Crossroads

Ashford Creek #2

by Carrie Ann Ryan

When Kiera West needs a place to hide from the media and her ex, she never thought Bodhi Ashford—the man the small town of Ashford Creek once thought a murderer—would be her salvation.
The reclusive, bearded, mountain man has secrets of his own and with one growl, she knew she’d be safe. Sure, he might only talk to her to ask who hurt her, but at least the quiet will let her heal.
When the elusive drummer from one of the biggest rock bands in the world shows up on Bodhi’s doorstep, he needs her to leave yesterday. As soon as he sees the bruises, he knows she needs to stay.
A fire took everything from him once, and the town he thought he could trust turned on him before he could grieve. Falling for a woman in the spotlight is the last thing he needs.
Yet it might be the one thing that could save them both when the darkness of their pasts finally catches up with them.
**Crossroads is a rock star, widower, second chance, small town contemporary suspense in the Ashford Creek series featuring Bodhi and Kiera. Each one can be read as a complete standalone. A HEA is guaranteed!**

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Romantic Suspense, Friends To Lovers, Second Chance Romance, Fiction, Contemporary

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 20, 2026

About the author

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, Talon Pack, 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 seventy-five 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.

The Montgomery Ink World contains the following series, though each series is a stand alone and can be read in any order. Feel free to hop around:

The Montgomery Ink Series
The Gallagher Brothers Series
The Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs Series
The Whiskey and Lies Series
The Fractured Connections Series
The Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series
The Less Than Series
The Promise Me Series

Her Elements of Five Series is her Young Adult Romance series while her other series are all adult.

Her Talon Pack series is set in the same world as the Redwood Pack series, only 30 years later.

The Dante's Circle, Holiday, Montana, and Branded Packs series are all individual series as well.

Reviews

[Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crossroads, the second book in Carrie Ann Ryan’s Ashford Creek series, delivers another engaging small-town romance. This is a story about two hurting souls—each surviving a painful past—who slowly discover the healing power of love.

Bodhi Ashford’s life was shattered when he tragically lost his wife and children. As if that wasn’t enough, many residents of Ashford Creek blamed him for their deaths, leaving him to live a reclusive and deeply isolated life. Everything begins to shift when Kiera West shows up on his doorstep, forcing him to confront the demons he has carried for far too long.

Kiera, the drummer for the popular band Wildfire, comes to Ashford Creek hoping to stay under the radar while dealing with her own issues. Bodhi isn’t thrilled about having her so close—until he notices the bruises. Instantly, his protective instincts kick in. From there, the story takes readers through a myriad of emotions, making it a compelling and heartfelt journey.

Watching Bodhi push past his grief, open his heart, and give love another chance is truly rewarding. The restoration of his friendship with the fire chief was another touching moment. His past, including patriarchal abuse, tested him but ultimately strengthened him.

Kiera is a talented musician who made a terrible choice in her previous relationship, and she carries both physical and emotional scars because of it. She and Bodhi complement each other perfectly. Their love story unfolds with patience and sincerity—they truly take the time to know each other before becoming intimate. And when they finally do, the chemistry is undeniable.

Their path is far from smooth. Threats from their pasts resurface, bringing danger right to their doorstep. But together, they face it all and earn the happy ending they deserve.

Overall, Crossroads is a moving and satisfying read—filled with heart, resilience, and a romance worth rooting for. A solid four-star story that leaves you eager to return to Ashford Creek.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crossroads

This story, another Ashford Creek story is truly an emotional experience. So full of drama, suspense, abuse- both physical and emotional, and dealing with the unfortunate issues of drama from townspeople and fans from past life experiences. This story will truly make you want to reach out and hug those involved, and be angry with some for their judgemental behavior. A beautiful story about two people who find themselves attracted to each other and learn to open their hearts.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carrie Ann Ryan writes small-town angsty romantic suspense like nobody’s business, and Crossroads is proof. Keira and Bodhi both carry so much heartbreak — each shouldering the weight of the world — and watching them slowly dismantle the walls around their hearts is everything. Through past and present trauma, they become a united front, and you just want to wrap them both up and let them yell and scream through all of it. Gut punches and humor woven together perfectly. This one hits

[Nikenya Rodney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about two broken people who find love together. Bodhi is a reclusive mountain man who loves solitude. He lets Kiera stay in his cabin so that she can heal from an attack. They end up falling in love and learning that the best things can happen when you just live. I loved them.

**I received an advanced copy of this book for free and I am voluntarily leaving this review.**

[Denise Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carrie Ann does it again! I’ve been sucked into another (generational?) series that I’ll happily devour &ask for more. Her characters are real people with quirks (& kinks) that remind us what good books should be about. There’s drama, heartache, joy & the good stuff… you know what I’m talking about. I’ll be looking for book 3 in the series as soon as it hits the press.

[Krystin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was decent overall. Romance was a little rushed, but it was super emotional (like Jason Clarke’s narration performance was so realistic at one point, he had me crying.)

BUT the inner monologues of both MCs were sooooooo repetitive with the “it can’t last” dramatics that I honestly almost DNF’d.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Universal

Kiera's running from her abusive ex, and lands in a friend's cabin. Except the cabin isn't actually free, and belongs to a man who hates her (she thinks). But she was wrong about Bodhi, wrong about his feelings, and wrong about the real cause of his behavior. She'll soon find that the man she thought hated her has very different feelings for her.



Bodhi has lived with the grief and the guilt from losing his wife and kids to an arsonist's fire, and the community around him has never been on his side. Then Kiera somehow ends up staying with him. Now he's starting to feel a lightening of his immense pain, and it's all because of the woman who took his brother's place in his band.



Bodhi and Kiera's story is a heartbreaking journey filled with pain and grief, but healing and love in the end. I wanted to hug Bodhi every time he visited his family at the cemetery, every time he felt like he couldn't keep going with the guilt living in his soul. And I was so glad Kiera came along, because she was the one to bring about his healing, freeing him from the pain he'd been living with for so long. But not just for him, but for herself, because Bodhi did for her what she did for him - helped her heal. I adored this couple who fought so hard for their love, for their happiness. They had to surmount so many obstacles, and deal with so much heartbreak, but it made their happiness in the end that much more beautiful.



ARC provided by the author for an honest review.

Review: Live Through Books Blog.

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[Linda Ketter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crossroads is book 2 in the Ashford Creek series and follows Wilder drummer, Keira, as she falls for Bodhi, the twin brother of Malcolm the drummer she replaced when he was killed.

Bodhi is one of the fated Ashfords. There are mysteries surrounding his mother's disappearance. His father is an alcoholic and is abusive towards everyone. He, and his family, have endured so many hardships. Years ago he lost his wife and children in a house fire. Then the townsfolk blamed him for his family dying. Then he lost his twin in a terrible bus accident while he was on tour with his band, Wilder. He has been a lonely mountain man ever since all of his losses. It was a way for him to hide away and avoid the people who blamed him and the ones who felt sorry for him.

Keira is living the dream. Or is she? She replaced the wildly popular drummer in the world famous rock band, Wilder. The band has accepted her, but not all of the fans have. Her family disowned her years ago because she would not fall in line. Instead, she became a drummer in a rock band, got multiple tattoos and multiple piercings. She has found if difficult to be taken seriously because she is a woman in a man's world.

When Keira arrives in Ashford Creek, she is escaping from her worst nightmare while needing time to heal. Bodhi has no idea she will be staying at his little cabin since Teagan is the one wid vho made the arrangements and he has not spoken with her recently. When he finds Keira, he is ready to kick her off of his mountain. Until he sees her.

Bodhi does not know who hurt Keira, but he knows she is hurt. Physically and mentally. She is scared, but she is also concerned about putting anyone else in danger. But he will not let her leave. He has full security so she will be safe from whoever hurt her.

But when threats start coming at both of them unexpectedly, Keira is ready to run to protect her friends and Bodhi is unwilling to let her run.

Keira is more of a loner in life. Her family is completely dysfunctional. I have no idea how she turned out so grounded and responsible. Sadly, her choice in men has not been the best. She knows that she and Bodhi are only temporary, but I think she forgets that life happens and things change.

Bodhi's past makes my heart break. No one should ever have to deal with everything he has had to deal with. After what happened, he avoids town. And why should he make an effort when the people who were supposed to be there for you actually blamed you?

Besides the love story, there are two things that I really loved about this story.

The first is that the support and privacy given to Keira. She is a rockstar. But the town believes in giving everyone their privacy. People come to this town to unwind and relax. They make sure to protect their privacy. No pictures, no social media posts.

The second is that Thatcher and Bodhi are able to put the guilt behind them and rebuild a relationship. What happened was horrific and they both have the scars as a constant reminder. The scene at the grave was moving and opened the door for more.

I have always loved Jason Clarke's voice. It is soothing but strong and full of emotion. And this story is so full of emotion he was the perfect narrator to play Bodhi. CJ Bloom brings out all of the guns as Keira. Her strength and her vulnerabilities. This book is so full of emotion and both of these narrators bring it.

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC & Audiobook Review

When I read this story about 3 weeks ago, it had a huge impact. I wasn’t prepared for the impact that listening caused! 🎤Jason Clarke performing Bodhi. That’s it. That’s the explanation. #wow That’s not to take away from the incredibly talented 🎤CJ Bloom and her performance as Kiera, but yeah, Jason #fucking Clarke! Obviously, he stood out for me, but if I’m honest, they both did an incredible job, and they did “something” to this story thru their performance that just made it explode. I can say that because I read it, but listening was a whole other level of magnitude. The story felt electric and as the circumstances were unfolding, I felt the kind of anticipation you feel that makes you jittery for the next scene! Theoretically, that shouldn’t have happened because I already knew the next scene, but here we are … All audiobook junkies are in for a heck of a ride. Enjoy!

When I read Legacy (the first book in this series) back in January of this year, I learned that Carrie Ann Ryan had a talent for writing contemporary romance fiction on the fringe of romantic suspense/mystery fiction. And as I devoured the first four books in The Cage Family series a few months later, I began to realize that she likes connections in her worlds and I have a bit of an OCD brain when it comes to my reading and get twitchy when I feel I should “know” something. Well, after Crossroads, I just threw up my hands and said “okay, so starting at the beginning it is” LOL I don’t know where the “beginning” is exactly for me, But I do know that it will be worth it. Before now, I’d only read/listened to a scattering of different novels by Carrie Ann, and I can tell she has grown in her writing tenfold and that makes me super happy because I’m about to invest serious time! :)

What can I say about Crossroads? Well, it’s heartbreaking but also extremely uplifting. The circumstances behind both Bodhi’s and Kiera’s very heavy baggage are heartbreaking. So heartbreaking that I found myself crying for what was and what had been at every turn from the very beginning. In equal measures, the “light” that they both provided for each other allowed them each to fight out of their darkness, to overcome and heal. Their relationship and character growth was beautiful, hopeful and uplifting. Two people more deserving of a HEA I’d be hard pressed to find (in the world of fiction that is lol). Carrie Ann created these two characters and their journey and honestly, it was flawless. I can’t say that the suspense/mystery didn’t come with some predictability, but just as it was with Legacy, it also came with a few surprises and a lot of blinking on my part! PROPS FOR THAT!

