Review: Hearty by Carrie Aarons (The Ashton Family #4)


Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author.

I've been looking forward to reading Evan Ashton and August Percy's story ever since it was clear that she had a bit of a crush on the youngest Ashton sibling. I also felt that she deserved a happily-ever-after, especially considering the hints that her home life was far from ideal. Hearty is the title of the fourth and final Ashton Family series, and it's a roommates-to-lovers romance. If you've read the previous books, then you'll know that August left Hope Crest, Pennsylvania after receiving a college scholarship and that Evan returned to their hometown prior to her leaving after a bit of badgering from his family in hopes he would take the helm in the family-owned Hope Pizza. Four years after August's departure, she's back. Burdened by everything her now-departed mother has left behind, August realizes what was supposed to be a quick trip to Hope Crest was going to be a longer stay. It also means being in close quarters with her unexpected roommate--Evan. Tensions are high and not just because of the chemistry between them.

This was such a nice way to close out the Ashton Family series. Any and all issues were wrapped up in one form or another, including Evan's with his family, particularly his father. Being the chef that he was and their pizza place being set in its ways, there's been some conflict for some time. I was also happy to see August not only become more mature but also have her own share of breakthroughs, especially when it came to asking for and accepting help from those who were closest to her. There were a couple of times where I would have wanted a bit more in terms of detail, but these two main characters got the happily-ever-after that they had been working towards. I also loved seeing the Ashtons become a more solid family unit, and having all four siblings paired off and their parents enjoying their retirement and the fact that their children were all content did my heart good. I'm going to miss Hope Crest and this family, but I don't think I could have come up with a better ending for all of them. Four stars for Hearty.

-------------------------

Read my reviews for the Ashton Family series:


Bittersweet (book one) - five stars - My Review

Honeyed (book two) - five stars - My Review

Sizzle (book three) - four stars - My Review

Hearty (book four) - four stars - My Review (posted above)

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Release Date: 26 April 2024

Date Read: 25 April 2024

Learn more about Carrie Aarons.

Pre-order Hearty on Amazon.

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