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Gallagher Brothers #1
Un amour nouveau
Dans le premier tome de cette série spin-off de l’univers de Montgomery Ink, par Carrie Ann Ryan, auteure de best-sellers au classement du New York Times, un homme brisé découvre toute la beauté des secondes chances auprès de la femme la plus inattendue qui soit...
Graham Gallagher a tout vu. Et quand la tragédie a frappé, il a tout perdu. C’est le pilier de la fratrie, celui à qui ses frères confieraient leurs vies et leurs affaires. En matière d’amour et de vie commune, il sait ce que c’est que d’avoir tout et de tout perdre. Il croit avoir tourné la page et renoncé à l’idée de trouver quelqu’un d’autre pour réchauffer son lit, mais apparemment, il n’a pas retenu la leçon, parce que la nouvelle pierceuse de chez Montgomery Ink le tente comme personne.
Blake Brennen est née dans le milieu de la haute finance, mais elle a su se créer une toute nouvelle vie dans le monde des tatouages, des piercings et de la liberté. Seulement, les liens qu’elle croyait avoir rompus depuis longtemps ne sont pas aussi nettement coupés qu’elle le croit. Quand elle ne cesse de croiser Graham sur sa route, elle sait d’instinct que ce n’est pas un homme pour elle. L’ennui, c’est que Blake n’a pas son pareil pour faire les mauvais choix et que Graham pourrait bien être la tentation ultime pour la rebelle qu’elle pensait avoir laissée derrière elle il y a longtemps.
Graham Gallagher a tout vu. Et quand la tragédie a frappé, il a tout perdu. C’est le pilier de la fratrie, celui à qui ses frères confieraient leurs vies et leurs affaires. En matière d’amour et de vie commune, il sait ce que c’est que d’avoir tout et de tout perdre. Il croit avoir tourné la page et renoncé à l’idée de trouver quelqu’un d’autre pour réchauffer son lit, mais apparemment, il n’a pas retenu la leçon, parce que la nouvelle pierceuse de chez Montgomery Ink le tente comme personne.
Blake Brennen est née dans le milieu de la haute finance, mais elle a su se créer une toute nouvelle vie dans le monde des tatouages, des piercings et de la liberté. Seulement, les liens qu’elle croyait avoir rompus depuis longtemps ne sont pas aussi nettement coupés qu’elle le croit. Quand elle ne cesse de croiser Graham sur sa route, elle sait d’instinct que ce n’est pas un homme pour elle. L’ennui, c’est que Blake n’a pas son pareil pour faire les mauvais choix et que Graham pourrait bien être la tentation ultime pour la rebelle qu’elle pensait avoir laissée derrière elle il y a longtemps.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2016
1520 people are currently reading
3588 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Ann Ryan
265 books6,323 followersCarrie 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.
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 338 reviews
September 13, 2016
IT'S LIVE!
*Amazon*iBooks*Barnes & Noble
4 'Graham Gallagher and his beard of glory' Stars
These Gallaghers are going to give the Montgomery's a run for their money. Graham was one hot Hero, and I feel many re-reads happening in the future.
To finally put her past fully behind her, Blake moves back to the town she grew up in. She's a completely different person than she was when she left, and she has no desire to ever be that girl again. Now she's the inked up version of herself that she loves and works for the Montgomery's at their tattoo shop.
When she needs to restore and get rid of the house she grew up in she goes to the Gallaghers. Right away Graham hates her, thinking she's just another rich princess he has to work for, and the hate outweighs the attraction he feels for her. But when he starts to get to know the real Blake, he realizes how wrong he was and decides to act on his attraction.
I loved the push pull that Graham and Blake had in the beginning. It kept me captivated to see the sexual tension zinging between them while I was impatiently waiting to see them finally do something about it. And when they did, oh boy was it something special. I loved these two together!
Bottom line, I predict great things for this series and I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next. Weirdly, I'm kind of wondering if Owen Gallagher will have an mm book, but that's probably the pervy part of my mind wishing for things.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
*Amazon*iBooks*Barnes & Noble
4 'Graham Gallagher and his beard of glory' Stars
These Gallaghers are going to give the Montgomery's a run for their money. Graham was one hot Hero, and I feel many re-reads happening in the future.
To finally put her past fully behind her, Blake moves back to the town she grew up in. She's a completely different person than she was when she left, and she has no desire to ever be that girl again. Now she's the inked up version of herself that she loves and works for the Montgomery's at their tattoo shop.
When she needs to restore and get rid of the house she grew up in she goes to the Gallaghers. Right away Graham hates her, thinking she's just another rich princess he has to work for, and the hate outweighs the attraction he feels for her. But when he starts to get to know the real Blake, he realizes how wrong he was and decides to act on his attraction.
I loved the push pull that Graham and Blake had in the beginning. It kept me captivated to see the sexual tension zinging between them while I was impatiently waiting to see them finally do something about it. And when they did, oh boy was it something special. I loved these two together!
Bottom line, I predict great things for this series and I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next. Weirdly, I'm kind of wondering if Owen Gallagher will have an mm book, but that's probably the pervy part of my mind wishing for things.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
December 17, 2020💝💝 FREE on Amazon today (2/26/2018)! 💝💝
Blurb:
In the first of a Montgomery Ink spin-off series from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan, a broken man uncovers the truth of what it means to take a second chance with the most unexpected woman…
Graham Gallagher has seen it all. And when tragedy struck, lost it all. He’s been the backbone of his brothers, the one they all rely on in their lives and business. And when it comes to falling in love and creating a life, he knows what it’s like to have it all and watch it crumble. He’s done with looking for another person to warm his bed, but apparently he didn’t learn his lesson because the new piercer at Montgomery Ink tempts him like no other.
