Great novella from Jenika Snow. Loved this start to the series! Great chemistry and totally likable characters. Looking forward to books 2 & 3...!

This was a short quickie with hot and smutty goodies inside. When it’s this short and quick, there isn’t a whole lot of character development, so don’t look for any here. We do get a sweet couple, some hot smexy times and a fun hour or two of reading time.

Would I recommend?
Yes, I enjoyed reading Mia and Noah. It was insta-lust/love and it was lighthearted and fun. I’m definitely checking out Liam and Big Johnny’s stories. Who doesn’t love a dirty little read to cleanse the reading palate?

I’ve read a few of these novellas from the Dirty Bits line at Carina Press, and they’ve all lived up to their name – short, sweet and super steamy. While I’ve seen them classified more as erotica than romance, they do all have HEAs (or at least HFNs), and while there is character and plot development, it’s necessarily more compressed since these all fall under 100 pages. If you haven’t picked one of these up before, I’d highly recommend it!

Noah is the oldest of three brothers that own a lumber company (yes, this is the first in a trilogy, why do you ask?), and has lived most of his life in Rockbridge, a small lumber town in Colorado. At one point he tried to move to the city for a woman, but things didn’t work out, to put it mildly. Since then – ten years ago – he’s focused on work and avoided women completely. Mia is an accountant that grew up in a small town that slowly became suburbia, and has just moved to Rockbridge after a few years of big city life in Denver. While starting a new job and uprooting her whole life has been stressful, she finally feels at home. When Noah and Mia cross paths at the town diner, they don’t even say a single word to each other, but both feel a sudden and deep attraction to the other.

“And behind his eyes I could see the pain, but also the light that was just waiting to shine brighter again. It was a little on the crazy side, but my instincts told me this man was just like me, moving through life, waiting for…something more.”

While I’m normally not a fan of instalove – or, in this case, insta-lust – the brevity of the story makes it a necessity. I think Ms. Snow did a great job with both characters accepting that it was pretty much insane to feel so strongly for each other so soon, while also really selling the idea that what they felt was real and special.

The heat level on this is high, including one particular scene that starts out like Chris Evans chopping wood and then goes off into delightfully smutty territory. Things move pretty quickly, of course, partly thanks to a snowstorm, but there was quite a bit of tension buildup, as well. While Noah got a bit caveman-y for me towards the end, he showed a good deal of restraint by letting Mia make the first move, and following her lead. They were quite the sweet couple, though we do only get to see them develop in snippets over the course of about a month.

Overall, this is a quick steamy read! Perfect if you need a little bit of HEA but don’t have the time or mental space for a longer read!

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

'He truly did make me feel whole, like what I’d been missing my entire life was standing right in front of me.'
Soooooooo freaking hottttt! This author puts the steam into the fall fast and hard storylines.
Noah is the lumberjack that will have any reader swooning. Mia is new to town.
Sparks fire and capture each other in the instalove emotions.
It's an effortless connection that will hold the reader in the pages.

Whenever you’re in the mood for hot, steamy, insta-love read, this book is it. Mia and Noah have the hots for each other as soon as they lay their eyes on the other. There’s not much hesitation and it was inevitable that they would be together. Panty-melting and erotic.

This instalove romance is filled with plenty of heat and steam. This great book introduces us to The Ash Brothers. This is book #1 of this new series and focuses on Noah Ash. He has shut himself off from love and women for ten years after losing the woman he loved. That changes the moment he locks eyes with Mia and his heart says "mine". Things get hot very fast in this short read. Not a lot of character development or a deep plotline, but it's perfect if you are looking for just a quick, scorching read that is full of sizzle.

This is Noah and Mia's story and it is Insta-LOVE lust and ALL the other feelings Noah had bottled up after a tragedy. Mia is equally drawn to the sexy lumberjack but doesn't believe he could be interested in her. Nobody does these fall into LOVE quickly books BETTER than Ms. Snow. Their story was the perfect blend of SEXY, HOT and Emotional. I CAN'T WAIT to read the brother's stories as I'm sure that they're going to be FANTASTIC!! I would definitely recommend this book! I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I have ALWAYS bought Ms. Snow's books and consider myself very privileged to have received an ARC.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I am really enjoying these Dirty Bits books – they deliver a hot, sexy story in a pared down and chemistry- laden short story – perfect for an evening's reading, without staying up all night!

This is also the first in a series, and we meet all three brothers and get a hint of who is going to fall next. Noah was the most recalcitrant, so the perfect man to fall first. He is so smitten that he is quite happy to admit it – but he does also have some wicked fun, when he knows that Mia is secretly watching him! Oh naughty bits abound in this cheeky, hot, and happy story.

Looking forward to seeing the other two Ash boys find their way with wood and a partner!


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Novella

Noah is kind of a hard man to know. He had some bad luck in his life and that has left him a little reluctant to find love and forever again. However, he loves what he does and loves living in his small town. When he meets Mia, he's instantly drawn to her and while he doesn't really understand why, he doesn't question it much either.

Mia is a sweet woman who is looking for passion but doesn't really believe that it's in the cards for her. However, when she sees Noah, there is an attraction there that can't be helped. She even catches him in a very private moment that leaves both of them very hot and bothered.

This is a short, steamy read and I can't wait to see which brother is the next to fall.

Fun and naughty story about Noah and Mia. Noah has been alone since his girlfriend died in a car crash, and Mia just moved to his small hometown.

They fall as soon as they see each other. Then when her car is stranded, they spend a hot night in his cabin.

In this short and hot novella, Snow still manages to infuse characters with depth and warmth. Readers will be eager for the stories of Noah's two brothers.

This insta love story is fun, sexy and steamy hot. Mia leaves her life in Denver to move to this small town. Noah is the co-ownerof the family lumber company with his brothers and one look is all it took on either part. Whan Noah saves her in a bad atorm, their whole wolrd changes in an instant. This is an intense hot read from Jenika Snow.

Mia just moved from the city and is settling into life surrounded by the woods and beauty of nature. When she first sees Noah she is immediately attracted to him. During a hike she hears a repetitive noise and follows it. What she finds was much more than she could have ever imagined.

Noah is living a life free of women and entanglements of any kind. He learned his lesson the hard way and doesn’t forsee things changing for him. Until he sees Mia and suddenly she’s all he can think about. After a wild snow storm, he has her where he wants her and he isn’t letting go.

This was a great quickie with lots of insta-lust/love and plenty of steam. Both characters were celibate going into this relationship. There isn’t a lot to the story due to the length but we are also given a bit of background on Noah’s brothers and the set up for perhaps the next couple in the series?

I actually enjoyed this little read as it came on the heels of a lengthier, darker read and I was needing something to breeze through that didn’t require a lot of time of mental investment. It was perfect for my purposes.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Carina Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dual POV
Safe – no ow/om drama
No apparent triggers

Hard Wood by Jenika Snow
The Ash Brothers #1

Three hunky brothers all in the lumber business will find their mates in this insta-lust-love trilogy…one book at a time. Noah is first to bite the dust. Yep – he and Mia take one look at each other and it is almost a done deal. Saving her after she has an accident, forced sharing of his home and…voila…the rest is history ;)

Fun quick and steamy – can’t wait to read the stories of Liam and Big Johnny!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

Lets start of saying that this story started off with a bang and a sizzle.This was one of those instant attraction instant love stories.Noah and Mia are instantly attracted to one another and the sexual fantasies they are having with one another are super super hot!

Noah has been hurt by a lover in the past an has been withdrawn and keeps to himself but, spotting Mia something has awaken in him after a very long time when things have pretty much been dormant.Mia on the other hand has been struggling of late with her own unhappiness and she is hoping this move is going to improve things for her. Spotting Noah across the room at a diner definitely puts a smile on her face and some pink in her cheeks! Instant attraction and heated looks hell yeah!

This stories plot was interesting.This couple had more fantasies with each other and more sex in they heads prior to actually meeting one another and I have to say their sexual fantasies were smokin!

For me I enjoyed the characters they were very like-able but the story itself didn't really give you a chance to love them.I enjoyed this short story as the story started out as super hot.I am okay with the instant love story but, a writer for me anyway is suppose to carry that attraction and intenseness and that possessiveness they feel for each other and somewhere along the middle of the story I felt that all flame die out after their first sexual encounter.

