This Montgomery finds his match in this touching second chance romance from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan.
I thought I was moving on from my divorce, but now my ex is marrying someone else. I shouldn’t be this broken up, but it’s hard to put on a brave face when my family is basically an inked up Hallmark movie.
And I shouldn’t be brooding about what I don’t have, if it’s going to cause me to fall off a roof. Right into the grumpy neighbor’s burly arms.
He’d make a nice distraction, except he wants nothing to do with the burning attraction between us. Until one accidental kiss leads to more.
I’m not ready to risk my heart again, but Killian’s tortured eyes don’t seem to give me a choice. This thing between us is real.
But Killian is still trying to recover from a tragedy. And there are people who will do anything to make sure he never finds happiness again.
Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Talon Pack, Promise Me, and Elements of Five series, which have sold millions of books worldwide. She's the winner of a RT Book of the Year and a Prism Award in her genres. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.
The Montgomery Ink World contains the following series, though each series is a stand alone and can be read in any order. Feel free to hop around:
Inked Temptation is book five in the Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins series by Carrie Ann Ryan. This book was described as can be read as a stand alone. I have not read any of the other books in this series nor have I read any of the other series revolving around the different Montgomery clans, of which there are several. I chose it because I fell in love with the cover. But, I struggled throughout the book with all of the many siblings and relatives. Normally, when there are too many side characters that I am not acquainted with from other books, I can just tune them out so to speak. But they were so present in this book all the way through that it just kept me confused, trying to figure out the family tree and took me out of the actual romance between the two main characters.
Archer Montgomery is the twin brother of Annabelle. He is a master plumber and works for the Fort Collins Montgomery Builders. He is divorced from his ex-husband and still hasn’t fully recuperated from it all including his self confidence taking quite a hit. When his ex announces his marriage to his new fiance, it weighs even heavier on Archer. He doesn’t want him back but still has to wonder why he wasn’t enough.
Archer is currently doing the work on a mountain cabin well outside of Fort Collins. He doesn’t know why exactly but the cabin is calling to him. He feels connected to it somehow and wants to do as much of the work himself as possible to put his own stamp on the house. Going up on the roof when out there alone maybe wasn’t the best decision. But falling and landing in the arms of the sexy next door neighbor wasn’t so bad.
Killian Hart is building his own cabin. He lives there with his loyal dog who is also his best friend, Cora. Killian has suffered a tragedy that changed him. All he wants is to be alone with his dog. He definitely doesn’t want to be distracted by the man working on the neighbor’s house.
Killian and Archer may have had a bit of a rough first meeting but they quickly realized that there was something there between them, a pull, a chemistry not often found. Neither of them wants or is ready for a relationship of any kind. Neither has been with anyone in a very long time. But they can’t ignore the attraction and need to see where it takes them.
Both of these men have been hurt in completely different ways. But they just seem to know how to help each other. Archer is able to help Killian out of his self imposed exile. And Killian is able to help Archer regain his own confidence. But not everyone is happy with their growing relationship. Little things keep going wrong around the cabin until it becomes clear that someone wants to hurt Killian.
These two really were sweet together. I felt terrible for what Killian has been through. But as I said, I couldn’t fully enjoy their romance when all of the family members kept me distracted. I’m sure if you are a reader that is fully invested in the Montgomery’s, then you will enjoy this and getting to see all of the characters you love. For me, it was all just a bit too confusing.
Kind of boring. I liked the big Montgomery family but the main romance was a snooze fest with boring, repetitive and awkward dialogues and pages and pages of internal monologues . 3 meh stars.
I had no idea about this author or this (holy crap) huge list of Montgomery related titles.
I'm afraid this is an "It's me not you" situation.
The author is perfectly acceptable. It's not like she's bad per se, just not for me. Maybe 15 years ago. If you want a Harlequin type entry level romance that's lgbtq friendly then try her series. The huge majority is mf but there is (as far as I can tell at a cursory glance) one mm and one ff with a smattering of RH/poly situations throughout the backlog. And despite the author claiming almost all the Montgomery characters are queer they still end up in trad cishet pairings in the end. Nothing wrong with that, just was hoping for more mm out of the series. I do think some of the poly relationships have men who are attracted to one another but from the blurbs it sounds like the woman is the thing that helps them give into their attraction. Again, nothing wrong with that exactly.... Lots of people will like her I think but I just don't want the f in my mm, so mmf is not what I'd like to read. 🤷🏻♀️
On to the writing/story. A bit boring with lots of repetition. The narrators are good. I'd pretty much listen to Teddy Hamilton read cereal boxes and find it titillating. So there's that.
I thought I was moving on from my divorce, but now my ex is marrying someone else. I shouldn't be this broken up, but it's hard to put on a brave face when my family is basically an inked-up Hallmark movie. And I shouldn't be brooding about what I don't have, if it's going to cause me to fall off a roof. Right into the grumpy neighbor's burly arms. He'd make a nice distraction; except he wants nothing to do with the burning attraction between us. Until one accidental kiss leads to more. Maybe not the most recommended way to meet your attraction...but it seemed to work for Killion and Archer. Their first meeting is when Killion catches Archer when he falls off the roof. Things are not yet perfect even after that. Both of the guys are coming to terms with all of the heartache from their pasts and are slowly beginning to heal as their new relationship grows.
There was ALOT of family to sort through that I could have done without...but I guess the author wanted us to know that the two men had a great deal of support from the people that mattered to them, and I know that same sex relationships are often missing that connection and support. Killion and Archer weren't entirely likeable. They both came cross a lot of the time as complaining and "whinny". The invitation to his ex's wedding only added to Archer's whining...and Killian was having difficulties after suffering a tragic loss. I just wanted them to suck it up and be happy...after all they were starting new life, and they have each other.
Overall, the story is good, the characters are believable even if they were a bit annoying at times. Yet they are two people who find love, healing and happiness with each other. The book is also about dealing with your past and letting yourself get to a new future.
Oh girl, I really wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. I mean Teddy Hamilton and Jacob Morgan always hit but this one isnt on them, maybe its a me problem. Like I did not read all these books, this series is like trying to start Realm of the Elderlings, by Robin Hobb (which Ive read teh 1st book and its fantastic okay) and picking something in the middle. I mean you can use context clues but youre missing the meat. Okay lets not compare a contemporary MM romance to fantasy right now. What I am saying is, that his series is fucking long for this huge fucking family and you technically dont have to read the others to get it. Like at all. Because they hold your hand and tell you like a basic run down of their entire family love life and history which is kinda annoying. I got to know their family dynamic more than the couple which is where this book fell off for me. One minute Killian is a big bad mean grumpy dude who says fuck you dont talk ot me then the next they are fucking on the kitchen floor and going on date and blah blah blah. Where was my meat girl? As in, I wanted more character development. It was super fast, too fast for all the emotional drama it tried to bring to the tbale and that did not work for me. If you are gonna do some tragic backstory for Killian and a trying to move on and be yourself trope for Archer Im gonna need more pages and more depth cause it felt like i snaped my fingers and everything was solved. Anyways, two dudes who are hot , fuck, cry and continue the cycle of the Montgomery family being big.
This just didn't work for me. The author gave so many unnecessary details to the most benign things and rambled on for ages about them but there was so many real issues that weren't addressed.
I am absolutely in love with Killian and Archer. Holy moly these two are just what the other needs. It was so fun watching Killian open up and acclimate to the Montgomerys.
And talk about having a bajillion Montgomerys all in one spot?? Inked Temptation brings the heat, the fun, the sweet, the swoony. And it typical Montgomery fashion, it also brings the cheese and the family and the unwavering support of those around them.
I'm so glad Archer finally gets someone worthy of him. If you have read any of the past books in the series you know that Archer was dating, engaged to, and then married Marc. There was just something about him that rubbed everyone the wrong way but no one said anything to Archer because they thought he was happy until everything fell apart and then their true feelings were revealed. I know I wasn't the only reader of the series that wished Marc was out of the picture long ago but Carrie Ann waited for the right moment to give us Archer's story and she ended this Chapter of Montgomery's on a high note.
Archer Montgomery made a lasting first impression on Killian Hart by falling off a roof and landing on him...no one was seriously hurt so all's good...but Killian takes grumpy to a whole new level and I for one loved seeing the change Archer made in him.
I wouldn't classify this as a grumpy/sunshine romance because both men are a bit grumpy and they have reason to be. Killian is still dealing with a tragedy that occurred a couple of years ago and Archer who is recently divorced receives a wedding invitation to his ex's wedding...seriously people who does that.