Blake Brennen may have been born a trust fund baby, but she’s created a whole new life for herself in the world of ink, piercings, and freedom. Only the ties she’d thought she’d cut long ago aren’t as severed as she’d believed. When she finds Graham constantly in her path, she knows from first glance that he’s the wrong kind of guy for her. Except that Blake excels at making the wrong choice and Graham might be the ultimate temptation for the bad girl she’d thought long buried.
Blurb:
In the first of a Montgomery Ink spin-off series from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan, a broken man uncovers the truth of what it means to take a second chance with the most unexpected woman…
Graham Gallagher has seen it all. And when tragedy struck, lost it all. He’s been the backbone of his brothers, the one they all rely on in their lives and business. And when it comes to falling in love and creating a life, he knows what it’s like to have it all and watch it crumble. He’s done with looking for another person to warm his bed, but apparently he didn’t learn his lesson because the new piercer at Montgomery Ink tempts him like no other.
Blake Brennen may have been born a trust fund baby, but she’s created a whole new life for herself in the world of ink, piercings, and freedom. Only the ties she’d thought she’d cut long ago aren’t as severed as she’d believed. When she finds Graham constantly in her path, she knows from first glance that he’s the wrong kind of guy for her. Except that Blake excels at making the wrong choice and Graham might be the ultimate temptation for the bad girl she’d thought long buried.
Want to read
February 20, 2018 Currently FREE on Amazon!
February 6, 2017
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this story and it was a really good beginning to a new series. This story featured one of my favorite tropes: Enemies to Friends. And this one didn’t disappoint as we got the classic push and pull distinctive of love-hate relationships.
Blake Brennen has grown up from that silver spoon heiress that many people remembered. She has returned home a mature woman who knows the value of hard work. When she hires the Gallagher Brothers to restore her new home, Blake immediately clashes with Graham Gallagher.
His first impression of her is that of a pampered princess born with a silver spoon and he couldn’t stand her. Of course his body got a different memo. Despite the attraction, Graham treated Blake quite crudely. They spent a lot of time verbally sparring but it was clear that both Blake and Graham’s fighting was fueled by their past hurts and baggage.
Slowly, they begin to see beyond the surface and the secrets final come to life. In the end, Blake and Graham realize how much they misjudged each other and the individual healing began.
It took a while to connect with both character for different reasons, but I felt empathetic to their pain. At first glance, it appears that the author Carrie Ann Ryan wrote simple characters and plots. But as the story evolves, the reader sees just how complex and intricate the individuals truly were.
The pace was very even, and the chemistry was scorching hot. It was easy to read and I felt satisfied by the end. I look forward to finishing the Montgomery Ink series and getting more books in this series.
I enjoyed this story and it was a really good beginning to a new series. This story featured one of my favorite tropes: Enemies to Friends. And this one didn’t disappoint as we got the classic push and pull distinctive of love-hate relationships.
Blake Brennen has grown up from that silver spoon heiress that many people remembered. She has returned home a mature woman who knows the value of hard work. When she hires the Gallagher Brothers to restore her new home, Blake immediately clashes with Graham Gallagher.
His first impression of her is that of a pampered princess born with a silver spoon and he couldn’t stand her. Of course his body got a different memo. Despite the attraction, Graham treated Blake quite crudely. They spent a lot of time verbally sparring but it was clear that both Blake and Graham’s fighting was fueled by their past hurts and baggage.
Slowly, they begin to see beyond the surface and the secrets final come to life. In the end, Blake and Graham realize how much they misjudged each other and the individual healing began.
It took a while to connect with both character for different reasons, but I felt empathetic to their pain. At first glance, it appears that the author Carrie Ann Ryan wrote simple characters and plots. But as the story evolves, the reader sees just how complex and intricate the individuals truly were.
The pace was very even, and the chemistry was scorching hot. It was easy to read and I felt satisfied by the end. I look forward to finishing the Montgomery Ink series and getting more books in this series.
December 6, 2017
The heroes have a second chance to love in the midst of family drama and a lot of doubts and fears.
I liked the story and recommend!
I liked the story and recommend!
April 1, 2017
Graham Gallagher has seen it all. And when tragedy struck, lost it all. He’s been the backbone of his brothers, the one they all rely on in their lives and business. And when it comes to falling in love and creating a life, he knows what it’s like to have it all and watch it crumble. He’s done with looking for another person to warm his bed, but apparently he didn’t learn his lesson because the new piercer at Montgomery Ink tempts him like no other.
Blake Brennen may have been born a trust fund baby, but she’s created a whole new life for herself in the world of ink, piercings, and freedom. Only the ties she’d thought she’d cut long ago aren’t as severed as she’d believed. When she finds Graham constantly in her path, she knows from first glance that he’s the wrong kind of guy for her. Except that Blake excels at making the wrong choice and Graham might be the ultimate temptation for the bad girl she’d thought long buried.
THOUGHTS:
If you follow TBRG at all you know that I (Jeananna) am a huge Carrie Ann Ryan fan! (I get to meet her in Orlando on October - hope I don't make an idiot out of myself in front of her...) There are so many elements to her writing that speak to me - alternating POV, I always get my HEA, CAR writes everyday people who are flawed and have made mistakes, she writes about families by blood and by choice... the Gallagher brothers are so intriguing because in all their similarities to the Montgomerys, they are very different as well - quieter, more reserved, tighter/closer almost from the tragedies that they have endured together... and boy oh boy are there some gut wrenching tragedy!
Graham and Blake are perfect for each other - as I said, they are both flawed and have made mistakes but they each need someone to take care of and someone willing to take care of them in return. I loved the true to life reactions that came from Graham after Blake's revelations!! (don't want to say too much and reveal anything...) I loved watching Blake slowly accept the Montgomery's love and open up to them all - they are pretty hard to resist!
