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
Opposites attract, small town, slow-burn
In wanting to broaden my scope of the new adult romance, I decided to start The Ruins of Emblem series by Cora Brent, who is a new-to-me author. Prior to reading Landon, the latest release in the standalone series, I began with Tristan, which was an easy read, and found enjoyable.
Tristan is book 1 and a spin-off from the Gentry Boys series, where this next generation begins back at the roots of Emblem, and the town folk remain as loyal and humble as expected.
Tristan Mulligan is the town bad boy who treads lightly on the straight-edge life, and all he needs is a nudge towards a path for the better. Whereas, Cadence Gentry is the “perfect princess” to shed light on those who know no other way of life in the rural town of limited opportunities; she is the teacher with more to give than meets the eye. And outside the classroom, Cadence’s slow-burn effect on Tristan is exactly what he needs and what she needs to sustain the town.
“I was yours from the beginning…Before I even knew it.” – Cadence Gentry
Given the developing characters and interwoven storylines, I look forward to reading additional novels in the series by the author.
This is the first book in a new series from this talented author, and is Cadence and Tristan’s story. Cadence has recently returned to her hometown in order to follow her dream and teach English at the local high school. Tristan is a bad boy who stays in the grey area of the law. These two are as totally opposites as can be, yet the chemistry between them is explosive. This is a beautifully written story which is raw, gritty, emotional, steamy as well as humorous and all round powerful read. I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner and cannot wait to read more from this exceptional author, whose work I highly recommend for all readers.
The first book in the Ruins of Emblem series was one I’ve been looking forward to and it did not disappoint me in the least! Tristan and Cadence’s story was sweet, sexy and truly passionate. I consumed page after page of this beautiful story that had me wanting more of Tristan and Cadence when I reached the final page. If you haven’t read any Gentry books I highly recommend you start because each one gets better and better while stealing a little piece of your heart.
Tristan and Cadance made for a wonderful story. A young couple that grow together to make each other a better person. Tristan is the bad boy that is really the good guy at heart he just doesn’t want anyone to know. Cadance is the good girl that with the right bad boy is good at being bad just for him. You can ‘t go wrong with a Gentry family book read. I love this family just like it was my own.
Tristan by Cora Brent is the First book in The Ruins of Emblems Series. This is the story of Tristan Mulligan and Cadence Gentry.
Tristan and Cadence siblings are married so they are aware of each other but don’t really know each other. Tristan lives in Emblem where there seem no hope for most people, where crime is strong…they even have a prison there. Tristan doesn’t feel the need to leave and has embraced the life the best that he can. Cadence parents are from Emblem and she fresh out of college and has taken a job as a teacher there. So this puts Cadence and Tristan closer to learn more about the other. Cadence is a happy person with a positive attitude and she is focused on helping her students, and she knows that Tristan would be bad news but their attraction might be too much to fight.
Enjoyed their story and will be looking for more book by this author.
I am new to this author’s work and I can’t believe I have waited this long!! Absolutely wonderful romance with sweet and steamy scenes and a bad boy thrown into the mix. Cadence and Tristan were the quintessential opposites attract couple. Tristan is a bad boy with a heart of gold and Cadence is the naive teacher that means well but it’s painful to watch her nativity when it comes to small towns. Will Tristan finally knock that chip off of his shoulder and let Cadence in? I can’t wait to see how this series progresses!! I highly recommend this book!
This first book in the Ruins of Emblem series will reel you in and catch you hook, line and sinker. Tristan will cause your eyes to light up, your heart to flutter and to hopelessly fall in love with the bad boy of Emblem. Cadence is a Gentry on a mission, to not only teach the youth of today but to make a difference where it really counts. Two people who already have a connection find it hard to walk away, even when they are both being warned to keep their distance. Sometimes choosing the rocky path just might prove to be the best decision you ever made. A story that will make you laugh, have you on the edge of your seat and have your emotions running high. A book packed with witty remarks, inspiration, passion, angst and enough heat and steam to keep you warm on a stormy night.
This book marks the start of another fantastic series. If you’re a fan the Gentry and Generations series then you’ll love this one.
Cadence Gentry moves to Emblem the town most of her family couldn’t wait to leave.Taking a job as a school teacher she’s determined to make a difference.
I couldn’t help but admire her optimism and her enthusiasm.
Tristan Mulligan is Emblem born and bred, he never has any plans to leave quite happy keeping a foot on either side of the law, he does what’s needed to survive.
I really liked Tristan, he’s more than meets the eye.
Cadence sees Tristan and knows exactly who he is, she knows she should stay away from him but she can’t deny her attraction to the badboy.
Tristan knows he shouldn’t pursue Cadence but she sparks something in him, he can’t resist getting a rise out of her and he likes to live dangerously.
I absolutely loved this story, as with all Cora Brent books this one’s intense, passionate, witty and definitely all consuming.
I can’t wait for more from Emblem I’m already addicted.
I was really looking forward to Tristan’s story as I knew there would be more than one side to him and I wasn’t disappointed. He was tough, hard edged and fiercely loyal but he was also kind, caring and sweet to Cadence and I loved that he would say the sweetest things followed by pure filth.. Cadence is caring, kind and loyal and knows that Tristan is a good man, even though her family have their reservations she won’t give him up and she brings out the best in Tristan.
I loved that The Gentry triplets were included in this story and can’t wait for the next book….
