The Cage Family series #5

Carrie Ann Ryan

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Sophia Cage doesn’t need a protector—she needs a night to pretend her world didn’t splinter. After her world burned, she found herself a single mom, a struggling dance studio owner, and unable to do the one thing that had brought her out of the darkness.

Dance.

When Carson walks into her life, all she can see is the broken person she’d been when they’d first met. She’s stronger than the ghosts of her past, at least that’s what she tells herself. Yet with each accidental encounter with the mysterious and dangerous man who’s inserted himself into the Cage family orbit, she’s finding it harder to walk away.

Carson Woods doesn’t trust people. He’s spent his life protecting his sister from their family and the world all while making sure his businesses are the best in their fields.

Then he meets her.

One wrong move with the shattered yet pieced together Sophia could not only fracture his working relationship with the only friends he has but harm the woman he tells himself he cannot crave.

Sophia Cage has lived in fear, and is on the other side rebuilding her life with her twin daughters. Running her dance studio now that her full time performance days are over, she leans on her family when she needs to, but loves seeing her students build their skills. She isn’t done with her ex though, as the lawyers are still working through custody decisions. She doesn’t want her daughters to have to see their father, but since he never threatened them, she can’t keep them away forever.

Carson Woods works with the Cages and was there the night that Sophia’s world shifted forever. He hates that he reminds her of that night when they meet again, but is in awe of her strength. He isn’t a relationship kind of guy, but finds himself drawn to her and her daughters, even as he tells himself (and her brothers) that he isn’t interested.

I loved the way these two found the way behind the other’s walls. Carson is immediately protective of both her and the girls, having seen what she left behind. He may not want a relationship, but he wants her and he wants her safe. She just wants an escape from her reality for a little bit, and why not with the man who is at least good enough to be friends with her family. Even though she doesn’t trust her own taste in men, she figures he won’t hurt her simply because of the connection to her family.

There were some predictable bits to this story, but also some great twists that had both characters evaluating what was important to them. The Cage family has overcome so much over the course of their series, and while their father’s machinations are no longer keeping them together, the bonds they built while exercising the conditions of his will have formed a unified, cohesive group of adults who love and care for each other and rush surround any sibling that needs help (from either branch of the family).

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Wilder Brothers, Promise Me, and Elements of Five series, which have sold millions of books worldwide. She’s the winner of a RT Book of the Year and a Prism Award in her genres. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over one hundred novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.

When Joe Mitchell launches into space, the world is watching. It’s 1968, and the country waits with anticipation and excitement for another successful mission, another celebration as America sets its sights on the Moon. And then comes the knock at the door.

Joe Mitchell’s spacecraft has lost contact. He and his fellow astronauts onboard are feared to be dead. It’s his wife Vivian’s worst nightmare come to life, her grief suddenly taking center stage as the nation waits and mourns. In her quiet moments, Vivian relives their memorable story, unable to accept that this is the end to a love that felt as though it was written in the stars.

As the investigation surrounding Joe’s lost spacecraft intensifies and the mishap is written off as an operator error, Vivian is determined to clear her husband’s name and uncover the mystery of what happened in space. When someone starts sending Vivian messages—messages she believes only Joe could send—she begins to wonder if their love is stronger than space and time, and she’ll do whatever it takes to bring her husband back to her.

Vivian is poised, driven, and so very reasonable. Falling in love with a pilot was not what she saw for herself, but when Joe Mitchell walked into that bar it changed the trajectory of her life. They balanced each other and became a safe place for the other. But his job meant she had to give up many of her dreams and she struggled to find her direction - a compromise she was fully ok with as long as she had him. When his space shuttle, in an attempt to be the first manned shuttle to the moon, lost communication with the ground, everyone feared the worst. Everyone except Vivian who held out hope that Joe would fulfill his promise to always come back to her. As the days progress, the world moves on, but Vivian begins getting hints that Joe is still out there somewhere.

I started out feeling like this echoed if Interstellar was a love story between a husband and wife rather than a father and daughter. The science-y, time-travel vibes had me guessing about what was happening through the story, reimagining my predictions along the way, but always hoping it would get a similar end as Interstellar.

My heart broke so many times for Vivian. In the dual-timeline story, her past is revealed as we watch her fight and grieve in the present. Her grief is not only present in the later timeline and she has faced more than her share of sadness in her life. But the way she faces each of her losses has shaped her into the woman who fell in love with Joe, as well as the woman who stands up after he goes missing.

The Interstellar vibes I got early on the book had my fingers crossed for a similar resolution to the book. I loved the direction it went though, and though it didn’t end the way I hoped so badly, I loved the possibilities that were left in the end. The way it ended was such a perfect path for Vivian and her character development throughout the book. Ultimately, this is Vivian’s story, rather than the story of a couple.

While I would classify Vivian and Joe’s beginning as a romance, the book was so much more than their romance. The historical details make it feel like it could have been part of the real space race history, but Joe, Vivian. Frank, and Polly are the real focus. This book pulled me in from the beginning and didn’t let go. I stayed up far too late at night trying to finish, while also wishing I could slow down and savor the story. I highly recommend it!

Chanel Cleeton is the Cuban American New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of many novels, including Reese's Book Club pick Next Year in Havana. Originally from Florida, Chanel studied in London where she earned degrees in international relations and global politics. In law school, Chanel discovered her passion writing novels and embarked on a new adventure following her lifelong love of books.

𝑪𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒅𝒔

Carrie Ann Ryan

Ashford Creek #2

When Kiera West needs a place to hide from the media and her ex, she never thought Bodhi Ashford—the man the small town of Ashford Creek once thought a murderer—would be her salvation.

The reclusive, bearded, mountain man has secrets of his own and with one growl, she knew she’d be safe. Sure, he might only talk to her to ask who hurt her, but at least the quiet will let her heal.

When the elusive drummer from one of the biggest rock bands in the world shows up on Bodhi’s doorstep, he needs her to leave yesterday. As soon as he sees the bruises, he knows she needs to stay.

A fire took everything from him once, and the town he thought he could trust turned on him before he could grieve. Falling for a woman in the spotlight is the last thing he needs.

Yet it might be the one thing that could save them both when the darkness of their pasts finally catches up with them.

**Crossroads is a rock star, widower, second chance, small town contemporary suspense in the Ashford Creek series featuring Bodhi and Kiera. Each one can be read as a complete standalone. A HEA is guaranteed!**

I picked up a groom on the side of the road on the way to a wedding.

One problem: I wasn’t the bride.

And he didn’t mean to run away.

Sometimes things happen for a reason and six months later, I’m back in Clover Lake and Sharp McBride is single, not-so-heartbroken, and my new best friend.

Only neither one of us wants to be just friends.

I don’t know where his heart belongs, and I don’t want to be the person to break what’s left. Yet I’m only in town for a short time and I’m not sure I’m made for small time life.

And if we’re not careful, this time I might have to be the one who runs away.

Jamie is Austin & Sierra’s daughter from Delicate Ink

Accidental Runaway Groom is a sweet, quick story. Jaime Montgomery is visiting her cousin in Wyoming but finds a man stranded on the side of the road. Learning he was late to his own wedding, she drives him into town where that kind gesture gets her labeled a homewrecker and a cheat.

Sharp McBride didn’t mean to leave his bride at the altar, but he is taking the fall as the bad guy in the breakup of his relationship.

These two start out as strangers and develop an easy friendship through the connection between her cousin and his brother while Jamie is on an extended visit. The casual flirting heats up quickly but though they have the chemistry, the end of Jaime’s visit is ever looming.

This was a fun story to read between characters that felt right together. There were moments when the jumps between events felt super fast (which yes, happens in shorter stories) but some of the jumps took me out of the story for a moment each time. I loved these two together and wanted more of their story! They were so cute together.

NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan is the author of over 150 contemporary and paranormal romances where the characters yearn, break your hearts, and make you swoon. If there’s a family of six brothers who need HEAs, she’s your author.

The last words I said to my best friend were “I trust you”. Then the world went dark, and I nearly lost everything.

While my best friend’s little sister lost even more.

I promised him that I’d take care of her—but if he knew my current thoughts when it came to Harper, he’d have never trusted me.

She’s too young for me. Too bright to my shadows. And too tempting.

Now I’m stuck in our small town, and I can’t escape her. I’d rather hide in my cabin, restoring what was once lost. Only Harper won’t let me.

I’ve already held onto more secrets than my family knows. I don’t know if I can keep what I feel about her secret too.

She sees beyond my scars and anger, and I know she hides her own just as tightly.

When one kiss changes everything, there’s no going back—even if it shatters everything in our wake.

This is another solid story for the extended Cage family.

Dorian has kept himself apart from his family since the plane crash that left him injured and killed his best friend. He is hiding at his oldest brother’s house less, but working on the old cabin his father left him keeps him fully occupied and apart from many of the family gatherings. The final thing he promised his best friend was that he would take care of his sister, Harper.

Harper doesn’t have supportive family left since Joshua died. She is at home in Cage Lake, and the town has rallied around her, but it isn’t the same. Her bakery is taking off and keeps her busy from morning to night though. In the way of little sisters, she grew up with a crush on her brother’s best friend, one she wouldn’t act on because Dorian is so much older than she is.

Before the accident, Dorian promised to always look out for Harper, and between his own healing and avoiding town, he hasn’t done a very good job of it. But when he steps up to help her out, he never expects to find himself falling in love with his best friend’s little sister.

I loved watching these two navigate their grief, their friendship, and their growing romance. The pace of their development is perfect, given their history and the way they lean on each other (when Dorian finally stops avoiding her). It was a perfect blend -- not to fast, not to slow -- and once they started admitting their feelings the heat rose quickly.

It felt like there was more of a focus on the characters’ own healing in this book, rather than on facing an exterior threat or conflict. Navigating the grief, the age gap, and their own secrets kept them focused on each other and their relationship rather than worrying about outside influence. I loved the way this focused more on the things that were right in front of them.

This is the third in the Cage Family series and each one keeps getting better. I love how the extended group of siblings has solidified their bonds, bringing the two sides of the family together with a common goal and mutual understanding. I also love how they welcome and bring in each new partner as the siblings settle down. As always, I look forward to the next installment in the series, as the breadcrumbs that have already been dropped have me curious!

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Wilder Brothers, Promise Me, and Elements of Five series, which have sold millions of books worldwide. She’s the winner of a RT Book of the Year and a Prism Award in her genres. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over one hundred novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.

Wilder Brothers #10

Carrie Ann Ryan

Four years ago, I promised my dying wife that I’d do one thing: I’d move on.

And I knew as I took that oath, I would break it.

Then I saw Rory. The woman I’d met on one of my darkest nights, and the woman I can’t ignore. Our one night is a secret we swore we’d never tell.

When I see her, I see a glimpse of what could be in the fire in her eyes.

When she sees me, she sees the grumpy, annoying Wilder brother wh could shatter her dreams and her heart.

With one stolen kiss, we both know we have a choice: to keep running or finally give in.

Only when she suddenly finds herself the guardian to her two nieces, the world crumbles around us once again. She needs to protect her family, and I know I can’t let her do it alone.

The pull between us refuses to go away, but now I’ll have to choose which promise to break. And if I’m strong enough to be the final Wilder to fall.

**Endlessly Yours is a single guardian, widow’s second chance, one night stand romance in the Wilder Brothers series featuring Brooks and Rory. Each one can be read as a complete standalone. A HEA is guaranteed!**

Brooks Wilder lost his wife four years ago, but promised her he would find love again. He is struggling with that promise and had all but decided he wasn’t going to keep it. Until Rory. They met a year after his wife’s death and had a single night together. It was only later they learned there was a connection between them that would have them seeing each other again.

Rory is a book illustrator and works from home and wherever she is. When her nieces become her wards, she has to scramble to make a home for them, and of course the Wilders are right there offering support, encouragement, and in the case of Brooks, a place for her and the girls to live.

These two were fun to watch, not only because they fought their feelings for so long, but also because they were both dealing with various forms of grief in their own ways. Brooks was grumpy and grumbly, but was soft at his core, despite his hard exterior. (And the way he was with Rory’s nieces shows that soft heart perfectly!)

The addition of the girls to this story gave a present day focus for the grief that both characters were feeling. While both girls handled their own grief differently and allowed the Wilder’s into their lives in different ways, they were a bridge for all the feelings the main couple had been holding onto for so long.

While this is the final Wilder Brother novel, there is still so much from this world that Carrie Ann Ryan has created. I always look forward to her extended and found families for the connection and heart that runs through all of them.

He left me with a note.

Weston Caldwell and I had two months together. Two months of intense heat and plans for our future. Then one day he left me sleeping with a note and never turned back. I closed off my heart and my dreams after he left and promised to take care of my family, never trusting love again.

So when I am forced to head to my family’s small town for protection, I never expect to turn around and see the man I loved.

I want to walk away and never look back, but when I find out he left for a heartbreaking reason, I’m not sure what to think. The chemistry between us hasn’t gone away—if anything it burns even brighter.

But my life is in the city and his is in this small town that draws me. Between his siblings, the town itself, and my new found family, walking away might break me.

Only Weston isn’t the only secret from my past. And it turns out, if Weston and I aren’t careful, we could lose everything before we find our second chance.

They had two heated months together before he left with only a note. Eight years later, Isabella has closed herself off to love and is in need of a place to feel safe again. The extended Cage family rallies around her and sends her to Cage Lake with a temporary assignment and to recuperate. She never expected to run into her ex in town, nor did she expect for their chemistry to be as strong as it was all those years ago.

Weston had his reasons for leaving quickly and quietly when he left Isabella and the city. When he finds himself face to face with her again, he jumps into protector mode, something that is part of who he is at his core. As they continue to bump into each other in the small town, they have to face what split them apart all those years ago, as well as the reason Isabella needed to leave the city at all.

This is the second Cage family novel and I loved watching as this extended and blended family learns how to be a cohesive unit despite the actions of their father. There was far less family dynamic based drama in this book, but the Cage’s are still learning how to be a blended family and still dealing with the stipulations of their father’s estate. Though the big reveal is over, the Cage families are meshing in a way that promises a rich and ever changing dynamic for future books.

This was a book full of love, regret, and emotional healing, with a huge focus on what it means to find home. The second chance, found family aspects, gave the story a lot of heart. I loved seeing Weston’s siblings influence his actions, as well as the way the Cages rally for Isabella. These extended family novels make me wish I had the same kind of huge, tight family that are on the pages, if only for a short time until I would need my space again! I can’t wait for more from the Cages. There are a lot of single siblings left and I look forward to watching each one fall!

In the world of romance, Aria Montgomery knows two things for sure:

She’s not in love with the man everyone thinks she is.

And she refuses to let herself love Crew McTavish.

Her former best friend is spiraling, and her photography career seems to be standing in her father’s shadow. Aria knows she needs to find her way out of the darkness. Yet she’s afraid if she allows Crew inside, he’ll not only take over—but he’ll get hurt in the process.

Crew McTavish enjoys being the mysterious friend of the Montgomerys. They may joke that he’s dating his way into their family one-by-one, but in the end, it’s only one Montgomery he wants: Aria.

Their pull to one another is inevitable and once a line is crossed, the heat between them ignites.

Only his family’s dark secrets threaten to pull him down and when Aria is threatened, Crew will stop at nothing to protect her.

Even if it means watching the world he’s built burn.

Aria Montgomery and Crew McTavish spend a lot of time together and a lot of time arguing or bickering over something. Aria also spends her time convincing her friends and family that she isn’t in love with her best friend, a man struggling with addiction who only shows up when he needs something.

Crew has been friends with the Montgomery family for years, even dating at least 1 member of the family (though other think that number is higher). They welcomed him in with open arms when he needed a place to belong. His own family is very different and he loves the way the Montgomerys are. Though the family jokes he is dating around to pick one, he knows the only Montgomery he wants is Aria.

Crew is from a very dysfunctional family and as we get glimpses into the abuse he faced and faces from his parents, it is a wonder he turned out as amazing as he is. He hides a lot about his family from the Montgomerys, fearing they wouldn’t understand, and I couldn’t help but love Aria harder when the curtain is pulled away and she sees what Crew deals with when he is not with her family.

The family thinks these two can’t stand each other, but it’s all an act to keep each other at a distance. Aria is struggling a lot with the direction of her career. Crew sees her talent and nudges her in small ways to explore what she loves. I loved his protective streak, and the way he really hears Aria when she talks about things.

This was an emotional enemies to lovers story with strong family dynamics, overcoming obstacles, and relying on help in times of need. I always love the way the extended Montgomery family comes together, and while sometimes a map is needed to follow the connections between characters, what is never lost is the love they have for each other and the lengths they will go to in order to ensure the ones they love are happy.

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Wilder Brothers, Promise Me, and Elements of Five series, which have sold millions of books worldwide. She’s the winner of a RT Book of the Year and a Prism Award in her genres. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over one hundred novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.