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The Angel: A Chantry Cross Romance
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Expected 1 Apr 26377 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Angel is a fun, lighthearted contemporary romance. I am always interested in second chances for love and this book delivered!
Charlene, a beautiful successful celebrity, finds herself suddenly divorced. As a strong independent woman and she knows what she wants. She is sassy, funny, and determined. When she decides to go find her true love from days past, she returns home to start a new life. Will Zachary Knight, her former boyfriend from her home town, be that man she is looking for? You will have to read to find out.
This is a lighthearted book perfect for summer on the beach or traveling. I flew through it and couldn't put it down. I enjoyed watching Charlene's self-discovery process in her thirties. Many women find themselves in situations out of their control later in life. Her grit and determination is inspiring. She has a witty sense of humor and is also a very intelligent woman. I can get behind a character like that!
The side characters were so much fun! I mean... there's a cute dog. Who doesn't love a dog with attitude? I loved the MMC's friendships. This book is affirming for house wives, LBGTQ+, and more! I do hope the author, Ellen Wood, considers writing more novels and creates an interconnected series with this whole town. It would be hilarious.
This book is spicy and I loved it! I don't want to give away any spoilers... but let's just say Ellen is not afraid of writing some fun scenes. Thank you for that!
Overall, this was a fun contemporary romance that many would enjoy.
Tropes:
Second chance romance
Grumpy sunshine
Small town romance meets rich socialite
This book is for you if you like spicy contemporary romances with banter.
It may not be for you if you have an objection to dogs, small island towns, good looking men, fashion, trucks, or escaping from reality for a fun date with a book. :)
I received a copy of this book from the author and I am leaving my review voluntarily. Thank you for the opportunity to read your debut. I hope to be able to see more in the future from this author.
Charlene, a beautiful successful celebrity, finds herself suddenly divorced. As a strong independent woman and she knows what she wants. She is sassy, funny, and determined. When she decides to go find her true love from days past, she returns home to start a new life. Will Zachary Knight, her former boyfriend from her home town, be that man she is looking for? You will have to read to find out.
This is a lighthearted book perfect for summer on the beach or traveling. I flew through it and couldn't put it down. I enjoyed watching Charlene's self-discovery process in her thirties. Many women find themselves in situations out of their control later in life. Her grit and determination is inspiring. She has a witty sense of humor and is also a very intelligent woman. I can get behind a character like that!
The side characters were so much fun! I mean... there's a cute dog. Who doesn't love a dog with attitude? I loved the MMC's friendships. This book is affirming for house wives, LBGTQ+, and more! I do hope the author, Ellen Wood, considers writing more novels and creates an interconnected series with this whole town. It would be hilarious.
This book is spicy and I loved it! I don't want to give away any spoilers... but let's just say Ellen is not afraid of writing some fun scenes. Thank you for that!
Overall, this was a fun contemporary romance that many would enjoy.
Tropes:
Second chance romance
Grumpy sunshine
Small town romance meets rich socialite
This book is for you if you like spicy contemporary romances with banter.
It may not be for you if you have an objection to dogs, small island towns, good looking men, fashion, trucks, or escaping from reality for a fun date with a book. :)
I received a copy of this book from the author and I am leaving my review voluntarily. Thank you for the opportunity to read your debut. I hope to be able to see more in the future from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Angel ARC Review (No Spoilers):
What a heartwarming delight of a book! It felt like a warm hug from start to finish, and I loved every minute of it.
My Highlights🪽
-Throughout the story, there’s a palpable vulnerability and heart in both the writing and the narrative itself that completely snared me. A romance at its finest.👏🏻
-The angst leading up to their reunion after 15 years apart was excruciatingly good and once they finally reconnect? Their reacquainted chapters were, in one word: unputdownable. ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
-Carlene and Zach’s journey were so refreshing for me. We get an opposites attract, mature, passionate romance -a couple willing to embrace their second chance at a HEA without unnecessary drama, despite their fears, the years apart, and their different standings in society.
-Zach, baby… you had me from the get-go. You’re so different from my usual and YOU. HAD. ME.
-Another major success for me was the found family trope. I LOVED Felix and Sofia, Danielle (can’t wait for her book🙌🏻) and Jennifer (please I want her HEA too).
Overall🪽
This is a tender, emotionally rich and steamy second chance romance that chooses love without games. It’s mature, heartfelt, and beautifully paced. The kind of story that reminds you why you fell in love with romance in the first place.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Favourite Quotes🪽
“Some wounds you never healed from; some regrets were never resolved.”
“To have loved him so hard, so immediately and completely, was as much a part of her as her heart.”
