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Montgomery Ink #7.5

Executive Ink

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Ashlynn didn’t want him…she craved him. That was her first mistake, but not her last. She’s the boss of her life and decisions. She doesn’t have time for a bearded, inked man. But he may just make her yearn for it.

Jax thought it would only be for one night but now he wants more. She’s the straight-laced executive to his leather-and-jeans life, and she makes him desire more. She is so much more. But how much, he may never know.

Author Note: Executive Ink is a Montgomery Ink short story and a little different than what you’re used to from me. It’s shorter than my other novellas at only ~12,000 words. It has a complete HEA, and is perfect for a steamy evening, one-sitting read.

138 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 19, 2017

167 people are currently reading
1834 people want to read

About the author

Carrie Ann Ryan

265 books6,321 followers
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.

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5 stars
396 (40%)
4 stars
306 (31%)
3 stars
215 (22%)
2 stars
52 (5%)
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7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
Profile Image for Nadine Bookaholic.
3,727 reviews527 followers
December 22, 2017
Ashlynn and Jax meet while away on business and have a ONS that leaves them both wanting more but since they didn't exchange info that's a no go.....well you know Carrie Ann Ryan isn't going to leave it at that, right?!?

You can see my full review for this book along with the other books that were a part of Alphas of Danger here: https://nadineisobsessedwithbooks.blo...
Profile Image for Jos.
1,831 reviews140 followers
January 23, 2018
3 Stars OK

I enjoy this author immensely and for me this was just a good read, not great and not bad. Another novella that I know was supposed to be short but again for me today, lol, I wasn't able to form a connection and truly appreciate their relationship build.

All in all a good read just not exceptional for me!
Profile Image for Rebecca.
724 reviews21 followers
January 12, 2018
It was ok. I knew that it was going to be short, but the author said that it was going to be a complete story and it definitely wasn't. I mean it wasn't exactly a huge cliffhanger, but they introduced a plot line that could have been addressed in a full length novel and was in no way resolved in this short story.
Profile Image for Isha Coleman.
8,916 reviews172 followers
October 11, 2020
Audio Review: Executive Ink (Montgomery Ink, #7.5) by Carrie Ann Ryan, Narrated by Gregory Salinas

Ryan sets the senses ablaze with a super short firecracker. Jax and Ash are a delicious distraction but I couldn't help longing for more than just a taste of this duo.
Profile Image for Mandy Sawyer.
5,013 reviews41 followers
April 10, 2022
There seems to be a lot more to this story. I’d love to hear the full story of this couple in more detail. It’s a short and hot, quick read for you. A great performance from Gregory as usual.
Profile Image for RedEnigma94.
772 reviews17 followers
March 18, 2018
Just as the author says, this a short, but super sexy story. I absolutely loved Jax and Ashlynn! I know some other reviewers wanted it to be longer, and I admit, I couldn't get enough of these two as well. But it was very well written, lots of chemistry and steam, a little element of danger, and the classic Montgomery Ink guys to the rescue! I loved it!😍🔥🔥
Profile Image for Dar.
4,527 reviews92 followers
December 19, 2017
Sweet and sexy read, with a kick-butt female lead and an inked and helpful tattoo artist. They meet out of town, and have one-night, as agreed. He has a bit of trouble to work out, she has been battling male dominance her entire career. They fit though, and the sparks between them are electric!
Profile Image for Ashley.
58 reviews1 follower
September 20, 2017
I understand it was a short novella in an anthology but I really expected more to the story. It felt super rushed.
Profile Image for Teresa Lara.
3,468 reviews52 followers
January 9, 2018
love this series Ash and Jax rocked hope to see more of these too.
Profile Image for Bette.
3,283 reviews24 followers
December 19, 2019
Great Story & Audible Listen🎧 Captivating & Smoking🔥Hot🔥

Executive Ink
A Montgomery Ink Romance
By: Carrie Ann Ryan
Narrated by: Gregory Salinas
Series: Montgomery Ink, Book 7.5

