Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: This Guy
SERIES: Wood Hollow Stories
AUTHOR: Lane Hayes
NARRATOR: Nick J. Russo
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 8 hrs and 10 mins
RELEASE DATE: April 17, 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.
REVIEW:
Silas Anderson is a recently retired professional football player. He’s a bit at loose ends and he goes to visit his friend’s cabin in Wood Hollow, Vermont. He ends up stuck in the snow and accepts a ride into town with the next door neighbor who takes pity on him. He needs to get grocers, coffee and other necessities for the visit. And spending time with the hot lumberjack next door is not a bad distraction from his spiraling about his retirement.
Cooper McMurry is the next door neighbor who comes to Silas’s rescue. When Silas decides to walk home in the blizzard, Silas has to rescue him again. Silas is hypothermic and Cooper tends to him at his place while the major storm screams outside. Once Silas is thawed a bit, they allow the spark between them to catch fire 😉
Turns out both are bisexual men who are eager to explore each other. Both are also divorced – Silas more recently than Cooper and no kids. Cooper has a 9 year old boy, Chase, and and 11 year old girl, Ivy. He and his ex-wife have settled into co-parenting sharing the kids trading each week.
While Silas is in town for only a short time, he and Cooper connect. He likes the small town vibes and the friendly locals. But he has to head back to California. His ex-wife is now dating a big movie star and Silas is now “big celebrity adjacent”. This has Silas’s agent raising the prospect of “unretiring”, making another small fortune with a one year contract and taking advantage of endorsements and brand deals as well.
At first Silas is not excited about this idea. But the more his agent sells it, the more he’s trying to get on board. His ex and his parents are on board – but he doesn’t want to play for the LA crosstown rival time. So where will he end up?? While he’s trying to figure it out, he’s going to spend the summer back in Wood Hollow Vermont with his friends with benefits neighbor;) But what happens when Silas becomes embedded in the small town?
Love this low-angst small town story with two guys who click from the start. I loved the crossover from this authors prior Elmwood Stories series. Cooper and Silas are both sweethearts. I also loved that the ex-wives in this story are largely supportive characters who want what’s best for everyone. The Vermont setting is “chef’s kiss” and the large cast of quirky characters are fabulous too. Fans of this author will love this hot and sexy romance where mature characters find their HEA in a setting that is familiar and comforting. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the other series. Plenty of backstory provided to fill in the gaps. I loved the celebrity culture references too 🙂 Recommended!
Nick J. Russo does a fantastic job performing this story. Through a large cast, the voices are all distinct and easily identifiable. I loved the relationship with the kids and how well they were voiced as well. No surprise since this narrator is one of my absolute favorites of all time. Highly recommended for fans of small town romance, sports romance, mature characters and HEAs 😀
RATING: 
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