Mobility Mom Book Shelf: Caught in the Axe by: Daphne Elliot (Audio Review)

Disclaimer: I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Daphne Elliot's "Caught in the Axe," the first installment in the Maine Lumberjacks series, makes for an enjoyable and lighthearted audiobook experience.

Book Description

Off Limits.

She’s too young for me.

Too nice for me.

And she’s my little brother’s ex-girlfriend.
So why can’t I keep my hands, and my heart, to myself?

Lila Webster is my temporary assistant. That’s it. But I’m distracted by her gorgeous face, her sharp mind, and the sunshiny smile that burns straight into my grumpy soul.

I’m determined to keep my head down and my hands off. In a few weeks, I’ll head back to my life in Boston and leave behind the moose, the lumberjacks, and the crazy small-town gossip.

But between the thefts, break-ins, and constant danger, my family is counting on me to clean up the mess my criminal father left behind. And she’s the only person I trust to help. Our late nights, road trips, and inside jokes bring us too close and make it difficult to stay away.

And soon, I can’t stop myself from taking what’s not mine.

We’ve both been burned by the small-town rumor mill, so we agree to sneak around. But things don’t stay secrets in Lovewell for long, and it’s only a matter of time before we get caught in the act.

I know that when I go, I’ll be forced to leave my heart behind. Because no matter how badly I want her, she can never truly be mine.

About Daphne Elliot

In High School, Daphne Elliot was voted “most likely to become a romance novelist.” After spending the last decade as a corporate lawyer, she has finally embraced her destiny. Her small town steamy novels are filled with flirty banter, sexy hijinks, and lots and lots of heart.

Daphne is a coffee-drinking, hot-sauce loving introvert who spends all her free time in her garden. She lives on a small farm in New England with her husband, two kids, two dogs, twelve backyard chickens and a hive of Italian honeybees.

My Thoughts

Daphne Elliot's "Caught in the Axe," the first installment in the Maine Lumberjacks series, makes for an enjoyable and lighthearted audiobook experience. Narrated by a talented duo of Aiden Snow and Mollie Stark, the story of grumpy lumberjack Owen Hebert and his brother's ex-girlfriend turned assistant, Lila Webster, comes to life with distinct voices and engaging delivery.

The audiobook format particularly enhances the witty banter and internal monologues of the characters. The narrators effectively capture Owen's gruff exterior and underlying sweetness, contrasting nicely with Lila's sunshine disposition and determined spirit. Their vocal performances add depth to the developing chemistry between the unlikely pair as they navigate their complicated past and present.

While the plot follows familiar small-town romance tropes – the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, age gap, and a touch of forbidden attraction – Elliot infuses it with enough charm and humor to keep listeners invested. The lumberjack setting provides a unique backdrop, and the author paints a vivid picture of the close-knit community of Lovewell, Maine.

However, some listeners might find the pacing a little uneven, with moments of slow burn interspersed with sudden bursts of steam. Additionally, the introduction of numerous secondary characters, while setting the stage for future books in the series, occasionally feels overwhelming and slightly detracts from the central romance.

Overall, the audiobook of "Caught in the Axe" is a delightful listen for fans of sweet and steamy small-town romances. The engaging narration and charming characters make it a perfect choice for a relaxing and entertaining escape. While not groundbreaking, it delivers on its promise of a heartwarming and humorous love story, leaving listeners eager for more from the Maine Lumberjacks.