I was in the mood for a feel good, small-town romance and decided to dive into Wood You Be Mine by Daphne Elliot. This is the first novel in the Lovewell Lumberjacks series and I am already looking forward to heading back to Lovewell Maine.
by Daphne Elliot
Series: Lovewell Lumberjacks #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
The first time I met the grumpy lumberjack next door, I almost burnt down his cabin.
The second time, I was throwing tampons at a moose (don’t ask).
The third time, I was naked.
And Henri Gagnon is not just my neighbor and landlord, but a pain in my optimistic, plus sized ass. He’s got a protective streak under his grumpy exterior and he’s convinced I won’t make it through the Maine winter.
I’m going to show him and the rest of this small town that they’re wrong. I have one year to prove myself as the new elementary school principal or I’ll be getting the ax. So I just don’t have time to pine away for the grumpy lumberjack next door, no matter how good he looks chopping wood in his suspenders or the way he growls when he calls me buttercup.
But soon I’m falling headfirst down a hill, and into a full blown crush when he carries me home. He’s distracted trying to save his family’s lumber business, and I’ve got a school to run, and this small town is not as sleepy as it seems. But despite our differences, the heat between us makes it hard to stay away.
Could we actually be right for each other? What happens if I ask him if he Wood Be Mine?
Wood You Be Mine delivered a grumpy meets sunshine small-town romance with a touch of suspense and a whole lota heart. Alice Watson has left Massachusetts to be the new principal at the local school in Lovewell, Maine. She’s been given a one-year trial run as this small, economically depressed town has had some doozies. Her things are in storage, and she has temporarily rented a small cabin owned by grumpy lumberjack Henri Gagnon. This adorkable novel had me giggling almost from the start as the chemistry and banter were downright delicious.
Alice is trying to reinvent herself from accepting her body to achieving her goals. Her sisters are supportive, but her mother is judgmental. Alice has settled way too often and is determined to change one day at a time. The meet cute between her and Henri was hilarious. Henri is the oldest Gagnon, and since his father’s death, he has been trying to save the family lumber business with the help of his sister and two brother. Henri built the home Alice is living in and has his own main house nearby. He’s got two dogs and looks mighty fine chopping wood in his flannel and Catterall pants.
As Alice runs the school, she has to overcome the cold shoulder she is receiving from townfolk. I loved seeing the staff warm up to her and Alice’s optimism. On the home-front, Alice isn’t used to mountain life or the animals she will encounter like a moose named Clive. She also gets close to siblings living in a foster home. Get ready for lots of feels as the story develops.
The romance starts as an attraction with a little forced proximity and mishaps to push them closer. I was all in and laughed at their back-and-forth teasing banter, obvious attraction and thoughts. I enjoyed getting both of their points of view. The story wraps up well and includes two epilogues.
There is a series arc regarding the accident that took Henri’s father’s life. Henri himself meets danger, and his younger brother Finn is struggling. Remy his sister doesn’t think Dad’s accident was an accident at all and is determined to prove it. Pascal Gagnon never planned on working in the family business, but here he is. Each of the next books features one of the siblings- my favorite kind of series.
If you are looking for a cozy romcom with small-town charm, and lots of feels, you’ll want to grab Wood You Be Mine. Perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis and Maggie Gates. The edged paperback of book two, Wood You Marry Me will release in April 2027.
Amazon* | Audible* | Edged Paperback
*Available in Kindle+ and Audible Plus
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
