Release Day Book Review: Wonder, Wonder (Ashland #2) by Christina Nolte

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Wonder, Wonder

SERIES:  Ashland

AUTHOR:  Christina Nolte

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  300 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 25, 2025

BLURB:

For a year now the romance between Arrick Filan and Evan Miller has been going strong. Between rehearsals, running Ashland High, teaching, Arrick’s jealous ex, and a menagerie of pets at home, life is hectic and messy, but Evan decides to ask the question of questions anyway.

Everything seems perfect, until a sudden series of deaths uncovers a family secret in the form of Arrick’s baby brother – a spare turned heir. Now the caretaker of the brother who was meant to replace him, Arrick and Evan must learn to navigate unfamiliar waters and how to keep their relationship intact.

REVIEW:

Note:  This is book 2 in this series and doesn’t not work as a standalone.

Evan and Arrick have been together for a year.  Things have been going well.  In fact Arrick is getting ready to put on a play with the kids in the theater group.  He’s teaching physics and he and Evan are converting a barn on Evan’s dad’s land into a new house big enough for the two of them.  They are living and working together.  It’s not secret now 😉  The rest of the teachers are supportive and Evan’s job as principal is pretty demanding.

Their relationship is just really turning the corner when Evan decides he wants to pop the question.  And then all hell breaks loose.  An unexpected phone call and then a tragic accident leaves Arrick as the only possible guardian for a baby that he is in no way ready for.  But when he sees how much his much younger brother looks like him and how dependent he is, he can’t turn his back on him despite his incredibly complicated relationship with their father.  And Evan hadn’t exactly planned on an instant family either. In fact it seems they hadn’t really discussed their views on parenthood.

When they return with the baby and to their lives, someone has to take time to care for the baby and so Arrick stays home with him while Even returns to work.  Things are still a bit murky with Silver Rock, the company run by Ben, Arrick’s ex and the son of the late principal before Evan.  The school needs the money and support.  The town needs the jobs.  But mysterious “accidents” and deaths are still occurring and Arrick finds it all a bit suspicious.

There are things that Evan and Arrick have to negotiate that are unexpected.  They have to look out for Arthur.  The need to make sure their relationship can survive the chaos of a baby that they hadn’t planned for.  And they have to figure out what the heck Ben’s game is.  But their found family is there to support them as are the kids at the school and some surprising allies 😉

I really enjoyed this second installment of this series.  I loved Evan and Arrick in the first book, but I love them even more here.  Arrick still dealing with his trauma from his abusive father and Evan both understanding and doing his best to protect him from further abuse is so heartwarming.  Their relationship is definitely tested but Evan isn’t going to give up. He’s not going to let Arrick freeze him out when he’s unhappy or scared or stressed.  Arrick still has trouble dealing with the issues and he doesn’t get the closure he needs – at least not at first. He feels some guilt and also some real fear about somehow turning into the same kind of father as his own father.  That of course would never happen, but it’s not an uncommon fear.  I loved the whole town of Ashland and how everyone came together to support the kids and the school as best they could.  I honestly would have liked a little more closure at the end, but that’s just me being selfish!  This is a really good ending for this book that leaves our MC in a great place!  Evan and Arrick and Arthur are in a great place 🙂  Recommended.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon