3.5 Stars 🌟

I have to start this review by stating that I was a HUGE fan of the Crossfire series so many years ago - has it really been that long? Wow. Anyway, when I saw this ARC available and realized that this was a spinoff from the same world - well, that was a no brainer.

This book focuses on Ireland Vidal, who is Gideon's little sister (half sister - same mother, different dad). This takes place a little over a decade after we last left the Cross family and Ireland is about 28 years old now. She is working at Vidal Records, a family company that is run by her father Christopher Sr. He has already almost run the company into bankruptcy once before several years ago (Gideon stepped in to save them) and unbeknownst to Ireland, is on the verge of doing the same thing again.

Where the drama comes in is with the new man that Ireland meets that she has an instant, and crazy attraction too. It is a mutual attraction on both ends. Unfortunately, neither one of them are honest with the other (they had their reasons) but let's just say that was the catalyst to a massive disaster.

There are a lot of backstories and history that are involved and for whatever reason, we still never really find out WHAT the awful thing was that precipitates the whole revenge plan. As much as I LOVED being back in the Crossfire world, there was just something missing in this story that never brought it up to the level that we felt with Eva and Gideon.

The good things- there was quite a bit of the story devoted to chapters of Eva and Gideon (E & G) and those two still have a special place in my heart. I only wish that Ms. Day could have at least given them a little bit of happiness in the storyline instead of bringing in additional drama and trauma for the couple.

The weakest part was the crazy relationship with Ireland and Ronan. What the heck were they thinking? Yes, they had chemistry, but it was a trainwreck waiting to happen. And then Ronin changing his mind every five seconds- I had whip lash.

So - I will admit to being disappointed, but I am glad that I read the book. E&G are a hard act to follow but I was hoping to be swept away like I was all those years ago.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sylvia Day LLC for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on April 08, 2025.

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 line. 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



THE READING CAFE: https://www.thereadingcafe.com/ireland-crossroads-1-by-sylvia-day-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7570339964


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3593275647


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First thing that this book reminded me was that I need a Crossfire re-read soon!

Second...it pained me to give this book a 3 stars because I really loved the Crossfire Series but there was something that just didn't capture me about this story. Ireland and Ronan were a little hard to like. I felt like Ireland was just living her life, not really being a part of it and Ronan was just out for retribution and didn't care who he took out in the process.

I also wasn't prepared for the cliffhanger. It has been so long since I read a book one, I just wasn't ready. It was fun to see Gideon and Eva again though!

Thanks to Sylvia Day and Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It was so exciting getting back into the Crossfire world. Sylvia Day did not disappoint. I was hooked right from the beginning with Ireland and Ronan, the tension, banter so good! As always the spice is spicy, the twist and that ending! I need the next one!

Sylvia Day is BACK. She is a favorite author of mine we are getting Ireland's story and I am loving it. Reading this felt like coming home and if you've read the Crossfire series this is a must read. And if you haven't read the Crossfire series it is a MUST READ.

With Ireland, Sylvia Day has returned to the Crossfire world with the heroine of the Crossroads duet Ireland Vidal, sister of the infamous Gideon. She’s a woman with with everything, success, wealth, respect but no one to share her life with who wants her for her and not her family connections till she meets Ronan Boudreaux who already has everything she has but just as she’s beginning to consider a future with Ronan, a figure from the past with revenge on his mind emerges.

Overall, I found this book engaging with a strong plot and just enough passionate between Ireland and Ronan, their chemistry sizzled right from the start. At times, Ireland did appear a bit needy which I felt was a contradiction to how strong her character seemed earlier in the book. The pacing was good and with some drama and suspense involving a stalker to balance out the romance before leading to a cliffhanger ending I did enjoy Ireland although I would’ve preferred less of Gideon and Eva in the story, they’ve had five books already and, to be honest I found their inclusion here a distraction more than anything.

