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The Lumberjack Effect

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Lena Garza has a secret.

Five years ago she had the best sex of her life with a stranger. That night turned into two blissful weeks where it felt as though their passion would never end.

Until Graham walked away without a backward glance.

Now, Lena finds herself uprooting and moving a state away to confront Graham, unsure how he will react when she confesses a heartbreaking truth she's not sure he will accept.

Facing him will be the most difficult thing she’s ever done, and could prove to be the biggest mistake of her life.

After all she’s betting a whole hell of a lot on the man he used to be.

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2019

204 people are currently reading
149 people want to read

About the author

Carmen Bishop

25 books211 followers
USA Today bestselling author Jessica Wayne writes as Carmen Bishop to bring you spicy contemporary romance.

During the day, she slays laundry and dishes as a homeschooling, stay at home mom of three, and at night her worlds come to life on paper.

She runs on coffee and if you ever catch her wearing matching socks, it's probably because she grabbed them in the dark.

She has always believed in the power of true love and soul mates, even if sometimes we have to work a little harder to find ours.

She lives in Texas with her husband, kids, their two German Shepherd's and an entire flock of chickens that will likely double before she updates this bio.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
72 (41%)
4 stars
57 (33%)
3 stars
28 (16%)
2 stars
10 (5%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Amazeballs Book Addicts.
2,811 reviews243 followers
November 8, 2019
The Lumberjack Effect was a good read. Graham and Lena's story provide for a good read. Graham and Lena had a quick intense love but then it was stopped when Graham had to leave. Lena keeps secrets. I know she had her reasons her keeping things from Graham and it was great that she decided to uproot herself and go to Graham. Graham's reaction when he first finds out is real and prefect. My heart went out to these two and I hope Graham would be able to trust Lena again. This one was a good second chance love story.
Profile Image for Shae.
3,221 reviews353 followers
September 14, 2020
This was a really sweet romance. I like the honestly that the couple shared once they were reunited after a long absence. Though I don't agree with the initial deceit, the way that Lena and Graham work through that, and begin raising their daughter as a team is wonderfully done. Though not everyone loves the surprise pregnancy trope, I think this one was really well done, and it didn't end up bothering me like it does in some stories. Definitely will be checking out more from this author.
Profile Image for Rose Bush.
Author 8 books162 followers
November 3, 2019
I love Lena and Graham ❤❤ their story is so sweet! The secret was done very well! I wish the lumberjack effect would hit me🔥🔥 bearded yummy sweaty men... mmmm mmmm. I hope we get Claudia's story next!! I loved her too!
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews137 followers
Want to Read
March 16, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/16/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for Atlanta Whitlock.
907 reviews14 followers
March 14, 2020
I have loved reading all of the books that J.W. Ashley has written and this one was no exception, she has such a talent for writing and you can’t help but get sucked in by her writing and stories. She knows exactly what readers what when it comes to their books and she always delivers on that. I know for a fact that every time she gets ready to release a new book, I get excited. This book came out a while back and whilst it’s taken me a while to get my hands on it, I can tell you now that it was well worth the wait. I’m excited to see what happens with Claudia and Leo as I thought they were both interesting characters, plus their book is next. I’m sure that J.W. Ashley has got great plans for their book, although I do think she did an amazing job with this one. I did feel quite a lot for Lena because she ends up having to deal with a lot of stress and grief when she ends up moving from where she’s lived her entire life. I do think that the people in the town (the place she moved to) would have just given her a less of a hard time as she truly didn’t deserve it. But I do think that Lena grew as a character.
Overall, I thought that this was a great read and I couldn’t fault the story, the characters or the writing. I’m excited to see what J.W. Ashley is going to write next as she’s talented.
If you’ve not read her work, I would recommend doing so as her books are just so captivating.

Lena had just ended things with the guy who she’s been with for 2 years, after discovering him cheating on her but still wanting to keep up the front of them being together. After all the horrible things she discovered he’d said about her she couldn’t be happier to get away from him… However, he didn’t seem to get the message and luckily for her Graham stepped in to help her when he wouldn’t leave her alone when she decided to have a drink at a bar. Had Graham not helped her, she had no idea what she would of done.
After spending two weeks with the most amazing guy imaginable, their dream world of being in each others arms comes to an end when Graham has to go back home to help look after his mom.
Five years later, Lena decides its time to reach out to him and let him know about their daughter they share, so once she’s packed up all their stuff, they then go off to where Graham lives and Lena is scared how he will take the news. How will Graham react and will they be able to get past what’s happened???
Profile Image for Linn Christine.
199 reviews
November 5, 2019
This second chance romance made me laugh (the BFF is hilarious), cry and swoon. Not necessarily in that order. This is the whirlwind romance that got off track due to outside complications. Good intentions lead to heartbreaking consequences. Five years later we get to see how difficult life can be when you try to right a wrong. I fell in love with them all. I loved Lena and Graham from the beginning and they are complicated, wonderful characters. A well written story you don't want to miss.
Profile Image for Bookish.
1,474 reviews27 followers
November 8, 2019
When the best night ever turns into the secret you've kept for five years, is there a way to make it right? That is the chance Lena takes when she leaves everything behind to find Graham again and tell him her secret. A sweet second chance love story with both a H and h you want to root for right from the start. Five years did not dampen Graham and Lena's feelings but made their love that more special. Thrown in the mix was a bit of small town drama and some great side characters.
Profile Image for Olivia.
226 reviews
November 12, 2019
Hmmm...

3 stars for The Lumberjack Effect. The heroine of this book is just tstl, what she did was unforgivable and the hero was a whimp for saying he wouldn't forgive her and then pretty much forgiving her. The timeline got wishy washy in the epilogue, by my calculation it should have been fall not spring...unless she didn't open the dance studio until the following year.
1 star for the story and 2 stars for putting it out there.
Profile Image for Ashleigh.
3,411 reviews1 follower
November 27, 2019
This is beautiful story focused on love and a second chance.

I loved how the relationship unfolded so we could see these amazing characters grow in ways they never expected.

It is the type of story that clutches you at once and does not release you until you get to the end - then you find yourself pining over the fact that the book has ended.

I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily..
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews220 followers
November 10, 2019
Fantastic story! Characters that will steal your heart. A storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat and glued to your kindle! For me it was a love- hate deal as the characters face their demons. You will feel their emotions and struggles. A definite must read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,678 reviews9 followers
November 10, 2019
This well-written emotional roller coaster of a second chance romance will knock your socks off, The characters are wonderful, the story will have you laughing, crying and in knots. This HEA will have to be worked for. Must read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Oriana Reads.
4,338 reviews38 followers
November 21, 2019
A second chance romance after a 5 year separation, with a surprise on top. A sweet and sometimes slow coming back together. Lena had to overcome a lot of prejudice and hatred by people. And the lost respect and trust of her man. For me a little bummer was that she stayed celibate but he still loved her and went to bed with another woman casually.... but that is just me. But if you love second chance romances you will be not disappointed by this book.
Profile Image for Jacqueline Kinion Falkenberry.
266 reviews10 followers
May 20, 2020
Great story, you could feel the connection between Lena and Graham from the beginning. The relationship progressing after the five years was believable and was nice they took in to account the co parenting. Great story, Jackson is definitely a character you love to hate. Can't wait to read Claudia's book.
Profile Image for Lyndsey Gollogly.
1,418 reviews7 followers
July 2, 2020
I was in two minds about reading this book I just wasn’t feeling it from the synopsis. But I’m so glad I did as I really enjoyed it! The whole story and way it was written was so emotionally charged.
The characters and story were so easy to read and fall in love with!
Think I need myself a lumberjack.
Profile Image for Navina.
61 reviews4 followers
November 6, 2019
I recieved an Arc for a honest review on this book.
Having never received an arc before, I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was.
The book was well rounded with enough anticipation to set your pulse stuttering.
I love second chance romances and THE LUMBERJACK EFFECT did not disappoint.
Profile Image for Vera Rodrigues.
15 reviews
November 6, 2019
This book is amazing! I couldn´t stop reading! The characters BFF made laugh a lot! It was amazing to see how the characters grew and learned from mistakes. And in the end, love is the strongest feeling there is out there.
Profile Image for Cynthia Carpenter.
1,683 reviews17 followers
November 6, 2019
Lena and Graham will have you in tears, laughing , and falling for all these characters. It sweet and steamy all rolled into one and will have you trying to guess what is going to happen. Amazing read with a few twists to keep you wanting more. Can't wait to read more from this author
Profile Image for Catie_didthat3.
186 reviews
November 7, 2019
This book was really good! I didn't want to put it down. Lena and Graham are complicated and I cried. It will not disappoint!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,558 reviews16 followers
November 10, 2019
Captivating, second chance lumberjack romance story. The characters are intriguing. The well-written book kept my attention throughout, enjoyed reading. I have voluntarily chosen to read and review this book.
Profile Image for Tayra Sanders.
2,313 reviews32 followers
November 12, 2019
This was a great story. I thought the story was very well written and flowed well. The story kept me glued to the pages to see how everything would turn out. I loved the characters and had this read in one sitting. I would highly recommend this read.
7,813 reviews65 followers
November 25, 2019
I loved everything about this book from the well developed and engaging characters that have lots of chemistry. And the storyline that flowed smoothly from beginning to the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Vinessa.
1,951 reviews24 followers
November 27, 2019
Lena has a secret but it is Graham's own fault for not sticking around
Now with no time to spare she is off to confront her past to secure a future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
75 reviews
February 13, 2020
Cute story

If you are into squeaky clean romance this sweet story is for you. I felt like the main characters were lacking in chemistry. I'm still not sure I really understand she Lena would run off on Graham. All in all it was ok but I wanted to know more.
558 reviews3 followers
April 26, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! The characters were really relatable and so amazing. I loved this story so much. It's my first book by this author and I will be reading more. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!! I can't wait to see more of sweet little Becca!
Profile Image for Rachel Talavera.
687 reviews7 followers
November 7, 2019
Ahhhhh okay not giving anything away (because that’s the nice way right). Well rounded book, great characters, and something that I am sad is over.

Loved it!!
267 reviews
November 7, 2019
Graham and Lena are a great couple, a small town romance. Feel good read, Cute and fun book. Loved it!!
Profile Image for Barbara Harrison.
3,486 reviews90 followers
November 11, 2019
Almost TOO steamy, this one takes less than a day. I read an ARC and this voluntary review is my own opinion.
56 reviews1 follower
November 12, 2019
It was fine, cute enough. I liked the two main characters and wish they were a bit more developed maybe? I don’t really feel like I know any of them.
Profile Image for Jena Stelly.
193 reviews6 followers
November 22, 2019
Graham and Lena’s story is a good quick read. Light angst and quick solutions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews