A new enemies-to-lovers standalone.Byron Crowne is a charming liar and a gorgeous monster. I detest him.I can’t resist him.He’s awakened desires I didn’t know I had.When he touches me, I need to fight him . . . and I need him to win.Our one night stand bruises my skin and leaves dents in the walls, but the sheets aren’t the only thing we shred that night.And suddenly, the stakes are higher than … night.
And suddenly, the stakes are higher than ever.
Olivia Monroe lights a fire in me that died a long time ago.
I’m a different man when I’m with her. I need to own her, take her, mark her as mine.
Everything changes when she might be pregnant and for the first time in my life…I’m powerless against this stubborn, untamable woman.
She’s the one in control and I have an impossible job:
Prove I’m worthy to be a father.more
CD Reiss has given another reason for why I can’t resist her books! Iron Crowne was the epitome of what an enemies-to-lovers romance should be. Right from the start, the characters exploded with such potent amounts of hate and uncontrollable lust, this story was so hot that the words felt like they were being seared into my brain. The warped and nasty relationship that Olivia and Byron shared did absolutely nothing to make me like them (especially Olivia), but I couldn’t look away.
Olivia is thirty-two and she wants a baby. Treatment after treatment has led to disappointment and Byron, the man she can’t stand, the man she can’t resist, may be just the answer she’s been hoping for. His heart is untouchable; so is hers. He doesn’t want a commitment; neither does she. Iron Crowne is the story of two people who couldn’t be more right for each other and couldn’t see the truth of their perfection if it smacked them upside the head.
Everything that happened was either insane or ridiculous and I had a freaking blast reading it! I’m crossing my fingers that this won’t be the last time I read about the amazing Crowne family!!
I have managed to avoid CD Riess until now. I knew she’d be dangerous for my sleep, and I was right.
I am one that always feels a bit of resistance to romances where the sex involves power transfer. It’s not my deal. If not done carefully or well, it feels really icky to me. This was NOT THAT. This pair of characters is so well matched its ridiculous, and their encounters are boiling hot with a side of steam. This story is super well told as well, and I can see why so many are fans of her work! It was a thoroughly entertaining experience to follow Byron and Olivia down their uncommon path to one another. The side characters, setting, banter – all top notch.
Recommend!
Iron Crowne sets the bar high for enemies to lovers romance! Byron and Olivia’s story definitely grabbed me from the very first pages, and I was excited to dive into their passionate tale. CD Reiss has an unmatched talent for putting her couples through a minefield of intensity and drama, and this book had all the emotions I could handle.
Olivia is a strong and determined woman, a perfect CD Reiss heroine. I loved her even when I didn’t always like her. And Byron Crowne rivals any Alpha male that Ms Reiss has created. He’s aloof and intense, with a hidden depth I couldn’t wait to see revealed. This pair ignites the pages with their heat and chemistry.
This book was pure, unadulterated enjoyment….a smart and sexy one sitting read!
Another amazing read by CD Reiss! Super sexy with amazing characters and an intense storyline she never disappoints.
Iron Crowne is one of those books that comes at you in the beginning like any other enemies-to-lovers romance, but then there’s a scene at a bar, involving the hero’s care of the heroine with one simple gesture – and from there forward, the book is this amazing tug of war between romance, love and primal sex that kept me reading from chapter to chapter to chapter. CD Reiss understands that people are fundamentally screwed up, especially when it comes to love. Since it’s one of the deepest drives we have, the road to it is full of stumbling blocks that reveal the worst and the best in us. We all know this, but to see it brought to life in a story, wrapped up in a romantic premise that gives us an escape, while engaging our emotions fully – that’s a hell of a book, and a hell of a writer. Basically, CD Reiss combines raw emotion and powerful eroticism with tender romance, inspiring me as an author and immersing me as a reader. I loved it!
“Women love unworthy men all the time.” and if that is not the truest quote EVER!! This book was full of beautiful quotes, one liners and heat. First C.D. Reiss book and I am ready for another!!
Two people on opposing sides brought together by sheer lust and the belief that they will both come out on top. Olivia and Byron’s story was not what I was expecting at all and yet, exactly what I needed. There were parts I was like wait what?! and others where I wasn’t entirely sure what was going to happen. A fantastic story told in a whole new way about a man who refuses to fall in love but does so when he least expects it. 4 stars for the first book about the Crowne heirs and maybe the one heiress if we are lucky.
Typical CD Reiss magic. She still takes top spot as my all time favourite romance author. Love, love, love.
In this tale we have two dominant, feisty characters – Byron and Olivia. They’re about to go head to head as developer vs lawyer, and neither will permit themselves to lose. In the bedroom, it’s another matter, however. There, one of them is all too happy to lose, until they realise that losing had far more consequences than they’d feared.
Forget five. A ten star read for me.
So I have mixed feelings about this book. Byron and Olivia were hot and needy one moment; the next minute they were cold and heartless towards their happiness. Byron couldn’t over come his past and Olivia couldn’t see anything beyond her current personal goal. C.D. Reiss writes some hard and intense couples and their struggles that makes me fall in love with her more every time I read her books.
Enemies in business, Byron and Olivia are the best at what they do. When their paths cross, it’s business as usual. But when a strong attraction toward each other threatens their business reputations, both are at a loss about what to do. But you know they get together; it’s a romance story.
Both determined to keep their professional personas in tact, Byron and Olivia embark on a physical relationship–with an expiration date. Both burned by previous relatonships, neither is looking for something permanent. Adult enough to admit to their attraction, they figure they’ll get the other out of their system, and go on their merry way. But the stain of Olivia isn’t as easy to wipe away.
The same for Olivia. Oh, and Byron has some kink in his bag. I love how they maneuvered their roles in society as they maneuvered their ways around each other. Both very strong personalities separately. Together, they’re beyond combustible. I loved every minute of it.
CD Reiss is one of my favorite “composers of words.” She’s more than an author; more like a musical prodigy, but with words instead of notes. The way she puts sentences together is erotic in itself, and the characters are the instruments that play this beautiful word music.
Sebastian and Elena are their usual perfect selves narrating this beautiful love story of two broken souls. This is a great start to the Crowne series, and I can’t wait to get started on Logan’s story.
This is not my typical genre, however, I couldn’t pass it up!
I bought both the eBook and audiobook. This review is for the audiobook.
The narrators did such a wonderful job. As I mentioned, it’s not my typical genre, but something about it drew me in. Honestly, it was the cover and sample. I was hooked and needed more! I was so not disappointed! The ups and downs, sexy drama, and personal growth of Byron and Olivia play out beautifully in this well-written and articulate romance. I loved every moment, and I found myself whisper-shouting at one character to just … Agh. I can’t say anything without giving spoilers. But I guarantee this is one story you don’t want to miss. If you enjoy your romance with a lot of heat, a sexy-as-sin alpha, and a strong heroine, this is the book for you. Five blistering stars!
Iron Crowne – CD Reiss
I’ve been a quiet fan of CD Reiss for a while now, and by quiet I mean I have to take time to digest each book, each story, the characters, the peripheral players, the push and the pull of the stories she tells.
Iron Crowne had me from the get go, two people who seemed destined to be at loggerheads with each other, Olivia Monroe tough lawyer who is not willing to let hard ass developers do any more harm to the environment and Byron Crowne, a speculation developer who was out to make money. They are the perfect storm of real estate development in LA.
The push is that neither one of them wants to be the loser in any situation, the pull is the raw tension and lust that sits in the air like a storm waiting to break on a hot sultry day.
On top of that they each come with a story that very few people know about, none of Olivia’s long-term relationships ever got to the point of marriage, children and family point and she is almost 33, she wants a baby and maybe just maybe she can make this pull she feels towards Byron work for both of them.
Byron has a block, a huge block, his fiancé died a few years ago and what no one knows is that she actually committed suicide and he feels he is responsible, but he wants children, he knows he would love a child, he is just not sure he can love again, is he strong enough to join Olivia to a positive pull for both of them.
