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Maine Lumberjacks #4
Axe Backwards
Once in a while, after life gets you down, the universe throws you a bone. And if you’re really lucky, it comes in the form of a tattooed baby-wearing firefighter with piercing blue eyes and a heart of gold.
When Noah Hebert swung his axe and rescued me from a coffee shop bathroom, I had only a vague sense of who the tattooed lumberjack was. Turns out he’s more than broad shoulders and a thick beard. He’s a devoted single dad and my new neighbor.
Soon after, we find ourselves falling into an easy friendship. I help him with his fussy baby, and he helps me survive my ex-husband and little sister’s wedding. Despite my vow never to risk my heart again, my defenses quickly crumble. The sight of him rocking his sweet baby in those muscular, inked arms only makes matters worse. And when he defends me to my toxic family, the sparks of attraction between us catch fire.
I moved back here with a mission. Grow the food pantry and make our little town a better place. I can’t get mixed up with the grieving single dad, even if he likes to braid my hair and slow dance in the kitchen.
He moved across the country to escape the flames of his past and protect the little girl he now calls his own. But our town is sitting on a bed of secrets ready to ignite.
And when the heat causes my world to go up in smoke, I’m not sure it’s possible to sift through the rubble and find our happily ever after.
Author’s Axe Backwards is a standalone small-town romance featuring a bleeding-heart heroine, a lumberjack firefighter, and a cute baby. If you enjoy single dads, fake dating, small-town shenanigans, lumberjack competitions, and baby sign language, you will not be disappointed. Come for the wood chopping, stay for the moose!
When Noah Hebert swung his axe and rescued me from a coffee shop bathroom, I had only a vague sense of who the tattooed lumberjack was. Turns out he’s more than broad shoulders and a thick beard. He’s a devoted single dad and my new neighbor.
Soon after, we find ourselves falling into an easy friendship. I help him with his fussy baby, and he helps me survive my ex-husband and little sister’s wedding. Despite my vow never to risk my heart again, my defenses quickly crumble. The sight of him rocking his sweet baby in those muscular, inked arms only makes matters worse. And when he defends me to my toxic family, the sparks of attraction between us catch fire.
I moved back here with a mission. Grow the food pantry and make our little town a better place. I can’t get mixed up with the grieving single dad, even if he likes to braid my hair and slow dance in the kitchen.
He moved across the country to escape the flames of his past and protect the little girl he now calls his own. But our town is sitting on a bed of secrets ready to ignite.
And when the heat causes my world to go up in smoke, I’m not sure it’s possible to sift through the rubble and find our happily ever after.
Author’s Axe Backwards is a standalone small-town romance featuring a bleeding-heart heroine, a lumberjack firefighter, and a cute baby. If you enjoy single dads, fake dating, small-town shenanigans, lumberjack competitions, and baby sign language, you will not be disappointed. Come for the wood chopping, stay for the moose!
Audible Audio
First published February 3, 2025
1855 people are currently reading
3922 people want to read
About the author
Daphne Elliot
27 books1,232 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 729 reviews
January 30, 2025
what happens when the tattooed, firefighter, single dad has to walk his baby daughter around in the middle of the night to get her to sleep? he wakes up his newly divorced neighbor downstairs who already has a hard time sleeping so she decides to take night shift so he can get some sleep.
noah is a new favorite single dad for me!!!! he was everything. he’s back in his hometown to have a village while he raises his daughter but since he left his firefighter job back in california, he’s lost. so when his pretty neighbor asks if he can be her fake boyfriend in front of her horrible family, his new hobby is helping her erase all the bad thoughts they put in her head.
noah, vic, and tess were the CUTEST family. noah is SO HOT AND SO RESPECTFULLLLLLL. he never missed an opportunity to defend her or uplift her. vic was such a badass even though she couldn’t see it and god, i just fell in love with all of them.
noah is a new favorite single dad for me!!!! he was everything. he’s back in his hometown to have a village while he raises his daughter but since he left his firefighter job back in california, he’s lost. so when his pretty neighbor asks if he can be her fake boyfriend in front of her horrible family, his new hobby is helping her erase all the bad thoughts they put in her head.
noah, vic, and tess were the CUTEST family. noah is SO HOT AND SO RESPECTFULLLLLLL. he never missed an opportunity to defend her or uplift her. vic was such a badass even though she couldn’t see it and god, i just fell in love with all of them.
February 3, 2025
I think Noah just dethroned Cole.
No wait I’m sure he did actually.
I love the trope this book revolves around so much!
Love it.
Noah: ladies he’s a tatted up ex hotshot single daddy that baby wears 🔥
Victoria: our divorced bleeding heart hottie that runs the food pantry
TW: infertility
Neighbors
Fake dating
Lovewell Maine
Such a fun quirky little moose filled town
With lumberjacks
And really dirty criminals in there.
One more book and we see how it all ends.
Arc review ✨
No wait I’m sure he did actually.
I love the trope this book revolves around so much!
Love it.
Noah: ladies he’s a tatted up ex hotshot single daddy that baby wears 🔥
Victoria: our divorced bleeding heart hottie that runs the food pantry
TW: infertility
Neighbors
Fake dating
Lovewell Maine
Such a fun quirky little moose filled town
With lumberjacks
And really dirty criminals in there.
One more book and we see how it all ends.
Arc review ✨
August 12, 2025
This was my first book from Daphne Elliot, and I know it's well into the Maine Lumberjack series, but I'm here now and I'm having a great time.
This small town and it's inhabitants had me lost in their lives for a little bit, and that's a great place to be.
Noah is a single guardian to his best friend's only child. Best friends who tragically died in a fire, which not only tore his heart open, but also ruined his career as a hotshot for him. He just couldn't ever go back. Not only from the pain of loss, but also because he needs a safer job now. He has to live and look after sweet little Tess. So he heads back to his hometown and his family to reset and regroup. He's not planning to stay but he needs the support for now.
Victoria is struggling after her recent divorce. Not only because her husband was a neglectful asshole who cheated on her WITH HER SISTER, but because her family somehow made it her fault?! Explain that please. Jerks. She's now trying to do good in this small town by taking over the running of a food pantry, but she's putting her life back together.
Noah and Victoria end up as neighbors and one night when he is pacing aimlessly, trying to soothe Tess to sleep, Vic steps in to help. Then when she needs a fake date to her sister's wedding (YES< the sister who is MARRYING her ex-husband), Noah volunteers to be her BF.
These were both truly such great people. They've both been told they were "too much" in the past. But they're just the right amount of "much" for one another. This was a neighbors to friends to lovers situation and it was beautiful.
I also loved how Noah's family embraced Vic, and the whole town really. Hence, why I will definitely read the previous entries and the future ones as well.
This was narrated in a duet by Gabriel Spires & Samantha Cook. They did an excellent job.
4 Stars
2.5 on the spice scale
CW: Gas-lighting family, cheating, grief, fires, death (off page), infertility
*Thank you to Home Cooked Books Promo and the author for an ALC of this title.*
This small town and it's inhabitants had me lost in their lives for a little bit, and that's a great place to be.
Noah is a single guardian to his best friend's only child. Best friends who tragically died in a fire, which not only tore his heart open, but also ruined his career as a hotshot for him. He just couldn't ever go back. Not only from the pain of loss, but also because he needs a safer job now. He has to live and look after sweet little Tess. So he heads back to his hometown and his family to reset and regroup. He's not planning to stay but he needs the support for now.
Victoria is struggling after her recent divorce. Not only because her husband was a neglectful asshole who cheated on her WITH HER SISTER, but because her family somehow made it her fault?! Explain that please. Jerks. She's now trying to do good in this small town by taking over the running of a food pantry, but she's putting her life back together.
Noah and Victoria end up as neighbors and one night when he is pacing aimlessly, trying to soothe Tess to sleep, Vic steps in to help. Then when she needs a fake date to her sister's wedding (YES< the sister who is MARRYING her ex-husband), Noah volunteers to be her BF.
These were both truly such great people. They've both been told they were "too much" in the past. But they're just the right amount of "much" for one another. This was a neighbors to friends to lovers situation and it was beautiful.
I also loved how Noah's family embraced Vic, and the whole town really. Hence, why I will definitely read the previous entries and the future ones as well.
This was narrated in a duet by Gabriel Spires & Samantha Cook. They did an excellent job.
4 Stars
2.5 on the spice scale
CW: Gas-lighting family, cheating, grief, fires, death (off page), infertility
*Thank you to Home Cooked Books Promo and the author for an ALC of this title.*
February 3, 2025
4.25 Stars
Axe Backwards by Daphne Elliot delivered so many of my favorite tropes—small town, fake dating, and single dad—and it nailed them all!
The character development was a highlight. Watching both Noah and Vic slowly open up to each other and their community after all they’ve endured was truly heartwarming. Their journey felt authentic and made me root for them the whole way through.
The storyline was chef’s kiss. The pacing was spot-on, keeping me engaged without feeling rushed or dragged out. Every scene felt intentional and added depth to the overall plot.
This is the fourth book in an interconnected standalone series, and even though I jumped in here, I never felt lost. That said, I’m absolutely going back to read the first three books because if they’re anything like Ace Backwards, I know I’m in for a treat!
Axe Backwards by Daphne Elliot delivered so many of my favorite tropes—small town, fake dating, and single dad—and it nailed them all!
The character development was a highlight. Watching both Noah and Vic slowly open up to each other and their community after all they’ve endured was truly heartwarming. Their journey felt authentic and made me root for them the whole way through.
The storyline was chef’s kiss. The pacing was spot-on, keeping me engaged without feeling rushed or dragged out. Every scene felt intentional and added depth to the overall plot.
This is the fourth book in an interconnected standalone series, and even though I jumped in here, I never felt lost. That said, I’m absolutely going back to read the first three books because if they’re anything like Ace Backwards, I know I’m in for a treat!
May 5, 2025
A firefighter who's built like a lumberjack, has tattoos, is a gentle giant and also a single dad!?!?😭 What else do you need????🤭🎀♥️
This has me wanting to read the rest of the series!!!
This has me wanting to read the rest of the series!!!
September 11, 2025
This was so cutttteeee I loved it, I love how the two main characters healed each other and themselves!
August 11, 2025
🎧🎧AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🎧🎧
LISTEN … I don’t want to tell anyone what they should or shouldn’t be doing, but honestly, if you’re not reading/listening to any and all of Daphne Elliot’s stories, you might be not right. *runs* lol THIS.WOMAN.
I really only like to talk about my ”feelings” (which I think can be summed up in the above sentence lol) about a story instead of the story details themselves but I cannot not highlight for you Victoria & Noah’s, shall we say … “current circumstances.” So, Victoria has come back to Lovewell to take over the food pantry her aunt used to run. Sounds easy enough, right? Nothing to see … except, her much younger sister is pregnant and marrying her ex-husband. *looks around* Shenanigans! amirite?! Me, obviously (if you KNOW me, you’d understand) am not aghast by this. I’m on the floor laughing. Literally. Because if you know Daphne’s work, this should be commonplace. 😂😂😂 Noah has come back to Lovewell after being away and practically ghosting his family for a loooong time … with a baby. 👀👀👀
I mean … If you don’t know this is going to be an epic story after that, I just can’t help you.
Anywho, what ensues is a beautiful journey of two people who are wrapped in kismet (read the book), who grow from knowing each other a very long time ago to reconnecting because everyone knows everyone in Lovewell, as friends and “helpers” to each other’s circumstances, to more than friends to a family. It happens so easily and organically that I was overjoyed just from that! But don’t get me started on the emotional upheaval all mixed in with the humorous shenanigans in a perfect blend! Everything seemed like a hurdle but with each other and because of each other they both grew into a unit, a family. *sigh* Daphne Elliot writes really good small town goodness stories with huge “family energy” and that’s my crack. She’s my crack. *throws hands up* what am I gonna do once I’ve read/listened to everything? I know I keep asking this, but someone PLEASE TELL ME! *cries*
🎧I was surprised at how much I loved 🎤Gabriel Spires & Samantha Cook’s🎤 performances, not because I’d never heard them performed, but I was still ridding a huge high from the performances in Axe-indentally Married and honestly didn’t think I gave enough time in between these two. But, 🎊surprise🎊, it didn’t matter, because they both nailed their performances and hit it out of the park! I’ve actually only listened to one other performance by Gabriel, and it was a while ago, but he’s on my “search” list now! Samantha Cook has also not been on my radar before this performance, but that is changing asap!
LISTEN … I don’t want to tell anyone what they should or shouldn’t be doing, but honestly, if you’re not reading/listening to any and all of Daphne Elliot’s stories, you might be not right. *runs* lol THIS.WOMAN.
I really only like to talk about my ”feelings” (which I think can be summed up in the above sentence lol) about a story instead of the story details themselves but I cannot not highlight for you Victoria & Noah’s, shall we say … “current circumstances.” So, Victoria has come back to Lovewell to take over the food pantry her aunt used to run. Sounds easy enough, right? Nothing to see … except, her much younger sister is pregnant and marrying her ex-husband. *looks around* Shenanigans! amirite?! Me, obviously (if you KNOW me, you’d understand) am not aghast by this. I’m on the floor laughing. Literally. Because if you know Daphne’s work, this should be commonplace. 😂😂😂 Noah has come back to Lovewell after being away and practically ghosting his family for a loooong time … with a baby. 👀👀👀
I mean … If you don’t know this is going to be an epic story after that, I just can’t help you.
Anywho, what ensues is a beautiful journey of two people who are wrapped in kismet (read the book), who grow from knowing each other a very long time ago to reconnecting because everyone knows everyone in Lovewell, as friends and “helpers” to each other’s circumstances, to more than friends to a family. It happens so easily and organically that I was overjoyed just from that! But don’t get me started on the emotional upheaval all mixed in with the humorous shenanigans in a perfect blend! Everything seemed like a hurdle but with each other and because of each other they both grew into a unit, a family. *sigh* Daphne Elliot writes really good small town goodness stories with huge “family energy” and that’s my crack. She’s my crack. *throws hands up* what am I gonna do once I’ve read/listened to everything? I know I keep asking this, but someone PLEASE TELL ME! *cries*
🎧I was surprised at how much I loved 🎤Gabriel Spires & Samantha Cook’s🎤 performances, not because I’d never heard them performed, but I was still ridding a huge high from the performances in Axe-indentally Married and honestly didn’t think I gave enough time in between these two. But, 🎊surprise🎊, it didn’t matter, because they both nailed their performances and hit it out of the park! I’ve actually only listened to one other performance by Gabriel, and it was a while ago, but he’s on my “search” list now! Samantha Cook has also not been on my radar before this performance, but that is changing asap!
March 18, 2025
Cute story I guess but very cheesy, I maintain that there is never a place for a fake dating trope.
February 14, 2025
Galiba yeni favori serilerimden birini buldum.😁 bu yazarı ilk defa okudum kesinlikle diğer kitaplarına bakacağım. Bu kitap serinin dördüncü kitabıymış tek okunabilir diyorlar ama bağlantılı bir olay var ben dördü okuduğum için çok anlamadım o yüzden ilk kitaptan başlayarak okuyacağım. Zaten onları da merak ediyorum.
Bu şekilde sahte sevgili, arkadaştan aşka, bekar baba ve ayrılığın olmadığı kitaplar.🫠💕💕💕💕 En favorilerim için gerçekten. Çok zevk alarak okudum. Karakterler mükemmeldi birbirlerini anlama ve sürekli iletişim halinde olmalarına bayıldım.
Tess yani Noah’ın kızı aşırı tatlıydı. Da - da diyor sürekli ve kalbim eridi çok sevdim. Vic’in ailesi berbat ötesiiydi ya bu kitabın içine girip onları dövmek istedim. Neyse ki sonunda ağzının payını verdik.😂
Çok severek okudum Kesinlikle okuyacağım diğer kitapları.🫶🏼
Bu şekilde sahte sevgili, arkadaştan aşka, bekar baba ve ayrılığın olmadığı kitaplar.🫠💕💕💕💕 En favorilerim için gerçekten. Çok zevk alarak okudum. Karakterler mükemmeldi birbirlerini anlama ve sürekli iletişim halinde olmalarına bayıldım.
Tess yani Noah’ın kızı aşırı tatlıydı. Da - da diyor sürekli ve kalbim eridi çok sevdim. Vic’in ailesi berbat ötesiiydi ya bu kitabın içine girip onları dövmek istedim. Neyse ki sonunda ağzının payını verdik.😂
Çok severek okudum Kesinlikle okuyacağım diğer kitapları.🫶🏼
February 4, 2025
I keep saying that each new book in this series is my new favorite.
This one is no exception! Noah Hebert is back in town after years of fighting fires. And he's not alone. Now, a single father he wants to give his baby the kind of family he had growing up. It's difficult, though, because besides raising his little girl, he has no idea what he wants to do.
Victoria has moved to Lovewell and has taken over her aunts food pantry. And she's great at it. She came to Lovewell to get over her divorce... and the fact that her little sister is marrying her ex-husband. Ewwww!
When Victoria and Noah meet, he's the hero, saving her from a locked room. And he's also... her neighbor. The two of them keep running into each other, and eventually, we see that they've become and intricately woven together. She becomes close to his daughter, and he helps her shoulder the big wedding.
There's also the storyline that's been coming along since book 1. Not to be solved but to grow even deeper.
I love the Herbert family and how they support one another so well. And, of course, the chance to catch up with each of the couples.
It was so refreshing to read about a found family and how sweetly they come together. Noah has some guilt about how everything came to be. And l think Victoria would like to leave the past behind, but some people won't let her move on.
The sweet baby is the star of the book!
This one is no exception! Noah Hebert is back in town after years of fighting fires. And he's not alone. Now, a single father he wants to give his baby the kind of family he had growing up. It's difficult, though, because besides raising his little girl, he has no idea what he wants to do.
Victoria has moved to Lovewell and has taken over her aunts food pantry. And she's great at it. She came to Lovewell to get over her divorce... and the fact that her little sister is marrying her ex-husband. Ewwww!
When Victoria and Noah meet, he's the hero, saving her from a locked room. And he's also... her neighbor. The two of them keep running into each other, and eventually, we see that they've become and intricately woven together. She becomes close to his daughter, and he helps her shoulder the big wedding.
There's also the storyline that's been coming along since book 1. Not to be solved but to grow even deeper.
I love the Herbert family and how they support one another so well. And, of course, the chance to catch up with each of the couples.
It was so refreshing to read about a found family and how sweetly they come together. Noah has some guilt about how everything came to be. And l think Victoria would like to leave the past behind, but some people won't let her move on.
The sweet baby is the star of the book!
September 21, 2025
These stories are so cheesy but I’m defs going through a lumberjack phase.
August 12, 2025
Axe-Backwards by Daphne Elliot
Format: Audiobook
Narrators: Samantha Cook and Gabriel Spires
Genre: Contemporary Romance
📖- 4.5
🎙️- 5
🌶️- 2
ALC Audiobook Review 🎧
Did someone say, lumberjack firefighter?
Let me start by saying how much I loved this audiobook. The characters were lovable, and the small-town atmosphere was blissful, making me actually want to be there. It was a constant feel good, swoon-worthy experience, and I am all for that.
Performed in duet by Samantha Cook and Gabriel Spires, they breathed life into Victoria and Noah... absolutely amazing and perfect together. Both narrators were new to me, but l enjoyed and adored their performances. Samantha had such a powerful and strong voice, yet feminine and sweet. Showing off the independence but nurturing side of Victoria. Gabriel's voice, although it was deep and masculine, had a sweet softness to it when speaking with his baby girl that made me swoon. This is exactly how I imagined Noah to sound. Manly and gruff, but a pushover with his girls.
Being a hero is just who Noah Hebert is, so after saving Victoria from the local cafe bathroom, the rest was somewhat history. Vic needs a fake boyfriend to attend an extremely awkward family wedding, Noah once again steps up and becomes her hero. I adored Noah so very much. He always seems to step up and take care of whatever anyone needs. He is by far, my favorite brother (so far).
Axe Backwards was an adorable, funny, and entertaining audio. I fell head over heels in love with Noah, Victoria and of course, sweet Tess.
Do I recommend? Yes
Format: Audiobook
Narrators: Samantha Cook and Gabriel Spires
Genre: Contemporary Romance
📖- 4.5
🎙️- 5
🌶️- 2
ALC Audiobook Review 🎧
Did someone say, lumberjack firefighter?
Let me start by saying how much I loved this audiobook. The characters were lovable, and the small-town atmosphere was blissful, making me actually want to be there. It was a constant feel good, swoon-worthy experience, and I am all for that.
Performed in duet by Samantha Cook and Gabriel Spires, they breathed life into Victoria and Noah... absolutely amazing and perfect together. Both narrators were new to me, but l enjoyed and adored their performances. Samantha had such a powerful and strong voice, yet feminine and sweet. Showing off the independence but nurturing side of Victoria. Gabriel's voice, although it was deep and masculine, had a sweet softness to it when speaking with his baby girl that made me swoon. This is exactly how I imagined Noah to sound. Manly and gruff, but a pushover with his girls.
Being a hero is just who Noah Hebert is, so after saving Victoria from the local cafe bathroom, the rest was somewhat history. Vic needs a fake boyfriend to attend an extremely awkward family wedding, Noah once again steps up and becomes her hero. I adored Noah so very much. He always seems to step up and take care of whatever anyone needs. He is by far, my favorite brother (so far).
Axe Backwards was an adorable, funny, and entertaining audio. I fell head over heels in love with Noah, Victoria and of course, sweet Tess.
Do I recommend? Yes
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2025
*arc review*
4.5/⭐️
2/🌶️
This is my favorite book in this series. Cause oh my goodness. Single dad? ✔️ broken and healing her self strong AF FMc✔️ a goood wholesome friendship between these two??? ✔️✔️✔️
Noah and Victoria didn’t really seem like a pair that I would originally expect to be together in any sense. They screamed polar opposites, but these two were just perfection together. Their friendship slowly built into something special, so so special because neither of them were like “ahhh yes. I need this person for sex and only sex” they literally acknowledged that the other person was attractive, but their attraction didn’t turn into anything romantic until their friendship was deep. Watching a healthy adult friendship grow is one of my favorites.
Noah growing up and returning to his family for help, after years and years of doing the opposite of having a relationship with them shows some much growth in my eyes. Also him wearing a baby sling or running with a baby jogger is a delightful imagine 😍
Victoria is a badass through and through, and sure she has some struggles with her awful horrible family, but she stuck to her guns and what she wants in your life and stood strong. Showing people that life after a horrible marriage can happen and be even better.
4.5/⭐️
2/🌶️
This is my favorite book in this series. Cause oh my goodness. Single dad? ✔️ broken and healing her self strong AF FMc✔️ a goood wholesome friendship between these two??? ✔️✔️✔️
Noah and Victoria didn’t really seem like a pair that I would originally expect to be together in any sense. They screamed polar opposites, but these two were just perfection together. Their friendship slowly built into something special, so so special because neither of them were like “ahhh yes. I need this person for sex and only sex” they literally acknowledged that the other person was attractive, but their attraction didn’t turn into anything romantic until their friendship was deep. Watching a healthy adult friendship grow is one of my favorites.
Noah growing up and returning to his family for help, after years and years of doing the opposite of having a relationship with them shows some much growth in my eyes. Also him wearing a baby sling or running with a baby jogger is a delightful imagine 😍
Victoria is a badass through and through, and sure she has some struggles with her awful horrible family, but she stuck to her guns and what she wants in your life and stood strong. Showing people that life after a horrible marriage can happen and be even better.
March 11, 2025
Noah, Vic and baby Tess
KU Read 369 Pages
Small Town Romance
Single Dad
Fake Dating
Found Family
Fertility Rep
Noah has moved back home with adopted daughter Tess who he became guardian of when his best friends died. Struggling alone,he found a friend in Victoria who lived below him and started to much in with the restless baby and her stompy Dad.
The three make the cutest family unit and when Fox's family come back in her life she enlists Noah's help to be had fake boyfriend while attending the wedding of her sister and her ex-husband, she needed the support especially as they have just announced they are expecting... Especially heart breaking for Vic who is infertile.
All the drama is wrapped up in the ongoing saga that Noahs family is embroiled in an spans all these books. An attempt is made on Vice life with someone setting fire to her apartment and locking her inside...
If course there his a HEA and the book ends with the set up for the fifth and final book which I can't wait to read.
KU Read 369 Pages
Small Town Romance
Single Dad
Fake Dating
Found Family
Fertility Rep
Noah has moved back home with adopted daughter Tess who he became guardian of when his best friends died. Struggling alone,he found a friend in Victoria who lived below him and started to much in with the restless baby and her stompy Dad.
The three make the cutest family unit and when Fox's family come back in her life she enlists Noah's help to be had fake boyfriend while attending the wedding of her sister and her ex-husband, she needed the support especially as they have just announced they are expecting... Especially heart breaking for Vic who is infertile.
All the drama is wrapped up in the ongoing saga that Noahs family is embroiled in an spans all these books. An attempt is made on Vice life with someone setting fire to her apartment and locking her inside...
If course there his a HEA and the book ends with the set up for the fifth and final book which I can't wait to read.
January 19, 2025
Noah was quite the surprise! We don’t see too much of him in the other books but we finally have his story and he is my favorite so far! He is a single dad by guardianship and moves back to his home town with his adorable baby Tess. Victoria is working on her aunts non profit pantry to help the people of Maine in need since it’s not easy for her aunt to get around anymore when he obnoxiously loud neighbor happens to be Noah. They enter a fake dating situation to help her with her terrible family and she helps him with sleep shift for the baby together they are just adorable. Their story was sweet and lighthearted but had some heavy topics so check any c.w. There was a lot of character growth and always more clues to the puzzle unveiled. I can’t believe the last book is next! I have been enjoying this world!
February 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Another amazing book in the Maine Lumberjacks and I couldn’t wish for a better Noah 🥹🫶🏻🍼
ARC REVIEW releasing 2.3.25
🪓Single Dad ( not his baby)
🍼Small town / Big Family
🪓Fake dating
🍼FMC bullied by her family
🪓Firefighter / Lumbersnack
🍼Touch her and your food will be through a straw
🪓The mouth on that man
Subjects mentioned: Mental health , grief, fertility 🤍
Noah Hebert is back to Lovewell to raise his baby girl ( he is her guardian), where he meets Victoria again, they grew up in the same town.
Victoria, recently divorced is still bullied by her family. When she’s invited to her little sister‘s wedding marrying her ex she just needed to show up with a date to save face. Noah finds out, and offers to be her date as a fake boyfriend. Then they learn her family is moving back to Lovewell as well, now their fake dating will have to last longer than wedding date.
Being neighbors, Victoria likes to help Noah with baby Tess, they are spending more and more time together, and their feelings are getting more complex. The slow burn at first, will pave the way to a very hot explosion 😮💨🥵!!
there is a beautiful sense of family and bond between the siblings, which Victoria appreciate even more being bullied by her family, her whole life .
Beautiful story, very emotional, if a book makes me cry it’s in my top reads. What can I say I’m an emotional wreck 🥺
Another amazing book in the Maine Lumberjacks and I couldn’t wish for a better Noah 🥹🫶🏻🍼
ARC REVIEW releasing 2.3.25
🪓Single Dad ( not his baby)
🍼Small town / Big Family
🪓Fake dating
🍼FMC bullied by her family
🪓Firefighter / Lumbersnack
🍼Touch her and your food will be through a straw
🪓The mouth on that man
Subjects mentioned: Mental health , grief, fertility 🤍
Noah Hebert is back to Lovewell to raise his baby girl ( he is her guardian), where he meets Victoria again, they grew up in the same town.
Victoria, recently divorced is still bullied by her family. When she’s invited to her little sister‘s wedding marrying her ex she just needed to show up with a date to save face. Noah finds out, and offers to be her date as a fake boyfriend. Then they learn her family is moving back to Lovewell as well, now their fake dating will have to last longer than wedding date.
Being neighbors, Victoria likes to help Noah with baby Tess, they are spending more and more time together, and their feelings are getting more complex. The slow burn at first, will pave the way to a very hot explosion 😮💨🥵!!
there is a beautiful sense of family and bond between the siblings, which Victoria appreciate even more being bullied by her family, her whole life .
Beautiful story, very emotional, if a book makes me cry it’s in my top reads. What can I say I’m an emotional wreck 🥺
November 6, 2025
Enjoying this series. Included with audible plus right now !! Noah and victoria - both have had so much trauma in the past end up coincidentally being neighbors in the same apartment building. Tropes/ single dad, close proximity, one bed- fake dating.
August 11, 2025
I did sign up to listen to the next book in the series and it was enjoyable. I think I might have even liked it a little more than the last one I read. While all these are standalones, they all move forward a bit of a mystery/story-line with the Hebert family and what their dad put them through. In a way that reminds me a bit of the Winston Brothers series by Penny Reid, but this one has a whole mystery woven through that relates to their father, and definitely puts the characters into major situations that are parts of the plot. I like in fact how the author also, at least with the ones I’ve read so far, uses that dangerous situation as more of the final drama instead of that breakup that is a lot of times that drama.
Similar to the last story, both characters had some things to work out that the other one would call them on. I feel like in this one it was more that Victoria had some issues that Noah had to keep calling her on and helping her not let those people in her life, her family and ex-husband, keep her going back to those self-defeating thoughts. I loved baby Tess, and how she called Victoria “Ick”, lol. Noah was such a good dad. And his thing he was beating himself up over had to do with his firefighting past and how Tess became his daughter.
Loved the small town vibes again as well. I have to say the steamy times in this didn’t have some of the cringey stuff I wasn’t a fan of in the last story. I think the author does a great job of writing each character to be their own person, including those scenes not feeling reminiscent of the ones in the other book I read. So that is great as well!
I kind of wish I’d signed up to review the next book in the series, as I’ve come to like Jude and want to see him get his HEA, but I didn’t, so I don’t know when I’ll get to that, but I would like to see what more falls into place with the whole mystery/crimes the Hebert father was a part of.
I think that the narrators on this one I really liked as well. I especially liked the male narrator on this one better than on the last one. The female narrators for both the last one and this one were both good. So I think these are great for listening on audio as well.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
Similar to the last story, both characters had some things to work out that the other one would call them on. I feel like in this one it was more that Victoria had some issues that Noah had to keep calling her on and helping her not let those people in her life, her family and ex-husband, keep her going back to those self-defeating thoughts. I loved baby Tess, and how she called Victoria “Ick”, lol. Noah was such a good dad. And his thing he was beating himself up over had to do with his firefighting past and how Tess became his daughter.
Loved the small town vibes again as well. I have to say the steamy times in this didn’t have some of the cringey stuff I wasn’t a fan of in the last story. I think the author does a great job of writing each character to be their own person, including those scenes not feeling reminiscent of the ones in the other book I read. So that is great as well!
I kind of wish I’d signed up to review the next book in the series, as I’ve come to like Jude and want to see him get his HEA, but I didn’t, so I don’t know when I’ll get to that, but I would like to see what more falls into place with the whole mystery/crimes the Hebert father was a part of.
I think that the narrators on this one I really liked as well. I especially liked the male narrator on this one better than on the last one. The female narrators for both the last one and this one were both good. So I think these are great for listening on audio as well.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
February 10, 2025
This book had me feeling a bit conflicted. For me it was almost as if 2 different people wrote the story. There were parts that were so good (I loved Noah’s character, dialogue, internal thoughts, his family, the town etc) and then a lot of it irritated me to my core. I almost DNF’d but kept going.
-I thought the writing was a bit choppy. One sentence they’re mid conversation in the apartment and then suddenly it’s a new chapter with a new time and place. Then one minute they’re in conversation at a bbq then in the next sentence they’re back home watching tv. Scene transition was bad.
-I found Vic’s character annoying. She says how she’s not interested in men, relationships etc and “I don’t feel attraction any more” “i don’t have the capacity for it” and 2 sentences later her “core is clenching” and her “mind going to a dirty place” in Noah’s presence. Then a little bit later she’s not interested in men/dating/attraction etc. while also playing house. And she basically spent the whole book debasing herself. That got old real quick. Her family is terrible and her younger sister gets married to (and impregnated by) her cheating ex and the parents love him 🤢
-It was stressed how much the baby didn’t like being put down or she’d cry. Noah started baby wearing her and always held her. then randomly out of nowhere she started sleeping in her crib just in time for when Vic and Noah needed their arms free for all the s*x they were having 🙄 just another inconsistency to me.
- & I know it’s trivial but there was 12 pages that revolved around building a chicken coop and eating pizza. 🐓 🥚 🍕
-Noah talks about how he’s guilty for what happened to Tess’s parents. And then 3/4 through he explains how they died. And for me and what I read, he literally had nothing to do with it so I really don’t understand why he feels guilty.
-I thought the writing was a bit choppy. One sentence they’re mid conversation in the apartment and then suddenly it’s a new chapter with a new time and place. Then one minute they’re in conversation at a bbq then in the next sentence they’re back home watching tv. Scene transition was bad.
-I found Vic’s character annoying. She says how she’s not interested in men, relationships etc and “I don’t feel attraction any more” “i don’t have the capacity for it” and 2 sentences later her “core is clenching” and her “mind going to a dirty place” in Noah’s presence. Then a little bit later she’s not interested in men/dating/attraction etc. while also playing house. And she basically spent the whole book debasing herself. That got old real quick. Her family is terrible and her younger sister gets married to (and impregnated by) her cheating ex and the parents love him 🤢
-It was stressed how much the baby didn’t like being put down or she’d cry. Noah started baby wearing her and always held her. then randomly out of nowhere she started sleeping in her crib just in time for when Vic and Noah needed their arms free for all the s*x they were having 🙄 just another inconsistency to me.
- & I know it’s trivial but there was 12 pages that revolved around building a chicken coop and eating pizza. 🐓 🥚 🍕
-Noah talks about how he’s guilty for what happened to Tess’s parents. And then 3/4 through he explains how they died. And for me and what I read, he literally had nothing to do with it so I really don’t understand why he feels guilty.
February 6, 2025
- single dad
- firefighter/ lumberjack
- neighbours to lovers
- fake dating
- small town
[book contains few tw, please check them before you proceed]
i'm a sucker for single dad romance with a adopted baby and wanted to love this one so badly but i just couldn't get into it no matter how much i tried. i liked the H/h, their friendship was solid even before the fake dating and their interaction with the baby was honestly adorable. but since it's an interconnected standalone, some were lost on me and i hated how h never stood up to ex husband and her family, they treated her like shit and she just goes along with it. i wish she grew a backbone.
safety - no virgins, no manwhores, H hasn't been with anyone since he had the baby and h's ex is a gross douche who is now marrying her sister and he causes drama.
- firefighter/ lumberjack
- neighbours to lovers
- fake dating
- small town
[book contains few tw, please check them before you proceed]
i'm a sucker for single dad romance with a adopted baby and wanted to love this one so badly but i just couldn't get into it no matter how much i tried. i liked the H/h, their friendship was solid even before the fake dating and their interaction with the baby was honestly adorable. but since it's an interconnected standalone, some were lost on me and i hated how h never stood up to ex husband and her family, they treated her like shit and she just goes along with it. i wish she grew a backbone.
safety - no virgins, no manwhores, H hasn't been with anyone since he had the baby and h's ex is a gross douche who is now marrying her sister and he causes drama.
August 12, 2025
Another charming and emotionally rich installment from the enchanting Lovewell world. I can’t get enough of these delicious lumbersnack heroes and their feisty heroines. The banter, the heart, the heat, the healing- it’s always a sweet, humorous, and heart hitting experience, and I really enjoyed the audio for Axe Backwards too.
THE PRIDGAL HERO RETURNS AT LAST. And now we have the story of Noah Herbert—a tender-hearted former hotshot firefighter who's traded battling wildfires for navigating fatherhood. Now the sole guardian of his late best friend’s baby girl, Tess, Noah returns to his hometown hoping to find stability, support, and a bit of peace. He’s not expecting to reconnect with Victoria, a girl from his past, who now happens to be his neighbor.
Victoria is rebuilding from heartbreak of her own. After a messy divorce where her horrible husband cheated on her with her sister, she’s doing her best to carry on with her life. But her family, instead of offering support, placed the blame for the dissolution of her marriage squarely on her shoulders. She’s lonely and struggling, throwing herself into running the local food pantry, trying to carve out a new life for herself despite the emotional weight of her marriage and family trauma.
