Carian Cole brings readers a new twist on arranged marriage with this heartfelt romance that’s full of witty banter, tantalizing slow-burn chemistry, and two people finding love where they least expect it.My best friend has a habit of trying to fix all my problems—whether I want her to or not. But when she approaches me with an application to join a marriage experiment, I think she’s finally gone … she’s finally gone too far.
She’s right, though—my heart (and other body parts)—have been woefully neglected during my three years of singlehood and endless bad dates. I love my cat, but at twenty-five years old, I’d like to settle down with a great guy and start a family.
After some serious soul-searching, I take the biggest leap of faith in my life and agree to marry a total stranger.
I asked for a stable, funny, smart, clean-cut, caring, family-oriented man. But when I get to the altar, I find a guy covered in tattoos with wild hair and a sexy, panty-melting grin waiting for me.
Talon Valentine. A rock star. A famous rock star.
I wanted to run. So did he.
But we stayed and said our vows, determined to commit to the experiment.
We fought. We laughed. We cried. We went from not being able to stand each other to not being able to keep our hands off each other. To our surprise, we fell in love.
But then tragedy struck, cracking our fragile foundation, leaving us wondering how this six-month marriage experiment would end.
Will one—or both of us—choose to get divorced, or will we finally get the happily ever after we both dreamed of?
* Talon can be read as a single stand-alone book.
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“Hope Dies Last”…and T A L O N is HOPE! Carian Cole’s Talon is a moving story of two opposite people coming together through an arranged marriage, as they journey towards the hope of finding a partner who will love the person that they are. Talon Valentine is the mega rockstar from Ashes & Embers, who seems to come across women who only want him for “one” thing, never staying beyond a good time, and concedes to entering into a social project that requires him to marry a stranger. Talon’s match is Asia; a young woman who leads a simple life, but really wants to settle down with a clean-cut guy and start a family. And while the two initially want to run away from one another, Talon and Asia remain committed to the experiment.
“Together, we’re supposed to be better.” – Talon
Not without strife, Talon is in foreign territory having never been in a relationship, while Asia struggles with abandonment, trust, and insecurity issues, all of which carries over into their new marriage; hence, once they get past the “surface” through witty banter and connecting, deep waters are reached through shared values, understanding, and a friendship that blooms into an undeniable coupling. But when tragedy strikes the newlyweds, Talon and Asia’s trust and devotion is tested, and questions everything they have built. In the end, will they part ways, or live happily ever after?
“Sometimes what we think we want is not at all what we actually need.”
As the fourth book in the Ashes & Embers series, Talon, will lead you through laughter, intrigue, and a full spectrum of emotions from the first page. Honestly, I could not get enough of this beautiful couple, whose journey captivated me from the challenging marriage of what one’s expectations of ‘wants’ as opposed to what one ‘needs’ is so accurately depicted in this desirable romance. Also, I appreciated the symbolism and thought provoking analogies used in this tale of hope and love.
“Then don’t be a star, Talon. Be the moon. Shine above all of them.” – Asia
This rating was given for the author’s ability to create an entertaining story, filled with witty humor, steamy chemistry, and inspirational characters. I continue to adore each character and couple as they explore the different realms only captured in the A&E world, and look forward to further insight by reading additional novels in the series.
Carian Cole
LOVED. Now, on to Storm. These are interlocking standalones. And I’ve listened completely out of order. First I did book 3, then book 2, now book 4, next I’m doing 1, then 5. I have a system. Don’t judge me. But this is proof you can read them in any order and it’s fine!
Talon, Talon, Talon. This book is the story of how Talon and Asia meet and fall in love. Their love story is unique, unconventional, and at times had me so frustrated I wanted to throttle both of them for being ridiculous. I love this book; Talon and Asia’s beginning, middle and end. I cried a bit over the last half of their story as everything came to a head for them, it made for an emotional, intense read. Great book!
No beginning, no end, just now…
I want to say that this is my favorite book in the series, but then I feel that way every time a new one is released. I flove them all. I want to say that this one ripped out my heart more than the others, but then I have flashbacks of being vandalized. Nope, I still can’t choose just one, I love them all.
I found myself smiling and laughing a lot at the beginning, as Talon and Asia got to know each other. I was so intrigued by the idea of a blind marriage without even having a blind date first. I was already in #CoverLust with the sexy rocker on the front of the book, so I couldn’t imagine the bride being disappointed rather than lust-struck by his sexy long hair and tattoos. But, she was. He didn’t fit her image of her ideal man. In fact, her thought was “This is not my dream man. This is like a rock star hippie Tarzan.” She wanted normal and Talon was as far from that as you can get.
Talon is a #Cockstar, he’s attracted to what I consider to be the fake Barbie type. He’s a boob man, the bigger the better and real doesn’t matter. He likes his women tall, confident, well-traveled and experienced. WTF? Did those people running the SOCIAL EXPERIMENT even bother reading their answers to their millions of questions regarding what they looked for in a partner? Disappointment was an understatement of epic proportions. How the hell did he end up with short, shy, insecure, inexperienced and afraid to fly? Just when I got myself under control, his internal mental dialogue regarding the fact that the romance team had found the only woman who didn’t want to fuck him, had me giggle-snorting again.
Let me tell you, the hilarious banter between the bride & groom was so entertaining. I was excited to see how they were going to work out their required obligations, including the journaling, living together for 6 months, and other things the SOCIAL EXPERIMENT insisted on. I ate it up, like the romance junkie that I am. As the couple got to know each other I was anticipating the eventual outcome of their relationship. It seemed like it was gonna be a predictable, yet satisfying rocker romance where they would instantly fall in love and live happily ever after. Um…NOT. If you’ve been reading this series, then you already know, that’s not how this author works. Nope, she likes to pull us in, let us get comfortable, and then rip the rug out from under us. She never fails to surprise me, and she never disappoints. She’s a sure thing, unlike Asia. Like Talon’s father said, “You don’t just add water and stir.” They soon discovered that the idea of a ready-made marriage was cool, but that was the easy part, making it work is a lot harder.
Well… what can I say…that I haven’t already said in my other reviews. ..but that I adore carian cole’s writing.
Talon is book four of the series, beautifully written, emotive and fun and sad and HUMAN….and oh god damm THE FEELS.
i have devoured this series over two day and now I have readers remorse….I have to wait….for MORE…but I will
As always…start at the beginning
It was a very good book
Enjoyed reading
An emotional roller coaster… One minute I was laughing with the characters, the next I was mad at them, and the next I was crying for them. It didn’t help that I read this while at work.. This book embodies everything you want in a great read. I felt every emotion as clear as if I was watching the scenes play out right in front of my eyes. Another true artistic masterpiece at its finest!
Getting married to a stranger who is your perfect match? Is it real? Can you find your perfect match if you fill the right questionnaire out? What a chance that you will find the one in that way? Talon’s story is the answer to these questions. Wonderful book, highly recommended!
I am in love for this book yet! I finished it yesterday and waited to write this review so it wouldn´t be too much but I stay feel the same way about Talon and Asia!
I laughed, I cryed (soooo much), I cheered for them, I got angry for them! And the most important thing is that I really loved them!
All start with a social experiment about marriage, to see if experts could find someone their husband/wife and the story continues with them getting married…
Be still my heart!! This book totally had me feeling so mixed up, there were so many moments that it didn’t think Talon and Asia would be overcome the newest hurdle but loved the way their story developed.
Talon is the fourth book in the Ashes and Embers series and it is tied with Vandal for my favorite of the series!
Talon and Asia’s story is completely unorthodox but deeply emotional. Both of them have serious hang ups stemming from their past experiences with life and both want the same things for their future but neither can get past the now to give it a fair chance.
Whew that sounds crazy right!?!? Just read the book you will understand. I really loved their story and every single hurdle that stood in their way. It made them so much stronger individually and together that it was a pleasure to read!
I definitely recommend this book, it can be read as a standalone but will give things away from previous books if you ever decide to go back and start the series.
Talon (Ashes & Embers #4) by Carian Cole. Talon is the baby boy of the family. He loves the band. He is typical rocker. Sex and drugs are plentiful especially when you are working with 11 inches. However when that is all you are good for finding love isn’t in the cards. His mother suggests he participate in an experiment. He will marry someone they pick for 6 months. After that time the couple could stay married or divorce with $50,000.00. Asia is a simple girl. She doesn’t have much but is very creative. She is looking for love but it seems she isn’t having any luck. Her best friend suggest an experiment she knows about. I knew I enjoyed how this author told a story, I didn’t know how much I missed this series and her storytelling. I love the characters. Yes the premise might be a little goofy but I was pulled into this story till the end. The issues and struggles this couple went through made for an engaging and interesting story. The chemistry between them was fire and Talon like the other males in the family is hot as sin. I enjoyed being reacquainted with the other characters from the other books. After finishing this book I want to go back and reread the other book. Really looking forward to the next book. 5 enjoyable stars for me. I would really love a follow up book regarding these 2. Wild ride.
Absolutely love this author!!
An unexpected romance – a game of sorts. A set up. Following the advice of a few psychologists to find the one person you’re meant to be with? And trusting them to place you in the right situation? And hoping that they’re right, but deciding that you’ll give it your all? Talon and Asia have an amazing story, and the fact that maybe they wouldn’t have ended up together if not for this arranged marriage is fun and sweet to watch. Tugging at my heart strings, I could not, and did not want to put this down.
Talon has quite the vocal opinion, “what the eff did we answer all those questions for? I asked for a hot, tall, sexy as eff blonde with big tits who loves to travel.” He points to me. “Instead, I get a flat dwarf who can barely look me in the eye, doesn’t want me to touch her, and won’t get on a plane.” Talon can be charming but that man turns everything into an innuendo, “I reach into the bowl and take a handful of popcorn. “I can’t wait to get you on top of me, baby. Anytime you’re ready, just hop on.” Talon can be a tad bit dramatic, “what?” he exclaims, swerving the car erratically as he turns to face me. “Two years? That’s almost as bad as not having sex for three years. Why don’t you have a car?” I loved this book it reminded me of that show ‘Married at first sight’ I hate that show but loved this book
This was my first Carian Cole book and wow. Sweet, sassy, sexy, heartbreaking, and more sweet. What was already a unique twist on the rocker story took a turn I didn’t expect and couldn’t have loved more.
Predictable but satisfying. Once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down.
Steamy and sexton in a good way. A very good way.
This is the first book I have read that involves getting married before ever meeting your bride or groom. I really enjoyed their story and am looking forward to their sequel.
Asia wants someone clean cut with an office job. What she gets instead is a spoiled tattooed rock star. Talon is the youngest of the Valentine boys.
He always attracts the crazy so when his mom asks him to be apart of a new experiment, he is intrigued.
Asia has also been unlucky in love and decides to join after her best friend tells her about it.
What follows is trial and tribulations of the pit falls of getting married without knowing your partner.
Ok, so this is the 4th book in the Ashes & Embers series and I really really really love it
Amazing, emotional, funny, sweet, swoony and romantic love story.
Asia’s and Talon’s story is an amazing adventure in arranged marriage experiment.
I freaking love this story.
Two people take part in an “marry a total stranger” experiment.
This book is emotional, heartbreaking and sarcastic funny. A fascinating journey through the ups and downs of two people who don’t know each other but try to stay together and hold on to their first marriage.
It’s an absolute page-turner that I couldn’t put down. I laughed, screamed, swooned and cried reading this book. A must read for all romance lovers