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
Who wins the Crowne?
I always love getting a new book by C.D. Reiss. Guaranteed to be a page turner and a sleep killer as was this one, a standalone, but also the 1st book in a new series, with a new family to love or hate, the Crowne’s.
If you’ve read her books before, you already know her often gritty, butt kicking writing style is unmistakable. Her characters will often linger on in your mind long after the story has ended. I’d probably know it was her book without seeing her name attached to it. C.D. Reiss knows her alpha men and their female partners who are up to the task of trying to tame them, at least a little! Sometimes, it’s the other way around, you just never know!
Olivia, a righteous, hard working environmental attorney mets her match and future nemesis in Byron Crowne, land developer without a heart or a care for what’s important. Their heated exchanges are waiting to wrap you up and drop you into their sexy cat and mouse game of wits and words as they fight their way to the down and dirty finish. Who wins the battle in this enemies to ????? war for supremacy? You’ll want to read this one to find out. There is something else brewing in the background which pulled hard on my emotions while learning the bits and pieces of some painful past experiences that are hidden behind both of their tough exteriors, but have shaped who they are now.
A very satisfying ending to this promising new series which also teases the next Crowne to get his tale told. Sounds like I’ll be patiently waiting for that one too!
Here’s some food for thought…can the Crowne’s cross paths with the Drazen’s somehow and render me completely speechless? I would love to read that book!
Byron Crowne’s dream is to have his mark all around the world, he’s greedy for it. But this time, there’s only one obstacle he have to past through and that is Olivia Monroe. He is everything Olivia hates and despises, and she hates being around him. But Byron’s intrigued by her, not he’s not attracted to her. That’s what he said.
One thing led to another, they thought it was just physical. But he kept wanting more, even though he’s incapable of giving her more. Byron is a very complicated character and it’s because of his past. He thought his heart, feelings and emotions had died and its not something for him anymore. However, Olivia might just get past that
This was totally steamy and sexy with all the tension you could ever asked for
CD Reiss’s enemies to lovers Iron Crowne was intense, emotional, unexpected and crazy hot.
Olivia knows exactly what she wants out of life . . . a baby and a career. She needs to be the best and loves the fight of winning a case. The fight is everything is everything to her.
Byron never loses anything he sets out to win. He’ll do anything to get the advantage, and sees Olivia as a worthy opponent, which also causes him to become completely fascinated with her.
Olivia and Byron are really the couple that shouldn’t be. They are so wrong for each other emotionally, but so right in bed. And, they give each other the fight they crave. But what happens when winning causes you to lose?
Byron has so much baggage and honestly, Olivia isn’t much better. They both know that they are a bad idea but can’t seem to stay away from one another no matter what the personal and professional cost. I loved them and the harshness of their relationship mixed with real moments of care. They really are both so wrong and so right for each other and it’s really anyone’s guess how things will work out in the end.
I had so much love for this book and now I’m dying for Logan’s story because I can’t even imagine how it can top this couple, yet somehow know it will be out of this world! 5 stars!
Okay, I’m going to be blatantly honest here: Starting IRON CROWNE I had NO idea if I would actually like the book … I had such a hard time establishing a connection with Byron – it was not even funny! But around fifty percent in, I finally began to see reason – and fall for that monster that is Byron. And don’t even get me started on that hotness! Wowza!! If this story was good or bad for my health has yet to be dermined … holy hell, it was FIRE!
After my somewhat rocky start I was reminded yet again why I love books by CD Reiss so much. Her unique writing style of matching beautiful prose with words of pure filth – and then some. Her ability to weave a tale that is not what it seems to be at first glance and give us enigmatic heroes like no other – case in point my taking so long to warm up to said enigmatic man … A man with a haunted past and more alpha that is possibly good for anyone. Then there’s Olivia. A sharp-witted woman who gives as good as she gets when it comes to her business and the likes of Byron – even when their shared chemistry makes it all but easy …
IRONE CROWNE is a page turner for sure – and you know what? Byron has brothers, so there’s going to be more alphalicious gorgeousness coming our way! And I – initial stupid difficulties aside – cannot wait!
