Aviva Blakeman’s Hot Lumberjack starts in one of my favorite ways – with a bang. You know immediately that Abi and Ilan are so wildly attracted to each other that during an argument they end up having sex in her car. While Abi is feeling weird about it, she finds out that Ilan’s company is the company clearing trees behind her neighborhood to get the land ready for more development. Which she is also against. And she would very much like not to be woken up by chainsaws. Abi and Ilan have other encounters that start with arguments and then get sexy.
Abi is prickly and it seems that arguing is a major form of communication. I do love a combative romance heroine. Abi is the principal for a Jewish pre-school, and the difference between Professional Abi and At Home Abi was so relatable. It’s so easy for Ilan and Abi to coast of the energetic high of fighting and fucking. What takes Hot Lumberjack from “that was fun” to making my heart swoon a little was the point at which Ilan and Abi make a choice to be honest. I would have liked to spend a little bit more time in watching their relationship grow. But what we are given is pretty damn great.
Blakeman has built some great friendships and familial relationships in this series. I am really hoping that at some point we also get a book with Leah as a main character.
I am friends with the author of this book, but have done my best to ensure the review is based solely on the book itself.
