Ink Enduring

Montgomery Ink #5

by Carrie Ann Ryan

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.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Menage, Contemporary Romance, M M F, Erotica, Friends To Lovers

290 pages, ebook

First published June 14, 2016

About the author

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Talon Pack, Promise Me, and Elements of Five series, which have sold millions of books worldwide. She's the winner of a RT Book of the Year and a Prism Award in her genres. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.

The Montgomery Ink World contains the following series, though each series is a stand alone and can be read in any order. Feel free to hop around:

The Montgomery Ink Series
The Gallagher Brothers Series
The Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs Series
The Whiskey and Lies Series
The Fractured Connections Series
The Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series
The Less Than Series
The Promise Me Series

Her Elements of Five Series is her Young Adult Romance series while her other series are all adult.

Her Talon Pack series is set in the same world as the Redwood Pack series, only 30 years later.

The Dante's Circle, Holiday, Montana, and Branded Packs series are all individual series as well.

Reviews

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOW LIVE!!!
*Amazon US*Amazon UK*Barnes & Noble*

Jake Gallagher and Maya Montgomery have been friends for over ten years. Ten years of boyfriends and girlfriends coming in and out of both of their lives. And both were fine with that, after all, they were only friends. Right? Then Jake started getting serious with a girl and it opened Maya's eye's and made her realize that she feels more for Jake than just friendship. Much more. She hides her feelings because she doesn't want to screw up the close relationship they have, and if that means having her heart shatter over seeing him happy with another woman, so be it.

But then Border Gentry walks back into Jake's life and everything Jake and Maya thought was simple suddenly gets very complicated. Border was Jake's best friend when they were younger, a friend that turned to more when they became lovers. Border left all those years ago for reasons that he never told Jake, but now he's back to get the man he never forgot. And when he shows up and meets Maya, he finds that the chemistry he has with Jake, he somehow also shares with Maya. Now the three friends just have to decide if exploring this crazy chemistry is worth losing each other if it all goes wrong.



How could I not love this book? It had everything a girl could possibly want, the sexiness of two men, a bad ass heroine, an amazing family presence, oh and did I mention sexiness of two men. Just saying.



I knew from the very beginning of this series that Maya and Jake would end up together. Even when they were "just friends" in the previous books there was still that hidden chemistry that came out now and then. Or maybe it was just me and my wishful plea for a friends to lovers story, who knows. Either way, I never thought their story would turn into this hot as hell menage with with this mysterious man that comes to town for Jake. I was ridiculously happy with all of it, though.

I loved how each character had their own struggles they had to get through about the relationship and we got to see every second of it. Jake seemed to be the center of it all, since he was Maya's friend and Border's friend, yet Border and Maya weren't friends before this. But his character never took over the main focus, which actually kind of surprised me, and was something I really liked. Bottom line, they were all just amazing characters to read about.



The only issue I had with the story was Border's reasoning for coming back to Denver. I felt like the "danger" that was lurking between the pages wasn't explained enough for it to truly connect to the story. It wasn't something that was brought up a whole lot so it didn't bother me too much, but I still would have liked to know more about it.

Overall, this series is definitely worth the read if you haven't started it yet. The Montgomery family is one that will have you laughing, falling in love, falling in lust and wanting to head to the nearest tattoo shop. Jake's family is also getting a series and I already know I will love the Gallagher family just as much as the Montgomery's.

ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Lu Bielefeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake seemed very indecisive about his feelings for Maya and is in a serious relationship with Holly and even intends to ask her to marry him. With the arrival of Border he is even more divided.
Friends falling in love and not wanting to ruin the friendship but suffering from seeing them have other people over the years.
The family supported the trio and they gradually figured out how the relationship would work.
It was an okay reading.

“So…you and Holly?” Jake cocked a brow. “Yeah, me and Holly. I’m thinking about asking her to marry me, actually.”

And now he had Holly. He’d done right by her, and would continue to do so, because no matter what he might have once felt for Border and Maya, Holly was now, and the others were in the past

Apparently, she didn’t know much about threesome positions, but she had a feeling she’d find out.

I came back to see Jake. To see what he wanted and to see what I’d missed out on by leaving. And I came back to see this Maya Montgomery Jake talked about so often. I didn’t just come back for Jake, Maya. I think I came back for you, too.”

“Friends first, Maya,” he repeated. “Friends always,” she said firmly. “That I promise you. We’re going to stay friends”

Two dirty talkers with big dicks who want to fuck me and have me in their lives? Hell yes to all of that.

“Well, I kissed Border already, so it’s a threesome,” Jake said

Sasha rolled her eyes with the grace of a little kid. “Nope. You all like each other, so, duh, you’re together.” She beamed. “When I grow up, I want two boyfriends, too”

You’re a good man, Border. I hope to get to know you better now that you’re in my daughter’s life. And in the life of the man I call a son when no one’s looking.”

