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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Just found this one a bit boring,
This is my first book by Daphne Elliott and I want thank her and Wicked Reads for the opportunity to get an ARC for an honest review. The plot of this was super intriguing to me and while it ended up being sweeter to me than I was expecting, it was by no means a detriment to the reading experience.
The story is about Chloe and Gus who were swept up in a whirlwind romance at the tender age of 20 and 22 respectively and through a rapid series of events ended up divorced and equally heartbroken. Flash forward 20 years, and after Gus's family logging company ends up in financial trouble AND investigated by the FBI , Chloe comes up with an idea to seek revenge by buying the company and forcing Gus to work for her for a year. She thinks she's got him under her thumb, but when she unexpectedly walks back into his life, Gus is almost immediately revived. These two can't seem to stay away from each other and when a drunken night of birthday fun results in the most unexpected of pregnancies, they have to figure out how to navigate their way forward and try and heal from the hurts from the past.
This is the second book in a series, and while I was able to read it as a standalone I did feel there was some elements missing that would have been helpful to read book 1 (which the author does recommend so not her fault!). I loved the characters in this book and there was so much more going on that added some great dynamics to the story. Between family issues, and all the mess with the FBI plus the suspense elements, this really had a lot to offer. I didn't give it 5 stars only because there are subplot elements that feel unresolved but I'm hoping we will get more answers in book 3.
This book is for you if you like:
* Second Chance
* Grumpy X Grumpy
* Lumberjacks
* Accidental Pregnancy
* He's in therapy!
The story is about Chloe and Gus who were swept up in a whirlwind romance at the tender age of 20 and 22 respectively and through a rapid series of events ended up divorced and equally heartbroken. Flash forward 20 years, and after Gus's family logging company ends up in financial trouble AND investigated by the FBI , Chloe comes up with an idea to seek revenge by buying the company and forcing Gus to work for her for a year. She thinks she's got him under her thumb, but when she unexpectedly walks back into his life, Gus is almost immediately revived. These two can't seem to stay away from each other and when a drunken night of birthday fun results in the most unexpected of pregnancies, they have to figure out how to navigate their way forward and try and heal from the hurts from the past.
This is the second book in a series, and while I was able to read it as a standalone I did feel there was some elements missing that would have been helpful to read book 1 (which the author does recommend so not her fault!). I loved the characters in this book and there was so much more going on that added some great dynamics to the story. Between family issues, and all the mess with the FBI plus the suspense elements, this really had a lot to offer. I didn't give it 5 stars only because there are subplot elements that feel unresolved but I'm hoping we will get more answers in book 3.
This book is for you if you like:
* Second Chance
* Grumpy X Grumpy
* Lumberjacks
* Accidental Pregnancy
* He's in therapy!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Pain in the Axe is a second chance, accidental pregnant with her ex husband tale and the second book in the Maine Lumberjacks series.
Chloe is determined to on seek revenge on her ex-husband Gus who broke her heart 20 years ago by choosing his company over her. Now she's his boss after buying his company forcing him to work for her and she expected revenge to be sweet never guessing she'd catch feelings for him.
Gus and Chloe's backstory was slowly revealed and it was obvious they needed to work out the unresolved hurt and anger towards each other for how things ended twenty years ago.
From the tension to the tender moments, I was hooked on these two. I loved the banter, I loved the magnetic chemistry and I loved watching them fall back in love after all these years and I loved that the main characters were mature characters.
This was a great addition to the series and was an engaging, emotional and witty tale. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.
I loved this book!! From the moment I read that scene at the end of book 1, I knew this book was going to be great. Divorced exes getting a second chance is already such a fun trope, but add in the revenge aspect and the accidental pregnancy and that kicks everything up a notch!
Gus and Chloe were so in love when they were younger and had their whirlwind romance and marriage until something tore them apart. It's obvious they both clearly love each other, but Chloe fights that love by hanging on to her anger and "hating" Gus. When her plan for revenge comes to fruition and she has to see him every day, it's a lot harder than she expected. Especially since Gus is nothing like she thought he'd be.
Their banter and Gus' attitude towards everything she throws at him was just so much fun. That man was down bad and he loved every second of being around her again, even if she was spouting hate and fighting him on everything.
The way Gus was when he found out she was pregnant was so cute!!! I loved how protective he was, how hard he worked to get her back, and how he read all the books!! Chloe was so strong and stubborn, but she deserved a man like Gus who wanted to be there every step of the way.
As with Daphne's previous books, there's always a little intrigue and suspense because there's never a dull moment in Lovewell! Can't wait to see what else she has in store for us in this series!
Thank you to Daphne and team for the ARC!
emotional
funny
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Dual POV, Spicy, Accidental Pregnancy, GrumpyxGrumpy, Divorced Exs, Care Taking, Protective MMC, Small Town
Pain In The Axe checks very box for an angsty second chance romance: mutual pining, a secret tattoo, "what letters?", and plenty of groveling. Chloe and Gus are both career driven people who are both put down by their families when it comes to their family business's which makes it all the more tender when they are forced to work together to save his family's timber company. 🪓💙🌲
Pain In The Axe checks very box for an angsty second chance romance: mutual pining, a secret tattoo, "what letters?", and plenty of groveling. Chloe and Gus are both career driven people who are both put down by their families when it comes to their family business's which makes it all the more tender when they are forced to work together to save his family's timber company. 🪓💙🌲
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5 stars
Before I say anything about Gus and Chloe, can I say that Clive is a badass and I’m so happy he got his happy ending also here? My heart grew 2 sizes at the end.
