REVIEW: One Little Secret by Avery Maxwell

One Little Secret by Avery Maxwell Ashton Westbrook has long since decided to keep his heart locked away and by extension that means keeping everyone out of his personal space, so when he agrees to help his brother out with a favour Ashton really didn’t realise that he would be agreeing to inviting some little princess into his home. For a man of his caliber his job is really simple keep Nova Blaine safe until until they can find the assailant that has been harassing her the only problem with this is that keeping Nova safe means that he has to keep her close. Somewhere between sharing a home and some deep conversations it would seem that Nova has been able to chip away at the stone wall that Ashton has surrounded himself with, but the question is will these two be able to let their past remain in the past and finally enjoy the present or are the demons from the past always going to haunt them?

One Little Secret was so much more than I had initially expected it to be, this book was packed with emotion and I loved getting to join Ashton and Nova on this journey. These two characters really were perfect for each other, both with their secrets and having a past that haunts them. Even though this book can be read as a standalone I would strongly suggest reading the other books in this series purely because the characters were all so interesting and I could not help but want more of them.

Oh Ashton, my heart just broke for our hero. This guy was so haunted by his past that it really turned him into a shell of the man he could be. The worst part being the actions and the guilt he carries around were really unneeded. It was so sad to see that even with the best of intentions so much hurt can result. This only made me love seeing him open up to Nova bit by bit and really getting to see her breath a new life into him. I just loved our leading lady, Nova was a total ball of sunshine. Even though she had her own secrets and demons she really never let that hold her back from being a genuinely good person. I loved that she was so patient with Ashton and that she really supported him in opening up about his past.

The Westbrooks were just amazing, I loved each one of them and how invested and involved they were in each others lives. I really liked that they each helped play a role in helping Ashton heal. The real star of this book has to be Ashton’s niece Sadie. Gosh she was so cute, I loved that she was so in-tune with Ashton and that she always knew that he was a big ole softie under all his stonewalls. Their relationship really was one of the cutest parts of this book.

I loved the progression of their relationship and that they start off as friends first that slowly share bits about themselves, letting the other into their world and letting this build into so much more. I loved the change that Nova brought to Ashton and that she helped him finally want more in his life, it was like she woke up a part of him that he had frozen. Their journey was both beautiful and painful but really highlighted the fact that sometimes struggles only make us better versions of ourselves, and this made their ultimate happily ever after so much more amazing.

One Little Secret is a total must read, this slow burn romance is filled with love, tears, redemption, lies, family and hope. You really won’t go wrong with this book!

Book Info:

Publication: January 11, 2023 | Avery Maxwell |

Ashton Westbrook

Playing house with a secret-keeping heiress was not how I envisioned helping when my brothers called me. My expertise is the dirty work, not glorified babysitting. Now Nova Blaine is here in this tiny town. Invading my home, my thoughts, and turning my carefully controlled existence upside down.

I’m tasked with finding her assailant, an assignment that requires me to stay close. Something I’ve gotten good at avoiding at all costs. I keep even my family at arm’s length. It’s safer that way. But there’s something about her that makes me feel protective, that makes me want to get closer.

I’m her protector, but sharing my home means sharing my life with her. And this princess is starting to see what’s beyond my beastly façade. I know there’s nothing left worth finding beneath my scars and secrets, but she’s determined to open all those old wounds.

There are reasons I’ve retreated from everything I once loved. But I’ll face those demons again if it means protecting her. In the end, will I remain captive or will she be the one to finally set me free?
Nova Blaine

I’m not a princess to be locked away in a tower. Until I am. And when Ashton Westbrook turns that gravelly, deep voice my way, calling me Princess? I know I’ll scale his walls and enjoy the climb.

He’s my protector, but I see the anguish beneath his beastly façade.

He may keep me safe, but I will set him free.

Secrets whispered in the dead of night lead to truths they can’t deny. Can either of them escape their past to live in the present and have a hope for the future? Or are some secrets meant to burn out with their keeper?