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Love Hard
In my world, love comes with a rulebook.
Marry the right girl. From the right family. With the right last name.
I’m Jack Alden—the only son of the Alden dynasty. The kind of New York family that’s been around since ships were made of wood and fortunes were built on steel.
My mother’s been trying to find me a “suitable” wife for years.
So naturally, I fall for a woman who couldn’t care less about any of it. Iris Williams.
I first saw her at the New York City Ballet—crying in the stalls like the music had cracked her open. She didn’t know who I was. She wasn’t performing for anyone. She was just…real.
One night with her, and I remembered what it felt like to actually breathe.
Then she disappeared.
Months later, I find her again—on a fruit farm in the middle of Colorado, hurling raspberries at me like she’s auditioning for a food fight. Turns out, Iris is smart, stubborn, and not remotely impressed by a billionaire with a trust fund and an overbearing mother.
She makes me laugh. She makes me think.
And for the first time in my life, I want something that isn’t written in my family’s history books.
But old money comes with old rules.
And loving Iris means breaking every single one.
They say you can’t choose where you come from.
Maybe not.
But you can choose who you fight for.
And this time, I’m choosing her.
Because when it comes to Iris Williams—I don’t just love.
I love hard.
Marry the right girl. From the right family. With the right last name.
I’m Jack Alden—the only son of the Alden dynasty. The kind of New York family that’s been around since ships were made of wood and fortunes were built on steel.
My mother’s been trying to find me a “suitable” wife for years.
So naturally, I fall for a woman who couldn’t care less about any of it. Iris Williams.
I first saw her at the New York City Ballet—crying in the stalls like the music had cracked her open. She didn’t know who I was. She wasn’t performing for anyone. She was just…real.
One night with her, and I remembered what it felt like to actually breathe.
Then she disappeared.
Months later, I find her again—on a fruit farm in the middle of Colorado, hurling raspberries at me like she’s auditioning for a food fight. Turns out, Iris is smart, stubborn, and not remotely impressed by a billionaire with a trust fund and an overbearing mother.
She makes me laugh. She makes me think.
And for the first time in my life, I want something that isn’t written in my family’s history books.
But old money comes with old rules.
And loving Iris means breaking every single one.
They say you can’t choose where you come from.
Maybe not.
But you can choose who you fight for.
And this time, I’m choosing her.
Because when it comes to Iris Williams—I don’t just love.
I love hard.
10 pages, Audible Audio
Published January 6, 2026
14 people want to read
About the author
Louise Bay
82 books7,567 followersInternational, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author, Louise Bay writes contemporary romance novels that make you laugh - the kind she likes to read.
Ruined by the bonk-busters of the eighties, Louise was inspired by Judith Krantz and Jackie Collins, but wants to be Emily Henry when she grows up.
Louise loves the rain, RHOBH, London, days when she doesn't have to wear make-up, hanging out with her kid, elephants and champagne (not necessarily in that order).
She loves to hear from readers so get in touch!
Ruined by the bonk-busters of the eighties, Louise was inspired by Judith Krantz and Jackie Collins, but wants to be Emily Henry when she grows up.
Louise loves the rain, RHOBH, London, days when she doesn't have to wear make-up, hanging out with her kid, elephants and champagne (not necessarily in that order).
She loves to hear from readers so get in touch!
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 14, 2026
4.5⭐️
This audio is so good. I would listen to Jason Clarke read just about anything… 😍.
I’m also a sucker for a man who falls first and that’s what happened when Jack first saw Iris. They come from two completely different worlds, but I loved how Jack just wanted to be with Iris and help with her farm and family business. They had a hard time navigating their relationship at times, especially through the long distance and family influence, but ultimately forged a path to be together.
This audio is so good. I would listen to Jason Clarke read just about anything… 😍.
I’m also a sucker for a man who falls first and that’s what happened when Jack first saw Iris. They come from two completely different worlds, but I loved how Jack just wanted to be with Iris and help with her farm and family business. They had a hard time navigating their relationship at times, especially through the long distance and family influence, but ultimately forged a path to be together.
January 20, 2026
Jack and Iris is definitely based on ‘when opposites attract’.
Jack - comes from old money and is based in New York and Iris is a farm girl from Star Falls who had big dreams but both share the burden of family legacies.
The Star Falls books just keep getting better and better and I have to say that this is my new favourite.
Jack - comes from old money and is based in New York and Iris is a farm girl from Star Falls who had big dreams but both share the burden of family legacies.
The Star Falls books just keep getting better and better and I have to say that this is my new favourite.
February 4, 2026
4.5. Really enjoyable and so sad later on....minus a half star because the conflict resolved really quickly/easily. It didn't feel proportionate to the angst throughout the book. JC and EM were exceptional narrators!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews