Choose Me: An Elite University Billionaire Romance in a Rare-Women World

Crown or Fire #1

by Vivienne Cross

At St. Ives University, women are rare, men are ranked, and every decision is a power play. Make the right move and you’re crowned. The wrong one? You’re done.

Beatriz Cruz wasn’t raised for this world, but she’s been accepted in. Armed with a scholarship, Toronto grit, and a name everyone keeps mispronouncing, she’s determined to earn her place and prove she belongs.

Then Gage King looks at her like she already does.

With him.

Heir to one of the country’s most powerful financial empires, authority isn’t something he wears. It’s something he is. Born into legacy, forged into steel, Gage is control made flesh…and the cousin of Bea’s new housemate.

In a world where every unclaimed woman is a prize—and every man knows how to play the game—Bea needs to learn. Fast.

Because he’s already making moves. A glance that marks her. A coat that silences the room. A code that opens more than his penthouse door: It unlocks the part of her that no one’s ever touched.

And when she finally takes a step toward him?

He shows her exactly what it means to be chosen by a man who doesn’t let go.
Because in the United Republic of Westhaven, being chosen isn’t the end.

It’s just the beginning.

520 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2025

About the author

I started writing during one of the most difficult seasons of my life, because I needed somewhere else to be. I’ve always escaped into stories where the world is dangerous, but the ending is always safe. Where powerful, obsessive men fall hard for the woman who upends their control. From brooding historical dukes to billionaires in Tom Ford, I’ve chased every version of that hero—and now I write them. If you love steam with soul, if you want to laugh, cry and FEEL, and heroines who get everything they never thought they could ask for, you’ll find all of it in the United Republic of Westhaven.

Please enjoy the world of Crown or Fire.

-Vivienne Cross xx

Reviews

[Jesslin Chandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has everything i'm looking for in billionaire romance book, i live and breathe in it. I love how rich the world is, how i enjoy my billionaire romance gonna be. Alpha male, naive female, lost in a world that is so new to her. I love strong female like Bea, she adapts, and doesn't bend easily. The love triangle is so strong at beginning, to which i crave more as i read but couldn't find it. It makes me wonder why Rafael is even there? He got me excited for book 2, i just have to keep on reading. As for Gage and Bea, i love them as a couple, at the same time i wanna see them having disagreement sometimes. Just to see how their relationship works, so far it still looks like she's following his flow, probably because she's young and he's older and come from the upper world. I crave more of Bea taking her stand in the new world, more of romantic tension between the leads, or some love triangle with Rafael or Gage's being jealous. Hopefully i get to see it in book 2. The school setting is a bit much tho, wishing there's more of professional setting with function or galas now that Gage has graduated. We'll see...

[Bailey Palmasano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book I love B she is a strong amazing fmc and love our mmc and the love they share for eachother

[hitynka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why Rafael is still with us??????????

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Crown or Fire Series and is a good start to the series. The story line is engaging and pulls you in right at the beginning. Beatriz, an honor student in Canada manages a scholarship her junior year to the elite and prestigious St Ives College in the sovereign area of UR. The town and the area is predominantly male and they have some interesting customs. She's thrown into a world of the elite and powerful, totally opposite what she was used to. She finds herself pursued by Gage, her house mate's cousin and the billionaire heir to a large financial conglomerate. He's powerful and controlling. Rafael, another wealthy wanna be suitor/rival and Catherine, the girl who lays claim to Gage add to the drama. What about the Korean customs concerning boyfriends? What about her parents? What about the Social Proximity List? She was the first thing that he got to pick for himself and he was determined to have her and what Gage wants, he gets. I read a free arc via the author and voluntarily chose to review.

[Becky Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic start to this series!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This was my first time reading this author's work and it definitely left me wanting more and extremely excited to see what happens in the next book.
The world building was fantastic and the side characters are wonderful, hopefully they will eventually get their own book.

This book follows MMC Gage and FMC
Bea. It is set in a graduate college setting in Toronto. It has elements of a secret society type, but this is being explained as Bea is falling for the Billionaire Heir Gage. She has decided to go home for 10 weeks to spend time with her parents and Claire, as well as to tell them about her seeing Gage. Will she be able to be what Gage will require if her to be in his world??? We shall see!

I cannot wait to see what happens next. I have a feeling that side characters Catherine and Griffin might cause issues between Gage and Bea. I guess we will see in the next book!
Thank you @viviennecrossauthor and @nishasbooksandcoffee for this amazing start to this series.

Story: 5⭐️
Characters: 5⭐️
Spice: 2🌶️

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed "CHOOSE ME" I found the journey these characters take you on is quite interesting, captivating, dealing with acceptance, fitting in, being strong, it'll keep you reading.
Beatrice Cruz earns a scholarship to St. Ives University she's not from money its a school for the elite, women are out numbered by the guys everything is about power, she's determined to fit in.
Gage King is from one the most powerful financial empires putting him out of her league but he seems taken with Bea.
Gage makes it known she's his & she needs to learn what that means, everyone in the room sees his intentions, no one will step over, his cousin is her roommate
Bea has to deal with Rafael another one who wants to claim her a rival of sorts & Catherine who wants Gage causing some drama.
Gage chose Beatrice for himself, not one of his parents choosing, will the difference between them cause them extra drama or can they get a HEA a must read to see how all the drama unfolds.

[Sabrina Mordini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️

Choose Me offers an intriguing twist on the billionaire romance trope, set in a fictional state where women are scarce and treated as property.

Bea is a scholarship student navigating an elite university and a deeply unbalanced society, while Gage is the powerful billionaire drawn to her. I really appreciated Bea’s struggle to stay true to herself, resisting both the social norms and the influence of money and power.

The story unfolds slowly, with strong worldbuilding and a deep focus on the academic setting. The writing leans more toward suggestion than explicit description, inviting the reader to feel the story rather than simply observe it.

The romance is built on angst, yearning, and courtship, with minimal spice and some sideline characters bringing a bit of tension without actually becoming fully involved. The book ends on a HFN with a small cliffhanger, leaving me curious to see where the next installment will go.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic start to this series!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This was my first time reading this author's work and it definitely left me wanting more and extremely excited to see what happens in the next book.
The world building was fantastic and the side characters are wonderful, hopefully they will eventually get their own book.
This book follows MMC Gage and FMC Bea. It is set in a graduate college setting in Toronto. It has elements of a secret society type, but this is being explained as Bea is falling for the Heir Gage. She has decided to go home for 10 weeks to spend time with her parents and Claire, as well as to tell them about her seeing Gage.

I cannot wait to see what happens next. I have a feeling that side characters Catherine and Griffin might cause issues between Gage and Bea. I guess we will see in the next book!
Thank you @viviennecrossauthor and @nishasbooksandcoffee for this amazing start to this series!

[Kat Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting world the UR and St. Ives is! Bea and Gage are in college but it's not just any college. It's a whole different world where everyone knows the way to act, the players and the game. I would actually forget the characters were all college age. Vivienne wrote the fish out of water trope well. Bea is so likeable! She's no doormat and I really enjoyed her finding her footing amongst the continual agendas circling around her. I loved how Gage said so much without saying much at all. I REALLY liked him. The angst is top notch. And Rafael? What are we going to do about him? I'm anxious to read the next book! I need to know what's going to happen.

[Cindy Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is a college wheel of someone wants someone Gage has made it known that Bea is "his" but so has a rival, Raphael. Bea doesn't think that she's in the same class as Gage and isn't good enough. Catherine is a mean girl and she thinks that she's the only one for Gage. Raphael and Catherine don't care what it takes to get the ones that they want. Gage will do whatever it takes to have Bea and Bea just wants to keep her scholarship so because she can never afford the school. Eventually things iron themselves out and ultimately Bea gets her HEA.

[Michelle Shamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely amazing and original idea for a book. I was genuinely captivated by the originality of it. Bea is young and naive, but she’s also strong. Her and Gage come together and they just click. I love the relationship between them. This book pulls you in and you’re just so lost in the awesomeness, love, and life is these two.
I received an ARC from Nisha’s Books and Coffee and Vivienne Cross.

[Vivienne Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author copy.
I still remember when this book first moved from the notes app on my phone to a word doc on my computer. I had no idea how big the world would become, or how much these characters would come to mean to me. I wrote it with everything I have, and I hope you feel it. I’m so incredibly grateful and excited for you to step into the UR with me.
Viv

[SusanT62 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely riveted to this book. Bea and Gage are terrific together. Their chemistry is intense and the reader feels this.

This is the first book I’ve read from this author but it won’t be my last. I look forward to the next book in this series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christie Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Choose Me by Vivienne Cross (ARC)

This is the first book in the Crown or Fire Series and is a good start to the series. Beatriz, an honor student in Canada manages a scholarship her junior year to the elite and prestigious St Ives College. She finds herself pursued by Gage, her house mate's cousin and the billionaire heir.

[Hadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was tender and sweet, with great banter throughout. I felt genuinely connected to the characters, and Gage was an absolute dream.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love me a good billionaire romance and this book definitely fit the vibe. The alpha male and the female who stands her ground is always a good combo that I can’t get enough of. Definitely excited for book two and I cannot wait to see what it has in store.

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Immediately searched for more from Ms Cross and read the novella. Bummed I have to wait for the rest of the series.