The Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs series continues with a couple fighting to keep what they thought they had and gain what they didn’t know they needed.Roxie Montgomery met her soul mate when she least expected it. When he asked her to marry him, she thought her happily ever after was only just beginning. Then, she found that walking into the sunset was much harder than her favorite books made … books made it out to be. After a crushing loss, she feels as though she doesn’t know her husband anymore, or rather…she doesn’t know herself.
Carter Marshall has loved Roxie since the first time he saw her. But as the days pass between them, so does the distance. He doesn’t know how to show her that he’s all in, and honestly doesn’t know if she’s in at all. When an accident changes everything, they’ll have to decide if what they have can be salvaged, or if starting over is the answer. Or even possible.
Without fighting, without a true new beginning, sometimes, the remnants of what was lost can leave anyone jagged, shells of what they were before. It will take more than the idea of forever for Roxie and Carter to find themselves again, but as the Montgomerys know, nothing worth fighting for is easy.
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Anyone who has been or is married will understand and love this story. The depth in which two people love each other sometimes isn’t enough and you need to be willing to fight for that LOVE and sometimes just start over. Communication is always easier said than done. There are so many feeling that I have for this story words cannot do them justice. Thank you Carrie Ann Ryan for the amazing gift of Carter and Roxie.
This book gives you all the feels! Loved Roxie and Carter! This book is absolutely amazing and I’ve enjoyed all of the books from this series each one has been excellent in there own way. I couldn’t get enough of the book once I started the pages flowed and the vivid storytelling keeps the reader engaged. Overall, I highly recommend.
Jagged Ink is the third book in the Colorado Springs series. I couldn’t wait to get this story to find out what was going on with Carter and Roxie. Their marriage is in trouble, is this the end for them?
To say I was a little disappointed with this book, I didn’t really care for Roxie, and Carter didn’t stand up for what he wanted. Talking is the key, and the didn’t communicate well with eachother. I like seeing other family members and meeting the new cousin from Boulder.
Carter and Roxie get you right in the feels. This book is different from any of the other books I have read from Carrie Ann as the couple is already married, but seem to be losing each other and maybe themselves. You get to see how hard times and maybe quick starts can effect a relationship. Communication is extremely important but for some it is not always easy. You see these two struggle in the hard times and see if they have will fight for the happy ever after that they deserve. Fantastic read make sure you have some tissues ready. I had to step away a few times as the feelings are strong in this one. I loved it and really recommend it to others. You will not be disappointed.
I enjoyed it very much. It was quick read.
Wow! Jagged Ink is an emotional roller coaster ride. Roxie and Carter have been married little over a year but have been drifting apart for months. Early into their marriage, Roxie and Carter suffer a loss that none of their family or friends know about. Even when Carter is injured in an explosion in Thea’s bakery, Roxie and Carter are unable to communicate how they feel to each other. When Carter is allowed to go home to heal, he sees the divorce papers. Carter is angry and hurt. Carter says he will stay in the guest room while he heals. Roxie wants to be strong and do what is right. She doesn’t think Carter loves her and wants to let him go, so he can find his happiness. Carter feels he isn’t good enough for Roxie and wants Roxie to be happy even if he is miserable. Communication is the biggest problem with Carter and Roxie. When Carter finally decides he wants to fight for Roxie and their marriage, he and Roxie begin to open up about what they are feeling. Carter and Roxie take things slow by dating and getting to know each other all over again. Carter and Roxie know themselves as individuals but don’t know what they are as a couple. Carter and Roxie know they need to talk about their shared loss but continue to avoid it. Can Carter and Roxie talk through their issues? Will Carter be able to live with Roxie’s decision after they finally talk about their loss? Can Carter and Roxie find their way back to each other? Will Carter and Roxie prove to each other that they are stronger together than apart? I really loved Jagged Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan. Carter and Roxie’s story will make you shed tears. Jagged Ink is an emotional journey from a couple’s beginning, a tragic loss, a couple falling apart, and their road back to each other. I wanted to scream in frustration at times when Roxie and Carter were being stubborn and dealing with their problems. Enjoyed how their family and friends were there for the couple and willing to let them find their way. Roxie and Carter find communication is just as important as love to make a marriage work. LOVE Carrie Ann Ryan, and Jagged Ink is another fantastic book in the Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs series. I highly recommend getting Jagged Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan. I received an ARC of this book, and I am leaving my honest
If this story is not the very definition of marriage/partnership/happily ever after I just have no idea what is. Roxie and Carter are walking down a very uneven path right now. They don’t seem to be on the same page about themselves, their marriage or even each other. And no one is talking.
This is the point in the review that I point out a tiny eye-twitch I had with the story-line. Did we really need almost half the book with them floundering and not communicating? As a fan of this author, I’ve already met these two in previous books and I already knew they were in trouble so it made it even more tasking to spend so much time in that space. I get that it needed to happen to set the story up real and relatable, but daaaaamn, ya’ll, it was a lot. LOL But not enough to make this story less than a solid 4 star read for me.
Now I get to tell you about the phenomenally beautiful road of growth and forgiveness, hope and determination, family, friendship, love and heart this story turned out to be. It is all those things and more. Roxie and Carter found more than just their way to each other in this story. They found their way back to themselves. *happy sigh*
obsessively good!
Roxie and Carter are a married couple. Things have been taking a turn for the worse with an accident. No communication and no attention spells trouble for any relationship. Will love be enough to keep them together? Can they learn to communicate and pay attention to one another? A good second chance story.
I was so looking forward to Roxie and Carter’s story it was the one story that was happening at the same time as the others and their story was always hinted at being something really good. I was not disappointed in this story it was heart wrenching for awhile and I thought this would be the one Carrie Ann Ryan story where the HEA is not what we think and I was so worried yet intrigued. All-in-all it was an amazing read and I’m almost sad to see this set of Montgomerys end but I know we haven’t truly seen the last of them but still this story was bitter sweet since it was the last story.
I feel like I’ve been waiting for Carter and Roxie forever! Being that they are already married it brought a new angle to what I’m used to from Carrie Ann. Roxie and Carter came together hot and heavy and now after an incredibly painful experience, they are both feeling lost and alone. It broke my heart to see and feel the hurt between them. This story took me on a roller-coaster through my emotions. Roxie and Carter had me from the beginning and I’m so happy with where they end up!
Jagged Ink made me sob and then, by the end, a smile creased my face. This book was not a reunion story. Rather, it was the story of two people in love but facing a broken marriage. Both only want what is best for the other and they reached a point in their marriage where they’re not sure how to fight for it. Roxie and Carter are both deeply flawed but in a way that is relatable to the reader. Most romance novels end at the happily-ever-after but what if that starts to crumble. Jagged Ink starts at the crumble and, honestly, for most of the book, I wasn’t sure if the love between Carter and Roxie was enough. They both had a lot of work to do on their selves and eventually on their relationship. This book was a jarring break from the sweet romances I had been reading and yet was the most addicting read I’ve picked up in a while. It was gritty and realistic and heartbreaking and eventually satisfying to read.
New release from Carrie Ann Ryan!
I’m a huge Carrie Ann Ryan fan and I rave about her books to all that will listen; unfortunately, this time I can’t do it. This isn’t a bad story, it’s just an extremely frustrating one. It pinged a pet-peeve of mine hard and I had to set it aside for a bit before I could finish it. I had anticipated something “more” for Roxie and Carter’s story and felt let down. The impression I had of Roxie from previous books was she was more quiet and reserved than her siblings, in her story though she reads selfish, self-centered and a bit shallow. I get the “why” of it, I understand the emotional angst, but…I didn’t like reading it the way it was written. I feel like there is still chunks of this story that went untold, things that might have made me a little more empathetic as a whole. Sometimes that is just the way it works though, not every book is going to be a homerun for the reader. I’m still a huge fan of the author and I remain invested in the world’s her books bring to life. I definitely look forward to the many words she will write in the future.
JAGGED INK is book 3 in the Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs series. It follows the Montgomery siblings and it can be read alone though you may want to start at the beginning for more backstory!
Roxie Montgomery is the youngest of the family but she was the first to get married. Carter Marshall thought he’d be married forever to Roxie. Yet, he finds them drifting farther apart day by day. Roxie and Carter are learning that sometimes, love is not enough to keep a marriage strong.
I’ll preface this by saying that the marriage in trouble trope is not my favorite kind to read because I enjoy the buildup of a new relationship so much. So, if I read a story about two people already in a committed relationship, I need a LOT of background for them in order to feel that connection. Unfortunately, I think the first half missed that mark. Don’t get me wrong, I cried like a baby because Ms. Ryan did such an excellent job describing the agony of seeing your life slip through your hands. I truly felt that angst in the pit of my stomach. But past that emotion, it took me awhile to figure out WHY they were breaking up. There were hints but the real reason took a long time to be revealed. The second half of the book was more my cup of tea as we got to watch Roxie and Carter rebuild their relationship.
Overall, this one may not have been my favorite from Carrie Ann Ryan but it’s still well written and full of angst, emotion, drama, some swexy romance and fabulous characters. Told from dual POVs with a happy ending. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
“Jagged ink” finally lets us in on what’s happening with Roxie and Carter. First year newly wedded bliss isn’t exactly blissful when your husband gets injured, your family continues to have issues, and everyone around you is suddenly having babies. This story was good, but I felt like there were some parts lacking. It also ties all the Colorado Springs Montgomery’s up together while introducing us to the Boulder bunch.
5 Stars
Just Wow! I have a total Love/Hate relationship with this story. As usual, Ms. Ryan has given us a book that brings out every feeling imaginable and leaves us with a HEA, but what a way to get there! I LOVE everything about the Montgomery family. I LOVE Roxie and her Independence and strength. I LOVE Carter and his determination to be the kind of husband he needs and wants to be. I HATE the pain and heartbreak this couple had to go through to get there, probably because at some time in all our lives we have felt it. Feelings of hurt, anger, frustration, loss, the unknown and overall an inability to know how to fix something that is important to us. Everyone needs to read this book! Thank you Carrie Ann Ryan for delivering a story that gives us the bumpy path to a realistic HEA!
Cara – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Jagged Ink is the last Montgomery Ink book in Colorado Springs. If you have read the previous two then you know Roxie and Carter were having problems in their marriage, if you haven’t don’t worry you don’t need to. I’m going to preface this review by saying this book deals with real life marital issues, problems, traumas. This is not a sunshine and roses book. It does however have an amazing ending.
Roxie Montgomery is the youngest of her family and the first to be married. She loves Carter more than anything, they might have rushed to the alter thinking it was the best solution at the time.
Carter Marshall didn’t have a living family growing up maybe that’s why he always feels in the outside looking in. He has a couple close friends and he married an amazing woman, one he doesn’t feel like he deserves. Carter has never been great at talking about his feelings and with his marriage in trouble he doesn’t know what to do. Carter is a mechanic and owns his own garage, he has worked really hard to be successful, taking care of his wife is very important to him.
Jagged Ink is really about how a marriage suffers when there is no communication. Love sometimes isn’t enough when there is doubt and hurt. Love can save a marriage though if you fight hard enough.
Roxie and Carter seemed like they were the perfect match for each other. They slowly drifted apart as they dealt with issues including the aftermath of Carter’s accident and a general lack of communication. This story is an emotional rollercoaster as they struggle with their marriage. It was a bit frustrating to read but I enjoyed the epilogue.
Carter Marshall seems to wonder what might have happened if he’d done things differently. Roxie Montgomery has me curious as to why she feels the way she does. It felt as if something was missing inside. Makes you curious as to how she got to that place. What’s sad is that each feels the same thing.
This has to be the author’s saddest tale that I’ve read so far – the toughest. I really couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel because of all the pent up emotion and what neither of the main characters were saying. One reason I think that is is because when Roxie talks about herself she still considers herself a Montgomery – and by the end the light bulb went on. For me, they both seemed stagnant and I think that’s why I can’t tell where the author’s going to take us.
I have to tell you that it was very tough not to jump to the ending. I wanted to know that things were going to get better. Who am I going to root for? That was a big question with this particular story. But my patience paid off – wipe brow. One thing I did love was that the Montgomery’s all care about each other and want to see each other happy. I think I’d like to see them appear in another Montgomery book just to know that things have continued to get better since that was hard to see for quite a while.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.