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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I think small town romances are one of my favorites. I definitely didnt have any expectations going into this book, but I absolutely loved this one. Owen is PEAK book boyfriend material.
Lila and Owen have amazing friendship, chemistry, and banter. They both have intense feelings for each other but don't think they should cross that line for multiple reasons.
The side characters were also top notch - a great friend group, close family, and meddling towns members.
* Age gap
* Ex-boyfriend's older brother
* Slow burn
* Boss/Employee
* Geeky lumberjack X driven ex-beauty queen
* Grumpy/sunshine
* Spicy
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 3/5
Lila and Owen have amazing friendship, chemistry, and banter. They both have intense feelings for each other but don't think they should cross that line for multiple reasons.
The side characters were also top notch - a great friend group, close family, and meddling towns members.
* Age gap
* Ex-boyfriend's older brother
* Slow burn
* Boss/Employee
* Geeky lumberjack X driven ex-beauty queen
* Grumpy/sunshine
* Spicy
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 3/5
lighthearted
fast-paced
🎧 I don't know if it's the desire to live in a more green place than my country, these forests that are described in stories like this, make me fuzzy inside. :D Probably why I like a good ol' chick flick. From the cover alone of this book I get the vibes.
🎧 Is chopping wood a trope?
🎧 Such a good first book in a series. A lot of characters though to keep track for my tired brain. Which I suppose I will get to know them in the next books.
🎧 My infatuation with Mollie Stark continues ( #sorrynotsorry Ms. Stark). She narrates like a friend sitting across from me telling me her news and being animated while doing so.
🎧 Aiden Snow. I needed a character I would like, performed by him, after the two twisted guys (they were not my cup of tea, not Mr. Snow). And this one delivered. I totally get the hype about Mr. Snow. His voice was made for giving instructions.
🎧 I keep repeating that romance books can be educational as well. In Maine there is indeed a museum of Dr. Wilhelm Reich. Ha.
❗️ Disclaimer : My rants, ramblings, and incoherent thoughts below might be considered spoilers by some. Also, often, I do not read trigger warnings or blurbs.
🎧 Ok. Those micro-tropes... He cooks for her. Sold. And when a guy cannot stop kissing her.
🎧 Is chopping wood a trope?
🎧 Such a good first book in a series. A lot of characters though to keep track for my tired brain. Which I suppose I will get to know them in the next books.
🎧 My infatuation with Mollie Stark continues ( #sorrynotsorry Ms. Stark). She narrates like a friend sitting across from me telling me her news and being animated while doing so.
🎧 Aiden Snow. I needed a character I would like, performed by him, after the two twisted guys (they were not my cup of tea, not Mr. Snow). And this one delivered. I totally get the hype about Mr. Snow. His voice was made for giving instructions.
🎧 I keep repeating that romance books can be educational as well. In Maine there is indeed a museum of Dr. Wilhelm Reich. Ha.
❗️ Disclaimer : My rants, ramblings, and incoherent thoughts below might be considered spoilers by some. Also, often, I do not read trigger warnings or blurbs.
🎧 Ok. Those micro-tropes... He cooks for her. Sold. And when a guy cannot stop kissing her.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
A really nice story I had the pleasure of listening to. The characters were just great and the storyline was really good. I could not believe that the fmc was the an ex of the Owen’s brother. I was kinda shocked when that tidbit came to life. I really enjoyed this pairing and how they fell for one another when neither was looking for anything . Now the ending was pretty good I was not expecting it and was wowed at the end it is perfect for what is coming next and I can’t wait to read or listen to it. The narrators absolutely amazing the deep timber of Mr snow was delicious and he was fabulous I can’t gush about that enough as for Ms. Stark I love her voice this pairing was perfect and they did like I said above just amazing and gave the characters life and made my ears happy 😊
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
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:
Complicated
Audiobook Review (ALC) 💗:
Just finished Caught in the Axe by Daphne Elliot and… I’m OBSESSED.
If you love small-town romance with forbidden vibes, swoony guys, and slow-burn tension that actually pays off — this one’s for you.
Lila + Owen? The chemistry is unreal. The kind of story that makes you grin, sigh, and maybe clutch your chest a little.
Shoutout to Aiden Snow and Mollie Stark who totally nailed it on the audiobook — their voices brought Lila and Owen to life in the best way. So much emotion, perfect pacing, and just the right vibe for every scene. Loved every second of it.
And a huge thank you to Daphne Elliot and Home Cooked Books for the early copy — I'm so lucky I got to fall in love with this book before release day!
Add this one to your TBR. You won’t regret it.
Tropes:
Age gap (MMC 38/FMC 28)
Brother's ex-girlfriend
Small town
Boss/employee
Secret romance
Forced proximity
Just finished Caught in the Axe by Daphne Elliot and… I’m OBSESSED.
If you love small-town romance with forbidden vibes, swoony guys, and slow-burn tension that actually pays off — this one’s for you.
Lila + Owen? The chemistry is unreal. The kind of story that makes you grin, sigh, and maybe clutch your chest a little.
Shoutout to Aiden Snow and Mollie Stark who totally nailed it on the audiobook — their voices brought Lila and Owen to life in the best way. So much emotion, perfect pacing, and just the right vibe for every scene. Loved every second of it.
And a huge thank you to Daphne Elliot and Home Cooked Books for the early copy — I'm so lucky I got to fall in love with this book before release day!
Add this one to your TBR. You won’t regret it.
Tropes:
Age gap (MMC 38/FMC 28)
Brother's ex-girlfriend
Small town
Boss/employee
Secret romance
Forced proximity
Rating: 4.25⭐️ | Spice: 3🌶️ | Audio: 5🎙️
What to Expect:
Ex’s Brother
Small Mountain Town Romance
Romantic Suspense
Age Gap (10 years)
“Damn, I’d never been so attracted to a woman in my life. Lila could completely destroy me. And I would gladly let her.”
Review Title & Vibes:
{TIMBER… I’M FALLING FOR A NERDY MOUNTAIN MAN} Owen’s got it bad for his brother’s ex. He’s the smart one lumberjack - the one that got out of this Lovewell Maine, but he’s also the one who can help dig his family out of the financial and legal mess their criminal father put them in. Lila is the whip smart ex beauty queen, with big dreams - this tiny town hasn’t always been kind to her, but she doesn’t let it ruin her attitude. She knows falling for Owen will be the talk of the town, but he’s all green flags.
Things I Loved:
🪓Owen is grumpy, but a total sweetheart for Lila. His character growth is spectacular.
🪓Lila is upbeat (cue How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days), she’s her truest self around Owen - no pageant smiles and fake laughs.
🪓The suspense keeps the plot line grounded… I need more backstory and a resolution - time to make room for more Daphne books!
Audio Notes:
{Dual} Aiden Snow was an excellent Owen, grumpy stern accountant vibes were all perfection. Mollie brought so much life and comedy to Lila’s character. I loved all the banter and inner monologues. I would definitely recommend this audiobook.
Recommended to...
All the romance readers who love a nerdy mountain man.
Narrated by @aidensnowvoice @molliestarknarrates
Produced by @onenightstandstudios
Thank you so much @homecookedbookspromos for the free ALC!
What to Expect:
Ex’s Brother
Small Mountain Town Romance
Romantic Suspense
Age Gap (10 years)
“Damn, I’d never been so attracted to a woman in my life. Lila could completely destroy me. And I would gladly let her.”
Review Title & Vibes:
{TIMBER… I’M FALLING FOR A NERDY MOUNTAIN MAN} Owen’s got it bad for his brother’s ex. He’s the smart one lumberjack - the one that got out of this Lovewell Maine, but he’s also the one who can help dig his family out of the financial and legal mess their criminal father put them in. Lila is the whip smart ex beauty queen, with big dreams - this tiny town hasn’t always been kind to her, but she doesn’t let it ruin her attitude. She knows falling for Owen will be the talk of the town, but he’s all green flags.
Things I Loved:
🪓Owen is grumpy, but a total sweetheart for Lila. His character growth is spectacular.
🪓Lila is upbeat (cue How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days), she’s her truest self around Owen - no pageant smiles and fake laughs.
🪓The suspense keeps the plot line grounded… I need more backstory and a resolution - time to make room for more Daphne books!
Audio Notes:
{Dual} Aiden Snow was an excellent Owen, grumpy stern accountant vibes were all perfection. Mollie brought so much life and comedy to Lila’s character. I loved all the banter and inner monologues. I would definitely recommend this audiobook.
Recommended to...
All the romance readers who love a nerdy mountain man.
Narrated by @aidensnowvoice @molliestarknarrates
Produced by @onenightstandstudios
Thank you so much @homecookedbookspromos for the free ALC!
💭 what I loved about this one:
- The audio 🎧 it’s duet narration! It was really so well done. I’d never heard either narrator before, and they really elevated the story, bringing it to life
- How incredible Owen was to Lila - he literally IMPORTS FLOUR & learns to MAKE PIZZA that she can eat after she says how much she misses it (she has celiac disease). He’s also incredibly sweet, protective and proud of her 🥹
- Lila’s fierce determination, how smart she is, and how she’s not intimidated by powerful men
- The references to the Boston Revs! I love Jenni Bara’s series.
✦ tropes & stuff:
💝 age gap
🪓 workplace - boss + employee
🧢 ex boyfriend’s brother
🏠 return to hometown
🌳 small town Maine
🐢 slow burn
😧 a bit of suspense
🏥 celiac disease rep
💙 he falls first
💞 dual 1st person pov
Thank you to Home Cooked Books for an advanced audio copy. All opinions are my own.
- The audio 🎧 it’s duet narration! It was really so well done. I’d never heard either narrator before, and they really elevated the story, bringing it to life
- How incredible Owen was to Lila - he literally IMPORTS FLOUR & learns to MAKE PIZZA that she can eat after she says how much she misses it (she has celiac disease). He’s also incredibly sweet, protective and proud of her 🥹
- Lila’s fierce determination, how smart she is, and how she’s not intimidated by powerful men
- The references to the Boston Revs! I love Jenni Bara’s series.
✦ tropes & stuff:
💝 age gap
🪓 workplace - boss + employee
🧢 ex boyfriend’s brother
🏠 return to hometown
🌳 small town Maine
🐢 slow burn
😧 a bit of suspense
🏥 celiac disease rep
💙 he falls first
💞 dual 1st person pov
Thank you to Home Cooked Books for an advanced audio copy. All opinions are my own.
⭐️: 4/5
🎧:5/5
🌶️: 3/5
Story Vibes:
Eeekkk! 𝙳𝚊𝚙𝚑𝚗𝚎 𝙴𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚘𝚝 wrote an amazing story! I absolutely adored this story. There is age gap, grumpy/sunshine, small town, slow burn.....and it all added up to a wonderfully chiseled story! The banter was spot on! Watching the forbidden romance unfold was a delight!
Narration Vibes:
It's been a hot minute since I listened to the talent of 𝐴𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝑆𝑛𝑜𝑤 but he absolutely did not disappoint! He nailed Owen masterfully, bringing the growly voice, the cinnamon roll, the protectiveness that was Owen! 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑒 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑘 is becoming one of my favorite female narrators. She captured the essence of Lila's sunshiny personality in the best way! Their duet narrations absolutely enveloped me!
Overall Vibes
This is one you won't want to miss. You'll feel the tension and fall in love with characters who steal your heart! It's slow burn, but it's oh so hot! A burly lumberjack hottie, and the younger, forbidden woman who steals his heart is a keeper listen for me!
🎧:5/5
🌶️: 3/5
Story Vibes:
Eeekkk! 𝙳𝚊𝚙𝚑𝚗𝚎 𝙴𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚘𝚝 wrote an amazing story! I absolutely adored this story. There is age gap, grumpy/sunshine, small town, slow burn.....and it all added up to a wonderfully chiseled story! The banter was spot on! Watching the forbidden romance unfold was a delight!
Narration Vibes:
It's been a hot minute since I listened to the talent of 𝐴𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝑆𝑛𝑜𝑤 but he absolutely did not disappoint! He nailed Owen masterfully, bringing the growly voice, the cinnamon roll, the protectiveness that was Owen! 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑒 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑘 is becoming one of my favorite female narrators. She captured the essence of Lila's sunshiny personality in the best way! Their duet narrations absolutely enveloped me!
Overall Vibes
This is one you won't want to miss. You'll feel the tension and fall in love with characters who steal your heart! It's slow burn, but it's oh so hot! A burly lumberjack hottie, and the younger, forbidden woman who steals his heart is a keeper listen for me!
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Narrated by Mollie Stark & Aiden Snow
Duet narration
Oh, the delicious tension between the love interests when it’s your little brother’s ex GF. This makes for the best longing and tension between Owen and Lila. He’s so conflicted and it’s perfect for additional sizzle. Owen never thought he’d find forever. He never wanted it. Until Lila. He has come to Maine to deal with some family business, and can’t wait to return to Boston. But he wasn’t expecting to catch feels for Lila, his new assistant. He falls hard and fast. Lila has big dreams to get a graduate degree in New York. But her feelings for Owen are making her confused about where she should go.
These two are such a great match, filling in each other gaps. I LOVE how Owen doted on her. He thought of her needs even when she didn’t know what they were. He learned how to make gluten free pizza for her and he found her favorite gluten free treats online. How CUTE is that? At 11 hours this book is a tad bit long and could have been condensed as some part dragged a bit. But overall I enjoyed it.
This is the first audio I’ve listen to from Mollie Stark and I loved her narration. She has a slight rasp to her voice that’s very appealing. Her pairing with Aiden snow really matched well. Aiden’s deep voice is spot on for Owen’s intensiveness and “resting boss face” Ha Ha.