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


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

We're back in Ashford Creek with the third book in the eponymous series from Carrie Ann Ryan. Westward is a second-chance romance featuring Elizabeth Ellis and Atlas Carter, both thirty-one and childhood sweethearts who broke up, with him going on to become the best goalie in professional hockey and her returning to their hometown to become a high school teacher. When Atlas is attacked and left injured, he knows that the safest place for him to rehabilitate is back home with family nearby and his community supporting him. Elizabeth--his Lizzie--is there as well, and being that close to her could very well be their opportunity to see if there was a way for them to move forward--together. But there was a reason why they went their separate ways, and being a couple would mean making certain decisions. Unfortunately, it looks like someone in the shadows is looking to make a life-altering choice for them.

Ah, I loved this return visit to Ashford Creek! Elizabeth and Atlas may have been exes, but I appreciated the lack of hostility and that neither one engaged in any sort of blame game. They actually had a rather healthy connection post-breakup, which isn't always the norm when it comes to second-chance romances. Both Elizabeth and Atlas led productive lives, and while there was some wistfulness when thinking about their past, they had essentially moved on after the end of their relationship. So, it was quite refreshing to see them still have a relatively strong foundation and far better history than you would expect and build upon it a newer commitment with maturity and open communication. The whole mystery regarding who wanted to harm Atlas felt a tiny bit out of left field, but it wasn't necessarily something that negatively impacted my overall reading experience. Westward brought the five-star feels, and I was totally all for it!

Release Date: 27 July 2026

Date Read: 24 July 2026

Learn more about Carrie Ann Ryan.

Pre-order Westward via Author Direct | Amazon | Apple Books | B&N | Google Play | Kobo. 

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