The Forever Rule (The Cage Family #1)
by: Carrie Ann Ryan
Blurb:
Blakely
The moment I met Aston Cage, I knew my life had changed. A single dance later, we’re both all in. Until he ghosted me.
Then my boss fires me for dancing with the enemy.
Three months later, working for the Cages is my last resort. Now I’ll work beside him day by day, trying not to let my feelings take control. It’s heaven and hell. Except I’m starting to think there’s a part of this story I’m missing…
Aston
I made myself walk away from Blakely after my family’s dirty laundry hit the news. My father’s secret family complicates everything. In order to keep our inheritance intact, we’re forced to do monthly dinners with both sides of the family—the brothers I grew up with and the new set of siblings we never knew about.
An additional obstacle: Blakely is my new sister’s best friend.
Meaning the moment I give into temptation, I not only risk the woman I’m falling for, but the family legacy just starting to reveal itself.
But Blakley is worth it. I just have to prove I am as well.
Themes: Contemporary
Rating: 4.25 stars
Heat Rating:
Review:
Finally we are going to get the full story of the glimpse we got in His Second Chance where Pheobe’s world was shattered and Ford’s family became a whole new challenge. Carrie Ann Ryan teased us with the truth of this story and we have been wanting to know everything for a while, but never let is be said that the wait wasn’t worth it. If you read the prequel to this series (Before I Knew) you were somewhat prepared for what was coming for Aston and Blakely, but the emotional drama and pain that Aston has to work through in order to give his heart fully to Blakely is no joke. I have to say that I really loved this story and Aston’s whole crazy group of siblings which is sure to give us a nice long running series to enjoy right alongside those sexy Montgomery’s. Honestly, I am begging to feel like I’m really missing something by not having ever been to Colorado, because the men there just seem to be beyond belief and if Carrie Ann’s boys are anything to scale by I need to get right on planning a trip for me and my girls!
Blakely Graves has reached desperation after two months of unemployment, after being fired from the job she hated by her jerk of a boss, just because of a dance she shared with his enemy. She had a short moment in time connecting with the sensual and enigmatic Aston Cage, but when tragedy struck his family and he never called her again and her life blew up because of their time together, she promised herself she’d never think of him again. But now she has to go to his company for a job, even if she won’t be working for him directly. Aston never stopped thinking of the beautiful Blakley, but his life has changed so much in those two months and he didn’t allow himself to give into his desire for Blakely or to look her up again. Not realizing how his influence has affected her life, Aston is surprised to find her now employed by his brother but being around her daily is affecting him in surprising ways and soon he is unable to deny the pull that has always been there. Aston and Blakely are unable to resist one another and soon begin an affair, but the intensity and depth of their feelings for one another is terrifying and when challenges arise Aston falls back on his instincts of running or pushing he away. Can Aston accept the feelings he has for the sexy woman that has stolen his heart and found a place in his family or will he find himself proving his dick of a father correct and being forever alone?
Wow what a story and I just loved all the tangled relationships this story wove together and shared. To begin not only do we have all the siblings learning about one another and finding their footing, but you also have friendships, both lifelong and newer that cross lines and weave this group of people into an interesting and puzzling collection of overachieving adults. Blakely has been one of the women that has been forced to settle for far too long; she’s settled in her job because she liked the work, even if she hated where and who she worked for (boy can I relate to that), she settled in relationship, and she is finally done with it. Meeting Aston and having her life implode teaches her that she is worth so much more and she finally decides to standup for what she wants in her professional AND personal relationships, so when her new coworkers, friends, or boyfriend steps out of line she is quick to correct them. Blakley is intelligent, sweet, giving, caring, and I loved seeing her relationship with Isabella which was obviously as much as a sister bond as any of the others Isabella had. Even when her heart was breaking, Blakley stood up for what she knew she needed in life and refused to let anyone treat her as less than or hurt her intentionally. Aston I have to say was an ass for far too much of this story, even when he wasn’t being arrogant, because he was just trying to take far too much on his shoulders that was not his responsibility. He definitely suffers from eldest child siblings, and learning about even more siblings did NOT help that problem, but when Blakely comes into his life he finally is able to relax and find some happiness. He is strong, witty, proud, loving, and cares sometimes just too much about those he considers his responsibility, but there is no doubt that when he finally allows himself to open his heart he gives it fully. I wanted several times to knock him senseless, but when he finally pulled his head out, he proved why is such a great big brother and is able to carry on his shoulder such a successful business.
Blakely and Aston’s story is one that has definitely been long in the making, and will set the stage for a long and interesting series, but The Forever Rule definitely will shine as an example of two people finally opening their hearts and accepting that sometimes all you need is love to heal a shattered heart. Aston’s life has changed forever with the death of his father, especially when he learns a devastating truth about the man that he has always shaped himself after, living by the rules he set down and modeling himself after him. Aston’s new reality will take a lot of time, support and change to accept, but ultimately the one thing that finally allows him to move forward is the love of the woman that really shows him the way he should be living and the beauty of love. Blakley knew that meeting Aston would change her life forever, though she didn’t imagine it would come in such a drastic way, and when she is back in his orbit and forced to interact daily, falling in love with him doesn’t take much, but trusting him to not break her heart is a whole other story. Together they have to decide how they will build their lives and their future and what lesson in life are truly worth learning and keeping in your heart. The chemistry and connection these two have shared from the very beginning is evident until the very last page and I cannot wait to see this in future stories as the rest of the Cage’s find love and drama (boy that setup for the next book leads me to believe it’ll be a doozy). As usual Carrie Ann Ryan leaves us salivating for what will come next but I’ll tell you this, These Cages might just be even more interesting than the Montgomery’s (gasp, yes I said it!) and I for one cannot wait!
*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was provided.
