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