Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
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 thirty, 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.

342 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2020

280 people are currently reading
3,425 people want to read

About the author

Carrie Ann Ryan

243 books6,162 followers
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, Talon Pack, 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 seventy-five 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.

The Montgomery Ink World contains the following series, though each series is a stand alone and can be read in any order. Feel free to hop around:

The Montgomery Ink Series
The Gallagher Brothers Series
The Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs Series
The Whiskey and Lies Series
The Fractured Connections Series
The Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series
The Less Than Series
The Promise Me Series

Her Elements of Five Series is her Young Adult Romance series while her other series are all adult.

Her Talon Pack series is set in the same world as the Redwood Pack series, only 30 years later.

The Dante's Circle, Holiday, Montana, and Branded Packs series are all individual series as well.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
490 (52%)
4 stars
295 (31%)
3 stars
132 (14%)
2 stars
19 (2%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
Profile Image for Dar.
4,258 reviews88 followers
April 27, 2020
Friends to lovers, a tried and true trope that shows us that love makes you do the wacky! Why you ask? Well, our characters forget everything about being friends, concentrate on the lovers, and then are confused when things start to fall apart. Luckily Marcus and Bristol wouldn’t do that, right? NO, they’ve being doing it for a decade *smh* The greatest thing to help them though is that they have been friends for so long, and the Montgomery’s aren’t really known to be a sideline family, and actually neither are the Stearn’s, Marcus’ family, so they have a whole lot of people who care for them, and about them, as a couple. Now, if at some point we could have a Montgomery family HEA where the hospital is not involved, that’d be great 😉

On a side note, I have become conditioned to always want cheese when reading a Montgomery Ink book now, and I think the books should come with a trigger warning for the lactose intolerant, or maybe we need a lactose intolerant Montgomery, and how they handle the cults, um, family’s cheese obsession!!!
1,554 reviews14 followers
April 27, 2020
One of the best of the series. Bristol and Marcus had been friends since they were 6 years old. At 20, she sort of jokingly said if they were not married at 30, they should marry each other. At 30, they got engaged when his sister over heard them talking about it. They loved each other as friends and loved each other more but were having trouble expressing it to each other. And then there was Colin who payed piano for her at times and was trying to interfere. The story had ups and downs and problems that needed to be talked out. I loved that the Montgomeries just did not know how to not interfere. It just makes you love them more. You have to read the extra epilogue too. It is perfect.
Kudos to Carrie Ann for writing such a wonderful book
Profile Image for All Booked Out.
464 reviews23 followers
May 13, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Embraced Ink is the third book in the Montgomery Ink: Boulder series where we meet Marcus and Bristol. Marcus and Bristol have been best friends for most of their lives. On Bristol’s twentieth birthday they make a pact that if they haven’t married by thirty, they will marry each other. With a solid friendship already established, once they acknowledge the feelings they have supressed for so long their chemistry and attraction are undeniable.

But, some honesty time. I really tried to like the story and the characters but they both didn’t gel well with me. There was so much inner monologue, that it was overwhelming and their constant back and forth with their emotions felt never ending. To be honest, they both frustrated me. The writing was really good, I didn’t have a problem with that at all, just the main characters and their emotions drove me a little bit bonkers. I must say I was intrigued by the other siblings’ stories and wouldn’t be opposed to reading them. Although this story wasn’t really for me, you may really adore this book.

ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
673 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2020
Loved how this book started, 10 years in the past and our first look at the pact Bristol and Marcus made. I have always enjoyed Bristol but this time, all eyes are on her and trying to figure out how to handle the situation when Marcus’s sister overhears something she shouldn’t have. Anytime we get to spend time with the Montgomery family (kind of like a cult, which I loved) is awesome and of course Marcus’s family is right in there as well, along with their match-making mothers. It was interesting to watch these two navigate this new situation they were in and unfortunately Colin had to meddle and cause problems and really go over the top with Bristol. That guy deserves every bad thing that can happen to him. I am glad that Marcus and Bristol finally had an honest conversation and got their feelings out there. These two deserve all the good things and then so much more. Looking forward to seeing what is next for these two as well as what happens in Aaron’s book.
Profile Image for Sarah.
2,104 reviews30 followers
May 20, 2020
Book 3 Montgomery ink Boulder by Carrie Ann Ryan
Bristol and Marcus have been bad since they were 6 but at Bristol’s 20th birthday they promise agree to marry each other if they aren’t with anyone by there 30th birthday.
I love that they keep a close relationship even when they both go there separate ways and eventually end up back together again.
Deep down inside I think they both had feelings for each other but never expressed it until Bristol proposal is over seen by family members and they have to up the fake engagement.
While they were in fake engagement they get very close and very affectionate that surprised both of them.
Absolutely love this author and this series.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,535 reviews
May 7, 2020
I am so excited that Bristol and Marcus finally get their story. They have been best friends since they were 6 and are usually inseparable. Even if the thought crossed their minds, they have never been anything more than best friends, even after a tipsy Bristol decides they need to make a marriage pact on her birthday. It's now her 30th birthday and they each wonder if the other remembers. Now they finally must deal with the unspoken feelings and the fall out from their decision. They handle it in typical Bristol/Marcus fashion, until her obsessive ex comes back into the picture. This has all the feels....friendship, lust, love, guilt....it's just so good!!!
Profile Image for Sue.
1,214 reviews
April 30, 2020
Bristol and Marcus. One of my favorite books in the series. If you love best friends to lovers then Embraced in Ink is for you! I loved it!
Profile Image for Cathy.
504 reviews3 followers
May 5, 2020
Bristol and Marcus are best friends that never want to lose each other. So a promise one day has them engaged years later. They need to work on navigating their new found relationship without ruining what they have always had—their friendship. Yet another enjoyable Montgomery story. This family always brings out all the feelings. Who doesn’t want to be a Montgomery, Iris ink and all. Loved this story. Cannot wait for Aaron’s.
Profile Image for Gladys.
13.2k reviews153 followers
May 5, 2020
This was such a great read that was all about the feels. Marcus and Bristol's friends to lovers story is filled with rich emotions, drama, tension, strong family ties, angst, sweetness, heat and boatloads of heart. A simply stellar romance that packs a powerful emotional punch that will have you swooning. I am of my own volition posting a impartial review.
Profile Image for Sandy.
2,480 reviews9 followers
May 12, 2020
Loved this story of two best friends who find that going to the next step in a relationship is scary and hard. But, it can be so worth it. Don't miss the bonus story to know how it ends.
Profile Image for ZETTER.
1,152 reviews23 followers
April 27, 2020
Word Kept!!!

Bristol Montgomery and Marcus Stearn have been friends for as long as they could remember. Their closeness had family and friends making assumptions about their relationship but they were all wrong (or were they now!?) ;).



Ten years ears ago they make a pormise to each other that they would get married if they were both single when Bristol turned thirty. Well that time has come, the world-renowned cellist would be celebrating her special day tonight. Marcus was stressing out about their bet, wondering if Bristol remembered cause she haven't hinted that she did.



They never wanted to force one another into a marriage of convenience but things kept them from backing out of the deal they made. Now they were engaged and both their families couldn't be happier especially their mothers. Marcus and Bristol knew they had to tell their loved ones the truth.

Her jerk of an ex, Colin wouldn't let her and Marcus alone. She would have liked to never see him again but seeing as both of them were in the music industry. It was kind of difficult. The way her ex kept on coming around her was dangerously unsettling.



Loved how closed both families were. It was great to catch up with old characters, get some mentions/appearances of their Denver cousins. And met some really amazing new characters.

Despite what Marcus and Bristol were saying, their hearts always knew the truth, they loved each other beyond their platonic friendship. They had falling in love over the years and didn't even expressed it until it was nealry too late.



EMBRACED IN INK is the third installment in Carrie Ann Ryan's MONTGOMERY INK: BOULDER series. What an intense, emotional and alluring ride. This series keeps getting better and better with each book. Carrie Ann Ryan did a mind-blowing job! 5🌟🌟🌟🌟

P. S. The dedication gave me all the right kind of feels! 💕

****I received this book, without any obligation to review.****

****Teasers & characters icons courtesy of Carrie Ann Ryan.****
Profile Image for World Of Books 65.
2,955 reviews56 followers
May 6, 2020
I love the big extended Montgomery Family; every character; every book; every story that takes you past the top layer and delves deeper into the people and their lives.

'Embraced in Ink' is no different - this time we look at best friends Bristol and Marcus who have been BFF's since childhood in fact Marcus is an honourary 'Montgomery' already! They know each other inside out; more so than most married couples!

At 20 Bristol and Marcus make a pact if they are not married by 30 then they will marry each other - sounds simple both are good looking people so the pact should never happen right and it was just a silly moment anyway ? Wrong - 10 years later one missed overheard conversations send these two down a path they never saw coming. It should be easy - they have maintained their friendship throughout the last decade - they know each other inside out. But what these two come to realise is that there is a difference between being friends and knowing each other inside out and being in a relationship - especially when communications stop! And not everyone is happy with this so called union either!

I never generally have any nagging thoughts about a Carrie Anne Ryan book - but I am not sure what the benefit of Zia and Bristol being in a relationship within the 10 years was - I understand them being best friends but not sure in this particular book why they had been partners - it didn't really make sense and didn't add anything to the story. Understanding fully in other stories but not in this one!

I was given this book for an honest review!
Profile Image for Stephanie Phillips (Stephanie's Book Reports).
966 reviews102 followers
May 12, 2020
I received a free copy of this book from the author.


Embraced in Ink is third book in the Montgomery Ink: Boulder series but it can be read as a standalone.  This book features Bristol Montgomery and her BFF Marcus Stearn.  They've been glued to each others sides since they were little kids.  During Bristol's graduation party they promised if they weren't married in 10 years that they'd tie the knot. 


So let's fast forward to through those 10 years.  Each coming into their own with their careers.  His as a librarian and hers as a world renowned cellist. Neither are married or in a relationship.  So guess what that means?


They might have talked themselves out of it if it wasn't for one of their mothers overhearing the two talk about engagement and being so excited she told everyone.  Them's the breaks right? 


Do or die time here folks! How hard would it be to pretend you're engaged to your BFF and never have been together as more than friends?  Awkward!  They work on it though. Their feeling are mutual they just need to get that out in the open first. 


Of course it can't be smooth sailing cuz you know Bristol's ex is a pain in the butt and has to try to swing his weight around.  *insert eye roll here.*. 


If you enjoy contemporary romances this author and her books should be on your TBR list.  The Montgomery's especially.  They're a close knit family and help one another tremendously.  It's heartwarming to see each HEA.
Profile Image for Sandy Kelly.
1,239 reviews12 followers
May 12, 2020
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!!
Profile Image for Kari Hansen.
11.5k reviews92 followers
May 16, 2020
Ever since they were children Bristol and Marcus have been each other’s best friend through all the ups and downs that life has to offer. Significant others on both their parts have come and gone but their relationship only gets stronger which is evidenced by the agreement they made ten years ago that if they weren’t married by the time was 30 they would marry each other.

That day has now arrived and neither of have forgotten their agreement but the don’t want to do anything to ruin the friendship they share. A conversation that is overheard leads to their families believing they are engaged so the decision appears to have been made for them.

Everyone in their lives knew that they were destined to be more than friends and now is was time for them to realize it as well. There journey definitely had its ups and down as not only are they facing their own doubts and insecurities, but an outside force is willing to use that to further their own agenda. Bristol and Marcus are compelling characters and it was great to catch up with everyone we know and love from this series as well.
Profile Image for Johnaka- Amity Book Blog.
1,162 reviews16 followers
May 4, 2020
Embraced in Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan
“Friends to lovers, 4 stars”


Bristol and Marcus have been best friends since they were little. They have been there with each other through every phase of life until this point. They lasted through distance, relationships with other people, and everything. But back when they were twenty they made a pact, if not married by the time Bristol turned thirty they would marry each other. The question is, will they go through with it? Will they finally cross the line?
I enjoyed Bristol and Marcus. They didn’t want to ruin what they had, but they wanted to make it more. It was easy but hard all at the same time. Add in some pesky exes and Embraced in Ink had its twists. I love catching up with the Montgomery’s. If you’re a Montgomery family fan, then you will love Embraced in Ink. If you’ve never read them, fear not you don’t have to.
Plot-4/5
Characters-4/5
Heat-4/5
Writing style-4/5
Overall-4/5
Profile Image for Suzi (Obsessive Reading Disorder).
2,190 reviews
May 13, 2020
This is the 3rd book in the Boulder Montgomery saga. This family is cousin to the original Montgomery series. I have read everything this author has written. I adore what she puts out there and she is very prolific which her fans LOVE. This story brings together two best friends and their struggle to be more to each other.

I liked the characters. Bristol and Marcus just get each other. They are easy to be around. There is a little bit of tension and some angst. For the most part it is an light friends to lovers read. To me it was comfortable like I have read this story before. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't fresh.

I enjoyed seeing Bristol's family again. The Montgomery's are always a great crew to be around. I do look forward to reading the last two books of the series.

*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.

Profile Image for Sarah.
582 reviews6 followers
May 14, 2020
Embraced in Ink is Book 3 in the Montgomery Ink: Boulder series by Carrie Ann Ryan. Even though the Montgomerys are a large family with a ton of spin-offs, each story stands perfectly fine on its own.

Marcus and Bristol have been friends since they were little kids. As she is heading out in the world they make a pact that if neither are married by age 30, they'll marry each other. Fast forward to the present day, where they are both now 30 and remain unmarried.

This was an enjoyable friends to lovers story that was jam-packed with drama, fun, awkwardness and a touch of drama. It drew me in from Page 1 and I couldn't put it down. Overall this was an excellent addition to an amazing series!
229 reviews
May 7, 2020
They seem so different yet compliment each other as best friends usually do. However they made a promise, a promise neither was sure they could keep. Bristol and Marcus both afraid the ruin the friendship but both so in love and terrified to say it. To watch these two try to navigate the hard parts while walking on eggs shells was so hard, yet you could help root for them to come out victorious on the other side. I loved the siblings interplay and how protective they are. We say hello to old friends and meet some new ones. This is a great friends to loves to soul mates story!
Profile Image for Liz [reads books].
1,293 reviews60 followers
May 14, 2020
Okay this was my first book by this author. I liked it! These two have been best friends their whole lives and they never thought to make it anything more. But when they do, basically by accident, they're happy to realize that it's so comfortable and real! They're amazed by how easy it is to make that change to their relationship. And that's fun to read about. 4 stars
Profile Image for Rhonda Ziglar.
4,245 reviews41 followers
May 12, 2020
5 BRISTOL AND MARCUS STARS!! Another fabulous book in this author. This is by far my favorite book in this series. This story had all the feels with some angst, sexiness and love. I highly recommend this book and series.
Profile Image for Judi.
1,819 reviews11 followers
May 3, 2020
The Montgomerys are always a One Click for me...

Bristol’s story brings us into the life of a concert cellist. Of course we all think celebrities of any kind have a wonderful life, but I think his tale probably doesn’t show how lonely and isolated they could be. At least Bristol has her family and especially Marcus. This is a beautiful example of a best friend to lovers trope. These characters really come to life and we get to know them intimately. The angst is rampant, the sexy times are smoking hot, and the HEA makes your heart happy. PS, don’t forget the bonus epilogue, it is just the sweetest!
Profile Image for E.M. Reders.
Author 14 books88 followers
May 6, 2020
Another great book. I loved seeing these two find their way and embrace the love they felt for each other, even if they had both buried it deep for years. Excited for Aaron's book now.
Profile Image for Sharon Noble.
2,109 reviews4 followers
April 29, 2020
Bristol Montgomery is falling in love with her best friend Marcus. When Bristol had her 20th birthday, her & Marcus made a promise. That if they where both single they would marry each other. Now it Bristol's 30th & they have to find out what they feel for each other!
977 reviews3 followers
May 3, 2020
I loved Bristol and Marcus. There is just something special about a friends to lovers story. Maybe it's the fact that they have known each other forever and know everything about each other. They have a truely strong friendship that has lasted through all of their life changes. That transition from friends to becoming lovers is never easy or seamless. It really adds to the story.
Profile Image for Xantippi Leska.
619 reviews2 followers
May 4, 2020
I loved this best friends to lovers story of Marcus and Bristol. They loved each other, but seriously lacked communication! Watching them figure out that their love was real was awesome, through all the ups and downs that came with it.
Profile Image for Donna.
4,005 reviews52 followers
May 9, 2020
Embraced in Ink is a feel good friends to lovers tale that will leave you with a smile on your face. Bristol and Marcus are adorable together. I loved this story. This is such a great pairing I couldn’t help but root for them. This book will have you believing in happily ever after.
Profile Image for Karen Fisher.
1,215 reviews9 followers
May 2, 2020
Another great read by this author. So much emotion and heart in this story. Sometimes the lines of communication are blocked. Bristol and Marcus are best friends then that are more and everything falls apart. Such a well written romance with a great ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.