avid_read's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
cupofteabookblog's review against another edition
5.0
Love this book! Abby and Ryan and both working their way back to life after events in their past. This is a story of finding a new normal and embracing the things that happen in live. Add some amazing chemistry, steamy love scenes, deep love and you have your self an amazing book!
lexee9's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely enjoyed this story! It was great getting Ryan and Abby's story. We get to see and know Abby in the first 2 books in the series and Ryan as well. We know that they both have had hard times. I loved getting to know both of them better and getting to read their story. This book can be read as a standalone novel. You really don't need to read the previous 2 books to jump in and fully enjoy this one. We do get a few little tidbits about the other characters in the series so if you have read the others, it's a bonus. The sex is explicit but not a major focal point of this story. We get to see Abby and Ryan deal with their pasts and learn how to take the steps forward that they need. This was a feel good story for me but it does deal with tragic things. Abby's first husband died and Ryan has a drug addict brother who continually steps in to mess up his life. I liked how the problems were dealt with and handled. They aren't blown over. This was a fairly quick read for me, and one that I greatly enjoyed!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
sweetpea77's review against another edition
5.0
This book was Abby and Ryan. It’s a sweet story and excellently done! I loved it from beginning to end! We met Abby in Hope Restored in Murphy’s story and if you haven’t read it before you might want to before reading this one but you don’t have to just a suggestion. This story had a nice flow and brings the characters you’ve grown to love throughout the Colorado Springs series into the fold as you see them in their story. I couldn’t stop reading it once I began and I loved ever moment. It gives the reader all the feels and you will probably need some tissues but so worth the read! Highly recommend this story to others!
bobosbookbank's review against another edition
4.0
ASHES TO INK is #2.5 in the Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs series. It's also a standalone novella and part of the 1001 Dark Nights series.
Abby is a single mom, looking to build her business and her home in Denver. Luckily, her tea shop is next door to the Montgomery Ink Too tattoo shop. Ryan is a new tattoo artist at the shop. They've had chemistry since Abby and Ryan first met but both have a past that keeps them from moving on. But with a little help from the Montgomery clan, maybe these two can finally find some happiness.
If you follow Carrie Ann Ryan, you may remember Abby from HOPE RESTORED but if not, you can still enjoy this one as a standalone. I want to mention how wonderful it was to see so many characters from the previous books. The Montgomery's are a big bunch and sometimes you can lose track of who's who but it doesn't even matter because you'll love anyone that Ms Ryan writes in the story!
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I'm glad that this book is a novella because if it were longer, I'd still be swimming in my tears. It's always emotional for me to read about a spouse or partner or fiancee who's passed on but again, Ms Ryan does a fabulous job of drawing you into the drama so that by the end you're wrung out but so happy at the outcome. I loved Abby, I think she was incredibly brave and strong to be a single mom, starting a new business. And I loved that Ryan was so, so sweet and considerate of her. This was a swoony couple for me! My only complaint was that I wanted more of a conclusion for Ryan's brother. Maybe a new spinoff series??
Overall, this is a sweet and sexy little read, a feel good story that I thoroughly enjoyed! Told from dual POVs with a happy ending. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
Abby is a single mom, looking to build her business and her home in Denver. Luckily, her tea shop is next door to the Montgomery Ink Too tattoo shop. Ryan is a new tattoo artist at the shop. They've had chemistry since Abby and Ryan first met but both have a past that keeps them from moving on. But with a little help from the Montgomery clan, maybe these two can finally find some happiness.
If you follow Carrie Ann Ryan, you may remember Abby from HOPE RESTORED but if not, you can still enjoy this one as a standalone. I want to mention how wonderful it was to see so many characters from the previous books. The Montgomery's are a big bunch and sometimes you can lose track of who's who but it doesn't even matter because you'll love anyone that Ms Ryan writes in the story!
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I'm glad that this book is a novella because if it were longer, I'd still be swimming in my tears. It's always emotional for me to read about a spouse or partner or fiancee who's passed on but again, Ms Ryan does a fabulous job of drawing you into the drama so that by the end you're wrung out but so happy at the outcome. I loved Abby, I think she was incredibly brave and strong to be a single mom, starting a new business. And I loved that Ryan was so, so sweet and considerate of her. This was a swoony couple for me! My only complaint was that I wanted more of a conclusion for Ryan's brother. Maybe a new spinoff series??
Overall, this is a sweet and sexy little read, a feel good story that I thoroughly enjoyed! Told from dual POVs with a happy ending. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
wickedlyromance's review against another edition
5.0
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I love everything from Carrie Ann Ryan and I admit I am a little behind in this particular series so I jumped at the chance to read this one. I was intrigued by the story line. I didn't remember Abby so I wanted to know what was going on. I am so glad I did and this book led me to go back and read whatever I missed.
Abby and Ryan could not have been better together! Abby is starting over after the love of her life and daughter's father died. Now she is struggling a little to lean on others. Of course being from with the Montgomery's helps with that. They have a way about them that will draw you in. She meets Ryan through that friendship and he has issues of his own. I love the way two people who are friends become more. They need each in ways they don't understand and together they will learn what it means to start over in life. To find what you were looking for even if you didn't know you were looking. This review was originally posted on A Lucky Grace
Abby and Ryan could not have been better together! Abby is starting over after the love of her life and daughter's father died. Now she is struggling a little to lean on others. Of course being from with the Montgomery's helps with that. They have a way about them that will draw you in. She meets Ryan through that friendship and he has issues of his own. I love the way two people who are friends become more. They need each in ways they don't understand and together they will learn what it means to start over in life. To find what you were looking for even if you didn't know you were looking. This review was originally posted on A Lucky Grace
jesbruno's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, the feelings I have after reading this book. If you have read Hope Restored then you know a little about Abby's backstory with Max, well you need tissues because things are about to get really emotional in this book. Fans have been waiting a long time for Abby to find her HEA.