I loved everything about this story, from Carrie Ann Ryan’s writing style to the storylines and characters she created to Gregory Salinas’ narration. Carrie Ann has a way with words and she fit a lot of story into her novella sized book. The characters are likable and nicely developed, it is great to see two strong leads, Ashlynn and Jax. Ashlynn a CFO, executive business woman, she was walking back to her hotel in Atlanta, she was in the path of an oncoming vehicle when two strong arms grabbed her to pull her out of the street, the two fell back on the ground. Jax, an inked up badass saved her, they exchanged a few words and she winds up inviting him back to her hotel for a drink to thank him for saving her. There was great chemistry between the two and it turned into a night of hot sexy times, a night to remember. Jax woke up to an empty bed, disappointed she left but knowing he would never see her again since he was leaving Atlanta to start a new job in Denver, at Montgomery Ink. Small world though and he winds up running into Ashlynn again, even though she said she does not have time for a relationship it was not over for them. I loved how everything plays out in this book, it is well plotted with drama, angst and some hot romance. Thank you Carrie Ann Ryan for this great, enjoyable story.

I listened to the Audible edition, Gregory Salinas is a terrific narrator and voice artist. He brings these characters to life, giving each their own voice and personality, as well as heart and attitude . His portrayal of the characters is spot on, he captures their passion and emotions and projects them into his performance. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen🎧
317 reviews2 followers
November 21, 2025
This was a really good novella—quick, emotional, and packed with all the Montgomery Ink world goodness I love. I’ll admit the ending felt a little abrupt, but I still enjoyed the story as a whole (and honestly, I’m sure we’ll see more of Jax and Ashlynn in the next Montgomery Ink book).

Ashlynn and Jax have that delicious opposites-attract spark right from the start. She’s the straight-laced CFO with walls built sky-high, and he’s the tattooed artist with a tortured edge—and watching her slowly start to let those walls come down was one of my favorite parts. Their one-night-stand-turned-fling had me making several reader noises, and the dual POV really amplified the tension and chemistry between them.

Even in novella length, Carrie Ann Ryan delivers exactly what I come to this world for: the found-family vibes, the interconnected characters, and those moments that make you want to dive immediately into the next book. And good news—I’m very excited to pick up Inked Memories next.

Spice (for readers who want to know): ch. 1 & 3

A quick, sexy, opposites-attract novella that adds another enjoyable layer to the Montgomery Ink universe.
Profile Image for Sandy Kelly.
1,253 reviews12 followers
January 9, 2018
This is a short hot read! If you read the Alpha's of Danger anthology, this is the same story from there only now on it's own. Ashlynn is an executive how doesn't have time to relax let alone have a relationship. But then she meet's Jax, and she decides that one night couldn't hurt. Until they both wish they had had more of each other. Never knowing that their lives with converge and they will have that chance!

I really liked Jax and Ashlynn together. The heat and chemistry was off the charts between them. I just wish it had been longer since I was really enjoying the story! Keeping my finger's crossed that we can have a revisit with them at some point! Great quick read!
Profile Image for Sandi Ramirez.
1,864 reviews16 followers
January 8, 2018
This is the perfect read at night in bed or for me it was my breakfast morning read today. What a great way to start off my week Hot Sexy Tattoo'd Jax and Alpha Ashlynn oh yes I consider her the Alpha (I am sure Jax would not agree). This is one of the shortest novellas from Carrie Ann Ryan and it was originally published in a collection of novellas. It it so worth having as a stand alone book. Of course you to need to read anything and everything that is part of Montgomery Ink. It will warm you up on this cold, winter's day.
Profile Image for Marti.
3,293 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2018
Executive Ink is a novella by Carrie Ann Ryan. In this quick read, we meet a new tattoo artist for Montgomery Ink named Jax. He has been working in Atlanta, but finally he was able to move away to start again. On his last night he saved a woman from being hit. She was obviously an executive and clearly the boss of her life. Ashylnn is attracted to Jax and is thinking about a hot one night stand. What a surprise when they realize that they both live in Denver.

Hot Tattoo Guy meets Hot Boss Lady - Executive Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan.
Profile Image for Amber Todd.
620 reviews6 followers
December 28, 2019
The premise for the little novella was good. Ashlynn is a super focused executive trying to succeed in a man's world. Jax is a hot tattoo artist trying to leave his past behind. They meet randomly while both in Atlanta for business and sparks fly. Then not long after they run into each other back home and realize their one night stand might not be over. All good stuff. However, I missed the actual "romance" and them falling in love. Even just another chapter or two of them dating would have made this a 5 star read.
4,217 reviews
May 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I LOVE THIS AUTHOR!!
Executive Ink is a quick, steamy novella that offers an intriguing look at Ashlynn, a workaholic executive, and Jax, the carefree, inked man who brings unexpected heat into her life. The chemistry between them is electric, and the story is short enough to make for a perfect one-sitting read. It’s playful, sexy, and filled with the kind of tension that makes the quick pace work. Despite its brevity, the characters are well-developed, and the romance is satisfying. It’s a fun, steamy escape.
Profile Image for Karen.
757 reviews31 followers
September 3, 2019
Ashlynn and Jax's story was not one that had me as excited as the other Montgomery Ink stories. It seemed almost forced or more of a given that they would be together. It didn't have as much relationship interest as these two were best friends already, and not much sexual tension at all. It was more about Ashlynn and I would have preferred more on Jax than Ashlynn.

I was happy Jax got his HEA, but I would expected more out of his story.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
688 reviews3 followers
March 21, 2022
I didn’t know where this one fit in at first. Turn out Jax works at Montgomery Ink, which I loved. Ashlynn and Jax meet in Atlanta and hook up, no numbers or last names exchanged. When they run into each other again in Ashlynn’s home town and where Jax has settled they are shocked. I love that Carrie Ann Ryan gives us little short stories about side characters. It adds a little something to he Montgomery Ink world.
Profile Image for Selina Durio.
2,523 reviews12 followers
January 2, 2018
I read this novella as part of the Alphas of Danger anthology. This was a great story that I hope continues in another book. Ashlynn and Jax couldn’t be more opposite. They meet, literally by accident, and sparks fly. The straight laced workaholic executive and the tattoo artist. As usual Ms. Ryan makes it work.
Profile Image for Deana-Coffee, Books, Life Blog.
798 reviews22 followers
January 8, 2018
Swoon my heart. Fate, chemistry and an opposites attract romance. I love the Montgomery Ink Series. Ashlynn and Jax meet in moment that is worthy of fairytale. A gesture of thanks turns into something incendiary. As fate plays her hand readers are treated to a super sexy, bearded, brooding Alpha. A perfect addition to the Montgomery Ink family!
Profile Image for Starla.
388 reviews8 followers
February 23, 2018
Oh my my! I loved Ashlynn and Jax. This was a great quick read with a fun story line and interesting characters. From the accidental meeting to deciding they really wanted to give a relationship a shot it was an enjoyable book. I was able to read it during my lunch break which made me crave the next Montgomery Ink book. I love this series and can't wait to see who's story is next!
Profile Image for ChristiLovesBooks_smut.
1,763 reviews39 followers
December 3, 2025
Executive Ink - So good!

Executive Ink, book 7.5 of the Montgomery Ink series by Carrie Ann Ryan @carrieannryanauthor. Carrie Ann is a fantastic author! I am reading the Montgomery world in chronological order from Carrie Ann’s website.

What a cute novelette about Ashlynn & Jax! Tropes: Contemporary, Male/Female, One Night Stand to More, No 3rd Act Break Up & HEA!
231 reviews
January 8, 2018
I really enjoyed Ashlynn and Jax's story. This novella has a terrific blend of passion and drama. They come from different walks of life but are perfect for each other. I especially liked Ashlynn's character and her personality. Don't miss this interesting quick read.
Profile Image for Donna.
4,129 reviews58 followers
January 8, 2018
Jax is a big, bearded and inked tattoo artist and Ashlynn is a CFO for a big company. They shouldn’t work but oh do they ever. Can be read outside the series.
Executive Ink was previously found in the Alphas of Danger Anthology.
4,266 reviews20 followers
February 26, 2019
This is a wonderfully entertaining read. The storyline is a well-written very good mix of passion and drama. The characters are developed, relatable, realistic and strong. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Fallen Star Book Reviews.
588 reviews40 followers
January 8, 2018
Another amazing book by Carrie Ann Ryan!! Absolutely loved it!! It’s a novella so a quick read but really worth it!! I’ve loved all of Montgomery Ink stories and this one is no different as always amazing work! Complete story and well written!!
Profile Image for Hollie.
802 reviews
November 26, 2017
It was left open ended. Maybe we find out in book #8 What happens to Jax and Ash and if Jax gets rid of his old boss.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews

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