Before I Knew

I loved this little nugget. This novella is a cute and exciting introduction to the Cage Family series. The story is centered around Blake and Aston. I loved the way they meet. It’s funny but it also felt like it was meant to be. I also really enjoyed the interactions between the siblings. Aston and Blake are really likable characters. I enjoyed their banter and their flirting. Threw in a some drama and that ending and I’m hooked and all in. Bring on The Forever Rule! **4.5 stars**

Before I Knew is the perfect novella to start a new series from Carrie Ann Ryan. When Blakely is mistakenly added to a Cage family group chat she keeps chatting with one number. Aston Cage is juggling his family business, family drama and his feelings for the unknown number. They all come together to create a story that I was sucked into. I can’t wait for more for the Cage’s!

I knew that the Cage family was getting their own series next year, which is such a long way off to my impatient soul! So when this little nugget accidentally gif released earlier than expected, who am I to complain?! It all starts with a wrong number in a group text, which quickly turns into the most secret and delicious start to Ashton Cage and Blakely Graves story. I was instantly hooked…not only by the hilarious texting chain from the Cage brothers, but by the sweetness of Blakely and Ashton. What is a fiery little ember in this novella, I suspect will grow into a raging inferno once their full story, The Forever Rule, is released in January. Christmas just came early for this Carrie Ann Ryan fan!

Okay…there was a little ‘snafu’ and this particular novella was released a month or two earlier than expected. But welcome back to Colorado…and the Cage family…and by extension—the Montgomerys. Before I Knew is the novella that introduces us to most of the Cage brothers, and Blakely. Blakely is accidentally added to a family text stream—due one of the Cage brothers just typing in numbers… Yes…one can be ‘accidentally’ added…if someone types in a wrong digit…you’d be surprised. I’ve actually gotten numerous wrong text messages…but that’s a totally different story/post. Back to Before I Knew… So…the premise of Before I Knew—Blakely is accidentally added to the Cage brother’s family text group…she gets numerous giggles out of it before asking to be removed… The ‘presence’ of an unknown figure spikes interest in the oldest—Aston. He starts a separate text ‘link’ to Blakely…and they chat. They get together for coffee…and that’s when Blakely realizes who she had been texting with…and that it’s someone that her boss really, really doesn’t like…not that the bosses opinion should matter. What happens when they ‘bump’ into each other at a charity gala? The phone call that Aston & his brothers get towards the end of the gala? Well…those answers can be found within the pages of Before I Knew. Some more backstory can also be found in two previous Montgomery Ink Legacy books: Best Friend Temptation (Noah, Ford & Greer’s story) and His Second Chance (Kane & Phoebe’s story). The first Cage family book doesn’t come out until early 2025…and I’ll be impatiently waiting for it. I love the interconnected world that Carrie Ann Ryan has created both with the original Montgomery Ink series (and spin-offs) and now the Montgomery Ink Legacy series & spin-offs. So, while I’m waiting for The Forever Rule, I’ll be going back and binge-reading various Montgomery Ink series, spin-offs, the current Legacy series & the First Time series. I give Before I Knew five out five stars…if you haven’t downloaded it—run…get the novella & enjoy a brief visit to Colorado, the introduction of the Cage brothers (again)…and I think possibly even Phoebe’s older sister.

Thanks to Ford’s story, we know the Cages have a lot of secrets. “Before I knew” timeline has some crossover of Ford’s timeline before the Cage patriarch passes away. Aston Cage, eldest brother & big man at Cage Enterprises stakes it upon himself to find out who the person his brother accidentally added to the group chat is and that he very much enjoys the small chat getting to know Blakely. Blakely is smitten when she realizes *the* Aston Cage invited her for coffee & then panic when she realizes he is her boss’s competition. This a good prequel for the Cage family & I can’t wait to see what their story’s hold!

Oh I can’t wait for more of the Cage family! I loved the text banter between the family and of course Blakey and Aston. I’m so excited to see their story play out!!