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Montgomery Ink #3.5

Finally Found You

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The moment Presley Mackenzie walks into her kitchen only to find her boyfriend in a sweaty encounter with another woman on her kitchen counter, she vows to give up men forever. Between her testosterone-heavy day job in the gaming world, her broken heart, and her need to grow into her own shoes, dating just isn't important.

Mason Sutton not only just got dumped by the woman he thought he'd spend the rest of his life with, but now he finds himself healing beside the woman his brother cheated on. He's spent his entire life living in his brother's shadow only to find himself wanting the one woman he can't have.

As Presley and Mason soothe each other's hurts, they find themselves falling for each other even as they fight it. But as they learn to forgive and fall in love, their pasts come back to haunt them and the future they thought they could have starts to crumble before it can take hold.

Audible Audio

First published June 23, 2015

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About the author

Carrie Ann Ryan

266 books6,517 followers
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:

The Montgomery Ink Series
The Gallagher Brothers Series
The Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs Series
The Whiskey and Lies Series
The Fractured Connections Series
The Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series
The Less Than Series
The Promise Me Series

Her Elements of Five Series is her Young Adult Romance series while her other series are all adult.

Her Talon Pack series is set in the same world as the Redwood Pack series, only 30 years later.

The Dante's Circle, Holiday, Montana, and Branded Packs series are all individual series as well.

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5 stars
270 (34%)
4 stars
246 (31%)
3 stars
197 (25%)
2 stars
50 (6%)
1 star
14 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews873 followers
June 22, 2015
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4.5 Stars

This is one of those romances that sneaks up on the couple which makes it all the more interesting. Both the hero and heroine are coming out of toxic relationships, both are having issues with their jobs, and both have vowed to not date but their friendship begins to cross boundaries they never intended to cross. This is one hot and sexy romance with just the right amount of conflict to make it interesting but not so much as to weigh the story down and I found myself completely enamored with both the main characters.

When Presley Mackenzie finds her boyfriend screwing her friend on her kitchen counter she's hurt, pissed and decides she's giving up men. So when her ex-boyfriend's brother and her friend Mason Sutton shows up on her door she's surprised by how happy she is to see him and thankful for his friendship. I loved that these two were there for each through so much and that their friendship grew as did their bond.
It really wasn't a surprise they moved into a physical relationship and while they had big ideas of how they would be able to keep their friendship separate from their sexy times, those lines blurred and they both found themselves experiencing more feelings than they expected.

I loved that Presley was this geeky, smart woman whose talent was taken for granted by chauvinist men at her work place, but has no problem telling her love exactly what she wants in bed. Mason is a talented landscape artist who loves his work but spends far too much time working for his brother than he likes and is one hell of a dirty talker. These two were easy to like and fun to watch as they moved from friends, to best friends, to friends with benefits, to so much more.

Finally Found You is completely engaging, fun and outrageously sexy from beginning to end.

Review copy provided for an honest review.
3,114 reviews26 followers
May 1, 2016
So many issues, I don't know where to start. Did I read the same book as the other reviewers?

Presley comes home to find her long time boyfriend Trent shtuping some chick on her kitchen counters; promptly throws them out and bleaches her counters and throws out her bed.. ew. She's friends with Trent's brother, Mason, who was just dumped by his snotty girlfriend. Both hurting, they commiserate, exchange keys to each others' places, hangout, play video games and hangout, agreeing that they'll never date anyone again. Then flash forward in time and they're horny and agree to friends with benefits (ha!) but that turns emotional right quick and we have to witness the drama.

First of all, I felt like this book started in the middle of the story. How could both of these fools be dating such a-holes... and how are both so unhappy in their jobs (which was really an unnecessary point here). Pres is essentially harassed because she's a woman and does nothing about it until she's fired. It's a lawsuit which she refused to pursue. Mason finally lands a dream job but it's out of state and before he can tell her, the d-bag brother steps in to ruin everything. What was the point of this?

There were huge time jumps which moved the plot along, but what was missing was the development of their relationship past the point of friendship. One or two sexy scenes does not a relationship make.