For me the sexual fantasies each had with one another was hotter than the deed itself.Then after the deed its two weeks later.Something happened in the middle here and they lost me.I guess for me I missed the couple getting to know each other on paper all the things your are learning about your sexual partner .The fun the playfulness the heated looks etc.I think the author should have added something to that effect in the middle of the story.Two weeks later you understood they are getting to know one another but, we are not seeing it on paper.For me the story would have been more enjoyable had the author carried through with the spark,sizzle, and fireworks as the say to the very end.

3 stars from us

I’ve loved the Dirty Bits line and I’ve read and enjoyed one of Ms. Snow’s books, so when I saw Hard Wood, it was a no brainer that I wanted to read it! I didn’t get into it immediately, but once Noah and Mia met, I was all in. Hard Wood was awesome and I absolutely cannot wait to read more of The Ash Brothers! 

I have to be honest, I loved Mia, she’s great and sweet and just an all-around lovely heroine, but it was really Noah that stole the show for me. That man is one serious, rugged, possessive alpha and if that’s your thing like mine, then he will definitely check all your boxes. Noah is delicious and sweet and I couldn’t get enough of him! 

I liked reading about Noah and Mia, but Hard Wood really shone when they were interacting. You could feel the connection and passion and the best parts came when they were together in any situation. I enjoyed Hard Wood and I need Big Johnny’s book like NOW! 

Hard Wood is a standalone, it’s told from Noah and Mia’s POV, and they do get a happy ending.

~ A Hopeless Romantic's Booklandia, 4 Stars

This latest novella by Jenika Snow is a steamy, fast and exciting read that guarantees you won’t put it down till the very end. And while there isn’t a whole lot of world building, the insta-lust element is sure to satisfy those of us who like our romance with some seriously hot and heavy physical action.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story, but I definitely wasn’t disappointed; and knowing that Noah has two sexy brothers in the bleachers, I’m sure we’re in for more of these fabulously hot lumberjacks!

Jenika Snow knows how to interact a reader with the world of smut, passion, and finding the ideal soul-mate that can heal, provide the expense of ones cravings, and the find your inner companion for life in the first book of these lumberjack hotties of an upcoming series...

Two characters, instant attraction and an instant connection towards love and affection... That's what Jenika has to provide in this filthy, down-to-earth romance that includes an three alpha males that will make you drool for more. Mia and Noah are the main characters of this romance, and other two Ash brother should be "coming" ;) soon in the rest of the series.

I really can't say much about this novel because it's all just smutt, but in comparison to Jenika's other novellas, this one was a tad bit longer in the aspect of the couple taking their time at trying to get to know each other instead of devouring each other in one piece. Overall I loved this story so much and thank you to Carina for sending over a copy. I'm sure all of Jenika's readers and followers will devour this series once they take a glimpse at the Ash brothers that will make your heart swoon and melt for more cuteness, kindness, alpha male possessiveness, and full on hard-core love making ;)

"Hard Wood" is perfectly naughty little piece of writing by Jenika Snow. It's dirty but kind of romantic at the same time. Looking forward to reading more about the Ash Brothers.

Quick and sexy read. Love me a lumberjack. Loved every second. Can't wait for the other brothers stories. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

This book is exactly what it says it is. A quick, dirty read that jumps right into the insta-lust and ends with a HEA. It makes sense that, to have a complete story, the author does a couple of time jumps, most notably an epilogue. They're not awkward, but the book doesn't follow a traditional novel arc and, while I liked the characters, I wasn't particularly invested in them.

One thing I'll be watching for as Carina continues this line of books is use of stereotypes and exoticizing people for the sake of narrative shortcuts. This one mostly avoids that, though I don't know any lumberjacks who actually split wood with an ax. ;)

This is short and steamy with love and desire at first sight and a sexy strong man. She has no problem molding to his will and he loves making her say what she wants just so he can deliver and then some. He though he was content alone focusing on work, until he saw her, after that there was no reason to waste time or let go. Lucky girl...