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Maine Lumberjacks #2
Pain in the Axe
How to get revenge on your ex-husband:
Step one: buy his family’s lumber company.
Step two: demote him and force him to work for you.
Step three: sit back and enjoy the sweet victory.
Not part of my genius plan? Sleeping with the enemy.
Gus Hebert is no ordinary ex-husband. This grumpy lumberjack is hiding a big, squishy heart beneath those broad, flannel-clad shoulders. And he delights in pushing my buttons, challenging me, and flirting nonstop.
Our mutual dislike grows as we’re forced to work together. Until one night, after a little too much wine, the fighting turns into foreplay.
The situation only gets more complicated when I discover that I’m having my ex-husband’s baby.
I fell for his broken promises once before and vowed never to trust him again. But as things heat up at work and at home, and past mistakes threaten our future, we find that, together, we make a pretty good team.
Soon, I’m rediscovering long-forgotten dreams. And I can’t give into these growing feelings and fall for him again. Because now I have two hearts to protect.
Author’s Note: Pain in the Axe is a standalone small-town romance featuring a grumpy boss heroine and a grumpy lumberjack hero who just happen to be divorced exes. If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers banter, nicknames, wood-chopping competitions, and growly, possessive heroes, you will not be disappointed. Don’t worry, Clive will appear as well—his main character-energy cannot be suppressed.
Step one: buy his family’s lumber company.
Step two: demote him and force him to work for you.
Step three: sit back and enjoy the sweet victory.
Not part of my genius plan? Sleeping with the enemy.
Gus Hebert is no ordinary ex-husband. This grumpy lumberjack is hiding a big, squishy heart beneath those broad, flannel-clad shoulders. And he delights in pushing my buttons, challenging me, and flirting nonstop.
Our mutual dislike grows as we’re forced to work together. Until one night, after a little too much wine, the fighting turns into foreplay.
The situation only gets more complicated when I discover that I’m having my ex-husband’s baby.
I fell for his broken promises once before and vowed never to trust him again. But as things heat up at work and at home, and past mistakes threaten our future, we find that, together, we make a pretty good team.
Soon, I’m rediscovering long-forgotten dreams. And I can’t give into these growing feelings and fall for him again. Because now I have two hearts to protect.
Author’s Note: Pain in the Axe is a standalone small-town romance featuring a grumpy boss heroine and a grumpy lumberjack hero who just happen to be divorced exes. If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers banter, nicknames, wood-chopping competitions, and growly, possessive heroes, you will not be disappointed. Don’t worry, Clive will appear as well—his main character-energy cannot be suppressed.
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2023
1463 people are currently reading
5596 people want to read
About the author
Daphne Elliot
27 books1,229 followersIn High School, Daphne Elliot was voted “most likely to become a romance novelist.” After spending the last decade as a corporate lawyer, she has finally embraced her destiny. Her small town steamy novels are filled with flirty banter, sexy hijinks, and lots and lots of heart.
Daphne is a coffee-drinking, hot-sauce loving introvert who spends all her free time in her garden. She lives on a small farm in New England with her husband, two kids, two dogs, twelve backyard chickens and a hive of Italian honeybees.
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Daphne is a coffee-drinking, hot-sauce loving introvert who spends all her free time in her garden. She lives on a small farm in New England with her husband, two kids, two dogs, twelve backyard chickens and a hive of Italian honeybees.
VISIT MY AMAZON PAGE:
https://www.amazon.com/Daphne-Elliot/...
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/daphneellio...
FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/DaphneElliot...
SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER:
http://daphneelliot.com/join-newsletter/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 770 reviews
dnf
July 25, 2024why is it that the most immature ass characters i have ever read are always fully grown 40 year olds…
there is something inherently pathetic about a woman seeking revenge on her ex-husband two decades after he divorces her…
it’s not the power move you think it is, babe. no wonder he’s all smug, smirking at you like he won— because he did!! he’s been living in your head rent free for twenty years.
go touch grass, Chloe.
there is something inherently pathetic about a woman seeking revenge on her ex-husband two decades after he divorces her…
it’s not the power move you think it is, babe. no wonder he’s all smug, smirking at you like he won— because he did!! he’s been living in your head rent free for twenty years.
go touch grass, Chloe.
![Profile Image for ♡Gabi♡ [life & work is chaotic hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1764457886i%2F137459201._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 7, 2024
2.75 ✰
cute, small-town, second chance, lumberjack x timber ceo romance.
chloe and gus had their sweet and spicy moments, but the story felt rushed overall with several aspects—mainly gus and chloe’s relationship—feeling underdeveloped imo, that led me to skim read the last 25% because I became disinterested in them.
chloe’s resistance and denial of her feelings towards gus over and over again got really annoying really fast, which also contributed to the decline in my enjoyment of their cute moments from the first half, but gus persevered and got his girl and their ‘little bean’ in the end!
cute, small-town, second chance, lumberjack x timber ceo romance.
chloe and gus had their sweet and spicy moments, but the story felt rushed overall with several aspects—mainly gus and chloe’s relationship—feeling underdeveloped imo, that led me to skim read the last 25% because I became disinterested in them.
chloe’s resistance and denial of her feelings towards gus over and over again got really annoying really fast, which also contributed to the decline in my enjoyment of their cute moments from the first half, but gus persevered and got his girl and their ‘little bean’ in the end!
August 6, 2024
Dnf at like 40% because:
-he keeps saying she's the love of his live, but he hates her.