She doesn’t like baby, honeybee, darling, honey, cotton candy, sugar, pumpkin, brownie, girl, baby girl, or jiggly ass, so I’m trying to figure out what to call her.”

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 'To Be Us' Stars.

Since book one I have so intrigued by Jake and Maya when I read that there would be a ménage with Border I was all up for it.

Once again this book wasn’t quite it for me.

The Characters.

Jake Gallagher has four brothers and is Maya Montgomery’s best friend. Thirteen years ago that first night they met they had chemistry that was off the charts yet circumstances got in the way of everything. He was three months to late and decided that he like Maya in his life no matter what. Through thick and thin he has been there for Maya.

I always liked Jake and here it is no different but I know that I could have loved him there was just something missing. He did and said all the right things.

Maya Montgomery hasn’t forgotten that night with what could have been but with dating someone else timing was never right. Now that Jake has a girlfriend it can nearly be too late. They became friends and tucked their chemistry into a box. Through thick and thin he has been there for Maya.

Maya is great, she is brash and well her feelings for Jake make her insecure but that is good to see. That makes her human. Maya makes no excuse for who she is and what she does that is why I love her.

Border Gentry was young and stupid when he left Jake. He left and although there were conversations distance grew and Border finally grew a pair and went back for Jake. He also without knowing it when back for Maya as well as he had heard so much about her.

Border is a sound character and I think I liked him a bit more than Jake which kind of sucks but there you go. He is overprotective and no matter with his past he has saved a lot of people and has done the right thing.

The Chemistry.

Maya has chemistry with Jake. Jake has chemistry with Maya. Maya has chemistry with Border and well Border has chemistry with Maya. So far I haven’t mentioned Jake and Border if they have chemistry they do but we never see that chemistry, I wanted some smexy scenes with them. I felt it to be a tad lacking and wanted more depth to their triad.

The Writing & Plot.

The writing is engaging and entertaining, the plot could have been fleshed out more especially with what Border was doing. The ending that rushed at the end. I personally think that it could have been left out and just gone with surprise pregnancy The relationship wasn't just glossed over it showed how much needed to be invested in such a relationship. The pace for me was perfect.

The Verdict.
I adore the Montgomery family every single one of them is great and big families are kind of like catnip for me. I love ménages they are a guilty pleasure for me. I haven’t read any truly great ones lately so I wanted this to be a winner and well in some ways it was in others it wasn’t. I really like this series it is sweet with some low angst in it.

P.S. Holly is amazing she dumped Jake because she knew what was happening. Go and get your HEA lady.

[Raine · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Almost 4 stars**

[Adoore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ink Enduring book 5 in the Montgomery Ink series. I was really excited when I heard this book was coming out because I could feel the tension between Jake and Maya through the series but when I read it would be a menage relationship I was very weary. I do not care about relationships that are different but I don't really read romance books involving menages but I love this series and decided to give it a try.

Jake and Maya did not feel the same to me I did not feel the spark between them. It felt like Maya and Border fell for each other way to fast. It felt like Border and Jake had way more history than Jake and Maya. I just didn't feel it but it might just be because I am just not into menage romance. Overall the book was well written I am looking forward to the next book. I am anxious to read the secret love and yearning of a woman in loved with a Montgomery.

[Shiran · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review is for all the books I've read so far in the series

I'm going to be honest about this series. Every book was average. Not terrible, but not amazing either. I found that as I read this series the storyline bored, me but the characters were compelling enough to keep me reading the next book. But this one I just couldn't bring myself to finish.

I think the real problem I have with this series is Ryan's writing style. Even though the subject matter in each book is exciting, the way the events unfold was very soft. I felt like Ryan didn't want to push the boundaries, didn't want to really hurt her characters. Don't get me wrong, I don't look for violent events to happen to characters but when the storyline leans that way (as it does in these books) I want the author to take the steps needed to make the story grab you.

On top of that, I found the sex and romance to be unrealistic and boring. In some cases the characters hate each other one moment and then all of a sudden are dating (Austin and Sierra). In others they just love each other from their past with no reference to how it all happened (Luc and Meghan). In this book, Border is just there and suddenly wants Maya. It all happens too fast. As for the sex, I found the dirty talk to be too much (100% a personal thing). I usually like this kind of thing but I think Ryan over does it a bit. It's almost like she is trying too hard.

There's also no differentiation between the characters. They all say and do the same things in bed (which is a bit gross considering they are all related). They speak the same way and love the same things. Ryan also seems to have an obsession with the colour of a woman's nipples? These books are also riddled with errors and some of Ryan's sentences are very odd making them hard to read.

