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The Marriage Clause
Not yet published
Expected 20 Feb 26A marriage written into a corporate clause.
A billionaire who controls everything.
A woman who refuses to be owned.
Killian Thorne didn’t become powerful by being kind.
He built his empire through precision, dominance, and absolute control. In his world, weakness is eliminated, emotions are liabilities, and love is a risk he cannot afford. When a corporate war forces Elena Sterling into a strategic marriage with him, Killian treats it like every other deal structured, contained, and governed by rules he never breaks.
Elena refuses to be owned.
As the fiercely independent CEO of a luxury fashion empire, she agrees to the marriage to protect her legacy not to surrender herself. She will not become another acquisition in Killian’s portfolio, no matter how dangerous or irresistible he is. Their marriage is tense and combustible, defined by a battle for autonomy neither of them is prepared to lose.
But beneath Killian’s ruthlessness is a man shaped by survival.
And beneath Elena’s armor is a woman who refuses to disappear.
As enemies close in and control begins to fail him, Killian must confront the truth he has spent his life avoiding: protection is not possession, and love cannot survive inside a cage.
Because the most dangerous thing about a ruthless man…
is what happens when he finally lets go.
The Marriage Clause is a contemporary billionaire romance about power, resistance, obsession, and earned redemption.
A billionaire who controls everything.
A woman who refuses to be owned.
Killian Thorne didn’t become powerful by being kind.
He built his empire through precision, dominance, and absolute control. In his world, weakness is eliminated, emotions are liabilities, and love is a risk he cannot afford. When a corporate war forces Elena Sterling into a strategic marriage with him, Killian treats it like every other deal structured, contained, and governed by rules he never breaks.
Elena refuses to be owned.
As the fiercely independent CEO of a luxury fashion empire, she agrees to the marriage to protect her legacy not to surrender herself. She will not become another acquisition in Killian’s portfolio, no matter how dangerous or irresistible he is. Their marriage is tense and combustible, defined by a battle for autonomy neither of them is prepared to lose.
But beneath Killian’s ruthlessness is a man shaped by survival.
And beneath Elena’s armor is a woman who refuses to disappear.
As enemies close in and control begins to fail him, Killian must confront the truth he has spent his life avoiding: protection is not possession, and love cannot survive inside a cage.
Because the most dangerous thing about a ruthless man…
is what happens when he finally lets go.
The Marriage Clause is a contemporary billionaire romance about power, resistance, obsession, and earned redemption.
203 pages, ebook
Expected publication February 20, 2026
5 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Elise Walton
3 books12 followersI write emotionally intense billionaire romances with powerful heroes, high-stakes relationships, and women who refuse to break.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Im not normally a romance reader but I do enjoy a heartfelt happily ever after so I thought when the Author reached out to me why not. I devoured this book sooo good.
Elena on her own was such a powerhouse and Killion a shark, but together they are formidable and cant be Broken.
I loved how it started out as a as an agreement to protect her but then it became so much more. They became an stronger entity together that was built from the ashes of her company that was being torn down from the inside.
I enjoyed that even though Killion was trying to protect her he still was able to see that she needed to save herself with his guidance. By letting her do this, she became more trusting of him and in return he earned her love instead of forcing it.
Such an amazing love story forged from betrayal, espionage and a mogul who was trying to bring her down just so he could control her.
Instead a true love story was formed and blossomed and built an empire from love
Elena on her own was such a powerhouse and Killion a shark, but together they are formidable and cant be Broken.
I loved how it started out as a as an agreement to protect her but then it became so much more. They became an stronger entity together that was built from the ashes of her company that was being torn down from the inside.
I enjoyed that even though Killion was trying to protect her he still was able to see that she needed to save herself with his guidance. By letting her do this, she became more trusting of him and in return he earned her love instead of forcing it.
Such an amazing love story forged from betrayal, espionage and a mogul who was trying to bring her down just so he could control her.
Instead a true love story was formed and blossomed and built an empire from love
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book delivers a sharp, high-stakes romance between two power players who refuse to be underestimated. Elena Sterling is fighting to keep control of a company she built in a world designed to doubt her. Surrounded by a board of old men who see her gender as weakness, she must outmaneuver both corporate enemies and internal sabotage to survive. Enter Killian Thorne—an efficiency-driven billionaire who came from nothing and deals only in certainties. Emotions are foreign territory to him, and relationships are just another form of leverage. When the object of his desire proposes a contract marriage for protection, he accepts with cold precision… but not without ulterior motives. What begins as a calculated deal turns into a battle of wills as attraction and trust complicate every rule they set. Elena’s resilience and Killian’s ruthless logic make them a lethal combination of wit and strength, especially as threats close in from all sides This story blends power, desire, and ambition into a romance where love is the one variable neither of them can fully control.
Book includes one mildly spicy scene.
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Book includes one mildly spicy scene.
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2026
The marriage clause ARC REVIEW
At first, this book felt a little rushed and had me asking a lot of questions. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Killian and Elena’s relationship in the beginning—but wow, did that change. The deeper I got, the more everything clicked, and suddenly I was fully obsessed with both of them.
Killian might be labeled a “monster,” but the man has the softest cinnamon-roll side that exists solely for Elena, and I ate that up. The timeline jumps around a bit, but somehow it just works and makes the story even better. Together, Killian and Elena are pure power—strong individually, unstoppable as a pair.
"You don't extinguish me," she said firmly. "You ground me. You give me a base. You think I’m light? Maybe I am. But fire needs something to burn on, Killian. I need you."
At first, this book felt a little rushed and had me asking a lot of questions. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Killian and Elena’s relationship in the beginning—but wow, did that change. The deeper I got, the more everything clicked, and suddenly I was fully obsessed with both of them.
Killian might be labeled a “monster,” but the man has the softest cinnamon-roll side that exists solely for Elena, and I ate that up. The timeline jumps around a bit, but somehow it just works and makes the story even better. Together, Killian and Elena are pure power—strong individually, unstoppable as a pair.
"You don't extinguish me," she said firmly. "You ground me. You give me a base. You think I’m light? Maybe I am. But fire needs something to burn on, Killian. I need you."
Review of advance copy received from Author
Marriage Clause is a compelling romance about two strong business minds who enter a marriage of convenience to protect what they’ve built. Elena, a fiercely independent fashion entrepreneur, values freedom and respect, while Killian believes in protection and responsibility. What begins as a strictly professional arrangement slowly transforms into trust, partnership, and genuine love. The story beautifully explores independence, mutual respect, and emotional growth. A simple yet engaging read with strong characters and a satisfying romantic arc. 💙
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews