Sweet Something

Wood Hollow Stories #2

by Lane Hayes

The baker, the grumpy lumberjack, and a new dad journey…

Dexter

The donut business is booming in Wood Hollow, along with my flag-football program. Now I’m ready to take on a new challenge—parenthood. See, I’ve always wanted to be a dad and it’s finally happening. Wood Hollow is the perfect place to raise a child. It’s quiet, safe, and the folks here are friendly.

One glaring exception is the grumpy lumberjack…who ends up being besties with my surrogate. What are the odds?

Yeah…this will be interesting.

Viggo

I’m a logger. I like wood. That’s it. Maybe that makes me a solitary person, but so what?

Unfortunately, I can’t ignore the handsome donut man’s new dad-to-be situation. Not when it concerns an old family friend.

Look, I don’t want to be involved, but I have no choice. And if that means I’ll have to step outside of my comfort zone and do people-y things to make sure Dexter is a going to be a good dad, so be it.

It doesn’t mean I like Dexter. He’s accidentally funny, kind of sweet, very hot, and—

Okay, fine.

Maybe I like him too much.

Sweet Something is an MM bisexual, grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance featuring Wood Hollow’s hottest baker and the grumpy lumberjack with a big heart.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Grumpy Sunshine, Contemporary, Audiobook, Bisexual, Small Town Romance

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2026

About the author

Lane Hayes loves a good romance! She’s the bestselling author of the Out in College, Starting From, Better Than, A Kind Of, Right and Wrong, and Leaning Into Series! Lane loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). All things she can find in sunny SoCal where she lives with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING 4.5 STARS

Sweet Something is book two in the Wood Hollow Stories series by Lane Hayes. This was a very sweet story, both literally and figuratively. One of our heroes owns a donut shop and now I really want donuts.



Dexter Navarro is thirty eight years old. Dexter moved to Wood Hollow, Vermont several years ago intending for it to be a short stay but fell in love with the little, quirky town. He opened a donut shop and sells not only traditional donuts but all sorts of crazy variations that the public loves. His store is a crazy success. He loves his life here but there is one other thing he’s been dreaming of, being a father. He found the perfect surrogate through an agency and is now going to be a dad in nine months. He chose a surrogate out of town to escape all the town gossip. But one thing she didn’t mention before the contracts were signed was that her best friend who just happened to be a huge, burly lumberjack, lived right there in Wood Hollow!



Viggo Gustafsson is also thirty eight years old. Originally from Sweden, he came to the states for college and also fell in love with the area. He works at the local lumber mill and also has a wood shop at home where he makes beautiful creations. Viggo’s chosen profession is a solitary one by choice. He is a huge man with a scowly face that keeps people at a distance, just the way he likes it.

Viggo is shocked when his friend, Freya, tells him she’s pregnant and is a surrogate. And that the father lives in Wood Hollow. So Viggo decides it’s his job to make sure this man is father material. At the same time, Dexter decides to do a little stalking on his own, trying to see what sort of man Viggo is and if it will help him to know his surrogate better. Once these two actually meet, though, they quickly become friends and very soon after, friends with benefits.

Neither of these men is looking for a relationship. Dexter is about to embark on a whole new chapter in his life and all his attention needs to be on being the best dad he can be. Viggo likes his privacy. He is not interested in sharing his life with anyone. But a funny thing happens when you least expect it, feelings happen.



Both of these men have a perfect balancing effect on the other. I actually relate to Dexter a bit. He’s a worrier as am I. Always thinking. Viggo calms him. He’s perhaps the calmest human ever. And Dexter helps Viggo to let out his lighter side a little bit. Dexter is big time involved with flag football, something Viggo wants no part of. Dexter, though, can convince anyone to do what he wants. Viggo can’t say no.



These two were so sweet together. They both had pain in their pasts that formed the men they are today. It’s together, though, that they really flourished. Still, both were convinced that this was a temporary, casual thing that ended when the baby came. Which I never really understood. Which leads me to my only real complaint with this book. Even though these two are obviously pining for each other, the author makes us wait until the very end for the admission of their feelings. I’m here for the swoons, the romance, all the love. It just annoys me that we have to wait until the last five percent to get it. Lane Hayes is one of my favorite authors and this isn’t going to deter me in the future. I just wanted to share my feelings and my hope that her future pairings might get to share their feelings a little earlier in the story.

[Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book drove me bananas… I almost DNF’d at 80%.

I can’t stand it when an author makes a whole story hinge on a problem that doesn’t actually exist 🙄

Viggo 🪵 Dexter

This started w a great premise and two likable characters. Dexter has hired a surrogate (Freya) to have his baby and that surrogate turns out to have a best friend, Viggo, who lives in Wood Hollow.

These two get to know each other and each have some kind of back story trauma. It’s the story of them starting a sexual relationship and then slowly building trust over 9 months.

Could have been a great hurt/comfort, mature men dealing with life, story. But no.

- The pacing is terrible - dragged out in the middle and then rushed st the end.
- The problem isn’t a problem - they both think they will need to break up when the baby is born? Why? They both live in the same damn town. Idk
- The real problem is that they are both afraid of love due to their prior family situations, but they never address THAT. No, it’s just - whelp - once the baby comes, i guess that’s it. Oh well. That sucks.

What in the ever loving immature man garbage is this?………. gahhhhhhh

👬🏽MM - hot Swedish lumberjack (Viggo) and wealthy ex football player donut shop owner (Dexter). Both out/gay
💔Third act drama - Viggo pushes Dex away right before the baby is due bc he thinks that’s what Dexter wants. See below for spoilers
😘 Both men are kind, thoughtful and caring w each other
🗣️Communication- these two talk about every minor thing, spend every day together, build 8 different kinds of baby furniture but can’t have an adult conversation about their trauma and how it has affected them
🫣No OM - Dexter’s ex is the town police chief and he stills hangs out w his family/kids. Which I guess is nice, but also bugged me.
🌶️Spice - open door, nothing crazy.
🏠Found family - guys at the mill and the flag football people. Side note - this could have been 100 pages shorter without all the extraneous what not about flag football. 🙄
👥Dual POV; HEA. 2 yrs later. Married w another baby on the way.

Anyway, this book had so much potential and needed an editor. The writing was good, but the story was boring and annoying - bannoying? Annoring? Idk. Not a good combo.





Spoilers;
- Dexter - trauma was related to his wealthy overbearing/judgmental mother and absent father. Also, he had a severe concussion while playing football that resulted in a traumatic brain injury, including seizures, etc.
- Viggo had a 21 yr old sister, Annika, who died in her sleep from a heart condition. She was best friends w the surrogate, Freya. Viggo feels guilty that he didn’t do more to protect his sister.

[ivanareadsalot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

🍩🪵🏈

Cute, sexy-sweet, baby-on-the-brain romance, with tons of wholesome, be-the-bestest-dad-ever energy, that was essentially the gateway to the emotional healing both MCs had needed in order to evolve from the toxic/painful family paradigm they'd experienced earlier in their lives.

But as cute as this was, I struggled with the final "situationship to relationship" bumps leading up to Dex and Viggo's HEA. Earlier in the narrative, like before things even really got going between the MCs, I just didn't get WHY Dex had said OUT LOUD that things with Viggo would not be a hot thing after Dex became a Dad. Especially since Big V was pretty scrumptious, and handy, and very capable at many many things, sexy and or otherwise. Tbf this was a super low-angst romance, so I wasn't taking any of these ideas srsly, and I knew that eventually Dex, who truly was a sweetie, would realize he was bonkers, get brave, and ask for forever. But then Viggo's denial mechanism was a full-stop to the face…for like a page, but still, and I was just really confused by the no-dice. Because the fact of the matter was that Dex and Viggo were real awesome together, AND aaaaaand there was NO DRAMA (which I loved) so like why are we even here rn?

Regardless, this was another lovely, Lane Hayes romance, with all the delightful, small-town sweetness I've come to love! Can't wait for more Wood Hollow Stories because Reg's story is up next in Mountain Man and I'm curious who'll be the one to lock down Wood Hollow's silver fox Chief!

[Lily Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was so good! It left me with such a smile on my face. I wasn’t expecting to like it so much but Dex and Viggo won me over.

I love Wood Hollow, the town just sounds perfect. The setting for these stories is a huge part of why I have enjoyed these books.

I really didn’t know if the way Dex and Viggo met was going to build into a story I’d enjoy. They wound up being so sweet and fun together. I loved Freya and I only wish the ending didn’t jump into the epilogue so fast. I am very excited for the next book in this super sweet series!

ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own

[Mikaela (risqué.romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨May contain spoilers✨

I loved the first book in this series and I just knew I had to take advantage of reading this book. Nick J. Russo always has an amazing way of bringing the characters to life and it just sucked me right in the story between Dexter and Viggo.

This book has some hurt/comfort elements and I was so happy that Viggo and Dexter were able to lean onto one another. I’m also a fan of a single dad that also finds his own happy ending as well.

Dexter is about to become a father through surrogacy. I about laughed when Viggo found out because his best friend happens to be the surrogate. It was so funny because Dexter would pop up everywhere in Wood Hollow.

Dexter’s mom was really a piece of work. From not being able to respect his decisions, I was not having it. When he finally stood up to her, I was happy for him.

I would recommend reading your triggers because it does deal with some heavy situations from the past when you get to know these characters and why they are the way they are.

When these two stubborn folks finally realized their feelings, it was end game. Sure, it did take some time for them to admit to these feelings to one another but I loved it.

I also loved Freya, the surrogate. The best surrogate that has gone through her own past. If it wasn’t for her, who knows how long it would have taken for these two to finally meet up.

If you’re looking for a book that sits in a small town with all the feelings, MCs who challenge one another and also help one another, this book is for you.

I received a copy of this audiobook and this is my honest review.

[Sjoukje · Rating 2 out of 5]

This whole book is based on a problem that I didn’t get. Why exactly can’t you have a relationship with the best friend of your surrogate? And why can’t you raise the kid of your best friend? Spoiler: Dexter, you can and Viggo, you will.

Done.

It was a sweet book, but it definitely needed some real issues in focus because these supposedly huge ones were nonsense. “No one can find out we know each other through my surrogate!” 😳🙄🤷🏽‍♀️

The weirdest thing: there were real issues, that could have been the heart of the book. The ex and his children he’s still so connected with in Dexters life. Virgo’s deceased sister and his new connection to her best friend. If the author would have focused on those storylines this would have been amazing. She didn’t though, these were brushed over after facts…

Oh well. Onto the next 😁

[Manjari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Something is the story of Dexter, a donut shop owner, and Viggo, a lumberjack, who live in a small town in Vermont. Dexter is single but well settled and wants a child. He hires a surrogate who turns out to be a close family friend of Viggo's and they get to know each other. Both have past traumas and the main plot of the story is each opening up to the other and falling in love. I like Lane Hayes writing - it is very smooth and readable. I liked that the main characters spent a realistic amount of time getting to know each other so we could see how they complimented each other. Dexter is sunshiny but anxious and Viggo steadies him. Viggo has been isolated and Dexter brings him into the small town community. However, although this was all very nice, the plot just wasn't very stimulating. And at the end, there was some conflict as to why they couldn't be together that just didn't make sense to me. It was a likable book but not one I expect to reread.

[Lady Macbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This is the second book in Lane Hayes’ Wood Hollow series and I loved it.
Dexter moved to this small town eight years before the start of the story: he comes from a very healthy family, ruled by an overbearing and strict mother, who became even more controlling when Dexter had an injury on the football field that resulted in a severe concussion and ended all his dreams to go pro.
Dexter’s life after the injury was difficult and he made terrible choices until he decided to leave the big city and go where his best friend from college, Troy, is living. In the years that will follow, Dexter will become an active member of the community by opening a successful business (Dexter’s Donuts), making friends (besides Troy, he’s very close with Reg) and volunteering (he coaches the flag football team). Dexter is now ready to make his dream to become a father true.

Viggo came to Wood Hollow for a change of scenery too: he’s from Sweden, but he arrived in the States for college and decided to not go back. Wood Hollow was perfect for his need for peace and quiet and, despite he’s been living there for a few years, he didn’t really make friends, he actually preferred a solitary life. Nonetheless, he’s also the first to help when someone is in need: in fact, his grumpy exterior hids a golden heart.

Viggo and Dexter start spending time together because Viggo is Dexter’s surrogate best friend: Viggo is protective of Freya and, consequently, of the baby too and he wants to keep an eye on the father, while Dexter wants to know more about Freya and help her through the pregnancy and Viggo seems to be a good source of informations.
But the more time they spend together, the more they are attracted to each other, not only physically, but also emotionally.
I adored how Viggo had a calming effect on Dexter and helped him to avoid spiralling, while Dex gently pushed Viggo out of his comfort zone and made him see how many people were fond of him and considered him a friend.
The sex scenes are steamy but my favourite aspect was definitely their emotional connection that kept growing through the whole story.


What prevented me from giving five full stars:
I definitely needed more time of them being together “officially” and I didn’t appreciate that the birth of Dex’s child is told in the epilogue like it was just a secondary fact whereas it’s a very poignant event of the whole story.
And maybe this is not a big deal for other readers, but I didn’t like the few scenes where Viggo and Freya talked in Swedish in front of Dexter, I thought it was very rude of them.

It was amazing to see Cooper and Silas again and also all the other characters who made Wood Hollow such a special place.
I can’t wait for the next book that will be, finally!, about Reg, the Police Chief.
Very recommended

I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review.

[Theresa L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ 3🌶 4.5🎧

This was a warm comfort read, I love the low angst of it. It was truly sweet and beautiful with just enough tension going on to keep the story moving perfectly. I also appreciate that this was about 2 men that knew what they wanted and went for it.

Dex and Viggo have had it rough in life and are both trying to move on and make the best of it all when the meet. The banter between them was so good. I love a grumpy mmc that stays grumpy for.most of the book and Viggo absolutely delivered but waching him sofen for Dex was everything. Dex is a ball of sunshine and a little chaotic when he is nervous but Viggo absolutely calms him. I loved their dynamic and connection. They are both supportive of thenother and waching them fall in love and start a family was beautiful.

I adore this little town. I cant wait to come back for book 3. This series has been so fun and refreshing it just makes me happy.

This audiobook is performed by a single narrator Nick J. Russo. What a phenomenal job he did with Viggos Swedish accent. He really did give both guys a distinct voice and personality.
He gave them so much life. It was easy to fallow along and just enjoy the story.

Thank you to Lane Hayes and GRR for this ALC. These are my honest opinions and feelings.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet read. I loved how gruff Viggo was and that it was hiding the most sweet and amazingly caring man. I seriously enjoyed the small Town and how close and also nosy everyone was. Dexter was adorable as well. I definitely felt for both guys with their turbulent pasts but that ending made it all the sweeter.

[laureneliza]

This is one of those series that gets a bit too bogged down in its lore and either references to previous MCs or hints about the upcoming ones so I zoned out on a few of the social scenes but everything between Viggo and Dex was indeed sweet.

[Leilani Noack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Viggo and Dexter are everything. I love them together and they have a lot of chemistry. I love how Viggo took care of Dexter and was supportive of him being a dad. I love how we got to see them as a family and that they got their HEA. This book was so sweet & adorable!

[Garry Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the two male leads in this one, but I feel like the ending was rushed.

[Fiatgal · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Another sweet easy, yes and predictable story by Lane Hayes. Slightly Hallmarkish.

[Brianne McCallum · Rating 5 out of 5]

M/M
Grumpy/Sunshine
Single father romance
Opposites attract
Minor adversaries to new friends to lovers
Small town

Arc audio review

Story = 4.5 stars
Narration = 5 stars

I enjoy this world that the author created and the nosy townsfolk. There are side characters that are previous MCs but the book can be read as a standalone.

One side character that was almost like a 3rd MC is the surrogate who pops up a ton throughout her entire pregnancy and when she isn't there she is talked about. I usually hate when there is someone else playing a huge part. Alot of times I don't like them and they get in the way of romance/relationship development but luckily I found this character to be delightful and the couple had plenty of time alone to bond and she helped nudge these 2 stubborn men along their journey.

Dexter is a divorced man who moved away from a big city and a family of rich snobs to a little town where everyone knows everyone's business. He wants to have a baby on his own terms so he hires a surrogate in another city. He is in contact with the woman but doesn't want to exchange details and thought if he hired someone in another city that it would help keep distance. In today's world with so many adoptions/surrogacies going wrong I thought that was smart. After he accidentally let's slip his towns name, she says her bestie lives there and she planned to spend alot of her pregnancy with him. So much for wanting disntance lol.

I really enjoyed this story alot, just as much as I loved book one. I probably would have rated it 5 stars if it wasn't for Dexter's mother and the fact that I will never understand why grown men put up with controlling mothers. She could have not been included and it would have been no loss to the plot and been even more enjoyable.

Dexter was a good character but this trait made me not love him as much as I would have otherwise. I loved Viggo. He is the epitome of a grumpy bear that is super sweet and would do anything for anyone. He does have a grumpy mountain man appearance but I think the cover pic makes him look alot more scary than he is actually described as. They made a great couple. Seemingly a opposites attract situation but they bond by their mutual love of football and their mutual care about the pregnancy. It was a very sweet story with a little bit of angst and a little bit of steam throughout it.

I am looking forward to reading the next book.

The narrator did a fantastic job. He kept a good reading pace/flow and expressed all the emotions wonderfully bringing the story to life. He gave all the characters including the side characters their own distinct voice making it easy to follow the story. I don't know Sweedish but I think he gave Viggo a good accent as well as the Sweedish surrogate. The only thing I found a bit confusing is there are at least 2 times where Viggo says he worked hard to get rid of his accent and the book also says the surrogate has a barely there accent even though their accents were very accentuated, so I wonder if there was some mis communication in direction but I preferred the inclusions of the accents either way.

[Tara Baja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Something is the 2nd book in the Wood Hollow Stories series by Lane Hayes. I read the first book and really loved it, so when I saw there was going to be a second one, I jumped at the opportunity to request an advanced readers copy. Much thanks to Lane and the Gay Romance Review for providing me with a copy in reciprocity for my honest review. Now, on to our MM romance in our new favorite small town, Wood Hollow.

Meet Dex, aka Dexter. He's a hot bisexual guy in his 30's, who lives and owns a gourmet bakery in Wood Hollow. The flavors he comes up with are phenomal, but that's neither here nor there. So, he's decided he wants to be a father, a single one, since he currently has no partner. After jumping through all the mandatory hoops, he finally matches with Freya, a beautiful young woman originally from Sweden, who lives a few towns over from him, to be his surrogate.

She happens to have a best friend named Viggo. Viggo is also a 30-something bisexual man. Although he's a much larger man compared to Dexter. His profession is a logger, NOT a lumberjack he'll argue, and he too lives in Wood Hollow. Is this serendipity? Fate? Dex certainly doesn't think so! When he finds out Freya is friends with someone from his town, he freaks out because he specifically didn't want anyone from there knowing he was having a child, let alone one by surrogate. Plus, he doesn't even know who Viggo is!

When he tries to subtly ask around, (good luck, it's a small town) most people describe him as a quiet man who looks a little scary, that they call Thor. Not just because of his large size; he still has traces of his Swedish accent. Without giving too much away, extroverted Dex gets a little stalkerish and shows up in places where introverted Viggo is. But again, to be fair , it's a small town. You're bound to run into each other. Eventually Mr. Grumpy (guess who) and Mr. Sunshine finally meet and they figure out what they have in common.

That doesn't necessarily mean they have to be friends too? Right? That's definitely something Viggo does NOT want to do, regardless of all the free donuts and fritters Dexter sends his way. This is where I feel the story gets real, with more than a touch heartbreaking because things should be clear cut at this point but people tend to get in their own way. There's also past tragedies that factor into their potential romance. Familial opinions and unrequested obligations try to squeeze their way into Dex and Viggo's minds but ultimately, it's up to them to make the choice of whether they want to be with each other or not.

At the end of the day, what is most important to Dex is the health of his child, and for Viggo, the health of his friend. Or could there be more? Daddy Dex isn't afraid to raise his child alone because he knows he has friends and found family within the Wood Hollow community. But Viggo was just never that guy. You'll have to read for yourself if these two ever get out of their own way and become something more. Something I know they're meant to be. Something sweet. 4.5⭐

[Danielle Cordsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Something
By: Lane Hayes


📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Perfect protectors for loved ones?

I enjoyed reading Dexter and Virgo’s story. Both protectors that are holding a precious little so close to their hearts. The author writes with clarity and without cruelty. The connection comes through page after page. Viggo the protector and with Dextor going down the fatherhood path with the help of a surrogate. Both men find themselves protecting the future they all want. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some have quick witted story lines that are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors blurb:
DexterThe donut business is booming in Wood Hollow, along with my flag football program. Now I’m ready to take on a new challenge—parenthood. See, I’ve always wanted to be a dad and it’s finally happening. Wood Hollow is the perfect place to raise a child. It’s quiet, safe, and the folks here are friendly.

One glaring exception is the grumpy lumberjack…who ends up being besties with my surrogate. What are the odds?

Yeah…this will be interesting.

Viggo I’m a logger. I like wood. That’s it. Maybe that makes me a solitary person, but so what?

Unfortunately, I can’t ignore the handsome donut man’s new dad-to-be situation. Not when it concerns an old family friend.

Look, I don’t want to be involved, but I have no choice. And if that means I’ll have to step outside of my comfort zone and do people-y things to make sure Dexter is a going to be a good dad, so be it.

It doesn’t mean I like Dexter. He’s accidentally funny, kind of sweet, very hot, and—

Okay, fine.

Maybe I like him too much.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know you’re 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

[Books Spice N Everything Nice · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧Audiobook
🎤Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Story: 4.5⭐️
Narration: 5⭐️
Spice: 4🌶️— high spice

🍆MM — Romance
📚Standalone (Book 2 in the Wood Hollow Stories series)
✏️First person - Dual POV
🎙️Single narration
❤️Main tropes: Small town • Grumpy/sunshine • Surrogacy

“I had a stalker. And it made no sense. Fourteen days in a row. Everywhere I went, I ran into the donut man. […] From my first glance at Dexter, the donut guy, I’d known he was someone to avoid.” — Viggo

Do you like sweet and cute, sentimental love story with a small town feel? Yeah? So do I, and that’s why I really liked this audiobook.

“Sweet Something” by Lane Hayes has all the feel, with the gossips and loving judgement of a small town, topped with nosy but endearing characters, a touch of humour and a pinch (maybe a bit more 😏) of spice.

It’s the story of a sunshine Dexter, a donut bakery-shop owner and baker who is expecting a baby through surrogacy, and a grumpy lumberjack affectionately named Big V by his peers (Viggo’s the name!). Fate brings them together in the small town of Wood Hollow through Freya, the surrogate mother, who also happens to be Viggo’s best friend. Viggo then decides it’s his new mission to take care of both his best friend and the future dad throughout the pregnancy.

The two MMCs are adorable. Viggo is really the sweet Teddy bear lumberjack you wish you could hug, while Dexter is the perky, silly and bright guy, that you can’t help but fall for. Having three kids myself, I loved experiencing this journey with them through the ups and downs of the nine months leading up to the birth, along with all the questions and uncertainty it inevitably brings.

The story touches sensitives topics like surrogacy and grief, and the author handles them in the most positive and touching ways.

I was plesantly surprised when I realized Nick J. Russo was narrating. He’s a narrator I discovered through another small town romance series, and I think he is perfect at bringing both goofy and more serious MMCs to life. Once again, he did an excellent job narrating this book.

Overall, an excellent feel-good small town romance, brilliantly narrated, that I highly recommend if you’re looking for something light, sweet and sentimental.

[Ana Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful story! I’m really enjoying this series. There’s definitely something special about small towns and lumberjacks 🫠

Dexter was such a great character. He really made the best out of the curveballs life threw at him. First, losing his career after an injury and dealing with the aftermath. Then with his divorce and mother.

I really disliked his mom. She wanted to impose her expectations on Dexter without taking into his feelings into account. She wanted him to live the life she chose for him even after he expressed multiple times that he was happy with his current life. She really was overbearing and pushy.

All Dexter wanted was to have a family. If that meant being a single dad, he didn’t care. He just wanted to have a kid to love and give them the love he never got from either of his parents.

Viggo wasn’t supposed to be part of Dexter’s plan. In fact, Dexter didn’t like the fact that Viggo knew his baby’s mother. But he couldn’t deny that Viggo was a Norse god. The man was beautiful, broody and sexy af. Everything he shouldn’t have wanted.

Yet, he did. There was so much more to him than what he allowed the world to see. Underneath all the grumpy exterior was a kind, sweet man who felt things too deeply. He carried a weight of guilt and pain that ran deep.

Their initial encounter wasn’t the friendliest one yet there was an inevitable chemistry that neither of them could deny. And the more time they spend together, the more that attraction grew.

Dexter was supposed to do this whole parenting thing alone, but along the way, Viggo became an integral part of his life. Despite his brain reminding him he should only think about his baby, his heart kept telling him he wanted Viggo to be part of his journey.

Falling in love was never part of the deal. Yet it was that love that mended all their broken pieces. Being together healed the pain they both carried for years. Now they have a chance to start over and leave the last behind.

“…𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚, 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆, 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰’𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝑰’𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅. 𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒘, 𝑰 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑽𝒊𝒈𝒈𝒐. 𝑶𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒆.”

I’m so excited for the next book! This series is just so wholesome 🥰

[Viki · Rating 3 out of 5]

That guy on the cover? I get ya, man...

I considered quitting during the first few chapters several times, because while I understood that was the nature of the plot that brought them together, I was just really... unhappy? Disturbed? Grumpy? About Guy A paying for a surrogate and that surrogate having a friend Guy B and get this, it's obviously his business because... what? (It's not a spoiler because the blurb says "I don’t want to be involved, but I have no choice"), which, by the way, makes me mad even now that I like the grump.)

Going to Guy A's house and saying, "I am going to beat you up" because his friend decided to generously give her egg and her womb - like, her decision, that actually involved no sex...? Like, what the actual living Valhalla?? That's not okay.

Their whole relationship started so... unplesantly and I was annoyed and even angry at times, even at Freya for divulging the secret - the guy just asked her "don't tell Guy B about the baby" and what happens, of course she does, which is another, like, Not Okay thing to do.

Their relationship gets better pretty eventually and the middle part of the book is good, the worst thing I would say is it gets slightly boring but that just meant that instead of eating the whole book in one or two sittings, I took smaller bites for... some days? Three? No idea.

The end is also pretty simple and anti-climactic. Mostly in a good way. It's just that most couples in romance have that moment where they realize they like the other person but... there's always a but. And this one was just absurd and made little sense so when it came time to decide if he wants to actually be with him or listen to the reason it's not "a good idea", it took one day to discover that, actually, that's not a reason, just an excuse and a silly one at that. I don't mind not having 3rd act bre... I guess there was one? Very brief? It was a low-angst resolution to a tame, small-town romance.

I am not sure I am super interested in trying other books from the author but there were quite a few couples that sounded, honestly, a bit more interesting than this one, so I am not discounting the possibility.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

Lane Hayes released the second book in the Wood Hollow series this week and of course I had to drop everything and read it right away! This book is so worth the read because it is just delightful and filled with everything you could want in a small town romance. You’ve got baked goods, lumberjacks, nosey townspeople and romance! Dexter and Viggo are a perfect pairing, much like the donuts that Dexter creates that Viggo denies are perfect. Dexter is sweet and full of energy as you would expect from your small town baker. He’s involved with the community and is also becoming a father which is where Viggo comes in. I loved the moment when Viggo finds out why Dexter had been stalking him (just a little) his protectiveness and grumpiness was delightful as was his insistence on being acquaintances with Dexter. I love a good grumpy character and Viggo is definitely a man of not very many words but when he cares about someone he sure is protective and sweet. He also happens to be bilingual and I am a sucker for a love confession in another language and just bilingual characters speaking other languages without the other main character knowing what they’re saying! Seeing Viggo start to let his walls down around Dexter and really care about him was so satisfying. I loved how he’s just a gentle giant who would be willing to do anything for his people and I was so happy that Dexter became his people. I don’t think there was any doubt that Dexter was going to worm his way into Viggo’s heart because he’s just so lovely. Dexter is friendly with everyone and from the moment he started stalking Viggo I just knew that this book was going to be a fun adventure! The way he handled Viggo’s grumpiness like a pro and managed to convince Viggo to join him on all their adventures (not that it was hard, Viggo totally wanted to be there) was so much fun! But I also really loved how Dexter also let Viggo into his life and showed him the less perfect parts and how Viggo comforted him. These two are so perfect together and I am so completely in love with this series. I have no idea what’s next for this small town but I can’t wait to read it!

[Musingsonbooksandmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Something by Lane Hayes is Book 2 in the Wood Hollow series and follows Lumberjack Viggo and Donut shop owner Dex. The premise of the story is quite novel; Dex hires a surrogate from outside of Wood Hollow in an effort to avoid interest and gossip from curious locals. However, the surrogate ends up having a close and personal connection to fellow Wood Hollow inhabitant, Viggo. Although, mutually attracted they have not really interacted with each other in day-to-day life, until they need to because they both have an interest in the safe completion of the surrogacy. A secret relationship effectively blooms between them but between nosy neighbours, unhelpful families and a self-imposed time limit, can Viggo and Dex get their happy ending?
I genuinely thought the idea was intriguing, but the execution and how Viggo and Dex actually met in the beginning, didn’t quite work for me, which was a shame because once I did get into the story it was full of charm, warmth, wit and banter that is associated with Lane Haye’s work. Quiet, stoic and calm characters are a soft spot of mine, so I really adored Viggo. His impression of his place in Wood Hollow was so different to how others perceived him. Dex helped to bring him out of himself, and it was lovely to see him fall for Dex and support him as and when he needed. Similarly, as Dex mellowed Viggo, Viggo calmed Dex and helped him with his anxiety and the stresses he carried. He never once expected Dex to be anything other than he was and watching them both deal with different types of loss and ultimately find peace and healing, was very moving. At its heart, this story was a beautiful tale of two men, finding each other, finding themselves and finding their place in Wood Hollow. This is a good addition to the series and I would recommend it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4

[Bethany Chastain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dexter is a former football player/trust fund baby from Michigan who has settled in Wood Hollow, Vermont, and opened up a donut shop. And now he's onto his next big adventure -- being a single dad.

When Dexter finds out that his surrogate, Freya, actually has a best friend in Wood Hollow, Dexter just HAS to learn more about him.

Viggo is a stoic logger who is big, takes up space, but keeps to himself. And as soon as he finds out that his best friend Freya has promised to carry a baby for the loud (and gorgeous) donut man in town, Viggo isn't a fan. But keep your friends close and your enemies closet, as they say, and Viggo decides that it'll be the only way to deal with the situation.

But neither man expects the chemistry between them, the easy camaraderie, or the growing feelings. What happens when you find the perfect person for you at the perfectly wrong time?

*happy sigh* I could tell from the jump I was gonna love this one. Dexter was loud, anxious, happy, charismatic, and Viggo was the perfect grump to his sunshine. The addition of the surrogate and baby made everything between them feel so much more important and fragile, but in the best way. I loved Viggo's calming presence and steadiness and of course, the setting was amazing. I absolutely LOVE Lane's small towns and Wood Hollow is up there as one of my favorites. I love the supporting characters, even the nosy townspeople and the silly kids.

Viggo is amazing. The way he made everything with his bare hands? SWOON. Perfect MMC.

I had tears in my eyes over much of the book, not because it was sad (much), but because it just felt so...BIG. So weighted and significant. The hospital scene? I wept. Again, not sad. Just so MUCH. It was honestly perfect. I wouldn't change a thing about this book.

And guys -- DONUTS. 🍩 Now I'm weepy and happy and hungry! 😂

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

I loved this book and the way the author deftly navigated hard, traumatic things with the hopefulness and love of starting a new life. I’ve adored this whole small town romance series and the Wood Hollow books are a great addition to the universe.

Dex is a former hot shot QB whose NFL dreams went up in smoke as the result of a devastating concussion while he was in college. After years of recovery and drifting through life he follows a friend to Wood Hollow, sets up a donut business and starts a flag football league and now is starting a parenthood journey via a surrogate. Turns out his surrogate’s best friend lives in Wood Hollow and he’s none too happy about the situation and decides he needs to keep an eye on this guy.

Viggo is a grumpy, recluse like lumberjack (ok, he’s really a logger but everyone thinks they’re lumberjacks and they dress like them!) and Freya, the surrogate, was his sister’s best friend and is now his best (and only?) friend. They are both from Sweden and Viggo, being a caretaker, is worried about her and this whole process. Dex decides they should get to know each other since they will be in each other’s lives throughout this process. And anyone who has read a romance novel knows where this is going.

The story is very sweet and mostly low angst though all the emotions are there. As I write this my throat is still feeling the effects of the “crying throat.” Both men have a lot of family baggage. Both men are afraid of relationships. Both men insist they are just friends (with benefits) but we all know that’s a bunch of hooey. We get the small town treatment in full and I love it. The climactic moment is an emotional rollercoaster but so worth it. The epilogue is perfect.

I loved the book and can’t wait to jump into the next one.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a bad concussion years ago that changed his course in life, Dexter has made a very great life for himself in Wood Hollow. And now he is ready for the next stage: parenthood. He always wanted to be a father and it looks like he will have to do it on his own. He finds an agency and the perfect surrogate and when she tells him she is pregnant, he is over the moon. Until he realizes that her best friend lives in Wood Hollow. The last thing Dexter wants is the small town to know he is going to be a dad. He isn’t ready for everyone one to find out. So who is Viggo? Dexter does a little digging and turns out Viggo is a logger. Quiet, big, and perhaps a little grumpy. And while Viggo can’t seem to figure out at first why Dexter is appearing everywhere, it doesn’t take him too long to learn the truth. Now we have two protective men determined to make sure the pregnancy goes well and get to know one another for the sake of their now mutual friend. But the attraction between them has been brewing quietly and it’s only a matter of time until they give in. Love was never supposed to be on the table, but as the months go by and they learn more about one another and prepare the baby, well, maybe their futures can be even better. These two were so fun! I loved their grumpy and sunshine vibes. I loved how protective and sweet Viggo secretly was. They had such wonderful banter and chemistry. I loved watching them fall hard for one another. Both deserve so much happiness and it was sweet to see them finally go for it. Another great story in this series! And I cannot wait for the next one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Wood Hollow Stories series and it can be enjoyed as a standalone read. This is the story of Dexter and Viggo Gustafsson. Both men now lived in Wood Hollow but their path didn't really intersect until Dexter set out to learn who Viggo was. I think I should go back a little. Dexter opened and owned Dexter's Donut Shop in town. He dream of playing professional football ended with an injury. He has now build a good life for himself. He has his business, good friends and a town that he loves. Now all he wants is family and to become a dad. With the help of a surrogate Freya, who lives a couple of towns over, his dream is coming true. Dexter doesn't want anyone if Wood Hollow to know about the child until they have arrived. That may be a problem because Freya's best friend is a large, solitary, lumberjack who just happens to live in Wood Hollow. And when Viggo learns about the upcoming baby, things get even more strange. He wants to ensure that Dexter is ready and able to properly take care of his best friend's child. Dexter resents Viggo trying to butt into his life but he recognizes that it is important to Freya as well. So the two set out to get to know each other. That is if the grumpy lumberjack and the outgoing Donut maker can ever get to know each other while keeping the pregnancy secret. This is their story. I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review. The book is written well and is easy to read. I liked watching the two of them slowly learn about the other. This is a fun and sweet read. I look forward to the next book in this series.

[Gabbi Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lumberjack and the baker (an audio review)

I love Lane Hayes romances, and her small-town ones are extra awesome. I enjoyed the first book in this series, and so was thrilled to pick up this one. I wasn’t disappointed.

Dexter’s got a good life. He’s gotten over his disappointments and has set up a thriving donut business in Wood Hollow. He has friends, his found family, his employees, and everything he could ask for. Except the one thing he wants most in the world – a baby.

Viggo’s set in his ways. He works in the mill, crafts wooden birdhouses and other projects, and pretty much keeps to himself. He’s a Swedish transplant who’s made a good life for himself. Little does he know things are about to get upended.

When Dexter’s surrogate turns out to be Viggo’s bestie, things get…interesting. Suddenly the men are seeing way more of each other. Then they’re finding excuses to spend time together because man, is the other one hot. But it’s all before the baby comes. No real feelings involved…right?

Yeah, just keep telling yourselves that. Because as the due date nears, and things get real, sometimes honesty is the best policy.

I loved this story. Two very different guys with two very different life experiences. Suddenly thrown together by a twist of fate. How each one deals with the situation is very different, but I certainly enjoyed the ride! I had a great time listening and can’t wait for the next book.

I tip my hat to Nick J. Russo with his Swedish accent and even Swedish words. Nick’s always super talented and he delivered on this performance. Highly recommend.

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every minute of this story. In fact, I think I smiled through every minute of the story, not for humor, but for satisfaction and the joy of reading and I don't get that too often any more. I hovered close to 5 stars for the first book in the series but this one was a tiny bit better, so what the heck, I'm going for gold here.

This was slow burn, grumpy/sunshine, personable/shy, and both men are bisexual. Dexter is the fun-loving, flag football organizer for Wood Hollow and owner of the town's bakery that features unique and fun donut creations, and according to quiet logger, Viggo, the best apple fritters. It's a slow start, but Dexter wears Viggo's tough shell down with fritters and friendship and flag football. I loved their interactions, their individual personalities, and the situations that arose. I also loved the basic plot: Dexter is going to be a dad through surrogacy. Finding out Viggo is best friends with the surrogate mother is a complication that Dex doesn't want but manages to work around, until it's no longer work and more of an attraction.

I simply enjoyed the story as it unfolded. Dare I say I guessed the baby's sex, even though Dex didn't want to know. The author left some nice crumbs to follow. And, of course, the buildup to the HEA and the HEA itself were terrific. Add that lovely epilogue and my smiles did not diminish at all. NoI have to go back and figure out why I never read the author's Elmwood series. Hmm, I think i see much more Lane Hayes in my future.

[Romantic Reads and Such · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*s

I can't decide who I love more - Dexter or Viggo. Dexter's brightness and tendency to run at the mouth when nervous or excited and his ability to get Viggo to step out of his comfort zone - wonderful. But the way that Viggo opens up as he spends more and more time with Dex is just so sweet. Together they are fun and funny and touching.

Dex's eagerness (and worry) for becoming a dad is just as vivid as he is. He's going to love that baby with everything he has, providing it with everything he wanted but didn't have growing up - unconditional love and attention. And that enthusiasm is infectious and draws in Viggo, and the reader, as well. Viggo who usually prefers spending his time alone but soon finds himself drawn into Dex's life and life in their small town, participating in flag football and socializing *shudder* :) And even worse, enjoying himself.

Dexter & Viggo together are just the best. A grumpy/sunshine kinda vibe but with a little trauma thrown in. Like with This Guy, their story is very low angst with the only conflict coming from each of them facing ghosts from their pasts and having to decide if they are willing to risk the chance of getting hurt. And, as with any of Hayes's books, I was there for every moment leading up to their HEA. (That epilogue is absolute sweetness on the page.)

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Part of a series but can stand on its own.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars Dexter has a little secret that he’s trying to keep from all the nosy people of Wood Hollow... at least for a little while. Unfortunately, his surrogate's best friend lives closer than he anticipated. And while Dex was trying to do his own reconnaissance on her protective, best friend, Viggo. And Viggo also starts wanting to get more information about Dexter. So in an attempt to get to know each other, these two put themselves in situations where they’re out of their comfort zones and spending time together. But a funny thing happens along the way, and they start to actually like each other. And have already been attracted to each other and are now starting to have crushes too. And now it’s an even messier situation.

Dexter had planned on being a single dad. And now there’s another man who’s related to his surrogate baby mama in his life. Viggo never intended to have kids. It’s a very small town full of nosy gossipers. But this big, burly, broody, soft-hearted lumberjack and this athletic, smart, sweet bakery owner are really kind of vibing unexpectedly. I enjoyed seeing the grumpy, quiet, usually avoiding Viggo get thrust more into Dexter's social world almost against his will. And I liked that Dex had somebody else for support, especially when he was not telling everyone. These two were just so well-matched and adorable together. It's an opposites-attract, small-town, grumpy-sunshine, he's having a baby romance with sweetness and spice.