THANK YOU once again to Carrie Ann & Bookcase Media for not just an ARC of Crossroads, but also the incredible Influencer Package!!

Sidenote: Atlas’s story needs to release like yesterday! K,tks.

[Heather M Jones-Lancto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕🌕 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Small Town Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Suspense

Length: 334 Pages

Pace: Fast

Moods: Emotional, Suspenseful, Easy to Read, Happily Ever After, Romantic, Wonderful Characters, Steamy, Page Turner,

Release Date: April 20, 2026



Carrie Ann Ryan has brought together two of my most loved series in Crossroads; 'The Wilder Brothers and Ashford Creek. This story is so much more than a romance, it has elements of a suspense thriller. I was sitting on the edge of my seat wondering which direction the story would take.

Synopsis:


Bodhi Ashford has been something of a mystery man. A recluse, living alone on the edge of town, only associating with those who stood by him in his time of need. Accused of murdering his wife and two young children, some town members still believe him to be guilty. To make matters worse, his twin, Malcolm died in a tragic bus accident while on tour with the rock bank Wilder. One can only wonder how much more one person can endure.

Kiera West is a unicorn. She is a female drummer; a really good one. When the opportunity presented itself, she auditioned for the rock bank Wilder. Now she finds herself in a difficult position. She is hiding from an abusive and violent ex-boyfriend who is threatening her life and her career. When a friend offered her to stay in an isolated cabin outside of Ashford Creek, she jumped at the opportunity. Unfortunately, the cabin is owned by a man she believes hates her for taking his brother's place.

What I Loved:

Bodhi Ashford: A man who has had to overcome great loss. The love of his life and his two children murdered in their own home. He blames himself for not being able to rescue them. He lives with the knowledge of how tragically they suffered. To make matters worse, he lost his other half, the person he began life with, his twin brother. If anyone deserves a win, it's Bodhi.
The Wilder Brothers and Ashford Creek Connection: I absolutely loved the Wilder Brothers series. It was unique storytelling with some amazing storylines. I get the same feeling when I read any story in the Ashford Creek series. I am really looking forward to future installments.
Suspense/Thriller: My general philosophy is if it's a book I can and will read it but I tend to fixate more towards romance and fantasy books. I have recently begun to include suspense/thriller novels in my rotation. Crossroads hit a lot of positive points for me. It is really everything I love about reading.
Wrap Up:
Bodhi and Kiera are both wonderfully likable characters. I felt so much ache over the loss they both have suffered in their lives. It would be extremely hard to not root for them to get the happy ending they both deserve.

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

[Trish- Late Knight Luna Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Audiobook Review**

It’s only book two in this series and I’m in love with Ashford Creek. “Crossroads” is an emotional, romantic and action packed widower/rock star, second chance at happiness small town romance that was a great addition to the series.

Kiera West needs a place to hide and Ashford Creek is the perfect place for that. The town is small and people keep to themselves. She also finds herself in a cabin on Bodhi Ashford’s property much to his displeasement. Bodhi has been by himself since his family was tragically killed in a house fire set by a serial arsonist but there were people in the town that blamed him. Bodhi was convinced that he would never be happy again but there is something about Kiera he can’t stay away from because she is healing like him. As they get to know each other, feelings start to develop even though Kiera is staying there for only a brief time. And when her past promises to find her, Bodi promises to protect her no matter what.

From the moment I started this audiobook, I couldn’t stop listening. I was instantly pulled back into the Ashford Creek world and loved being back. Kiera is someone I was instantly drawn to from the beginning. She was the drummer for Bodhi’s brother’s band and had that link to the Ashfords. She had gone through something scary with her ex and needed the time to heal. Bodhi had been living with the guilt of losing his wife and young children for too long and blamed himself when he had nothing to do with it. There were people in town that blamed him for it and that weighed on him more than it should. Both were broken in their own way and needed the time out on the property and each other to heal. Bodhi was protective of Kiera from the start due to the ties to his brother and how she showed up on his property. But she’s independent and wants to thrive on her own while healing. But they helped each other in more ways than one and I loved how they became a couple. Once they gave into their feelings, the steamy scenes were so good and really showed their connection. I loved the action of Kiera’s past coming for her and how Bodhi and her new friends protected her. The ending was great and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Jason Clarke and CJ Bloom narrated this audio and they did a fantastic job bringing this story to life. Jason’s narration was protective and emotional just like Bodhi and I loved how he wasn’t afraid to bring all of those feelings out in his narration. CJ was amazing as Kiera, she brought her caring and strong personality alive perfectly.

[Brianne C · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Widowed MMC
-Friends to Lovers
-Smalltown Romance
-Romantic Suspense 
-Rockstar FMC
-Who hurt you?
-Touch her & 🔪 

Carrie Ann Ryan is one of those authors that you know she will take characters, find all the ways to pull her readers heart strings and not have us able to put a book down until we get to the end if it.. well enter the chat is "Crossroads". This book is Bodhi and Kiera's storyn in the Ashford Creek series and is the second installment and when I say I devoured it; I started it Thursday and finished it Saturday morning. 

Carrie Ann writes stories that are so much more than just a book, its a world of writing where we as readers get a trip into her mind and make her characters truly come to life. 