At the end of the day, I really wanted to like this series because the world of the Montgomerys is amazing and the characters are quite interesting. But unfortunatley I just couldn't get past the boring aspects of the series.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nayeli - per RFS
.
“Non so di cosa ho bisogno, Maya. Non so se sarai tu.” Maya lasciò che quelle parole le rimbalzassero sulla corazza. Non avrebbe lasciato che le facessero del male. “Allora cerca di capirlo, perché non sono il tuo fottuto sacco da boxe.” Indicò la porta. “Conosci la strada.”

Care fenici, questo è uno dei libri che adoro! Quando un protagonista ama due pretendenti, il mio cuore romantico confida sempre che si sviluppi un ménage: ed è proprio questo che si crea tra Maya, Jake e Border.

Maya e Jake per più di dieci anni si sono amati in segreto mentre entrambi stavano con altre persone, perché per qualche stupido motivo non si sono dichiarati e non sembrava mai il momento giusto. D’altro canto c’è Border, che aveva lasciato Jake quando erano solo ventenni per scappare da un padre e da un innamoramento omosessuale che lo terrorizzavano, continuando a rimanere in contatto con lui nonostante la distanza.

Sorprendentemente, anche tra Maya e Border si crea una connessione molto forte, tanto da farli innamorare uno dell’altra, rendendo tutto perfetto. Ma andiamo per ordine.

“Che significa?” Si fece prendere dalla speranza, ma cercò di ignorarla. “Non lo so di preciso. Ma… ho pensato che forse, solo forse, non devi per forza scegliere? È così strano, ma non strano quanto dovrebbe.” “Che stai dicendo?” Maya incrociò il suo sguardo. “Che dovremmo trovare una soluzione. Tutti e tre. O meglio, tu e lui e poi tu e io. Noi tre.”

Holly, la ragazza di Jake, si accorge di non avere mai posseduto il suo cuore e, con la dolcezza che abbiamo imparato ad amare, decide di lasciarlo andare anziché incastrarlo in una relazione dalla quale lui non troverebbe mai il coraggio di uscire.

Il ritorno di Border dopo tanti anni, proprio nel momento in cui potrebbe dichiararsi a Maya, porta Jake a crisi profonda. Anche se lontano a causa di un lavoro che interessava la protezione testimoni, Border non aveva mai perso i contatti con il suo primo amore, ed evidentemente anche lui prova ancora qualcosa nei suoi confronti, perché scegliere tra provarci con Maya o concedere alla vecchia fiamma una seconda opportunità si rivela una scelta senza uscita: la verità è che ama entrambi da secoli. A lui piace avere il controllo, pianificare il futuro, ma in questo caso è tutto troppo complicato.

È Maya che prende in mano la situazione: non ha più voglia di aspettare ed è disposta ad accettare da Jake quello che lui può darle, comprendendo che il suo cuore appartiene anche a un’altra persona e che per essere felice lui ha bisogno di stare con entrambi.

“È… fantastico.” Maya aveva sussurrato e Jake le sorrise dolcemente. Si chinò per baciarla e lei non poté fare a meno di sorridere. “Non ho mai provato niente di così bello come essere dentro di te, Maya. È… è tutto.”

Non si definisce da subito un ménage: la situazione viene valutata con razionalità e trasparenza da tutti e tre i ragazzi, che arrivano a decidere passo passo il modo in cui plasmare i vari aspetti, definendo sia le particolarità del legame tra ognuno e l’altra coppia, sia quello l’uno con l’altro.

Devono essere trovati molti equilibri. Ciò che è certo è che l’amicizia alla base della relazione è la priorità per tutti.

A prescindere quindi dai rapporti di sesso che potranno svilupparsi tra due o tre di loro, decidono di andarci piano, di fare quello che li fa stare bene, sentendosi a proprio agio. Proprio qui entra in campo la schiettezza nel comunicare i desideri e le paure anche a chi si conosce meno, e giocano un ruolo importante anche l’attrazione e la sintonia che a pelle sentono tra loro Maya e Border. A conclusione, tutti i lati del triangolo sono pieni, consapevoli, forti, romantici e focosi, e anche nell’insieme del loro triangolo la relazione è piena, emozionale e lussuriosa.

“Tu e Maya siete una cosa. Tu e io un’altra. Prima o poi, se le cose funzionano, noi tre saremo un’altra cosa ancora.” Fece una pausa. “E credo che io e Maya avremo un’altra relazione ancora.” Sbuffò dal naso. “Sono un sacco di relazioni che devono funzionare”.

Quello che rende delizioso il romanzo sono le sfaccettature psicologiche. Le caratterizzazioni dei tre protagonisti sono notevoli, tutti mostrano fragilità individuali diverse l’una dall’altra e punti di forza che riescono a equilibrarsi tra loro e a sostenere le debolezze degli altri, e i tre quindi si integrano in modo perfetto per completarsi, generando un tutt’uno che funziona.