-he literally slept with the whole town
-she is 40 and wants revenge on her ex from when she was 19. Girl grow a spine omg
-she said "girl dinner" is this tik tok
-he keeps saying she's the love of his live, but he hates her.
-he literally slept with the whole town
-she is 40 and wants revenge on her ex from when she was 19. Girl grow a spine omg
-she said "girl dinner" is this tik tok
July 20, 2024
this girl fr bought out her ex husband's entire company—that same company they divorced over years ago. if that's not her girlbossing all the way to the damn sun i don't know what is LMAOOOO.
but seriously i devoured this book in less than 24 hours, like i love it when heroine's come with a revenge plot and then there's the silent, brooding hero that just sits back and will basically entertain it all.
LIKE UGHHHHGHGHHGHGHG
the storyline
Gus Hebert (H) and Chloe LeBlanc (h) have a history together from years ago when they were both swept up with each other and happily in love despite their troubling circumstances. However when they divorced over Gus' dedication towards his family business, both heartbroken and in torment, Chloe holds a vengeance all those years later but even all those years later it remains Gus' biggest regret of his life. Becoming a successful, rich businesswoman, Chloe intentionally buys out his family company with the stipulation that he's forced to stay for an entire year and basically watch her play boss. From the beginning where their present day story picks up again, its clear there is still a spark there between the two because the chemistry was just THERE. And as they spend more time together, they—particularly Chloe—begin to realize that their connection is rekindling. And after a night they spend together, an accidental baby was not in the plans.
GODDDD GUS WAS SO SO SWEET AND ENDEARING WHEN IT CAME TO CHLOE. This man literally memorized the time they've been apart TO. THE. DAY. Being in his perspective was so cathartic and it was so clear that this man never recovered after their divorce. They were so in love and he regretted so many things but the biggest thing was signing those papers. And Chloe in her own way never fully recovered either, harboring so much resentment and feelings so many years later and still completely heartbroken over her idea of how things went down. But finally being able to see them find their way back together and piece everything together was so satisfying.
And don't even get me started on the little things about this man and when he found out about the pregnancy cause I'm still swooning over all of it.
Full transparency too, I read the first book of the series months ago and while i didn't really resonate with them, this book seriously blew me away but to be fair I knew immediately from that snippet we got of them at the end of Caught In The Axe that they would be my favorites. From the characters, and plot of the book right down to the pacing of it, I thought it was perfect for me.
tropes
➢ second chance romance (divorced exes)
➢ accidental pregnancy
➢ "its always been you/love of my life" type of situation
➢ H is like a growly golden retriever for her
➢ there's a dog
but seriously i devoured this book in less than 24 hours, like i love it when heroine's come with a revenge plot and then there's the silent, brooding hero that just sits back and will basically entertain it all.
I glanced up at him, gleefully hoping to find him weeping into his beard.
But then the strangest thing happened.
One side of his mouth quirked up.
A smirk.
That fucker was smirking at me.
LIKE UGHHHHGHGHHGHGHG
the storyline
Gus Hebert (H) and Chloe LeBlanc (h) have a history together from years ago when they were both swept up with each other and happily in love despite their troubling circumstances. However when they divorced over Gus' dedication towards his family business, both heartbroken and in torment, Chloe holds a vengeance all those years later but even all those years later it remains Gus' biggest regret of his life. Becoming a successful, rich businesswoman, Chloe intentionally buys out his family company with the stipulation that he's forced to stay for an entire year and basically watch her play boss. From the beginning where their present day story picks up again, its clear there is still a spark there between the two because the chemistry was just THERE. And as they spend more time together, they—particularly Chloe—begin to realize that their connection is rekindling. And after a night they spend together, an accidental baby was not in the plans.
GODDDD GUS WAS SO SO SWEET AND ENDEARING WHEN IT CAME TO CHLOE. This man literally memorized the time they've been apart TO. THE. DAY. Being in his perspective was so cathartic and it was so clear that this man never recovered after their divorce. They were so in love and he regretted so many things but the biggest thing was signing those papers. And Chloe in her own way never fully recovered either, harboring so much resentment and feelings so many years later and still completely heartbroken over her idea of how things went down. But finally being able to see them find their way back together and piece everything together was so satisfying.
Twenty years ago, I'd had everything I'd ever wanted, and I'd let it slip through my hands. Since then, nothing had come close."
And don't even get me started on the little things about this man and when he found out about the pregnancy cause I'm still swooning over all of it.
Full transparency too, I read the first book of the series months ago and while i didn't really resonate with them, this book seriously blew me away but to be fair I knew immediately from that snippet we got of them at the end of Caught In The Axe that they would be my favorites. From the characters, and plot of the book right down to the pacing of it, I thought it was perfect for me.
What the fuck kind of nonsense was she spouting? "You think I've been thriving over here?" I growled. "Take a look around, Dragonfly. I never recovered from losing you."
tropes
➢ second chance romance (divorced exes)
➢ accidental pregnancy
➢ "its always been you/love of my life" type of situation
➢ H is like a growly golden retriever for her
➢ there's a dog
July 26, 2024
- Second chance (20 years)
- She buys his family company
- Not celibate during separation, but never in love with ow/om
- Accidentally pregnancy
- No 3 act breakup
- Tattoo of her nickname
- His ex hookup has two appearances (see below)
They got married at 20, but miscommunication and family drama happened, so they divorced.