Bodhi is your on the outside german shepard but inside a golden retriever with walls up that he just wants to be keft alone in his mountain solace. The level of grief and guilt he feels is written with so much heart and emotion, that I cried more than a handful ofntimrs reading this book because Inread it during a time where grief hits me harder this time of year. Its like Carrie Ann Ryan knew I needed thus book to navigate the darkness; that the light is at the end of the tunnel- just give it time.

Kiera runs from her darkness and finds her way to Bodhi when honestly i think he needed it most. Her situation nesded the escape and how her resilence comes through black and white on my kindle screen really showed the growth of her character as a second chance love story unfolds. She came to the place where the one person who loved her first would always be there for her to naviagte the demons they both have and doing it together gives them a chance to find the light together. She becomes the phoenix all woman strive to find while navigating the trauma she endured and it makes her a beautiful character to read.

There is so much plot development and character build in "Crossroads" and the title of this book could not be anymore perfect for how this story comes to life.  

They are both at a crossroads in their life and together they navigate it.

I was given another opportunity apart of Carrie Ann Ryan's hype team to read "Crossroads" as an advanced readers copy with no obligation for a review(CAR-you know @gimmecoffeeandsmut always gotchu).

[LeMiliere · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is written voluntarily after listening to the audio version of this book.

I loved this poignant, heartwarming, and deeply moving story about Bodhi Ashford and Kiera West, two people who have deep emotional scars, both hurt, bruised, and damaged by their past loves. She is the female drummer in Wilder, having taken over following the death of Bodhi's brother. They are drawn to each other when Kiera tries to escape the limelight in the small town of Ashford Creek. Following a nasty breakup from her abusive ex. She is staying in a remote cabin belonging to Bodhi, hiding and trying to recover from injuries sustained at the hands of her ex.

Boghi is a widower who lost his wife and children in a dreadful fire where he himself sustained dreadful burns while trying to save them. He's become reclusive and keeps to himself, working with his hands producing beautiful furniture; he mostly avoids contact with the townspeople, some of whom wrongly accuse him of being a murderer. He wasn't looking to find love and never dreamed that Kiera would bring out his protective instincts or make him want to feel again, but from the beginning, the mutual attraction they feel is hard to ignore, even though neither one of them is willing to acknowledge it.

Kiera’s ex and her addict sister have left her with serious trust issues, and Bodhi is still grieving the loss of his family; for both of them, the thought of moving on seems impossible. But as they spend time together and share their pasts, their relationship deepens even though both know that their time together is running out, as Kiera has to go back to her life as the drummer for Wilder, and Bodhi’s life is in his hometown of Ashford Creek with family and a few close friends.

From the beginning, this emotional rollercoaster tugged on my heartstrings. Bodhi and Kiera have both experienced so much loss and pain, but somehow they found the courage to lower their walls and allow their hearts to feel love again. Their road was far from smooth, but it did eventually lead them to their HEA.

The wonderful narration of CJ Bloom and Jason Clarke made this incredibly moving story even more heartwrenching and heartwarming. They brought every single character to life so well.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything was supposed to be a quiet escape into the mountains… and instead I got bruised hearts, buried secrets, and a man so fiercely protective I’m still not emotionally recovered. Like… sir, who gave you permission to be this intense?

Carrie Ann Ryan’s Crossroads is that kind of story, and thank you to the author for the gifted copy that completely hijacked my reading schedule and my emotional stability.

This book doesn’t tiptoe in—it arrives. You’re immediately dropped into Kiera’s chaos, and it’s not the glamorous rock star kind either. It’s raw, shaky, and painfully human. She’s not just hiding from the media or a messy ex—she’s trying to piece herself back together in a world that keeps demanding more than she has left to give. And then there’s Bodhi Ashford… the town’s whispered-about “monster,” the recluse with a past carved in grief and fire. This man doesn’t do people. He barely does words. But the second he sees Kiera? Something shifts—and suddenly silence becomes protection, distance becomes tension, and every small moment between them feels like it matters.

“He was beautiful. Beautiful, and yet rugged and jagged in a way that belied that beauty.”

Excuse me while I frame that and stare at it like it personally attacked me.

What I loved most is that this isn’t a glossy, perfectly packaged romance. It’s layered. It’s hesitant. It’s two people learning how to exist again—separately and together. Kiera brings this quiet resilience, this softness that isn’t weakness but survival. And Bodhi? He’s all rough edges and unspoken devotion, the kind of man who doesn’t say much but does everything. The way he shows up for her—no spotlight, no performance—just steady, unwavering presence? Yeah… that got me.

And let’s talk about the vibe for a second because it’s doing a lot in the best way. You’ve got that cozy, small-town backdrop that feels almost too peaceful… until it’s not. There’s a thread of suspense running underneath everything, like a storm you can hear before you see it. You know something’s coming. You feel it in the pacing, in the tension, in the way certain moments linger just a little too long. And when it hits? It hits.

“I’ll even leave the house for you, babe.”

The bar is on the floor and somehow this man still managed to raise it.

This is for the readers who crave emotional depth over surface-level sparks. If you love a broody, gruff, secretly-soft mountain man, a heroine reclaiming her voice and her power, and a relationship that builds slowly but sticks—this is absolutely your lane. It’s friends-to-lovers energy wrapped in second chances, with just enough danger to keep your heart rate slightly elevated the entire time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

By the end, I wasn’t just invested—I was all in. These two didn’t just fall in love… they fought their way there, and it felt earned every step of the way. And now I need to know—are you here for the quiet, healing kind of love… or do you prefer your romances a little more chaotic and explosive?

#Crossroads #CarrieAnnRyan #AshfordCreek #RomanceReads #Bookstagram #ARCReview #SmallTownRomance #SecondChanceRomance #RockStarRomance #BroodyHero #BookReview #MustReadRomance #ContemporaryRomance #ReadersOfInstagram #BookLovers #RomanceCommunity

[Shelby Rivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story leans into a familiar romance setup—a wounded woman seeking refuge and a guarded man with a troubled past—but it carries a steady emotional weight that makes it feel grounded rather than overdone.

Kiera West arrives in Ashford Creek at her lowest, running from both public scrutiny and personal betrayal. Her vulnerability is clear from the start, and the author doesn’t rush her healing. Instead, it unfolds slowly, shaped by quiet moments and the kind of steady presence Bodhi Ashford provides. Bodhi, in turn, is the sort of character that feels carved out of hardship—misunderstood, isolated, and carrying grief that never quite settled. His reputation as the town’s outcast adds a layer of tension that lingers beneath every interaction.

What stands out most is the restraint in their relationship. There’s no whirlwind romance here. It’s built in silence, in watchful concern, in small acts of protection. Bodhi’s instinct to shield Kiera, paired with his reluctance to let anyone close, creates a believable push and pull. When he learns more about her past, his protective nature sharpens, but it never crosses into something overbearing—it feels earned.

The backdrop of Ashford Creek adds to the story’s traditional feel: a small town with a long memory, slow to forgive and quick to judge. That sense of history shapes Bodhi’s choices and makes his hesitation toward Kiera all the more understandable. At the same time, Kiera’s connection to the outside world—the fame, the chaos—serves as a stark contrast, reminding the reader what she’s trying to escape.

If there’s any weakness, it’s that some plot turns lean on familiar tropes, particularly around past trauma resurfacing at just the right moment. Still, the emotional core carries the story through. The themes of trust, redemption, and finding peace in unexpected places are handled with care.

All in all, it’s a steady, heartfelt romance that values patience over spectacle. It doesn’t try to reinvent the genre—it simply tells a story about two people learning, in their own time, that sometimes the safest place to land is with someone who understands what it means to be broken and still stand.

[Michelle the Romance Witch · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s not to love about two broken characters finding that together they heal and reshape all the pieces of one another into a beautiful new design? The second installment in the Ashford Creek series is a story that will rip out your heart and then heal you without you even understanding that you needed to be healed. Carrie Ann Ryan has the special ability to remind us that we all deserve to find love, even when we’ve lost it and feel that our chance at happiness was stolen from us. Kiera West has certainly had her share of bad luck when it comes to men in her life, so when she meets the grumpy and brooding Bohdi Ashford, she never imagines that he will steal her heart and make her fall for him so deeply. Bodhi is the town recluse and hides from those that have whispered—or yelled—about him ever since his family died in a tragic fire, leaving him not only scared physically but mentally and emotionally as well. When the two find themselves thrown together after Kiera tries to escape a dangerous element in her life, Bodhi finds himself unable to resist the sweet and obviously troubled woman that pulls at his heartstrings. The more they spend time together, just experiencing life again, the closer they get to finding a healing that they never would have let themselves experience before. But the dangers surrounding Bodhi and Kiera are not willing to just let them enjoy their newly blossoming love and they have to work together in order to overcome the fear and mistrust if they are ever going to get their second chances at true love.

I enjoyed immensely getting to watch Bodhi and Keiera as they both found a way to heal through the traumas that continued to follow them as together, they found a way to begin living their lives again. Bodhi is obviously a man that has always protected those he loves and not being able to save his family broken his spirit; finding a way to accept his past, love his present, and embrace a future allowed his true character to develop and shine through. His alpha and sweet nature left us wanting so much more from him when he was being grumpy and it was only when he finally decided to embrace life and love again that we really fell in love with him right alongside Kiera. Kiera herself was a perfect example of a woman that has been kicked repeatedly but refuses to stay down, the ideal match for a character like Bodhi who needed someone to stand by his side and defend him against the world. She has a lot of insecurities in her life, but she also knows that she is the kind of person that will find her place in the world if she stops letting others bring her down. Once they stopped letting the world dictate how they lived their lives, Bodhi and Kiera found their joy and love again for one another and for living life and getting to experience it right alongside them was a fabulous experience. The passion between these two from the very first moment was palpable and hot and I cannot wait to see more of them in coming books in the series. Carrie Ann always manages to blow me away with her stories of redemption, danger, drama, and love, but she really outdid herself this time with Crossroads.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Bodhi Ashford lost everything once. He keeps to himself, reluctant to spend much time in town or around more than his close family. When he finds Kiera in one of his cabins his initial reaction to turn her away is set aside when he hears her story.

Kiera West needs time and distance from her ex and the media. While her band is on an extended break, she takes her bandmate up on the offer of his family’s cabin in Ashford Creek.

These two were both struggling in their own ways. His past has him keeping everyone at arms length. Her past has her hiding from danger. I loved watching the vulnerability between them. They have both felt so much loss that their climb back up is so heartwarming to watch.

The pacing felt perfect for these two. There is so much emotional and grief that has to be unpacked and dealt with before anything real can form between them. There is a depth to this story that goes beyon da simple romance. The setting plays into the healing journey for both - for Bodhi to face the suspicions of his neighbors, and for Kiera to heal from the damage of her ex.

The title is absolutely fitting for this book. Both characters stand at crossroads, and even the town and some of the side characters are at their own. I love all the ties this town has and can’t wait to read more from this family and town.

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[Ayushi Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book completely wrecked me in the best way possible. Carrie Ann Ryan has a way of writing stories that go beyond romance—they pull you into a deeply emotional world where every feeling hits hard and lingers long after the last page.

Bodhi and Kiera’s story is one of pain, healing, and second chances. Both are carrying heavy grief and trauma—Bodhi, a reclusive widower haunted by the loss of his family, and Kiera, running from an abusive past while trying to hold herself together. Their lives collide in the quiet of Ashford Creek, and what starts as a fragile connection slowly builds into something powerful and undeniable.

Bodhi was such a beautifully layered character—rough and guarded on the outside, but deeply soft and broken within. His grief, guilt, and isolation were written with such raw emotion that it was impossible not to feel it. Kiera, on the other hand, was resilient and strong in a quieter way. Watching her reclaim herself after everything she endured, and slowly learn to trust again, was incredibly moving.

Their relationship wasn’t easy or instant—it was messy, hesitant, and real. Both of them had walls that didn’t come down overnight, but the way they supported and understood each other made their journey feel authentic and earned. Together, they found a way to face their darkness and move toward something lighter.

The small-town setting added another layer of depth, grounding their story in a place that felt both isolating and healing. The emotional weight of the plot, combined with strong character development, made this story unforgettable. It truly lives up to its title—both characters standing at a crossroads, choosing whether to stay in their pain or take a chance on something more.

This was an emotional, heart-wrenching, yet ultimately hopeful read about love after loss and finding light in the darkest places.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poignant and heartwarming story is a must read for romance lovers. Two people who have been bruised and battered by love are brought together in the small town of Ashford Creek. Kiera is hiding from her abusive ex, her addict sister and the paparazzi. Boghi is content to keep to himself, work on his furniture and avoid the townspeople who wrongly labeled him as a murderer. He never expected to have Kiera show up at his compound or to feel protective of her. There is a mutual attraction between them, but neither is ready or willing to act on it, at least at first.

Kiera’s ex has left her with serious trust issues, as have others who she had believed loved her. Bodhi is still grieving the loss of his wife and children. The thought of moving forward with any woman leaves him feeling guilty and scared. Spending time together, sharing their pasts and even her music, begins to heal them both. Sparks ignite and their relationship deepens and evolves, even though both are aware that the time together is running out. Kiera has a big, bold life to get back in the music world and Bodhi’s life, his safe haven, is his small home town with family, both biological and found. In addition, there are those who don’t want these two together and are set on forcing them apart.

These characters held tightly on my heartstrings. Both have endured so much pain and loss, yet somehow found the courage to let love into their hearts again. Their journey from acquaintances to lovers was a tad bumpy and emotionally fraught, but Kiera and Bodhi found their way toward a happily ever after. Their family and friends group is everything one could hope for in a support system. The teasing, the advice and the encouragement given are wonderful part of this book.

This mesmerizing book has my highest recommendation.

[Heather Lader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crossroads is the second book in the Ashford Creek series. It follows the Ashford family and so far we've met Callum and heard his story. Now we meet Bodhi.

We've met Kiera West in past novels but now we see her in a new light.

Bodhi comes home from a rough night in town to see Kiera in one of his cabins. She'd been beat up pretty bad and needed somewhere to stay. It was worse than it looked so he offered her the cabin for as long as she needed.

It wasn't really an abusive relationship, he was an ex that didn't want to let her go. He is also a drug addict and when he couldn't find her, he got involved with her sister. He really was a piece of work.

Bodhi didn't care she was there. He was the town recluse and had his own issues to deal with.

The town stares and talks behind his back. To some of Ashford Lake they still consider Bodhi a murderer. They seem to think that he set the fire that killed not only his wife but his two children. It's a night that has haunted him. He's held blame on himself, on his friend for not being fast enough to get them out, the guy that actually lit the fire. For years he's been full of anger, grief and sadness. There's nothing else allowed to fit in there.

After all how could he move on and be happy? Wouldn't that be a dishonor to his family?

In the sadness, grief and loss, Kiera and Bodhi find something precious. Of course nothing comes easy. There will be people that want Bodhi to continue to suffer. Kiera is a drummer for his brother's band and meant for the spotlight.

How do you come over the ghost of family to let in the happiness?

Everything is so up in the air but the feelings are clear.

It was an amazing book to read and it doesn't belittle the loss in any way. It's heartfelt and a true journey to get to the end.

I would completely recommend it. It can also be read as a stand alone but I always recommend reading her series because they're just better that way to me.

[Briana Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review ✨
First I would like to say a big thank you to Carrie Ann for letting me be a part of this ARC Team!
Rate: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 2/5🌶️

What to expect when reading;
-Widower MMC
-Friends x Lovers
-Opposites Attract
-Rock Star FMC
-Small Town
-Contemporary Suspence

This is book two of the Ashford Creek series! You get to follow Kiera and Bodhi! Kiera is trying to hide out and not be found from a list of things that are following her. Bodhi is the bearded mountain man that the town rarely sees, but constantly whispers about. The last thing Bodhi expected to find was a beaten Kiera on his property. So starting off the way these two complimented each other was so well done. From previous books you knew Bodhi kind of as a mystery and seeing him on such a deeper level, he made my heart melt. Kiera was the softness he needed. While these two were building the spice up(which I learned a few new things about piercings lol), you had the crazies in the background plotting, it wouldn’t be a suspense if they weren’t lol I will always praise Carrie Ann about how well the pace of her books are. You get the plot, the buildup, the humor, the spice and the suspense and it leaves you wanting more each time and ready for the next book to come. Which I’m already ready for book three!

Fav Quote:
•”He was beautiful. Beautiful, and yet rugged and jagged in a way that belied that beauty”
•”Okay, hitting things would be good”
•”I’ll even leave the house for you, babe”

Make sure you get your copy of the book when it releases 🤍
#bookstagram #romance #review

[Leslie Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll start by saying this is my first time reading a book by this author. Until further notice, I will be diving into her backlist.

THIS. BOOK. I’m not lying when I say I’ve never cried more during a book than I did this one. Bodhi and Kiera broke my heart a million times but put it back together in the best way.

Bodhi has suffered unimaginable loss in his life. He’s basically become the town recluse. His grief was palpable. Everyone he goes into town, he’s met with stares and whispers that he’s a monster. Kiera moving onto his property changed everything. Every time I turned the page, I could see Bodhi opening his damaged heart little by little. He deserved so much happiness in his life and Kiera helped him find it. Every small moment between them was huge. I absolutely LOVED the way the author wrote about his “moving on”. Grief never leaves you. Bodhi just made space to have a happy life with Kiera and that’s exactly what happened.

Kiera came to Ashford Creek to hide but also for a chance to breathe. She’s the drummer in a popular band and they’ve taken a temporary break to be with their families. Meeting the broody lumberjack was not on her bingo card. Right away, she could see how haunted he was. She just knew that she was safe with Bodhi around, which was exactly what she needed. Kiera was amazing with how she navigated his grief. She was so patient with him and would defend him to the entire town. Their relationship was so tender and beautiful.

I devoured this book in less than a day. Also, I cannot wait for the next story!

[Kelchickbooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared to have your heart ripped out of your body, played with and put back in but just a little different. You know, when you pick up one of Ms. Ryan's books, the characters and storyline will stay with you for a long time. Crossroads is book two in the Ashford Creek series and will have you an emotional wreck; however, by the end, you will be smiling and feeling elated.
We are told the story of Bodi, a man who is haunted by the death of his sons and wife in a house fire. He lives with the idea that it was his fault they died. He is a recluse who lives in the middle of nowhere and only interacts with certain people and only at certain times. The town's folks have their views of him and that is one reason he stays in his cabin. Not only did he lose his family, but he also lost his twin, who was the drummer for the rock band Wilde.
Then there is the woman who takes his breath away, Kiera West, the woman who took over the position of drummer in Wilde. She is now hiding in Bodhi's other cabin, trying to recover and heal from the physical and mental abuse inflicted by the hands of her ex. What she wasn't expecting was Bodi walking in. The man whom she felt hated her because of her position in the band.
Right from the start, Bodi was not the man he showed the world to be. He was caring, protective yet still mysterious. Kiera peeled away the layers to finally get to the real man behind the beard. These two helped heal one another in more ways than one.
Their story is one of grief, family and finding love once again, although the journey to that love was not easy.

[Anika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved "Crossroads" —it’s everything I’ve come to adore about Carrie Ann Ryan’s writing and more. She has such a gift for creating families that feel real, messy, and fiercely loyal, and this book is no exception. Ashford Creek itself feels like home, filled with people who may stumble, but ultimately show up when it matters most.

Bodhi and Kiera’s story pulled me in from the very first page. There’s something so powerful about two broken people finding safety in each other, and the slow, tender way their relationship builds just felt right. Bodhi’s quiet strength and protectiveness paired perfectly with Kiera’s vulnerability and resilience. Their connection isn’t rushed—it’s earned, and that makes every moment between them hit even harder.

The emotional depth in this book really stood out to me. Between Bodhi’s painful past and Kiera’s need to heal, there’s a rawness that lingers beneath every interaction. Add in the small-town tension, the suspense threading through their story, and that signature warmth Ryan brings to found family, and I was completely hooked.

And as always, the happily-ever-after was deeply satisfying—hard-won, heartfelt, and exactly what these characters deserved.

Nobody writes family quite like Carrie Ann Ryan, and "Crossroads" is a perfect example of why I keep coming back to her books. I’m already looking forward to the rest of the series!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kara Quade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiera West needs a place to hide from her abusive ex and the media and finds herself seeking refuge on Bohdi Ashford's property. Bodhi Ashford has sought refuge on his mountain after an arsonist took his family in a fire and the people of Ashford Creek turned on him before he could grieve for what he lost. When Bodhi finds Kiera in a cabin on his property, he wants her gone but knows she needs to stay after he sees bruises on her. As Bodhi and Kiera spend time together, they grow closer and their attraction to each other grows. Can Kiera overcome her insecurity of replacing Bodhi's twin, Malcolm, as the drummer in Wilder? Is Bodhi ready for a relationship with Kiera? Is Bodhi ready to fully embrace being a part of his family again? Will Bodhi be there for Kiera when her ex shows up? Can Bodhi protect Kiera from someone who wants to hurt them both? Can Bodhi and Kiera find a way to be together after declaring their love for each other and find their happily ever after? I LOVED Crossroads by Carrie Ann Ryan! Bodhi and Kiera are an amazing couple with fiery chemistry. Bodhi's family tragedy made me ugly cry. Bodhi and Kiera navigate through their baggage to heal and find strength in each other. I would highly recommend getting Crossroads and the other book in the Ashford Creek series by Carrie Ann Ryan. I received a free copy of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Kym · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grief is a tricky beast. The initial darkness and unbelieving at first turns into a constant, dull ache. Yes, there are moments when it eases, but you never really know when the beast is going to come roaring back, sending you into that deep pit of sadness. With time, the beast is not so ferocious and one finds a new normal.

Carrie Ann Ryan totally gets it. Her character Bodhi is spot-on. No sugarcoating, just the unvarnished truth of how grief can affect someone and those around them.

Kiera West ends up essentially on Bodhi’s doorstep needing to hide from her ex and the media. For Bodhi, who basically lives like a recluse due to the people in the town he lives in turning on him even before he could process his grief at all, her appearance isn’t welcomed. Kiera, showing up with bruises, clearly has her own issues to deal with and Bodhi can’t turn her away.

But does he want to be pulled in to her drama? Is he even ready to move on enough to join his family and friends who gather in town?

This is a touching love story with deep characters who have had to deal with a lot.

Maybe that’s one of the reasons this story really drew me in. I can especially identify with Bodhi! I couldn’t put it down - watching he and Kiera fighting their own demons together was very special, along with the camaraderie of Bodhi’s family and friends! Highly recommend!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Carrie for this ARC.

Carrie, you have outdone yourself with Bodhi and Kiera. I could not put this book done. This book is a roller coaster of emotions. I loved every second of this adventure.

Grief and guilt are constant companions Bodhi can't seem to escape. Bodhi prefers his quiet life by staying in his cabin in the woods. Keeping his distance from the town and its whispers. The past few years were not kind to him: losing his twin, and his wife and kids.

Kiera needed a place to hide from her ex and the media. Desperately needing a safe place to land, she ends up on Bodhi's property. When he notices her bruises, he insists she stay where he knows she'll be safe.

What follows is a slow building relationship grounded in trust and protection. They compliment each other in all the right ways, each offering something the other needs. Their connections grows naturally and it is never rushed. This makes it feel all more real when the emotions get intertwined with their story.

This book is raw with emotion. Keira's patience and Bodhi's quiet strength creates safety for these two. And the chemistry between them? Undeniable. They had me blushing.

This wouldn't be a Carrie book with a small town suspense that keeps you guessing throughout the book. Add in her found family trope that keeps you forever bonded to these characters.

[Hanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story just pulled at my heartstrings.
Keira and Bodhi’s journey to their HEA is emotional and has all the feels.
Keira is the drummer to one of the biggest rock bands in the world.
She is a Grammy Award winner and loves her role in the band.
She’s cool, outspoken, she’s also kind, big hearted and down to earth.
Bodhi is a recluse, rarely ventures out of his mountain. Stays to himself, doesn’t attend functions and doesn’t invite people into his safe space, his home. That includes his family.
He hates the world and worse he hates himself.
Oh and Keira just so happens to be in the band his late brother Malcolm was the drummer in.
Yep she is the one to take Malcolm’s place after his death.
So imagine the shock of Bodhi finding her hold up in his cabin.
Their story is built of complex layers of pain, anguish, sadness, guilt and shame.
Both are broken in body, soul and spirit. But healing hasn’t been come by yet.
The road to their HEA doesn’t come easily. It comes laden with heavy baggage.
But in each other they will find their strength, healing and redemption.
With their family and chosen family who love them wholeheartedly and unconditionally.
In a small town where gossip runs rampant but were they close ranks around the townsfolk against outsiders.
An FYI keep tissues on hand, you will need them.

[Stephanie Corbett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Ashford Creek series, a wonderful small town romance, with a suspenseful twist. This is a gripping story with plenty of twists and suspense, that will keep you turning the page.

This story focuses on two wonderful, deep, loving people (Bodhi Ashford & Kiera West), that are bruised and battered by the experiences in their lives, but they refuse to be broken. They might just be the remedy that each other need to mend their bruises, and put their baggage down and move forward.

Bodhi is a widower and a lives apart from others in town as much as possible, as he was accused incorrectly of her murder, as well as those of his two kids. Those scars do not mend easily. Kiera is a drummer in band, and was in fact the replacement for Bohdi's twin brother Malcolm (who died in a tour bus accident - yes the depths of Bodhi's pain is unimaginable). Kiera has a violent, abusive ex-boyfriend, which is how she finds herself out in the woods staying in Bodhi's rental cottage.

The characters in this story, both the main and supporting characters are amazing, and the overall mystery arc throughout the series, of which we are still only getting glimpses, is thrilling. I can't wait for more romance, and more unfolding of mysteries!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Jennifer Leigh (jenjenbookfan) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬 is the second full book in the Ashford Creek series by Carrie Ann Ryan, featuring the heart-wrenching second chance at love for Bodhi the widower and Kiera the rock star. Tissues are definitely required as both these broken souls fight their own demons to find light in the darkness. She might be the one physically running at the moment, but they both are hiding from the impact of their traumas. Scars linger, whether they’re external or internal, and we are often hardest on ourselves. I loved watching Bodhi come out of his reclusive bubble for her, showing his protective and compassionate side. They formed such a unique connection that bloomed despite the strain of stifling emotions and encroaching danger. I just loved them with my whole heart! There is just something special about the way this author constructs her small towns and her families. Those bonds and the loyalty and the entertaining dynamics that flows from the amazing characters she creates is the gift that keeps on giving. The ending set up the next book perfectly while stealing my breath! I can’t wait for more info on that story! The bonus epilogue download was a must-read morsel, as well!!

I received an ARC for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️