La storia di Maya, Jake e Border esplora non solo l’aspetto erotico, come altri romanzi che parlano di ménage, ma anche le difficoltà di gestire una situazione non convenzionale.

Ho apprezzato molto che sia messo in evidenza quanto un rapporto a tre non sia banale, quanto sia più complesso rispetto a uno tradizionale e quanto sforzo sia necessario per cercare e mantenere degli equilibri che sotto un certo punto di vista sono più fragili perché sottoposti a molte sollecitazioni dovute alle varie relazioni interpersonali messe in campo; ma è anche vero che allo stesso tempo possono fare affidamento anche su più pilastri. Si tratta di situazioni che hanno bisogno, oltre che di una certa apertura mentale e assenza di gelosia, anche di trasparenza, dialogo e onestà, sia verso se stessi che verso gli altri partner.

" Maya aveva dovuto superare la gelosia che aveva nei loro confronti. Si conoscevano da anni, così come lei e Jake, ora anche lei aveva la possibilità di conoscere Border e formarsi dei propri ricordi. Forse, dopo averlo fatto, non avrebbe più avuto l’impressione di guardarli da fuori. Certo, si chiedeva se Border si sentisse allo stesso modo quando si trattava di lei e Jake. Vivere in un ménage non era per i deboli di cuore e di testa, poco ma sicuro. "

Se devo fare un appunto all’autrice, trovo che tra le sfaccettature prese in esame sia mancata quella legata alla gestione dell’aspetto pubblico: entrambe le famiglie dei protagonisti accettano senza battere ciglio l’unione a tre, sorvolando sulle particolarità e sulla stranezza della cosa. Credo che la reazione avrebbe potuto mostrarsi accogliente e allo stesso tempo più realistica (almeno un minimo di sorpresa!), tenendo presente anche eventuali difficoltà al di fuori della cerchia familiare, certamente superate in modo agevole da personaggi abituati a non curarsi del giudizio altrui.

“Ti amo, Border. È questo che vuoi sentirti dire? Ti amo. E amo anche quella donna, allo stesso modo. Potrei essere felice solo con te o solo con Maya, ma non sarei mai chi devo davvero essere. Ho bisogno di voi due. "

[Kathleen R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Ink Enduring
Author: Carrie Ann Ryan
Series: Montgomery Ink series, book 5
Publisher: Self Published
Reviewer: Kathleen
Release Date: June 14th, 2016
Genre(s): Bisexual, Erotica
Page Count:290 pages
Heat Level: 5 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:

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.

Review:
Had I known that from the very beginning Jake would have knocked me on my butt with his smooth talking and cocky, almost arrogant, assureness in his sexual prowess, and Amaya's ever present presence that never ceases to amaze me no matter what she puts her mind to, I would have at least prepared a few bottles of water. Or at the very least, I would have been better prepare for what Carrie Ann Ryan was going to bring readers in Ink Enduring. Or at least, that's what I keep telling myself when I remember the very first page and immediately Jake had already stake his claim. What an jaw dropping introduction to the fifth instalment to the Montgomery Ink series. As I kept reading, I didn't know what to expect since it never went the way I would have thought - when I expected Jake to go left, he went south, when Maya went right, well, I expected her to have gone left with Jake after all these years but for some unfathomable reason, there was always something in their way. Just when I thought things would finally settle down to a point where both Jake and Maya can finally stop avoiding the big elephant in the room, in comes Border, Jake's past who instead of telling him just how much he really means to him and needs him, he left in fear of becoming the one man he swore never to be: his father. As difficult as the reunion had been, I was easily able to 'forget' it when the three became better acquainted - the chemistry went through the roof. If made the first chapter look like child's play and quite frankly, I was disappointed when the last page was done. It didn't feel like it had taken that long- how long, in truth I couldn't say because it only felt like an hour had passed by. I had read a few of Carrie Ann Ryan's novels in the past, but I must say that Ink Enduring is absolutely one of my favourites, hands down!





Review Copy of Ink Enduring provided by the Author, Carrie Ann Ryan for an honest Review.
Reviewed by Kathleen from Alpha Book Club

