The Montgomery Ink saga from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan continues with a steamy new series.
Years ago, Annabelle Montgomery married not for love but for a promise of hope. When she lost him weeks later, she told herself she never needed those sentiments again. Only when she discovers years later that her new neighbor is her late husband’s brother, Annabelle finds she can’t quite shake the emotions she’s long since buried.
Jacob Queen vowed he’d never set eyes on Annabelle again. When they’re forced into each other’s lives once more, they realize that no matter how far they run, no distance can keep them apart forever. More than ghosts lay between them, and when they finally give in to temptation, walking away whole may no longer be an option.
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:
This is another example NA romance that I do not like. Everything is instant and the plot is rushed. There is no real drama on it. The attraction is instant. The forbidden aspect is a joke. The chemistry is just horrendous. Nothing but sex. The sex can not help bringing the sizzle of the romance.
Annabelle is another example of dump heroine. She can not even decide what character she is for a day. She is thinking too much over nothing. The family dynamic is nauseating sweet. Unreal. I am very disappointed Miss Ryan can not elevate the story to higher level. Invest more on the drama/ plot, character development and chemistry.
Well, Hello neighbor! What a great start to the Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins Series.
How do you go from hating someone so much to wanting them in the next breath, well that is exactly what happens when Jacob Queen realizes he's moved next door to the one person he never wanted to see again in his life, Annabelle Montgomery.
You know that fine line between love and hate, well, Jacob finds out just how fine that line is because this man has it bad and I loved it! You wonder how can you go from hating someone so much to changing your mind so quickly, well what if the reason you hated them was because of a misunderstanding? What if it was easier for you to hate someone so you didn't feel the pain of loosing someone so close to you? Would that change things? Read this story and then tell me how you feel because I think Carrie Ann Ryan did a wonderful job with creating two characters that you couldn't help pull for. They had amazing chemistry even when they didn't get along so you know it was like fireworks once they did.
If you have read previous Montgomery Ink books, you are going to want to add this one to your TBR because Annabelle is related to BOTH families....and you have to see how that all plays out! If you are new to Carrie Ann Ryan's Montgomery Ink World now is the perfect time to jump in and see why so many people love this Family.
5 star Review Inked Persuasion (Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins #1) by Carrie Ann Ryan
I was excited to learn of the new Montgomery Ink series set in Fort Collins. This is Annabelle Montgomery and her ex brother in law Jacob Queen’s story.
Fate often works in mysterious ways and that’s what happens to Anabelle and Jacob when Jacob moves in next door they are shocked to learn that they are neighbours.
When Jacob learns the truth behind her marriage to his brother Jonah, he realizes that he may have made some hasty decisions. There is so much baggage lying between them but what will happen when they finally give into the feelings that have always sizzled between them? Outside influences including Jacob’s ex wife Susan will do their best to keep them apart, but it was riveting to watch their relationship grow. The writing is strong as I have come to expect from a novel by Ms. Ryan and the twists and turns certainly added to my enjoyment of the story. The relationship between them is complicated and yet when danger from Jacob’s past rears it’s head, he is determined to do what is necessary to protect Annabelle. I am excited to see what happens next in this latest series from Carrie Ann Ryan.
MAN, this story grabbed a hold of me from pretty much the beginning and did not let go, not even when I finished! Love and hate; hate and love; two sides of one coin. They both live inside of us; both easily flipped. People always say there’s a fine line between the two; I say there is no line, just two emotions in constant motion inside of all of us. We make choices every day that define which one will shine brighter but they are both always lurking.
I’m not the reviewer that gives away plot points, but there are a few things I want to mention about this book because they were so spectacularly done.
Annabelle and Jacob. You’re going to love them. You’re going to root for them. You’re going to get mad at them. You’re going to celebrate them. You’re going to do all the things! Because they deserve it. Carrie Ann Ryan wrote two relatable and realistic flawed people I pictured myself being friends with. As I was reading, I felt their pull. This is always a hard concept for me to review about because it’s one of those things about a book that is almost impossible to convey without examples and examples lead to plot retelling and we all know how I feel about that so … You’ll just have to trust me when I tell you, I just want to be in their circle!
When you read the blurb of this book, you’re not even going to get a tenth of what is actually going to happen within these pages. I was surprised, not with the depth of emotion the story had because I know this author fairly well and know she is damn good at her craft, but the angles, or rather branches, the story took on. Not surprised in a bad way but surprised in an awed kinda way. Annabelle and Jacob already come with built-in baggage to overcome and adding to that outside influences and or problems could have gone sideways fast, but it never did. It could have read overly dramatic, but it did not. Everything fit exactly as it should have.
I really love that my experience with this story was so great because the Montgomery Ink stories have taken a back seat in my reading life for a few years now because, reasons, but now I am ready to move full steam ahead and back! :)
You better be prepared for the hard emotional punch that this book is going to deliver straight to your heart. Annabelle and Jacob's story will give you all the feels and then some, as their complicated and pain filled history is addressed and a new relationship begins to take root and must overcome its own challenges. I really liked both characters and thought they made a solid couple that was easy to cheer on. The chemistry was awesome and the drama will have you feeling anxious over the outcome of the book. I'm posting an independent, impartial review.
This new Montgomery family was interesting. I found their connection to others a bit odd. You would have thought we would have heard about them with the mom not having to change her name and the odd bad blood from the dad to the other Montgomery's. I'm glad that the kids didn't listen to the dad and that they finally put him in his place, it seems like it had been brewing for a while and nice that mom had their back. I really liked how close the siblings were, seemed closer than the other family branches.
Annabelle and Jacob had an interesting connection. I was a bit surprised Jacob was able to get past it, Jacob seemed to have so much anger. Once they did they were good together. The drama at the end drove me nuts, mostly because I could tell what was up with one of the people and I just wanted the couple to figure out their shit and be happy.
I will never get tired of the Montgomery's and getting to meet the Fort Collins made me fall in love with even more of them. Annabelle Montgomery and Jacob Queen did not have and easy start in this book. There were a lot of misconceptions and some misplaced hate between them and it all made for a very interesting story. I loved seeing them work through their issues and the connections they had was was clear even through the animosity. It really drew me to both of them and had me loving their relationship.
Overall, I'm already dying for more from this group of Montgomery's and I just know that this series will be amazing.
This is exactly why I love Carrie Ann Ryan's books!! Such heart & soul in her characters with truly realistic storylines! I like being in her 'Montgomery World'!
**I was provided a copy of the book by Give Me Books as part of the promotional campaign. I voluntarily read and reviewed it. All opinions are my own.**
This is my first book by Carrie Ann Ryan. I was excited to read it because the book description was interesting. While there are positive aspects to the novel, I ultimately couldn’t enjoy it as much as I wanted. My favorite aspect of the book is its emphasis on family. Anabelle is the middle child being one half of a set of twins (a younger brother), with two older brothers (also a set of twins), and a younger sister. The five siblings all work together and get along fairly well. They book starts off by displaying the sibling love as Anabelle and her two older brothers discuss the partners of their younger siblings, mainly how they’re going to vet them to ensure they’re good enough. Ryan does a good job showcasing how close the Montgomery siblings are to each other and how they look out for one another. I love how they look out for one another as well.
Outside of the family dynamics is the main relationship between Jacob and Anabelle. It progresses relatively quickly from enemies-to-lovers. One moment Jacob hated her, and then the next he was fighting emotions he wasn’t supposed to feel. I liked the book and where it was heading until this happened, which felt a bit abrupt to me. There was hardly any time for them to be in a transitional period of figuring out their relationship before their relationship was heading to something more than friendship. This is more problematic for Jacob than Anabelle. While Anabelle never quite hated him, Jacob was adamant about how much he disliked her during and after his brother’s death. It wasn’t so much the writing because I generally liked the glimpses of the relationship I was getting. It had more to do with the story and how many things happened outside of the pages of the book. I’d turn the chapter and they’d apparently gone somewhere or did something. I didn’t get a chance to feel much chemistry before I was reading about Annabelle or Jacob realizing how they felt about each other. I was missing the growth and the changes that were supposed to be happening in the relationship.
