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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
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
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
Caught In The Axe is the first book in the Maine Lumberjacks Series. This is an Age-Gap, Exes Brother, Small Town, Lumbrjack, Workplace, Contemporary Romance. There is a mild amount of spice and a tiny amount of violence in the side plot.
I am a huge fan of Age-Gap Romance, however I generally lean more towards darker subjects than this book offers. I am ecstatic that I took a chance on this book, series and author. Admittedly it started out a little slow for my taste, there was a lot of build up in the story line, but I never once thought of stopping my read. I appreciated how the author was able to give us stereotypical characters and scenarios and give them more depth and meaning. There is definitely an individual book story line and a side story line that looks like it may continue on to the other books in the series. This with all the easter eggs hidden about for up coming relationships has me already adding the next book in the series to my kindle.
I thoroughly adored meeting the cast of characters. Both of the main characters are so much more than they appear at introduction. Watching Lila never falter from the path she had been working very hard towards and still being able to grow as a person and a partner was beautiful. Owen's journey to mend relationships and to realize his own emotional potential was amazing. These two have definitely turned this dark romance reader into a sweet, small town, lumberjack romance reader. Though Clive is definitely my favorite character of all time.
I am a huge fan of Age-Gap Romance, however I generally lean more towards darker subjects than this book offers. I am ecstatic that I took a chance on this book, series and author. Admittedly it started out a little slow for my taste, there was a lot of build up in the story line, but I never once thought of stopping my read. I appreciated how the author was able to give us stereotypical characters and scenarios and give them more depth and meaning. There is definitely an individual book story line and a side story line that looks like it may continue on to the other books in the series. This with all the easter eggs hidden about for up coming relationships has me already adding the next book in the series to my kindle.
I thoroughly adored meeting the cast of characters. Both of the main characters are so much more than they appear at introduction. Watching Lila never falter from the path she had been working very hard towards and still being able to grow as a person and a partner was beautiful. Owen's journey to mend relationships and to realize his own emotional potential was amazing. These two have definitely turned this dark romance reader into a sweet, small town, lumberjack romance reader. Though Clive is definitely my favorite character of all time.
This book was very cute
I enjoyed how at points I could feel myself getting more imaginative with the setting and character development (imaging a change of attitude and physical aesthetic)
There wasn’t a lot of plot I find in this book nor was there much conflict between them which I did enjoy for this book because it made sense for their initial connection
I enjoyed it
I enjoyed how at points I could feel myself getting more imaginative with the setting and character development (imaging a change of attitude and physical aesthetic)
There wasn’t a lot of plot I find in this book nor was there much conflict between them which I did enjoy for this book because it made sense for their initial connection
I enjoyed it
emotional
funny
slow-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
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Caught In The Axe
By Daphne Elliot
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Going in to Caught In the Axe, I was really excited because Mother Hater from the mom coms series was one of my favorite reads lately – also written by Daphne! I’m a sucker for a good series with amazing characters and cross overs. This book did NOT disappoint!
Caught In The Axe takes us through the age-gap story of Owen and Lila, both from a small town in Maine where Lila previously dated Owen’s younger brother long term. Naturally, when they both end up in town at the same time as adults, Owen there to help with the family business in crisis and Lila to try to figure out what she wants to do with her career/life, sparks fly almost immediately. The drawback? Owen knows Lila should be off limits to him since she dated his brother, but he can’t help his attraction.
My favorite part of the book was that Lila seemed to be a long lost friend or sister I didn’t know I had. I found myself texting my sister multiple times with references from the book that totally overlapped with our lives/childhoods. I loved Lila’s character! To name a few of these references:
- the Chrysler van Lila drives, our mom drove us around in the same dang van! Lol
- Captains seats in said Chrysler van, rofl enough said!
- Mentions of Lisa Frank notebooks and doodling
- Ordering from Thrive market; my sister and I are not Celiac like Lila but we appreciate good snacks that aren’t filled with junk!
- Her friends teasing her about Excel pivot tables; guilty, I am an Excel geek & appreciate a good pivot table!
- She listens to the podcast Crime Junkie – be weird, be rude, & stay alive, people!
The path to happy ever after for Owen and Lila was a bumpy road, for sure. Between denying their feelings for each other in the beginning, or simply trying to hide them, and then attempting to manage the perception of friends and family for fear of backlash from everyone because of Lila’s past relationship with Cole, these two stumbled all around their heated attraction, working together, and navigating their feelings. Owen has such a sense of duty to his family, he is often conflicted about showing his feelings but internally, he doesn’t doubt how Lila makes him feel. Lila becomes much more confident in her decisions the longer she is around Owen and I loved that he brought this person out in her. She was struggling at the beginning of the book and deserved to feel confident and proud of herself!
The defining moment for Owen & Lila to go public with their relationship comes on the heels of a major accident which conjures up lots of emotions within all the characters. This pivotal scene was so endearing and emotionally charged, I loved Daphne’s writing ability to make me feel like I was there with the family as it all happened!
Readers who enjoy romance as a genre with added humor and steamy scenes will love this book!
Quotes:
“This baby is a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country. Don’t be intimidated by her grandeur. Pricilla’s just a car.”
“ ‘Don’t say a word.’ She laughed. ‘I’m just here for the show.’ […] ‘Daaayuuum,’ Mom hissed under her breath. ‘Is this actually happening?’ I asked, my heart pounding in my ears. Because I thought maybe I’d died in my sleep and now resided in lumberjack heaven. ‘Does it matter?’ She elbeowed me. ‘Shut up and enjoy it.’” (mother and daughter enjoying Owen chopping firewood.)
“’I’m Owen’s Lila,’ I said, trying to sound authoritative. ‘I’m his. And he’s mine. And I don’t care what the hospital policy is. I’m not leaving until I see him.’”
BookIG: @tequilamockingbirdlady
GR profile: mvporter
By Daphne Elliot
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Going in to Caught In the Axe, I was really excited because Mother Hater from the mom coms series was one of my favorite reads lately – also written by Daphne! I’m a sucker for a good series with amazing characters and cross overs. This book did NOT disappoint!
Caught In The Axe takes us through the age-gap story of Owen and Lila, both from a small town in Maine where Lila previously dated Owen’s younger brother long term. Naturally, when they both end up in town at the same time as adults, Owen there to help with the family business in crisis and Lila to try to figure out what she wants to do with her career/life, sparks fly almost immediately. The drawback? Owen knows Lila should be off limits to him since she dated his brother, but he can’t help his attraction.
My favorite part of the book was that Lila seemed to be a long lost friend or sister I didn’t know I had. I found myself texting my sister multiple times with references from the book that totally overlapped with our lives/childhoods. I loved Lila’s character! To name a few of these references:
- the Chrysler van Lila drives, our mom drove us around in the same dang van! Lol
- Captains seats in said Chrysler van, rofl enough said!
- Mentions of Lisa Frank notebooks and doodling
- Ordering from Thrive market; my sister and I are not Celiac like Lila but we appreciate good snacks that aren’t filled with junk!
- Her friends teasing her about Excel pivot tables; guilty, I am an Excel geek & appreciate a good pivot table!
- She listens to the podcast Crime Junkie – be weird, be rude, & stay alive, people!
The path to happy ever after for Owen and Lila was a bumpy road, for sure. Between denying their feelings for each other in the beginning, or simply trying to hide them, and then attempting to manage the perception of friends and family for fear of backlash from everyone because of Lila’s past relationship with Cole, these two stumbled all around their heated attraction, working together, and navigating their feelings. Owen has such a sense of duty to his family, he is often conflicted about showing his feelings but internally, he doesn’t doubt how Lila makes him feel. Lila becomes much more confident in her decisions the longer she is around Owen and I loved that he brought this person out in her. She was struggling at the beginning of the book and deserved to feel confident and proud of herself!
The defining moment for Owen & Lila to go public with their relationship comes on the heels of a major accident which conjures up lots of emotions within all the characters. This pivotal scene was so endearing and emotionally charged, I loved Daphne’s writing ability to make me feel like I was there with the family as it all happened!
Readers who enjoy romance as a genre with added humor and steamy scenes will love this book!
Quotes:
“This baby is a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country. Don’t be intimidated by her grandeur. Pricilla’s just a car.”
“ ‘Don’t say a word.’ She laughed. ‘I’m just here for the show.’ […] ‘Daaayuuum,’ Mom hissed under her breath. ‘Is this actually happening?’ I asked, my heart pounding in my ears. Because I thought maybe I’d died in my sleep and now resided in lumberjack heaven. ‘Does it matter?’ She elbeowed me. ‘Shut up and enjoy it.’” (mother and daughter enjoying Owen chopping firewood.)
“’I’m Owen’s Lila,’ I said, trying to sound authoritative. ‘I’m his. And he’s mine. And I don’t care what the hospital policy is. I’m not leaving until I see him.’”
BookIG: @tequilamockingbirdlady
GR profile: mvporter
lighthearted
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
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Maine lumberjack that also has money and dresses up in a suit. Enough said.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated