Embraced in Ink

Montgomery Ink: Boulder Book 3

By: Carrie Ann Ryan

Narrated by: Jason Clarke

Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

The Montgomery Ink saga continues with an unforgettable romance where two best friends make a bet that could change their lives forever. 

Bristol Montgomery and Marcus Stearn have been best friends for so long, they sometimes forget when they weren't as close as they are now. While friends and family think there's something beneath the surface of their friendship, the two have always been steadfast in their stance on no heated looks or deeper feelings. 

The problem? Years ago, they promised each other that if neither of them was married by the time Bristol turned 30, they'd marry each other. 

Even though both have long since decided never to force the other into an arranged marriage, circumstances and sheer stubbornness force them to refuse to back out of their deal. 

Now, they're determined to get married - even as dangerous exes and feelings they deny, block their path. 

©2020 Carrie Ann Ryan (P)2020 Carrie Ann Ryan

Embraced in Ink

Narration: I loved the audio performance by Jason Clarke, it was very well done and gave such life to the characters!

Story: Of all of the Montgomery books, I think this one hits in my top favorites. I absolutely love childhood friends to lovers, but throw in this not quite arranged marriage and I am in love. Bristol and Marcus struggle with everyone already thinking that they are a couple when they are only best friends, but as a means to not lose their friendship they decide that if they are both single on Bristol's 30th bday that they will get married, but they must remain friends over the ten years to make sure they aren't marrying a stranger. Instead of bonding them closer this bargain actually strains their friendship as they both try to avoid the possibility of losing each other. I loved the twist with Bristol I honestly didn't see it coming but I am glad in the end it brought them closer together!

Cute friends to lovers romance!

One of the sweetest, most adorable friends to lovers romances ever. Nothing world-shocking or too surprising in how the relationship develops, but this is still a perfect heartwarming comfort-read. The strength of Bristol and Marcus’s friendship is never in doubt, which was nice, though they both have a little ways to go in terms of self-awareness… because of course there’s more to them than friendship. The potential and longing shimmers in the air, but nothing good ever comes easy, does it? Who’ll be the first to confess to deeper feelings, to reach for more but also risk everything they are? To make matters worse, an unexpected darkness creeps into their lives, one they are unprepared to deal with.

Narration: Jason Clarke did a wonderful job with the narration. He has a warm voice that is very pleasant to listen to and brought a lot of emotion to his performance. I liked his range of voices for all the characters and got completely drawn into the story.

not so much here

a couple kind of interesting parts. by far the best part of this story is Jason Clarke. they dragged on and on. previous to this story I thought I could never get sick of hearing "best friends" blah.

best friends

I liked that Marcus and Bristol honored a childhood pact, and they were unsure how to do it all. I was disappointed at the split, but hoped for better. The wicked twist was unexpected, and very impactful. Great ending, because love always finds a way!! I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job bringing it to life.

Loved it

I am loving this Montgomery family series and Bristol and Marcus was such a cute story.
Best friends who were always there for each other falling in love, loved it. Was not that difficult for them to move friends to lovers, but also a lot of things they needed to talk about before, I think. And then there was the little bit of suspense with the danger lurking that you didn't see coming at all

Jason Clarke's narration was as always spot on.

I loved this!

I loved this story! Except for Colin... HATED him..

Bristol and Marcus light each other up! They frustrated me for much of the book because they couldn’t see what everyone else saw. Carrie Ann Ryan write an amazing book, full of love, obsession, uncertainty, and so well written that you could feel every single bit of it... add in Jason Clarke’s voice... and it’s magic!!

@CarrieAnnRyan @Jason Clarke

This book was so very engaging

This was a great friends to lovers story.. I loved the interplay as these two worked out their feelings for one another.

Friends to Lovers!

Bristol and Marcus have been best friends forever and they made a promise on her 20th birthday that if neither were married by the time she turned 30, they’d marry. After being gone for years to follow her dream, the time has come to see if they will stick to their promise of marrying or will they just remain best friends.

You will enjoy this story of best friends to lovers story where Bristol and Marcus finally get their HEA. Jason Clarke does an awesome job narrating.

Friend to Lovers Done Right!

Bristol Montgomery and Marcus Stearn have been best friends since they were little kids. Friends and family always wondered if there was more there, but they steadfastly stuck with the status quo of they were just best friends. On the eve of everything changing for them, they made a bet that if they were both still single at 30, they would marry each other. Neither truly thought it would happen. Now they are both 30, and neither can stop thinking about that bet. Or about what things might be between them if they changed things. And when they make the decision to go ahead and get married, what will that do their friendship?

I absolutely loved this one! Now while this book might be the 3rd in this off-shoot series, it can absolutely be read as a stand alone. I do highly recommend reading the previous books before reading this one, but that is only because you will see all those characters in this book and it introduces these characters as well. This book is not only sweet but it takes you through all the things that can happen when a friendship turns from friends to lovers. And all the pitfalls that may come with it. Bristol and Marcus are not only cute together but they are sweet. They just forget how to do something that most couples learn as they are just starting to date-communicate! This story sucked me in from the start and kept me reading and hoping it would all work out. And I am so glad it did! But now I really need a side story for Zia! Loved it!! The narration is fast paced, no weird or strange accents which always drives me nuts! Jason Clarke has this deep, sexy, sometimes almost growly voice that I loved listening to! Definitely worth a re-listen!

Good Book

This is a good story and I'm excited that Bristol and Marcus finally got their story and happily ever after. These two have been best friends since they were 6. This is a friends to lovers story filled with angst, drama and romance. You need to read this book.

I love these characters

With each book I read/listen to in this series I fall in love a little bit more. They have beautiful hearts and souls. A brilliant performance from Gregory.

Love this

I just wish that I could give this one more stars. It was so good there was humour and heat and characters that you just fall in love with. Carrie Ann Ryan’s books are so much fun and they never disappoint