A thirty-six year old mother of two finds out life isn’t over after divorce when a sexy as hell twenty-four year old tattoo artist kisses her senseless under a shooting star.Ivy thought she had it all–married to her high school sweetheart, two great kids, and a beautiful house. But her world comes crashing down when she catches her husband with another woman.When her best friend gives her a gift … friend gives her a gift certificate to a local tattoo parlor to cheer her up, Ivy gets a helluva lot more when inked-up Lukas Valentine–renowned tattoo artist, violin player extraordinaire, and extreme hopeless romantic–captures her heart.
Lukas is an old soul with a heart of gold. When Ivy walks into his shop, he’s instantly drawn to her shy smile and down to earth personality. Tired of the dating scene, Lukas is ready to settle down, and he’s hell-bent on making Ivy believe they can have the happily ever after they both dream about – with each other.
Despite their age difference, the chemistry and love they share is undeniable. Lukas is everything Ivy never knew she wanted in a man, but can she trust her heart with a much younger man, and can they overcome the hurdles that life keeps throwing in their way?
** Lukas can be read stand-alone
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Loved this one! Great story. Very tense and suspenseful in places. Funny and sweet in places. Tear-jerky in places. This book has it all.
L U K A S is UNPUTDOWNABLE!!!
“I told you already, Sunshine. I don’t make mistakes…I make memories, Memories you’ll never forget.” – Lukas
You. Will. FALL.! Carian Cole’s Lukas is an emotionally intense, angsty reverse age gap, yet romantically sweet romance of two people who journey towards finding love after unfortunate pasts. At age 24, Lukas is an old-soul who is mature beyond his years and established, who knows what he wants when paths cross with a 36 year-old young looking woman, Ivy, a recently singled and mother of two, who is trying to embrace a new life of desires and trust. And when the two meet at Lukas’ tattoo shop, an instant connection and chemistry is soon hard to deny.
“If soul mates are real, I want you to be mine.” – Lukas
Lukas, you fill my heart! The insane rollercoaster of angst, steam, and twists throughout Lukas and Ivy’s love affair, had me [scrolling] through the pages on high speed!! But I got to admit, the final chapters had me cussing like a sailor in need of a barrel of whiskey to salve the craziness that built up and combusted…not once, but a quick onslaught of devious misgivings.
“Whenever you’re ready, doll. The church of Lukas is only for you.” – Lukas
As the third book in the Ashes & Embers series, Lukas, will leave you breathless, have you laughing, make you blush, shed some tears, and may or may not have you putting in so much change into the swear jar by the end, that you’ll be able to buy those lattes for quite some time! 😉
After that dramatic ending, I was left with my thoughts, all fired up…perplexed to say the least, for I must know more!? But until then, I am hoping to get glimpses of the previous couples that have nestled themselves into my mind and heart.
This rating was given for the author’s ability to capture the right depth, perception, and relatability of an older woman-younger man dynamic. I cannot wait to discover the remaining members of the A&E band by reading additional novels in the series. Talon, book 4, is hot on my ‘next’ TBR list. Stay tuned!
Carian Cole
A real page turner! And finally a true age gap between a younger man and an older woman!
How??!!! How is it possible that EVERY BROTHER I meet from this super sexy Ashes & Embers band, I fall harder than last!! They’re broken, they’re hurting and they all need a warm hug
Come to mama hunkies
“He’s a Knight. A prince. A warrior. A Viking. He’s one of those men that fight for love ’til the end of time. One who would carry a woman away on his horse and make mad passionate love to her on the grass. A man who takes what he wants and makes it his forever. A man not afraid to dream or believe in what can’t be seen, but can only be felt. His heart is lost in this time, where people no longer live to love or believe that love can transcend time.”
I just met third brother and lemme tell you, he may be the youngest but he has the BIGGEST heart… As big as all outdoors. Lukas Velentine is a cute flirty tattooist. His fingers have magic, whether skilfully handling the tattoo machine, sketching on paper or holding a bow to violin, his lopsided smile and fluttering fingers create masterpieces.
“He is dark and light, an angel fallen and lost, sinfully sweet, dirty and damaged from the descent. I want him on me, in me, beside me. I want to breathe him into me and never exhale. I am completely enraptured by him.”
No wonder Ivy feels an electric shiver and her skin gets warm when those same fingers land on her skin or inside her body. They make beautiful music together, him writing poems in her honor and she hesitantly opening her heart to the second chance at life
She’s been burnt once, twice shy in love and trust department. Her faith in HEA is shot and her hands full with recalcitrant teenager, a confused 7 yr old and an angry ex.
“I lost a year of my marriage without even knowing it. How did I not know? How did I miss all the signs?”
She’s drowning. Life throws her another rope and Lukas hauls her out.
But there’s doubts and insecurities and age-gap and his fame nipping at her heels.
How will they overcome these obstacles?
“I wonder, if I buy the thigh master and do it for ten hours a day, what kind of results I can achieve in a week, coupled with one of those cabbage soup diets maybe.”
One at a time……until they all fall down
“I find it ironic that someone with such a huge heart has a hole in his own, and that the people who should love him keep falling through it.”
Carian has improved with every book. I thought STORM was perfect, VANDAL made me his slave, but LUKAS has completely swept me away. He is so delicious, I could hold his broken unloved heart and put it in my chest so that they could beat together
“A lost feather means an angel is near.”
And I’m seeing glimpses of ASHER here and there, he appears like a guardian angel at crucial junctures when the characters need him the most…..I want more of him, about him
Now on to fall some more for TALON…keep ’em coming Carian
5 stars for Concussions of the Heart
Oh this book!! Lukas is the sweetest and I loved Ivy. Their story is unique, real and has some seriously shocking moments that had me completely sucked in.
Lukas is the third book in the Ashes and Embers series and let me just say that Lukas is a sexy, talented, sweet, tattoo artist that is a pleasure to read about. He is deep and isn’t afraid to show his feelings. The depth of his loyalty is to be admired and Ivy eventually got with the memo.
Ivy has recently been dealt some serious blows so I totally get her hesitation and felt for what she was dealing with. Her reaction to Lukas was scary to her and her ex is a total jerk. I loved that she finally got that she deserved it!
This book is a great addition to this series and I can’t wait for more!
Lukas. The kind one. The sensitive one. Until you read this, you don’t understand how much so.
A beautiful soul, and a wonderful read. And then ending? Not at all what I saw happening, and I cannot wait to read more about Lukas and the rest of Ashes and Embers. Amazing and soulful – and the fact that the woman in the story was a bit older than he was? Love it!
Another great read from the BRILLIANT mind that is Carian Cole!! With every story of hers I read, I wonder… ‘why am I only now reading these?!’ I am so excited to start reading the next book in this series
I really liked Lukas and Ivy’s story. Its rare to see a book with a older woman and younger man. It is always the other way around. Lukas is a sexy 24 year old alpha tattoo artist that can play any instrument. He is sweet to Ivy’s kids. His love is just what Ivy needed after being cheated on by her husband.
Ivy is a 36 year old single mother. She has recently spilt with her husband of 18 years. She doesn’t feel sexy or wanted anymore until she meets Lukas at a tattoo appointment. He is persistent trying to get her to go out with him. She feels he is too young for her.
“You are an amazing person,” I tell him. “Being with you is like reading a book I can’t put down, and every page gets better and better.”
If you asked me who is the perfect bookboyfriend for me today, I would immediately answer Lukas.
Gosh! This man is absolut perfect.
I’m usually a fan of the bad boy type of men in my books, but this book proves that even the cute and perfect romantic guys can be the perfect book boyfriend material too
This tormented by his past, searching for love and family man is what every woman is looking for as a dreams come true husband.
He loves with his whole being and never gives up on people he loves.
This sweet, swoony and romantic book was exactly what I needed.
It’s of course not all sweet in this story, it’s much more complex and complicated like that.
It takes some dramatic and life changing events till the couple can finally have their HEA, but I don’t want to spoil it for you.
If you’re looking for a romantic and sexy romance with age gap (with an older women), this is the perfect book for you
I was suggested this when I was looking for an age gap romance. I definitely am reading out of order, but this can read as a stand alone. I liked a lot and the age gap was perfect. I felt like the ending was empty though. It opened another door in the series to go back to Vandal, but the cut off of Lukas and Ivy was just so abrupt that I feel disappointed.