Ireland
By Sylvia Day
First book in the new spinoff series Crossroads. This is set in the Crossfire world and is Gideon Cross' sister Ireland story.  

This is a fast-paced story of secrets and revenge,  with danger lurking.  Ireland is fine being protected by her family and left out of the loop.  She isn't prepared for the devilishly handsome man she meets and can't seem to get out of her mind. But secrets and the past may keep them apart. 

Warning: This ends in a cliffhanger likely to go into book two, which will be out in April 2026.

So glad that this series was created. LOVING the point-of-view chapters of Eva and Gideon!!!! They are one of my favorite book couples. I enjoyed Ronan and Ireland, their story was entertaining as well.

I was so excited when I saw this one. It’s been years since I read the Crossfire series so I was thrilled to dive back into this world again.
It definitely didn’t disappoint. I loved getting to know Ireland and Ronan. Cannot wait for more. So much was left unexplained and that cliffhanger had my mouth hanging open as I finished it.
I felt like there was so much more I needed to know about them so I’m hoping all of it gets addressed in the next book. I’m eagerly awaiting it!
Also looking forward to a Crossfire re-read and then re-reading this one to get the full effect.

3.5 - 4 Star Review Ireland (Crossroads #1) by Sylvia Day

I know this will be hard to believe but I have not read Sylvia Fay before.

This book ends on a cliffhanger (something I didn’t know) so you have been warned.

I’m not sure what I was expecting to be honest. There were times that I had trouble connecting to the characters, but then that could just be me.

Will read the next one as ai want to know what the author has in store for Ireland Vidal and Ronan Boudreaux.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I really enjoyed Ireland by Sylvia Day! The Crossfire series was one of my early obsessions—Gideon was my OG book boyfriend—so I was very excited to dive into this one. I loved that we got glimpses of Gideon and Eva again too; that little subplot was such a nice touch of nostalgia.

That said, I hope the subplot intertwines a bit more smoothly in book two, as it sometimes felt a little disjointed. But honestly, if you’re a fan of the Crossfire series, that won’t matter a bit to you. Just seeing them pop up again was a treat.

Ronan was a standout for me. You don’t often get Louisiana men as MMCS, and it really worked here. His chemistry with Ireland was deliciously tense—so much banter and heat! I adored Ireland as a character; she’s feisty but soft underneath, and you can feel her really growing into herself throughout the story. I can’t wait to see where she goes next.

Sure, it’s not the most believable setup at times (hello, insta-chemistry!), but honestly, I love that trope. They barely know each other, and yet it’s magnetic, messy, and fun. That tension where they can’t stand each other at work but can’t stay away from each other? Gold. Bring on book two—I’m so ready. 😍

Ireland Vidal is the sister of Gideon Cross. That alone should make fans of the Crossfire series one click this book. Always love to catch up with old friends and be introduced to new ones. The storyline is great, the family dynamics ( Irelands and Ronan's) are intriguing and help move the story forward at quick pace. The relationship between Ireland and Ronan is fun to read. My one issue is that there is a cliffhanger.....I hope that we won' t be needing 5 books to come to a conclusion

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.

As much as I loved the updates about Gideon and Eva, it felt unnecessary to give them their own chapters… but I still loved the story. Honestly, I wish it was longer or that we got more of Ireland and Ronan though.

The spice was spicing, the twist in who Ronan was, was expected and not really surprising to me at all, but I still loved him. I hate his brother, but I love him.

The cliff hanger though!! I need more already. I need to know what happens immediately!

I have so many emotions with this book. I love the woman Ireland has grown into. She's fierce and has an amazing love and loyalty for her family, but can also sacrifice a bit of herself for them. And Ronan... holy hotness batman! Ronan is 100 on the hot alpha scale. I was worried he was going to ruin things but he ended up making me love him completely. I'm not sure how I feel about Gideon and Ava having so much time in this book. I wish the author would have told their additional story in a novella and let Ireland have the full focus she deserved. Also, there were a few time I felt the author didn't have Ireland react the way her personality would have made us believe. She didn't demand answers when she should have. I didn't picture he being the 'bury your head in the sand' heroine. But despite all that, I love the intensity of Ireland and Ronan's attraction from the very start. I'm eager to see where this is going.

4 stars

This author writes well especially all the erotica.

I'd started the Crossfire books and read a lot of her earlier work such as the Georgian series and the historical romance collection. This looks like a similar series which is a bit like a penny dreadful lots of angst and then left in limbo at the end.

prefer historical remoance with HEA endings so contemporary billionaire types are not my go to....already I think I can see it elonogating to perhaps 5 books...I can see there could be lots of twists and turns. It's a shame Gideon and Eva are still being stalked is this repetition a bit old hat?

Worth a read for the passion.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. It was good to get a spinoff series with new perspectives and relationships but we also see how the characters from the original series were doing from their perspective, which was a new and welcome concept for me. Beware, this book ends with cliffhanger and the 2nd installment isn’t published for another year.

In a game of high prices and bigger personalities the one who has gotten the farthest wins - but when Ireland meets Ronan her perfect world just might be broken apart. Ronan might feel an instant attraction to Ireland, but the revenge he needs to serve will come at a price and Ireland just may be caught in the crossfire. Sylvia Day knows exactly how to hook her readers and leave them wanting more. A fabulous storyline filled with wonderful characters and just the right amount of angst.

Ireland…is my new girl crush and OMG the ending of this book has me on pins and needles and I need the next book now!

Such a passionate story! So much fire and emotion!

I will not lie I have not read Gideon’s story and now it’s a must as I wait for the continuation of Ireland and the man who stole her heart.

Be ready for twists and just when you think those twists are going to be worked out…HA!

First & foremost be warned this is book one in a series it's not a standalone. If you don't like books with cliffhangers and continuation into the next book this one isn't for you.

I need more! Of course I do!

But let's be honest I knew that before I even started the book.

It's the follow up after Gideon & Eva.

First and foremost I highly recommend reading the CrossFire Series first. For one it's an amazing series, Secondly it gives some insight to the certain events that are mention in book one of the CrossRoads series. So go find a copy of the Crossfire books to meet Gideon & Eva with a touch of Ireland.

Ireland & Ronan : Southern gentleman ruining lives on the east coast. NY beauty with a fierce attitude. His tigress

Does it matter that I figured out the problem ​e​arly on? No, because that’s what makes their interactions​ ​s​o much more intense.​

Once again Sylvia Day pulls you back in the Crossfire world. I enjoyed meeting Ireland and her world outside of her older brother's life. The added bonus of getting more glimpses of Gideon & Eva and how they are doing years later. I've always liked their dynamic as a couple and I have no doubt Ireland's story will be just as intense wherever this series takes her (and Ronan). Let's be honest this is Ireland & Ronan's story.

Who’s Scarlet? What connection does ​C​hristopher Vidal Sr have to Louisiana? Who’s stalking & terrorizing Eva & Gideon?

A 4.5 star read for me

Thank you NetGalley & Sylvia Day LLC for this arc opportunity.

Ireland Vidal with her father and one of her brothers control Vidal records. She is beautiful, clever and nobody’s fool.
When she meets Ronan Boudreaux she is set off balance by the instant strong sexual attraction to him which is very mutual. Unfortunately Ronan is there to swoop in and take over Vidal records which Irelands father has mismanaged. Ronan make his millions by seeking out failing companies, breaking them up and taking all the profits this provides.
There is strong sexual passion and heartbreak here that makes for a good read. We also catch up with her brother Gideon and Eva from the crossfire series which made this story even better.
I enjoyed this book but have to say it became very wearing that the main male characters had every item of designer clothing described in explicit detail and even how their hair style, just overkill for me. Plus the sexual scenes were pretty long and there were plenty of them so I ended up skipping a few pages.
The book ends on a cliffhanger so much more to come.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.