[Kimberly / Love Notes Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.25 stars. This was an okay read for me. I had a few issues with it. This was the story of Jake, Maya and Border. Maya and Jake have been best friends for years. They met many years ago and had an instant connection and attraction. They went home together the night they met and were in the middle of a hot hookup when Jake is called out for a family emergency with his brother who had cancer. They don't see each other again for a few months and by that time Maya has a boyfriend. Jake is disappointed but they decide to be friends. They are best friends over the years with each of them being in relationships with other people and they never talk about the night they met or act on their attraction to each other. Now, Maya is single, but Jake is in a relationship with Holly. Maya really loves Jake and it hurts her to see him so serious with Holly, but she doesn't think Jake sees her as anything other than a friend. Holly is a nice girl who loves him, but Jake knows he doesn't love her. But before he can break up with her, Holly breaks up with him and she tells him that she can see that Maya loves him and that he should give it a shot with Maya. He is shocked by that- and then his shocked again when his old friend, Border, shows up as well. Jake and Border were best friends many years ago. They had a kind of odd relationship, where they both dated women who brought up the idea that they wanted to watch them get it on. So they hooked up with each other for their girlfriends to watch and they really liked it, but they never talked about what it really meant for them or their friendship and sexuality. And now, years later, they both know they are bisexual and have had relationships of both genders over the years. Border and Jake kept in touch over the years after Border moved away. Jake told Border about Maya and that he had feelings for her, so much so that Border feels like he knows Maya. Now that Border has moved back to town, he knows that he wants a relationship with Jake and, even though, he knows it makes no sense, he has a weird feeling that he wants a menage relationship with Maya, as well. Jake is stunned when Border tells him this, but it is obvious when Maya and Border meet that they have a connection too. So they all talk about it and embark on this relationship together, after some very adult, mature discussion. They are all scared of how it will work out for them and there is some insecurity and fear of whether it will last, but eventually they work it out together.

I liked Maya a lot. She is a funny and quirky tattoo artist. I liked Border, but didn't feel like I knew as much about him. I didn't like Jake as much. I felt like he was a little weak and wishy washy. I wasn't sure what made him so special that Maya and Border loved him so much. They all were pretty wishy washy actually and unsure of what they wanted throughout the whole book. I am not sure that I trust that they will be a lasting long term relationship. I didn't really believe that Border had feelings for Maya before even meeting her and I felt like they still didn't know each other that well even at the end. The sexy times together are referred to a lot in their conversation and POV's but there is very little action in that department, so I felt like I was missing that aspect and connection in their relationship a bit. This was the first book I have read by Carrie Ann Ryan. I liked the writing and I liked the family aspect and side characters, even if I had a few issues with this story. I do think I will go back and read more from this series.

[MaggieReadsRom · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars

I've been eagerly awaiting this book ever since I finished HIDDEN INK back in January. Maya and Jake caught my attention from the very first time they appeared in this series and with the addition of Holly I started to wonder what Carrie Ann was planning for them. Then she threw Border in the fray (with major hints in WRITTEN IN INK) and I started hoping for something that was confirmed by Carrie Ann not much later when she announced she was working on Maya, Jake and Border's story.

From the minute I started reading this book I was completely immersed in this story that starts at the beginning...when Jake meets Maya for the first time. I loved that it started this way and not in the present, going back with flashbacks. Kudos, Ms Ryan for not going the flashback route. This non-lover of flashbacks is very thankful for that.

Two of my favorite tropes in erotic romance are m/f/m and m/m/f ménages and I loved how Ryan gave voice to this m/m/f ménage. It was really sexy and hot and the dirty talk (my catnip) was on point. OMG was it ever on point. But next to the heat it wasn’t all sex and roses as the author also brought emotional conflict and external stresses in the form of a bit of suspense connected to Border’s job.

I love this series for so many reasons and one of them is the bond and family dynamics between the Montogomery family and those they love. In this 5th full length book this is present stronger than ever as the family is getting extended more and more. I loved seeing old familiar faces again, main characters from previous books and novellas. I loved seeing familiar secondary characters whose stories are to come in the future. I loved meeting newly introduced characters who I'm sure are here to stay and expand the ever-growing group of Montgomerys and friends.

And as per usual there was a bit of suspense thrown in the mix as well. Honesty commands me to say that the suspense wasn't as strong as it's been in some of the previous books but I didn't mind that very much as the focus of this book had to be the emotions and complexity of the romance part.

The romance in this installement of the Montgomery Ink series was complex, emotional and sexy hot. I am so very eager for the next book in this series (and for the spin-off with Jake's brothers) as it's headed to my fave series list fast!

Favorite Quote:
“You could get hurt,” he whispered.
Maya gave him a sad smile. “I’m hurting without you, Jake. I’m willing to risk more for you. You’re worth it. I wish you could see that.”
Jake leaned down and rested his forehead on hers. “You’re so much stronger than I am.”
“No, I’m not. It’s just my turn to be strong. I’ve leaned on you before, and that will happen again. So why don’t we lean on each other, Jake?”

[Dar · Rating 4 out of 5]

We finally get to see what goes on with Maya and Jake - how did they get to be friends and why do they never act on the obvious attraction between them? The story starts with them first meeting, and it is hot! Then, heart wrenching moments and they meet up again, but WTF? I get Jake, and we get his insight, but we never do get why Maya did what she did to become friends only, or it was so subtle, I missed it?

13 years later, we are in the present, and Jake has found his dream girl and is ready to settle down, he just needs to tell the girl. He is stalling, and while he is waiting, she takes the next step. She lets him know, as much as they want it work, it won't work out between them. I have fallen in love with Holly and she needs a place with a Montgomery or a Gallagher ASAP, because she is wonderful!!!

Jake is thrown for a loop, and his lover from his younger days has also shown up, so he is a mess. Maya is all messed up because Jake can't read her mind and know, because he is finally moving on without her, she is broken up and thinks she wants him, has always wanted him and figured he'd always be around. Border wants Jake, and because Jake has talked so much about her, decided, sight unseen, he wants Maya too, that was weird.

Then the three just decide to act on their desires, and that is freaking hot, hot, hot! Jake and Maya, Jake, Maya and Border, Border and Maya, you name it, it's hot. Then, Border is some sort of secret protector, and that catches up with them, causing some drama and problems, but everything works out in the end

I loved the story, the sex scenes were perfect, and I fell in love with Holly, but the story seemed a little disjointed, and a bit too many holes or assumptions. It didn't flow, and I still am a little confused about Border. Don't get me wrong, this triad works really well together, and Border with Jake or Maya made sense, on his own, don't get him

The scene towards the end with Maya and Holly, and the parts that lead to it, I loved Maya, she was so true to what life is really like, what really would happen, and how she would really react, and it solidified how wondrous Holly truly is!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Jake's theme song pretty much from the start of the series has been George Micheal's I'm Never Gonna Dance Again, well in my head at least. Then suddenly in the last book it switched to Maya. LOL! To my surprise when Jake first saw Maya she was dancing and I giggled at that. On to the book, if I was forced to use just one word to describe this book it would be HOT! Thankfully I can use more than one word because this book is so much more than just HOT. It was an emotional journey for three people finding true love coming to terms that it is possible to love more than one person at a time and getting their HEA finally. FOUR BOOKS! four book we have had to wait until Maya and Jake finally got their shit together, and then Carrie Ann Ryan throws in a curve ball in the form of Border. I normally don't read menage but I love Carrie Ann's. I just love the way she writes them. This book was everything I expected it to be and hotter. As strong as Maya is she shows a new side of herself a bit of vulnerability (whose theme is Heart's Alone). Border is the wild card and Carrie Ann played him well (Whitesnake's Is this Love). Jake, well, I think I love him a bit more after this book.

Overall, I loved the book. Carrie Ann Ryan went dirty.

[Book Reading Gals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughts:

Two men that have an attraction and connection but the timing in their lives wasn't right. A man and a woman who have an instant attraction, life steps in their way and instead of following the attraction they forge a friendship that builds through the years until they are both afraid to take a chance and lose their bond. A new relationship forms between a man and a woman who feel like they know one another in so many ways and yet are learning each other one step at a time.

This story is one of second chances and new beginnings. A story of a non-conventional relationship in a non-conventional, unconditionally loving family on both the Montgomery and Gallagher sides. These families have lived through so much - cancer, addiction - they have come through the other side knowing what important and holding each other close.

Do I think that this story is a realistic view of what a triad relationship would deal with in the real world? No. But I do not read my romance books for realism. I read to escape and for that required HEA. And Carrie Ann Ryan gave that to me again - in spades!!

Grade: A
Review by: Jeananna
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was SO frustrating after reading the first four. So, this is a menage book, right? Based on the BDSM and explicit sex scenes of the prior 4 books, I was expecting multiple extended menage scenes. Nope. You get one short one that describes what the three of them are doing, and another even shorter when you see the, ah, dismount basically, and then a portion of a sentence that references other positions they've been in. You get sex between Maya and Jake, Maya and Border, and one short scene with Jake and Border.

While I'm thrilled with how she handled them being a menage, all of the communication they do, and the acceptance of the family, I feel let down by the sex.

[Lani ⚔⚔ the Destroyer ⚔⚔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good ménage but this one felt rushed and I wasn't buying into the connection between Border and Maya. This series seems quite formulaic and repetitive when it comes to the "big separation" so I don't think I will continue. As a light read they are fine, but I usually enjoy more substance.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book!
Awesome trio!

Fantastic story!!

[Alyson Buxey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure why it’s reverting to the first time I read it but nonetheless this review is for the second read.
3.5 ⭐️ I didn’t always love the pace, some bits felt a bit quick and others a bit slow. I enjoyed it as a reread and now of course I need to reread Tabby and Alex. One thing I did enjoy was that the focus on the triad was on them sorting their dynamics and not others irrelevant views and also the normal rupture and repair that is part of any human relationships. Jake, Maya and Border seemed to work really well in a complementary way with 4 relationships all being considered and negotiated

[ChristiLovesBooks_smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ink Enduring - Amazing!

Ink Enduring, book 5 of the Montgomery Ink series by Carrie Ann Ryan @carrieannryanauthor. Carrie Ann is a fantastic author!

🥵🥵🥵 Loved this book about Maya, Jake & Border so much! Tropes: Contemporary, Male/Male/Female, Friends to Lovers, Second Chance, No 3rd Act Break Up/Small Miscommunication, Found Family & HEA!

[Teresa Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this series♡Loved Jake Border and Mayas beautifully written story.Cant wait for Alex

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contemporary Romance Series 2024. Kobo + Montgomery Ink Series. Denver Montgomery’s.
Maya Montgomery, Jake Gallagher, Border Gentry. Throuple. Maya and Jake and Border are having a baby. Jake and Border proposed.

Review I liked:

[Alaïne · Rating 4 out of 5]

J’ai mis un peu de temps à lire ce tome, moi qui d’habitude fonce sur cette saga. Mais cette fois-ci, c’est un trouple qui est mis en avant et comme c’est mon premier avec cette auteure, j’avais un peu peur ! Pourtant Carrie Ann Ryan valide avec ce ménage mon amour pour sa plume, puisque ce fut une réussite.

Jake et Maya sont à l’honneur. Nous le savions déjà avec le tome précédent. Mais pourquoi faire les choses simples ? Si treize ans d’amitié ont caché des tensions sexuelles, il fallait bien un autre point du triangle pour qu’il soit complet et l’arrivée de Border déclenchera tout.

Maya est une Montgomery ! Nous avons attendu son histoire. Sa relation avec Jake était ambiguë et en lisant le point de vue du jeune homme dans le tome précédent, nous savions déjà que nous aurions affaire à un trio. Et ils ne pouvaient pas être plus complémentaires. Alors que je pensais ne pas adhérer, j’ai adoré l’évolution de leurs relations. Leur dynamique est construite, juste et belle. Les questions, leurs doutes et les peurs sont là. Même si nous sommes dans un format court, l’auteure prend son temps pour poser les bases d’une relation amoureuse entre trois personnes. Un unique couple.

Mais l’amour reste amour. On ne peut juger les sentiments et encore une fois la famille Montgomery, mais aussi la famille Gallagher ont montré leurs gentillesses. Et j’ai réellement adoré ce point. J’ai ouvert ce blog pour promouvoir l’amour et même si c’est de la fiction, si notre société pouvait avoir de tels personnes, se serait très beau.

J’ai aimé comment l’auteure a traité cette sexualité, ce trouple. C’est fait avec bienveillance et crédibilité. Ils nous touchent et alors que j’avais peur de ne pas succomber à ce tome, je l’ai dévoré comme ces prédécesseurs ! Il n’y a pas de scènes hot, pour combler. Tout est réfléchi et bien dosé. À part un point.

L’intrigue a été mis un peu de côté. Cela arrive vite et c’est résolu vite. Ce qui m’a un peu dérangé, car j’aime le suspense. Je suis une addicte des romances à suspense. Dans les précédents tomes, même si le dénouement était rapide, nous avions quand même quelques montées en pression. Ici, quasiment pas et cela m’a manqué.

La prochaine histoire est lancée et on comprend que Alex et Tabby seront à l’honneur. Dire que je suis pressée est un euphémisme ! Carrie Ann Ryan montre encore une fois que cette saga est une de mes préférées du moment et ce n’est pas pour rien ! Alors qu’attendez-vous vous pour me rejoindre dans l’aventure ?

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have followed the Montgomery Ink Series then,like me, you probably love Maya! She is feisty, strong, outspoken, but has a tender side that she rarely shows. She fits the profile of tattoo shop owner (she and her brother Austin own Montgomery Ink) perfectly. This one takes us back to when Maya first meets Jake Gallagher and the road they take through the ten years of friendship. Now Jake is getting serious with someone and it isn't Maya which has left her feeling lost and alone. Not one to show her feelings Maya puts on a brave front.

Then Jake's best friend turn lover (from years ago), Border Gentry, walks back into his life and things begin to get complicated fast. Border left years ago for reasons he never shared and left Jake brokenhearted. However Border has kept in touch with Jake through phone calls so he knows about Maya. He has now come home for not only his job but to finally claim the love he has spent years missing.

Jake, Border, and Maya are explosive together! I love that Maya and Border both worry that they may not "gel" together although that was unfounded. They each work well within not only their tirade but with each other too. My one and only issue with the story was I wanted to know more about he little girl who Border is there to protect. There was plenty of danger from his job and I had wanted a little more but not having it did nothing to take away from the story. I can't wait for the next the series!

This review is the copyrighted property of Blushing Reads. To read the full review, click this link: http://blushingreads.com/ink-enduring....