“If opposites attract, they were forever soulmates, because Zach was night to Carlene’s day in almost every way.”
“…he was the calm lake to her raging inferno and the unperturbed mountain in the center of her earthquake.”
“…you’re here now. I’m here now. We’re here now.”
“You’re a wise man, Zach. Yes, let’s toast… To your peter…”
What a heartwarming delight of a book! It felt like a warm hug from start to finish, and I loved every minute of it.
My Highlights🪽
-Throughout the story, there’s a palpable vulnerability and heart in both the writing and the narrative itself that completely snared me. A romance at its finest.👏🏻
-The angst leading up to their reunion after 15 years apart was excruciatingly good and once they finally reconnect? Their reacquainted chapters were, in one word: unputdownable. ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
-Carlene and Zach’s journey were so refreshing for me. We get an opposites attract, mature, passionate romance -a couple willing to embrace their second chance at a HEA without unnecessary drama, despite their fears, the years apart, and their different standings in society.
-Zach, baby… you had me from the get-go. You’re so different from my usual and YOU. HAD. ME.
-Another major success for me was the found family trope. I LOVED Felix and Sofia, Danielle (can’t wait for her book🙌🏻) and Jennifer (please I want her HEA too).
Overall🪽
This is a tender, emotionally rich and steamy second chance romance that chooses love without games. It’s mature, heartfelt, and beautifully paced. The kind of story that reminds you why you fell in love with romance in the first place.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Favourite Quotes🪽
“Some wounds you never healed from; some regrets were never resolved.”
“To have loved him so hard, so immediately and completely, was as much a part of her as her heart.”
“If opposites attract, they were forever soulmates, because Zach was night to Carlene’s day in almost every way.”
“…he was the calm lake to her raging inferno and the unperturbed mountain in the center of her earthquake.”
“…you’re here now. I’m here now. We’re here now.”
“You’re a wise man, Zach. Yes, let’s toast… To your peter…”
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Angel by Ellen Wood is a heartfelt second-chance romance set in the small island community of Chantry Cross. It follows Carlene—a wealthy socialite rebuilding her life after divorce—and Zach, a craftsman with deep roots in the town. Once first loves, they reconnect after fifteen years apart, coming from very different worlds but still tied by a shared past.
This was such a sweet, emotional story. The buildup at the beginning had me completely invested—I was genuinely counting down the pages until they finally saw each other again. That anticipation really paid off and made their reconnection feel meaningful.
I really liked the contrast between Carlene’s life as a rich socialite and Zach’s more grounded, small-town lifestyle. It added an extra layer to their relationship and made their journey back to each other feel even more rewarding. I also loved how naturally Carlene found her place in his world—it never felt forced, just right.
Zach’s quiet devotion to her was one of my favorite parts of the story. There was something steady and sincere about the way he cared for her that made their relationship feel real and earned.
The side characters were another highlight. The sense of community and found-family vibes added so much warmth and made the setting feel like a place you’d want to be.
Overall, this is a lovely second-chance romance with strong emotional buildup, meaningful character dynamics, and a cozy small-town feel. A great pick if you enjoy stories about reconnecting, healing, and finding your way back to the right person.
I received an ARC of this book, but all thoughts are my own.
This was such a sweet, emotional story. The buildup at the beginning had me completely invested—I was genuinely counting down the pages until they finally saw each other again. That anticipation really paid off and made their reconnection feel meaningful.
I really liked the contrast between Carlene’s life as a rich socialite and Zach’s more grounded, small-town lifestyle. It added an extra layer to their relationship and made their journey back to each other feel even more rewarding. I also loved how naturally Carlene found her place in his world—it never felt forced, just right.
Zach’s quiet devotion to her was one of my favorite parts of the story. There was something steady and sincere about the way he cared for her that made their relationship feel real and earned.
The side characters were another highlight. The sense of community and found-family vibes added so much warmth and made the setting feel like a place you’d want to be.
Overall, this is a lovely second-chance romance with strong emotional buildup, meaningful character dynamics, and a cozy small-town feel. A great pick if you enjoy stories about reconnecting, healing, and finding your way back to the right person.
I received an ARC of this book, but all thoughts are my own.
March 9, 2026
I really enjoyed The Angel: A Chantry Cross Romance by Ellen Wood. The banter between Zach and Carlene was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their teasing and playful name-calling, especially with Zach’s best friend Felix involved, made the dialogue feel fun and natural.
I also loved the movie references the author included, especially Jerry Maguire and Notting Hill. Those little touches added charm to the story. The small town setting and the friendship dynamics between the characters made Chantry Cross feel warm and cozy.
There were so many cute moments where I found myself smirking, smiling, or even laughing out loud. Carlene was such a great character. she’s straightforward and goes after what she wants. Even after 15 years, she still knew Zach was the one and went back for her man, which I loved.
I also have to mention Lucy, the bulldog, who was such a cute addition to the story and definitely felt like a little character of her own.
The dual POV worked really well and let you see both sides of their second-chance romance. And yes… the spice in this book was definitely hot! It kept me turning the pages and wanting to read more.
If you enjoy small-town romances, second-chance love stories, great banter, adorable pets, and a little spice, this one is worth picking up. And for readers who love a satisfying romance, it does deliver a happy ever after.
I’m definitely looking forward to Ellen Wood’s next book in the Chantry Cross series. ⭐📚
I also loved the movie references the author included, especially Jerry Maguire and Notting Hill. Those little touches added charm to the story. The small town setting and the friendship dynamics between the characters made Chantry Cross feel warm and cozy.
There were so many cute moments where I found myself smirking, smiling, or even laughing out loud. Carlene was such a great character. she’s straightforward and goes after what she wants. Even after 15 years, she still knew Zach was the one and went back for her man, which I loved.
I also have to mention Lucy, the bulldog, who was such a cute addition to the story and definitely felt like a little character of her own.
The dual POV worked really well and let you see both sides of their second-chance romance. And yes… the spice in this book was definitely hot! It kept me turning the pages and wanting to read more.
If you enjoy small-town romances, second-chance love stories, great banter, adorable pets, and a little spice, this one is worth picking up. And for readers who love a satisfying romance, it does deliver a happy ever after.
I’m definitely looking forward to Ellen Wood’s next book in the Chantry Cross series. ⭐📚
March 22, 2026
I love seeing the writing process, and I have been following Ellen’s journey towards her debut novel for about a year now. I really appreciate her reaching out for me to read this story.
This is a small-town, second chance romance. Carlene and Zach’s love story began in high school, and they reconnect 15 years later after Carlene’s very public divorce. I really enjoyed the side characters more than the female main character. There was too much emphasis on her wealth than her personality traits. I was hoping for more character development with her. I liked Zach, but he gave into Carlene too easily. If he was harboring all that hurt for 15 years, I would expect more groveling from the FMC. This was missing the angst and yearning. They had a very steamy and strong connection in the beginning, and I was hoping for that pull. This series has potential, and I hope to see more about Jennifer, Ian, and Danielle. I would even love to see Felix and Sophia’s love story.
-second chance romance
-first love
-it’s always been you
-forced proximity
-small town
-fun side characters
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this early. This is my honest review.
This is a small-town, second chance romance. Carlene and Zach’s love story began in high school, and they reconnect 15 years later after Carlene’s very public divorce. I really enjoyed the side characters more than the female main character. There was too much emphasis on her wealth than her personality traits. I was hoping for more character development with her. I liked Zach, but he gave into Carlene too easily. If he was harboring all that hurt for 15 years, I would expect more groveling from the FMC. This was missing the angst and yearning. They had a very steamy and strong connection in the beginning, and I was hoping for that pull. This series has potential, and I hope to see more about Jennifer, Ian, and Danielle. I would even love to see Felix and Sophia’s love story.
-second chance romance
-first love
-it’s always been you
-forced proximity
-small town
-fun side characters
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this early. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My first second-chance romance and now I get the hype🥹💕
✨ARC Review: The Angel by Ellen Wood (releases April 1) @authorsjamesandellen
Carlene has it all, fame, success, and a glamorous life… until a sudden divorce sends her back to her small hometown of Chantry Cross. But she isn’t just going home to start over. She’s going back for Zachary Knight, the man she loved 15 years ago🥰
And honestly? I loved watching her go after the life, and love, she really wanted💕
The banter between Carlene and Zach had me smiling the entire time. Their teasing, the history between them, and Zach’s hilarious best friend Felix made the dialogue feel so natural and fun.
Also… Lucy the bulldog deserves her own fan club🐶
This story gave me:
✨ Small town charm
✨ Second chance love
✨ Grumpy sunshine vibes
✨ Laugh-out-loud banter
✨ A little spice 🌶️
✨ And a satisfying happily ever after
It’s a light, entertaining romance that would be perfect for a beach day or vacation read.
If you love small-town romances with heart, humor, and characters you root for, this one is worth adding to your TBR.
✨ARC Review: The Angel by Ellen Wood (releases April 1) @authorsjamesandellen
Carlene has it all, fame, success, and a glamorous life… until a sudden divorce sends her back to her small hometown of Chantry Cross. But she isn’t just going home to start over. She’s going back for Zachary Knight, the man she loved 15 years ago🥰
And honestly? I loved watching her go after the life, and love, she really wanted💕
The banter between Carlene and Zach had me smiling the entire time. Their teasing, the history between them, and Zach’s hilarious best friend Felix made the dialogue feel so natural and fun.
Also… Lucy the bulldog deserves her own fan club🐶
This story gave me:
✨ Small town charm
✨ Second chance love
✨ Grumpy sunshine vibes
✨ Laugh-out-loud banter
✨ A little spice 🌶️
✨ And a satisfying happily ever after
It’s a light, entertaining romance that would be perfect for a beach day or vacation read.
If you love small-town romances with heart, humor, and characters you root for, this one is worth adding to your TBR.
March 21, 2026
I appreciate the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy, courtesy of the author!
I found this to be a very easy, lighthearted read that leans into the enduring power of a first true love and the importance of staying grounded, even in the face of fame and fortune.
While I enjoyed the story overall, I would have loved a bit more depth and development in Zack and Charlene’s journey towards reconciliation. Their path back to each other felt a little too smooth at times—I kept wanting more tension and a few more challenges to make their connection feel fully earned.
That said, it definitely delivers on both the sweet and spicy elements, making it a fun, feel-good read.
If you enjoy small-town settings, second-chance romance, opposites attract dynamics, and a touch of found family, this one is for you.
I found this to be a very easy, lighthearted read that leans into the enduring power of a first true love and the importance of staying grounded, even in the face of fame and fortune.
While I enjoyed the story overall, I would have loved a bit more depth and development in Zack and Charlene’s journey towards reconciliation. Their path back to each other felt a little too smooth at times—I kept wanting more tension and a few more challenges to make their connection feel fully earned.
That said, it definitely delivers on both the sweet and spicy elements, making it a fun, feel-good read.
If you enjoy small-town settings, second-chance romance, opposites attract dynamics, and a touch of found family, this one is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was a breath of fresh air — What a wonderful debut contemporary romance novel!!
The small town vibes, paired with a steamy second-chance romance, and the found family formed along the way — I truly couldn’t have asked for a better story.
Carlene and Zach’s journey was authentic, raw, and quite honestly, REFRESHING!! No games, toxicity, or allowing roadblocks to stand in their way — just real, honest, authentic love.
I cannot WAIT to see what the next Chantry Cross book has in store.
The small town vibes, paired with a steamy second-chance romance, and the found family formed along the way — I truly couldn’t have asked for a better story.
Carlene and Zach’s journey was authentic, raw, and quite honestly, REFRESHING!! No games, toxicity, or allowing roadblocks to stand in their way — just real, honest, authentic love.
I cannot WAIT to see what the next Chantry Cross book has in store.
March 11, 2026
Thank you to the author for an arc of her debut novel! This was a cute second chance, celebrity romance… with an adorable dog sidekick! Carlene comes home after a messy, public divorce to find out her high school boyfriend is still there… and he ends up being the one helping to renovate her house. I really enjoyed the writing style and so many of my favorite tropes! Looking forward to more from this series- there are several side characters I’d love to read more about!
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you’re a fan of sweet, heartwarming second-chance romances set in charming small towns, with characters you can’t help but root for, I highly recommend this book. It boasts some genuinely delightful banter and just the right amount of spice. My husband couldn’t help but notice my constant grins and kept asking what i was reading.
I believe it’s definitely worth adding to your summer reading list.
I believe it’s definitely worth adding to your summer reading list.
March 25, 2026
I really enjoyed this second-chance romance book.
The banter is amazing and I love the small-town feel. Also the MMCs friends are such amazing people that you really get to love them. Sofia and Felix are great.
I also really liked Jennifer and hope that she will get her own book as well.
It is an enjoyable, fast and touching read. I really enjoyed reading it and would highly recommend for fans of Ashley Poston and Ali Hazelwood.
The banter is amazing and I love the small-town feel. Also the MMCs friends are such amazing people that you really get to love them. Sofia and Felix are great.
I also really liked Jennifer and hope that she will get her own book as well.
It is an enjoyable, fast and touching read. I really enjoyed reading it and would highly recommend for fans of Ashley Poston and Ali Hazelwood.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely devoured this novel. Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes and it was paired with the perfect small town setting. The FMC was perfect in her boldness and how she stood up for what she wanted. I loved this story and I'm ecstatic with the ending.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews