Reviewed by Lady Macbeth
TITLE: This Guy:
SERIES: Wood Hollow Stories #1
AUTHOR: Lane Hayes
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 304 Pages
RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2026
BLURB:
The football star, the lumberjack, and a small-town love story…
Silas
Not to sound dramatic, but I can’t decide if I’m a hot mess, a has-been…or both.
There’s nothing quite like being in the spotlight at my lowest point. I could use a break from LA and my agent—just for a little while.
But Vermont in the middle of a blizzard? Probably not a great idea. However, the sexy lumberjack who lives next door is a sweet surprise. And so are his kids and the town.
I like this place. I could be happy here…at least till my new season begins.
Cooper
My time is split between work and fatherhood. That’s it. Boss and Dad. Maybe that’s why the football star is a breath of fresh air. Silas is funny, charismatic, and cool.
My kids love having a celebrity living next door. And me? I can’t remember the last time I felt quite so alive.
Yes, I’m well aware this isn’t going anywhere. Our worlds are just too different.
Too bad, ’cause this guy feels like the real thing.
This Guy is an MM bisexual, single dad, small-town romance featuring a football hero, a sexy lumberjack, and some neighbor-friendly shenanigans.
REVIEW:
It’s been a while since I had the opportunity to read a book by this author and I’m so happy I could read this one because it was amazing! Such a heartfelt, tender, sweet, hot story that I couldn’t put down and that kept me captivated until the HEA.
Silas is a newly retired football player, he’s facing major changes in his professional and private life (he’s divorced) and he’s a bit lost about what comes next. His teammate, Val, offers him his house in Wood Hollow, an investment property in a small secluded town in Vermont. It’s far away from LA and just what Silas needs.
First day in Wood Hollow and Silas almost dies of hypothermia because of a blizzard. His neighbour, Cooper, rescues him and takes care of him; they stay trapped in Cooper’s house for a few days.
They’re very much drawn to each other, the sexual tension grows stronger and stronger until, after Silas is better, they reach the boiling point and surrender to the attraction: they spend those few days in a blissful bubble made of sex, chats and banter without having to deal with the outside reality. At least until Silas has to go back to LA.
I actually liked very much that they had that separation. Silas and Cooper life are very different: Silas is not out as bisexual and he still doesn’t know if he should accept some offers to go back to football, while Cooper has a demanding job and two children to raise. He’s also stressing about the possibility of his ex wife moving away and taking the children with her.
Luckily, their paths crossed again and I adored their first meeting after that time apart: Silas didn’t have any hesitation of going back into Cooper’s arms and they picked up right after where they left.
During all the time they spend together, their connection grows and they learn to lean into each other to seek not only sex, but comfort and support as well. I adored how Silas became more and more fond of Wood Hollow and how the community welcomed him: Silas coaching the children flag football team was a joy to read.
I also loved so so much Silas and Cooper’s kids bonding: he was so affectionate with them, they became a family the very first moment they met.
The physical scenes were hot: Cooper was deliciously commanding in bed and Silas felt safe to explore his bisexuality with him. I loved that it never was just sex for them, but that their connection ran deeper.
This start of a new series was perfect and I cannot wait to see how it will progress. There were so many amazing characters in this story and I hope the author will give them all their own HEA.
To be honest, I despised Greg, the agent, a bit: I didn’t like his suggestions about Silas taking advantage of his ex wife’s fame and he was way too pushy sometimes. I would have loved to see Silas put him in his place instead of caving. And I also don’t understand why he considered Greg a close friend.
Anyway, I wonder if he will be the MC of one of the next books. He did ogle a certain handsome baker actually, so we’ll see.
Very much recommended.
RATING: 
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