Westward (Ashford Creek #3) Carrie Ann Ryan

 

Westward (Ashford Creek #3)

By: Carrie Ann Ryan

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Second Chance Romance, Sports Romance, Fiction

Length: 260 Pages

Pace: Fast

Moods: Emotional, Easy to Read, Romantic, Steamy, Page Turner, Hopeful, Sad, Entertaining, Wonderful Characters 

Release Date: July 27, 2026

    Carrie Ann Ryan wrote the story that I needed most right now in my life. Having recently experience a difficult loss in my family, Westward both got me out of my head and provided story that I could relate with. Atlas Carter and Elizabeth Ellis experience the second chance romance I was looking forward to reading and as always, Ryan provided all the good feels necessary.

Synopsis:

    The small town of Ashford Creek was where Elizabeth Ellis knew she would always return. After graduating college, she moved home to teach and provide assistance for her elderly parents. She was all they had in life and even though that meant the end of the long term relationship shared with her high school sweetheart, Elizabeth was willing to make that sacrifice. Growing up with her parents was difficult, they were never mean or unkind but they never truly related to current trends, that was where living in a small town was a benefit. Elizabeth could rely on her friend's parents to step in and act as a buffer between her and her parents when they couldn't relate. When Elizabeth learns one of her graduating students is struggling, she doesn't hesitate to step up and help him out, even if that means she finds herself in a whole world of danger. 

    Atlas Carter is somewhat of a small town hero. After graduating college he was drafted by Portlands' professional hockey and became an all star goalie for the NHL. This meant giving up on his one true love. Even though they parted ways, Carter always knew Lizzie was it for him. After a difficult season, he decides to return home to spend time with his family and to ponder a very difficult life altering decision. Atlas is getting older and his body is not able to endure what it once could. The bigger question is is Elizabeth willing to wait just a little longer to start the life they have always dreamed of?

What I Loved:

• Second Chance Romance: Second chance romance is an easy story to dive into. The characters already now each other, they have a history, the storyline jumps in where they left off. It doesn't take long to get to the steamy aspects of the book.
• Elizabeth's Heart: Elizabeth is everything a small town should be like. People there for people. By now we all know that Ashford Creek has a history and not all of it is very good. As a teacher Elizabeth wants to see her students be successful and if making small sacrifices will help she is willing to do what is needed.
• Atlas' True Love: As a professional athlete Atlas had every opportunity to be a playboy. Don't get me wrong, he had his fair share of relationships but Elizabeth was always his one true love. She waited for him, he waited for her, proving they were always meant to be.

I devoured this book in no time. It was such an easy storyline to slip into and enjoy. For most of the book I truly felt what Atlas and Elizabeth were enduring, my heart broke in some places, and in others I cheered them on. Since they ended their relationship on good terms there was never an enemies to lovers aspect; it was always about their second chance.

 I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.                                            

Available for purchase:

Amazon

The Lion and the Deathless Dark (Crowns of Nyaxia #5) Carissa Broadbent

 

The Lion and the Deathless Dark (Crowns of Nyaxia #5)

By: Carissa Broadbent

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy, Paranormal

Length: 560 Pages

Pace: Medium

Moods: Emotional, Easy to Read, Romantic, Steamy, Page Turner 

Release Date: August 4, 2026

    The end of the Crowns of Nyaxia series is coming to a close. Carissa Broadbent is beginning to pull the strings from each duology tighter to bring every plot, every storyline to it's final conclusion.

Synopsis:

    Kyrene remembers what it was like before the sun fell. Since that time her life has been torn apart, family members lost to the vampires, nothing is as it was. For the past ten years she has wielded her sword as a bounty hunter for the goddess of justice, hunting both the souless and vampires alike.

    Septimus is a prince of the bloodborn vampires. He is looking for a way to end the curse that has impacted his people for hundreds of years. Septimus seeks vengeance just as much, if not more than Kyrene. When the two come together to fight a common enemy, a relationship develops that neither expected.

What I Loved:

• Nyaxia: I love the continuation of a story that I have followed closely from day one. Admittedly, I am also sad that I know the end is near.
• Kyrene's Backstory: Kyrene has so much depth of character. Throughout the book we learn about her struggles since the war between humans and vampires began. Her pain and suffering jumps out at your through the pages. It is difficult not to empathize with her past and what she has lost.
• The Curse: I enjoyed the history behind the Bloodborn curse, learning about Septimus's backstory, what makes him who he is, and the how the curse humanizes him. He can come across as uncaring at times, but you learn that is a cover to protect himself and his family.

I understand that every good story must come to an end. I am excited to see how Carissa Broadbent closes out this amazing series. Every chapter has been unique with amazing world building, character development, and mythos. The Crowns of Nyaxia is a series I can see myself re-reading again and again.

 I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.                                            

Available for purchase:

Amazon