The plot was a interesting and the writing kept me reading but I wasn’t a fan of how quickly the relationship moved without additional details. While the book was not a good fit for me, individuals looking for an enemies to lovers romance that is a quick read may enjoy the book.
The Bad: • The Montgomery’s…Ink…Inc…Builders • Instant 180 love • Too long. • The feud
The Book: Honestly this book could’ve been a 1 star, I wasn’t really a fan of it too much. I hated how the author kept bringing up Montgomery Ink every chance they could. I get it, you wrote a successful series before this I just didn’t need it explained every time it came up, I remember it from last time you mentioned it. I also was annoyed by the instant 180 that Jacob did. He hated her on one page & on the next he was in love with her. It felt awkward & unrealistic to me. You’ve held a grudge on someone for years & then turns out she was helping your brother so you instantly love her & want to have sex with her? Nuh-uh not believing it buddy. Also, I felt confused at some point, if Jacob’s brother is supposed to be Annabelle’s best friend it would stand to reason that their families know each other pretty well. But it felt like Annabelle had to constantly explain things to her family that they should’ve known. It also felt like it could’ve been shortened. If I liked the book I’m sure I would’ve been happy to read all the filler but most of the stuff at each other’s offices could’ve been cut out. It just gave more of a story to the side characters which I really could care less about. I’m sure Carrie Ann Ryan is setting them up for future books in the series (not sure, I haven’t read the other summaries of the rest of the series) but I could certainly do without. I also could’ve done without the family feud & the dad being rude to all his kids, it felt like it didn’t really go anywhere & was abruptly over. Maybe I’m being biased because it sounded like this book was trying to be a fanfic of The Walsh series by Kate Canterbury & it just wasn’t pulled off that well. Overall, this book wasn’t my cup of tea & I won’t be reading the rest of the series.
This one was a bit interesting but not well executed.
First, apparently this author is known for writing a series that includes the Montgomery family, ALL the brothers, and cousins and ALL of them even in different cities ('cause writing about someone with a different last name was out of the question it seems) so there were A LOT, I MEAN A LOT of names and pages dedicated to explain the dinamics of the family's rivalry and such.
This is my first book in this whole scheme so maybe I'm the problem 'cause I was like WTH IS THIS? If this is not an historical book, or about royals or MAYBE the Kennedys, I do not care about the family, it was a lot of work for me to keep my focus and relate to the dinamics of the whole thing, no..
And then there were the plots to make the "conflict". There were too many. Just the Jonah situation, would have been enough to make the book interesting but it was almost a fleeting thing and I had more questions than aswers even after I finished the book.
Aaaaaaand the brothers, who I asume will be part of the next books... I would not read about 4 (yes FOUR brothers who had kind of the same names) that think they can keep "protecting", "looking after", ·support" their little sister by being controlling and all macho to the guy she likes. JUST STOP, please.
I liked this book less the more I read it... Nothing made any sense. Nothing tied in, the plots were so fluid that they had no real form. The side story about Annabelle's dad added nothing to the story. (the author was trying to add some tension to the storyline maybe?) Hotch only existed because the author couldn't work up a compelling narrative. It's like throwing paint at a wall and hoping to get the Mona Lisa. Everything about Jacob's character was senseless, off kilter, weird, out in left field, just odd in general. Jacob is, in effect, a hormonal woman in a man's body. No man thinks, speaks or acts the way he does. If this were a printed book I would have thrown it across the room.
This book was just not good. I never DNF books and I just couldn't with this one. The dialogue is terribly unnatural, the family dynamics are unrealistic and it was one of those "I'm just going to tell you everything and expect you to believe it without ever showing or justifying the relationships or plot points" types of narratives. Really don't understand all the 5 star reviews on this one at all.
Some author forget that despite the family series there’s still a love story to tell between both main characters, unfortunately 80% of the books tells siblings relationships- there’s no characters growing- it’s feel both were two strangers at the end and what with the plot twist that’s seems too forced at the end Such a shame while the plot has potential
There were entirely too many characters to keep up with. The characters went from hating each other to being in a romance within 20 percent of the book. Extremely rushed and didn't connect with the characters at all.
DNF 87 pages in. It's felt like one massive, never-ending info dump of characters and I can't keep anyone straight. Plus, the fact that both sides of the family have the same last name but "aren't related" freaks me out. No thanks.
It felt too much like a soap opera - high emotional dramatics, love/hate and insta lust and I did not care for either character. Disappointed. Toasted from my Ebook library.
Annabelle Montgomery married her best friend and lost him within a matter of weeks. But theirs wasn’t a marriage of love, but of hope. She was young, and after his death she was forced into a media spotlight she didn’t want. She is the architect at her family’s construction business and is working with her siblings to build a future for the company her father started.
Jacob Queen was determined he would never see Annabelle again. He was left with disgust towards what he saw as her attention seeking after his brother’s death. Now that he has returned to his hometown to help his parents, imagine his surprise to find he moved in right next door to Annabelle.
These two have a lot of listening to do. From the beginning there is a current of attraction running under the hurt between them. But before they can address the attraction, they also have to address the hurt, grief, and anger that has simmered between them since Annabelle married Jacob’s brother so soon before his death.
I loved Annabelle’s connection both to her own family and to the Queens. Despite Jacob’s judgement of her, she is a genuine person who cares for those around her. She has stayed close with the Queens, meeting for a weekly dinner that keeps her close to her second family. Her own family is dealing with tensions at work and though she agrees with her siblings, she doesn’t like the way it makes her feel to have arguments within the family.
Jacob seemed stubborn and hardheaded when he was first introduced. But he is also juggling his mom’s health, opening a new law practice while shorthanded, and settling back into Fort Collins after years avoiding it. It was great to watch as he learned the truth about what Annabelle faced after his brother died.
This branch of the Montgomery family is just as connected as the Denver or Colorado Springs branches, but has the added layer of a bit of jealousy from their father. He is also a Montgomery, but from an unrelated family. Their father feels some kind of animosity towards his brothers-in-law and that negative energy impacts the family business his kids are trying to take over. I always enjoy these Montgomery books - the family dynamics, the connection between the main characters, and the easy rolling plots keep me coming back for more. Even though I hadn’t read the entire backlist, I feel like I can pick and choose and not miss a thing if it’s been a while since I’ve been in this world.
OMG! Do you want a book that has ALL of the feels? Then Inked Persuasion is for you. I love the Montgomery family and can’t get enough of them, so the fact there is a new group to love? Awesome! This book will suck you in and take you on an emotional journey of a lifetime. I absolutely loved it.
When Annabelle married her best friend, it may not have been romantic love but that didn’t mean she didn’t love him. This was the one thing that she could do that would bring him peace and if she had to do it again she would make the same decision even if it brought the same outcome.
Jacob has nothing but contempt not only because Annabelle married his but because of what happened after he passed away. When he moves back to his hometown finding out she was his neighbor was difficult enough but his attraction to her was a complication he didn’t need.
Annabelle is a woman who always put the needs of those she cared about before her own while Jacob is operating on misconceptions when it comes to Annabelle. As always family plays a big part in the story as Jacob and Annabelle have challenges not only from the past but in present as well.
Inked Persuasion is the first book in Carrie Ann Ryan’s Montgomery Ink Fort Collins spin off. This one follows Annabelle Montgomery, architect with her families home building company who married her childhood best friend at 18 because he was dying, and Jacob Queen, lawyer and brother to Annabelle’s dead husband. When he moves in next door to her, his hatred for her comes spewing out. When he gets his head on straight they start a friends with benefits relationship which leads to real feelings.
Inked Persuasion was not my favorite of the Montgomery books so far for a few reasons. It felt like Jacob and Annabelle went from hating each other to lovers to friends in a short time. For all the hatred that Jacob was harboring for years, he was really quick to reverse his feelings. The plot line with the crazy stalker and his ex-wife were predictable. I struggled with kids relationship with their dad, he was such a jerk, demeaning them, when in the previous books the Montgomery dads are usually such great guys.
I did like sibling dynamic and am interested in their HEA’s so I will keep reading. The sex scenes were hot and the emotion between Jacob and his parents was well done.
I have a confession. I saw this title and assumed contemporary romance with a tattooed man. Seemed like a no brainer. Or maybe it was about a tattoo parlor a la Under Locke by Mariana Zapata. Sadly, tattoos were only briefly mentioned and I can honestly say I don't fully get the title even now that I've finished.
Annabelle is part of a large family of Montgomerys. She has a twin and has twin siblings as twins run in the family. She was married briefly to her best friend Jonah Queen, as part of his dying wish. He passed a few days after their marriage of cystic fibrosis. She's still close to his parents but his brother Jacob hates her. She doesn't know why, but Jacob is mistaken about what went down when Annabelle married his brother. Once he realizes he was a grade A asshat, the two get into a non relationship relationship, which isn't really enough for either of them. Can Jacob get over his BS and give them a chance?
This was ok, but kinda a lot for me to digest. I won't say much to avoid spoiling this for anyone who wants to read it. It was a pretty quick listen and had a lot of tropes, while building up for the next book in the series.
Inked Persuasion is an amazing start to a new series and a whole new bunch of Montgomery’s to fall in love with. Jacob and Annabelle’s story is passionate, heart wrenching and highly emotional. Two people connected in a way that hurts so much that at times uncaring words will be said. As pain, fate and healing all play a part, your heart and emotions will be taken on a roller coaster ride. Their story is witty, flirty, captivating and heartfelt. The ending will have your heart in your throat and anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.
I’m baffled at how this book got so many 5 star ratings. The amount of detail that goes into people and events that have absolutely nothing to do with the story or the main characters. The absolute meaningless conversations between characters. The complete and utter chaos this book is. It was like reading 30 different plot lines rolled into just one story. I got so much anxiety while reading I needed to take an Ativan to, at the very least, skim it. I literally don’t even know what I just read.
Annabelle is at a family gathering. She helps give us some inside information about family members. Jacob seems both hurt and angry about something that happened a long time ago. You’ll find out early on that the author has a very devious mind. She also makes it very easy to laugh at someone else’s expense.
It was very easy to get immersed into the world of the Montgomery family. The author seems to include her readers in what is going on. Although at certain moments you might feel like an intruder.
The story has so many things going for it. We have enemies to lovers. We have a second chance at love. But we also have the sad side of life so keeping a tissue handy might become useful if a scene brings a tear. The flip side is that there’s plenty of heat.
You don’t necessarily have to read the other Montgomery books but I hope that as you get to know some of them here, they will give you the incentive to check out their stories. Here, it was interesting to get to know Annabelle and Jacob separately and then watch our author weave their lives together. You may wonder if she has a science degree since she’s very good at chemistry. I’m glad that I’ve already read some of this author’s work and certainly look forward to reading more.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I love Carrie Ann Ryan and all of her books! She is one of my favorite authors and her Montgomery family is awesome no matter where they live. This one shows us that fate will find us no matter the distance or years.
Anabelle lost her husband years ago and when his brother moves in next door they are shocked find they are neighbors. Jacob has sworn never to see Anabelle again and in this one goes from hating her to wanting her quickly. Although maybe the wanting her was always there underneath.
Can these two find a way to be together with everything between them and the forces that seem to want to pull them apart. If you are new to the Montgomery Ink world then this is the perfect place to start. Although, I admittingly will say you really need to read all of them. For those of you who love this family then you need to add this one to your collection now.
Carrie Ann Ryan did a superb job writing this book. As always she gives us characters that we fall in love with, hate a little at times, and can't wait to see what happens next.