This book was really good!! It had wonderful characters, a town in need, a bad boy and a good girl. Everything you need to make an amazing story! The writing was well done and I was enthralled by the story and characters. I read this in one sitting!! Tristram makes an excellent addition to the harem, he’s chilling with all the other bad boys!
This was a very interesting book from beginning to end. Cadence comes back to Emblem to teach. She is a strong person that wants to make a difference. But it is going to be harder than she thinks. Tristan finds Cadence very interesting from the start. But he is a bad boy who shouldn’t be in her life. But these two together will show that love can overcome. I loved these two together . Great chemistry. Well written gripping from beginning to end. I can’t wait to read more from the Gentry family.
I’ve been looking forward to Tristan’s story and it was so worth the wait. He’s the rebellious one of his brothers, the do whatever he wants and doesn’t care what anyone thinks. Then comes the beautiful Cadence Gentry, new high school teacher with a very legendary last name who completely makes him think outside the box. They gave each other a challenge but were really good together. I thought I had Tristan’s story mapped out but reading it was a treat, he’s definitely a bad boy favorite. Loved this story.
4*
Cadence has accepted a teaching position in Emblem where her mother and father met and fell in love.
Tristan has returned to Emblem after living with his big brother Curtis and younger brother Tristan.
The two got of to a rocky start but Tristan’s plan for her backfired.
I’m so pleased we have more of the Gentry family members and the town the Triplets were first introduced to us. Such wonderful strong characters.
Can’t wait for more In the series.
Holy smokes Cora did it again with another Amazing Hit With Tristan.
Cadence is grown up and takes a teaching job in Emblem what she doesn’t count on is falling for Tristan. Can they make it work or will he destroy her and her feelings?
I absolutely loved the storyline and characters and the story flowed from the beginning until the end and I absolutely love seeing her uncles in the book too. This book is absolutely a must read!
If you have read other Gentry books and loved them, read this one! You won’t be disappointed. I love her writing style. She makes you feel as if you are there without being over descriptive. I liked that the main character, Cadence, was a genuine good person without being a super stuck up prude! Can’t wait for the next Ruin of Emblem book!
Tristan by Cora Brent is the book 1 in “The Ruins of Emblems” series. This is Tristan Mulligan and Cadence Gentry’s story.
Tristan knows Cadence from his brother. His brother married Cadence ‘s older sister . The few run ins that Tristan had with Cadence left him with the impression that she was this brat. Now Cadence is a teacher at Emblem High and she runs into Tristan at the local bar. Far from him thinking she’s a brat now- sparks fly and there’s this electric chemistry between them.
Tristan has had a rough life and the author has done a great job by showing how far he has come but still that he’s a work in progress. He wasn’t a real bad person but he did some not so nice things because he was rebellious at that time in his life. Cadence is this sassy, sweet woman who has both parts of her parents in her. She determined to be the best at her job and truly cares about the kids she teaches.
When it comes to Tristan and Cadence’s relationship, it a push/pull. Its one where they learn about each other while pushing the other’s buttons. There’s heat, steam, humor, angst, twists, passion- it was beautiful to read because Tristan and Cadence were meant for each other. Not to say there wasn’t bumps because yeah- life definitely got in the way and caused issues. I enjoyed book 1 and cannot wait for book 2.
My Rating: 4.7 stars *******
This was my first Gentry read and I am definitely looking forward to going back and catching up on the entire series of books related to the Gentry clan prior. Cadence Gentry has moved back to Emblem where her parents were from to teach at the local high school. She sticks out in the town because of her positive personality and sunny disposition, but teaches in Emblem in order to somewhat prove a point to both herself and her family. Tristan is the remaining Mulligan left in Emblem, with no desire to leave his upbringing behind. He seems to have resigned himself to the life his parents and the other people in town have done in their lives even though he has the ability to do more. While the two know of each other because their siblings are married, they don’t know each other very well although that changes once they are in the same town. While they initially fight the chemistry and feelings they have, they end up succumbing to those feelings and start a relationship. While both of them have things to work through, especially Tristan, they go through typical growing pains that happen within a relationship. Overall, it was a great book and storyline; to me it just seemed very anticlimactic especially based on the background of Tristan and the town I had expected something big to happen.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Gritty story, rough in places, but full of love and support throughout. There were two interesting families, the Mulligans and the Gentrys. Cadence Gentry was a strong woman full of optimism and sunshine. Tristan Mulligan had been dealt a rough hand but had not decided anything was truly worth fighting for. The chemistry and steam between Cadence and Tristan showed that love can rise from the ruins. I enjoyed this story and recommend it.
I received a copy of this story through Enticing Journey Book Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
I really liked this story. Tristan is definitely a guy with a tough past and present, but a heart of gold underneath. I love how Cadence accepted and loved him as he was and how he did the same with her. It took me a little bit to feel the development of their relationship but once I did, I was all in for this story, this couple, and of course the dying town of Emblem. And anyone who is read the Gentry series books got some awesome cameos (although reading those books isn’t required to enjoy this one). If you like these types of overcoming hard knock life stories you will love this.
A return to Emblem that was so worth the wait! If your a fan of all things Gentry Brothers/Generations then you most definitely won’t be disappointed by this new series.
Tristan & Cadence will melt your heart and have you swooning all over the place. With an undeniable connection that simply cannot be ignored..these two were ….Seriously, can a girl get a fan & a cold glass of water??
This book was jam packed full of intriguing secondary characters, a dying town that you just want to root for and most importantly one powerhouse of a family at it’s core. I cannot wait to see what happens next in Emblem
***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review- Megan/Scandalous Book Blog***