Okay, now that the Clive love is out of the way, on to Chloe. This badass boss bitch has lived a life. My heart broke for her as the story went on. I couldn’t imagine why she was harboring so much hatred towards Gus because he’s serious one of the good ones (my mind was made up in Caught in the Axe). Their history was slow to be unveiled, but once it was, it all made sense and my heart shattered for her. Being the fixer and the strong one of the family resonates with me so much. She is who she is because she cannot be anything but everything for everyone else or bad things happen to the ones you love. I get it. I feel it. It doesn’t stop me from hurting for her. I, too, am almost 40 and struggling with fertility and the thoughts of have I waited too long? Should I just get over that dream, so that’s a whole other bag of hurt that I’m so glad turned out the way it did for her. If anyone deserves a HEA, it’s Chloe.
NOW to Gus. My god this man! The tattoo! The baby boom reading! The ending of casual hookups like the freaking gentleman he is! Also suffering from oldest child, fix everything syndrome. Ugh. I just wanted Gus to be happy and ride off into the sunset and find his purpose at the end of Caught in the Axe. Little did I know that everything he’d ever wanted and needed and was destined for was gonna keep him in Lovewell and be worth it. He’s be tested and been found worthy of everything.
I didn’t think I was going to love this book as much as I did. The way Daphne spun the tale of ex spouses to lovers was magic and so much fun to watch.
I am curious about the weirdos following Chloe and the arson. Like I really hope that storyline keeps going in the next book because it just kinda went nowhere and dropped off without explanation. However, the whole thing with the FBI and the vandalism/thefts started with Caught in the Axe and went further here, so I’m going to assume it’ll keep threading and going deeper as the series progresses.
Thank you, Daphne Elliot and The Author Agency for this ARC! I cannot wait for the next in this series!
Before I say anything about Gus and Chloe, can I say that Clive is a badass and I’m so happy he got his happy ending also here? My heart grew 2 sizes at the end.
Okay, now that the Clive love is out of the way, on to Chloe. This badass boss bitch has lived a life. My heart broke for her as the story went on. I couldn’t imagine why she was harboring so much hatred towards Gus because he’s serious one of the good ones (my mind was made up in Caught in the Axe). Their history was slow to be unveiled, but once it was, it all made sense and my heart shattered for her. Being the fixer and the strong one of the family resonates with me so much. She is who she is because she cannot be anything but everything for everyone else or bad things happen to the ones you love. I get it. I feel it. It doesn’t stop me from hurting for her. I, too, am almost 40 and struggling with fertility and the thoughts of have I waited too long? Should I just get over that dream, so that’s a whole other bag of hurt that I’m so glad turned out the way it did for her. If anyone deserves a HEA, it’s Chloe.
NOW to Gus. My god this man! The tattoo! The baby boom reading! The ending of casual hookups like the freaking gentleman he is! Also suffering from oldest child, fix everything syndrome. Ugh. I just wanted Gus to be happy and ride off into the sunset and find his purpose at the end of Caught in the Axe. Little did I know that everything he’d ever wanted and needed and was destined for was gonna keep him in Lovewell and be worth it. He’s be tested and been found worthy of everything.
I didn’t think I was going to love this book as much as I did. The way Daphne spun the tale of ex spouses to lovers was magic and so much fun to watch.
I am curious about the weirdos following Chloe and the arson. Like I really hope that storyline keeps going in the next book because it just kinda went nowhere and dropped off without explanation. However, the whole thing with the FBI and the vandalism/thefts started with Caught in the Axe and went further here, so I’m going to assume it’ll keep threading and going deeper as the series progresses.
Thank you, Daphne Elliot and The Author Agency for this ARC! I cannot wait for the next in this series!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
We’re back in Lovewell with the Hebert fam! The way Gus & Chloe are meant to be 🥹 These two complement each other so well, knowing when to push and when to support. The tension between these two when they first come face to face again is palpable, but Gus is determined to make things work between them this time, and I love him for that. Gus has been gone for Chloe for decades, and this man shows up for her in so many ways, proving he won’t make the same mistakes he made 20 years ago. Chloe’s determined to not get hurt again—especially when she realizes there’s a baby involved—but Gus doesn’t back down. I love Chloe’s fire and how determined she is to do right by the lumber company. There wasn’t as much of the suspense aspect in this one as some of the other Lovewell and Maine lumberjacks books, but it’s clear there’s still something brewing, and I can’t wait to see what comes next…especially after that ending?!?! I loved that we got to see the Hebert gang together, and of course the Clive sightings (dude sure knows how to make himself known and get all the attention 💀). I really enjoyed this one, and I can’t wait for more!!