And this title, while referenced in the closing chapter, DOES NOT MAKE SENSE based on their relationship. They already knew each other and hadn't ever lost each other. WTF?

Two generous stars because Mason's a dirty talker and I like that,
Profile Image for ✨ Just Another Bookwyrm ✨.
582 reviews14 followers
December 30, 2023
Man. I really hated this one. All the characters (especially Mason and Presley) were so stupid! Like, “Oh, I never saw how shallow my boyfriend/girlfriend was! I thought I would have a life with them!” REALLY??? Cuz they were OBVIOUSLY shallow jerks. And all the characters were so one-dimensional! It was SO annoying and cliche! Sad, since I really LOVED the other Carrie Ann Ryan books I read. This didn’t feel like one of hers! Oh well. I won’t let this book affect my decision to read more of her books in the future. I guess I will just try to stay away from her novellas.
Profile Image for ChristiLovesBooks_smut.
2,088 reviews48 followers
November 29, 2025
Finally Found You - So Good!

Finally Found You, book 3.5 of the Montgomery Ink series by Carrie Ann Ryan @carrieannryanauthor. Carrie Ann is a fantastic author!

TBH, I am not sure how this book fits in the Montgomery Ink series. I'll figure it out as I go through the series.

This was such a good novella about Presley & Mason! Tropes: Contemporary, Female/Male, Ex’s Brother, Friends to FWB/Lovers, Small 3rd Act Break Up & HEA!
Profile Image for Dar.
4,735 reviews97 followers
August 18, 2021
I really liked Mason and Presley, and there was no denying their attraction! Circumstances being what they are, it was understandable they grew together as friends, and same set circumstances, it was understandable why they swore off relationships at the same time. Of course, that was never going to stick, and watching it come loose was a treat.
Profile Image for Sarah.
582 reviews8 followers
June 24, 2017
4.5 Stars

Wow! This book starts with a bang. (Ha! Pun intended.) Presley catches her friend and boyfriend in a compromising position on HER kitchen counter no less. Despite the heart ache both main characters go through early on, this was a great book! Mason and Presley were perfect for each other and I enjoyed watching them grow from friends, to lovers and then eventually a couple. The only reason this book is not receiving a 5 star rating is that I really wanted an epilogue that would have wrapped things up a bit tighter.

Profile Image for Crazy for Books (Stephanie).
1,920 reviews234 followers
December 17, 2015
Audiobook provided by author for an honest review.

2.5 BFF to Lovers Stars

Narrated by Gregory Salinas.

Presley McKenzie finds her boyfriend Trent having sex on her kitchen counter with, who she thought was her best friend, Stacy. As a video game programmer, she finds it necessary to dress like a teenage boy in baggy shirts and pants to blend in with her male counterparts.

At the same time across town, Mason Sutton, Trent's younger brother, is in the process of being dumped by his social climbing girlfriend, Lorena. He's a landscape architect who is looked down on by his brother, Trent.

In their shared misery, Presley and Mason vow to never get involved with anyone again. Spending most of their time together their friendship grows comfortable. So much so that they find themselves proposing they have a BFF with benefits, no emotions involved except maintaining their friendship, relationship.

While a big project will require a move for one of them and the other looses their job, both Presley and Mason are scared to tell the other that their no-strings relationship now is covered.

This story was very simple. I didn't dislike it, it just didn't hold many surprises, which I like. I didn't understand all the knots Presley twisted herself into, not only for her job, but also for Trent. How she could be with someone who subtle, put downs were. The sexual descriptions were crazy H.O.T. though.

I did not like the narrator of the book. He had a tendency to over act some of the wording.
Profile Image for MaggieReadsRom.
956 reviews117 followers
March 24, 2016
I'm a contemporary romance addict so when an author writes in multiple subgenres, the contemporary romance books will always be the first ones I go to. This has also been the case with Carrie Ann Ryan. I love her Midnight Ink series and when I heard this Tempting Signs series novella she'd written was contemporary romance as well I grabbed it as soon as it released (June 2015) and then it just sat there...on my TBR. When I was looking for a quick read (in wait for a highly anticipated release —Kele Moon's THE ENFORCER) this novella jumped up and demanded to be read.

