His Guilty Pleasure (Montgomery Ink Legacy #11) Carrie Ann Ryan

 

His Guilty Pleasure (Montgomery Ink Legacy #11)

By: Carrie Ann Ryan

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕🌗 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Romantic Suspense, Friends to Lovers

Length: 264 Pages

Pace: Medium

Moods: Romantic, Steamy, Entertaining, Wonderful Characters, Suspenseful 

Release Date: October 26, 2026

    His Guilty Pleasure is a very unique twist on the Friends to Lovers trope as the main characters, Aly and Dash, start the story already engaged in a steamy, secret hook-up while at the same time attempting to maintain a public friendship. Neither one is looking for a long term relationship or anything serious. For both of them, it is the perfect 'friends with benefits' situation. As long as they can keep the truth from their friends and family, everything should work out just fine.

    Aly has trust issues. Her entire life she has been abandoned by the people she loves. Both of her parents left her, her father to start another family, her mother to live the high life. Romantic relationships have always ended with her being cheated on. Growing up with her wealthy grandfather, she never got to experience what it means to be loved. After opening her garden center that all changed. When the Montgomery clan needed a new nursery to purchase plants, they decided to make her their main source for everything garden and by extension 'one' of their own.

    Dash has never been in a serious relationship. The most serious he has ever been about anything in his life is his career. It's not that he is opposed to starting something, someday, but for now he enjoys the fact that he can do what he wants, when he wants. The current situation allows him to get all the sex he wants, no feelings, and both parties are free to see other people should they desire. What could go wrong?

What I Loved:

• Dash's Backstory: I love Dash's fathers and the backstory of how he was adopted. I love his relationship with his family. You come to realize that Dash does understand what a real relationship is all about. He knows that he wants that someday for himself. He also understands through the example set by his parents that a real relationship it is something he is not ready for in the here and now. This doesn't make him a 'player' per say, just aware of what true love is.

    I enjoyed Dash and Aly's story. This story laid the foundation for future installments and 'wrapped up' past storylines with a big beautiful wedding. 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.   

Pretend It's Forever (The Cage Family #5) Carrie Ann Ryan

 

Pretend It's Forever (The Cage Family #5)

By: Carrie Ann Ryan

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕🌕 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Romantic Suspense

Length: 264 Pages

Pace: Fast

Moods: Emotional, Easy to Read, Romantic, Steamy, Page Turner, Hopeful, Sad, Entertaining, Wonderful Characters, Suspenseful 

                                                   Release Date: September 8, 2026

    Early in the Cage Family series we were introduced to Sophia and Cale and watched as their relationship evolved from boyfriend/girlfriend to fiance and then husband/wife. Initially, it seemed that something finally was going right for Sophia Cage. After learning that her father had a secret family, she needed something better in her life to hold on to. Unfortunately, things are not always what they appear to be on the outside. As a former prima donna, Sophia understands what it takes to put on a good performance and after two years of a damaged marriage she has learned to do just that. That is until the night everything shattered.

      Carson Woods has had a working relationship with the Cage family for quite some time. If people thought that the patriarch of the Cage family was a no good scoundrel, Carson's dad personifies the saying 'hold my beer'. The man can't even be happy for his two children who have gone on to lead successful, happy lives. Carson was at Sophia's house the night Cale attacked her with a baseball bat, fracturing her body and her career. Since then his protective instinct has gone into overdrive in regards to her and her twin daughters. Neither of them was looking for a romantic commitment but fate had a different plan.

What I Loved:

• Sophia As the Long Game: Sophia and Cale's relationship was introduced very early in the series. Their outcome could have gone in either direction; happily ever after or didn't have what it takes to be successful. Sophia became such a strong person during the telling of her story. 
• The Twins: Sophia's daughters are just too cute. I love the relationship they develop with Carson. He claims to not be a kid person but those two were able to wrap him around their little fingers.

    This story was difficult to read. Domestic violence is not always an easy topic to tackle but it is a real life reality and I am happy that Carrie Ann Ryan is able to bring these subjects to the fore front.

 I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.