Falling for the Fake Lumberjack

Axes & Endzones #1

by Sara Ney

A small-town yoga teacher finds something real with a linebacker posing as a lumberjack in this sharp and spicy romance from USA Today bestselling author Sara Ney.

With rugged good looks and muscles for days, Harris Bennett stops traffic no matter what he’s wearing—flannel shirt or football jersey. So when management sends him to Star Lake, Washington, for a team-building retreat, it’s no wonder a local mistakes him for a lumberjack. And Harris leans right into the misunderstanding. Because that “local” looks amazing in yoga pants.

Lucy LeBrandt is a yoga instructor with trust issues: She doesn’t have time for men. But she’s definitely drawn to the hot, goofy lumberjack who seems to know nothing about, well, lumberjacking. He’s only in town for a week. Maybe she can squeeze him in between classes…

Harris has no idea what to do with an axe, and Lucy has no idea what to do about Harris. But they both know exactly what to do when they’re alone together. Can they split the difference between them, or is their romance just one stroke away from “TIIIIIMBER!”?

Genres: Romance, Rom Com, Small Town Romance, Sports Romance, Football, Audiobook, Contemporary

299 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 27, 2026

About the author

Sara Ney is an Amazon and USA Today bestselling author of new adult college and adult romance. Sexy and laugh-out-loud funny, her work includes the How to Date a Douchebag and Campus Legends series. Ney’s books have been translated into several languages for markets such as Germany, Italy, Brazil, French, and Portuguese.

Sara lives with her partner, Jeff, in a blended household overrun by four independent teenagers. At their weekly “Cute Date Night,” they discuss TV shows they’re bingeing and plot novels together, something Jeff is freakishly good at. Sara loves traveling, because it’s the only time she has the bathroom to herself.

Reviews

[Danique · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave me some mixed feelings. The rom-com premise was nice, and the idea of a “fake lumberjack” who’s actually a football player was entertaining and had a lot of potential. There were definitely moments that made me smile.

That said, while the story was light and easy to read, it didn’t fully click for me. I found myself wanting a bit more depth from the characters and their development. The romance was cute, but fast, I didn’t feel as invested as I hoped to be.

Overall, Falling for the Fake Lumberjack is a decent rom-com with some enjoyable moments, but it may work better for readers who prefer very light, straightforward romances.

[Lira]

I wasn’t able to finish this book, as I struggled to stay engaged with the story. I tried both reading and listening to the audiobook, but even with that, I couldn’t get past 33%.

This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Becky Q. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling for the Fake Lumberjack by Sara Ney is a rom com about a professional football player who goes on a team retreat to a small town and pretends to be a lumberjack while he starts to fall for a local woman. There's a fake identity, lots of flirting, and a lumberjack competition! It's basically a fun, spicy romance with some funny moments and hardly any emotional devastation (thank goodness!).

This was such a cute, flirty, fast romcom and I flew through it in one day! It's so playful and full of really good banter! I loved the whole fake identity thing, the small-town vibes (a favorite!!!), and the whole lumberjack competition aspect! I was like...fully invested in the lumberjack competition happening and wanting to see what that was all about/who was going to win! Lucy was such a likeable FMC, and I really enjoyed her humor, warmth and that I could really relate to where she was in her life. The chemistry, flirting and lighthearted vibes really made this whole story a super good time. If you're looking for a spicy romcom that's fun and easy to read, then this one definitely delivers! I'm so excited to continue the series!!!

[Maria Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by contemporary romance author Sara Ney and won’t be my last (I’ve already put in a pre-order for the next in this series). Falling for the Fake Lumberjack is the entry novel into her new series Axes and Endzones with a strong very likable heroine giving the reader a fun and entertaining romance.

Lucy LeBrandt is a yoga instructor in the small town of Star Lake, Washington. She lives in an apartment above her parents’ garage and is quite happy with her small-town life. The guest resort nearby is where she is the most busy, running yoga classes for visitors to town.

Harris Bennett is a star football player for Arizona, and while a team-building retreat in Star Lake isn’t how he’d choose to spend his time (the outdoors isn’t his favorite place to be), he finds his guest cottage sweet and the local yoga instructor even sweeter. The town is gearing up for a Lumberjack skills competition and it’s been a challenge to get enough competitors, so when Lucy mistakes Harris for a lumberjack when she first meets him outside a coffee shop in town, he doesn’t correct her first impression. I mean, he is athletic and muscular – surely he can pull off playing the part of a lumberjack for a week. And he does admit to Lucy, and her friend Annabelle who is organising the competition, that he is an emergency, fill-in lumberjack (to cover his lack of obvious axe-wielding skills).

As Lucy and Harris get to know each other, sparks fly and they share some steamy times together. But Harris is only going to be in town for the week, and he’s keeping a big secret. Will their fun affair have a chance to become more?

I wasn’t sure what to make of Harris at first. He behaves like a jock and his internal thoughts about Lucy are all based on her looks – until he gets to know her and realizes how smart and fun she is. But I loved Lucy’s character right away. She recently ended a relationship with someone who didn’t appreciate her and she’s not going to settle for second best. At first she isn’t sure what to make of Harris’s overtures, but her friend Annabelle reminds her that she can have fun with a guy without it becoming something serious, and once she thinks of Harris in that light, she lets herself enjoy his company. Harris can be a bit of a goofball (for example, he tries to climb a ladder up to her apartment and ends up falling into the bushes) but he’s got a good heart – and it’s a heart that starts to feel more for Lucy than he planned. And Lucy soon realizes that she likes Harris more and more every day.

Without giving away too much, I liked how Harris reveals to Lucy that he’s not really a lumberjack (and that it doesn’t take place at the very end) and I also liked how the story gives a realistic happy for now ending for the couple. The lumberjack competition is quite fun too, as is the camaraderie between Harris and his teammates (who think it’s a hoot that Harris is pretending to be a lumberjack) and between Harris and the actual lumberjacks who are taking part in the competition. Overall Falling for the Fake Lumberjack will please contemporary romance readers who like a bit of sports and spicy times and I’m looking forward to reading Annabelle’s story next!

This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...

[Cokiereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, fun, fun!

Sara writes just the funniest books. This one was no different. Harris is a professional football player. He's with his team on a trip to Washington for some team building during the off season. While he's at Star Lake he gets mistaken for someone else. Not another player... but a lumberjack. And he decides to run with it.

Lucy has lived in Star Lake her whole life. A yoga instructor, she has no idea who these burly guys are who've arrived in town and are going to her classes. Just going through a break up has given Lucy the whys. And not the sight that a guy is interested in her.

Interested Harris is. But Lucy has no idea who he really is. Which I get, if I met a player, any player I'd have no idea either. So to me? Believable! She just thinks hes a really bad lumberjack. Because football doesnt equal lumberjacking.

The scrapes Harris gets himself into are hilarious. Every time I laughed. But we know that hes on a limited timeline. Theyre across the country. How would it work?

More hilarity, even at the end (these two know how to play off each other!).

[Sarimarys · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a cute, fast read! I really appreciated that there was no third act breakup, which honestly made the story even more enjoyable for me.

This was also my first time reading from this author, and I had a really good experience. I was able to do immersive reading, and I genuinely liked the narration it flowed well and kept me engaged the whole time.

Everything felt super fast, though. The main characters basically fall in love over a single weekend, and then the epilogue takes place only about a week later, which left me wanting more. I was kind of expecting a little extra at the end something that showed more of their future together or how things settled long term.

That said, I’m hoping that book two will give us more insight into their relationship and let us see how things develop between them. Overall, a sweet, quick read that left me curious for what’s next.

Thank you The Author Agency for the eARC and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the audiobook.

[ally mclanahan · Rating 1 out of 5]

one super guilty star

[Martha Hettel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute rom-com and a bit light on plot, but a fun read I would never have come across i but it was a goodreads giveaway, thank you

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Stand-alone: Yes***
Author: Sara Ney
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating: 3/5 🌶
POV: First Person DualPerspective
Main Couple: Harris and Lucy
Trope(s): Rom-Com, Sport Romance, Small Town, He Falls First, Golden Retriever

‘I don’t think I want safe anymore.
I want fire.
I want electricity.
I want something that shakes me awake, something I feel in every nerve ending- something like him.’

It has been a minute since I read a Sara Ney book. I have quickly been reminded just how much I enjoyed her over the top MMC’s and her witty writing ways. Harris is BIG ENERGY, over the top, but a total sweetheart. Lucy is a gem. Satisfied mostly with her life, coasting along until Harris shows her how much joy is missing from her life. I cannot tell you how many times I literally laughed while reading this book. The banter is on point, the swoon real, and the lead for the next book included.

Harris Bennett is sent on a team-building retreat with his football team. To say this has him underwhelmed is not an exaggeration. Activities about bonding, trusting, and deeper connections, no thanks.

Lucy has lived in the small, but popular lake town of Star Lake, Washington her whole life. Living above her parents garage, running a yoga studio, and having a bestie who knows her inside and out.

The town is taken over by the football team, her bestie on edge because of the upcoming fall fest that needs to go off without a hitch, and no sight of Mr. Right.

Life takes an unexpected turn when she quite literally runs into a stranger who gives off rugged outdoorsman vibes. One she thinks is Annabelle’s missing Lumberjacks.

Amused and attracted by Lucy, Harris plays along.

Cue in yoga on the dock gone wrong. Amazing foot massages that lead to a make-out session having Harris acting like an inexperienced teenager. Romantic gestures like climbing a trellis, which works out way better in the movies. A not so cute-meet with the parents. And, naughty time in the woods that leads to poison ivy being in places you especially don’t want it.

This book will keep you entertained and the pages turning.

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Falling for the Fake Lumberjack is a playful, fast-paced rom-com that leans hard into its ridiculous premise and makes it work in the best way. A pro football player pretending to be a lumberjack at a team retreat should not be this entertaining, but somehow it absolutely is.

Harris Bennett is an over-the-top golden retriever of a hero who fully commits to the fake identity chaos, and watching him fail spectacularly at almost everything except chopping wood is genuinely hilarious. Lucy LeBrandt, the cautious small-town yoga instructor, is easy to root for. She’s warm, grounded, and perfectly content with her life in Star Lake, Washington, which makes Harris’s arrival feel like a whirlwind of flirtation and disruption.

There's a lot to like here. Their chemistry is immediate, the banter is sharp and playful, and the fake-identity setup leads to plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. But the romance moves quickly, we need more build up, and perhaps more development. This isn’t a story that’s trying to dig deep into heavy emotional territory, though both characters carry just enough past relationship baggage to give their connection some emotional weight. So it feels pretty surface level.

But the premise is fantastic. And the setting is great. The small-town setting adds a lot of charm, especially with the quirky side characters, the festival atmosphere, and the lumberjack competition, which I became far more invested in than I ever expected. The story is light, flirty, and spicy without taking itself too seriously, making it an easy book to fly through in a single sitting.

While readers looking for slow-burn depth or extensive character development may want more, this book delivers exactly what it promises: a fun, slightly steamy, Hallmark-style romance with fake identities, small-town vibes, and plenty of laughs. If you’re in the mood for a quick, entertaining rom-com with heart, Falling for the Fake Lumberjack is plenty of fun.

[Lisa Mandina]

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I'm so sad that this just didn't work for me. Sara Ney has always been one of my auto-buy/read authors that usually makes me laugh and fall in love with her heroes. There was sooooooooooooo much just talking, the whole adage of telling instead of showing? The characters didn't really connect for me either. When I went to see if I was the only one I read some reviews that said kind of the same things I was feeling. Also noticed some continuity issues like others pointed out. Wearing pjs at the beginning of a scene and then when they started making out suddenly they had jeans on? I really am worried that I might have to go ahead and drop off the review team for this author as I haven't been blown away in a while. I will still go back and read the books in her earlier series that I haven't gotten to yet, as I know I will probably still love them though. I got to about 37% on this before I just had to give up and move on.This review was originally posted on Lisa Loves Literature

[Rachel Nahabedian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it (rounded up)

I kept wavering between liking this and loving it, but I ultimately settled on loving it because the comedic moments in this rom-com were pure gold. The banter among the other football players on the retreat, combined with the back-and-forth between Harris and Lucy, completely won me over.

This is essentially a cute, slightly spicier version of a Hallmark movie and I’m not mad about it. Harris is a total OTT golden retriever, and Lucy is the quintessential small-town girl who loves her life and is perfectly content with what she has.

Their meet-cute, where Harris doesn’t correct Lucy and ends up pretending to be a professional lumberjack while he’s actually a professional football player, was adorable. Watching him think he could handle everything flawlessly, only to fail spectacularly at everything except chopping wood, was hilarious.

The romance between Harris and Lucy is sweet and just a little rushed, but perfectly Hallmark-esque. There's no third-act break up and it delivers all the warm fuzzies and laughs without getting too deep into character development or their connection, which, honestly, works for this story.

Thank you, Sara Ney and The Author Agency, for the ARC.

[Lindsey Domokur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can always count on Sara giving me a book that makes me laugh out loud. Lucy is a yoga instructor for the resport that Harris and his teammates are staying at for "team building". When she mistakes him for one of the lumberjacks for the fall festival, hilarity ensues.
Harris is a pro football player, not a lumberjack. He absolutely has no idea what he is doing, but he's going to go along with it because that is what Lucy thinks and they obviously need help. He's skipping team building for lumberjack practice and spending time with Lucy. What was supposed to be a week getaway is now something he doesn't want to let go of.
Lucy knows that Harris is just here till the festival, and when she finds out he is a pro football player, she doesn't feel like her luck with him will fare much better, but she is falling hard, and falling fast.
Their story was just adorable and what I come to expect from my Sara Ney books. They don't give me anxiety, they make me feel lighthearted and always make me smile. This book was a great escape from real life!

[Lisa Spofford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am voluntarily writing this honest review after reading a gifted ARC via The Author Agency, Netgalley, and Montlake. All opinions expressed are my own. FALLING FOR THE FAKE LUMBERJACK, by Sara Ney, is the first book in the AXES AND ENDZONES series. A small-town yoga teacher, Lucy LeBrandt, finds something real with Harris Bennett, a linebacker posing as a lumberjack. This sharp and spicy romance is an open door, first person, dual POV, contemporary sports romantic comedy with tropes such as Small Town, Sports Romance, Football Player x Yoga Teacher, Mistaken Identity/Hiding in Plain Sight, He Falls First, Competent Hero, Golden Retriever vibes, Grand Gesture, and Vacation Fling. I really enjoyed this new sports romance. The antics of Harris’s team members, Harris as a log rolling liar, unplanned run-ins with Lucy’s parents, and a half-naked Big Foot moment in the woods that leading to unfortunate consequences kept me giggling through most of the book. I loved how the powerful connection between the two had Lucy stepping out of her comfort zone and the way Harris pursued her like a lovestruck puppy. Don’t get me started on Harris’s performance during the lumberjack competition! I recommend this romcom for readers who enjoy Meghan Quinn, Hannah Grace, and Grace Reilly and enjoy humorous football romances. This book is available in KU.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Ney has done it again with this laugh-out-loud, swoony slow-burn romcom that gave me all the good kind of whiplash.
What to Expect:
•A hot-as-hell football player with a flannel obsession
•A yoga teacher heroine with trust issues and killer flexibility (in more ways than one)
•Fake lumberjacks
•Real sparks
•Mistaken identities and log-sized laughs
•Big-foot moments (yes, half-naked in the woods. You’re welcome.)
From Harris’s golden retriever energy and axe-incompetence to Lucy’s sass and slow-melting heart, this book is all charm and chemistry. Their banter? Elite. Their steam? Deliciously drawn out. And their connection? Realer than Harris’s fake lumberjack skills.
If you love:
•Small-town chaos
•Flirtatious misunderstandings
•Men who fall first and hard
•Grand gestures that hit you right in the feels…
Then get your yoga mat ready—you’re about to fall hard too.

[Laci · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️

Falling for the Fake Lumberjack was such a cute, feel-good read. It’s cozy, funny, and very Sara Ney in the best way. The whole huge football player mistaken for a lumberjack and just…goes with it setup made me laugh right away.

Lucy is sweet but not boring, and Harris is pure golden retriever energy in flannel. He’s charming, a little awkward, and surprisingly endearing. Their banter is easy, the attraction feels natural, and the small town vibes really add to the charm.

Is it predictable? Yeah, a little - but that’s part of why it works. This is the kind of romance you read when you want something light, comforting, and smile-inducing without a ton of drama.

Overall, this was a fun, cozy rom-com with heart, humor, and just enough spice. Perfect for when you want a low stress, happy ending kind of book.

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons · Rating 5 out of 5]

The romance between the yoga instructor and the lumberjack looks great as an idea, but it doesn’t always feel fully authentic or emotionally convincing. The contrast between a mindful wellness professional and a rugged outdoorsman should create interesting tension, yet the characters sometimes come across as familiar types rather than deeply developed people. The yoga instructor leans into wellness clichés, and the lumberjack’s transformation into a romantic lead happens a bit too quickly to feel completely earned.

There are still enjoyable moments and a pleasant atmosphere, and the visual or conceptual appeal of the pairing works well. However, readers looking for a deeply layered romance with strong emotional stakes may find it a bit light or predictable. It’s a charming premise with potential, even if it doesn’t always reach the depth it could have.

[Nikisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read if you like: small town, hidden identity, romcom, fast burn

This book was fine, it started off well but then fell flat. I didn’t feel any chemistry between the main characters. I couldn’t connect to them and I wasn’t yearning for them to get together. I guess it’s difficult to make a romance believable after spending 1 week together.

There was no depth to the characters, I think the author tried to give Harris a backstory but it didn’t go anywhere. He came across as super cocky at first then turned goofy. Lucy is such a boring character, she literally has nothing going on and even the story about her exes invoked zero emotion from me. The dialogue felt so stiff between them and the “banter” was forced. Also the fact that they used a condom the first time, then all of a sudden no protection was mentioned and they didn’t communicate about not using it anymore - but they spent the rest of the book banging?

Harris describing the yoga scenes had me laughing. He is so dramatic, it was great 😂

He doesn’t say I love you back to her in the epilogue?? Whatttt??
I was hoping for a HEA but we get a HFN. There’s no epilogue for their future, does that mean they just continue to do long distance? Who sacrifices their career and moves? It was wrapped up so quickly the ending felt unsatisfying. I didn’t want Annabelle’s POV, give me their 5 or 10 year epilogue!! 😤


Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for this ARC

[Cazlovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harris, an American football star, heads into the woods for a team retreat and ends up being mistaken for a lumberjack by Lucy, the town’s yoga instructor. Instead of correcting her, he plays along and trains for a festival he’s wildly unqualified for.
But when the truth comes out and Harris has to go home, will their romance survive?

I absolutely loved this story. Harris is a total golden-retriever (Labrador) hero — funny, romantic, accident-prone, and completely smitten with Lucy from the very beginning. He definitely falls first… and more than times after that 😂😂. I’m really hoping there’s a second book for Annabelle

[Kali Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ 2 🌶️ 5 🎧

This was super adorable and just a fun, sweet, low stakes read and I loved it. The mistaken identity trope was the perfect not so meet cute for these two. And Harris was an absolute golden retriever and so very down bad for Lucy.

This one kept me giggling from beginning to end and was just what I needed today.

The audio was fantastic. I loved listening to Ruby Corazon, Alex Knox and Lexi Maynard bring these characters to life. Thank you so much to Brilliance for the advanced copy!

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s September in the book. That’s not off-season for the NFL. That’s right in the middle of the season and they would not have a retreat then and certainly not a retreat that lasted that long. They also would never have a retreat without somebody leading it and making sure that the guys on the team did things together., MMC whose name I already forgot, was supposed to be a leader on the team, but he was no leader and he acted like a 21-year-old most of the time. I know this was supposed to be charming and cute but fell completely flat.

[Nicole Scarborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love Sara and this didn't change that. I loved Harris and Lucy. It was fast paced, I couldn't put it down. The chemistry was good and it was well written.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 10%

[Pauline Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling for the Fake Lumberjack is a real romcom. I laughed and laughed throughout the story. Harris was especially funny, hiding his grumpy behind false sunshine.

His interactions with Lucy, trying to impress her with his physical prowess whilst hiding his true identity is a bit cheesy and a bit cringey and a whole lot of funny.

Behind all the humour though is a small town girl and a big city boy finding their way to an HEA even when there doesn't seem to be a route.

An easy, humorous novel that will help you fill a few winter hours laughing out loud.

I can't wait to visit Star Lake and its residents again in the new Axes and Endzones series.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Falling For The Fake Lumberjack is the first book in the new series called axis and Endzones by serrin A,(I apologize if anything is misspelled my phone is messing up and I cannot get the spelling just FYI I am blind and use voiceover,) the book is about Harrison and Lucy Harrison‘s coach sent him on a retreat something he calls forced fun and it is in this town where he meets yoga teacher Lucy and of course after a few misunderstandings they fall in love. When it comes to romance books the recipe is always the same it is the nuance in details that makes it worth reading but when this book started in Harrison started whining and complaining he really came off as a big baby and I can’t fathom who would find that attractive at all. I liked Lucy a lot more although she did say things such as I have to get up at the ass crack of Dawn and although that is funny IDK it just came off as uncouth or uncivilized maybe… It may just be me but I had no interest in these two and only finished the book because I said I would read it and write a review and here is my review. If any of this sounds funny or attractive to you do read it I do like the authors other books I’ve read but sadly this one not so much. That is not to say I won’t read the next book and the series because I absolutely will I just Hope the guy is dreamy and the girl more civilized or if not doesn’t use her ass crack as an analogy. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #SerrinA, #TheFakeLumberjack,

[Taz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ney takes us on a laugh out loud this cannot be happening ride; with Falling for the Fake Lumberjack. Harris is not amused that his football team is sent to bond for the week and a small town surrounded by a lake. It is everything that he despises in life. Imagine his surprise when he gets mistaken for a lumberjack at the festival and decides to go through with it to get a girl's attention. Lucy has been shy at love and doesn’t even realize Harris is flirting with her. I liked their movie dates and then being real with each other from the beginning. Her parents' reaction was hilarious. Good small town meets camp vibe. Definitely not a hero who took himself too seriously and enjoyed how he did everything he could to get her attention.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon



The last place Harris wants to be is in this out of the way resort on a "bonding" retreat with his teammates. But when he sees the beautiful yoga instructor he's thanking the powers that be for sending him here. There's only one tiny little problem - she thinks he's one of the lumberjacks hired for Star Lake's Fall Fest. He wants to impress her and chopping some logs shouldn't be too hard, right? He's a linebacker, that's a much harder job than being a lumberjack...



Harris and Lucy are so much fun! He's so freaking adorable that I can fully understand how Lucy fell in love with him in such a short time. I was in need of something lighthearted, witty and sweet with low angst, and Harris and Lucy and their shenanigans hit the spot perfectly. Lucy's friend Annabelle is up next and I'm already rubbing my hands in anticipation because she definitely needs to find love next.



ARC provided by The Author Agency for an honest review.

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[tiana ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picturesque lakeside town, local yoga teacher... enter fake lumberjack! 🪵

Thank you to Netgalley, Montlake, and Sara Ney for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book is out tomorrow! ♡

I can't say I've read a book about lumberjacks, especially lumberjacks in action so I was veeery intrigued by the premise of this! I was convinced I was getting some premium entertainment. ☀️💕


⌗ characters


I found Lucy and Harris funny and overall likeable. There are several laugh-out-loud moments, especially with Harris' shenanigans that will truly make you giggle while reading. There is some scenes after the 70% mark that made me cackle - the interactions and situations the characters were in were SO funny.
I liked the friendships in this - mainly Lucy with her best friend Annabelle. The ARC contained a scene from the following book in this series and I think I'll enjoy reading from Annabelle's POV! At least she sounds extremely relatable as of now. 🤭 I wish we had gotten more scenes with Harris and his friends/teammates, the ones we did get were gold! I wish we also got more footballer-Harris, as I felt like we didn't get much of that aspect of his.

My issue with the characters is that they felt a bit inconsistent and some of their interactions juvenile. 😅 In fact, I think for the most part those two went hand-in-hand. This might be a personal preference thing but I cannot take a character seriously if they're constantly making certain comments about another character. It felt juvenile and it didn't really match my idea of the character at the beginning of the story. I think I had more issues with Harris than with Lucy. Lucy felt more likeable as a character, whereas with Harris it felt like we had to be reminded that he's funny which made it a bit awkward to read. 😩

The lumberjack scenes were funnyyyy. But other than the MMC, it didn't feel like the other lumberjacks were fleshed out. They were fine but not really memorable. 😅


⌗ romance


The romance was cute - I do love reading about big, cheesy gestures in books so I was thoroughly enjoying those scenes. I like when a character goes out of their way for the other character - in this instance, I thought some of Harris' gestures were actually adorable. The definition of 'go big or go home' 🤭💞 The not-so-adorable scenes (🫣) I thought were done well and tastefully, albeit a bit creative at times which isn't a bad thing! 😂

However, due to the timeline of this story, the romance felt a bit rushed. I was very surprised by some things for this exact reason. I would've liked a bit more time with the characters, not necessarily in terms of number of pages but more in terms of the actual timeline of the story. Again, just a personal preference thing! I'm sure there are other readers out there who don't mind at all. ☺️


⌗ other /final notes


The setting was very picturesque, which felt ideal for this type of story. The descriptions honestly made me want to visit ASAP and enjoy the cottage-by-the-lake lifestyle 😩🌤️. Don't we all deserve some well deserved rest by a gorgeous lake? Absolutely!

This was fast and easy to read and it's my second book by this author. I'm intrigued by the premise of the second book in this series so I'll definitely have a look ♡

Once again, thank you to Netgalley, Montlake, and Sara Ney for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All aforementioned opinions have been my own.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harris Bennett is a football player forced to participate in a small town summer team building retreat but he is not having it. He didn’t like summer camp when he was a kid and he doesn’t want to participate in fishing nor hikes nor yoga. While he is off ditching class, he literally runs into Lucy LeBrandt, the yoga instructor who has never really left their small town. After a collision spilling coffee all over both of them (would it be a romance novel if there wasn’t a spilled drink at some point), she jumps to the conclusion that Harris is one of the substitute lumberjacks her friend hired for a lumberjack contest/demonstration for the holiday season because why else would a super built dude be wandering around their small town. Harris decides to go with her assumption and spends the next week convincing Lucy to give him the time of day.

This was a fun book; initially I did not like Harris because he seemed so cocky and just angry about "mandatory fun” but he grew on me when his dorky, goofy side came out like when he tried to climb a trellis, or freaking out over bears. He just felt much more human then, instead of a smarmy professional athlete. Lucy has some insecurity about living a small life in her home town and still living over her parents’ garage but she is sassy and sarcastic and gives Harris a lot of crap which is very enjoyable. She does think he’s a lumberjack for quite a long time but we’ll just go with the premise because it’s fun.

There were a few minor things that I did have questions about though: in the beginning, they definitely talked about condoms and birth control but about half way through the book, they stopped mentioning it and as far as I can tell they stopped using them. I don’t know if somehow I missed a conversation they had or the book just assumes it happens but that threw me off, especially since contemporary books generally at least talk about condoms/birth control/STIs. Also, they feed peanut M&Ms to a deer…I looked it up, deer can eat a little chocolate but it’s not really good for them. Don’t give them chocolate. Lastly, the romance seems to go very quickly, over a week or a long weekend? They go from zero to in love so quickly and then we reached the end of the book and skip to the epilogue. I feel like it needed a little longer to wrap up the story. It definitely felt like they left a lot of room for a sequel especially about Lucy’s friend Annabelle.

Overall, this was a solid rom com. The characters are fun archetypes with witty banter and sass coming out of their ears, the premise of mistaken identity is a classic, and the conflict is relatively low stakes which is great if you are not a person into deep angsty characters. Bonus if you enjoy lumberjack shenanigans.

3.5 stars out of 5

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC

[Cigi cini · Rating 5 out of 5]

🪵 Lumberjack (Mistaken Identity)
🏈 Athlete Hero
🧘‍♀️ Yoga Instructor Heroine
🏡 Small Town Romance
⏳ Short-Term Fling
🔥 Instant Chemistry
😏 Playful Banter
❤️‍🔥 Spicy Romance
✨ Opposites Attract
💞 Happily Ever After

Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Falling for the Fake Lumberjack by Sara Ney builds on a clever premise and turns it into a charming, feel-good romance that is both sexy and surprisingly sincere. The mistaken identity setup works beautifully here, not just as a joke, but as a way to strip Harris Bennett of his celebrity status and let him be seen as a regular guy, even if he is a very muscular and attractive one. Watching a professional linebacker happily play along as a clueless lumberjack adds a layer of humor that carries through the entire story and makes Harris immediately likable.

Lucy LeBrandt is a strong, grounded heroine whose hesitation around relationships feels earned rather than frustrating. Her trust issues are handled with care, shaped by past experiences instead of exaggerated drama, which makes her choices feel realistic. As a yoga instructor rooted in her small town, Lucy values stability and control, and the idea of getting involved with a man who is only passing through is everything she tries to avoid. The tension between her desire for Harris and her need to protect herself creates a steady emotional pull that keeps the romance engaging.

The chemistry between Lucy and Harris is undeniable from their first interaction. Their banter is playful and sharp, filled with teasing moments that highlight how well their personalities complement each other. The spice is confident and fun without overpowering emotional development, allowing the relationship to feel balanced rather than rushed. Sara Ney excels at blending humor with intimacy, and the result is a romance that feels lighthearted while still offering emotional depth.

The small-town setting of Star Lake adds an extra layer of warmth to the story. It creates a cozy backdrop that contrasts nicely with Harris’s larger than life football career and reinforces the idea of slowing down and finding something real. The limited time frame gives the romance urgency, raising stakes, and making every shared moment feel important.

Falling for the Fake Lumberjack is an entertaining and satisfying read that delivers exactly what readers expect from Sara Ney. It is funny, flirty, and heartfelt, with characters who feel genuine and a romance that grows naturally out of connection and choice rather than convenience. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy small town romances with strong chemistry, witty dialogue, and a hero who is confident enough to be both swoony and silly.