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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
When Chloe walks into the boardroom on a mission to destroy her ex husband’s family company, the last thing she planned for was to catch feelings for the man who broke her heart, let alone end up pregnant with his baby.
This book was such a sweet and funny read. Oh Gus how I loved you!! This man is literally the kindest lumberjack on planet earth. I loved the fact that Gus chose to work on himself by going to therapy to show Chloe that he was a changed man from the boy she was previously married to to a man that was worthy of a second chance. Also, it was great seeing a couple that were 40 finally getting their second chance at love. Such a great entertaining read!
🪓 𝙿𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚡𝚎 🪓
𝚋𝚢 @daphneelliotauthor
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
4.25/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️
↓↓
After almost 20 years, Chloe is about to get revenge on her ex-husband. She bought her ex husbands timber company, plans on demoting him and making his life miserable but along the way feelings are re-ignited and after one hot night, they get more than they bargained for.
Chloe was such a strong and fierce FMC, in the mans world of lumber she knew she had to be strong and she showed everyone that she meant business. Gus has always been loyal to his family's lumber business until he wasn't. After everything that happened, he was happy to take a step back.
I loved these two, I really did.The tension between these two was insane and I loved watching them fall in love again. There was so much going on in this book that I could not put in down, add in the little suspense we got and I was absolutely hooked!
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
🪓Divorced Exes
🪓Accidental Pregnancy
🪓 Second Chance
🪓 Forced Proximity
🪓 Small Town
🪓Grumpy x Grumpy
🪓Revenge
🪓It's always been you
🏷️
#daphneelliot #painintheaxe #mountainmen #mountainmanromance #bluecollarromance #smalltownromance #lumberjackromance @theauthor.agency #divorcedexes #accidentalpregnancy #grumpyxgrumpy #revenge #itsalwaysbeenyou #summerreads #booktropes #bookaesthetic #bookaesthetics #bookstagrammer #bookboyfriendsdoitbetter #momswhoread #spicyromance #bibliophile #bookporn #bookstagram #spicycontent #ReadNow
𝚋𝚢 @daphneelliotauthor
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
4.25/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️
↓↓
After almost 20 years, Chloe is about to get revenge on her ex-husband. She bought her ex husbands timber company, plans on demoting him and making his life miserable but along the way feelings are re-ignited and after one hot night, they get more than they bargained for.
Chloe was such a strong and fierce FMC, in the mans world of lumber she knew she had to be strong and she showed everyone that she meant business. Gus has always been loyal to his family's lumber business until he wasn't. After everything that happened, he was happy to take a step back.
I loved these two, I really did.The tension between these two was insane and I loved watching them fall in love again. There was so much going on in this book that I could not put in down, add in the little suspense we got and I was absolutely hooked!
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
🪓Divorced Exes
🪓Accidental Pregnancy
🪓 Second Chance
🪓 Forced Proximity
🪓 Small Town
🪓Grumpy x Grumpy
🪓Revenge
🪓It's always been you
🏷️
#daphneelliot #painintheaxe #mountainmen #mountainmanromance #bluecollarromance #smalltownromance #lumberjackromance @theauthor.agency #divorcedexes #accidentalpregnancy #grumpyxgrumpy #revenge #itsalwaysbeenyou #summerreads #booktropes #bookaesthetic #bookaesthetics #bookstagrammer #bookboyfriendsdoitbetter #momswhoread #spicyromance #bibliophile #bookporn #bookstagram #spicycontent #ReadNow
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
Y'all it's not every day you get second chance - divorced exes - in their 40's -'it's always been you' -and a chaos causing moose named Clive!
Gus is the ultimate dreamboat. He's a grumpy cinnamon roll, who loves fiercely and is willing to put in the work! Chloe is a spitfire. Independent, smart as a whip, and suffers no fools.
They got married in their 20's in a whirlwind romance while dealing with difficult things in their personal lives..... now divorced and 20 years later Chloe is back in her home state of Maine. With a plan to take over her ex-husband's failing family business and get revenge for her broken heart.... except life as other plans, like having a baby with her ex!
I loved Gus and Chloe together. Very relatable! (and the plot twist in their relationship history?! Oh!) Second chance and accidental pregnancy aren't my favorite elements/tropes by Elliot got me to enjoy them a lot here. Gus and Chloe are older, if maybe not all the way wiser, but they are willing to work, to listen to each other, to communicate like well-adjusted people?! I mean.... come on!
