One Little Secret

“Even protectors can wish on a shooting star for a chance to feel alive.”

OH, BE STILL MY HEART, it’s now Ashton Westbrook’s time to GTG (get the girl). Both his body and soul are scarred from years of protecting his family and other innocents from behind the scenes. His sense of duty and guilt for not being able to rescue everyone has his life in a downward spiral and has him observing his family’s lives from the outside. Can Nova, the woman who needs his protection, also save him?

“I’m not a monster. And I’m not a beast. I’m a man who faced unbelievable challenges and still managed to catch the eye of the most beautiful woman in the world. I’m a man who learned to forgive everyone in his life except himself. Until now.”

I have been waiting for Ashton’s story forever and couldn’t wait to read it. Watching him and feeling his pain throughout the series has been heartbreaking, so I was so happy it was finally his turn. This family by choice and blood has touched my heart from the beginning. While I am sad to see the end of the series, this book was the perfect one to end it with. I have loved every minute of the chaos and I will certainly return to it and reread it again and again.

Supernova of Emotions!

We’ve all been waiting for Ashton’s story. I’m sure we all had theories and hunches, but I don’t think any of us had a clue how to prepare for Ash’s story. One Little Secret was a complete supernova of emotions. The love, grief, doubt, guilt, shame, and hope all pour out in the pages of Ashton’s story. Nova was the perfect heroine for Ashton. Nova was able to connect the last of the bridge that Sadie Sunshine had been building for Ash. The beast’s princess thawing through the last of his walls. Avery Maxwell did a fabulous job bringing us full circle in the chapter of the Westbrook family. I’ve absolutely loved falling into the world of chaos fueled by love that Avery has created. This will be a series worth rereading over and over.

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this novel for an honest review and OMG, it gave all the feels! The last and most beloved Westbrook brother finally gets his story told and what a story it was! Scarred and left feeling hopeless after taking on secrets that were never his to have, Ashton had a long battle to fight for his will to live a normal life where he can learn to give and receive love. There were so many wonderful moments in this story that break you before building you back up. The heroine Nova was a bright light of hope for Ashton and I loved her from the start. Avery Maxwell has a way of writing heavy topics and giving not only the characters hope but the reader as well. That is why her books are so addictively craved. I can't say enough good things about this story and all of the other Avery Maxell books. Go forth and read!

An emotional ending for a beautiful ride. The Westbrooks' interconnected series Broken Hearts and Family Ties has been a fantastic rollercoaster of emotions born of Maxwell's incredible brain. The world she's created for these characters is one I would love to live in. This last installment ties some loose ends and gifts us with what we have been waiting for, including all the feels, in true Avery fashion. We've been rooting for Ashton for a long time and now we can finally relax. Nova is the perfect match. What more can I say than it was worth the wait? Nothing really, it was totally worth it. And that bonus epilogue with a glimpse into the not-so-near future? Superb! Although I am sad to see them go, there is always the chance to revisit them all on my Kindle. Do not miss the opportunity to read this book (and all the others too!). The chaos lives on!
I received this story as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.

One Little Secret is the finale of 2 great series: The Westbrooks: Broken Hearts and The Westbrooks: Family Ties. You don’t necessarily need to read the others first, but they provide a lot of context to Ashton’s journey and the dynamics of this lovable and chaotic chosen family.
Avery Maxwell does a magnificent job of composing the long-awaited conclusion to the series. As any great story will do, it pulls at all your emotions. Avery does not disappoint; in the span of 446 pages, I was sad, hopeful, anxious, happy, angry, and most of all, satisfied. It is a beautiful story of all of those he has helped coming together to help him feel worthy of redemption, love and, most importantly, the forgiveness of himself.
A special thank you to GG for bringing the crazy and the laughter and Sadie for supplying the Sunshine.
While Aston has been intriguing us from the shadows for 9 books, it is now his turn for a Happily Ever After.
At a young age, Ashton was forced into a role he was unprepared for: Defender of the innocent, keeper of family secrets and self-proclaimed “man that evil fears”. Ashton has been the mastermind behind ensuring the safety and happiness of those he holds closest, but does he have the courage to be the hero of his own love story?
This time as the protector will be different as he is forced to open himself emotionally and physically to share his “safe place” with a stranger. Will being in the darkness make him appreciate her light even more?
Nova has a secret of her own that has dictated her life to this point. Will she allow Ashton in to help her reveal this secret and shed her baggage? Nova finds herself isolated with “the beast”. She recognizes the damaged soul within Ashton and wonders who protects him? Who keeps his heart safe while he’s busy saving the world? Can she be the bright light he so desperately needs? Can Nova help rescue Ashton from himself without losing herself in the process?
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves deep characters, redemption and the love and hilarity that comes from chosen families. If you love your men a little dark, protective, mysterious and broken, all wrapped up in a hot package, you have Aston Westbrook. Follow his journey as he sheds his armor, accepts the light and shares his One Little Secret.