Protected by the Stubborn Lumberjack

by Celia Skye

The forest wasn't the only thing that needed saving.

As the town librarian and environmental advocate, I was prepared to fight Kirkwood Timber with everything I had. What I wasn't prepared for was Knox Kirkwood himself, the lumberjack who abandoned our town fifteen years ago, now returned in an expensive suit with corporate backing.

When he unexpectedly supports my conservation plan at the town meeting, I start to see beyond his corporate facade. All it takes is one passionate “research session” and suddenly fifteen years of misunderstanding dissolves into a future worth fighting for.

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Protected by the Stubborn Lumberjack is a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance featuring a passionate librarian and the prodigal son who returns to reclaim his roots. With fiery debates, unexpected alliances, and sizzling stolen moments in between bookshelves, this fifth book in the Lumberjacks of Silver Ridge series delivers the perfect read for romance lovers who crave redemption stories and the healing power of true connection.

42 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 24, 2025

Reviews

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protected by the Stubborn Lumberjack is Book 5 of the Silver Ridge Lumberjacks series. It's a short and steamy, instalove with an enemies-to-lovers vibe, opposites-attract, girl gets her lumberjack second-chance romance. Piper is a smart and sassy librarian and environmental activist. Knox is a hunky hometown boy who left 15 years ago. His company runs a logging company that wants to harvest trees that Piper is passionate about protecting. But these two have more in common than they realize. Knox wants to protect the area too. As they work together to put a plan together for sustainable logging and preservation, sparks fly. The chemistry between this couple was pure fire. The ending was so happy after some minor angst. I loved it and can't wait for Sawyer's book next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mafia Wife · Rating 3 out of 5]

She is the town library and determined to protect not only their mountain way of life, but to keep it for the future. She is prepared to fight, corporate logging, and is working tirelessly to prepare alternate foresting ideas. When she hears that he is coming back to town the air apparent to a corporate logging firm who grew up here and left years ago. She assumes that he’s here to damage their mountain and way of life. However, she is surprised when she realizes that she has misjudged him, and he has a few plans of his own some of them include getting steamy with her. This one is a little different than some others of the genre because they go into the story both having a shared mission that is a core arc through the story that they are both actively working on. While doing that, they built an affection for each other and recognize their own strong chemistry. Building a future for their town is their common ground as they work their way to their own happily ever after.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining story about a librarian and environmental advocate and the prodigal son who is the Executive VP of Kirkwood Timber Corporation wanting to harvest part of Silver Ridge’s heritage. Piper knew Knox before he abandoned the town many years ago. Now, he is back and is preparing to win the town over with his proposal. After hearing Piper’s strong arguments against his proposals, he comes to realize that she not only has conducted extensive research but also has turned into a beautiful woman. Can they work together to preserve what needs to be saved and build a HEA relationship? Their attraction grows deeper and deeper as they spend more time together. Highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 5 of the Silver Ridge Lumberjacks starts with Piper wanting to stop the destruction of the trees. She is diligently putting her arguments together. Then there is Knox the man who runs the opposing company and the person she has convinced herself is ruining everything. Soon they begin working together. Navigating a new future not just for the forestry but for themselves. This book is an adorably sweet enemies to lovers story. Another great addition to this series.9.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the environmental spin Celia put on this lumberjack romance. I also really liked the somewhat unexpected surprises that seemingly buttoned up librarian Piper is hiding 🤭😉.(And that’s all I’ll say on that…I don’t want to ruin anything🥰)

Great, passionate, short romance with small town feels😍.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, steamy, and sweet read. Piper is leading an environmental group to protect the forests in Silver Ridge. Knox, the owner of a large lumber company, is back in Silver Ridge. Piper quickly realizes that Knox isn't the enemy, and there's more between them than just saving the forest. Excellent book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper is a librarian, and an environmental advocate is all fired up against Kirkwood Timber and their logging practices.
The storyline is written well as well as the characters and the towns backdrop. This is a great read and worth the investment of your time, this is also part of a series, so make sure you grab the rest of the series as well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cherie Alvaro]

Piper is ready to fight the billionaire tycoon, from Kirkland Timber to save their local forests. What she wasn't ready for was Knox and his willingness to listen! The pai have so much chemistry, that the spicy scenes write themselves... lol! This delightful story is part of the Silver Ridge Lumberjacks which is turning out to be an amazing series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I’m reviewing today is titled, Protected by the Stubborn Lumberjack which is the installment of The Silver Ridge Lumberjacks Book Series written by Celia Skye. It's a short and steamy, instalove with an enemies-to-lovers trope, opposites-attract, lady gets her man second-chance romance. A sweet loving romance with a happily ever after!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

FABULOUS story about preserving life of old growth forests and giving people a real chance to prove themselves.
Piper and Knox are a steamy, hot couple, and wonderful characters.
This was a fast, EXCELLENT, pleasurable standalone read with no cliffhanger, and a lovely HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper is passionate about saving the forest so, when Knox comes back home, with his corporate lackies, to cut down the old trees, she’s not having it. But what she discovers is a man who really needs to connect with his roots and who she might be just as passionate about.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[laura.lovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story with a pair, who originally are coming from opposite sides, but are coming together to fight together. The wonderful characters, the amazing storyline, chemistry, spice and love are coming together to create this amazing story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Book 5 in amazing Silver Ridge Lumberjacks series.
Knox from Kirkwood Timber is back to town after 15 years. And he is enemy which Piper as local environmental advocate is ready to fight with. But Silver Ridge heritage is important to both of them.
Amazing short and steamy read, with wonderful characters and great storyline. They both challenged each other professionally and personally. Enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW Piper and Knox are AWESOME. If you're looking for your next short romance book grab this one by Celia. It's short, hot and has one amazing storyline. I was obsessed reading this book and can't wait to see what Celia writes next.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Piper inspires Knox to save the old growth and do selective harvesting. As they work together to achieve this, they fall in love.

[Vicky Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silver Ridge Lumberjack is an amazing series!

The storyline continues the Kirkland family adventure as they move back to sustainable logging. This is the kind of story that relates to climate changes occurring now. Gives hope for a future conserving what's important.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knox and Piper
Quick read, plenty of drama, enemies to lovers, instalove, lumberjack/librarian, steamy and HEA. Knox and Piper butt-heads at first, but soon realize they had more incomma than not.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protected by the Stubborn Lumberjack: A Second-Chance Mountain Man Instalove Romance
Book 5 of Silver Ridge Lumberjacks
great read and loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Zondra.Hallyahoo.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Jay myrandomspace2023 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Not bad, the push and pull between the characters is good. A good short read with it's promised HEA in the end.