This was such a sweet - I want to say slow burn romance but it only felt that way. I loved how understanding Abby and Ryan were with each other ’s past.
It was great catching up with the other Montgomery’s but I need to know what is going on with Carter and Roxie. Ashes to might be a novella but it didn’t read like one. Thank you, Carrie Ann, for writing this story for the fans.
This was such a sweet - I want to say slow burn romance but it only felt that way. I loved how understanding Abby and Ryan were with each other ’s past.
It was great catching up with the other Montgomery’s but I need to know what is going on with Carter and Roxie. Ashes to might be a novella but it didn’t read like one. Thank you, Carrie Ann, for writing this story for the fans.
beckymmoe's review against another edition
4.0
Reviewed on my Becky on Books, on 1/31/19.
Ashes to Ink is a novella with a sweet romance and two main characters who are learning how to move on from pasts filled with loss and grief. Abby and Ryan are friends first and determined to take things slow--until they both decide that slow isn't what they want. At all. ;)
Neither character here is a Montgomery--Ryan works at Montgomery Ink Too and Abby is a newcomer to their friend circle (though she has a connection to the Gallaghers through her former fiance). If you're new to the MI series, there will be people and situations referred to that you aren't familiar with--since Abby isn't either, though, you at least feel as if you are in good company.
Overall this was a sweet and touching (not gonna lie, there might have been some tears during that epilogue) read and a pleasant way to spend a snowy afternoon.
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Ashes to Ink is a novella with a sweet romance and two main characters who are learning how to move on from pasts filled with loss and grief. Abby and Ryan are friends first and determined to take things slow--until they both decide that slow isn't what they want. At all. ;)
Neither character here is a Montgomery--Ryan works at Montgomery Ink Too and Abby is a newcomer to their friend circle (though she has a connection to the Gallaghers through her former fiance). If you're new to the MI series, there will be people and situations referred to that you aren't familiar with--since Abby isn't either, though, you at least feel as if you are in good company.
Overall this was a sweet and touching (not gonna lie, there might have been some tears during that epilogue) read and a pleasant way to spend a snowy afternoon.
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
elylibrarysec's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Abby is a small business owner that started with her love of the product she sells. Ryan happens to be in the right place at the right time. The author does a good job at creating an awkward moment between two people that seem so unsure of things.
This story is more about the relationship that develops between two friends than where Ryan works. He finds it hard to open up to his friends. We also see that he’s human – he has family issues like a lot of people. What I liked about that was that the author didn’t give us hints of conflict but interweaved it into what was happening with our main characters. Just like in real life, family members that are having a tough time don’t always disappear. Their problems can filter into our lives – it will certainly have you feeling sorry but for whom. I think this is the first book in the Montgomery Ink series that broke my heart.
You can tell that Ryan’s brother wants attention – both from his brother and from us. But our author is good at reigning in the situation. We don’t want our attention taken away from the prize. There are moments where you’ll wonder if the trials that Ms. Ryan has created will be too much for our couple. Hope shines through though; otherwise it wouldn’t be a romance. There’s certainly plenty of heat both the romantic kind and of a pissed off woman. You think Abby is sweet but watch out when she gets mad. Men should never count women out when things seem to go south – we’re tough cookies. We’re good at loving for the long haul. And sometimes the second time around is sweeter. It may be just me but I felt like the author put a lot of emotion into this latest book.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Abby is a small business owner that started with her love of the product she sells. Ryan happens to be in the right place at the right time. The author does a good job at creating an awkward moment between two people that seem so unsure of things.
This story is more about the relationship that develops between two friends than where Ryan works. He finds it hard to open up to his friends. We also see that he’s human – he has family issues like a lot of people. What I liked about that was that the author didn’t give us hints of conflict but interweaved it into what was happening with our main characters. Just like in real life, family members that are having a tough time don’t always disappear. Their problems can filter into our lives – it will certainly have you feeling sorry but for whom. I think this is the first book in the Montgomery Ink series that broke my heart.
You can tell that Ryan’s brother wants attention – both from his brother and from us. But our author is good at reigning in the situation. We don’t want our attention taken away from the prize. There are moments where you’ll wonder if the trials that Ms. Ryan has created will be too much for our couple. Hope shines through though; otherwise it wouldn’t be a romance. There’s certainly plenty of heat both the romantic kind and of a pissed off woman. You think Abby is sweet but watch out when she gets mad. Men should never count women out when things seem to go south – we’re tough cookies. We’re good at loving for the long haul. And sometimes the second time around is sweeter. It may be just me but I felt like the author put a lot of emotion into this latest book.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
arhodes202's review against another edition
5.0
Another amazing Book by Carrie Ann Ryan. This book has all the feels. Heartbreak, hope, sadness, love, happiness. This second chance on love book will keep you riveted. I needed to see Ryan and Abby’s story play out, and I WAS NOT disappointed . I highly recommend this novella.
More...