This was, in some respects, a difficult story for me. The type of tragedy Killian experienced hit very close to home. Not exactly the same but enough similarities that it was…hard.
Having said that, the insight and understanding that Carrie Ann Ryan displayed in telling Killian’s story was spot on. Killian’s reactions and emotions were genuine. It is a pain that never goes away.
Archer has been through a lot as well. Divorced from an emotionally abusive spouse, he’s still finding his new way, albeit recovering from a different trauma than Killian.
Both Killian and Archer are finding themselves and in doing so, find each other. The road is bumpy but watching them find their way is entertaining - made even more so by the large Montgomery family that supports and surrounds them.
I'm so glad Archer got his HEA. Marc wasn't my favorite person for him and I was worried we weren't going to get his story. Killian was definitely a better fit for both Archer and the Montgomery family as a whole. I loved this story and definitely recommend it.
The audio is a dual narration by two sexy voices. They did a wonderful job with the story and it was a pleasure to listen to.
For much of the Fort Collins part of this series, you knew things were off with Archer and Marc, I didn't care for them together. So when they split I was happy, Archer could find someone who appreciate him. So with this book, we find that.
I will say that this wasn't an easy book. Both Archer and Killian have issues to work through, Killian's seem more obvious, but that doesn't discount what Archer is feeling. I wasn't sure about Killian at first, he's an asshole. Slowly Killian redeemed himself for me, it was how we got to see his pain and why he was an asshole that made me want him to come back to life and be happy. Archer and the Montgomery clan were just what Killian needed. I loved that Killian saw Archer for how great he was, something that had been missing from Archer's previous relationship. Better was how Killian viewed the clan and how they welcomed him with open arms.
I loved how this one ended, from the happiness of the couple, to the new start for them in a place they both loved to the family reunion, it was so good!
A touching second chance romance between two guys with past hurts to overcome. Especially Killian who has been through things that most (thankfully) will never understand. Something about their connection eases the pain and breaks down their walls. They are sweet together and they are both really likable.
Though the family is really nice and definitely quirky, I did find it overwhelming to keep track of them all. I did love Penny, and of course, the dog Cora is a star.
Overall, an enjoyable story, and I’m intrigued to go back in the series to try more.
Inked Temptation has become my favorite m/m story. From the moment that Asher Montgomery fell on Killian I was captivated and couldn't stop listening. Jacob Morgan and Teddy Hamilton were the perfect narrators. This is the last book of the Montgomery's Fort Collins. Asher and Killian will live rent free in my mind. can't wait to see what next for the Montgomery's
I'm totally swooning over Archer & Killian! Killian's world fell apart when he lost his family. Archer's divorce from Mark was rough on him. Their chance meeting ended up being what they both needed. Loved their story! And loved hearing Teddy Hamilton & Jacob Morgan reunite for the narration on this one. You can't go wrong with the two of them!
Inked Temptation by Carrie Ann Ryan is book 5 in the Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins Series. This is the story of Killian Hart and Archer Montgomery. Both Archer and Killian are at a turning point in their lives where they have move past former relationships. They happen to meet when Archer tries remodeling a cabin on his own but has an accident. Both seem to rub each other wrong at first but that doesn't last to long.
Where do these incompetently ignorant and seemingly illiterate authors come from?! Seriously, where are they crawling out from?! Is it an MF thing, where when they switch over to the MM genre, wanting to grab a little bit of that money, they somehow turn into really fucking shitty writers?! Then again, I suspect they must have always been shitty fucking writers!! I’m resentful of people who think they can just join the glorious MM genre, showing up simply because it’s cool and don’t actually put in the fucking work of writing properly!! There are so many grammatical and syntax errors here; the word choices are so fucking weird; the sentence structures are blatantly ignorant and off-putting; the info dumping is uninteresting and cumbersome, and everything so far is disjointed and just stilted!! I mean WHAT THE FUCK!!!
The fact that this author is any kind of bestseller just further highlights the general ignorance of the American public, the fact that the people who are for readers are probably not readers at all but just read her garbage and drivel, and that the American public really has no fucking standards whatsoever!! It is absurd that this so called author is even remotely liked … seriously absolutely delusional!!
Also, if you have to butt into the MM genre (including a book that is MM into a series that is predominantly MF), make fucking sure that the MM book is a complete standalone instead of trying to force readers into reading your fucking shitty MF books just to understand what the fuck is going on in the MM book itself!! Nobody wants to fucking read your entire series just because you had to butt into the MM genre and write one book!! In fact, I am completely against reading any more of your other fucking shitty books, especially your MF books in the series, mainly for this reason and also because this author is a really really really bad author, and this particularly shady fucking move and transparent ploy really fucking pisses me off, and would’ve absolutely convinced me to stay completely away from ANY of this author’s other books!!
Really shitty fucking authors like this writing garbage books like this is an absolute insult to the MM genre and to writing itself!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
In the final book in the Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins series, we get Archer's story, the last sibling standing. You do not need to read the books in order, as each story is based on a different couple from the Fort Collins siblings, however, it does provide a better reading experience if you do read them in order and they are so worth reading.
If you have been reading the series, you know Archer is moving forward after his divorce, this is not a spoiler, as it is in the blurb, and trying to find his way. While starting a new project, he falls, literally, when meeting Killian. While Archer is sad and healing, he is also strong and determined. Killian is lost, vulnerable and damaged. His past haunts him and does not know how to move forward. When they meet, they find a connect in ways neither saw coming. Could they just be what the other needed?
I loved their chemistry and connection, though at first they tried to keep each other at arm's length. Their journey was emotional and touching and I loved it. And I loved seeing all the other couples and this family. Their love for each other was everything and I loved seeing this may not be the end!
Archer Montgomery is a divorced man whose ex is getting married, and that pathetic ex actually invited Archer to the wedding! Let me tell you, I'm still mad about that because seriously?! Archer ends up working at a cabin that speaks to him in ways that he needs at this moment in time but he definitely didn't think everything through when he ended up falling off the roof but luckily, he falls into a man's arms that just may be what the doctor orders for both of them. Killian Hart has been through a lot, and now he just wants to be left alone with his dog while he builds his cabin, but he never saw Archer coming until he literally landed in his arms. My heart broke for Killian so much, and while fate put them in each other's path, there are quite a few bumps since both have some things that don't make things easy. If that's not difficult enough, there are others who aren't happy about these two starting a new journey, so things get hairy, making for some suspense to make the story better. You don't want to pass on this story as Carrie Ann Ryan is a master storyteller, and this series is seriously AMAZING! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Archer Montgomery is still trying to get his feet under him after his marriage ended. He doesn’t want his ex back, but finding out his ex is getting married has him feeling off-kilter, like he should be further along in the healing process than he is. He finds comfort working on a cabin in the mountains, remodeling more than just the plumbing like he usually does for his family business.
Killian Hart is hiding in his cabin, working on the many projects needed to restore the building to what he had planned when it was purchased. He is alone except for his dog and nosy neighbor, Penny, preferring solitude over dealing with his emotional pain.
Both men are living with emotional scars and are at different points on the healing scale. When Archer falls off a ladder and Killian catches him, both are struck with a sense of something in the other. A tentative friendship develops that has both questioning if they are far enough from their past hurts to move on together.
This story is closely tied to the entire Montgomery clan, and there are many side characters to track. I love the way this close knit family is always in each other’s business, though sometimes I had to not worry about my own understanding of the family connections. I have read many of the other Montgomery books, but there are just so many that sometimes it is hard to keep them all straight.
I loved Penny’s addition to the story. As the one person who really knew Killian, her insight and meddling (and straight up humor) had me grinning anytime she was involved in a scene.
This was a smooth read full of healing, family, and moving on from the past. There were plenty of scenes that caused emotional intensity for the couple, and the side plots kept things moving from a dramatic standpoint without being distracting. I loved the way parts of this story tied up some of the family business drama while also giving Archer a new direction for his work.
Inked Temptation is book five in Carrie Ann Ryan’s Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins series and it’s Archer’s turn at an HEA with a surly, super s8xy neighbor! I love a damaged hero, especially when he has a tragic backstory so Killian totally worked for me!
Archer Montgomery is trying to move on after his divorce by throwing himself into his job and a new project with a house he feels very attached to. After the most adorable meet cute where Archer falls off a roof into the very attractive, well muscled arms of Killian they start a friendship. These two are both a bit grumpy with issues- trust, death, divorce- that in any other writers hands would be overwhelming (specially Killian’s past) but Carrie Ann Ryan perfectly balances the heartbreak and happiness. I loved the evolution of Archer and Killian’s relationship, the bit of mystery in Killian’s house being damaged, the dog, Cora, the meddling neighbor, Penny and the family reunion of 100’s of Montgomery’s made this book fly by.
While wrapping up the Fort Collins clan Inked Temptation is a great lead into Leif’s book. I remember when Leif was soooo little 10’s and 10’s of books ago so seeing the man he is now before his standalone book was great. Leif’s book Bittersweet Promises comes out 10/24 and I can’t wait for you all to read it!!
“I looked at him then, and knew I was in love. Right then and there. It was a different kind of love than I had before, but I was in love.”
Amazing! Fabulous! Wowza! Those are the first words that come to mind when I think of Inked Temptation. This book was incredible! If I could give it 10 stars, I would. How Carrie Ann Ryan cranks out hit after hit is mind-blowing.
Archer and Killian were phenomenal characters. Watching both of them overcome their past and find love in the process was wonderful. Archer learning to become confident again and believe in himself and Killian, well trying to overcome past trauma. Add in some spice, drama and a touch of suspense and you have the perfect recipe for a great story! One of my favorites so far this year!
Archer is still dealing with the emotional aftermath of both his marriage and his divorce. Being invited to the wedding of his ex is like rubbing salt into a wound but working on a cabin gives him a feeling of peace and it also brings Killian into his life.
Killian is going through a difficult time of his own and the only company he needs is that of his dog. When he comes to Archer’s rescue the sparks fly but are either of them ready to let love and a relationship into their lives?
Killian and Archer take us on quite the journey that is filled with family, friends, romance, emotion and a little suspense.
I'm torn between giving this two or three stars. My main issue was that she spent 30 minutes of a 5 hour long book describing one of the MC's family tree, which might have been more interesting if I read the other books in this series, but I wanted to DNF it in the first act after the author introduced 20 people in the span of one chapter. Bitch, I'm still trying to remember the MC's name, give it a rest!
Overall an interesting story, and I wanted to see how it ended after pushing past all the genealogy. I guess it's a 2.5 from me, I don't regret buying it but I will not remember what it's about in 6 weeks and my life is exactly the same before this book as after.
These two really were sweet together. There is a lot of emotion in this story. My heart broke for both of them and the different kind of grief they are experiencing. Some of this might be my own fault but my only complaint is that at times the pages felt crowded. It was hard to keep all the Montgomerys straight. I have not read this series in order, and I have skipped around a lot. It did make it hard to keep track of everyone.
4.5 stars rounded up 🙂 I really enjoyed this!! Both characters are supporting each other in the hurt/comfort and the grumpy/sunshine trope is there but a bit short lived as it fades to self deprecating humor laced with sexual innuendo which is my jam! Both characters identify as pan and I love the rep!!
The Montgomerys are back in full force with Archer's story. Archer and Killian are fire and I loved how they meet and open up to each other as they spend more time together. They bring out the best in each other and loved seeing them overcome what Killian had gone through.
I loved Archer and Killian. If you have been keeping up with these Montgomerys, you will know Archer started the series with someone else. Archer has been divorced and is trying to see how he didn’t know that Marc wasn’t the one for him. He wanted the family and love and now feels he will be happy just being the fun uncle to all the nieces and nephews. Killian has lost his love and isn’t looking for anyone or anything. He just wants to build his house in peace. Then Archer literally falls into his life. I loved watching these two help each other come back into the world. These two were fantastic and I loved them so much. I just couldn’t stop reading once I started. Killian is so hard on himself and Archer to some extent is as well. They help each other see they are better then what they thought they were. One click this book
Could not put down this latest addition to the awesome Mongomery clan, a highly entertaining and emotionally thrilling roller-coaster journey. Beautifully written, emotionally thrilling and completely enthralling continuation to one of my top ten all time favorite big family romantic series.
This is Archer’s story. He’s going through a rough time, a divorce, and then a fall off a roof 😳. But that’s where things start to pick up. The grumpy grump he falls on, Killian, ends up having that spark with him. They both kinda fight it, but hey, who can truly fight the spark 😉. Both men are going through tough times in their lives, but with each other, they end up finding the one that can help them heal