Ireland

IRELAND is the first instalment in Sylvia Day’s contemporary, adult CROSSROADS erotic, romance series, set in the author’s CROSSFIRE world. This is thirty-nine year old businessman Ronan Boudreaux, and twenty-nine year old Vidal Records executive co-owner and model Ireland Vidal’s story lines. Ireland Vidal is Gideon Cross’ (Crossfire) half sister. IRELAND can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading, having some knowledge, of the original Crossfire series.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Ronan and Ireland, Gideon and Eva, IRELAND follows several paths including Gideon and Eva’s relationship; the embattled Vidal family fighting for control of Vidal Records; and the arrival of Ronan Boudreaux who wants more than Ireland is willing to give. Family secrets will slowly reveal a betrayal from the past as Ireland fights to keep control of her family’s heritage.Meanwhile Ronan Boudreaux’s arrival is timely and not without an ulterior motivation and intent, and in this, the Cross and Vidal family must assemble the proverbial wagons against a unknown enemy, as Gideon focuses on the ongoing battle to protect the woman he loves.

The world building spotlights Gideon and Eva’s growing relationship, and their personal struggles weighing heavily on our story line couple. Ronan Boudreaux is determined to seduce Ireland Vidal but his ulterior motive is about to place a target on our heroine’s back.More questions than answers at this point in the story.

The relationship between Ronan and Ireland is predicated upon a lie that threatens Ireland’s hard-fought battle to stay in control. Ronan is a man whose demons are riding him hard but he never expected to lose his heart to Ireland Vidal. Part of the premise focuses on Gideon and Eva, and Gideon’s determination and promise to protect the woman he loves but while his sister dances with the enemy, Gideon is fighting the unknown. The $ex scenes are intimate, spicy and provocative but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter world.

There is a large ensemble cast of familiar and determined secondary and supporting characters including the return of several people we met in the original series: Ireland’s brother Christopher Jr, their embattled father Christopher Vidal Sr, and mother Elizabeth; Eva’s best friend and model Cary Taylor, and her father Victor. We are introduced to Ireland’s best friend Alina; and Ronan’s siblings Jules and Claudette.

IRELAND is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and relationships, deceit and love. The character driven premise is captivating and edgy; the characters are sassy, animated and vulnerable; the romance is seductive and passionate. IRELAND ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned

Enjoyed this intense story, though it did feel too short. Looking forward to the rest of the series. Lots of subplots to explore and expand on.

Short book, cliffhanger, loved catching up with the Crossfire characters though. Going to be a long wait for the rest of the story, possibly years..