The Gentrys are back in a brand new gritty spinoff series by NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Cora Brent! No one dreamed of moving here.They dreamed of escaping.The struggling prison town in the desert was my family’s home for generations but now the sound of its name is like a curse to them.By the time I finished college I had big plans.Plans to move to Emblem. Plans to teach at Emblem High. … generations but now the sound of its name is like a curse to them.
By the time I finished college I had big plans.
Plans to move to Emblem. Plans to teach at Emblem High. Plans to see past the poverty and corruption that the town was infamous for. Plans to make a difference in the lives of the kids who lived there.
Tristan Mulligan never figured into my plans at all.
He was nothing but a small time criminal and former gang member who mocked everything I cared about, provoked me at every turn and kept me up at night with hot fantasies about how good he’d feel.
I knew better than to start something with him.
I did it anyway.
Tristan might shatter my heart. He might annihilate my future. And there’s something dangerously explosive about us when we’re together.
You can warn me about him all you want.
Everyone else has.
I haven’t listened yet.
Whether I’m ready to admit it or not, I’m already his…
Stand alone. No cliffhanger.more
Yes Cora Brent! This was exactly what I was waiting for, I loved Tristan & Cadences story! I knew this book would be filled with feels…I was mentally prepared because I’m a huge Gentry boys fan! I loved Curtis too, Tristan’s big bro!
Emblem, where all the guys are from was portrayed so well in this spin off…such a sad, run down town.
I love Cadence! Which makes sense because I adored Cord & Saylor 🙂
Cadence is so sweet…Tristan needs someone just like her in his life, even if he doesn’t know it!
Gah, I love them together!
Highly recommend!
I can’t wait to see what the author writes next….
I’d been hoping for Tristan’s book since he first made his appearance in Turn (Gentry Generations #2).
There was just something about the troubled bad boy that was incredibly intriguing and I was anxious to get inside his head.
I couldn’t have imagined a better partner for him than Cadence.
Though they were complete opposites she was able to keep up with him.
Definitely not a doormat she was feisty and strong with a heart of gold.
In other words she was exactly what he needed to see the possibilities of a life other than the one he chose.
At times, I did feel like I was being “told” the story in a summary rather than getting to experience it so unfortunately that did make me feel like this book was a bit rushed.
But overall, this was a great start to a new spinoff series and I’m very much looking forward to what’s next!
I have been waiting for Tristan’s story ever since meeting him in Curtis’ book. It was so worth the wait. I knew that Tristan would tug at my heartstrings and he did and I fell in love with that man. He knows Cadence from his brother…he is married to Cassie which his Cadence’s older sister. The few times he met her he thought she was a spoiled brat. The few times she saw Tristan Mulligan she didn’t like him. They happened to meet by chance….she is now a teacher in Emblem High and runs into him at the local bar. Sparks fly between them but nothing can happen they don’t like each other….right? She learns that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to Tristan and a relationship grows. He wants to be a better man for Cadence and works on redemption for himself to be the man that she deserves. I loved this book….omg all the freakin feels. Tristan has definitely my favorite Mulligan man (sorry Curtis lol) he is sweet with a mix of dirty and it was so hot!!f Cadence was the perfect match for Tristan and he was for her. I am excited for the new Ruins of Emblem series and I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Ms. Brent knocked it out of the park with this story and I highly recommend it to all. Well done!!!!
Tristan is the first book in the Ruins of Emblem series and will make you realise that the bad boy of Emblem has a soft side and of course only a Gentry could bring this out. Cadence Gentry is the brand new teacher at the high school and right from the start she is on a mission to change things up that also mean Tristan Mulligan. This book makes you realise that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover and will leave you with a full heart. Another amazing book by Cora Brent. Definitely a 10 read.
This return to Emblem, Arizona is one of my favorites across all of the books in this universe. More than any of the other books in the Gentry series, this book gave such a vivid picture of what the lives of the residents of Emblem really look like and it’s so sad to see the ramifications of a dying town.
Cadence is the youngest of Cord Gentry’s daughters and the one I wanted to see grown up the most. She’s the perfect combination of Cord and Saylor: feisty, sweet, a little sheltered. Tristan is like a lost soul; not quite able to let go of the criminal life in Emblem that his brother tried so hard to get him away from. But he was an absolute joy to get to know. He’s loyal, he’s funny, he cares so much about the people around him. I felt like I had hearts in my eyes every time he said something sweet to Cadence. I seriously could barely handle how cute and perfect they are.
I’m really loving this new spin-off of the Gentry’s!! I can’t wait to see what else comes from Emblem!!
