Genres: Contemporary Romance, Rock Band Romance
Published by Indie/Self Published
Released on July 28, 2015
Pages: 314
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
The Delight
A younger man meets the woman he has been waiting for, but the catch is she is older than him by 12 years. An old soul loving a young soul. They have a lot to overcome, but age is probably the least of it.
Review
Ivy is shocked to hear her husband on the phone talking to another woman he plans to fuck into the next week. She never imagined he had fallen out of love and lust with her. High school sweethearts, they got married when she became pregnant. Going on to build a life, Ivy is devasted to find she has lost the man she was in love with. Reinventing herself, she does things her soon to be ex never approved of. Dying her hair and getting a tattoo seem tame until she meets the man giving her the tattoo.
I’m an outcast. I don’t love much, but when I do, I love hard and fierce.
Lukas is a young man with an old soul. Abandoned by his father and mother, he grew up with his grandparents. Homeschooled, he never really socialized the way a child should be. He grew to love the antiques in his grandparents’ attic. The items tell a story. Older instruments teach him to love music. When his grandparents’ health starts to fail, he takes care of them until they pass. Put into foster care, he has bad experiences that help define him into the man he becomes. Found by his Valentine grandmother, he is brought into the Valentine fold. While music is in his soul, he isn’t the musician that loves touring. He adds a violin sound to Ashes & Embers, while enjoying his freedom to open a tattoo shop with his brother, Vandal.
Ivy’s tattoo isn’t a small one and requires several appointments. Lukas has been looking for the one woman he can love. Right away he is attracted to Ivy but knows she is hung up on their 12 year age difference. He doesn’t see years, he sees her for the beautiful woman both inside and out that could be his family. Taking on a teenage daughter and young son that Ivy is still responsible for. Ivy is attracted to Lukas as well, but she is also going through a divorce from a man she thought she would love forever. Drawn to his old world romance, she goes on dates where they cuddle, they talk, and make out. A slow seduction draws her into believing they meant to fall in love.
I sigh dreamily and look up at the stars in the dark winter sky. “I love the idea of soul mates,” I finally say, squeezing his hand. “To think that there is someone out there that has loved you before, loves you now, and will love you again?
Like with all stories, there are forces that are jealous, vengeful, and evil that will throw kinks into their plans. Distrust forms where none was ever felt.
Lukas drew me right away. This was a man who had gone through some life trials, came close to death, found a family, and has learned what makes him happy. He won’t give in to life’s toxic endeavors for a quick hit of fun. There is a twist towards the end of the story that proves just how committed he is to family. Ivy comes to a crossroads and must learn that family can also be greedy and jealous.
This was probably the easiest story of all to read in this series. Lukas is my kind of guy. Ivy reminds me of me when I was her age. Feeling your marriage slip away, but then finding something exciting can be scary. Can you trust what you feel? A great story to love.
Challenges Met
Reading Challenge #172
Review Writing Challenge #64
Bad Boys of Romance #30
Series That Never Ends #3 – Ashes and Embers
Literary Pickers #56 – Laundry Basket
Books ‘N’ Tunes #32 – Waiting for a Girl Like You by Foreigner
Series
About the book
Lukas BY CARIAN COLE
A thirty-six year old mother of two finds out life isn’t over after divorce when a sexy as hell twenty-four year old tattoo artist kisses her senseless one night under a shooting star.
Ivy thought she had it all–married to her high school sweetheart, two great kids, and a beautiful house. But her world comes crashing down when she catches her husband with another woman.
When her best friend gives her a gift certificate to a local tattoo parlor to cheer her up, Ivy gets a helluva lot more when inked-up Lukas Valentine–renowned tattoo artist, violin player extraordinaire, and extreme hopeless romantic–captures her heart.
Lukas is an old soul with a heart of gold. When Ivy walks into his shop, he’s instantly drawn to her shy smile and down to earth personality. Tired of the dating scene, Lukas is ready to settle down, and he’s hell-bent on making Ivy believe they can have the happily ever after they both dream about – with each other.
Despite their age difference, the chemistry and love they share is undeniable. Lukas is everything Ivy never knew she wanted in a man, but can she trust her heart with a much younger man, and can they overcome the hurdles that life keeps throwing in their way?
** Lukas can be read stand-alone
** Vandal is a dark romance with light BDSM. This book deals with death, grief, deception, substance abuse, depression, and graphic sex. If this is not your thing, you can skip this book and move onto the next in the series and you will not be lost or miss anything in the series. Can be read stand-alone as well. **
Preview
About Carian Cole
I have a passion for the bad boys, those covered in tattoos, sexy smirks, ripped jeans, fast cars, motorcycles and of course, the sweet girls that try to tame them and win their hearts. My debut series, Ashes & Embers, follows the lives of rock band members as they find, and sometimes lose, the loves of their lives.
My first novel in the Ashes & Embers series, Storm, was published in September of 2014, and I have lots of books planned for this series. The All Torn Up series is a spin off series, but all can be read standalone, and out of order.
Born and raised a Jersey girl, I now reside in beautiful New Hampshire with my husband and our multitude of furry pets and spend most of my time writing, reading, and vacuuming.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2020 - Bad Boys of Romance Challenge
- 2020 - Books N Tunes Challenge
- 2020 - Literary Pickers Challenge
- 2020 - Never Ending Challenge"
- 2020 Review Writing Challenge
Latest posts by Shari (see all)
- Review: Love and Let Die by Lexi Blake - March 24, 2021
- The Book Report October 2020 - October 31, 2020
- Review: Asher by Carian Cole - October 21, 2020
- Afternoon Delight Review: Loving Storm by Carian Cole - October 20, 2020
- Review: Talon by Carian Cole - October 20, 2020
I haven’t heard of this author, but this book sounds truly amazing, and I definitely love that old school song from Foreigner! Hope everyone is doing well this Monday! Hugs, RO
She was a new to me author that was recommended by another author I follow. I fell in love with this world so I had to read the series. Thanks, Ro P – still dealing with issues with my mother and we had to start cleaning out her house which is really sad.
I heard about this author but I haven’t tried any of her books yet
All of her books seem to take on some very deep problems.
That is a big age split and it will naturally have some bumps. But totally worth it for love!
Evil ex’s and teenagers give them a run in this.