The potential for the other brothers is going to be hard to wait for!! Why does Owen seem so melancholy at times? How will Murphy live his life to the fullest now that he can come out from under the spectrum of cancer? Lots of stories to tell!
I recommend this book and both of these series! HIGHLY!
Grade A
Fave Passage: (Graham)
"And when the pieces fell around him, he'd pick them up.
It was what he was good at, after all.
Restoring what was once lost, what could never be perfectly whole again."
Review by: Jeananna
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
Blake Brennen may have been born a trust fund baby, but she’s created a whole new life for herself in the world of ink, piercings, and freedom. Only the ties she’d thought she’d cut long ago aren’t as severed as she’d believed. When she finds Graham constantly in her path, she knows from first glance that he’s the wrong kind of guy for her. Except that Blake excels at making the wrong choice and Graham might be the ultimate temptation for the bad girl she’d thought long buried.
THOUGHTS:
If you follow TBRG at all you know that I (Jeananna) am a huge Carrie Ann Ryan fan! (I get to meet her in Orlando on October - hope I don't make an idiot out of myself in front of her...) There are so many elements to her writing that speak to me - alternating POV, I always get my HEA, CAR writes everyday people who are flawed and have made mistakes, she writes about families by blood and by choice... the Gallagher brothers are so intriguing because in all their similarities to the Montgomerys, they are very different as well - quieter, more reserved, tighter/closer almost from the tragedies that they have endured together... and boy oh boy are there some gut wrenching tragedy!
Graham and Blake are perfect for each other - as I said, they are both flawed and have made mistakes but they each need someone to take care of and someone willing to take care of them in return. I loved the true to life reactions that came from Graham after Blake's revelations!! (don't want to say too much and reveal anything...) I loved watching Blake slowly accept the Montgomery's love and open up to them all - they are pretty hard to resist!
The potential for the other brothers is going to be hard to wait for!! Why does Owen seem so melancholy at times? How will Murphy live his life to the fullest now that he can come out from under the spectrum of cancer? Lots of stories to tell!
I recommend this book and both of these series! HIGHLY!
Grade A
Fave Passage: (Graham)
"And when the pieces fell around him, he'd pick them up.
It was what he was good at, after all.
Restoring what was once lost, what could never be perfectly whole again."
Review by: Jeananna
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
September 17, 2016
woah. Just woah. I started this one this morning after the girls left for school, read almost non stop during the day and thanked the stars that tonight's football game is an away game and I didn't have to go so I could finish reading this :) This was hot and just a tad bit angsty, yet sweet and loving and it was just all things perfect for me. I loved Graham and Blake, and their pasts made my heart go out to them. I wanted to just hug them! They both had a bit of a short temper, but I got it. I would have probably reacted the same way when faced with what they were and where they'd come from. And the fact that Graham is almost 40, made me super happy! I love reading about older heroes!
The secondary characters were awesome and I now want to go back and read the Montgomery series. (After checking my Kindle, I already own some LOL).
*thanks to InkSlinger PR for sharing a copy of this in exchange for an honest reveiw*
The secondary characters were awesome and I now want to go back and read the Montgomery series. (After checking my Kindle, I already own some LOL).
*thanks to InkSlinger PR for sharing a copy of this in exchange for an honest reveiw*
dnf
March 24, 2018I'm so sick of books having a variation of "He wanted a fucking cigarette, a beer, and a willing woman underneath him as he fucked her until they were both spent." on the first page.
Is that supposed to make the hero look like a bad-ass MF? That's not what I see. It does not see a good tone for how women are viewed in a book. So, even if your book is great, you've succeeded in not making me want to read it.
Is that supposed to make the hero look like a bad-ass MF? That's not what I see. It does not see a good tone for how women are viewed in a book. So, even if your book is great, you've succeeded in not making me want to read it.
October 26, 2019
Graham Gallagher
Blake Brennen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4 stars
Read 8/8/19
Blake Brennen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4 stars
Read 8/8/19
September 25, 2016
Not my favorite book by Ms. Ryan, but fans of the Montgomery Ink series will enjoy this spinoff.
Graham Gallagher is pissed that someone let the beautiful old house he and his brothers are restoring go to shit, and the only person he can blame is the heiress giving him attitude, Blake Brennen. As owners of Gallagher Brothers Restoration, Graham and his brothers Owen and Murphy have been hired to bring the historic home up to standards, but working with this wealthy princess is not going to be easy, especially since he wants to bend her over the counter and spank her privileged little ass. So he settles for being a schoolyard ass toward her instead.
Blake may be the new girl at Montgomery Ink, but she can picture it as a home if she doesn't freak herself out in the process. With as close as the Montgomery's are to the Gallagher's, she and Graham inevitably keep running into each other. She's not sure what she did wrong to earn Graham's loathing, and she's not sure what he did right to earn her body. Soon the two can't keep their hands off each other, but there are so many secrets between them that'll need to be set free if they're going to have a shot at forever.
LOVE RESTORED is the first book in the Montgomery Ink spinoff series, Gallagher Brothers. Graham, oh Graham. He's so surly and grumpy and totally acted like a kid with his first crush who didn't know what to do with it! If Blake wore pigtails, he totally would've pulled them. Blake just wanted to be herself, without the yoke of an heiress title around her neck. Inked up and pierced, they're both desperately attracted to each other and it was sexy watching Graham stumble his way through it.
