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swissmiss329 's review for:

Pain in the Axe by Daphne Elliot
4.25
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.