Unexpectedly Us

by Ashley McConnell

Rose Solace thought wedding planning with her fiancé, Wells Calloway, would be the biggest challenge of the season. Then an unexpected knock at dawn changes everything.

In the tight-knit coastal community of Wippowa Island, rumors travel fast, and Rose and Wells suddenly find themselves at the center of the biggest one yet. As their wedding day approaches, they’re juggling more than guest lists—they’re facing sleepless nights, unasked questions, and a future neither of them saw coming.

Rose and Wells must decide if the life they’re building is still the one they imagined or something even better.

First published February 12, 2026

About the author

Meet Ashley — a coastal Floridian who can’t go for a beach walk without plotting her next story. The ocean? Her muse. Random strangers’ conversations? Probably dialogue in her next book.

By day, she keeps marketing campaigns afloat (and on deadline). By night, she trades spreadsheets for storyboards, typing away like her coffee depends on it.

A proud rescue dog mom, Ashley’s life has taken her from the chaos of New York City to the calm of the South—though “calm” is relative when you’ve got two dogs and a husband who always finds sand in the car.

When she’s not writing, she’s collecting seashells, sipping something iced, and pretending her email inbox doesn’t exist.

Reviews

[Afton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being back with Rose and Wells was literal heaven. Slipping back into their world felt like coming home, and I loved getting to experience more of their wholesome, steady, deeply comforting love story.

We meet them at a point where life takes an unexpected turn, and watching how they navigate this new path together was both emotional and uplifting. Their relationship is rooted in trust, communication, and unwavering support, which made every moment feel genuine and earned.

This story is packed with heart, determination, and a beautiful found family element, along with so many feel-good moments that genuinely fill your soul. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling long after you turn the last page.

This may just be Ashley’s best writing yet, and I loved every second of being back with these two.

[Michelle Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly Us by Ashley McConnell continues Wells and Rose’s story from the Anchored in Love series. A knock at the door in the middle of the night brings a life-altering surprise, forcing them to face a decision that could change everything.

I loved revisiting Wells and Rose and seeing how far they’ve both grown. It was also fun catching up with familiar faces from the Anchored in Love world. This story is full of heart, growth, and emotion—but saying much more would spoil the magic. Just trust me and pick this one up.

[Stephanie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley has done it AGAIN with Unexpectedly Us!!! This might be my favorite book of the whole series! There is just something about Rose and Wells’ relationship that I just can’t get over and wish for every day!! The bonding and growth throughout this book just makes you love them even more! If I could give this a 10 ⭐️ I would because their story just pulls at your heart and, if you’ve read Costal Cowboy you’ll know, the healing they do together really puts this book into perspective that no matter what you plan or how things happen, life has other plans!! It’s not always going to be sunshine and sunflowers but you figure it out as you go and if you have a partner like Wells Calloway then you know you’ll make it through anything!! ❤️🥰😍

[Kaitlyn Brodell · Rating 5 out of 5]

More about Rose and Wells? Yes, please! Add in an unexpected twist that will MELT YOUR HEART??? Even better.

[C.A. Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpectedly Us isn’t just a return to Wippowa Island, it’s Ashley proving she knows how to grow a love story from a rocky beginning into something steady and breathtaking. Rose didn’t make things easy for Wells in book one, which makes seeing how far they’ve come even sweeter. This book feels like stepping back into a world where love is intimate, community is loud, and two people who adore each other still have to face the curveballs life throws their way.

Ashley handles their upheaval with such care. No melodrama, no cheap conflict, just honest, vulnerable emotion. Rose’s spiraling thoughts are painfully relatable, and Wells’ unwavering devotion is the kind of steady love that melts you. Their communication, even when it’s uncomfortable, is exactly why their relationship works and why they’ve always felt so real.

What makes this story shine is how it celebrates choosing each other when the future shifts beneath your feet. It’s about letting go of the version you planned and embracing the one that might be even better. I closed my Kindle feeling full — of warmth, affection, and appreciation for a romance that deepens everything we already loved about Rose and Wells.

[Alison B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely adorable! I thought I couldn’t fall more in love with Wells and Rose but this book really did it for me. It really pulls you in from the beginning and it’s hard to put down after that. It’s a really easy read and the perfect palate cleanser in between all of my thriller reads! Ashley McConnell is such a good romance author and I highly recommend all of her books!

[Ali Hupp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly Us ~ Ashley McConnell

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Welcome back to Rose and Wells life in Wippowa. I loved Saltwater Cowboy with Rose and Wells love story and this was a continuation of their story. Their story takes an unexpected turn as their wedding planning is underway. This is a wholesome story of love, family, and two people who are chasing their dreams. The communication between Rose and Wells, their everyday interactions, and their family matters are all so down to earth the relatable.

I have truly enjoyed Ashley McConnell’s Anchored in Love series! Each book has been full of emotion and heart. I highly recommend these books, starting with Climb the Ladder and followed by Saltwater Cowboy! Thank you Ashley for the advanced copy!

[Crystals_littlelibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

My gosh! Ashley did it again! I love nothing more than to be able to read about characters lives throughout the years! That’s what this amazing story was about! Some of my favorite characters and what is happening later in life! I was not disappointed!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back in Wippowa with Rose and Wells. Their love story is a favorite of mine so I was so excited to jump back in. This story takes a wonderful detour for these two and it was heartwarming to read.

This book has so much heart, pure joy and happiness. These characters are just good for the soul.

Ashley has created my fictional getaway🩷

[Lynn Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another charming book by Ashley McConnell! What a sweet story about love, life and family. Set in the coastal town of Wippowa, it follows Rose and Wells on their journey to marriage and becoming parents. Another fun beach read that makes you want to move to the coast and find your own cowboy!

[kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose and Wells are building a great life together and while it's a lot of work, they manage to do it all with a little bit of help from the community and friends. Rose gets an email from a magazine that they would like to feature her on the front cover and Rose just cannot believe what her eyes are seeing.

While everything is great, Rose and Wells find an abandoned baby on their front door and they aren't sure what to do except for bring the baby in and read the letter that's with the baby. Apparently, the baby's mother wants Rose and Wells to take care of the baby.

What will Rose and Wells do? They are already busy as is...can they handle taking care of a baby, which is something they both know absolutely nothing about.

This was such a great read. It's all positive vibes even when Rose and Wells are doubting themselves. I love the life that they have built and the support that they have!

[Sage & Pink Feathers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 4 in the series, this book following the lives of Rose & Wells after their happily every after in Saltwater Cowboy. The MCs are settling into a life they love together when something huge is (quite literally) dropped off on their doorstep throwing their entire world into chaos in one foul swoop.

This is a great continuation of Saltwater Cowboy. Thoroughly enjoyed. There are brief appearances from Charlie and Blythe for those who loved Climb The Ladder. Would definitely recommend reading Saltwater Cowboy before starting Unexpectedly Us.

No spice
What Happens After Ever After
Southern Charm
Building a Life Together

I received an advance reader copy. This is my honest review.

[Lawren Hadden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart! Rose and Wells love story continues with wedding planning and a very “unexpected” twist that changes the course of their lives, forever. Ashley does an amazing job putting you jn the moment with the characters. I found myself not being able to stop reading. I wanted to see exactly where Rose and Wells ended up. This is a continuation of a previous book, Saltwater Cowboy. However, if you haven’t yet read the Anchored in Love series and fallen in love with the main characters, you can still thoroughly enjoy Unexpectedly Us. I cannot wait to see what Ashley has in store for us next.


I was provided with an advanced copy. However, this review is my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Bookedwithstephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

🤠🌻

4.5⭐️ rounded up

I loved being back in Wippowa with Wells and Rose, I adore them and this small town 🥰

Wells and Rose have created a beautiful life together, happily engaged and planning their wedding. Rose has an opportunity to be featured on the cover of a magazine, this is something she can’t pass up. But when life leaves a surprise on their doorstep, we watch as they navigate a new path together.

You can tell Ashley put a lot of heart into this story, it was so sweet! This book is filled with so many feel good moments, character growth and raw emotion. What a perfect way to wrap up this series! I don’t want to spoil anything, just go read it 🥰💖

[Jessica Borchert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I absolutely loved this book. Unexpectedly Us was such a sweet, emotional, and funny read — the kind that totally sneaks up on you and stays in your head for days after you finish. Ashley McConnell’s writing just hits all the right notes — the characters feel so real, the banter is spot-on, and the chemistry? Off the charts.

I laughed, I got a little teary, and I was rooting for these two the whole way through. It’s one of those stories that makes you believe in love showing up when you least expect it. Definitely one of my new favorites. 💕

[Leslie Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story gave me a smile on my face from beginning to end. Wells and Rose were so sweet all the way through. I loved seeing them navigate through an unexpected situation. They were always a united front cheering each other on. Sometimes life gives you exactly what you need when you least expect it. The way they handled everything was very realistic. Rose and Wells were like a giant warm hug that I didn’t want to end!

[Julia Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️ no spice

Another book I regret not reading sooner. I’ve been kind of in a book slump and this book is helping me out a bit. I like how this book feels very relaxed. The banter is of course funny. And of course every book by this author is bingeable in my opinion. The loved the plot and how this couple who we saw in the previous book has their settled until their lives take a turn; a baby is left on their porch and they need to figure out how their lives will be the same or not. I also loved how both were felt the same way when it came to taking care of a baby.

Thank you Ashley McConnell for the arc.

[Trish I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little bundle of sunshine in a book, this book was just what I needed. Unexpectedly lighthearted to the end, despite the overwhelming circumstances that some of my favourite returning characters faced. I absolutely ate this up, what an incredibly uplifting little book, and an absolutely perfect last visit to my favourites in the coastal town of Wippowa.

[grycennreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed returning to Wippowa Island to follow Rose and Wells once again. Their growth and the way they learned to truly trust each other added so much depth to the story. The emotional ups and downs made this a compelling and satisfying read. I was so happy to reconnect with these characters.

Thank you to Ashley for the e-ARC.

[Cody Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going back into the world of Rose and Wells has been everything I wanted and more. Seeing the growth and evolution of these characters was an amazing ride. I absolutely loved this book and couldnt put it down. You should he reading this book you wont be disappointed.

[Kristen Trahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute! I went in blind with this one so when they got an unexpected guest, I was shocked! It was fun to watched Wells and Rose navigate their new life together and watch themselves grow together and as a family.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy, cute romance to read this one is it!

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Ashley McConnell for my copy of Unexpectedly Us. 🤍 I received this book for review, all opinions are my own and given freely.

This book is so heartwarming. It’s packed with plenty of fond moments that had me in my feelings. I would recommend reading the other books in this series before jumping into this one!

Unexpectedly Us releases 02/12.

[Ashley McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I wrote this, I'm making it count towards my reading goal.