CD Reiss has given us a poetic story of two souls, possibly looking for each other but never on the same road. This story has woven in some of the most beautiful, touching verses of poetry ever written, we need to know if these two souls travel the same road together.
“Two road diverged in a wood, and I –
took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.” from The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
When the world is a little crazy, I know I can escape into a CD Reiss book. Iron Crowne was wonderful! As always, CD Reiss has crafted memorable characters, complete with flaws. Her heroes are swoon-worthy alphas, and her heroines are fabulously fierce. The supporting cast members are richly diverse, and I loved connecting with them. Five stars. And a thank you for a great way to escape from the daily news.
I read these out of order so I had already fallen for Logan by the time I discovered Byron.
Lord Byron can have anyone with the crook of his finger. But he doesn’t want just anyone. He wants her; the one woman who will push all his buttons, both in battle and in bed. He only wants now but she wants…a baby? Yeah, he can do that. Right? He just doesn’t want her forever. So many lines drawn in the sand and the real problem is him. All those walls he built, encased his heart in stone? She’s destroying him. Or breathing life into him. Lord Byron? and his Olivia.
Love these narrators!
I have mixed feeling about CD’s Iron Crowne. It’s the first book in the series and I bought book 2 already. I find I feel mixed over most of CD’s books. On the one hand I think she is a very smart cookie. Her writing shines an intelligent author. Sometimes, I think that affects the flow. When I read, I read for pleasure and relaxation. I want sentences to flow fast and easy. I liken cd’s stories to poems (of which there were several in this book); some poems are easy, fun reads, words that rhyme; on the other hand, some poems are deep, you need to read passages over and over to get their meaning – that is how CD writes. Many times, I couldn’t tell who was saying what; I wasn’t sure if a word was missing or included by mistake while trying to figure out what the last paragraph meant?? Finally, moving on as I ‘still didn’t get it”. This affected the flow, left me frustrated and defiantly not relaxed. I’m going to track some of the paragraphs in the next book and try to figure this out. I liked the story, although I thought Byron’s issues were a little over done, but I did like it. I didn’t care as much for the author’s writing style for the reasons above but I respect her as an author. It’s her privilege to decide on her writing style, it just might not be right for me. I have mixed feeling about CD’s Iron Crowne. It’s the first book in the series and I bought book 2 already. I find I feel mixed over most of CD’s books. On the one hand I think she is a very smart cookie. Her writing shines an intelligent author. Sometimes, I think that affects the flow. When I read, I read for pleasure and relaxation. I want sentences to flow fast and easy. I liken cd’s stories to poems (of which there were several in this book); some poems are easy, fun reads, words that rhyme; on the other hand, some poems are deep, you need to read passages over and over to get their meaning – that is how CD writes. Many times, I couldn’t tell who was saying what; I wasn’t sure if a word was missing or included by mistake while trying to figure out what the last paragraph meant?? Finally, moving on as I ‘still didn’t get it”. This affected the flow, left me frustrated and defiantly not relaxed. I’m going to track some of the paragraphs in the next book and try to figure this out. I liked the story, although I thought Byron’s issues were a little over done, but I did like it. I didn’t care as much for the author’s writing style for the reasons above but I respect her as an author. It’s her privilege to decide on her writing style, it just might not be right for me.
