The Montgomery Ink saga continues with an unforgettable romance where two best friends make a bet that could change their lives forever.Bristol Montgomery and Marcus Stearn have been best friends for so long, they sometimes forget when they weren’t as close as they are now. While friends and family think there’s something beneath the surface of their friendship, the two have always been steadfast … steadfast in their stance on no heated looks or deeper feelings.
The problem? Years ago, they promised each other that if neither of them was married by the time Bristol turned thirty, they’d marry each other.
Even though both have long since decided never to force the other into an arranged marriage, circumstances and sheer stubbornness force them to refuse to back out of their deal.
Now, they’re determined to get married—even as dangerous exes and feelings they deny, block their path.
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Embraced in Ink is Book 3 in the Montgomery Ink: Boulder series by Carrie Ann Ryan. Even though the Montgomerys are a large family with a ton of spin-offs, each story stands perfectly fine on its own.
Marcus and Bristol have been friends since they were little kids. As she is heading out in the world they make a pact that if neither are married by age 30, they’ll marry each other. Fast forward to the present day, where they are both now 30 and remain unmarried.
This was an enjoyable friends to lovers story that was jam-packed with drama, fun, awkwardness and a touch of drama. It drew me in from Page 1 and I couldn’t put it down. Overall this was an excellent addition to an amazing series!
When I started reading I couldn’t put it down.Carrie Ann Ryan is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can’t wait for the next book
I don’t know where to begin with this book! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars this book was so good I loved the story! It was entertaining and emotional and so much more, great job can’t wait to read what this author does next
Bristol Montgomery has traveled the world playing her music and sharing that passion to all kinds of people. Yet all the places she has traveled, she was always willing to come home. Home is with her beloved family and a best friend that is always there for her. Marcus Stearn is truly the best friend that a girl, or anyone for that matter could ask for. Loyal and devoted are the foundation of his being. The man has a huge heart and wears it on his sleeve. Ten years prior a promise was made so that two people would never be lonely. Those years have passed and a promise is never taken lightly.
Embraced in Ink may just be the sweetest and most romantic Montgomery book of them all. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite troupes out there. Marcus and Bristol’s friendship is rooted deep with trust and time, Years together, they formed a bond that was special and equine. Over time it developed into something indescribable for them. Seeing them realize that they can’t fight the feelings that are harder to hide by the day is touching..A promise or a bet, or feelings that they just didn’t understand. Their journey together changes. I love how they balanced each other in a way that brings out their best while complementing one another at the same time. Bristol and Marcus have their moments, like all good couples do, yet the tender way they are with each other is so worth the read. Family plays a big part for both Marcus and Bristol, and I loved how close both families are. Ms. Ryan delivers a sweet and tender edition to the Montgomery Ink: Bolder Series with Embraced in ink.
Omg I absolutely loved reading Bristol and Marcus story. The way the two have a history and how they are through the book I really enjoyed. I loved the feel of the book the emotions just draw you in and spit you back out at the end. I love the way Carrie Ann spins a story.
Bristol Montgomery has counted on Marcus Stearn since they were children. They were best friends, but they were not lovers. Worried about the future, Bristol made Marcus promise that if neither are married when they turn 30 they will marry each other. What could possibly go wrong? A sweet story of friendship to love and the rocky road that it takes to get there. The Montgomery’s are always a great time. As with all Carrie Ann Ryan books, the characters are wonderful and the story is well crafted.
Really loved this duo, they are just meant to be in every way, adore this friends to so much more journey that is filled with all my favorite type of heartwarming moments. This adventure stays true to the Montgomery Ink world (one of my top favorites) and does not disappoint in any way. Loved it!
A promise between best friends that turns into so much more than either of them expected. Bristol and Marcus made a promise on Bristol’s 20th birthday to marry each other if by her 30th birthday they were not already married. These two are so cute together and their friends and family already think they were dating. The engagement took the family by surprise since no one knew about the promise. Can they keep their relationship as friends while being engaged? This proves to be a challenge but things have a way of working out the way they are supposed to.
Embraced in Ink is the third book in Carrie Ann Ryan’s Montgomery Ink: Boulder series. Bristol and Marcus are friends who promised each other years ago that if Bristol reached 30 and wasn’t married, they would marry each other. Now that she’s 30, things are changing. These two characters have become some of my favorites in the whole Montgomery Clan. I loved this book and it’s a great addition to this series. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
5 BRISTOL AND MARCUS STARS!! Another fabulous book in this author. This is by far my favorite book in this series. This story had all the feels with some angst, sexiness and love. I highly recommend this book and series.
Did not lose any time with this one in opening those pages. Bristol and Marcus take us into this one with weaving their magic around us the readers. The promise these two did I think subconsciously it held them. Anyways now the two wrap around it and are determined. Not so easy though since life has a way of throwing curve balls and people will be people. Going along with the drama takes you away enjoying the ups and downs of this one being totally committed. Love how this author can give us love in all the right pages.
I loved the story of Bristol and Marcus. This was definitely different than any other book I’ve read. My one and only complaint was there was a truly predictable scenario that I wasn’t too fond of. Other than that one moment, I loved every second of it!
Like I said, these two were totally different. I adore that they were such good friends and then made that crazy promise! I thought it was so truly hysterical, but it definitely made you go “hmmm??”. To make a promise like they did was pretty ballsy, or dumb, depending on how you look at it. BUT, I LOVED IT! I thought it was definitely a drunken thought of some deeeeeep inner thinkings. Friends to lovers is one of my favorites, and they are always so sweet. I loved seeing the moment when they took their friendship to an entire different level. There was the perfect amount of hunger and confusion. It was great!
Hunger and confusion, it’s the best way to describe their relationship. They didn’t really know how to balance these unearthed feelings and and their friendship. Such a slippery slope that they completely flailed over themselves trying to navigate. They slipped down that slope in the worst way. One of the best parts of this is their family. Both of their families had such an impact on this story. The Montgomery clan is something so special, and their girlfriends are just as special. In this story the families were the perfect coaches. They truly were the glue that held Bristol and Marcus together. Helped them get past their fears and stupidity. Because when it came down to it, these two had a lot of fears and stupidity.
I can’t wait to see where Carrie Ann takes us next!
Bristol Montgomery and Marcus Stearn have been best friends since they were little kids. Friends and family always wondered if there was more there, but they steadfastly stuck with the status quo of they were just best friends. On the eve of everything changing for them, they made a bet that if they were both still single at 30, they would marry each other. Neither truly thought it would happen. Now they are both 30, and neither can stop thinking about that bet. Or about what things might be between them if they changed things. And when they make the decision to go ahead and get married, what will that do their friendship?
I absolutely loved this one! Now while this book might be the 3rd in this off-shoot series, it can absolutely be read as a stand alone. I do highly recommend reading the previous books before reading this one, but that is only because you will see all those characters in this book and it introduces these characters as well. This book is not only sweet but it takes you through all the things that can happen when a friendship turns from friends to lovers. And all the pitfalls that may come with it. Bristol and Marcus are not only cute together but they are sweet. They just forget how to do something that most couples learn as they are just starting to date-communicate! This story sucked me in from the start and kept me reading and hoping it would all work out. And I am so glad it did! But now I really need a side story for Zia! Loved it!!
3.5**** stars. Bristol, a cellist, and Marcus, a librarian, have been best friends most of their lives. A dare at her 20th birthday, if neither is married by the time they reach 30, they will marry each other. Ten years has come and gone and they are still single. So, now they are engaged and haven’t got a clue what to do now. Communication would be a good idea, but fear overshadowed that. Now they have to negotiate the pitfalls in both of their families. Well written but sluggish reading.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book
Embraced in Ink is a best friends to lovers story, Bristol Montgomery and her best friend, Marcus Stearn, made a promise to each other that is neither of them were married by the time Bristol turned 30, they would marry each other.
Bristol is world class Cellist, toured all over the world but Boulder would always be home. She loved her family and wouldn’t want to live away from them. Bristol’s 30 birthday is here and now it seems making a promise with your best friend out of desperation doesn’t seem like such a good idea. Marcus had been in her life for as long as she could remember, she new he would go through with the promise but was it a smart idea?
Marcus has been battling growing feelings for Bristol for quite some time, never acting on them though because she is and would always be his best friend and he wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that. Marcus is a librarian, a nerd some would say but he loves his job, never having the itch to travel all over the way Bristol had, he knew they weren’t a good match but a promise is a promise.
Bristol and Marcus navigate this new relationship in a backwards sort of way, both not wanting to hurt the other, communication is forgotten until they reach a breaking point. This isn’t a carefree fun romance story, there are some heavy, traumatic situations that take place.
Embraced in Ink we get Marcus & Bristol’s story. They’ve been best friends since they were 6 years old. Made a pact when they were 20. Neither really thinking much about it. Fast forward 10 years. They are now 30. And, at Bristol’s birthday party, someone hears them talking about that pact they made when they were 20. Now, their family & friends think they are engaged. Now these 2 have a decision to make. Either tell everyone what is going on or do they cross that line from being just friends to a couple and act on feelings that have been there but they buried. True to a Carrie Ann Ryan story there is a twist thrown in there as they travel to their HEA. And they have their families & friends their to encourage and give them advice.
Embraced in Ink is one of my favorite story lines, friends to lovers. Bristol and Marcus are wonderful together. The story starts with a pact and ends in a HEA. If you are a fan of friends to lovers you will definitely enjoy this read.
5 Stars
A completely different approach to the “friends to lovers” trope and I loved it! Bristol and Marcus aren’t just friends, they have been best friends since the age of 6. Promises were made, ones that at the time were made mostly in jest, and now these best friends are engaged and had never even kissed! You will smile at the inside jokes and adorable awkwardness that occurs while Bristol and Marcus stumble through their new relationship. Once they cross those lines though WOW! These two have passion that cannot be matched, but all of these things are just not enough. What follows is a path that will break your heart, a true story of how no matter how compatible a couple may be, without communication it can all fall apart. Feelings get hurt, but when shocking events occur, Marcus and Bristol know they can no longer let fear stand in the way of their happily ever after.
Cara – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Bristol Montgomery gets her HEA with her best friend – yay!
After a bit angst & a lot of lack of communication, Bristol & Marcus get there HEA!
Can’t wait for Aaron’s book & Zia’s HEA plus will Ronin get his own – we can hope!!!
I enjoyed Bristol and Marcus’ story. Their friendship gave them a solid foundation, but the transition from friends to lovers wasn’t smooth. Neither of them really knew how to transition, but both had repressed their feelings for the other. This is another fun addition to the Montgomery Ink world and I definitely recommend it.