Unfortunately, there was something weird about the way Ms. Ryan transitioned Graham and Blake from frienemies to lovers. It seemed abrupt. One minute they couldn't be in the same room, the next they're texting and having sex and Graham's telling her his secrets. One minute they're talking about how sorry she is that she left after sex, the next they've been dating for weeks and Blake is opening up about her daughter. I felt like there were missing chapters that would've helped make the storyline make a little more sense. Combine that with some avoidable editing errors and I just became overall frustrated with LOVE RESTORED.
Bottom Line: Despite my frustrations with the above items, I did enjoy the banter and back and forth between the main characters. - See more at: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/v...
- See more at: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/v...
Graham Gallagher is pissed that someone let the beautiful old house he and his brothers are restoring go to shit, and the only person he can blame is the heiress giving him attitude, Blake Brennen. As owners of Gallagher Brothers Restoration, Graham and his brothers Owen and Murphy have been hired to bring the historic home up to standards, but working with this wealthy princess is not going to be easy, especially since he wants to bend her over the counter and spank her privileged little ass. So he settles for being a schoolyard ass toward her instead.
Blake may be the new girl at Montgomery Ink, but she can picture it as a home if she doesn't freak herself out in the process. With as close as the Montgomery's are to the Gallagher's, she and Graham inevitably keep running into each other. She's not sure what she did wrong to earn Graham's loathing, and she's not sure what he did right to earn her body. Soon the two can't keep their hands off each other, but there are so many secrets between them that'll need to be set free if they're going to have a shot at forever.
LOVE RESTORED is the first book in the Montgomery Ink spinoff series, Gallagher Brothers. Graham, oh Graham. He's so surly and grumpy and totally acted like a kid with his first crush who didn't know what to do with it! If Blake wore pigtails, he totally would've pulled them. Blake just wanted to be herself, without the yoke of an heiress title around her neck. Inked up and pierced, they're both desperately attracted to each other and it was sexy watching Graham stumble his way through it.
Unfortunately, there was something weird about the way Ms. Ryan transitioned Graham and Blake from frienemies to lovers. It seemed abrupt. One minute they couldn't be in the same room, the next they're texting and having sex and Graham's telling her his secrets. One minute they're talking about how sorry she is that she left after sex, the next they've been dating for weeks and Blake is opening up about her daughter. I felt like there were missing chapters that would've helped make the storyline make a little more sense. Combine that with some avoidable editing errors and I just became overall frustrated with LOVE RESTORED.
Bottom Line: Despite my frustrations with the above items, I did enjoy the banter and back and forth between the main characters. - See more at: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/v...
- See more at: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/v...
September 13, 2016
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
3.5 stars
Love Restored is the first book in author Carrie Ann Ryan's Montgomery Ink spin-off series The Gallagher Brothers and I liked this book, but I didn't love it. This book was a little too high on angst and while there was no doubting the attraction between the two main characters, I needed more time with them outside of their sexy times to feel the love building between them. The first book in a new series is always a little tough because lots of characters are being introduced and the stage is being set for the series and for me that distracted from the romance between Graham Gallagher and Blake Brennen.
I had a really hard time liking Graham Gallagher for a good portion of this book and as his story unfolded, I get why he was such a grump a$$, but I hated that he judged the heroine and treated her somewhat poorly without really knowing her. I did appreciate that he realized he was doing and even apologized for his actions, but many times over in this book he rushed to judgment without thinking and that kept me from really loving this character.
There was no doubt Blake Brennen had made some crucial mistakes in her life, but there was also do doubt that she didn't consider her 10 year old daughter, Rowan, one of them. Blake was a dedicated Mom and it was easy to see that everything she did was to make her daughter's childhood better than her own.
From the first time they meet the animosity between Graham and Blake is evident and it is mostly coming from Graham's side, but each subsequent meeting they both tend to take things a bit far in that department and for not real reason. I kind of had a hard time believing their intense attraction because of the way they acted towards one another the first three times they meet. I also had a hard time with how easily Blake seemed to be able to ditch her daughter to spend time with Graham when it was implied she spent every extra minute she had with Rowan. For me, the tension and problems between them for the most part seemed preventable and felt manufactured to add a whole lot of unnecessary angst something I'm not use to from this author.
I very much enjoyed the moments with all the Gallagher brothers even when they were bickering because you could tell it was out of love and I loved that Maya reached out to Blake and gave her a sounding board, something she hadn't had for a very long time.
Love Restored set up the Gallagher Brothers series quite nicely and while for me the romance was a bit lacking, I still enjoyed this story.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
3.5 stars
Love Restored is the first book in author Carrie Ann Ryan's Montgomery Ink spin-off series The Gallagher Brothers and I liked this book, but I didn't love it. This book was a little too high on angst and while there was no doubting the attraction between the two main characters, I needed more time with them outside of their sexy times to feel the love building between them. The first book in a new series is always a little tough because lots of characters are being introduced and the stage is being set for the series and for me that distracted from the romance between Graham Gallagher and Blake Brennen.
I had a really hard time liking Graham Gallagher for a good portion of this book and as his story unfolded, I get why he was such a grump a$$, but I hated that he judged the heroine and treated her somewhat poorly without really knowing her. I did appreciate that he realized he was doing and even apologized for his actions, but many times over in this book he rushed to judgment without thinking and that kept me from really loving this character.
There was no doubt Blake Brennen had made some crucial mistakes in her life, but there was also do doubt that she didn't consider her 10 year old daughter, Rowan, one of them. Blake was a dedicated Mom and it was easy to see that everything she did was to make her daughter's childhood better than her own.
From the first time they meet the animosity between Graham and Blake is evident and it is mostly coming from Graham's side, but each subsequent meeting they both tend to take things a bit far in that department and for not real reason. I kind of had a hard time believing their intense attraction because of the way they acted towards one another the first three times they meet. I also had a hard time with how easily Blake seemed to be able to ditch her daughter to spend time with Graham when it was implied she spent every extra minute she had with Rowan. For me, the tension and problems between them for the most part seemed preventable and felt manufactured to add a whole lot of unnecessary angst something I'm not use to from this author.
I very much enjoyed the moments with all the Gallagher brothers even when they were bickering because you could tell it was out of love and I loved that Maya reached out to Blake and gave her a sounding board, something she hadn't had for a very long time.
Love Restored set up the Gallagher Brothers series quite nicely and while for me the romance was a bit lacking, I still enjoyed this story.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
September 19, 2016
We met these two characters in the Montgomery Ink series. Graham is brother to Jake who is with Maya Montgomery. Blake works for Maya at the tattoo shop she and her brother own. Just meeting the as secondary characters had my mind spinning and yes, thank you Carrie Ann, for bringing us a whole new hot set of alpha men and women to love!
Graham and Blake both have some deep secrets they would like to keep hidden. Unfortunately, they keep running into each other and seem destined to have to share those secrets with each other. If there were ever a time that opposites attract, it would be the pairing of these two.
Tattoos, beard, looks great in jeans and a t-shirt, a bit gruff and grumbly, loves family....yeah, Graham Gallagher is going to quickly become book boyfriend material. Only a sassy piercer trying to run from her past will be able to bring this guy to his knees. Heart breaking back stories. A love story to mend broken hearts. Great start to the series!
*ARC received for an honest review.
Graham and Blake both have some deep secrets they would like to keep hidden. Unfortunately, they keep running into each other and seem destined to have to share those secrets with each other. If there were ever a time that opposites attract, it would be the pairing of these two.
Tattoos, beard, looks great in jeans and a t-shirt, a bit gruff and grumbly, loves family....yeah, Graham Gallagher is going to quickly become book boyfriend material. Only a sassy piercer trying to run from her past will be able to bring this guy to his knees. Heart breaking back stories. A love story to mend broken hearts. Great start to the series!
*ARC received for an honest review.
freebie-to-read
February 20, 2018
September 24, 2016
ARC REVIEW
So Carrie Ann Ryan sent out Postcards for this book like she does with just about all of them signed with a little catch phrase, this book's being " Grab a Gallagher". Well I definitely want to grab a Gallagher! The Gallaghers were introduced in the last book Montgomery Ink book, Ink Enduring, when delving into the past history between Jake, Maya, and Border. Now we see the Gallagher brothers older wiser, more tortured. They each have something in their past that has shaped them into the men they are now. Graham has his own demons he deals with, the loss of his parents and then shortly after that something that shattered his heart. Blake has had her own share of trauma, her family disowned her, not that it matters much now her parents are both dead and she was left as executor of the estate which means the monstrosity of a house she grew up in and vowed never to return. Blake keeps to herself for her own reasons but when she keeps running into the sexy bearded Graham who for some reason she still finds attractive after he was a bit of an ass to her the first two time they met. But Blakes secret just might be the one thing Graham can not handle. So why is she willing to risk her heart again for a man she might not even be able to keep?
So Carrie Ann Ryan sent out Postcards for this book like she does with just about all of them signed with a little catch phrase, this book's being " Grab a Gallagher". Well I definitely want to grab a Gallagher! The Gallaghers were introduced in the last book Montgomery Ink book, Ink Enduring, when delving into the past history between Jake, Maya, and Border. Now we see the Gallagher brothers older wiser, more tortured. They each have something in their past that has shaped them into the men they are now. Graham has his own demons he deals with, the loss of his parents and then shortly after that something that shattered his heart. Blake has had her own share of trauma, her family disowned her, not that it matters much now her parents are both dead and she was left as executor of the estate which means the monstrosity of a house she grew up in and vowed never to return. Blake keeps to herself for her own reasons but when she keeps running into the sexy bearded Graham who for some reason she still finds attractive after he was a bit of an ass to her the first two time they met. But Blakes secret just might be the one thing Graham can not handle. So why is she willing to risk her heart again for a man she might not even be able to keep?
March 25, 2022
Nayeli - per RFS
.
Non ricordavo l’autrice così prolissa e ridondante: ho trovato lo stile meno scorrevole rispetto agli altri volumi, molte spiegazioni e ripetizioni inutili. Forse per un diverso editing?
Non sapeva cosa gli fosse preso, ma ciò che era appena successo non sarebbe accaduto mai più, non ci sarebbe più cascato. Se si sentiva così scombussolato e teso per un unico bacio, per un unico sguardo, non ce l’avrebbe mai fatta a tenere Blake tra le braccia, a letto. Blake non era la donna giusta per lui e non voleva neanche che lo fosse, diamine. La Kiss Cam poteva anche andare al diavolo.
(Tratto dal libro)
La storia parte molto lentamente: una lunga premessa ci presenta i protagonisti e le loro rispettive sofferenze, mentre solo a metà si daranno il primo bacio. Del resto, Blake e Graham non sono due adolescenti e si portano dietro un bel fardello pesante che merita il giusto approfondimento: senza entrare nello specifico per evitare troppi spoiler, vi dirò solo che si parla di coniugi e figli, quindi storie non facili. Graham deve superare un lutto avvenuto diversi anni prima, mentre Blake si è lasciata alle spalle qualche uomo che l’ha delusa. Entrambi devono gestire una complessità che impedisce loro di mettersi in gioco e buttarsi in una nuova relazione troppo facilmente. Si fanno quindi spaventare dai primi accenni a “qualcosa di complicato”, perché non ne hanno proprio bisogno.
“Credevo che non volessi essere coinvolto in una faccenda del genere.” Graham le passò un pollice su una guancia. “Non ho ancora capito cosa voglio o se ci sia davvero un modo per non soffrire, ma non posso andarmene ora che hai bisogno di me.”
(Tratto dal libro)
Blake e Graham “si avvertono” a pelle, alla presenza dell’altro rimangono “disturbati”. Non è proprio odio, piuttosto un fastidio che solletica anche un po’ di eccitazione. Ricorda loro i partner precedenti e il modo in cui li avevano desiderati, e questo rievoca tristi memorie; capiranno solo in seguito che l’antipatia non è dovuta alla persona che hanno davanti ma ai sentimenti che smuove dentro di loro.
Si rendono conto che vale la pena di esplorare le nuove emozioni che provano insieme. Iniziano a uscire ma, quando si accorgono che anche l’altro porta con sé un discreto quantitativo di complessità, si spaventano. Per fortuna entrambi hanno accanto persone a cui chiedere sostegno e con cui confidarsi, che permettono loro di non chiudersi dietro a degli scudi: le famiglie Montgomery e Gallagher (ditemi che non sono l’unica a sentire il ritornello di Wonderwall ogni volta che leggo “i fratelli Gallagher”!).
“Perdere un bambino, sopravvivere a un figlio deve essere una delle disgrazie peggiori che ti possa capitare. Mi dispiace tantissimo, Graham.” L’uomo fece una risatina, ma non per ciò che Blake aveva detto. “Immagino che questa non sia proprio la relazione senza problemi che avresti voluto per noi.” “Sono stata stupida solo a pensare che potesse esistere una relazione perfetta, perché nessuno è perfetto. Questi non sono problemi, Graham, è dolore. È una tragedia che non avresti mai dovuto subire, e non sai quanto mi dispiace, è terribile.”
(Tratto dal libro)
Le caratterizzazioni ci presentano due personaggi spigolosi: Graham è diventato una sorta di orso dopo il fatto traumatico: difficile negli approcci, è brusco, poco affettuoso e spesso dice la cosa sbagliata. Tuttavia è un atteggiamento a tratti incomprensibile (si allontana per un po’, si riavvicina senza motivo, si trattiene dal fare sesso per un mese, poi la passione esplode improvvisa come se si fossero appena avvicinati… insomma ok le sfaccettature, ma non sempre le ho trovate coerenti con le azioni volte ad alimentare il classico tira-e-molla).
Voleva molto di più, voleva sentirlo, voleva avvinghiarsi a lui e baciarlo con foga. Proprio per quel motivo, invece, si ritrasse. “Va bene, basta,” gli disse con delicatezza. Graham le mise due dita sotto al mento e la obbligò a guardarlo negli occhi. “Vorrò baciarti di nuovo, Blake. Di continuo.” “Beh, forse te lo lascerò fare.”
(Tratto dal libro)
Blake è la piercer del Montgomery Ink. Dai camei nei libri precedenti immaginavamo una vera dura, tutta piena di tatuaggi e risposte taglienti, ma una pagina dopo l’altra si svela sempre più fragile e insicura. Sicuramente è stata indurita dalle vicende della vita, che la costringono a scappare e viaggiare sottotono per non essere rintracciata, ma questa sua forza viene sempre più smantellata dalle vicende, e la vera Blake che si rivela è tutt’altra persona rispetto a quella che pensavamo.
A quel punto l’orso diventa possessivo e protettivo, tanto da segnare il territorio e agire in modo quasi primitivo.
Due caratterizzazioni, insomma, che a mio avviso si estremizzano anziché arricchirsi di sfumature; diventano più rigide, senza riuscire a spiegare benissimo l’evolversi dei loro stop and go.
Quelle ultime parole le uscirono in sussurro e Graham era certo che fosse per colpa sua: sapeva che Blake aveva paura di parlargli della figlia e quel pensiero lo uccideva. Prima o poi avrebbe risolto quella situazione, avrebbe fatto in modo che Rowan non dovesse sentirsi indesiderata per niente al mondo. Allo stesso tempo, avrebbe dovuto capire cosa provasse per Blake, perché quell’esitazione e quel dolore nella voce di lei non gli andavano proprio giù.
(Tratto dal libro)
Il parallelismo tra il tipo di perdita e i traumi che Blake e Graham hanno vissuto legato ai loro figli inizialmente li allontana per un eccesso di emozioni e ricordi negativi, ma in seguito diventa un collante che permette di sanare le ferite.
È l’aspetto erotico che invece non mi ha convinta: inserito talvolta a forza, sospeso senza motivo in altra occasione, sostitutivo del dialogo in un altro momento importante… l’ho trovato spesso collocato e gestito fuori luogo. Tanto più che la loro relazione non è esplosiva, non è pura lussuria: non si tratta mai di una passione incontenibile ma agita con consapevolezza, dato che da subito sono in gioco le emozioni. Tra loro la passione è sempre collegata a qualcosa di affettivo che, anche se non viene subito accettato, è ben presente.
“Ciò che dici non ha senso.” Lui le prese il viso tra le mani. “Ti voglio, Blake, nella vita e a letto.” “Io però ho una figlia,” sussurrò lei, mentre non faceva caso al calore di quelle parole che le riempiva il petto e che le era mancato tanto. “Lo so, ed è davvero forte. Mi piace un sacco perché ti fa sorridere. Non so cosa succederà in futuro o come reagirò se la situazione dovesse complicarsi, ma ora sono qui. Può andar bene così?”
(Tratto dal libro)
.
Non ricordavo l’autrice così prolissa e ridondante: ho trovato lo stile meno scorrevole rispetto agli altri volumi, molte spiegazioni e ripetizioni inutili. Forse per un diverso editing?
Non sapeva cosa gli fosse preso, ma ciò che era appena successo non sarebbe accaduto mai più, non ci sarebbe più cascato. Se si sentiva così scombussolato e teso per un unico bacio, per un unico sguardo, non ce l’avrebbe mai fatta a tenere Blake tra le braccia, a letto. Blake non era la donna giusta per lui e non voleva neanche che lo fosse, diamine. La Kiss Cam poteva anche andare al diavolo.
(Tratto dal libro)
La storia parte molto lentamente: una lunga premessa ci presenta i protagonisti e le loro rispettive sofferenze, mentre solo a metà si daranno il primo bacio. Del resto, Blake e Graham non sono due adolescenti e si portano dietro un bel fardello pesante che merita il giusto approfondimento: senza entrare nello specifico per evitare troppi spoiler, vi dirò solo che si parla di coniugi e figli, quindi storie non facili. Graham deve superare un lutto avvenuto diversi anni prima, mentre Blake si è lasciata alle spalle qualche uomo che l’ha delusa. Entrambi devono gestire una complessità che impedisce loro di mettersi in gioco e buttarsi in una nuova relazione troppo facilmente. Si fanno quindi spaventare dai primi accenni a “qualcosa di complicato”, perché non ne hanno proprio bisogno.
“Credevo che non volessi essere coinvolto in una faccenda del genere.” Graham le passò un pollice su una guancia. “Non ho ancora capito cosa voglio o se ci sia davvero un modo per non soffrire, ma non posso andarmene ora che hai bisogno di me.”
(Tratto dal libro)
Blake e Graham “si avvertono” a pelle, alla presenza dell’altro rimangono “disturbati”. Non è proprio odio, piuttosto un fastidio che solletica anche un po’ di eccitazione. Ricorda loro i partner precedenti e il modo in cui li avevano desiderati, e questo rievoca tristi memorie; capiranno solo in seguito che l’antipatia non è dovuta alla persona che hanno davanti ma ai sentimenti che smuove dentro di loro.
Si rendono conto che vale la pena di esplorare le nuove emozioni che provano insieme. Iniziano a uscire ma, quando si accorgono che anche l’altro porta con sé un discreto quantitativo di complessità, si spaventano. Per fortuna entrambi hanno accanto persone a cui chiedere sostegno e con cui confidarsi, che permettono loro di non chiudersi dietro a degli scudi: le famiglie Montgomery e Gallagher (ditemi che non sono l’unica a sentire il ritornello di Wonderwall ogni volta che leggo “i fratelli Gallagher”!).
“Perdere un bambino, sopravvivere a un figlio deve essere una delle disgrazie peggiori che ti possa capitare. Mi dispiace tantissimo, Graham.” L’uomo fece una risatina, ma non per ciò che Blake aveva detto. “Immagino che questa non sia proprio la relazione senza problemi che avresti voluto per noi.” “Sono stata stupida solo a pensare che potesse esistere una relazione perfetta, perché nessuno è perfetto. Questi non sono problemi, Graham, è dolore. È una tragedia che non avresti mai dovuto subire, e non sai quanto mi dispiace, è terribile.”
(Tratto dal libro)
Le caratterizzazioni ci presentano due personaggi spigolosi: Graham è diventato una sorta di orso dopo il fatto traumatico: difficile negli approcci, è brusco, poco affettuoso e spesso dice la cosa sbagliata. Tuttavia è un atteggiamento a tratti incomprensibile (si allontana per un po’, si riavvicina senza motivo, si trattiene dal fare sesso per un mese, poi la passione esplode improvvisa come se si fossero appena avvicinati… insomma ok le sfaccettature, ma non sempre le ho trovate coerenti con le azioni volte ad alimentare il classico tira-e-molla).
Voleva molto di più, voleva sentirlo, voleva avvinghiarsi a lui e baciarlo con foga. Proprio per quel motivo, invece, si ritrasse. “Va bene, basta,” gli disse con delicatezza. Graham le mise due dita sotto al mento e la obbligò a guardarlo negli occhi. “Vorrò baciarti di nuovo, Blake. Di continuo.” “Beh, forse te lo lascerò fare.”
(Tratto dal libro)
Blake è la piercer del Montgomery Ink. Dai camei nei libri precedenti immaginavamo una vera dura, tutta piena di tatuaggi e risposte taglienti, ma una pagina dopo l’altra si svela sempre più fragile e insicura. Sicuramente è stata indurita dalle vicende della vita, che la costringono a scappare e viaggiare sottotono per non essere rintracciata, ma questa sua forza viene sempre più smantellata dalle vicende, e la vera Blake che si rivela è tutt’altra persona rispetto a quella che pensavamo.
A quel punto l’orso diventa possessivo e protettivo, tanto da segnare il territorio e agire in modo quasi primitivo.
Due caratterizzazioni, insomma, che a mio avviso si estremizzano anziché arricchirsi di sfumature; diventano più rigide, senza riuscire a spiegare benissimo l’evolversi dei loro stop and go.
Quelle ultime parole le uscirono in sussurro e Graham era certo che fosse per colpa sua: sapeva che Blake aveva paura di parlargli della figlia e quel pensiero lo uccideva. Prima o poi avrebbe risolto quella situazione, avrebbe fatto in modo che Rowan non dovesse sentirsi indesiderata per niente al mondo. Allo stesso tempo, avrebbe dovuto capire cosa provasse per Blake, perché quell’esitazione e quel dolore nella voce di lei non gli andavano proprio giù.
(Tratto dal libro)
Il parallelismo tra il tipo di perdita e i traumi che Blake e Graham hanno vissuto legato ai loro figli inizialmente li allontana per un eccesso di emozioni e ricordi negativi, ma in seguito diventa un collante che permette di sanare le ferite.
È l’aspetto erotico che invece non mi ha convinta: inserito talvolta a forza, sospeso senza motivo in altra occasione, sostitutivo del dialogo in un altro momento importante… l’ho trovato spesso collocato e gestito fuori luogo. Tanto più che la loro relazione non è esplosiva, non è pura lussuria: non si tratta mai di una passione incontenibile ma agita con consapevolezza, dato che da subito sono in gioco le emozioni. Tra loro la passione è sempre collegata a qualcosa di affettivo che, anche se non viene subito accettato, è ben presente.
“Ciò che dici non ha senso.” Lui le prese il viso tra le mani. “Ti voglio, Blake, nella vita e a letto.” “Io però ho una figlia,” sussurrò lei, mentre non faceva caso al calore di quelle parole che le riempiva il petto e che le era mancato tanto. “Lo so, ed è davvero forte. Mi piace un sacco perché ti fa sorridere. Non so cosa succederà in futuro o come reagirò se la situazione dovesse complicarsi, ma ora sono qui. Può andar bene così?”
(Tratto dal libro)
January 19, 2018
I tried! I wanted to like it. But at 80 percent I had to stop. another unrealistic thing happened. so stupid.
January 15, 2021
Well that was unexpected.
It wasn't bad, but it's one of those stories that lacks communication between the MC's and if you're not into that, don't pick this up.
It wasn't bad, but it's one of those stories that lacks communication between the MC's and if you're not into that, don't pick this up.
January 1, 2017
Review to come.
April 5, 2021
First book in Gallagher brother by Carrie Ann Ryan.
Graham is one of the oldest Gallagher and has a very tragic past that still haunts him but a new piercer Blake is very guarded and has secret ls she feels she can’t tell.
Love that the family come in and out of the tattoo shop to get tattoos or piercings.
Love that both have dark pasts that help heal each other.
Carrie Ann Ryan is the queen of tattoo pierced strong hot main characters not just male but female to.
Graham is one of the oldest Gallagher and has a very tragic past that still haunts him but a new piercer Blake is very guarded and has secret ls she feels she can’t tell.
Love that the family come in and out of the tattoo shop to get tattoos or piercings.
Love that both have dark pasts that help heal each other.
Carrie Ann Ryan is the queen of tattoo pierced strong hot main characters not just male but female to.
August 15, 2023
Classic Carrie Ann Ryan. (That’s a good thing.)
Big, strong moody man who loves his family.
Smart, good looking woman who has a plan for survival.
They meet and it all goes tits up.
Love happens.
(I had to remind myself this is about the Gallaghers not the Montgomerys.)
No complaints.
Although, I could have had more scenes with the motor mouth child. She was a total hoot.
I will finish the series, for sure.
Big, strong moody man who loves his family.
Smart, good looking woman who has a plan for survival.
They meet and it all goes tits up.
Love happens.
(I had to remind myself this is about the Gallaghers not the Montgomerys.)
No complaints.
Although, I could have had more scenes with the motor mouth child. She was a total hoot.
I will finish the series, for sure.
June 30, 2017
Loved Graham and Blake's story and how completely different she was from what he first thought of her. Life is not always what it seems on the outside, Blake's had it rough getting to where she is now, especially when she has a little one she needs to take care of and keep away from prying eyes. Their lives mingle unexpectedly but the outcome is a definite plus!
January 3, 2020
I did enjoy the book.
But, and this is really bugging me, i am sure I've read one very very similar. Its driving me crazy.
That is the reason i continued reading it but i don't think its the same book, the character names wasn't the same. Jees, this is going to be annoying until i figure it out.
But, and this is really bugging me, i am sure I've read one very very similar. Its driving me crazy.
That is the reason i continued reading it but i don't think its the same book, the character names wasn't the same. Jees, this is going to be annoying until i figure it out.
March 10, 2019
4.5 stars
Love Restored was a fantastic story - the Gallagher's are becoming just as important to me as the Montgomery's, and that's saying something.
There's something about a tall, bearded, inked, pierced man being all mushy on the inside, yeah?
Love Restored was a fantastic story - the Gallagher's are becoming just as important to me as the Montgomery's, and that's saying something.
There's something about a tall, bearded, inked, pierced man being all mushy on the inside, yeah?
Want to read
August 13, 2017AMAZON KINDLE FREEBIE 6/21/17
July 8, 2017
Loved it! Hot, tatted, grumpy badass with a big heart! Secrets, pain and best of all a love that heals it all. Family. HEA. One for the TBR list!
March 11, 2018
4 Sexy Stars
I really liked this book a lot and Graham and Blake were very sexy together:) I wouldn't;t say it was the best love story but it was a good one. I liked mot of it but had some very minor issues with some parts but all in all a gapped read. Oh and the sexiness as well as sex between these two was HOT!!!!!!! One scene I was literally squirming in my seat, lol, it was THAT hot!
I really liked this book a lot and Graham and Blake were very sexy together:) I wouldn't;t say it was the best love story but it was a good one. I liked mot of it but had some very minor issues with some parts but all in all a gapped read. Oh and the sexiness as well as sex between these two was HOT!!!!!!! One scene I was literally squirming in my seat, lol, it was THAT hot!
December 30, 2019
So very good
“Did you really come here to get a piercing, by the way? Or was it just to get me alone?
“Did you really come here to get a piercing, by the way? Or was it just to get me alone?
July 1, 2017
Only read this because I thought this was an interracial romance. I got that one wrong. It was okay but not my cuppa. Not a fan of tatted dudes with piercings and gnarly beards.
June 13, 2018
What's not to
I've sexy impermanence
So haspiercingsnblaoke is running to protect her daughter Rowan purses suspenders heaL love everything she has wtitten
I've sexy impermanence
So haspiercingsnblaoke is running to protect her daughter Rowan purses suspenders heaL love everything she has wtitten
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