And the way that Gus LOVES her is so tangible.... if someone loved me half as much as Gus loves Chloe, I would be so lucky. Getting to see Gus's family reconnect and welcome Chloe in with open arms was heartwarming!
Pain In The Axe is book 2 with an interconnected overarching mystery plot. While it could be read as a standalone, it is best read in order.
Gus is the ultimate dreamboat. He's a grumpy cinnamon roll, who loves fiercely and is willing to put in the work! Chloe is a spitfire. Independent, smart as a whip, and suffers no fools.
They got married in their 20's in a whirlwind romance while dealing with difficult things in their personal lives..... now divorced and 20 years later Chloe is back in her home state of Maine. With a plan to take over her ex-husband's failing family business and get revenge for her broken heart.... except life as other plans, like having a baby with her ex!
I loved Gus and Chloe together. Very relatable! (and the plot twist in their relationship history?! Oh!) Second chance and accidental pregnancy aren't my favorite elements/tropes by Elliot got me to enjoy them a lot here. Gus and Chloe are older, if maybe not all the way wiser, but they are willing to work, to listen to each other, to communicate like well-adjusted people?! I mean.... come on!
And the way that Gus LOVES her is so tangible.... if someone loved me half as much as Gus loves Chloe, I would be so lucky. Getting to see Gus's family reconnect and welcome Chloe in with open arms was heartwarming!
Pain In The Axe is book 2 with an interconnected overarching mystery plot. While it could be read as a standalone, it is best read in order.
I have read a lot of books (ahem…emphasis on A LOT) so I was pleasantly surprised when I had the pleasure to read this one that incorporated tropes/themes or characters that I haven’t encountered before. This book had two: divorced exes with an accidental pregnancy and a husky main male character. Plus, both the main characters are 40 or older! I also appreciated the dual POV. Chloe, a successful (black cat) entrepreneur purchases the timber company of her ex-husband, Gus, a growly (golden retriever) lumberjack. There was a surprising sub-plot that had of mystery/crime action, plenty of banter and tension, some spice, and a lot of “aww” moments. I definitely want to go back to read the first book in this series, because…lumberjack brothers might be my new favorite thing.
* This was a reread for me in a different format…and I can confidently say I love this book even more! This entire series needs to be experienced in audio! The duet narration of CJ Bloom Aaron Shedlock truly brought grumpy, fierce Chloe and possessive, gruff Gus to life along with the divorced exes to life in their enemies-to-lovers, second chance romance with a touch of suspense. As with the main characters, this duet voiced the tension and banter perfectly, and the steam for the spicy scenes was toe curling. I thoroughly enjoyed my second read through of this via audio…exceptionally done!
4.5 stars
*Thank you to Homecooked Books and the author for the ALC in June of 2025
Thank you to @wickedreadspr and the author for the eARC.
**edited to add ALC info
* This was a reread for me in a different format…and I can confidently say I love this book even more! This entire series needs to be experienced in audio! The duet narration of CJ Bloom Aaron Shedlock truly brought grumpy, fierce Chloe and possessive, gruff Gus to life along with the divorced exes to life in their enemies-to-lovers, second chance romance with a touch of suspense. As with the main characters, this duet voiced the tension and banter perfectly, and the steam for the spicy scenes was toe curling. I thoroughly enjoyed my second read through of this via audio…exceptionally done!
4.5 stars
*Thank you to Homecooked Books and the author for the ALC in June of 2025
Thank you to @wickedreadspr and the author for the eARC.
**edited to add ALC info
Thank you to @wickedreadspr and the author for the eARC.
Gus. Gus. Gus. What am I going to do with you!
This man has done everything to try and prove his worth to his unmentionable father and in doing so lost the love of his life.
Well, sometimes life gives you a second chance and boy did he not fumble when the opportunity arrived!
Gus and Chloe were made for each other. They balance each other so well. They are both very much grumps on the outside but gooey on the inside! And the TENSION!!! I was kicking my heels in delight!
We all know that accidental pregnancy is a trope that is hard to get right but have no fear, Daphne handled it perfectly.
Aside for the romance I am still really intrigued about mystery surrounding the Herberts.
It would be remiss of me to not mention The Moose, The Myth, The Legend; Clive. He is iconic and I think this is the most iconic moments yet.
Lovewell, Maine is one of my happy places and I love getting to return to this town.
🪓Divorced Exes
🫎Accidental Pregnancy (Pregnant at 40)
🪓Forced Proximity
🫎Grumpy × Grumpy
🪓Revenge
🫎It’s always been you
funny
medium-paced
“And my ex-husband? The one who tossed me aside for the chance to grow his family business and impress his dad? I was now the proud owner of four generations of his family’s legacy. The figurehead of the company he’d lost. The company he’d chosen over me.”
Chloe is hellbent on seeking revenge on her ex-husband that shattered her world and broke her heart 20 years ago.
She’s now Gus Herbert’s boss. And ready to strip his family name from everything.
Divorced Ex’s
Enemies to Lovers
Revenge
Grumpy vs Grumpier
Second Chances
Surprise Pregnancy
A little Suspense
A Moose
Found Family
These two have a kindling fire between them still. A “fuck it” night of 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and those two little pink lines show up weeks later.
This is such a cute romance about forgiveness, an unplanned pregnancy, second chance with a first love, and a hot lumber jack.
“It will take time, work, and sacrifice, but I’m committed. I will make you mine again. This time, for good.”
Chloe is hellbent on seeking revenge on her ex-husband that shattered her world and broke her heart 20 years ago.
She’s now Gus Herbert’s boss. And ready to strip his family name from everything.
Divorced Ex’s
Enemies to Lovers
Revenge
Grumpy vs Grumpier
Second Chances
Surprise Pregnancy
A little Suspense
A Moose
Found Family
These two have a kindling fire between them still. A “fuck it” night of 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and those two little pink lines show up weeks later.
This is such a cute romance about forgiveness, an unplanned pregnancy, second chance with a first love, and a hot lumber jack.
“It will take time, work, and sacrifice, but I’m committed. I will make you mine again. This time, for good.”
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes
Honestly I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book as much as I did. I dislike accidental pregnancy tropes but I was pulled in by the divorced enemies to lovers second chance story line that it just seemed to flow and compliment the plot so well. I loved Gus and how he handles this roller coaster of emotions. There is so much goodness packed into this story. We have cameos from the other characters from the Gagnon and the Huberts books and get to continue the underly story line which I'm dying to know about. I'm ready for more and I loved the little dangled tease for the next bit. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas....
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
This book, dare I say, I like it better than the first which I didn’t think was possible! I’m really enjoying “older” MCs lately who don’t have everything together, too relatable for me not to like honestly. At the beginning the technical info about the timber business I thought was a little overwhelming, but there was less of it as the book went on which I was very thankful for. The surprise pregnancy was written really well in this story. It wasn’t just thrown around carelessly like it is so often in romance books. So I really liked that as part of the character arc. Gus and Chloe’s love story is my favorite kind of second chance romance. It’s so heart wrenching and sweet and steamy, it’s just perfect. I also really love Clementine and Clive they were great additions to the story. I can’t wait to read the next book!
emotional
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
Vibes: divorced exes, oops baby, LUMBERJACK, small town (it works)
Heat Index: 6.5/10
The Basics:
Chloe is back in town and taking over the Hebert family’s lumber company—which means she’s now her ex-husband Gus’s boss. Which gives her no small amount of satisfaction, given their unresolved tension. This tension explodes into a fiery night together… which wouldn’t be a problem. If that fiery night hadn’t resulted in a baby.
The Review:
I’m reluctant to read small town romances always, but this one was honestly really, really cute. And quite hot. And it had the kind of interpersonal second chance drama that I eat up like candy.
Chloe and Gus are kind of a classic case of getting married when they’re immature and not really fully getting who they are as people. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have damage—well, mostly Chloe. Gus does have damage (daddy issues galore, we love to see it) but when he realizes he wants Chloe back… He goes for it. And that? Is satisfying.
I know that a lot of people are reluctant to read oops baby plots—understandably, especially now. Admittedly, I don’t take issue with them, but I do need them to be well-handled and, in contemporaries especially, aware of realities. Chloe does pretty quickly decide that she’s keeping baby, but she’s aware of her options. Also? She’s pushing forty, is a successful woman who can support a child, and has had eggs on ice for a while. She wants kids. While she’s not certain when she makes her decision if Gus will want to be in the kid’s life (he does, immediately) she knows he’s not a bad guy. Her choice makes sense, emotionally and practically.
Gus is a sweet guy, though not a pushover. I did find his relationship with his dog adorable, I found his enthusiasm for the baby super touching, and I just… liked the dude. Like, he got DOWN, but there was a tenderness about him that appealed to me on a “this guy is husband material” level.
Chloe was kind of the star of the show for me, though. Hard-nosed, a bit “difficult”, and ready to wear her standards on her sleeve. She’s the kind of heroine I love to see in a contemporary. She doesn’t melt for Gus. Even after she’s pregnant, she keeps her walls up for a while. She’s kind of dealing with the fact that life didn’t turn out like she expected (and so is Gus) and that’s not easy. But it does make me feel better, and kind of hopeful—I related to her.
I do have some quibbles. I would have moved the actual pregnancy up sooner in the story, as there was a bit of wheel-spinning happening there. You do have a minor crime story on the side, and while it does introduce conflict, I don’t know if that conflicted worked perfectly with the main story. That said, however, these were small issues.
The Sex:
The sex reads like two people who used to fuck a lot but haven’t in like… twenty years. Like, they’re intimate, they know each other, but things have changed—both in terms of their habits and their bodies. I loved that! I also loved that Gus enjoyed going down. A lot.
I will say, the first sex scene kind of cuts off just when they’re changing positions, and… I would’ve liked to see the rest of it.
Overall, this is the kind of small town romance that’s light without being insubstantial. It doesn’t overwhelm you with side characters, yet you get a sense of the town and its people. And a heroine who truly feels like a real, flawed woman—with a hero who adores her—is always welcome.
Thanks to The Author Agency for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Grumpy Gus gets his ass handed to him by his ex-wife, Chloe, when she shows up as the buyer for his failed family business.
Gus was nearly perfect. He realized that letting her go was the biggest mistake of his life. After 20 years, he wants to make it right. I liked that Gus began working on himself first. Understanding how to be a better HIM was so good. Then he just showed up for her, even when she didn't think she needed it. It paid off when she did need him & she knew that he would be there. He had a long-term goal & it worked. The ONLY thing that happened with Gus that truly frustrated me was when Chloe kept saying she needed time and space, and Gus refused. He got frustrated. I get it, but it's been a short amount of time, and she needs time. This doesn't happen overnight.
Chloe was great. I loved how she came in with a plan of attack and dressed to execute. It was a cute thought. I like how she kept trying to keep it together, but she was pursued & woo'd, it worked out.
The accidental pregnancy trope was done pretty well. I like that this lovely miracle was conceived during hate sex. Like how ironic.
Gus' dedication to being the world's best father & partner was admirable.
The underlying drama with the murders, fires, etc., is still ongoing. This is so fun!!!! I am stoked that it's still in each book, and nothing has been wrapped up yet. I'm in for the long haul folks.
Tension was super good. The push & pull between these two was magnetic. The chemistry was hot. The spice was really well done. It was placed well & actually belonged in the story.
The sister drama is heartbreaking. I can't wait for Celine to get her HEA.
Thanks for the ARC
Gus was nearly perfect. He realized that letting her go was the biggest mistake of his life. After 20 years, he wants to make it right. I liked that Gus began working on himself first. Understanding how to be a better HIM was so good. Then he just showed up for her, even when she didn't think she needed it. It paid off when she did need him & she knew that he would be there. He had a long-term goal & it worked. The ONLY thing that happened with Gus that truly frustrated me was when Chloe kept saying she needed time and space, and Gus refused. He got frustrated. I get it, but it's been a short amount of time, and she needs time. This doesn't happen overnight.
Chloe was great. I loved how she came in with a plan of attack and dressed to execute. It was a cute thought. I like how she kept trying to keep it together, but she was pursued & woo'd, it worked out.
The accidental pregnancy trope was done pretty well. I like that this lovely miracle was conceived during hate sex. Like how ironic.
Gus' dedication to being the world's best father & partner was admirable.
The underlying drama with the murders, fires, etc., is still ongoing. This is so fun!!!! I am stoked that it's still in each book, and nothing has been wrapped up yet. I'm in for the long haul folks.
Tension was super good. The push & pull between these two was magnetic. The chemistry was hot. The spice was really well done. It was placed well & actually belonged in the story.
The sister drama is heartbreaking. I can't wait for Celine to get her HEA.
Thanks for the ARC