Westward is the third book in Carrie Ann Ryan’s Ashford Creek series, and it delivers a heartwarming second-chance romance filled with small-town charm, family connections, and a touch of suspense.
Title: Westward
Author(s): Carrie Ann Ryan
Series: Ashford Creek #3
Also in this series: Legacy, Crossroads
Published by Self Published on July 27, 2026
Pages: 260
Genre(s): Contemporary Sports Romance
Source: Author
Format: eArc
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
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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!**
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This installment follows Atlas Ashford and Elizabeth Carter, childhood sweethearts whose dreams took them down very different paths. Atlas left Ashford Creek to pursue his career in the NHL, while Elizabeth stayed behind to teach at the local high school. Although distance ultimately ended their relationship, they never truly let each other go. Even while apart, they remained in contact, making it clear that their bond had never disappeared.
When an injury forces Atlas to return home to recover, he finally gets the opportunity to slow down. This allowed him to confront the feelings he carried for years. His return also gives him and Elizabeth a chance to explore whether the love they once shared can survive after years of living separate lives.
The story pulled me in from the first page. Atlas’s and Elizabeth’s chemistry felt genuine. I appreciated that they approached their relationship with the maturity that comes from life experience. They didn’t rely on unnecessary drama. Their journey was emotional, believable, and easy to root for.
The supporting cast added depth to the story, but Will was the standout for me. After aging out of the foster care system, he is welcomed into the Ashford family, who give him the love, stability, and sense of belonging he has always needed. His interactions with Atlas and Elizabeth were some of my favorite moments in the book and added another layer of heart to the story.
Ryan also weaves in a light suspense element through the circumstances surrounding Atlas’s return home and Will’s storyline. It never overshadows the romance, but it adds enough intrigue to keep the pages turning.
Overall, Westward is a sweet, emotional romance about first love, second chances, and finding your way back home. With lovable characters, strong family dynamics, and a satisfying romance, this was an enjoyable addition to the Ashford Creek series.
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About Carrie Ann Ryan
Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Wilder Brothers, Promise Me, and Elements of Five series, which have sold millions of books worldwide. She’s the winner of a RT Book of the Year and a Prism Award in her genres. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over one hundred novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.