Be still my heart! This author has done it again. Created an alpha male that melted my panties and my heart. Bryon was divine as he unapologetic went after what he wanted and got it. I loved the Crowne family. They were one of the best parts of the story. I loved Olivia and was crushed right along with her in her want to have a child. I emphasized and cried as she was denied her dream. Bryon and Olivia together were beyond sexy and I was panting at every turn with these two. There were a few things I kinda squinted at. One was the ease at which Bryon took what he wanted. I am familiar with California and the state’s environmental protection laws and I doubt that even with money and influence that Bryon would have had that much leverage in a fight for a residential home over an environmental sensitive area. But in this fictional world it worked to add drama and contention. Something that really bothered me was Olivia’s acquiescing to Bryon’s sexual power. Even with the draw of a powerful, handsome man, on a fundamental level she didn’t like him. With her strong personality I didn’t buy that she would have overlooked their moral differences to fall into his hands. But what swoon-worthy hands they were. They lite up the pages were their sexual encounters and I loved every minute. I lived for Bryon getting his hands and mouth and a few other parts on her. Sexy does not get close to what these two were. Great ending and epilogues and set up for the next Crowne story. I can’t wait! I love this author’s fabulous writing and the divine characters she creates for our enjoyment. This is another fantastic read by one of the greats! 4.5 stars. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
CD Reiss’ “Iron Crowne” kinda’ threw me for a loop. Developer Byron Crowne and attorney Olivia Monroe are on a collision course, barreling toward mutual destruction unless they can come to terms on the piece of land he wants to build on. Olivia believes it would be an environmental mistake and is prepared to do whatever it takes to stop him. But she didn’t count on the magnet-like pull of his very presence. And Byron is intrigued by her dogged determination and stirred by her physical presence. They quickly find themselves violating all kinds of professional ethics and norms and the chemistry between them is volatile.
“Iron Crowne” at times seems a bit over the top, especially with the sometimes windy philosophical discussions between the two protagonists. But one could argue it’s balanced out by the no-holds-barred sex scenes. I generally don’t have a problem with steamy sex but I find the “C” word especially distasteful and it got more than a little use. And there is a definite dom-sub element to the relationship between Byron and Olivia that leaves me kinda’ twitchy. That said, it’s a compelling read, just not one I’d recommend for the faint of heart. Four stars.
Fantastic Read.
Olivia is an unattached woman in her early thirties that seems to have it all. Feeling like her biological clock is ticking, she asks a longtime friend if he could help. He’s gay, wants only to be an uncle, and is more than willing to help because Olivia is a great friend. She also works for a law firm that specializes in environmental issues, and right now, there is a man that wants to build the most significant house and bluff without thoughts of how it would impact the environment around him. With the law on her side, she challenges him at every turn she can to force him to back down. The only problem is he’s very charming, has money, and believes he can do anything he wants. She will show him one way or another. She never expects him to charm her and build a fire within her at the same time. The problem is she can get into mega trouble with her law office and the bar for having a relationship with the arrogant man, but she can’t seem to help herself. Oh, and there is a little problem of they did have sex with him, and she may now be pregnant with his child. That’s a considerable complication she’s not even willing to ponder right now.
Byron is the man that can have everything and anything he wants. What he wants is his showcase in the city. But Olivia is the bain of his existence with her constant objections and lawsuits that keep his project slowing. What he did not expect is his attraction to her and her refusal to acknowledge it. Byron is dominant in bed, and she is submissive, but she denies everything plus, at the same time, what she is. When she tells him, she may be pregnant from one night of passion, and he now feels things he thought he long since buried from his past.
Byon and Olivia need to give a little and work it out, but can they do it before it destroys them both. Read this wonderfully written story by CD Reiss. Iron Crowne, is written well, the characters and exciting, are real and likable.
Win-Win!
Iron Crowne smolders with sexual tension. The hero and heroine are both fierce competitors. Their chemistry ignites like tinder, swift and consuming. The legal battle they are engrossed in is a merciless fight. However, in the bedroom Olivia surrenders her body willingly to “Lord Byron.” Together they engage in sinfully delicious, filthy, phenomenal pleasure. As their physical connection climbs, so does their emotional one. Byron isn’t willing to offer love and Olivia wants nothing less. So, how can they possibly both come out on top? All I am willing to say is, read this book and find out. It left me in an afterglow. I am anxiously, anticipating the next Crowne Brothers story (Crowne of Lies)!
This is a true enemies to lovers. Olivia and Byron hate each other despite the overpowering chemistry they have. They put themselves in situations they know they shouldn’t because the pull is too strong.
But what happens when it affects work? These two are so fun to watch struggle with the realization that maybe they don’t hate each other and maybe there is more to the other than they knew. Byron is so tortured and seeing all the layers pulled back makes you love him no matter what he says or does.
This was my first read of 2020 and I loved it. Fantastic enemies-to-lovers romance. The characters are flawed and complex, but not emotionally stunted. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!