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

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Alright, audiobook fanatics, brace yourselves! "Pain in the Axe" by Daphne Elliot isn't just a book; it's a laugh-out-loud, utterly addictive experience, especially with the phenomenal narration by CJ Bloom and Aaron Shedlock. From the moment I pressed play, I was completely captivated by its genius premise: orchestrating revenge on your ex-husband by buying his family's lumber company, demoting him, and then basking in the sweet, sweet glow of victory. This isn't just a plan; it's a masterclass in delicious tension and unexpected hilarity that hooked me from the very first chapter.

Book Description

How to get revenge on your ex-husband:

Step one: buy his family’s lumber company.
Step two: demote him and force him to work for you.
Step three: sit back and enjoy the sweet victory.

Not part of my genius plan? Sleeping with the enemy.

Gus Hebert is no ordinary ex-husband. This grumpy lumberjack is hiding a big, squishy heart beneath those broad, flannel-clad shoulders. And he delights in pushing my buttons, challenging me, and flirting nonstop.

Our mutual dislike grows as we’re forced to work together. Until one night, after a little too much wine, the fighting turns into foreplay.

The situation only gets more complicated when I discover that I’m having my ex-husband’s baby.

I fell for his broken promises once before and vowed never to trust him again. But as things heat up at work and at home, and past mistakes threaten our future, we find that, together, we make a pretty good team.

Soon, I’m rediscovering long-forgotten dreams. And I can’t give into these growing feelings and fall for him again. Because now I have two hearts to protect.

Author’s Note: Pain in the Axe is a standalone small-town romance featuring a grumpy boss heroine and a grumpy lumberjack hero who just happen to be divorced exes. If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers banter, nicknames, wood-chopping competitions, and growly, possessive heroes, you will not be disappointed. Don’t worry, Clive will appear as well—his main character-energy cannot be suppressed.

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

Alright, audiobook lovers, clear your schedules because "Pain in the Axe" by Daphne Elliot is an absolute riot, and the narration by CJ Bloom and Aaron Shedlock makes it an unmissable listen! From the very first chapter, I was hooked by this brilliant premise: revenge on an ex-husband via corporate takeover. Step one: buy his family's lumber company. Step two: demote him. Step three: revel in sweet victory. It's a genius plan that delivers laugh-out-loud moments and plenty of delicious tension.

Chloe's journey for payback is instantly relatable and wonderfully executed. But, as the synopsis teases, things get deliciously complicated when "sleeping with the enemy" enters the picture. Gus Hebert, the grumpy lumberjack ex, is exactly the kind of hero you love to hate... and then just plain love. His knack for pushing buttons, relentless flirting, and that hidden "big, squishy heart" beneath the flannel had me grinning like crazy. The banter between these two is pure gold – sharp, witty, and perfectly delivered.

What truly elevates this audiobook is the stellar dual narration. CJ Bloom absolutely nails Chloe's mix of fierce independence, vulnerability, and comedic timing. You feel every ounce of her frustration and eventual softening. And Aaron Shedlock? He is Gus – his gruff tenderness, playful teasing, and underlying sincerity come through beautifully. Their performances bring the escalating "mutual dislike" (that clearly isn't dislike at all!) to life with incredible chemistry, especially as the fighting turns into foreplay.

Just when you think the dynamic can't get more chaotic, a tiny complication in the form of a baby enters the scene, throwing all carefully laid revenge plans into delightful disarray. "Pain in the Axe" manages to be incredibly funny while also touching on themes of past hurts, second chances, and the struggle to protect your heart. The journey of rediscovering dreams and learning to trust again is genuinely compelling.

Daphne Elliot has crafted a truly entertaining story, and CJ Bloom and Aaron Shedlock's narration is the axe-ellent icing on this sweet, vengeful cake. If you're craving a witty, heartwarming, and utterly charming romantic comedy with fantastic audio performances, grab this one immediately! You won't regret it.