At First Meet

Montgomery Ink Legacy, Book 2

De: Carrie Ann Ryan

Narrado por: Oscar Reyes, Samantha Cook

New York Times best-selling author Carrie Ann Ryan continues the Montgomery Ink Legacy series with an emotional, friends-to-lovers romance where second chances begin with a promise.

I fell in love with the wrong man and learned the hard way to ask for help.

I don’t plan on falling again and have no intention of trying.

But when I get invited to a high-powered CEO retreat, I know I can’t say no.

And I can’t go alone.

When my frenemy, Nick, invites himself as my escort, I should walk away.

But there’s no stopping the connection we’ve both ignored for far too long.

Only Nick’s past is far darker than he lets the world know, and the shell he encased himself in is stronger than my own. And when the pain from my past comes back with a force, I’m afraid that walking away will be the only choice—even if it breaks us both.

©2023 Carrie Ann Ryan (P)2023 Carrie Ann Ryan

love hate relationship redefined

Carrie Ann definitely knows a good love story. Lake and Nick are both strong characters to write but she wrote them perfectly insecurities and all. The narration was good she picks them well. Only thing I feel the back and forth doubt between the two with their relationship because of their individual issues made their love story drag. I would have liked to see more passion and heat between the two of them.

What a beautiful story

Way to make me grab for the tissues in the first few chapters. Lake's story has my heart racing right off the bat. The way she avoids Nick at every opportunity until she has barely a choice. Nick has some serious patience when it comes to Lake. He will wait for her, to be ready, to talk, to be together. I loved these two as side characters in Bittersweet Promises and getting more of their story was beautiful. Full of tears but beautiful!
Both Oscar Reyes and Samantha Cook did a beautiful job bringing these characters to life. If I thought I was emotional reading from my kindle, listening to it really kicked it all up a notch.

Love Lake

I can't get enough of the Montgomery Ink gang. I loved Lake's story so much and everything she had to go through. This is a beautiful enemies to lover, well written and well told story that'll break your heart and mend it back at the same time.

Best Book Series

I can’t get enough of the Montgomery family, I just love the closeness of the family.

From the first moment...

Lake Montgomery, bada** boss. It seems that whatever Lake touches turns to gold. She's personable and dedicated and gets along with everyone... except for Nick Gatlin. They argue with each other like no other. Sounds more like sexual tension than anything. I loved that even though they argued all the time, Lake saw Nick as someone she could trust and lean on. They had their own inner dialogue going on about Lake's past and their feelings toward each other. The weekend away as a fake couple was the catalyst for uncovering the deep seated feelings and emotions they've managed to tamp down around each other.

But that ending...the part that broke me. Why?!?!?! Sobs...

Samantha Cook and Oscar Reyes are new to me narrators. They were perfectly cast as Lake and Nick. The emotions they evoke as one listens to them weave Lake and Nick's romance brings the story to life.

I received a complimentary copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.

Steamy and captivating listen!

At First Meet by Carrie Ann Ryan is the second book in the Montgomery Ink Legacy series and is Lake and Nick’s friend to lovers romance. Narrated by Oscar Reyes and Samantha Cook, they brought Lake and Nick’s to life for me. Lake is strong, determined, and smart. But after recent choices, she is questioning all her choices. Nick has overcome so much. He is protective, caring and sexy. He does not believe he could ever deserve anyone like Lake. Nick and her cousin, Leif, are best friends and she has known Nick for most of her life. They are frenemies and I love their banter. When Lake is invited to a CEO retreat, she needs to bring a plus one and Nick jumps to help her.

Once they are traveling, their chemistry and connection becomes undeniable. But when their lives two lives are so interconnected, should they take a chance on each other? I loved how Nick was always there for Lake even while letting her stand on her own when she needed it. When Nick was facing his past, Lake stood by him. Their journey had some light angst, suspense, and a steamy connection. I loved reading their story and I am so excited for what comes next.

Happy reading!

Lake and Nick!

Oscar Reyes does an amazing job as Nick here. He is a new to me narrator and that just adds something to a new character. He really makes me feel the words he is saying. Samantha Cook has always been a great narrator and for her to come in as Lake and express the role, she is prenominal!!

Tropes:
• Forced proximity
• Emery to lovers
• Workplace romance
• Small town

After the relationship Lake just got out of she is not looking for anything! Getting invited to a business event she is looking for someone to take as her plus one, Nick volunteers. They have always been friends and he has seen just how much she has endured so they go.

Nick plays a great supporting role in this with Lake. He doesn’t want to hold her back or hold her down, he wants her to soar and he plans to do everything in his power to make that happen.

Loved it!

At First Meet (Montgomery Ink Legacy #2) is a friends to lovers romance.

Lake and Nick’s journey was an emotionally packed love story. I loved the banter and the sexual tension was intense. From the first page to the ending was wonderfully written and I devoured every bit of it.

Oscar Reyes and Samantha Cook did a wonderful job narrating this book. Wonderful character portrayal.

Fantastic read!!

I loved this story! It was great getting to see Lake and Nick come together and figure things out. We got a hint at the end of the first book that there was more between Lake and Nick and that Lake was going through something horrible but you do not need to have read that book before this one. This reads as a standalone book though as the families are so close it is always great/bonus if you have read other books within the Montgomery world as you will recognize characters. This story picks up sometime after the first book so we get to see Lake after she has started to heal from her last relationship that turned abusive though he is still a presence that she is dealing. Nick's past is creeping in as well and it's something he doesn't want to deal with. Lake gets invited to a retreat and needs a plus one but isn't sure how to handle that and Nick ends up offering to go with her to help her out and it finally gives them a situation that allows certain things to come to light. I loved watching these two come together and build their solid relationship with their foundation of years of friendship. I loved watching Nick give Lake what she needed in certain situations because he knew her so well. This story pulls you in from beginning to end and was so very easy to read. It flowed very smoothly and had plenty going on. The last chapter that sets up the next book absolutely broke my heart though. I need the next book! I loved Lake and Nick and am super excited for what's coming next.
I really enjoyed listening to the story. The narrators did a great job with it.

Love Nick and Lake

OMG, I love Lake and Nick. I mean how could you not. Growly Alpha meets strong female entrepreneur. Nick feels he's not worthy of her, but I beg to differ with him. When Lake needs him most he's there. No matter what. And that is how you become worthy. Good times and bad, you're there. So dude, take a chill pill and just enjoy your love and time together. Oh and welcome to the Montgomery cult.

Samantha Cook is always a pleasure to listen to and she does Lake justice. Lately, I've been toying with new male narrators. I think this is only the second book I've listened to narrated by Oscar Reyes. Truly a pleasure. He is Nick. Growly and sulky. Kudos.