Author: Carrie Ann Ryan
Publication Date: 14 June 2016
Publisher: Self-Published
Series: Montgomery Ink, book 5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Recommendation: 18 and Up
Rating: 4 Stars
~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~
Book Description:
The Montgomery Ink series continues with a forbidden love between three friends and a past that they can’t escape.
Jake Gallagher knew from the moment he saw Maya that she was the one for him—it had the same breath-taking intensity as when he’d first set eyes on Border. Only life never turns out the way one plans, and now he’s falling for someone else...or at least he thinks he is.
Maya Montgomery never should have looked past the friendship she already had. Now that she has, she can’t stop thinking about Jake and what he means to her. When a mysterious stranger from Jake’s past shows up at their door, she’s forced to admit that if she doesn’t take the risk of a lifetime, she’ll regret it for the rest of her days.
Border Gentry walked away without a second glance once because of what could happen if he let go, but now he’s back and ready to see what he’s missed. He’s been on the road a long time and has seen things no man should ever see, yet once he rediscovers the broody Jake and meets the inked and fierce Maya, they’re like a balm to his soul and he realizes what path his future should take.
It will take more than sizzling chemistry and a heat that never dies for the three of them to overcome their pasts. And when someone from the outside wants to stand in their way, it’s not only their hearts on the line…but also their lives.
Jake Gallagher knew from the moment he saw Maya that she was the one for him—it had the same breath-taking intensity as when he’d first set eyes on Border. Only life never turns out the way one plans, and now he’s falling for someone else...or at least he thinks he is.
Maya Montgomery never should have looked past the friendship she already had. Now that she has, she can’t stop thinking about Jake and what he means to her. When a mysterious stranger from Jake’s past shows up at their door, she’s forced to admit that if she doesn’t take the risk of a lifetime, she’ll regret it for the rest of her days.
Border Gentry walked away without a second glance once because of what could happen if he let go, but now he’s back and ready to see what he’s missed. He’s been on the road a long time and has seen things no man should ever see, yet once he rediscovers the broody Jake and meets the inked and fierce Maya, they’re like a balm to his soul and he realizes what path his future should take.
It will take more than sizzling chemistry and a heat that never dies for the three of them to overcome their pasts. And when someone from the outside wants to stand in their way, it’s not only their hearts on the line…but also their lives.
My Review:
I feel like I have been waiting the entire Montgomery Ink series for this story. Jake and Maya's love 'secret' for one another has been burning up the pages of Montgomery Ink since their very first introduction and then we get our glimpses of Border and whoa, who wouldn't want to get there hands on this book and fast.
I loved the take on the best friends turned lovers trope here because it isn't your normal trope, this is a best friends turned lovers plus one extra (and darn sexy) best friend. Jake and Border had not only been best friends in their youth but also lovers, then unexpectedly Border left, leaving Jake to pick up the pieces of his broken heart and leaving him confused wondering why Border had run. Fast forward a number of years and Jake meets Maya while out with his brothers. Their romance is fast paced, it's sexy, it's hot, and then it's over. What isn't over is their friendship. For 13 years the pair have hung on to each other, held each other, been there when needed. They have forged an unbreakable bond of friendship all while both have secretly wanted more but have been too afraid of losing their incredible friendship. That is until Border rolls back into town and changes....everything.
I have always loved this pair, heck I love the entire Montgomery Family but Jake and Maya, they just make your heart ache. It is so easy to imagine them as they go about their lives holding that one part of themselves back, trying to convince everyone of their personal happiness but you know when the other isn't watching there are longing looks. You know that a hug of encouragement holds more than friendship, that gentle glancing touches are more erotic than they want the other to realize. You know that their hearts will perhaps preoccupied with a recent romance belong to no one else but each other and until Border you think those hearts could never belong to anyone other than Jake and Maya.
I love Jake's heart. He's a bit wild, he's a lot alpha (though it's subtle...until it isn't anymore), but he's a calming presence with a heart that is meant to love and big enough to love more than one person deeply. I love Maya's spirit. We have seen that spirit as she interacts with her family through out the books but to see it with Jake and then Border later it is a joyous thing. She has a heart of gold, easily bruised if not cared for, but so open to just letting in joy that she spreads that joy to everyone around her. Border, wow. I can say I wish we had gotten more than glimpses of Border in the past. He is a game changer in all ways. Border is a solid comfort, he is the bridge over muddy waters, he is the steady presence that soothes souls allowing them to open up to their surroundings and lets them breathe.
These three characters balanced each other perfectly and I loved that Carrie took care in writing this trio, in making it clear that they aren't going into a triad lightly that they recognize there will be challenges, that there are roles that have to be defined, that hearts and minds have to be open. In so many Menage books the author makes it seem easy. Makes the reader believe that three people just fell in love and never looked back when as readers we know in our hearts it could never be so simple. We know the two people in a relationship is difficult enough adding a third brings in a whole new realm of challenges and Carrie does not let these characters off easy in that respect. I love how we watch them work through many of their issues but we are left knowing that they will be continually working to grow as a family, that there are still, not to be puny, kinks that have to be worked out as it would with any couple.
I of coursed loved the look into all the Montgomery Families lives and especially our peek at who's book in coming next and I have to say I am super excited about this one. This next book is going to be an emotional doozy!
Ink Enduring is a great read for any contemporary romance fans, especially if you are looking for a heartfelt triad story. You do not have to have read the previous Montgomery Ink books but I would love for you to do so because they are great reads and well it will help clear up a few little things here and there. Ink Enduring is another great addition to the Montgomery Ink family. I love these books because they revolve around a wonderfully supportive family and are full of well...Faith, Trust, and Tattoo Ink! They are totally my kind of people!
~HAPPY READING ~
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Carrie Ann is a bestselling author of over twenty novels and novellas and has so much more on her mind (and on her spreadsheets *grins*) that she isn’t planning on giving up her dream anytime soon.
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Sounds like an awesome read, I haven't read any in this series but I'm adding it to my list! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYay, more books to add to my TBR!!
ReplyDelete