There is no question that CD Reiss creates powerhouse characters who are strong, resilient and charasmatic and weaves them into fascinating and intriguing stories. Byron and Olivia are formidable adversaries, and opponents fighting on opposite ends of the spectrum. These two were set on a collision course because of events that occurred long before they met. Yet, their attraction to one another is so strong and sexually charged it’s a wonder that they don’t set everything within reaching distance on fire. Now they play the game and see who blinks first.
You want an alpha male . . . read a CD Reiss book! You want a strong woman . . . read a C.D. Reiss book.
I love men that are a**holes and you better believe C.D. gives us one with Byron Crowne. He’s arrogant, dominate and quite full of himself. But underneath all of that, he is vulnerable as well.
Olivia is fierce, determined and knows what she wants. She is not afraid to go after it. And she will get what she wants . . . by any means necessary.
The pairing of these two makes for spontaneous combustion, push and pull, and they even try a little tenderness! They are on opposite sides of the fence, but somehow they manage to work.
Get ready for passion, heat, desire, angst and a surprise that just may be thrown in there!
Byron Crowne is a charming liar and a gorgeous monster. I detest him. I can’t resist him. Wow what a great read, I loved the resistive chemistry between the two characters the angst and the constant push and pull was riveting, the story line was addictive and the sex was pantie burning hot, this was a wonderful read.
*First time reading C.D. Reiss
I love the enemies to lover stories, and Iron Crowne is no different. Byron is a total ass. I mean, he has to be if he wants to be at the top of his game. So when a tough as nails lawyer walks right up to him and tells him, he can not build his monstrosity of a house, he knows he has found his match.
Olivia wants to save the environment one house or business at a time. Now she has set her site on Byron and his new home. What she doesn’t expect are the fireworks to set off when they meet, or for him to keep the conversation going once she has let him know that she is going after him.
Olivia and Byron have so much heat that it comes right off the kindle. There are trust issues, hot sex, romantic scenes, arguments, and parts that make you laugh. You watch both of these characters grow into a relationship that, at some point, you wonder why they even want. But in the end, you know they are made for each other. I loved this story. I hope to see more of this family!
‘ He kissed my neck, gently running his teeth along sensitive skin. I groaned with pleasure, clutching the shoulders of his jacket. “Let me climb it. Let me conquer you.” “We shouldn’t,” I said, but what I meant was, Give me a reason to say yes.’
With every encounter, through every chapter, you want to say yes!
Byron is as arrogant, demanding and full of filthy words to turn you into a whimpering puddle. Which is what he does to Olivia every…darn…time!
The yare opponents in a very expensive and highly publicized endeavor. He wants to build it and she is determined to stop him. But with the attraction bigger than a mega magnet, things get muddled and out of control.
The battle is worthy. The couple is ablaze that could burn them both down! I was so involved, invested and engrossed by this book! I am highly anticipating the next one.
I was given this ARC as an honest read for an honest review. Let’s just say she never disappoints and sometimes blows your mind. This is Byron’s and Olivia’s story. Olivia is a lawyer who protects the environment. Byron is a real estate developer and rich man. Olivia goes toe to toe with Byron, but attraction crackles and heats up the pages with these two. I couldn’t put the book down until it was finished. I had to find out if Olivia got her man and the one thing she always wanted. You need to read this if you like hot, steamy, and a good tug of war!!
Honestly I haven’t read one book that I haven’t loved by this author. She’s something else!
I loved how strong these characters were. But also how soft they were.
Byron is one of the most eligible bachelors. Since the passing of his girlfriend he’s been a different man. He blames himself for loving her and thinks that her death was all his fault.
Olivia in life just wanted kids. She loved spending time with her sister and her kids. She loved what the word family stands for even if she didn’t have much of a father to raise her. And because her mother raised her alone she knows she’s be able to raise a family on her own. Without a husband if need be.
She is a tough cookie. When things start getting real with Byron she makes it so that she doesn’t lose sight of what she wants in life. He’s not there yet but he gets there eventually.
What I like about the characters in Christine Reiss’ books is that the characters aren’t described in too much detail. And I love that. You have a vague idea of what the characters look like. She describes their clothes only when it’s necessary. Like the naughty little ensemble that Byron bought Olivia to wear the night of the opening of Emilio’s restaurant. I find it awesome that she doesn’t have to go into detail to describe the scenes because sometimes it takes away from the story. I don’t have to know what the character is wearing at all times. I make up my own picture in my head.
This book was ridiculously good and I can’t wait to read Logan’s book next!!
CD Reiss
In partnership with Social Butterfly,
I would like to introduce this sexy entertaining read for your consideration!
I received a complimentary copy.
I voluntarily reviewed this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Iron Crowne
By: C.D. Reiss
*REVIEW*
Daytime enemies and nighttime lovers-an apt description of the relationship between Olivia Munroe and Byron Crowne. They are locked in a legal battle yet desperately attracted to one another. Olivia is a fiercely independent intelligent woman, and she is determined to live life by her own standards. She is, however, not immune to the charms of Byron Crowne. Who can blame her? This guy is sinfully sexy, delightfully dirty and a tantalizing treat-the perfect combination of just what Olivia needs. Byron is a public playboy asshole with tons of money and a thick boundary of protection surrounding him-no vulnerabilities found here. Then, Olivia enters his life and flips it upside down when one night of fun turns into something shocking. Now, Byron must prove he is more than just sex on a stick, and he does have sticking power. Olivia is in her own conundrum and despair, and I felt for her because she deserves to be treated well. Byron owes more to himself than just a playboy jerk mentality, but is it all too much for him and Olivia? This story has varying degrees of hotness and all the feels. C.D. Reiss has written another sharp engrossing story for her fans to enjoy!
Some authors today still get what we the readers really love. We want the angst, the hotness, the conflict, the emotions, the realization and most of all we want to see our characters not only grow within themselves but with the other. CD Reiss conquers all these with Iron Crowne. Enemy to friends to more does not even begin to describe this novel as it transcends those boundaries constantly.
Olivia is strong, thoughtful, tough and at the top of her career. She has no time for relationships but she does have a vision for her future. While success has come in her professional world, other areas are still a battlefield. Independence sometimes has its downsides.
Byron Crown is ruthless, powerful, wealthy and all alpha. He takes no prisoners and never looks back. His life has been tailored since his youth and while he has been successful with all business ventures, his personal life has been anything but mundane. Guilt shocks him daily as he wrangles with self-doubt. His growth in personal matters keeps him grounded. But the thrill of the challenge and the success of winning drive him all the same
CS Reiss has penned a powerful story of growth, faith, individual strength, and understanding. This is a heartwarming story, hot in moments, thought provoking in others, and wonderful from beginning to end. Great story CD and worth all the stars.
“Stop pretending everything you hate isn’t everything you want.”
Byron Crowne is a force to be reckoned with. The firstborn of a powerful dynasty, he is rich, handsome, intelligent, determined and never backs down from a challenge. His newest project, a huge construction, is his way of leaving a legacy. But his plans may be interrupted by an equally determined lawyer.
Olivia abhors everything Byron stands for. But she cannot deny that he is a beautiful temptation. Without cowering at the power of his surname, she will fight for him to fit his project into the laws. Even if it all ends in a lawsuit.
But Byron is an opponent to be feared. And in the midst of the power game, his methods know no boundaries or obstacles. And seducing Olivia, the woman who has been occupying his thoughts lately, will be his final card.
Until a moment of passion and a broken condom will provoke the greatest battle in their lives. Olivia wants a baby. And for this, she is doing several fertilization treatments. And with the condom problem, Byron may be responsible for delivering what she wants most.
But if she thought he would back down, she is wrong. He supports her, and shows interest in possible parenting. But business is still among them. And getting involved with the person you’re suing can be dangerous to Olivia’s career. Just as for her heart.