Title: Tristan
Author: Cora Brent
Publication Date: 4/9/2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance
**RECEIVED ARC FOR HONEST REVIEW**
This is a standalone start of a new spinoff from Brent’s Gentry Boys Series. This spinoff is called The Ruins of Emblem. It can also be considered part of the Gentry Generations because it is about Cord’s youngest daughter Cadence. She has become a teacher in the poor town of Emblem that her parents grew up in and left as soon as they were able.
One of the things I have noticed with this series and the spin offs is how the stories are about rising above. Sure we do what we have to so that we and our family can survive but we don’t have to settle for less. Also with love and understanding you can come through anything. Yes bad happens but there is still good in the world.
Brent is able to write a book with all the feels. Not to mention enough sexiness and yumminess that with Tristan you may have just found your next book boyfriend. I look forward to more from the Ruins of Emblem.
This is book one in the “Ruins of Emblem” series. This can be ready as a standalone.
I have been an avid fan of the Gentry’s for years. I feel with each new book Ms. Brent gives us, we are able to gain more insight into this family.
What I loved most about this book was the push and pull between Tristan and Cadence. The will they, won’t they dynamic is very satisfying. While Tristan, in my opinion, was very difficult to like, Cadence is simply a breath of fresh air. Her spirit, her vibe, her determination, make her one of the strongest Gentry women. I know Tristan was written to be unlikeable. He is rude, inconsiderate and selfish but he does redeem himself, in the best possible way. The reader gets to go on this journey of self-discovery with him, which makes his redemption that much sweeter. The chemistry between them was scorching.
I also really enjoyed the scenery of this book. Where other stories take place in Phoenix and surronding areas, Emblem provided an amazing backdrop, as if it was an additional character.
The writing was consistent and set at just the perfect pace.
If you have enjoyed in any of the other Gentry stories, this is a must read!
I thought that this was a simply wonderful romance. The book offers a charming blend of steamy and sweet that quickly captured my heart. Cadence and Tristan made a terrific couple. These opposites had an intense attraction that could not be denied and their chemistry just sizzled. Tristan is a bad boy with a heart of gold and Cadence is caring and well meaning but her naivety about the harsh reality of gritty, small town Emblem is often painful to witness. This was an excellent read and start to this new series. Also if you have not had the pleasure of reading any of the other Gentry family books (The Gentry Boys or Gentry Generations), I wonder why not? These are all incredible reads and trust me once you meet one Gentry you will want to know them all!
We are back in Emblem. OMG this book has the raw, grittiness that I originally found in Ms. Brent’s Gentry Boys Series. It amazes me how this read transports you to the world of poverty and you feel the challenges that culture faces.
Tristan initially feels like this hardened guy that has a strong alliance to his hometown even when it isn’t in his best interest. He is beautifully revealed to us as the story progresses. Lets just say he is more than a hottie. It is so bittersweet as you experience his childhood memories of his dad and brothers. He has this hidden giving heart that brings out his protectiveness towards the people of Emblem. Umm unfortunately it does get him in trouble at times. Ugh he is so misunderstood in many ways.
Cadence has come to Emblem to teach high school. Yikes what a hard age group and in my opinion she should be sainted for taking this on (haha). She has returned to the world and community her parents were raised in. Her naivety in the beginning makes cringe a bit in embarrassment for her. She really doesn’t understand the different world her students are raised in. They don’t need someone to “save them” but be accepted for themselves. Her journey in the early days of teaching is something I identify with. I appreciate that she is trying to lead with her heart and really cares about her students. SO SWEET!
Cadence and Tristan together are so wonderful. I love the way they compliment and teach each other about looking at things from a different perspective. Eek. Feeling emotional. Holy heck the SEXY times in this book are delicious. So flipping good.
I would be amiss if I didn’t mention how happy I am that some beloved Gentry’s made appearances in this book. You can’t see me but the happy dance is happening. Love love love this family. They define resiliency. I can’t wait for more stories from the Emblem community. Happy Reading XOXO
Cadence Gentry is the new English teacher at Emblem High in Arizona. Tristian Mulligan is just trying to get by & not arrested in Emblem where he doesn’t have the most legal job. When Cadence walks into the neighborhood bar, The Dirty Cactus, she recognizes Tristian as her new brother in law’s younger brother. Can these two try to get along or will their attraction for each other be all they have? They are from different sides of the tracks but sometimes your heart doesn’t care where you come from. As always the couples in Cora’s books intertwine and I fell in love with yet another of her matches! Tristian really enjoys pushing Cadence’s Buttons and their banter back & forth is fabulous! Loved the prior series and I can tell this one is going to be just as good! This is Cadence Gentry’s story from the other (Gentry Second Generation books) but can be read as a standalone. Told in dual POV