more a small exposition of my thoughts and delights in her juxtapositions, word play and capture of multidimensional characters.
The plot for this story is really quite simple and bare bones. All the tension that keeps the reader on tether hooks and turning the pages occurs between the two main characters, Dante and Mandy.
The brilliance of a wildly creative sexual mastermind with meticulous detail to setting the stage while engaging all the senses of the reader is the alchemy in crafting a story our author wields in her pen. The main characters are broken, sexy, stubborn, attracted to each other but do not want to be and enjoy sexual games.
It seems as if I’m describing any number of books written by any number of authors. But no. In this book the emotional mess is believable and relatable. The shifts in thinking and action surprising and believable. The epiphanies are thought through and believable. The therapeutic pleasure/pain power exchange in the sexy BDSM play is believable. I suppose what I am getting at is these complicated dramatic characters are written so well they are believable and they satisfyingly hold our interest and carry the story. They are the story.
And there is more, because Ms. Reiss is an artist there is woven on the narrative lovely metaphor and symbolism. It was particularly poignant to me when Mandy was inspecting the crawlspace in the attic while Dante walked the roof. When you read this, I’m certain you will notice how this mundane event leads to a significant epiphany for Mandy.
Lastly, I sometimes think reading Ms. Reiss’ sex scenes are dangerous. They are so intensely hot, cunningly creative, relentlessly arousing…makes a woman think where are these men who can make you feel like this? At least we know, we will always find one in the pages of a C.D. Reiss book!
@kosaimgmg81
All I can say about Crowne Rules and Dante Crowne in particular is OMG WOW!!! This book was fantastic! I thought C.D. Reiss had knocked it out of the park with Bryon Crowne in Iron Crowne, but then she wrote Logan Crowne’s story in Crowne of Lies, and I said nope, no way does it get better than Logan Crowne, but now we have Dante Crowne…and yes, it gets better. These Crowne brothers are the epitome of alpha male billionaire, but then they meet that one particular woman who they never saw coming who knocks them off their feet. I absolutely loved each brother’s story, but Dante’s story and Dante himself worked a special place into my heart.
Dante is the dark sheep of the family and is the owner of numerous world renowned upscale clubs. He is the only one of the brothers that has never worked in the family business. Dante is very controlled, and he has many secrets and demons that haunt him that he does not share with anyone. He is such a complex and multilayered character that you just want to break down all of his walls and give him a big old hug. Dante decides that he needs to go the Crowne’s family cabin, which is small and off the beaten path, to regroup. However, here comes Amanda aka Mandy Bettencourt, Logan’s best friend. Mandy Bettencourt is a socialite and designer, who currently is going through an extremely challenging time in her life after having made a very bad decision, and has been given access to the Crowne family cabin by Logan so that she can recover and reimagine her life and business.
Crowne Rules is so good, because Dante and Mandy, although they are opposites, are absolutely perfect together. Dante and Mandy through their evolution and growth bring out the absolute best in each other. These two have carried a smoldering flame for each other since high school, but have refused to act on it or even really interacted with each other unless they were required to. Dante helps Mandy finally and truly establish herself as a couture designer and helps her discover her real inner self, and Mandy helps Dante tear down those walls and to finally lose that tight reign of control of his. She is his provocation.
What an amazing story crafted by C.D. Reiss. To see two people such as Dante and Mandy truly learn what is to truly love another person and to truly have another person love you was such a joy to read. C.D. Reiss is a brilliant writer, who has the ability to draw her readers in from the moment they open the book with her gritty and direct writing style. Her characters are always so complex, multidimensional, and sexy, and the chemistry between her characters is downright dirty and smoldering. Crowne Rules is no different. Crowne Rules is a great addition to the Crowne brothers series. If you have not read this series yet…get to it!! Bravo, C.D. Reiss on yet another great book.
Dante for the win! I can’t believe I am going to say this but seriously Dante is my favorite of the Crowne men. Sorry, not sorry. They are all sexy, take charge and let’s say slightly damaged in their own way. However, Dante melted my heart and panties simultaneously. I knew he had secrets and that past still weighed heavy. It has shaped him as a man and lover. His dark, gritty side is unexpected yet everything.
Amanda is vulnerable when these two cross paths. She is unique, smart, talented and beautiful. Has made some questionable choices in men leaving her hurt and embarrassed. The chemistry between these two is fantastic. Their backstory is life! Whistles…well done CD Reiss – so brilliant! Reading Dante & Amanda navigate their time together in the cabin is wicked hot. As the rest of their story unfolds I was on the edge of my seat. Will these two realize what they share?
So, so good! If you are new to this authors work – do not hesitate! She is incredibly talented and writes so beautifully. She is one of my one clicks without having to read her blurb.
So I’ve read all of the Crowne family books and I have to say that Dantes story has been my favorite by far. A dominant man with a huge heart for the right person. We met Mandy previously and I wasn’t sure how I was going to like her but reading her story I grew to love her. Overall I really enjoyed this book.
Best book of the series! Hands down.
Honestly, I wasn’t too impressed with Mandy in the previous books, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from her. But she won me over with her sass and strength. How she realized what she wants and needs, and refuses to take anything less.
Dante is a dirty-talking, domineering a**hole. But he’s so much more than that. It takes a girl who he thought he knew and despised but ended up being exactly what he needed for him realize he’s been living a half-life.
Watching their transformations in this book was amazing. I always love when two people-seemingly incompatible-come together and become better versions of themselves.
CD Reiss has delivered another fantastic read and I would highly recommend you read this book!
Dante is now my favorite Crowne brother. He’s sexy and dirty AF! The chemistry between him and Mandy is scorching hot! And the epilogue was perfection.
This is the third in the series and one simply remarkable one, I definitely enjoy reading them all, Dante and Amanda´s story is seriously one you don’t want to miss, their connection and chemistry was off the charts. Full of angst, steam, and the secrets you want to find answers to, then make this another must-read book and series. CD Reis is one author you need to follow.
This book set my kindle app on fire, boy was it hot and amazing! I couldn’t put it down, Miss Reiss did it again!
What can I say about Dante…..
His story was beautiful, the things he went through, how that mold him into a rough and lonely adult.
It was beautiful to see how he realized that he needed to change and be brave enough to go for it and therefore go for the unpredictable trouble woman he didn’t realize he love.
The heat level on this one is HAWT, very hot.
Dante can sure bring it on as a Dom and Mandy can stand to him like a champ and bring this beautiful Dom to his knees.
The queen has done it again! How does each book get even better than the last one? I was sure Byron was my guy, but I have quickly done a 180 and ran face first into Dante the hot blooded, dirty talking dom. Fans faces………fans face again! Where’s the circulating fan as a matter of fact?
Danta and Mandy, oops I’m sorry, Amanda, are a very hot commodity. These two ignited my kindle beyond reason. The scenes were electric and encompassing. Both Dante and Mandy had issues they were running from, but they found their haven in each other.
Another edge of you seat, face fanning rather hot story not to be missed.
Pam
Dante is WOW! Holy hotness! He is such a swoony alpha male!! The heat between him and Mandy was combustible!! I devoured this book and couldn’t get enough of it!! CD Reiss always delivers!!
Holy mother of hotness! This author has a way with creating stories that capture your attention with flawless storytelling and raises the hotness factor to the umph degree!
This is book 3 in the Crowne Brothers series and it can certainly be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
This book was seductive intense and totally unputdownable. The story of Dante and Amanda starts easy enough. Dante needs a live in assistant and Amanda needs a job. Seems simple enough…right?
Wrong!
Both have secrets, and flaws that when they start living in this isolated location makes for a unique and interesting situation!
The sexual tension, the snarky banter and sharp interactions are foreplay for what develops and evolves in this enemies to lovers story.
Told in dual POV gave the story more depth and intensity.
The epilogue was the cherry on top and already delicious cake!
4.5 stars!
I wasn’t sure if he was a sociopath or a god. Both could be handsome, and both were capable of fucking a woman and leaving without a second thought
You did it again, CD Reiss. Although this book is book 3 in a part of a series of standalones, you can read each Crowne Brother book by themselves. But if you like these men, trust me when I say you will love them all and should read about each one. They are rich. They are successful and they all can be brought to their knees by women when they least expect it.
Dante Crowne is a man that likes to be by himself. He runs away to Cambria quite frequently to work with his hands and to get away from LA. But what happens when the cold-hearted man shows up and finds Mandy Bettencourt in his tub? He wants his space and she’s in it. Meanwhile Mandy is running away from a colossal break up that just happened to hit the gossip rags and she needs time away from the city. Time away from all her bad mistakes. Will Dante let her clear her head in his place of solitude or will they butt heads and both claim the space?
Ms Reiss knows how to write a dominant man and how they can fall. She writes sexy like no one’s business. And Crowne Rules is no exception. A deal turns into some kinky and fun fuckery between Mandy and Dante and I am totally down for it. It’s not just hot and sexy, but the words to describe their interactions are complete poetry. Their banter and the way they work with one another was so seamless. I knew what they were before they did and it was fun to see them entertain the thought of NOT being together. Cambria was one thing, but LA was another. How could their lives exist outside of their bubble? These two characters need something only the other can give. Will they give in? Or will their pasts get in the way?
If you want a wonderfully written story with two characters that bring it to each and every scene, you’ve happened upon the right book. They are sexy AF. They banter with the best of them and they understand their roles they bring inside and outside of the bedroom.
Who will bring you to your knees? And how far are you willing to go to bring your lives together?
These Crowne men continue to kill me a little bit with their control and dominance. Dante is another force to be reckoned with!
This book was a perfect combination of being passionately guarded with being passionately extroverted. Dante Crowne is the arrogant, sexy, dominant a**hole who keeps himself guarded. Mandy Bettencourt is the vivacious, beautiful, openingly loving woman who doesn’t have a good track record picking men. These two have a past “interesting” connection and when they end up together in a secluded tiny beach house, that “interesting connection” finally gets uncovered.
I enjoyed the quick and sassy banter between Dante and Mandy. Each are retreating when they end up together. They sort of start out as enemies but slowly turn that around. The close quarters of the Cambria house leads to an unearthing of sexual tension and also an understanding leading to trust. It is obvious that these two belong together but sometimes, the path to being together needs to be a bumpy ride that eventually leads to beautiful and clear skies.
Overall Grade:
“‘All the money in the world.’ Mom continued. ‘Perfectly decent parents. And what do you get but five grown men with issues.’”
The only way that I want to start this review is like this: I really like Crowne Rules. I thought Byron Crowne’s story would be “it” for me. Then, Logan Crowne’s story came along. I thought his story would be “it” for me, but now, after reading Crowne Rules, Dante Crowne is the king of the Crowne brothers (don’t tell him that as it will go to his head). I’m so used to writing these well-drawn reviews about CD Reiss’s books. Her books invite my brain to its literature-infused neural pathway, but there is something elemental about this book that makes me want to use the word “like” a whole bunch, so here goes.
I like Dante Crowne. He’s layered and complex in a way that I didn’t expect. I thought this about Byron and Logan too, but you realize very quickly that Dante’s demons and his past add an edge to him that his brothers don’t have. As his control unravels, it’s one of the most glorious aspects of Reiss’s story. Dante is my favorite type of hero, so buttoned up and needing and seeking out control that you know he will be brought to his knees by the heroine. And that happens. It’s why I like him the most.
I like Mandy or Dante’s Amanda or his amea. Towards the end of his story, Dante says to her, “You’re a provocation,” he growled. “Do you know that?” And there is so much truth to this statement. She is the provocation for his evolution. She is the provocation to his lack of control. She is the provocation to his life changes, and you can’t help but love her. Even more, Mandy is messy. Dante and Mandy are seemingly so different: he tells her that her feelings are too much, that she is unrestrained and willingly trusts her heart to anyone. In contrast, Dante’s feelings are hidden so deep that he doesn’t believe he feels anymore. When Mandy acts, Dante reacts, and it creates explosive chemistry that oozes off the page. Their dichotomy is the keen truth of their love: one completes the other, and it makes them better.