Byron is nothing like what expected. Behind the businessman’s cold exterior, he has a huge heart, no matter how hard he tries to hide it. His past haunts him, preventing him from breaking free and living his life. A well-written character with real and believable conflicts and potential to win the reader’s heart.
Olivia is strong, determined, well-built, a woman who knows what she wants and how to fight for it.
A good book, with a good plot, a couple that runs away from the traditional, the lawsuit issue moves the story and the secondary characters are interesting.
The Crowne family will still produce more books, with Logan being the protagonist of the next volume.
This is the story of Byron Crowne & Olivia Monroe. Byron likes to win in all things. He’s arrogant, dominant and stubborn. Olivia never gives up and likes to win, and is stubborn. They are a lot alike. The electricity is off the charts between the two. He swears he can’t love again. She is trying to have a baby alone. They come to an agreement about that. This is an amazing story. It is very well written and easy to follow. C.D. Reiss, you’ve outdone yourself with this book. I’m looking forward to Logan’s story in Crowne of Lies.
I loved this story. The characters Byron and Olivia were enemies of a sort. Successful Byron was planning a large project, and Olivia has plans to stop him. I was very invested in the characters as they bicker and snap. Byrons bossy, business man attitude was very selfish but after awhile with Olivia he soon realizes he want’s something he never thought he’d consider. And Olivia has been desperately trying for something for a while now, should she still continue with loathsome Byron?
A terrific story, very intriguing and emotional. The characters were developed very well and their interactions together was excellent, the relationship between them was very taught, neither really trusting for along time, it was interesting to see how their relationship grew.
A very good enemies to lovers romances, I highly recommend it!
Whenever I read a book by CD Reiss, I have to increase my intake of Gingko Biloba. I need to really focus on her writing because it’s so intricate and wonderful. Her phraseology is fantastic, very creative, very expressive. She says a lot but in a circundant manner, not straight out, and you have to focus to catch it. Apart from her glorious writing, there’s a wonderful story to enjoy too.
Olivia Monroe and Byron Crowne are enemies in virtue of their jobs. Olivia is a lawyer in a Environmental Defense firm and Byron enjoys wreaking havoc with his building permits to build what he wants, where he wants. At the moment, he’s fixing to build a monstrosity of a house on the top of a Bel Air hill and since it affects the course of a dried out creek and some wildlife, Olivia is on the warpath. Right from the beginning, Olivia knew what Byron is: an unapologetic a-hole, too wealthy for his good, entitled and arrogant. The incredible thing is, he put her panties on fire at first sight.
Even though Byron is ruthless and will stop at nothing to achieve success, he’s attracted to Olivia in spite of himself. He loves the fight she’s giving him, even though she’s stopping him from continuing with the construction. Their warfare is like foreplay for him.
What I loved about this story is the turn around she achieves in a man who is supposed to be a player, cold-hearted, and ruthless. As we learn about him through the story, we start to like him and understand him. He suffered a loss that changed him and made him a little rudderless. Even though he’s an alpha, he’s also broken but you don’t realize until you’re dealing closely with him. Olivia is battling infertility, trying to get pregnant and failing. As these two get close, hope and possibilities arise, new elements in their relation chime in.
“We are a disaster. You despise me too much to want a relationship and just enough to turn you on. And from what I can tell, you don’t want to get involved enough to force an ethical quandary. So if you agree in principal, I have a proposal.”
The nuances in their characters, the evolving feelings, the reluctance in both to get involved, the forgiveness that Byron needed and Olivia gave him, the hope for a better future, free of guilt and sadness, all make for a fantastically angsty and passionate tale between two strong individuals. They should be destroying each other but instead they are re-building each other.
“Hope. It had been a crazy hope that my failures could be made right. That I could have the things I’d denied myself for years, and she was the only woman I’d trust to get me there. She was clarity, and desire, and the only one with the strength to change me. The only one I wanted to make happy. She was hope.”
In the end, redemption, hope, forgiveness and a new closeness with family and a great happy ending. An example of this author’s glorious prose: “The doubt at the bottom of my heart had been scraped, and the wisdom of experience washed away.” And their hearts are re-born.
Avid readers of CD Reiss love her controlling alpha males and her independent and stubborn heroines, and Byron Crowne and Olivia Monroe are created in the likeness of past main characters while also defining themselves based on their backstories as well as how they choose to live their lives in the present.
Byron and Olivia are absolutely scorching, and it’s not just when they give into their chemistry and wanton desire for one another, even though it’s clear just how electric they are when it comes to foreplay and sex, and in true Reiss fashion, there are a multitude of scenes to prove just how good they are together when they’re giving and receiving pleasure.
Because these two challenge each other at every turn, testing resolves while refusing to admit just how far gone they are for one another, a rather unexpected situation presents itself and now it’s up to both of them to decide how to move forward and what their future will look like now due to the new venture they’re about to embark on.
I have to admit…I sometimes struggle with enemies-to-lovers story lines because the path that the hero and heroine take to go from hating each other to wanting one another for more than just a hate screw isn’t usually fleshed out enough to allow for real feelings to develop. It seems like the focus is too much on the volatile feelings between them and not on when things began to change and emotions turned from negative to positive.
And, to be honest, I would have liked a bit more insight into when things became more for both Byron and Olivia, especially Olivia. She seemed to always throw her disdain for Byron in his wife, even after things appeared to be progressing in a different direction. And because of her previous view that she didn’t need or want a man in her life, she had a singular focus that just wasn’t practical with the changes that were happening.
Overall, I enjoyed Iron Crowne. I’ve missed Reiss’ writing and the all-consuming way she crafts her sex scenes to illustrate just how consumed her characters are with each other. Byron and Olivia were an intriguing pair who I knew could scream at each other one minute and the next be ripping one another’s clothes off and screaming for an entirely different reason;)
4 Poison Apples
CD Reiss has done it again with her latest release, Iron Crowne. She delivered a sizzling enemies to lovers romance with complex characters. She brings her characters to life through thoughtful descriptions, creative dialogue, and well constructed pacing. She allows her readers to experience all of her characters emotions, drives, and personal growth as they find love with one another.
Olivia Monroe is a smart woman who knows exactly what she wants and is not afraid to get it. She’s obsessively independent and has the confidence to chase her dreams. She’s even trying to make her own family without a man. She wants a baby and is taking steps to make that happen. As an environmental lawyer she finds herself up against one of the most powerful developers, Byron Crowne. Although she hates everything he stands for professionally she finds herself drawn to him on another level.
Byron Crowne is one of the most powerful developers in the area. His business practices are not always ethical and questionably on the edge of being legal. His success is due to his ruthless business practices, his need for absolute control, and egotistical personality. He will stop at nothing to ensure his project will go through, not even the beautiful environmental lawyer, Olivia Monroe, can stand in his way. Once he puts his plans into action he finds his need to dominate and control Olivia are taking him into unfamiliar territory. His emotions and hidden desires are spiraling out of control. He knows he can’t be the kind of man she wants.
As these two go head to head, the constant fight and pressure almost destroy them both. They both want to win but is it worth the cost? Are they going to sacrifice more than another career success? Are they going to let go of the real chance of happiness in their lives? Mistakes are made which could lead to betrayal, regret, and heartbreak.
CD Reiss wove another intricate and consuming story of two people on a very stormy path. Their worlds are colliding and their emotions are exploding. Amongst all the chaos and debris is their fragile hearts searching for completion. CD Reiss helped these two find their happily ever after in spite of it all.
I highly recommend Iron Crowne by CD Reiss!
How does that sayin go? All is fair in Love and War. Yeah and they were definitely in a war. Byron Crowne and Olivia Monroe, on opposites sides both trying to win, except for one thing… their attraction to one another. Talk about conflict of interest. This isn’t a simple boy meets girl romance, no this is a gritty dig in your heels fight for who will come out on top. Throw in some heat and you have a dynamite romance that unfurls between litigation and explodes in the court room. Passion at its best!