She has spent the last 20 years hating him for leaving, and she now buys his family company as revenge. Only problem, after a couple of days, the have revenge s*x and mmc is now determined to win her back.
Small ow, but no drama:
He has been with ow, mostly out of town, but never settle down, only short fun. One fwb but he talks to her and tells her the love of his life is back, so they will not continue. But it seems like it’s been a while since they last been together, and he says they hooked up a couple of times, so maybe not so often?
And she was a widow who tells the fmc that she’s in love with her dead husband when the FMC is getting a haircut. So no drama. And beside her he hadn’t dated in years. She seemed like a nice woman.
“There’d been some flirtation, a few dates, and a few hookups along the way. But it had been a casual thing.”
“She’s back. The love of my life. I probably have no shot, but I just wanted you to know.”
And when he sleeps with fmc, they don’t use protection, but he says he’s clean, so you get the feeling it’s been some time?
He talks about how miserable he’s been and now that she is back, he feels more like himself - always nice to hear in a second chance.
She’s been with other, dated, but it’s been a while.
Accidentally pregnancy:
56% in the book she discoveres she’s pregnant with the mmc child. They had one night with angry s*x, but she still don’t trust him, even tho he already has started his plan to make her fall for him again - because he still loves her and will do anything to make her his.
Why they actually split:
Their fathers tricked them to get divorced. His father sent a letter to her telling her he chose the job over her and that their marriage was a mistake.
He tried contacting her but her father said she was thriving without him and that she would not see him. He sent her letters but she never got them, so he eventually faced up. He has regretted giving up the last 20 years.
Cute read, he is so determined to win her back and he loves her, but it’s a second chance and it’s not my favorite. Especially when he wants her back after she returns back to town, why didn’t he try to find her if he couldn’t forget her?
- She buys his family company
- Not celibate during separation, but never in love with ow/om
- Accidentally pregnancy
- No 3 act breakup
- Tattoo of her nickname
- His ex hookup has two appearances (see below)
They got married at 20, but miscommunication and family drama happened, so they divorced.
She has spent the last 20 years hating him for leaving, and she now buys his family company as revenge. Only problem, after a couple of days, the have revenge s*x and mmc is now determined to win her back.
Small ow, but no drama:
He has been with ow, mostly out of town, but never settle down, only short fun. One fwb but he talks to her and tells her the love of his life is back, so they will not continue. But it seems like it’s been a while since they last been together, and he says they hooked up a couple of times, so maybe not so often?
And she was a widow who tells the fmc that she’s in love with her dead husband when the FMC is getting a haircut. So no drama. And beside her he hadn’t dated in years. She seemed like a nice woman.
“There’d been some flirtation, a few dates, and a few hookups along the way. But it had been a casual thing.”
“She’s back. The love of my life. I probably have no shot, but I just wanted you to know.”
And when he sleeps with fmc, they don’t use protection, but he says he’s clean, so you get the feeling it’s been some time?
He talks about how miserable he’s been and now that she is back, he feels more like himself - always nice to hear in a second chance.
She’s been with other, dated, but it’s been a while.
Accidentally pregnancy:
56% in the book she discoveres she’s pregnant with the mmc child. They had one night with angry s*x, but she still don’t trust him, even tho he already has started his plan to make her fall for him again - because he still loves her and will do anything to make her his.
Why they actually split:
Their fathers tricked them to get divorced. His father sent a letter to her telling her he chose the job over her and that their marriage was a mistake.
He tried contacting her but her father said she was thriving without him and that she would not see him. He sent her letters but she never got them, so he eventually faced up. He has regretted giving up the last 20 years.
Cute read, he is so determined to win her back and he loves her, but it’s a second chance and it’s not my favorite. Especially when he wants her back after she returns back to town, why didn’t he try to find her if he couldn’t forget her?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Pain in the Axe was my first Daphne Elliot book, and it was such a sweet small town, lumberjack, second chance romance. I couldn’t put it down and read it in a day. Loved the lumberjack vibes!
Chloe has returned to town after buying her ex-husband’s family lumber business. She was planning on a little revenge against him since he ended things with her over the business. However, she does not get the reaction she expected from her ex, Gus. He welcomes her and everything her team is doing. They are both still attracted to each other, and they have so much history to resolve. They connect and have an amazing night together, which leads to an accidental pregnancy.
Gus was such a cinnamon roll hero, and he was so gone for Chloe. I loved how he reacted to the pregnancy, and he w heras all in from the start. He was so swoony! Chloe was such a strong and independent working woman, but she had issues trusting again.
Side note: I loved the moose Clive and Gus’ dog Clementine.
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
The audiobook was duet narrated by Aaron Shedlock and C.J. Bloom. The banter and chemistry were perfect between these two. I highly recommend the audiobook.
🪓 Divorced exes
🪓 Second chance
🪓 Accidental pregnancy
🪓 He falls harder
🪓 It's always been you
🪓 Lumberjack
🪓 Small town
🪓 Workplace romance
Thank you to Home Cooked Books for providing the ALC.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Pain in the Axe was my first Daphne Elliot book, and it was such a sweet small town, lumberjack, second chance romance. I couldn’t put it down and read it in a day. Loved the lumberjack vibes!
Chloe has returned to town after buying her ex-husband’s family lumber business. She was planning on a little revenge against him since he ended things with her over the business. However, she does not get the reaction she expected from her ex, Gus. He welcomes her and everything her team is doing. They are both still attracted to each other, and they have so much history to resolve. They connect and have an amazing night together, which leads to an accidental pregnancy.
Gus was such a cinnamon roll hero, and he was so gone for Chloe. I loved how he reacted to the pregnancy, and he w heras all in from the start. He was so swoony! Chloe was such a strong and independent working woman, but she had issues trusting again.
Side note: I loved the moose Clive and Gus’ dog Clementine.
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
The audiobook was duet narrated by Aaron Shedlock and C.J. Bloom. The banter and chemistry were perfect between these two. I highly recommend the audiobook.
🪓 Divorced exes
🪓 Second chance
🪓 Accidental pregnancy
🪓 He falls harder
🪓 It's always been you
🪓 Lumberjack
🪓 Small town
🪓 Workplace romance
Thank you to Home Cooked Books for providing the ALC.
October 11, 2024
DNF
Pain in the Axe is promising story. It really was. Until I got lost on following the writing. The characters turn out to be immature.
Moving on....
2 stars
Pain in the Axe is promising story. It really was. Until I got lost on following the writing. The characters turn out to be immature.
Moving on....
2 stars
October 8, 2025
The Maine Lumberjacks second book! Small town second chance romance. Successful career woman & unexpected pregnancy! He rescues & loves an abused pitbull. Super hallmark vibes. Slow burn. Mega cute love story! Fun read!
December 22, 2024
This was a cute read i liked the accidental pregnancy plot and the way the author wrote it. The fmc and mmc were previously married but separated and got divorced on bad terms. Years later the fmc is back in the small Maine town and has bought the lumber company the mmc ran.
I loved the fmc especially when she came in all ready to run and give it to her ex. Even thought they both don’t like each other because of the past they have that instant chemistry and have a one night stand. Before she found out she was pregnant i liked the time they were spending together and how it brought them closer. The pregnancy plot was later on and i liked how they both navigated it. The mini mystery plot trying to see who was trying to destroy the lumber business was also interesting. Overall a good read i liked that the characters were mature and in their late 30s early 40s.
Read for:
- Small town romance
- mystery subplot
- Accidental pregnancy
- Divorced mc’s
- Steamy scenes
I loved the fmc especially when she came in all ready to run and give it to her ex. Even thought they both don’t like each other because of the past they have that instant chemistry and have a one night stand. Before she found out she was pregnant i liked the time they were spending together and how it brought them closer. The pregnancy plot was later on and i liked how they both navigated it. The mini mystery plot trying to see who was trying to destroy the lumber business was also interesting. Overall a good read i liked that the characters were mature and in their late 30s early 40s.
Read for:
- Small town romance
- mystery subplot
- Accidental pregnancy
- Divorced mc’s
- Steamy scenes
August 10, 2025
Gus’s story
Chloe returns to take over the business and is Gus’s ex wife who bought as bitter that he left her for the business, while he was hurt from father’s illegal activities and facing the woman he felt he didn’t fight enough for. 3 stars because while the story was good the story just ends with so many questions! Yes a series but the plot holes were a little too big I think.
Chloe returns to take over the business and is Gus’s ex wife who bought as bitter that he left her for the business, while he was hurt from father’s illegal activities and facing the woman he felt he didn’t fight enough for. 3 stars because while the story was good the story just ends with so many questions! Yes a series but the plot holes were a little too big I think.
June 17, 2025
Another EXCELLENT small town Maine Lumberjack book. I'm a sucker for second chance romance stories and this one between divorced exes who never got over one another and takes place 20 years after their divorce, was sooo good!!
I loved that the main characters were in their 40s, that she was a badass CEO who buys his family's lumber business and that they can't keep their hands off each other. Not to mention that he calls her 'Dragonfly,' has a tattoo of their wedding date and a soft spot for his rescue pit bull.
Aaron Shedlock and CJ Bloom do a superb job narrating and I highly recommend the audiobook! Perfect for fans of authors like Lucy Score or Catherine Cowles or anyone who enjoys a good spicy small town romance with a bit suspense. This is the second book in a series but it could be read as a standalone.
Many thanks to the author and @homecookedbooks for an early ALC in exchange for my honest review! I voluntarily listened to this on audio and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
⚠️CW: accidental pregnancy
I loved that the main characters were in their 40s, that she was a badass CEO who buys his family's lumber business and that they can't keep their hands off each other. Not to mention that he calls her 'Dragonfly,' has a tattoo of their wedding date and a soft spot for his rescue pit bull.
Aaron Shedlock and CJ Bloom do a superb job narrating and I highly recommend the audiobook! Perfect for fans of authors like Lucy Score or Catherine Cowles or anyone who enjoys a good spicy small town romance with a bit suspense. This is the second book in a series but it could be read as a standalone.
Many thanks to the author and @homecookedbooks for an early ALC in exchange for my honest review! I voluntarily listened to this on audio and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
⚠️CW: accidental pregnancy
July 25, 2024
Accidental pregnancy
Ex husband/wife
Second chance
Workplace revenge
Small town Maine
Lumberjacks
Gus: oldest brother, recluse type mountain man, lumberjack bubble butt, disgraced lumber company, strong and steady
He’s the type I’d go for if I wasn’t married and he wasn’t still in love with his ex wife from 20 years ago
Chloe: powerful business woman, the words I’d used to describe her aren’t really kind, like uptight and b*tchy
I wanted to shake her
I’m liking this series tho, the mystery aspect that is woven throughout the books that I’m going to assume is going to continue.
I need to go read the Lovewell series
Ex husband/wife
Second chance
Workplace revenge
Small town Maine
Lumberjacks
Gus: oldest brother, recluse type mountain man, lumberjack bubble butt, disgraced lumber company, strong and steady
He’s the type I’d go for if I wasn’t married and he wasn’t still in love with his ex wife from 20 years ago
Chloe: powerful business woman, the words I’d used to describe her aren’t really kind, like uptight and b*tchy
I wanted to shake her
I’m liking this series tho, the mystery aspect that is woven throughout the books that I’m going to assume is going to continue.
I need to go read the Lovewell series
July 14, 2024
This was a funny and heartfelt romance set in Daphne Elliot’s lumberjack world in Maine.
At 5% in I was already laughing as well as feeling the tension.
Gus and Chloe had a great dynamic coming back together as a couple who married young briefly and divorced but still were clearly attracted to each other all these years later (Chloe is 40 - bonus older MC’s!). They couldn’t keep away for too long and - oops! Here’s a pregnancy.
Reading how they navigate their complicated relationship personally and professionally as well as a growing baby was really entertaining.
I will say there wasn’t quite as much grump and animosity as I expected. This was very much an “it’s always been you” situation for Gus and he just couldn’t be anything but soft toward Chloe. Chloe had the fire and the revenge mindset but it also didn’t hit that hard, she was already weakening toward Gus from day one. I liked Chloe’s journey of understanding herself and her feelings. It was adorable to see how far gone over Chloe Gus is throughout the book.
This one felt a bit lighter in tone than the others I’ve read in this series and the connected Lovewell series - but that was good and refreshing, it was nice to laugh and smile at their relationship and banter.
Another great addition to this series!
This can be read as a standalone but I think much richer if you read the Lovewell Lumberjacks and then the first book in this Maine Lumberjacks series as there is an underlying intrigue/mystery story that goes throughout. It’s less interconnected standalone than other series I’ve read so you may feel like you’re missing out. All the books are fantastic so go get them!! :)
I have received an advance copy of this book and am leaving my honest review as I would with any book.
At 5% in I was already laughing as well as feeling the tension.
Gus and Chloe had a great dynamic coming back together as a couple who married young briefly and divorced but still were clearly attracted to each other all these years later (Chloe is 40 - bonus older MC’s!). They couldn’t keep away for too long and - oops! Here’s a pregnancy.
Reading how they navigate their complicated relationship personally and professionally as well as a growing baby was really entertaining.
I will say there wasn’t quite as much grump and animosity as I expected. This was very much an “it’s always been you” situation for Gus and he just couldn’t be anything but soft toward Chloe. Chloe had the fire and the revenge mindset but it also didn’t hit that hard, she was already weakening toward Gus from day one. I liked Chloe’s journey of understanding herself and her feelings. It was adorable to see how far gone over Chloe Gus is throughout the book.
This one felt a bit lighter in tone than the others I’ve read in this series and the connected Lovewell series - but that was good and refreshing, it was nice to laugh and smile at their relationship and banter.
Another great addition to this series!
This can be read as a standalone but I think much richer if you read the Lovewell Lumberjacks and then the first book in this Maine Lumberjacks series as there is an underlying intrigue/mystery story that goes throughout. It’s less interconnected standalone than other series I’ve read so you may feel like you’re missing out. All the books are fantastic so go get them!! :)
I have received an advance copy of this book and am leaving my honest review as I would with any book.
July 14, 2024
AHH!! A second chance, accidental pregnant with HER EX HUSBAND?!
Come on, Daphne. Come the freak on.
It's no secret that I don't gravitate to an accidental pregnancy trope, but apparently if its her ex-husband who's loved her all along I love it! There was something about the love to hate you vibes from Chloe that just fueled my fire. I was squealing at moments because the tension was so palpable, but we all know how these books end. The journey was SO much fun to read!
And Gus. Oh, Augustus.. the sap you are. There was a whole soliloquy about how he wanted her to love his house. He just wanted her to love him, and it pulled at my heartstrings! The way he immediately wanted to be better for her and took it upon himself to improve inside and out was the freaking sweetest. I loved it. LOVED IT.
The book moved at a different pace than I expected from the blurb, but I think it was perfect. Time slowed down during our jaunt in Maine. There was still a bit of suspense with the storyline that started in Caught In the Axe which was a fun little connection, but the heart this book packed was EVERYTHING.
Thank you so much to Daphne and the Author Agency for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Come on, Daphne. Come the freak on.
It's no secret that I don't gravitate to an accidental pregnancy trope, but apparently if its her ex-husband who's loved her all along I love it! There was something about the love to hate you vibes from Chloe that just fueled my fire. I was squealing at moments because the tension was so palpable, but we all know how these books end. The journey was SO much fun to read!
And Gus. Oh, Augustus.. the sap you are. There was a whole soliloquy about how he wanted her to love his house. He just wanted her to love him, and it pulled at my heartstrings! The way he immediately wanted to be better for her and took it upon himself to improve inside and out was the freaking sweetest. I loved it. LOVED IT.
The book moved at a different pace than I expected from the blurb, but I think it was perfect. Time slowed down during our jaunt in Maine. There was still a bit of suspense with the storyline that started in Caught In the Axe which was a fun little connection, but the heart this book packed was EVERYTHING.
Thank you so much to Daphne and the Author Agency for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
June 16, 2025
🎧AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🎧
They just keep getting better and better ... Grumpy Gus & Feisty Chloe for the #win
I have to tell you guys something. I haven’t had the chance to sit and *read* this series yet but I cannot imagine it being better than *listening* to it. I have had THE best time with the Main Lumberjacks in my ears. THE BEST I tell ya! In this particular case, 🎙️CJ Bloom & Aaron Shedlock🎙️ had me either laughing or swooning or laughing or turned on or laughing with their 👏👏outstanding👏👏 DUET PERFORMANCE!
Pain in the Axe is one of those stories that grabs you in the feels but at the same time it overflows with laughter and a good time! I mean that’s what it felt like for me. I really love Daphne’s sense of humor, and I connect really well with her writing and this story just brought me pure joy! There was never a moment in this story where I wasn’t rooting for Gus & Chloe. Every step of their story had meaning and an end goal to the ❤️sweet spot❤️ and that’s one of the many reasons I love romance fiction. Stories such as this one where I can live vicariously through the MCs and laugh my butt off while I’m doing it!
They just keep getting better and better ... Grumpy Gus & Feisty Chloe for the #win
I have to tell you guys something. I haven’t had the chance to sit and *read* this series yet but I cannot imagine it being better than *listening* to it. I have had THE best time with the Main Lumberjacks in my ears. THE BEST I tell ya! In this particular case, 🎙️CJ Bloom & Aaron Shedlock🎙️ had me either laughing or swooning or laughing or turned on or laughing with their 👏👏outstanding👏👏 DUET PERFORMANCE!
Pain in the Axe is one of those stories that grabs you in the feels but at the same time it overflows with laughter and a good time! I mean that’s what it felt like for me. I really love Daphne’s sense of humor, and I connect really well with her writing and this story just brought me pure joy! There was never a moment in this story where I wasn’t rooting for Gus & Chloe. Every step of their story had meaning and an end goal to the ❤️sweet spot❤️ and that’s one of the many reasons I love romance fiction. Stories such as this one where I can live vicariously through the MCs and laugh my butt off while I’m doing it!
July 26, 2025
How dare this book make me side with a MAN. Chloe was the most infuriatingly immature 40 year old I’ve ever read about. No one knows how to communicate like adults and every interaction was more annoying than it was endearing.
August 6, 2024
"This body is carrying my child." I kissed down her stomach to the top of her panties. "Do you know how hard that makes me? How much I want to see your belly swell?"
This is a new to me author, and I'll be honest, I went into this one for the accidental pregnancy storyline. They are a fave. So going into this, I think I had certain expectations and they weren't really met in that regard. Obviously that's not on the author. There is much to enjoy about this story. I really liked the MMC-he had so much growly golden retriever swoon. But it was hard to get into a revenge storyline when it's been 20 years, and the FMC's grudge just seemed over the top for me. Overall I really just wanted more pregnancy content-what I went in for. Not the story for me, but might be for you!
This is a new to me author, and I'll be honest, I went into this one for the accidental pregnancy storyline. They are a fave. So going into this, I think I had certain expectations and they weren't really met in that regard. Obviously that's not on the author. There is much to enjoy about this story. I really liked the MMC-he had so much growly golden retriever swoon. But it was hard to get into a revenge storyline when it's been 20 years, and the FMC's grudge just seemed over the top for me. Overall I really just wanted more pregnancy content-what I went in for. Not the story for me, but might be for you!
March 7, 2025
I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope...
KU Read 409 Pages
Small Town Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Second Chance
Ex husband\wife
Surprise Pregnancy
I was looking forward to Gus's story and it was good but I was frustrated by the supposed revenge plot from Chloe and that all the blame was lumped on Gus. Even from the start it was as if he left her when I'm fact she left him but blamed him for not following her... Eh? Then the Ruth comes out and worse... He tried so hard to get her back but was thwarted by others and still she is mad at him for things outside his control... Yeah in The end they get their HEA but I just felt like Gus was punished more than was fair.
KU Read 409 Pages
Small Town Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Second Chance
Ex husband\wife
Surprise Pregnancy
I was looking forward to Gus's story and it was good but I was frustrated by the supposed revenge plot from Chloe and that all the blame was lumped on Gus. Even from the start it was as if he left her when I'm fact she left him but blamed him for not following her... Eh? Then the Ruth comes out and worse... He tried so hard to get her back but was thwarted by others and still she is mad at him for things outside his control... Yeah in The end they get their HEA but I just felt like Gus was punished more than was fair.
July 29, 2024
What happens when divorced ex’s accidentally sleep together and a surprise two pink lines show up ? Buckle up for such a banter filled ride ! Chloe is one badass chick who wants to get revenge on her ex-husband (for picking his company over the marriage) .. which she does by buying his ENTIRE company and a mansion in his home town . Gus might be a very large lumberjack but he is a total cinnamon roll when it comes to Chloe and getting her back . I mean he goes to therapy to start bettering himself and his communication skills, he updates his wardrobe and hairstyle to be more elevated, he starts understanding her coffee and little treat habits, all before accidentally getting her pregnant (AND THEN HE BECAUSE EVEN MORE OF A SWOON !!!)
My only issue with this book was the MMC (who is almost 40 and I LOVE older, non twenty year old characters) would act a little to childish at times and the same goes for the FMC . But other than that the flow of the story is great, the banter between this grumpy lumberjack and the sassy women who brings him to his knees is soooooo good and I loved the close relationships with all of Gus’ brothers . I can’t wait to see what book three has to offer .
This is book 2 in the Maine Lumberjacks series and it can be read as a complete stand alone .
This book was given to me for honest review by The Author Agency and the author .
My only issue with this book was the MMC (who is almost 40 and I LOVE older, non twenty year old characters) would act a little to childish at times and the same goes for the FMC . But other than that the flow of the story is great, the banter between this grumpy lumberjack and the sassy women who brings him to his knees is soooooo good and I loved the close relationships with all of Gus’ brothers . I can’t wait to see what book three has to offer .
This is book 2 in the Maine Lumberjacks series and it can be read as a complete stand alone .
This book was given to me for honest review by The Author Agency and the author .
July 23, 2024
3.5/5
this title and cover need to be framed, i’m obsessed with them both!!!
i’ve been in a small reading slump lately, meaning i’ve picked up at least six books and not been able to read more than 20 pages. this cover just spoke to me so i downloaded and read it last night/this morning. this is a very cute, small town read but it didn’t change my life. i really enjoyed the romance between chloe and gus but other parts of this book felt underdeveloped. it just was missing the found family i usually fall in love with in these books. i liked the relationship with chloe and her sister but gus and his brothers were just bland.
this book was definitely a good way to kick start my reading again and i enjoyed meeting these characters, sadly this book was a bit repetitive and some plot lines felt completely random. i would be interested to reading another story by daphne because the romance was adorable!
this title and cover need to be framed, i’m obsessed with them both!!!
i’ve been in a small reading slump lately, meaning i’ve picked up at least six books and not been able to read more than 20 pages. this cover just spoke to me so i downloaded and read it last night/this morning. this is a very cute, small town read but it didn’t change my life. i really enjoyed the romance between chloe and gus but other parts of this book felt underdeveloped. it just was missing the found family i usually fall in love with in these books. i liked the relationship with chloe and her sister but gus and his brothers were just bland.
this book was definitely a good way to kick start my reading again and i enjoyed meeting these characters, sadly this book was a bit repetitive and some plot lines felt completely random. i would be interested to reading another story by daphne because the romance was adorable!
January 12, 2025
I’m really enjoying this series! The characters are realistic and it’s easy to root for them while they work towards finding love.
Gus and Chloe are a sweet couple and I love the theme of letting go of the past to make room in your heart for what’s in front of you now. Can’t wait to see what’s ahead for the rest of the brothers!
Gus and Chloe are a sweet couple and I love the theme of letting go of the past to make room in your heart for what’s in front of you now. Can’t wait to see what’s ahead for the rest of the brothers!
October 22, 2024
Let October 2024 go down in history as the month I fell in love with the Gus men (this one and Lost + Lassoed by Lyla Sage). WOOOOOO. He is one perfect book boyfriend, if I say so myself!
As an older person (lol early 30s) with no kids and working hard in my career, I loved Chloe's story. She means business and she's a little mean in the process. She's come for revenge of her ex who abandoned her when she was barely an adult. And she's proven she can take on this challenge. Then she meets adult Gus, who is very much still the man she loved, but on a proverbial steroids. He's so large, in presence and stature, yet he's exactly the same... only more. And? He still loves her. *sobs*
Gus's story is my favorite. He is DOWN BAD FOR CHLOE. He goes to get his haircut on the morning he decides he's got to pursue her again, ends his occasional hookups in an honest and straightforward way, GOES TO THERAPY TO TALK ABOUT HIS FAMILY DRAMA AND ISSUES, and HE READS THE DANG PARENTING/BABY BOOKS... it's all just very swoonworthy. Big fan.
Can't wait to see what's in store in book three!
As an older person (lol early 30s) with no kids and working hard in my career, I loved Chloe's story. She means business and she's a little mean in the process. She's come for revenge of her ex who abandoned her when she was barely an adult. And she's proven she can take on this challenge. Then she meets adult Gus, who is very much still the man she loved, but on a proverbial steroids. He's so large, in presence and stature, yet he's exactly the same... only more. And? He still loves her. *sobs*
Gus's story is my favorite. He is DOWN BAD FOR CHLOE. He goes to get his haircut on the morning he decides he's got to pursue her again, ends his occasional hookups in an honest and straightforward way, GOES TO THERAPY TO TALK ABOUT HIS FAMILY DRAMA AND ISSUES, and HE READS THE DANG PARENTING/BABY BOOKS... it's all just very swoonworthy. Big fan.
Can't wait to see what's in store in book three!
September 12, 2025
wow never realized lumberjacks were supreme MANcake but this story has made me a believer. no cheesy Paul Bunyan. Hebert is a quiet caretaker type, with big muscles in flannel 3 buttons open. Chloe thinks she is there for revenge but ends up HEA. plot was interesting but not central
August 17, 2024
lovely
September 11, 2025
3.75⭐️
For the first time ever I didn’t hate a pregnancy trope. I do really love a second chance romance! It was cheesy but that’s to be expected with romance.
For the first time ever I didn’t hate a pregnancy trope. I do really love a second chance romance! It was cheesy but that’s to be expected with romance.
August 3, 2024
🪓 A lumberjack accidental pregnancy romance?! YES PLEASE 🙌🏻
When I saw the cover for this romance I knew I had to read it! We are absolutely judging a book by its cover when it’s this stunning ♥️
This second chance romance had me kicking my feet!
Chloe and Gus were married young and ended up divorced. Years later, Chloe is ready to get her revenge by buying his family business. Except when she walks in to purchase it, HE GRINS. He freaking GRINNED and I was kicking my feet.
His girl was back and he was ready to win her heart again.
🪓 Accidental Pregnancy
🌲 Second Chance (they were married)
🪓 Workplace
🌲 Revenge
🪓 Banter
🌲 Grumpy Grumpy
🪓 Lumberjack
🌲 Small Town
When I saw the cover for this romance I knew I had to read it! We are absolutely judging a book by its cover when it’s this stunning ♥️
This second chance romance had me kicking my feet!
Chloe and Gus were married young and ended up divorced. Years later, Chloe is ready to get her revenge by buying his family business. Except when she walks in to purchase it, HE GRINS. He freaking GRINNED and I was kicking my feet.
His girl was back and he was ready to win her heart again.
🪓 Accidental Pregnancy
🌲 Second Chance (they were married)
🪓 Workplace
🌲 Revenge
🪓 Banter
🌲 Grumpy Grumpy
🪓 Lumberjack
🌲 Small Town
July 24, 2024
This was such a cute read! Gus and Chloe took a minute to get there with each other and when they did… fireworks! Throw in lumberjack competition🥵!! Sweet story and different from what’s out there. Divorced enemies to lovers and it’s always been you 🖤
August 5, 2024
4.25 stars - adored them. she bought her ex husband‘s company? what a girl boss and i love love good second chance romances <3
July 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Accidental pregnancy is not usually a trope I enjoy, but I think this one worked for me because Gus and Chloe had a history — and deep down, were still in love with one another. The yearning and the heartbreaking story of how their young marriage came to an end 20 years before was pulling on all of my heart strings.
Gus had my heart from early on — he just seemed so sweet, and dedicated, and down to earth. And the way he worshipped Chloe in the sheets and reading every parenting books he could get his hands on? Sign me TF up. Aaron Shedlock’s narration gave Gus a cool, calm, collected, and confident-but-not-cocky vibe that I would happily listen to all day. I think I’ve found a new fave 😍
CJ Bloom isn’t always one of my top narrator choices — I find it really depends on the type of character she is performing — and in the case of Chloe, she felt like a great fit. I find CJ’s voice to have a mature and authoritative edge which fit well with Chloe’s age and being the new owner of Hebert Timber.
As someone in their 30s, I love that this series features MCs who are predominantly over the age of 30. It was nice to read about characters who were actually older than me for once (albeit, only by a few years) — especially an FMC who isn’t so much younger and in a completely different place than me mentally.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Narration: 5/5⭐️
Story: 5/5⭐️
Gus had my heart from early on — he just seemed so sweet, and dedicated, and down to earth. And the way he worshipped Chloe in the sheets and reading every parenting books he could get his hands on? Sign me TF up. Aaron Shedlock’s narration gave Gus a cool, calm, collected, and confident-but-not-cocky vibe that I would happily listen to all day. I think I’ve found a new fave 😍
CJ Bloom isn’t always one of my top narrator choices — I find it really depends on the type of character she is performing — and in the case of Chloe, she felt like a great fit. I find CJ’s voice to have a mature and authoritative edge which fit well with Chloe’s age and being the new owner of Hebert Timber.
As someone in their 30s, I love that this series features MCs who are predominantly over the age of 30. It was nice to read about characters who were actually older than me for once (albeit, only by a few years) — especially an FMC who isn’t so much younger and in a completely different place than me mentally.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Narration: 5/5⭐️
Story: 5/5⭐️
July 30, 2024
This book could have had so much potential, but I feel like it ended way too soon in the story.
This book is an accidental pregnancy between two people that were married over 20 years ago.
She's set on revenged. And he's never forgotten her.
I really wish there wasn't such a large gap between their marriage and the present, I just feel 20 years is way to long, I wish it was more around 10 so it'd be more believable.
This book has a big miscommunication trope (may contain spoilers) each of their parents lied and deceived them into thinking they both wanted to get A divorce when in reality they both still loved each other and wanted to fight for each other. UHG! So frustrating.
The FMC has some major trust issues with him, but considering how her father lied to her for 20 years, I thought the character development was great in this book.
I love an accidental pregnancy, but at the end of this book she was barely even showing so you don't get a lot of the content the usual trope gives. This book was mainly A miscommunication trope/A second chance romance.
The reason I only rated this book 2 stars was because of the ending. UHG! I loved this book up until it abruptly just ended and went straight into the epilogue (where they had their baby). I felt like there were so many unanswered questions .This book should definitely have been longer.
This book is an accidental pregnancy between two people that were married over 20 years ago.
She's set on revenged. And he's never forgotten her.
I really wish there wasn't such a large gap between their marriage and the present, I just feel 20 years is way to long, I wish it was more around 10 so it'd be more believable.
This book has a big miscommunication trope (may contain spoilers) each of their parents lied and deceived them into thinking they both wanted to get A divorce when in reality they both still loved each other and wanted to fight for each other. UHG! So frustrating.
The FMC has some major trust issues with him, but considering how her father lied to her for 20 years, I thought the character development was great in this book.
I love an accidental pregnancy, but at the end of this book she was barely even showing so you don't get a lot of the content the usual trope gives. This book was mainly A miscommunication trope/A second chance romance.
The reason I only rated this book 2 stars was because of the ending. UHG! I loved this book up until it abruptly just ended and went straight into the epilogue (where they had their baby). I felt like there were so many unanswered questions .This book should definitely have been longer.
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