The Angel: A Chantry Cross Romance

by Ellen Wood

Genres: Romance

377 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2026

Reviews

[kesy_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautifully written

I’m in love with the story. The characters were so easy to follow the plot had a great pace.

I loved the drama and I loved the ending!!
The Author really wrote a story that will keep you interested in wanting more. This book has everything you want from a romance. It’s sweet and emotional and spicy.

Tropes:
Second chance
Grumpy sunshine
Biracial
Billionaire romance
High school sweethearts
Small town

[Lenore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

Very Hallmark cute second chance romance. Honestly I didn't love the first 60%. It wasn't very believable to me that 15 years later they only ever think of each other and then immediately start sleeping together multiple times a night as full grown adults and married like 2 weeks later. From the 60% mark on it because more likeable with some cute interactions. She still comes across as very strong the opposite of her public persona but at least she finally catches on to her wayward plans. Overall it stays on the past too long and the hook ups are too fast but I like the mix of characters for the most part.

[Shay Knudsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Carlene and Zachary’s story. You could feel the history between them from the very beginning, and I found myself rooting for them the whole time. Their reunion was emotional, sweet, and at times completely heartbreaking.

What I enjoyed most was how real their feelings felt. Even after years apart, the connection between them never seemed forced. I smiled, teared up, and couldn’t stop turning the pages to see if they would finally get the ending they deserved.

[Alison Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[A.M. Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellen Wood is a debut author telling the stories I miss seeing everywhere! This novel reminds me of a Miley Cyrus movie with second chance romance and adorable flashbacks, monologs, and of course.. Puppy! Haha.

Ellen, congrats on chasing your dreams and never backing down. You are on the path to become a star, and I'm honored to be a part of your journey!!

[Kelly Willekens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got to read this an an arc and I'm incredibly grateful to be able to. Special thanks to the author Ellen ❤️
If you love
🐚 Small town romance
🐚 Second chance
🐚 Grumpy x sunshine
🐚 Banter
🐚 First love
This book is for you!

🐚 Blurp
A second chance at love for Carlene, after living her big city life and going through a nasty divorce. She decides to move back to the place where she grew up. And where she fell in love with her highschool boyfriend Zach. Who she left behind when she decided to go into the big wild world.
But she's back and ready to rekindle her love with Zach again.

But is Zach still the same as he was 15 years ago? Zach now has his own carpentry business. And is faking and making his way through life. Hiding behind the relationship he never got over with, hiding his feelings away. But every once in a while Carlene is the only thing on his mind. Can the two rekindle their highschool romance. Or have they both changed too much?

🐚 Review
I'll rate this book 4,5 stars out of 5.
It is definitely a perfect summery book to read near a beach or lake. I really liked how we got enough backstory on both characters but it wasn't too long or too much it was the perfect amount. The pacing was wonderful too there was enough things happening that made you want to continue reading. I had trouble putting the book down, and was constantly rooting for our main characters. I definitely liked how all the side characters still became really lovable when reading. It was overall a really cute small town book with spice 🌶️ at the right time and the right amount. I would definitely recommend this book if you are into small town romance or looking for an easy summer read. I noticed I really liked Ellens writing style it was easy to understand and also with the banter in-between it made it an easy read.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[BookBelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second-chance romances are everywhere, but Ellen Wood's The Angel stands out for how deeply it believes in the ache of “what if” and the healing power of coming home, a feeling I carried with me long after I closed the book.

The story follows Zachary Knight, a gruff, kind-hearted woodworker in Oregon whose quiet life is anchored by his bulldog, Lucy, and the worn comfort of reclaimed timber. His emotional equilibrium shatters when Carlene Jae, his high school first love and the almost-mythic “Angel” of Chantry Cross, goes viral for all the wrong reasons, humiliated by a public, petty divorce ambush. As a reader, I felt an immediate and almost retroactive protectiveness toward her. Wood deftly braids Zach’s present-day turmoil with vivid flashbacks to their teenage courtship: the charged hallway encounter by his locker, the tentative first date, and the way a shy “nobody” boy and an untouchable school icon built something fragile and real. I believed every beat of it. As the narrative gravitates back toward Chantry Cross, the island town becomes both a physical setting and an emotional crossroads, where past choices, family expectations, and class tensions collide with the tantalizing possibility of a do-over.

Zach and Carlene feel believably messy and wounded, stubborn, yet still magnetized by old chemistry. I especially appreciated Zach’s interiority and Lucy, who steals scenes without tipping into gimmick. Wood’s prose is warm and accessible, with a cozy small-town undercurrent. The pacing sometimes lingers on internal monologue, and a few moments lean into melodrama. I did not mind every time, because the emotional throughline stays persuasive.

What it is really about, for me, is not simply whether they get back together. It is about the part where you have to rebuild your sense of worth after being publicly torn down. I thought it was a satisfying read and worth picking up if you like second chances that feel earned.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

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…”

[Kristen Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Lesley Odhiambo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best romance books I have read. It is a beautiful story of love and hope, showing that Zach and Carlene still care deeply for each other even after 15 years apart. I really loved the plot, especially how things seem uncertain for Carlene at one point, but in the end her life and her love with Zach turn out to be even better than they were in high school.

The book truly pulled me into its romantic, dreamlike world, where I could imagine a love as gentle and sincere as the one Zach and Carlene share. The author does an amazing job of showing that love is not about money or fame. Real love is found in respect and in the willingness to support your partner’s goals and desires. As someone who once saw love as mostly receiving, this story helped shift my mindset. It made me see love as also giving of yourself, your time, your willingness to share your dreams, your space, and even your vulnerability.

I genuinely feel this book would make a very interesting movie. It has the kind of romance that would leave people hoping for a sequel, especially to see what happens when Zach and Carlene finally begin raising a family. The different characters are written with real individuality, and Ellen does a wonderful job describing their physical appearance. Her descriptions made it easy for me to imagine each character vividly and picture them in my own way.

For anyone who truly appreciates romance and love stories, I would highly recommend The Angel: A Chantry Cross Romance.

[Martine Foda-Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I lost me when I lost you."

This is the contemporary romance story of Zach and Carlene and their reuniting after 15 years. It is a small town, and second-chance romance.

In high school, Zach and Carlene were each other's first loves but life happened and they grew apart. Carlene went on and became rich and famous while Zach remained in the same town living a simple life with good friends in tow.

15 years later, Carlene has a highly publicized divorce and moves back to Surrey Falls where she went to high school and where her inherited home is. From there, she discovers that Zach is still living in town and they begin to reconnect.

This story reminds me a bit of The Notebook in terms of high school sweethearts losing each other to reconnect again in a blaze of passion.

It also was a nostalgic read for me because it reminded me of a good friend of mine who I connected with in high school but lost touch with and twenty years later we reconnected albeit with our spouses and kids. It goes to show that those young connections can last a lifetime.

Though I found the story to be fun and sentimental, I was yearning for more angst between the two main characters. I needed more build up to connection. Some moments felt a bit too easy and smooth for a complete fulfillment of their connection. (To be fair I also love the slowest slow burn and that's on me). I also found Carlene to be a bit annoying at times but again that could just be a me thing.

This was a good palate cleanser and makes for a fun summer read!

[divenessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. ⭐📚

[September Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Angel: A Chantry Cross Romance is an emotionally engaging and beautifully layered romance that blends heartfelt emotion, personal growth, and compelling relationship dynamics into a deeply satisfying story. Ellen Wood creates an immersive narrative filled with warmth, emotional tension, and characters whose journeys feel authentic and relatable.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its emotional depth. The relationships are developed with care and sincerity, allowing the romance to unfold naturally while exploring themes of trust, vulnerability, healing, and emotional connection. The emotional progression between the characters feels genuine, giving the story a strong emotional core that keeps readers invested throughout.

The storytelling also balances intimacy and atmosphere exceptionally well. The emotional moments carry weight without losing the sense of hope and romantic warmth that defines the novel. Ellen Wood’s writing style creates a smooth and engaging reading experience that draws readers into both the emotional and personal struggles faced by the characters.

What makes The Angel especially compelling is its ability to combine emotional resonance with romantic charm in a way that feels heartfelt and immersive. Thoughtful, romantic, and emotionally rewarding, the novel offers readers a memorable love story centered on connection, healing, and the courage to embrace love fully.

[Felisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feel good, small town romance. 🥰

This book is such a feel-good, small-town cozy romance that makes you want to crawl right into the scene and never leave.

It follows Carlene, a wealthy socialite who experiences a very public divorce, one she couldn’t care less about, considering she was more than ready for the relationship to end. Returning to her hometown, she’s immediately confronted with something far more complicated: her first love… and the feelings for him that never truly faded.

Things only intensify when she learns his current situation mirrors the one she just escaped. Their reunion nearly turns into headline-worthy gossip, but instead, it slowly pulls them back into familiar rhythms, old habits, shared history, and a connection that clearly never lost its depth.

What makes this story shine is how effortless their bond feels. It’s one of those romances where you know, without question, that what they have can’t be replicated.

If you’re looking for an emotional, feel-good read with a touch of spice and all the hearts-and-flowers vibes, this book absolutely delivers.

[Bianca Aimee Gasca · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Pricilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning was a little slow-going for me. Only because I'm so used to reading first person and this one wasn't. This book also has a slow build-up before the characters come back into each other's lives, but once they do, they go crazy for each other. I love the banter and playfulness between the main characters. Zach is adorable. I'm not the biggest fan of the mc. I don't like how Carlene was always making plans for their future and just expecting Zach to go along with whatever she wanted and never asking him what he wanted. This was one of the reasons why they didn't work the first time. Then they get back together, and she starts to do it again but only stops because she's reminded by a friend that she's doing it again. So I'm not the biggest fan of hers, but in the end, she works it out with him and becomes more mindful about communicating her wants and listening to his wants. Overall, it's a good book and would recommend giving it a try.

[Shana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story started off well but quickly turned vain and immature. Most of the story focused on everyone's looks; how gorgeous the FMC is, the comparison of everyone else's beauty or lack of beauty to the FMC, and the amount of money that people had or did not have. The descriptions of how gorgeous, beautiful, and stunning the FMC was, became very repetitive.

This felt like a story about teenagers except that these are grown adults in their 30s and the spice in this story is absolutely not for teenagers. I was thrown off by the full detailed memories of the character's spicy scenes as teenagers.

I enjoyed the MMC's bulldog and the ending of this story. I thought the ending was very sweet and wrapped the story up with a pretty pink bow. I also enjoyed some of the side characters. All in all, I think this story just wasn't for me.

[Janalee Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Angel is a second-chance romance set in a small island community.

At the heart of it are Carlene and Zach, two people who once shared a first love and are now brought back together after fifteen years apart.

Carlene is rebuilding her life after divorce, coming from a world of wealth and fame, while Zach has stayed rooted in his small town life as a craftsman. Despite how different their lives have become, their connection never truly faded.
The sense of community throughout the story added that cozy feel. The found family element made the setting feel alive and welcoming, like a place you'd want to step into and stay awhile.

Overall, this is a heartfelt, cozy second-chance romance that focuses on reconnecting, and finding your way back to the person who always felt like home.

[Βίκυ Χ. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hymn to true love, family, and friendship 🎵

Some books you finish and immediately want to live inside. This is one of them.

Carlene and Zach's first love and second chance are messy and beautiful. Too proud, too stubborn, and absolutely meant to be. Apart, they're a wreck. Together? Explosive in the best way. Ellen Wood's debut flows like a peaceful stream, with cinematic writing and characters so real you'll miss them when it's over.

It's a rainbow of emotions: intense romance, sharp wit, real heartbreak, laugh-out-loud humor, and so much warmth. The kind of feel-good story that becomes a comfort read for years.

Close this review, open the book, and thank me before you finish chapter one.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Angel is a second chance romance between former high school sweethearts who haven’t seen each other in 15 years.

Their love for each other has never faded despite some obstacles that remain between them.

Sweet Zach is a hardworking contractor who is an integral part of his local community. Carlene returns home after a humiliating and very public divorce and immediately realizes that she made a major mistake all those years ago.


I enjoyed this book a lot! Zach, his bulldog, and his friends are what small town romance dreams are made of!! It took me a bit to warm up to Carlene- she is a woman who knows what she wants and she can be quite direct. Zach is completely lovesick for her and he has to decide if he will put his pride aside to let himself be loved again! ❤️

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !!! what a good start for this new series and debut novel... love Carlene and Zach...his bulldog and friends... this is their second chance love story... a fun fast paced rom/com drama set in Chantry Cross... once upon a time they were together in high school... they were so in love then, she went away to college and life changed for both... they never got over each other... no one compared.. she married a very rich jerk that cheated and divorced her publicly... he turned playboy and just fooled around... now, she's back and wants to see if there's anything left .... this was so good !!!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Michelle Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Christina King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellen Wood's debut novel was fun and sweet, and it reminds me so much of the 90's/00's movies we all used to love. Charlene was adorable, and it was fun to see a confident yet grounded MC in a romance novel, honestly something I haven't come across in a while.

The setting was swoon-worthy (I love stories set on a small island), and the second-chance love story was uplifting and hopeful.

I highly recommend this novel! I hope to read more from Ellen soon.

[Lauren Lo · Rating 4 out of 5]

beach-town hallmark movie vibes!

This book was absolutely adorable! I loved the relationship between Carlene and Zach and the years of yearning of that first true love kept me smiling and believing that love exists. I love a fast-paced small town romance novel and this was exactly that. A little predictable, but aren’t hallmark movies and we still love watching them anyway? lol I highly recommend this book!

[Wren Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore a second chance romance, and Ellen really delivered. Zach was the boy next door who was understated but so handsome, and grew into the rugged workman. Can't beat it. Opposites attract with the FMC portrayed as an ice queen, but beneath the facade was so much more. Enjoyable read, can't wait for more Chantry Cross

[Ronnie Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divorce is sometimes the answer🩷

A public divorce and going home helped her find true happiness. Sometimes second chances and changes of direction are what we need to ref8nd what truly makes us happy. Yes Twam, this is spicy as well but tastefully done. The perfect read for a sunny weekend outside poolside. #swoon

[Kristy Esterly · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

spicy amazing romance

This contemporary romance was amazing. Refound love and small town vibes. Definitely worth the read and was so fun! The author made the story engaging and I was hooked right off the bat! It was perfectly spicy and so much fun.