Wow! This book was beautiful and heartbreaking with a side of sexiness.
Ivy is a 35 year old married mother of 2 that just found out her husband has been an unfaithful loser. Her husband leaves her for a younger women. After a very much needed conversation with her best friend about doing the things she’s always wanted to do she makes an appointment to get a tattoo. That’s where she meets Lukas. Lukas is a 24 year old tattoo artist (that has many talents) and when they first meet face to face there’s a spark between them they both can’t deny. After a lot of persistence, and hesitation from Ivy on their age difference, Ivy agrees to go on a date with Lukas. From there it’s amazing chemistry. He makes Ivy feel beautiful and sexy and they both fall deeply in love with each other.
When tragedy hits and you add in a jealous ex-husband and a greedy teenager, lives could be ruined and accusations are made that could tear Ivy and Lukas apart.
I’m so in love with this book. It broke my heart then healed it, broke it again and healed it again, then broke it again but healed it again! I was on an emotional rollercoaster throughout this book but the HEA was absolutely perfect!
If you were to search into the dictionary, grizzly bear with a heart of gold, Lukas Valentines sexy af face would be next to it!
Everyone loves an age gap, older man, sweet innocent girl.
But not in this book.
No, no, no.
We all know by now that Carian Cole doesn’t follow the cliche norms, and if you don’t know that,then get a life because you are missing out!
Sexy, 36 year old divorcee.
Hella hot 24 year old tattooist.
What more could you ask for.
Read it!
Now!
I read this via ku and am leaving my review voluntarily. This can be read as a standalone but it is part of a series and other characters from books 1 & 2 appear in the story. Have tissues handy.
Triggers: child’s death, cheating (but not between main characters)
**spoilers**
I don’t want to give away all the details, reading for yourself will make it that much more enjoyable.
Ivy, a woman in her 30’s with 2 kids, dumped by her husband.
Lukas, an old soul at 24. He just wants love, a family and stability.
Ivy goes to get a tattoo and meets Lukas, tattoo extraordinaire. There is an instant attraction between them.
Ivy initially tries to resist her attraction to Lukas. Lukas wears Ivy down and they begin dating. Sexy times. Love happens. A bit of drama. Tragedy strikes. HEA for now.
I’m giving this story 5 stars. I liked the characters. (well not Ivy’s daughter. I was 18 once too but she was unforgivable in my opinion. ) I usually am not a fan of age gap stories where the guy is younger but this author did a wonderful job crafting a believable story. It was easy to envision this really happening.
I LOVE Lukas! He may be young but he comes off as so much more mature than his 24 years. I love the way he works so hard to convince Ivy to give him a chance. Ivy has literally had the rug ripped out from under her and trust doesn’t come easy. These are 2 more amazing characters in this series. The author has done a great job so far of making each story its own. She gives each one an obstacle to overcome so the characters really have to find their way. Lukas and Ivy’s story is much sweeter than Vandal’s but no less deep. I am enjoying every book I have read by Carian Cole so far and can’t wait for more.
My favorite in this series by far! I am so in love with Lukas! I adore a well written Single Parent story and Carian Cole killed it with this book!! Lukas and Ivy’s story was amazing!! I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to finish this series (I liked, but didn’t love books one and two), but if the rest are as great as this one I will devour them!!
Oh this book, took my heart and soul.
…Lukas, was incredible, a walking enigma..
Lukas, has a heart of gold.
…with swoon worthy moments, hot and spicy, he just perfection!
My heart broke, page turner, a story that you will never forget~wtmo
You will find some surprises in this story, like i have come to now expect with a Carian Cole tale! I love this about her writing!
Lukas is young but with an old soul given his history! This man has so much to give and when he gives it you should really hold on tight. He is a man that when he gives you his trust, don’t mess up and get it taken away cause there may be no getting it back. He is more than how he looks and what he does for a living. He is sweet, loving, loyal and beyond it all a great guy!
Ivy is a woman who thought she had it all and then it is taken away from her! She is hurting when she meets Lukas and trying to find out who she is and falls for him quickly despite her fear and trust issues.
When faced with a challenging moment she doesn’t know what and who to believe because of that fear. But possibly losing Lukas will open her eyes to some truths that although hurtful must be faced!
Of all the men in the Ashes and Embers band Lukas is a favorite of mine in his own way. I loved that he’s not as wild as the other members but a matured member way beyond his time. The love he has for Ivy is unlike any she has known and boy does she know little in a way. Here is a woman who didn’t expect well where she is now and the strong feelings she has for a younger man like Lukas. Talk about passion and hotter in each chapter that goes by she has no idea how to deal. The chemistry is all there but man Lukas is so what she needs to feel like who she used to be. I am loving this series and these guys are just wow by Carian Cole. Loved it.
“I received an eBook copy from the pu.blisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
LUKAS is the third instalment in Carian Cole’s contemporary, adult ASHES AND EMBERS erotic, rock romance series focusing on the rock band Embers and Ashes. This is twenty-four year old violinist and tattoo artist Lukas Valentine, and thirty-six year old, Human Resources manager and mother of two Ivy’s story line. LUKAS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and history.
NOTE: The time-line for LUKAS crosses over with, and runs parallel with the time lines of books one and two: STORM and VANDAL.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Lukas and Ivy) LUKAS follows the older woman / younger man relationship between twenty four year old violinist and tattoo artist Lukas Valentine, and thirty six year old, single mother/ Human Resources manager Ivy. Ivy is a woman scorned having discovered her husband of eighteen year having an affair with a much young woman. To help her move forward, a friend offers a gift -certificate for a tattoo with a sexy young artist she knows nothing about. Enter Lukas Valentine, tattoo artist and violinist with the rock band Ashes and Embers. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ivy and Lukas, and the potential fall-out as vengeance and betrayal set our couple up to fall.
Ivy is caught completely unaware of her husband’s year long infidelity but meeting Lukas Valentine stirred something deep within our story line heroine something she struggles to accept and want. Lukas Valentine is another sexy and tattooed rock star, and wants nothing more than to fall in love. A hopeless romantic, when Ivy walks into his tattoo shop, our hero knows immediately Ivy is the woman he wants for his happily ever after.
The relationship between Ivy and Lukas is a younger man/older woman romance. Ivy struggles with their age difference and life experiences until she realizes Lukas is an old soul in a young man’s body. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
All of the previous story line characters play secondary and supporting roles as we cross paths with Storm and Evie, Vandal and Tabitha, as well as the other members of the band. We are introduced to Ivy’s soon to be ex-husband Paul, as well as their children Tommy and Macy, and Ivy’s best friend Lindsay.
LUKAS is a story of betrayal, vengeance, passion and love. The premise is encouraging and captivating; the romance is seductive and intense; the characters are animated, energetic and real. And to keep it consistent, the author adds another twist at the very end.
AGE IS JUST A NUMBER
I read this book as part of the Ashes & Embers Boxed Set…..
Long haired, pierced and tatted up, Lukas, is 24, a tattoo artist and a part time rocker with his family’s band…Lukas is that rare combination of sweet, sensitive and HOT…Although he is young, he has lived a lot of life and is way more mature than most men older than him ….Since his mother gave him away, he has never felt truly wanted or loved by someone……He’s really only ever wanted his own family to love and to love him…Sometimes what we wish for, comes in different packages than we expected….
Thirty-six year old Ivy has been married to her high school sweetheart for 18 years in blissful ignorance….until she listens in on a phone conversation between her husband and his 22 year old mistress……Ivy is blindsided and her whole world comes crashing down around her…She has two kids, 17 year old Macy & Tommy, 7…….After a conversation with a friend, Ivy decides to get a tattoo, and Lukas is more than happy to ink her…They have an instant connection, and Lukas decides she’s his, but Ivy is hung up on the age thing….so some convincing will have to be done…..
Throw in the jealousy of a narcissistic, manipulative ex husband and the lies of a conniving teenage daughter and some other twists and turns, and you’ve got a great book….Lukas and Ivy were meant to be together….