Title: Cinder & Secrets
Series: Ink & Ashes #2
Author: Melissa Toppen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Best Friend’s Brother/College Romance
Release Date: June 27, 2025
Series: Ink & Ashes #2
Author: Melissa Toppen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Best Friend’s Brother/College Romance
Release Date: June 27, 2025
BLURB
I had a lot of plans for my freshman year of college.
Falling for my roommate’s older brother was definitely not one of them.
Not like I had a choice in the matter.
The second he walked in with that crooked smile and dark green eyes, I was a goner.
But River Parker doesn’t exactly make it easy on me.
One minute he’s acting like he’s just as interested in me as I am in him, the next he’s detached and indifferent.
And to make matters worse, the only person who could give me insight into the man who has completely consumed my every waking thought for months, is the one person he doesn’t want me to tell… His sister—who happens to be one of my closest friends.
I’m stuck in this constant push and pull—unsure of where he truly stands—which only serves to complicate things further. Given that he lives in completely different state and that we’ve only ever actually been in the same room together once in the entire time we’ve been talking, I’d say things are already complicated enough.
But then his sister invites me to visit over summer break and even though I know it’s a bad idea the instant she suggests it, I also know there isn’t a chance in hell I could turn down the opportunity to see River again.
I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when I showed up at his parents’ house without telling him, but nothing could have prepared me for his reaction when he walks in and sees me sitting at the table with his family—or for anything that happens after.
When you stand too close to the fire, you’re bound to get burned. The only question that remains is, will it have been worth it? I guess sometimes, you simply have to endure the pain to find out.
Falling for my roommate’s older brother was definitely not one of them.
Not like I had a choice in the matter.
The second he walked in with that crooked smile and dark green eyes, I was a goner.
But River Parker doesn’t exactly make it easy on me.
One minute he’s acting like he’s just as interested in me as I am in him, the next he’s detached and indifferent.
And to make matters worse, the only person who could give me insight into the man who has completely consumed my every waking thought for months, is the one person he doesn’t want me to tell… His sister—who happens to be one of my closest friends.
I’m stuck in this constant push and pull—unsure of where he truly stands—which only serves to complicate things further. Given that he lives in completely different state and that we’ve only ever actually been in the same room together once in the entire time we’ve been talking, I’d say things are already complicated enough.
But then his sister invites me to visit over summer break and even though I know it’s a bad idea the instant she suggests it, I also know there isn’t a chance in hell I could turn down the opportunity to see River again.
I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when I showed up at his parents’ house without telling him, but nothing could have prepared me for his reaction when he walks in and sees me sitting at the table with his family—or for anything that happens after.
When you stand too close to the fire, you’re bound to get burned. The only question that remains is, will it have been worth it? I guess sometimes, you simply have to endure the pain to find out.
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MY REVIEW
Like a lot of people, Charlotte has had a crush on her friend's older brother, forever it seems. And she's going to seize her chance to have even a little part of him. Now they're texting and burning up the cell phone waves. It seems like a dream come true, but she has to keep them a secret, especially from her friend, and it's not easy. Then he does the worst and she's got to make a decision - move on and live her best life this summer, or fall back into him when he appears at his parents' home.
River's always thought Charlotte was off-limits, and that he was no good for her. But when a spark ignites between them, he can deny himself no longer. The one rule he has is that they must remain a secret, especially to his sister. The longer their thing goes on, the hard he's falling, though. But can something kept to the dark really make it?
Friend's brother is always delicious because of the forbidden nature, and Charlotte and River's chemistry is definitely delicious. But it's their emotional connection that drew me in and kept me reading. Of course he messed up like men tend to do, and that connection took a hit, but they righted themselves, much to my (and theirs) relief. This series is so entertaining, and all the characters and couples are so lovable - I'm eagerly awaiting the 3rd friend, Maisie's story now.
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AUTHOR BIO
Melissa Toppen is a USA Today Bestselling Author who specializes in Fantasy, New Adult and Contemporary Romance. She is a lover of books and enjoys nothing more than losing herself in a good novel. She has a soft spot for romance and all things fantasy, and focuses her writing in that direction; writing what she loves to read. You can find more information about Melissa and her books at melissatoppen.com
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