Review: Westward (Ashford Creek #3) by Carrie Ann Ryan

Westward (Ashford Creek #3) by Carrie Ann Ryan is NOW LIVE!

https://carrieannryan.com/books/westward/#order

Tropes you'll love:
🏒 Hockey Romance
❤️ Small Town Romance
💔 Exes to Lovers
🥰 Right Person, Wrong Time
💕 Second Chance Romance

Atlas Carter has it all.
One of the best careers in the NHL as a star goalie.
A family that sacrificed everything to get him where he is.
And a small town that praises him as their golden boy.
What he doesn’t have is the girl he left behind.
But when Atlas gets hurt and is forced to spend his recovery in Ashford Creek, he finally has a second chance.

Elizabeth loves her life—her small town, her family, and her job.
Only she knows she can’t love Atlas Carter.
They parted ways for a reason, and those who judge her from her town don’t need to know the truth. She knows what it feels like to have the town’s eyes on her when it comes to Atlas Carter. So when she finally gives in, she’s prepared for the heat.

At least that's what they both tell themselves. Because the season is almost here and choices will have to be made.

Only they aren’t the only two forced to make a choice. Somebody doesn’t want Atlas to return…and small towns keep their secrets for a reason.

**Westward is right person, wrong time, hockey hero, small town romance in the Ashford Creek series featuring Atlas and Elizabeth. Each book can be read as a complete standalone. A HEA is guaranteed!**

MY REVIEW

Elizabeth is content with her life here in her small hometown. She could have gone with her first (only) love, Atlas, when he chased his hockey dreams, but she couldn't leave. She's built up a good life, a career, friends, and her family, but she knows deep inside that something's missing. Then her missing piece comes back home, and they fall back into their familiar, loving rhythm. Is it possible it's finally the right time for her and Atlas? Or are they doomed to never be on the same page at the same time?

Atlas isn't like a lot of his fellow hockey players. He only has one woman who's ever been in his heart, and he hasn't spent his time since he left her behind sleeping with anything that moves. Elizabeth is his first and only love, it just wasn't the right time for them before. But now that he's back in their town, he's going to make sure she realizes it's their time. He just has to survive whoever wants to kill him, and make a decision about his career.

It's so good being back in Ashford Creek again. This time it's Elizabeth and Atlas' second chance, and damn is it sweet! There's a connection that hasn't dimmed no matter the years apart, some suspense and mystery, and family and friends in a small town that has both its positives and negatives, especially for our couple. Elizabeth is amazing - she was so strong, withstood all the contempt she got for breaking up with the town golden boy, and was willing to give him another chance, when a lot of people understandably would never have given him that chance. Atlas, yay, for once a hero who wasn't a player on and off the ice, kept his heart for only one very special woman. And then the family and found family, especially Elizabeth's special student, the one she protected and took in when she realized he needed someone. I've been loving this small town series, and I think I just found my new favorite couple. Atlas and Elizabeth deserved their hard fought for second chance, every sweet, delicious word of it.