A copy of the book was provided in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

[Trish R. Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally! Finally I get to read about Jake and Maya with the addition of Border (how cool is this name!) to this mix. I love triad stories if it is done right and Carrie Ann Ryan is one of the few authors that always managed to do this right.

After many years finally each of these 3 owned up to what they feel towards each other. First it was Jake and Border, followed by Jake and Maya. Border after hearing/reading so much about Maya from his past correspondence with Jake, felt a sense of bond even without meeting her. When they finally met, the chemistry between these 2 is off the charts. I like how these 3 tried to keep it as real as possible, they're not jumping into a triad as there are so many issues that they have to iron out first. It was not smooth sailing at first, Jake's self esteemed took a beating when it was Holly who beat him to it and broke up first. I felt that Jake was being a selfish twat with this but so glad he redeemed himself. Also, can we please have a HEA for Holly who is just so sweet. Actually, I'm surprised at how Holly's character has grown in this book. I guess Jack is not really good for. . The 3 experienced some blowback from the circumstances with Border's job. Maya who had always feared of becoming the 3rd wheel got pregnant and she went a bit mental and told the men she's out. It was Holly (told you she's great) who talked some sense into Maya.. When they finally accepted each other, it was truly a satisfying addition to my beloved series.

ARC was given in exchange for my honest opinion on this book.

[Suzi (Obsessive Reading Disorder) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better! I love the Montgomery family!! This is the ever sassy Maya Montgomery's story. All of the previous books in the series have Maya's family teasing her and her best friend Jake that perhaps there was something more going on between the two of them. They both have denied that. When Jake is finally dating someone and seems to be getting serious, Maya starts to realize what she will be loosing if Jake commits to this relationship.

Now, let's add in the fact that Jake is bi-sexual and his first love left without warning. When Border shows back up, things get really messy. Jake loves Maya. Jake loves Border. Border loves Jake. Maya could fall for Border. Maya loves Jake. Hold on because there is heartbreak, words better left unsaid, intrigue, steamy encounters and unconventional love. You will re-think what it means to be a family. Love is love. Most of all you will see courage to take a leap of faith knowing you are better in this triad than any other possible combination in your life.

I love these family sagas. We get to catch up on the large Montgomery family. We also meet Jake's family and get a peek at his brothers. Their spin off series is coming soon! Great writing once again by this author. Read the series!

*ARC provided for an honest review

[Dicina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake and Maya have been best friends for longer than a decade. They are like family, they share everything.
Now Jake is in a serious relationship with Holy. Maya should be happy for Jake, and she is, except that she can't stop thinking about him, naked, on top of her.
To complicate things even more, Border, the man who broke Jake's heart 15 years ago is back in town.
Border, Jake and Maya know from the minute they lay eyes on each other that they are made for each other. The question is: will they dare try it?

I liked this story. I didn't expect Jake and Maya's story to be a ménage though. I loved Maya and how she accepted her attraction to both men without struggling. Jake likes her, he likes Border, so he should have them both. I struggled a little with Border as I didn't know him but he added an interesting twist to the story and their chemistry was off the charts.
I am still fan of this series and will happily read more!

[wendy Shelton(obsessedbybooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG what a hot sexy story. Jake and Maya have been the best of friends for ten years sharing all the ups and downs of many girl and boyfriends in Thier lives ,but now Maya is having strong feelings for Jake especially now that he may be getting serious with a girl, but she can't take a chance on losing his friendship so she'll stand back and watch from afar but this girl was just the start of her problems. Border was once Jake's best friend til that line crossed but Border with reasons of his own left behind what they had, but now he wants a second chance, to get back what he had with Jake, but meeting Maya has sparked something as well, can they all have what they want? shew, I was fanning myself. loved the characters and the flow.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maya has always been a favorite of mine. I like how she pretty much tells it as it is and doesn't make any apologies for it. Through the last few books you can see how she longs for Jake, but not in a place to do anything about it. I liked that we got to see their past, along with hints of Border and Jake's past. By knowing the past it really made you root for them to work in the present. I loved how their families accepted their unusual relationship, a must as both have very close ties. The ending made me smile, loved that Border finally is getting close family ties.

[Fran Zoch, LSoR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya has always been around Jake, loving him but not realizing it, then he has another woman in his life she realized she loved him, when Jakes woman dumps him and his past in the form of Border comes back all bets are off, Jake has loved Maya and Border with nothing in the way he decides to fight for his woman and man. The only bad thing is someone is after Border and they will take anyone else they can in their way. Just like all Montgomery's Maya is a fighter and she will fight for what she loves

[Laurie Gyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rocks!

This is an awesome story-a great ménage. Maya Montgomery finally admits her sting feelings for her best friend, Jake. She loves him, nor just as a friend but a man. And when his best friend/lover comes back to town to claim Jake, she realizes they needed Border to complete them. So hot, loving family, danger and exciting

[Ulla Bisgaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5