I like the dichotomy of Dante and Mandy. There is a truth in this story about one’s love helping them become the best version of themselves. At the beginning of the story, this feels very true for Mandy, while it seems confused with Dante. Eventually in the story, you realize that as Dante helps Mandy become Couture Mandy, she is helping Dante become the best version of himself. It reminds you that being loved should allow you to be the best version of yourself.
I like the Crowne stories. It’s interesting to me that the Crowne brothers, given their happily married parents and privilege, embrace denial. All three brothers, Dante included, lack the ability to see the truth of love. For some reason, it hit me hard in Crowne Rules. Dante’s epiphany doesn’t come until late in the story, and that moment feels big in the breadth of the Crowne stories. I like that all three brothers’ books feel messy, which is so unlike their actual characterizations.
I like the emotional gravitas of Crowne Rules. Over and over again, Mandy and Dante strive against themselves. Mandy is always “fine” when she isn’t, and Dante denies the truth of his past. Until they recognize their truths, Reiss pulls you through the roller-coaster of their story, and you empathize with their strife. It’s like any of us who don’t want to self-actualize our lives; it’s painful and onerous. However, if we want to live abundantly (and Reiss’s epilogue shows an abundant life), we have to accept our truth and be willing to embrace vulnerability. We don’t have to be “fine;” we just have to choose to live.
Additionally, as is the case with most of Reiss’s romances, always lurking in the shadows of the story are societal insights, lending a certain amount of gravity to the romantic parts of the story. In this book, statutory rape, obsessive paparazzi, and living in the closet are some of the societal issues.
Exuding power and alpha-hole tendencies, Dante Crowne will steal your heart. CD Reiss has definitely saved the most interesting Crowne brother for last with Crowne Rules. Every turn of the page reminded me how much I “like” Reiss’s stories. In a world that is broken, she offers up broken people as the main characters of her stories and saves them through a provocative kind of love. If you love alpha-hole heroes and messy heroines, then you MUST grab Crowne Rules.
Move over Byron and Logan, the is a new Crowne to love and his name is Dante!!! He is dominant personified. It is ingrained in him from a young age. He loves control. Control of his life and definitely control in the bedroom *fans self*. Poor Dante doesn’t know what hits him when he and Mandy Bettencourt share the same small living space. Mandy, God I love her, is struggling after a well publicized break up. She is a mess and is looking for seclusion when she goes to Cambria, the same place Dante goes to think and be alone. Turns out this is just what this two need.
This isn’t a hearts and flowers romance. It’s messy. It’s kinky. It’s at times funny. Underneath it all is personal growth and understanding of one’s self. It’s finding love you never thought you’d have. It’s perfectly written.
Sweet Holiest of Titfires…
No, seriously, sweet holiest of titfires. I know whenever I get my hands on something this author writes, that I am in for a series treat. When the Crowne series started, I knew that this was going to be good. It gave me the same titillating butterfly feelings that Jonathan did and THOSE were some amazing butterflies. However, Byron and Logan Crowne are peanuts in regards to the Crowne brothers, and yes that hurts me to say, compared to Dante. This guy might even have Jonathan beat and that REALLY hurts to say. There was just something about him and this story that resonated with me.
The push and pull and give and take between Dante and Mandy were exemplary. That is to be expected with this author. She has a specific cadence and tone that bewitches me and keeps me riveted to each and every word as if they were the finest delicacy. This book took me back to when I first discovered this author and what drew me to her stylistic choices.
I don’t want to give a play by play of what happens in this book, instead, I will just say that it might be this author’s finest work. I didn’t want it to end. Fantastic characters, the mastery and magic that is all CD Reiss, and Steamy kink that left me needing a cold shower, intermixed with a fantastic storyline. This book is a reminder of WHY I prefer reading over watching television. This author helped my imagination come alive. I cannot recommend the book enough.
Crowne Rules by C.D. Reiss is the story of Dante Crowne and Amanda ‘Mandy’ Bettencourt.
Mandy is out to escape from her crazy life which leads her to a friend’s family cabin. There she finds Dante who is also staying there. Dante has to be in control and dominate person inside and out of the bedroom. They both start to find in each other something they have been looking for. For me this was a page turning hot read just like all of this author’s books. In my opinion you can never go wrong with her stories. Loved it and I would recommend it.