Their connection sparks unexpectedly one evening when Noah, exhausted and overwhelmed, is pacing with a fussy Tess. Victoria steps in to help, and from that moment, a slow-burning, chemistry-filled relationship begins to evolve. So when Victoria needs a fake boyfriend for her sister’s wedding (yes, the one marrying her loser ex), Noah steps in without hesitation to support her in return. And so begins the fake relationship that we KNOW will not stay fake.
OMG did I love Noah. His journey is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. He’s grieving, learning how to care for a baby who isn’t biologically his, and trying to rebuild a life he never planned back home. He left behind his high-risk career not just because of the emotional toll, but because Tess needs someone steady to care for her—and Noah is determined to be that person, even if he feels like he’s barely keeping his head above water as a surprise dad still dealing with the tragedy. He’s swoony and thoughtful, altruistic and loving, truly a dreamy hero in so many ways. And I related so much to Victoria, both the hurt that she feels when someone she loves does something so harmful to her (or more than one someone) but also her embarrassment and shame, her self-doubt that maybe she is too much for someone. But she is just right for Noah- and I loved the way he uplifted her and how their big personalities slicked so well. And I also loved how Noah’s family loved our girl.
The chemistry between them unfolds naturally, shifting from neighbors to friends to lovers in a beautifully paced romantic arc that felt genuine and solid. And both of them have great individual character arcs- both growing more into themselves in the safety of each other but also finding a unique partnership, what true love should be, in each other.
The found family element and the Herbert crew always adds so heart and humor to these books. And of course we have more of the ongoing Hebert drama woven throughout. Lovewell is a small town that feels like home and is always so fun and heartfelt. The Hebert characters, all initially flawed, hurting, but always trying, always capture my heart.
And as always, this duet audio is fantastic. Gabriel Spires and Samantha Cook brought both characters to life vividly. The banter, the emotional undertones, the latent and evolving vulnerability all come through well in both performances. Gabriel has such an inviting voice- he draws you in just like Noah does. And I thought Samantha brought a lot of emotional nuance to Victoria- her heartache, her determination, her big heart. Really enjoyable listen.
What to expect
-neighbors to friends to lovers
-small town
-surprise baby (not his)/new single dad
-slow burn
-fake dating
-lumbersnack hero
-firefighter freshly back home
-recently divorced heroine trying to rebuild
-CLIVE THE MOOSE
-duet audio
THE PRIDGAL HERO RETURNS AT LAST. And now we have the story of Noah Herbert—a tender-hearted former hotshot firefighter who's traded battling wildfires for navigating fatherhood. Now the sole guardian of his late best friend’s baby girl, Tess, Noah returns to his hometown hoping to find stability, support, and a bit of peace. He’s not expecting to reconnect with Victoria, a girl from his past, who now happens to be his neighbor.
Victoria is rebuilding from heartbreak of her own. After a messy divorce where her horrible husband cheated on her with her sister, she’s doing her best to carry on with her life. But her family, instead of offering support, placed the blame for the dissolution of her marriage squarely on her shoulders. She’s lonely and struggling, throwing herself into running the local food pantry, trying to carve out a new life for herself despite the emotional weight of her marriage and family trauma.
Their connection sparks unexpectedly one evening when Noah, exhausted and overwhelmed, is pacing with a fussy Tess. Victoria steps in to help, and from that moment, a slow-burning, chemistry-filled relationship begins to evolve. So when Victoria needs a fake boyfriend for her sister’s wedding (yes, the one marrying her loser ex), Noah steps in without hesitation to support her in return. And so begins the fake relationship that we KNOW will not stay fake.
OMG did I love Noah. His journey is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. He’s grieving, learning how to care for a baby who isn’t biologically his, and trying to rebuild a life he never planned back home. He left behind his high-risk career not just because of the emotional toll, but because Tess needs someone steady to care for her—and Noah is determined to be that person, even if he feels like he’s barely keeping his head above water as a surprise dad still dealing with the tragedy. He’s swoony and thoughtful, altruistic and loving, truly a dreamy hero in so many ways. And I related so much to Victoria, both the hurt that she feels when someone she loves does something so harmful to her (or more than one someone) but also her embarrassment and shame, her self-doubt that maybe she is too much for someone. But she is just right for Noah- and I loved the way he uplifted her and how their big personalities slicked so well. And I also loved how Noah’s family loved our girl.
The chemistry between them unfolds naturally, shifting from neighbors to friends to lovers in a beautifully paced romantic arc that felt genuine and solid. And both of them have great individual character arcs- both growing more into themselves in the safety of each other but also finding a unique partnership, what true love should be, in each other.
The found family element and the Herbert crew always adds so heart and humor to these books. And of course we have more of the ongoing Hebert drama woven throughout. Lovewell is a small town that feels like home and is always so fun and heartfelt. The Hebert characters, all initially flawed, hurting, but always trying, always capture my heart.
And as always, this duet audio is fantastic. Gabriel Spires and Samantha Cook brought both characters to life vividly. The banter, the emotional undertones, the latent and evolving vulnerability all come through well in both performances. Gabriel has such an inviting voice- he draws you in just like Noah does. And I thought Samantha brought a lot of emotional nuance to Victoria- her heartache, her determination, her big heart. Really enjoyable listen.
What to expect
-neighbors to friends to lovers
-small town
-surprise baby (not his)/new single dad
-slow burn
-fake dating
-lumbersnack hero
-firefighter freshly back home
-recently divorced heroine trying to rebuild
-CLIVE THE MOOSE
-duet audio
August 11, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Axe Backwards is the 4th book in the Maine Lumberjacks series, and it follows one of the Hebert brothers we have only heard about, the firefighter Noah Hebert. I was excited to read his romance, especially when this book had some of my favorite tropes.
🪓Single Dad
🪓Fake Dating
🪓Friends to Lovers
🪓Neighbors
🪓Fake Dating
🪓Firefighter
🪓Small Town
Noah has returned to his hometown after many years as a new dad. He is the guardian of his best friend's daughter after a tragic fire took her parents' lives. He rescues Victoria when she gets stuck in the coffee shop bathroom and is shocked to learn she is his neighbor when she shows up at his door late at night. Victoria lives below Noah and was frustrated by all the pacing and noise, but she immediately jumped in to help him when she realized he was trying to get his daughter to sleep.
Victoria is trying to move on after her divorce from her horrible husband, who is marrying her sister. Noah offers to be her date to their wedding, and they end up fake dating after that night.
My favorite part of this book was the amazing friendship between Noah and Victoria. They had so many tender moments together and offered support to each other.
Victoria runs the non-profit food pantry, and she is trying to get funding. Unfortunately, the people who want to get involved are super shady and may have ties to all the illegal activity from Noah’s father. This led to the suspense element, and I didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous ones.
🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧
🎤Duet narration by Samantha Cook & Gabriel Spires
Samantha Cook and Gabriel Spires did a fantastic job showcasing this couple's chemistry and brought depth to the emotional scenes. I really enjoyed the audiobook and would definitely recommend it.
Thank you to Home Cooked Books for providing the ALC.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Axe Backwards is the 4th book in the Maine Lumberjacks series, and it follows one of the Hebert brothers we have only heard about, the firefighter Noah Hebert. I was excited to read his romance, especially when this book had some of my favorite tropes.
🪓Single Dad
🪓Fake Dating
🪓Friends to Lovers
🪓Neighbors
🪓Fake Dating
🪓Firefighter
🪓Small Town
Noah has returned to his hometown after many years as a new dad. He is the guardian of his best friend's daughter after a tragic fire took her parents' lives. He rescues Victoria when she gets stuck in the coffee shop bathroom and is shocked to learn she is his neighbor when she shows up at his door late at night. Victoria lives below Noah and was frustrated by all the pacing and noise, but she immediately jumped in to help him when she realized he was trying to get his daughter to sleep.
Victoria is trying to move on after her divorce from her horrible husband, who is marrying her sister. Noah offers to be her date to their wedding, and they end up fake dating after that night.
My favorite part of this book was the amazing friendship between Noah and Victoria. They had so many tender moments together and offered support to each other.
Victoria runs the non-profit food pantry, and she is trying to get funding. Unfortunately, the people who want to get involved are super shady and may have ties to all the illegal activity from Noah’s father. This led to the suspense element, and I didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous ones.
🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧
🎤Duet narration by Samantha Cook & Gabriel Spires
Samantha Cook and Gabriel Spires did a fantastic job showcasing this couple's chemistry and brought depth to the emotional scenes. I really enjoyed the audiobook and would definitely recommend it.
Thank you to Home Cooked Books for providing the ALC.
February 4, 2025
A tattooed, firefighter lumberjack, single dad (not his baby!) And a newly divorced female Neighbour who is getting her life back, both who have recently moved back to Lovewell, Maine...
Noah, The family run-away comes back to Lovewell after leaving it all behind when he graduated but a life altering event (TW: Loss) the Herbert family welcome him back with open arms, excited to have their brother/son back in town with a baby?!
Victoria, the bleeding heart downstairs Neighbour, a woman on a mission to escape the life she didn't want. An awful ex husband, a horrible family. Lovewell was her escape, running the food pantry sworn off men forever.
For me this was easy read, comfy small town romance, which is right up my street. This is my 4th time visiting the Herberts of Lovewell and boy did i love this book! This series just keeps getting better and better! Cole Herbert had my heart but I think Noah just stole it!.. Single dad romance has now hit the top of my list, especially one with tattoos!
I loved the instant friendship Noah and Victoria had and it grew even more with baby Tess involved. A man that would do all he could for his daughter is just irresistible. The pair of them have hearts of gold, with the people they care about right in the center of it all. I love how they pushed eachother to become stronger less broken people. I feel the plot was strong, the pacing was good, I didn't feel that any part of this book dragged or felt rushed, I enjoyed the ride. When the hot under the collar spicyness happened it was perfect and worth the wait when they finally gave in that the fake relationship had become a bit more.
This book like the others in this series can be read as a stand alone. I have read the rest of the series up until now and I really enjoy the mentions of the other characters that we've met along the way in the series, it really brings the small town feel home. Although in this book Noah was completely fresh to me as there had only been little mentions of him in the other books. I absolutely cannot get enough of the ongoing town secrets, things being uncovered as the series goes on, it has me hooked! I'm so excited for the next book, I need more!
This is an ARC Review, thank you to Author Agency for this opportunity!
Noah, The family run-away comes back to Lovewell after leaving it all behind when he graduated but a life altering event (TW: Loss) the Herbert family welcome him back with open arms, excited to have their brother/son back in town with a baby?!
Victoria, the bleeding heart downstairs Neighbour, a woman on a mission to escape the life she didn't want. An awful ex husband, a horrible family. Lovewell was her escape, running the food pantry sworn off men forever.
For me this was easy read, comfy small town romance, which is right up my street. This is my 4th time visiting the Herberts of Lovewell and boy did i love this book! This series just keeps getting better and better! Cole Herbert had my heart but I think Noah just stole it!.. Single dad romance has now hit the top of my list, especially one with tattoos!
I loved the instant friendship Noah and Victoria had and it grew even more with baby Tess involved. A man that would do all he could for his daughter is just irresistible. The pair of them have hearts of gold, with the people they care about right in the center of it all. I love how they pushed eachother to become stronger less broken people. I feel the plot was strong, the pacing was good, I didn't feel that any part of this book dragged or felt rushed, I enjoyed the ride. When the hot under the collar spicyness happened it was perfect and worth the wait when they finally gave in that the fake relationship had become a bit more.
This book like the others in this series can be read as a stand alone. I have read the rest of the series up until now and I really enjoy the mentions of the other characters that we've met along the way in the series, it really brings the small town feel home. Although in this book Noah was completely fresh to me as there had only been little mentions of him in the other books. I absolutely cannot get enough of the ongoing town secrets, things being uncovered as the series goes on, it has me hooked! I'm so excited for the next book, I need more!
This is an ARC Review, thank you to Author Agency for this opportunity!
August 12, 2025
Loved this one! This has all my favorite tropes like small town charm, fake dating, friends to lovers, and a the sweetest single dad! Noah is a former firefighter trying to figure out life as a new dad to the most adorable baby girl, Tess. Victoria is his downstairs neighbor with a heart of gold and some serious family drama! When she shows up to help him at 2 am, everything starts to change in the best way!
Noah and Vic have the kind of friendship that just makes you smile! Their slow burn romance was so worth it! I loved how they leaned on each other and really showed up when it mattered. Noah is such a softie with Tess, I loved it! Vic is strong, kind, and doing everything she can to keep her community going!! The connection between them felt real and earned, and I was rooting for them the whole time!
The audiobook was so good! Gabriel Spires and Samantha Cook were amazing together. They made everything feel so personal and emotional! Gabriel captured Noah’s sweet, tired, and protective energy perfectly, and Samantha’s voice had just the right mix of warmth and sass to bring Vic to life. Their voices worked so well together! If you’re looking for something that’s heartfelt, funny, and swoony, this one’s a must-listen! I already can’t wait for the next book in the series!!!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐫𝐞:
🍼Single Dad (not his baby)
🏠Neighbors
🪓 Fake Relationship
🚒Firefighter Lumberjack MMC
❤️🔥Bleeding Heart FMC
🪓 Small Town Maine
February 1, 2025
ARC Review - Huge thanks to Daphne Elliot and The Author Agency for the opportunity to receive a review copy of Axe Backwards!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 rounded up - Noah Hebert, THE MAN THAT YOU ARE. It’s official, hotshot Noah is up there with the best of the book boyfriends. Adoptive father to Tess, Noah would do (and does) anything imaginable for his baby girl. Daphne did an incredible job with Tess - positioning her as a central character with a whole personality even though she doesn’t even speak yet! This, thanks, in part, to the baby sign language, and to Noah’s deeply dedicated and intuitive relationship with her. If you need me, I’ll be over here ugly crying in all of my feels 😭
MCs Noah and Victoria may have found each other in an unconventional way, but their story felt plausible. It was so nice to see the representation of a non-traditional family, because Noah was right: “DNA doesn’t make a family. Love does.”
Victoria feeling like she was “too much” - too loud, too animated, too excitable - as well as her desire to help others and effect change resonated deeply with me. Seeing how Noah extended the same care and protective nature toward Victoria that defined his relationship with Tess, while doing the most to lift her up is exactly what I live for in a single dad trope.
Topping things off was Aunt Lou. I absolutely love a spirited senior citizen who empowers our MCs, shares important wisdom, and doesn’t pull any punches - “Upgrade!”
When I debated with myself about why I didn’t give this one a solid 5, it came down to the final crisis happening a little late in the game around the 90% mark. This timing meant everything had to be resolved and wrapped up relatively quickly. The other factor that influenced my rating was the memorability of the spicy scenes in comparison to my other top-rated reads. The intimate moments between Noah and Victoria were well-written, but they didn’t quite hit (pun intended 🤭) in a way that will have them living rent free in my head for months to come - but that’s ok, because Noah and Victoria’s story will be 💗
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 rounded up - Noah Hebert, THE MAN THAT YOU ARE. It’s official, hotshot Noah is up there with the best of the book boyfriends. Adoptive father to Tess, Noah would do (and does) anything imaginable for his baby girl. Daphne did an incredible job with Tess - positioning her as a central character with a whole personality even though she doesn’t even speak yet! This, thanks, in part, to the baby sign language, and to Noah’s deeply dedicated and intuitive relationship with her. If you need me, I’ll be over here ugly crying in all of my feels 😭
MCs Noah and Victoria may have found each other in an unconventional way, but their story felt plausible. It was so nice to see the representation of a non-traditional family, because Noah was right: “DNA doesn’t make a family. Love does.”
Victoria feeling like she was “too much” - too loud, too animated, too excitable - as well as her desire to help others and effect change resonated deeply with me. Seeing how Noah extended the same care and protective nature toward Victoria that defined his relationship with Tess, while doing the most to lift her up is exactly what I live for in a single dad trope.
Topping things off was Aunt Lou. I absolutely love a spirited senior citizen who empowers our MCs, shares important wisdom, and doesn’t pull any punches - “Upgrade!”
When I debated with myself about why I didn’t give this one a solid 5, it came down to the final crisis happening a little late in the game around the 90% mark. This timing meant everything had to be resolved and wrapped up relatively quickly. The other factor that influenced my rating was the memorability of the spicy scenes in comparison to my other top-rated reads. The intimate moments between Noah and Victoria were well-written, but they didn’t quite hit (pun intended 🤭) in a way that will have them living rent free in my head for months to come - but that’s ok, because Noah and Victoria’s story will be 💗
February 4, 2025
OMG is Noah the surprise Hebert brother of my dreams? Yes, yes he is.
I LOVED this book. Thank you so much to The Author Agency and author for the eARC of this one! These are my honest thoughts.
Every new Hebert brother has been my favorite, but I think Noah just took the cake. He's a handsome, neurodivergent hunk of a man who moves home with the baby who isn't "his baby" to settle after tragedy. Enter Victoria: queen of the community food pantry and heartbroken/lost divorcee who returned home to help her aunt in her ailing health.
These two wind up as neighbors who become immediate friends. They bring out the best in each other, and it's perfect in every way. She rescues Tess and Noah from sleep deprivation, and they rescue her.... in more ways than one.
Read if you love:
- Single parent
- Small-town
- Hot, tattooed former firefighters
- MMCs wearing babies and backwards baseball caps
- Fake dating
- One AMAZING family + one family who TOTALLY SUCKS
- A MMC who stands up for, encourages, and is in awe of the FMC
- If he wanted to, he would
- He falls first
- Lumberjacks + lumberjack competitions
Out now! Easy 5 star read!
I LOVED this book. Thank you so much to The Author Agency and author for the eARC of this one! These are my honest thoughts.
Every new Hebert brother has been my favorite, but I think Noah just took the cake. He's a handsome, neurodivergent hunk of a man who moves home with the baby who isn't "his baby" to settle after tragedy. Enter Victoria: queen of the community food pantry and heartbroken/lost divorcee who returned home to help her aunt in her ailing health.
These two wind up as neighbors who become immediate friends. They bring out the best in each other, and it's perfect in every way. She rescues Tess and Noah from sleep deprivation, and they rescue her.... in more ways than one.
Read if you love:
- Single parent
- Small-town
- Hot, tattooed former firefighters
- MMCs wearing babies and backwards baseball caps
- Fake dating
- One AMAZING family + one family who TOTALLY SUCKS
- A MMC who stands up for, encourages, and is in awe of the FMC
- If he wanted to, he would
- He falls first
- Lumberjacks + lumberjack competitions
Out now! Easy 5 star read!
January 21, 2025
I was so excited to get Noah’s book! He’s mentioned a few times in the previous books and gets you pumped to actually get his book! This did not disappoint! I loved the instant friendship that was built between Noah and Vic. It’s funnier that she stomped up to give her noisy neighbor a piece of her mind and instead gave up her sleep and bed! I just really loved that they had a good friendship first. He was good for her and her confidence. I felt so terrible for Vic. Honestly how she turned how so kind hearted, sweet, funny is all due to her aunt, because otherwise her family was awful. This book is very light on the spice, but otherwise a really sweet story. I can’t wait for more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2025
4.5⭐️. Loved this audiobook and devoured it! Narrated in duet by Gabriel Spires and Samantha Cook and they both did a lovely job! Noah & Vic's friendship is literally goals and I love how she doesn't hesitate to jump in and help with Tess. And I mean, who wouldn't want to love up on a little cutie like her! It's a slow burn, but so worth it when they give in to their feelings! The plot following this series also has me hooked and with the ending of this book, I can't wait to jump into the next one!
What to expect:
-Single dad
-Neighbors
-Fake dating
-Small town
-Friends to lovers
-Slow burn
Thank you so much to Daphne Elliot and Home Cooked Books for letting me listen and review an ALC of this book!
What to expect:
-Single dad
-Neighbors
-Fake dating
-Small town
-Friends to lovers
-Slow burn
Thank you so much to Daphne Elliot and Home Cooked Books for letting me listen and review an ALC of this book!
February 1, 2025
4⭐️ | 3.5🌶
noah's story was everything I expected it to be. I loved the found family and emotion. There was also a great amount of character development and depth. Tess and all the kids were so cute. I still don't like Owen. Debbie was fantastic. I loved her and Aunt Lou. Didn't care for Vic's family though. Pompous and fake. There are a few heavy topics in this story, so please check TW. Daphne did them justice. It was an emotional read filled with laughs.
Jude is an enigma and I am so intrigued by his story. Thank you to the author agency for the arc.
noah's story was everything I expected it to be. I loved the found family and emotion. There was also a great amount of character development and depth. Tess and all the kids were so cute. I still don't like Owen. Debbie was fantastic. I loved her and Aunt Lou. Didn't care for Vic's family though. Pompous and fake. There are a few heavy topics in this story, so please check TW. Daphne did them justice. It was an emotional read filled with laughs.
Jude is an enigma and I am so intrigued by his story. Thank you to the author agency for the arc.
February 8, 2025
Heartbroken after getting divorced from her cheating ex who is now engaged to her sister, Victoria moves back to her hometown of Lovewell, Maine. She takes over the daily operations of her aunt's food pantry. Noah Hebert is a hot tattooed former firefighter who moves back home after becoming guardian of his deceased friends baby and raise her near his family. One night after listening to her neighbor pacing the floors above her, Victoria confronts Noah only to find him trying to put baby Tess to sleep. They form an instant friendship and even though there is an attraction between them. until one day Vic asks Noah to go with her to her sister and ex's wedding and pretend they are dating. They fake the relationship for a while until things start to get real. There is also some mystery in this book with a potential business associate Victoria learns is doing shady business dealings.
I couldn't put this book down. It was such a heartwarming story of loss, friendship, romance in a small town.
A huge thank you to author Daphne Elliott for an advanced e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Tropes:
🧑🚒🪓Single dad
🪓Hurt& comfort
🪓Found Family
🪓Small town romance
🧑🚒firefighter lumberjack MMC
I couldn't put this book down. It was such a heartwarming story of loss, friendship, romance in a small town.
A huge thank you to author Daphne Elliott for an advanced e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Tropes:
🧑🚒🪓Single dad
🪓Hurt& comfort
🪓Found Family
🪓Small town romance
🧑🚒firefighter lumberjack MMC
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