I'm so happy I did because it was a gem of a story. I really love Carrie Ann Ryan's writing. FINALLY FOUND YOU fast-paced, emotional, witty and dirty sexy. It was paced so well it didn't even feel like I was reading a novella.

I loved this novella from start to finish. It had humor, was fast-paced, had great characters, even the ones I wanted to hit in the face with a chair (you know who you are, exes and coworkers!), had a nice trope (ex's brother/brother's ex + friends to lovers) and was very romantic and sexy as all get out.

My only minor point of criticism was that I missed some kind of epilogue to see how Presley and Mason were doing along the line.

Of course I was intrigued by a secondary character, Presley's brother Ian. So I went in search of his story in the series and found it. It was meant to be because his book (written by new-to-me author Rebecca Royce) in the Tempting Signs series is for the Zodiac sign Virgo...my sign! Bought and on the TBR it is!
Profile Image for Eva Millien.
3,115 reviews43 followers
June 18, 2015
Presley and Mason have sworn off love but as they soothe each other's pain they find themselves falling for each other in this captivating contemporary romance.

Losing the someone you thought you were going to spend your life with through no fault of your own can be devastating unless you have good friends to help through and the reader can't help but get caught up in the emotionally charged atmosphere of this captivating romance as Presley and Mason discover that life goes on and that they can take another chance at love with each other. The characters are strong and grab the reader's attention from the very beginning while the fast paced and smooth flowing plot keeps anticipation high with suspense and romance.

Tensions and expectation build as the past comes back to throw a hurdle in the way of Mason and Presley's budding romance and the well written scenes capture the imagination and this quick romance grips the heart and bewitches readers until the very end.
Profile Image for Maureen.
1,137 reviews
December 10, 2023
This was a novella with two MC’s : H Mason Sutton ( Landscape Architect) and Presley MacKenzie ( Video Game Designer). It was a short and steamy romance best friends with benefits.
I am not sure how it related to Montgomery Ink but it was a great short story.
Profile Image for Trish R. Ali.
710 reviews18 followers
May 30, 2017
This is a friend turned lovers story, a simple and enjoyable short read even with the faults which I will get to later.

First, what I love about this novella? Mason. Mason. Mason. He's such a sweetheart plus he's sexy as hell. He was attracted to Presley but made himself stop thinking about her sexually because she was his brother's girlfriend. A landscape architect, he was looked down by not only his brother Trent but also by his girlfriend Lorena. My guess is that Trent knew that Mason is the hotter, sexier brother so his jealousies and insecurities made him put Mason down all the time. I also like the interaction between Presley and Mason, they are both goofy and genuinely enjoyed each other's company. The sexy scenes were really burning hot but then again Carrie Ann Ryan never disappoints her readers when it comes to sexy scenes.

Where it doesn't work for me is Presley's character as a whole. I find her to be quite weak, you'd think a woman working in the men's world will be more empowering but she's not. She stuck with her horrible ex-boyfriend Trent even when he wasn't treating her right. So personally for me, her character just doesn't do it. However, like I wrote above, I do like her with Mason.

I also didn't like how there's so resolution .. not with her job situation and not with the "bad guys" in the story. I ended the book feeling shortchanged .. dissatisfied. I wished there's an epilogue to nicely tie up the story and due to this I cannot give it more than 3 Stars which kind of bummed me because I adore Carrie Ann Ryan.
Profile Image for Lexee Toste.
2,823 reviews20 followers
July 31, 2017
I really enjoyed this story! It was a fairly quick read but I absolutely loved it! Presley walks in on her friend and boyfriend having sex in her kitchen. She quickly throws them out and lets them know that she never wants to see them again. Mason, Presley's ex's brother, has his girlfriend publicly break up with him on the same night. Once Mason finds out what his brother has done he lets him have it and heads to Presley's. They become best friends that night and spend a lot of time together. Mason and Presley both start feeling a little something more, the attraction makes itself known and while neither wants to risk what they have, Mason steps up and says something. I loved how the story flowed and that we get to see Mason and Presley building their relationship. The pacing was great for the story. I loved the interactions with the characters and they pulled me in from the beginning. The sex is explicit and fits the story. I was rooting for these 2 to get their happy ending from the beginning. This was a feel good story for me and I really enjoyed reading it.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Anika.
714 reviews6 followers
January 26, 2025
Carrie Ann Ryan delivers a heartfelt and steamy novella in "Finally Found You", blending forbidden romance with the comforting familiarity of best-friend-turned-lover tropes. Presley Mackenzie’s emotional journey is both relatable and compelling as she grapples with feelings she knows she “shouldn’t” have for Mason Sutton, her best friend and—complicating things further—her ex’s brother.

The story is well-paced for its shorter length, allowing readers to dive deeply into Presley and Mason’s chemistry without feeling rushed. Ryan’s signature mix of passion, humor, and emotional depth is on full display as Presley learns to embrace love despite the baggage of her past. Mason is the perfect balance of supportive and swoon-worthy, making their transition from friendship to romance feel natural and authentic.

Though brief, this novella offers plenty of charm, sizzling moments, and a satisfying conclusion. Fans of the Montgomery Ink series will enjoy this sweet interlude, but it’s also accessible to newcomers seeking a quick and heartfelt romance.
Profile Image for Mandy Dickerson.
153 reviews8 followers
June 12, 2017
I was giving his book to read for an honest review. It's a best friends to lovers. It is a fast, good read. Mason was a sweetheart out of the bedroom and sexy, alpha man in the bedroom which was hot. The interaction between Presley and Mason was goofy and loving, you can tell they enjoyed each others company. After Presley found her boyfriend cheating on her and Mason girlfriend breaking up with him, they both sworn off love, so being good friends, they decide to do the whole friends with benefits thing, but as you know that never works and feelings start to happen. And plus in a way they were kinda of already in a relationship together but they didn't seem to notice, keys to each other house, spending time with each other after work everyday, they were just to close to not be in a relationship together. It was a good read for sure.
550 reviews3 followers
July 22, 2017
I received a review copy of this book.

Presley has hidden who she is for so long that she isn't quite sure who she is anymore. But finding her boyfriend boinking her best friend has taught her one thing...love isn't for her. Mason works in dirt and he loves it. But when his current girlfriend decides that his profession is beneath her and dumps him publicly...he decides love isn't for him. So what happens when two friends decide to take the love out of the sex? I enjoyed this friends to lovers story by Ms. Ryan. Mason and Presley are best friends who do everything together. They can be excused for not realizing their pride was hurt more than their hearts. I love the journey Ms. Ryan took them on as their hearts are snagged before they knew it. This is a nice quick read. One I thoroughly enjoyed.
445 reviews4 followers
November 11, 2025
“Finally Found You” by Carrie Ann Ryan is a short and sweet novella that had me completely invested from the very first interaction between Presley and Mason. I found myself rooting for them the entire time, and their chemistry absolutely delivered. I did have some issues with Mason’s brother, but Presley and Mason more than made up for it. The story had me making all the reader noises, and the ending was absolutely adorable.

This friends-to-lovers, dual POV contemporary romance pairs a gamer girl with a landscape artist in a story that’s quick, heartwarming, and full of charm. Spice is light, with key scenes in chapters 1, 5, and 6. Carrie Ann Ryan’s writing makes even a novella feel full and satisfying, and I loved every moment.
Profile Image for Jill.
491 reviews
May 31, 2017
Such a good story of friends to lovers. Presley walks in on her jerk of a boyfriend cheating on her the same day that Mason's girlfriend breaks up with him. Mason happens to be brothers with the cheating jerk but he is nothing like him. however, he's always had a bit of a crush on Presley. They agree to a friends with benefits relationship but end up falling in love. They don't want to admit their feeling to each other because they are afraid. Mason keeps a secret from Presley that his jerk brother spills and ends up hurting her. Can they move on and find a way to get their HEA???

Love Carrie Ann Ryan
Profile Image for Jes Bruno.
705 reviews12 followers
July 10, 2017
This short story is about two best friends that try to have a non-feeling sexual relationship and we all know that those don’t exist. Presley Mackenzie was dating her best friend Mason Sutton’s brother before she caught her boyfriend with someone she thought was a friend. Mason was ready to take the next step with his girlfriend, only to be dumped by her. With Presley hating the people she works with and Mason not wanting to work with his brother anymore, they turn to each other for some support. The climax of this book broke my heart. I loved this sweet, sexy story and want more of these two. Carrie Ann Ryan can write a short story and make me feel like I read 400 pages novel.
158 reviews1 follower
July 31, 2017
This friends-to-lovers story was a likeable read that I felt I could have liked if I had more background. The author describes it as a 'stand-alone' on her website. While this is true in the sense that it doesn't tie into any of the series that Carrie Ann Ryan writes herself, in reading it, it is definitely obvious that it forms part of a multi-author series.
It was a some-what quick read that had a distinctly different pacing to what I'm used to from this author. I also felt like the hero and heroine spent a lot of the book letting things happen to them rather than actively being in control of their lives.
Profile Image for Deja.
752 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2017
Normally I have only read Ms. Ryan's paranormal books so when I saw that she writes contemporary as well I figured why not. I loved her Montgomery Ink series so when I saw this book I just knew it would be good. I was very happy to be right Presley and Mason were one of her best couples, the fact that Mason was technically her ex's brother just made the fact that they fell for each other that much crazier and I love when crazy meets love.
Profile Image for Ashley Speakman.
249 reviews5 followers
June 11, 2017
Mason and Presley's story is fantastic. I have a soft spot for books where friendship turns into happily ever after romance. I wanted Presley to stand up for herself though. I felt like she let people (not Mason) walk all over her. She didn't once stand up for herself with Trent or with her boss Stan. I thought the ending was a little rushed. Other than that, it was terrific and a great read. It will be a book I recommend to others.
231 reviews
June 21, 2017
After Presley's boyfriend cheated on her, she finds comfort in the most unlikely place . . . with the brother of her ex who is also going through a breakup. I enjoyed the storyline of Presley and Mason falling into an unexpected and passionate relationship. I really liked Presley's character - a strong woman fighting to make her way in a male-dominated career.
Profile Image for Kristine .
1,817 reviews12 followers
July 26, 2017
This is an enjoyable story. The story quickly grabbed my attention and had me glued to the pages until finished. The story was a blend of sweet, a little steamy, and romantic. I really liked the characters and wanted to see them happy. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received a copy of this manuscript from the author, my review has been voluntarily submitted.
Profile Image for Sometime.
1,720 reviews178 followers
August 8, 2017
The premise sounded interesting and I believed all the 5 star reviews. I didn't care for the writing style and the story got tedious. So many things didn't make sense. Why were they with such obviously horrible people in the first place. It made them seem like idiots with terrible judgement.

I didn't realize this was a "friends with benefits" book and I do not like that trope.

I can't recommend this unless it's a freebie.
Profile Image for JoAnna VanDorn.
786 reviews6 followers
March 1, 2026
This book was free in audible and I needed a fast book for my book challenge.

But it wasn’t a bad novella.

Presley and Mason were cute. Mason is Presley’s exs brother.

I think it would be a better story if it wasn’t a novella with a bigger storyline. Novellas always feel so rushed and hard to get into.

Spice is probably a half pepper.
Profile Image for Amy Ross.
13 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2017
I did enjoy this however I think I'm more of a paranormal fan than a fan of more everyday romance type novels. That said it was an enjoyable read and a very relatable storyline. I find all of of Carrie Ann Ryan's novels have a lot of relatable content.
1,178 reviews3 followers
March 2, 2025
Great read. Mason is so supportive of Presley. She has let herself become a doormat to her boyfriend, Mason’s brother, and the males she works with. With his support, she finally goes after a dream, and he gets his opportunity to realize his. This book has a HEA.
Profile Image for Ann.
292 reviews15 followers
August 6, 2017
A quick steamy read.
Profile Image for Ginger.
1,169 reviews8 followers
August 21, 2017
Was an all right read. Not as interesting as most of this authors books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews