The Recommended Reading Order for Montgomery Ink
Spanning multiple cities, dozens of characters, and a massive family tree, Carrie Ann Ryan’s Montgomery Ink series is a powerhouse of contemporary erotic romance. At its heart, the series is about family bonds, healing from past traumas, and finding passionate love in tattoo shops, construction sites, and cozy boutique stores. While each book is written to function as a standalone romance with its own happily-ever-after (HEA), the characters’ lives are heavily interwoven. Reading the books out of order will expose spoilers regarding sibling pairings, marriages, and baby news.
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to follow the release progression. Start with the original Denver series, proceed through the regional spin-offs (Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Fort Collins), and finish with the Legacy series, which follows the next generation of the family.
1. The Original Denver Series
This is where the saga begins. It introduces the eight Montgomery siblings, their beloved family business, and the close-knit Denver community. Before diving into the first novel, readers can explore two introductory novellas (originally tied to Ryan’s Midnight Ink world) that lay the groundwork for the Denver shop.
- Ink Inspired (2013) – Prequel Novella (Book 0.5): Follows tattoo artist Shepard Montgomery and Shea Little.
- Ink Reunited (2014) – Prequel Novella (Book 0.6): Centers on Sassy Bordeaux and her complicated past with Rafe Chavez and Ian Steele.
- Delicate Ink (2014) – Book 1: The official starting novel, focusing on the eldest brother Austin Montgomery and boutique owner Sierra Elder.
- Forever Ink (2014) – Book 1.5 Novella: Follows the romance of Brandon and Heather.
- Tempting Boundaries (2014) – Book 2: Focuses on Decker Montgomery and his sister's best friend, Miranda.
- Harder Than Words (2015) – Book 3: Centers on Meek Montgomery and the artist who challenges him.
- Written in Ink (2015) – Book 4: Follows the journey of the youngest sibling, Alex Montgomery, as he rebuilds his life after rehab.
- Hidden Ink (2016) – Book 4.5 Novella: A secondary story focusing on Hailey and her journey.
- Ink Enduring (2016) – Book 5: A boundary-pushing polyamorous romance featuring Maya Montgomery, Jake Gallagher, and Border Gentry.
- Ink Exposed (2016) – Book 6: Explores the deep chemistry and emotional hurdles of Tabby Collins and Alex.
- Adoring Ink (2017) – Book 7: Delves into the connection between Holly and her protective partner.
- Love, Honor, and Ink (2017) – Novella: A celebratory look back at the original couples.
- Inked Expressions (2017) – Book 8: Follows the healing romance of two people dealing with deep-seated emotional scars.
- Inked Memories (2017) – Book 9: Focuses on second chances and fighting for a love that was almost lost.
- Executive Ink (2017) – Book 9.5 Novella: Explores romance in the professional corporate side of the Montgomery businesses.
- Inked Nights (2018) – Book 10: Concludes the primary Denver generation with a steamy and emotional finale.
2. Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs
This spin-off relocates to Colorado Springs and follows the Montgomery cousins and friends who run a rival tattoo shop. The tone remains highly emotional and steamy, focusing on siblings who are initially reluctant to give in to traditional expectations of marriage, only to find themselves falling hard.
- Fallen Ink (2018) – Focuses on Adrienne Montgomery and her best friend Mace Knight in a sizzling friends-to-lovers story.
- Restless Ink (2018) – Follows the emotional connection between a single mother and a protective tattoo artist.
- Jagged Ink (2019) – Explores the tension and mutual healing of two scarred individuals.
- Ashes to Ink (2019) – A second-chance romance about rebuilding life after tragedy.
- Ink by Numbers (2019) – Wraps up the Colorado Springs branch with a high-stakes, passionate finale.
3. Montgomery Ink: Boulder
The Boulder subseries highlights a group of family members who move to Boulder, Colorado, to establish their own roots. It features a mixture of cozy mountain town vibes, workplace tension, and the classic Montgomery protective streak.
- Wrapped in Ink (2019) – The first look at the Boulder shop and its resident artists.
- Sated in Ink (2020) – A high-heat romance involving a protective hero and a stubborn heroine.
- Embraced in Ink (2020) – Focuses on healing and trust-building in the wake of emotional trauma.
- Seduced in Ink (2020) – Explores the boundary between friendship and passion.
- A Very Montgomery Christmas (2020) – A festive holiday novella bringing the Boulder crew together.
- Captured in Ink (2021) – The final entry in the Boulder subseries, dealing with lingering secrets and deep passion.
4. Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins
Fort Collins introduces the final geographic branch of the original generation. Known for their protective natures and hard-working lifestyles, the Fort Collins Montgomerys tackle second chances, workplace romance, and the challenges of letting go of past grief.
- Inked Persuasion (2021) – Explores the spark between two people who try to keep their relationship strictly professional.
- Inked Obsession (2021) – Follows a passionate connection that defies expectations and past promises.
- Inked Devotion (2021) – A high-emotion story focused on family duty and personal desires.
- Nothing but Ink (2022) – A standalone romance that tests the boundaries of trust.
- Inked Craving (2022) – Focuses on two individuals fighting their mutual, inevitable attraction.
- Inked Temptation (2022) – Concludes the Fort Collins branch with a story of emotional healing and redemption.
5. Montgomery Ink Legacy
The Legacy series is a next-generation spin-off that shifts focus to the children of the original Denver and regional couples. This series should be read strictly after the original series to prevent major spoilers about which original characters ended up together and how their families grew.
- Bittersweet Promises (2022) – Introduces the adult lives of the next-generation Montgomerys.
- At First Meet (2023) – A fast-paced romance built on instant connection and family expectations.
- Happily Ever Never (2023) – A novella dealing with unexpected romance.
- Longtime Crush (2023) – Explores the transition from childhood friendship to burning passion.
- Best Friend Temptation (2023) – A classic friends-to-lovers story dealing with high emotional stakes.
- Happily Ever Maybe (2024) – A novella highlighting the doubts and triumphs of next-gen love.
- Last First Kiss (2024) – Focuses on second chances for two people who have known each other their entire lives.
- His Second Chance (2024) – Deals with redemption, co-parenting, and finding love again.
- One Night with You (2024) – A passionate story centered on an accidental encounter that turns into something more.
- Accidentally Forever (2025) – Explores the consequences of an unplanned connection in the modern Montgomery era.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving in, readers should know that Carrie Ann Ryan's writing is highly emotional, character-driven, and contains mature, steamy content. The author frequently incorporates heavy themes such as recovery from addiction, escaping abusive past relationships, physical scarring, and grief. Despite these dark elements, every book guarantees a satisfying happily-ever-after (HEA). If you prefer a lighter introduction, starting with the Denver novellas (Ink Inspired and Ink Reunited) provides a quick, low-stakes taste of the family's dynamic before the heavy drama of Delicate Ink begins.