I’m just gonna go ahead and apologize right off for all the snark in this review. But I just can’t help it. Some books just bring it out in me.

The following are the random thoughts I had while reading Inked Obsession:

Good grief. Stop using the word growly. I’ve never read a book that used the word growly - or some variation - so much. (FYI 41 times, if you’re curious.)

Good grief. Why do all these people have such large families?!?! Oh yeah. So the author can write a whole series about each of these families. More family members = more books!

How the hell am I supposed to keep track of everyone??? Also, these books are supposed to be standalones, but I have NO IDEA who any of these people are or what their deal is...

Good grief. There are a lot of useless details here. Who all is at this meeting...who all is working out at that gym. Get to the plot already!

Good grief, just tell us what happened already. I’m not a fan of authors artificially creating suspense by constantly hinting about some terrible incident in a character’s past and dragging out the reveal for as long as possible. Thankfully, we only had to wait until 40% to get the hero’s “big” secret. But did it need to be a secret? Nope. Did it make sense for it to be a secret? Also nope. Then we get a whole bunch of “I shouldn’t have kept it a secret” and “I don’t know why I didn’t tell you all” and “You should have told us” and “We’re mad you kept this secret.” Blah blah blah.

Good grief, please stop talking. I usually love dialogue in a story. But there was too much idle chatter, and little of it did anything to move the plot along. Bantering amongst the siblings and friends is all well and good, but not if it doesn’t serve any purpose.

And finally, where was the drama? Where was the conflict? Where was the angst? Nowhere. That’s where. Unless you count what was in their heads. And the heroine’s pseudo issue with her former in-laws - I can’t believe I was actually hoping for some soap-opera level conflict there, but I was, and nope, none. Resolved in the heroine’s head.

I’ve read Carrie Ann Ryan before, but it’s been a long while. I think maybe she’s not for me anymore.

* thank you to NetGalley and Author Collective 20 for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you so much for allowing me to read/review Inked Obsession. I was really looking forward to reading it, but I received my approval for this book on the same day it was being archived so I never even had a chance to download it. I plan to check it out of the library to read and will come back and update the review. I understand you had nothing to do with the timing issue, I just wanted to let you know! Thanks again.

This story has power. It’s an emotionally driven story so you will feel this journey to your bones. This author is really good at her craft, I’ve always said that, but I think she leveled up with Inked Obsession. The tale she wove for Beckett and Eliza had me in an emotional whirlwind for the most part. I wanted to wrap these two in a huge hug and squeeze their personal circumstances right out of them, but in the end, they did it for each other and it was beautiful!

I really wanted to like this one. I’ve heard so many good things about this author from so many people. I simply could not get into it. I tried. I really did try. Clearly not the book for me.

So disappointed I couldn’t get into this one. I got 25% in and still felt no connection to any of the characters. And that’s a must for me. The storyline was good, kind of a forbidden love because Beckett really didn’t want to feel what he did for Eliza.

I’m sure there will be plenty who love this book but unfortunately it wasn’t for me

Inked Obsession is part of the Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins series world by Carrie Ann Ryan but can be read as a stand alone. When men in uniform showed up on Eliza Wilder-Strong’s doorstep, she knew her life would be irrevocably altered. She not only lost her husband, but the future she’d carefully planned. A year later, she’s looking to start over—beginning with a solo healing vacation. Only she never expects to see a familiar, tempting face along the way. Beckett Montgomery refuses to want his little sister’s best friend—especially because she’s a widow. Yet there’s no stopping the connection between them. As the temptation to give in intensifies, so do the reasons they shouldn’t stay together. Painful ghosts from both of their pasts stand in their way and sometimes it’s the living that can haunt you when you’re not looking.

Inked Obsession is a romance that deals with second chances, grieving, secrets, family, lies, and so much more. Fans of the related series and the world Ryan has created will have a head start in understanding the characters and some of the issues the main and secondary characters are going through. However, the new (or sporadic ) readers of the authors work are not left in the dust and can fully enjoy the ride- and it is quite the ride. Eliza and Beckett each have big issues in their lives to deal with, and they seem to only get bigger as the story unfolds. The emotions and complications are high, and I loved watching them discover each other and figure out how to handle it all. The book also holds some of my favorite tropes- friends to more and forced or accidental proximity. I loved these aspects. I also loved the characters and the family and support system they have- and I wish that everyone had that many people in their corner. The amount of drama, hurdles, and danger seemed a bit over the top for me- as I just wanted all these people that have been through so much to have a good day, some peace and quiet. However, fans of the related series know that that is not likely to happen soon, as more Montgomerys and Wilders find their happy endings.

Inked Obsession is an emotional contemporary romance. Fans of the author will definitely want to give it a read.

Inked Obsession by Carrie Ann Ryan is book 2 in the Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins Series. This is the story of Beckett Montgomery and Eliza Wilder. Eliza is a widower who is working to move on and is trying to take a vacation. Beckett to is working to get past something and is trying to via a vacation when they meet. Enjoyed their story and hope to read more from this author soon.

A good story! One to get lost in a few hours...it has it's issues, but overall an enjoyable read that you can get lost in. Best if you've read other Montgomery series books because there is a bit of reference to them but enjoyable even if you haven't and just ignore those pieces at they are not overly relevant to this story.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I have read the "other cousins" books so was excited to see this new batch of characters! Beckett and Eliza were both having issues in their life and were able to support each other through the hard times. Theirs was kind of a slow progression since they knew each other when she was married, then widowed, so the attraction was there but they did not act on it then.

Wow, what a bunch of terrible things happened to both of them that they were struggling to overcome. It really was nice to see that there were men and women who could just be friends and not have a one sided attraction! I also liked that Beckett and Eliza talked out their feelings and what they wanted out of the relationship. It is some times really annoying when there is either no communication or one of the parties decides for the couple and won't talk it out!

I really loved the story and progression of their love and what a great HEA. The only thing that I would have greatly loved would be to know "why" from Eliza's dead husband! I like to know the motivations and thoughts behind the betrayal and there was no answers there so that was hard for me!

Way, great segue into the next book! I will be looking for that one to come out!

Inked Obsession by Carrie ann Ryan is one of the better books in the series. Good writing and characters.

The third star is purely for the ~spicy~ scenes. Most of this book was boring, filled with inner monologues and agonizing over decisions. Also, every single male character growls an excessive amount.

*Thank you to the publisher for this eARC.

Inked Obsession: Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins (Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins Series Book 2)
By: Carrie Ann Ryan

💕📚⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚💕

Second chance to forever!


Oh my what an amazing addition to the Montgomery family tree. In this friendship second chance romance.

Eliza and Beckett, she’s a lot lost after the loss of her husband and he’s keeping secrets. Can these two be just what they need to find happiness.

The writing is flawless, and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shocking moments. I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.


Authors Blurb: The Montgomery Ink saga from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan continues with a second chance romance sure to tug at your heartstrings.

When men in uniform showed up on Eliza Wilder-Strong’s doorstep, she knew her life would be irrevocably altered. She not only lost her husband, but the future she’d carefully planned. A year later, she’s looking to start over—beginning with a solo healing vacation. Only she never expects to see a familiar, tempting face along the way.

Beckett Montgomery refuses to want his little sister’s best friend—especially because she’s a widow. Yet there’s no stopping the connection between them. As the temptation to give in intensifies between them, so do the reasons they shouldn’t stay together.

Painful ghosts from both of their pasts stand in their way and sometimes it’s the living that can haunt you when you’re not looking.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

I enjoyed this book and found the storyline interesting though choppy at times and there were quite a few vague references to things that had happened in earlier/connected books which weren’t explained and were just left hanging. To that end I think this book would be best read as part of the series, it really would enhance the readers pleasure.

I loved the characters and found them well thought out and with depth. Beckett was quite deep and obviously had his reasons, though again this must have been covered in more depth earlier in the series as it’s very much glossed over here.
I felt for Eliza, being very much pushed into a role of widower whilst wanting to actually get on with her life and for good reason, then when the bombshell hit…I felt so bad for her.
I did feel there was a lot of “it’s wrong” thoughts in this book about them getting together, which wasn’t true at all, to the point that each of them apologises for purely complimenting the other in case it was seen as wrong to do so.

I also agree with another reviewer….everybody is growling in this book!! I’m not sure if that’s usual for the author or if she got stuck on this particularly for this book, but it does get really repetitive.

Despite this it was an enjoyable read and I find myself drawn into the ongoing saga of the Montgomery’s such that I will be seeking out the back catalogue

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion

Love, love, love Carrie Ann Ryan's work and the Montgomery's. This book was definitely not an exception. Very well done by Carrie and would highly recommend this to anyone.

I really liked Beckett and Eliza’s story. Both have had traumatic things happen in their past that they are both trying to deal with. Eliza’s is coming up on the year anniversary of her husband’s death. And Beckett is keeping his secret from everyone. This had me hooked from the beginning and surprised me throughout the book. Definitely a good read!

Emotional, Sweet and painful, Inked Obsession is a slow-burn, hefty read.

With so much baggage weighing both Eliza and Beckett down, we get such a unique and insightful glimpse into the characters psyche, their motivations, feeling and fears. It can be heavy at times, but so rewarding.
Trying to navigate their "new normal", after dealing with trauma, these characters slowly bloom into their own and into their relationship and that's a beautiful sight to behold.

4 stars and an unexpected vacation

Eliza has lost her husband and now is adjusting to life as a widow. Beckett has his own trauma to deal with, one that he hasn't been sharing with his friends and family. They've both always been drawn to one another but haven't wanted to act on that.
In all honestly, I wasn't really sure why they thought that they couldn't act on their feelings, it seemed to be taken that as Eliza is a widow, then it's wrong for Beckett to want her. Didn't really follow that one. In any case, once they do get together, no one seems to have an issue with it. They find themselves on holiday at the same place and the more time that they spend together the harder it is to resist the draw between them.
This was quite a sweet romance. They both had a lot to deal with and work through but made a really good couple. I enjoyed following their story as they became a couple.
I haven't read anything by this author before and I'd be more than keen to read more in future. The only thing that I would say that irritated me slightly was that the characters were constantly described as growling. On every other page, someone was growling or growled. It was just a bit much.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.