Lumber and Lace: A Lumberjack Romance

by Alana Gray

I ran from the wrong man and straight into the right one.

Layne

I dodged a bullet. Calling off my wedding was the easy part. Leaving my high-powered finance career to regroup in a quiet mountain town was the reset I desperately needed. Now I’m managing my brother Jace’s log home company and living in a small cabin he built, trying to figure out who I am without a fiancé or a five-year plan.

There’s just one loose end I can’t escape.

My ex refuses to let go, and I still need to untangle the last threads of our shared life.

Enter Elias.

My brother’s employee and friend. All flannel, sawdust, and steady calm. He offers to play the role of my new boyfriend long enough to convince my ex to finally back off. It’s supposed to be simple, temporary and, most importantly, fake.

Except my fake boyfriend is showing up for me in ways my real fiancé never did. And the more I lean on him, the harder it becomes to remember why this is only an act.

Elias

I’ve had feelings for Layne since the day I met her. I just never thought I’d get the chance to act on them.

Now she’s back in town, working alongside me, and trusting me to be her knight in shining armor, when my usual role is jack-of-all-trades. Pretending to be her boyfriend seems harmless. Helpful, even. A few staged encounters, a few convincing kisses, and her ex is gone for good.

But pretending gets complicated fast when every smile feels real and every touch leaves me wanting more.

She’s my boss’s sister. She’s fresh out of a broken engagement. Besides, with her protective brother signing my paychecks, falling for her could cost me everything.

The problem is, I don’t want to stop.

Is there a way to make this work… or am I digging myself a hole I can’t climb out of?

Find out in this short, fake-dating, forced-proximity romance novella filled with small-town Canadian charm and a guaranteed HEA.

Genres: Contemporary Romance

98 pages, Paperback

Published March 20, 2026

Reviews

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S)]

LUMBER AND LACE is Book 1 of The Wild Timber Homes - Springwood series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, opposites-attract, mutual-pining, fake-dating, curvy girl gets her lumberjack romance. Layne is a sassy, curvy girl who recently called off her wedding to Teddy. He is still bothering her, so she leaves the city and goes to work for her brother Jace managing his home building company. Elias is a sweet,hunky lumberjack who works for her brother. The two have secretly been crushing on each other so when her ex keeps bothering her, Elias agrees to be her fake boyfriend. But the feelings are all too real. These two had insane chemistry and the ending was so happy after some ex drama. I loved it.

[Chandra Luna]

Sometimes the best kind of love story starts when everything else falls apart—and Lumber and Lace captures that perfectly with charm, humor, and a whole lot of heart.

Layne is starting over.

After walking away from a life that looked perfect on paper—a fiancé, a high-powered career, a carefully mapped-out future—she lands in a quiet mountain town trying to figure out who she is without all of it. It’s a reset she desperately needs… even if one problem refuses to go away.

Her ex.

Enter Elias.

Steady, grounded, and quietly dependable, he’s the kind of man who doesn’t demand attention—but earns it anyway. And when Layne needs a solution to finally get her ex to back off, he steps in with a simple plan: pretend to be her boyfriend.

Easy, right?

Not even close.

Because what starts as a performance quickly turns into something that feels a little too real. The stolen glances, the “just for show” touches, the way he shows up for her without hesitation—it all builds into a connection that’s impossible to ignore.

And the best part?

Elias has been quietly falling for her all along.

That underlying tension—the wanting before anything even begins—adds so much depth to their dynamic. He’s careful, respectful, and fully aware of the risks… but he can’t seem to stop himself from hoping this might turn into something more.

And Layne? She starts to realize that what she thought she wanted before… doesn’t even compare to what she’s finding now.

The small-town setting wraps everything in this cozy, welcoming atmosphere, while still leaving room for moments of humor—especially when it comes to dealing with her persistent ex. Those scenes add a light, entertaining edge that balances out the emotional journey perfectly.

What really stands out is how natural the transition feels—from fake to real, from guarded to open, from uncertainty to something steady and sure.

If you love:
🌲 fake dating that turns into something real
💛 quiet, dependable men who show up when it matters
🔥 slow-building tension with undeniable chemistry
🏡 small-town charm and cozy cabin vibes
😄 a touch of humor mixed with heartfelt moments

…this one will leave you smiling.

Because sometimes the person you pretend to fall for…

is the one you realize you never want to let go.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carolee]

Lumber and Lace by Alana Gray is a delightful kickoff to the Wild Timber Homes – Springwood series. This novella hits all the right notes for fans of small-town romance, blending warmth, humor, and just the right amount of drama. The story centers on Layne, who’s seeking a fresh start after ditching her high-powered career and a fiancé who just can’t let go. Trading the city for the quiet mountain town of Springwood, she soon finds herself managing her brother’s log home company—and unexpectedly tangled in a fake-dating scheme with Elias, her brother’s friend and employee. The premise is classic, but Gray’s writing makes it feel fresh, with sparks flying almost from page one.

Elias is one of those book boyfriends you can’t help but root for—steadfast, genuine, and quietly longing for Layne since the day they met. Their dynamic is fun and believable, especially as they fumble through the “pretend” part of their relationship. The chemistry between them is palpable, and every staged encounter and “just for show” kiss is filled with underlying emotion. Layne’s journey feels relatable, too; she’s figuring out who she is outside of her career and former engagement, and her vulnerability is both touching and authentic. Watching these two navigate their feelings, with Layne’s protective brother always hovering in the background, adds a dash of tension that keeps you turning the pages.

If you love stories with fake-dating, forced proximity, and a side of small-town Canadian charm, Lumber and Lace will absolutely hit the spot. It’s a feel-good romance with plenty of heart and a guaranteed happily ever after. Highly recommend picking this one up for a cozy afternoon read—you’ll find yourself smiling long after the last page.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Praline 99]

Mountain Man Romance.
Layne is a young woman who has just left her city life, her career in finance, and most importantly, she has just called off her wedding to her ex-boyfriend. Now, she lives in a small mountain town in one of her brother's cabins and works for his construction company. Just as she was trying to quietly rebuild her life, her ex-boyfriend reappears, determined to win her back. Luckily, Elias, a handsome employee and friend of her brother, is there to help her play the role of her fake boyfriend.
Elias fell head over heels for Layne. The first time he saw her, he never thought he'd see her again, but now that she's back in the small town, he's determined to let her know how he feels. But when her ex-boyfriend returns, he knows he'll do anything to keep her.
Will Layne and Elias have a beautiful love story, or will their relationship remain merely a facade…

I love these novels about relationships that are fake but filled with genuine feelings.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Johanna]

Book 1 of the Wild Timber Homes - Springwood series. And a wonderful start it is! Look forward to more from this world.

'Is there a way to make this work… or am I digging myself a hole I can’t climb out of?
Find out in this short, fake-dating, forced-proximity romance novella filled with small-town Canadian charm and a guaranteed HEA.'

The characters were very appealing and likeable and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jackie Ziegler]

Layne is working at Wild Timber Homes for her brother. Having left her fiance at the alter, she needed a fresh start. She loves it and gets along great with all the guys.

Now she just needs to get Teddy's name of important things but he is being difficult. He keeps thinking this is just a phase and she will be crawling back.

To get him to leave her alone, she tells him she is seeing someone. When he doesn't believe her Elias steps in.

Elias has had a thing for Layne, but she is his boss's sister. He can't go there and she just got out of a relationship. As they continue the fake dating, what happens when it becomes not so fake?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie Cunningham]

Layne is feed up with her life with her fiancée. Nothing feels real with him, it all about appearance and the things money can do for your. She moves into a cabin her brother built to sell and started working with him at his log home business.
Elias is one of Layne’s coworkers and friends of her brother. From the minute he sees her he is interested.
When Layne’s ex starts showing up Layne and Elias start fake dating so that he will get the idea that she is done with him for good.
Will fake ever turn it to more???

[Grinning Cat]

Elevator pitch: To get her ex fiancé off her back, Layne enters into a fake relationship with coworker (and crush) lumberjack Elias.
Thoughts- Elias sounds adorable! It’s delightful to see a golden retriever guy get his woman.
Cat’s Stats
Heat- explicit
Bechdel test - fail
Safety? Y
Triggers? N
Tropes- workplace romance, fake relationship, friends to lovers, secret crush, he’s a lumberjack and he’s okay.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Val]

This was a great story of starting over. Layne is trying to be done with her ex fiancé but he doesn’t get it. To hopefully get rid of him for good, she fakes having a boyfriend. Luckily for Elias he is in the right place at the right time to help her out. Layne is strong, knows what she wants and Elias is the sweetest, letting her do her thing, while supporting her. As they navigate her ex, brother, work and their crushes, they find true love. Not the flashy kind but a lasting love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynthia Khan]

Book 1 of Wild Timber Homes - Springwood story of Elias and Layne. That was entertaining from the way these two have feelings for each other and are trying hard not to show it, to the way the ex keeps coming rounds. I have to say the way these two help the ex see it’s over was hilarious and perfect. The ending had me smiling and giddy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara]

The start of the Wild Timber Homes-Springwood series. The chemistry between Elias and Layne was palpable, and I particularly loved the humorous way they handled Layne’s ex. The transition from fake-dating to genuine feelings was beautifully written, and the small-town Canadian setting provided a perfect backdrop for Layne’s journey of self-discovery. Elias was a wonderful lead, and the ending was completely satisfying. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kate]

Layne called off her wedding at the last minute but her former fiancé wouldn’t let go even though she moved to a small town and was working for her brother. Elias worked for her brother and offered to be her pretend boyfriend. This meant they both had to acknowledge their feelings for each other.
This is a fun read with interesting characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynthia Woodham]

Layne has given up her job in finance and taken a job working for her brother after a relationship breakdown. Elias work for Layne brother and he has feelings but she is off limits. A very enjoyable romance read with a little edge to it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria]

3.75 - 4 stars.

I liked seeing Layne and Elias together, the way they navigated things to do with her past, their solution and the impact it had in those closest to them. I also liked seeing the respect and support that was shown and given, and their connection and chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather]

Love this new series, The first book has two wonderful characters, He's has liked her from the beginning and she is back, She needs a fake boyfriend an he steps up. They both feel the attraction and it becomes more, a great read,.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joanne]

He has had a crush on her forever. She is back in town and trying to get her ex to leave her alone. In steps Elias as her fake boyfriend. Boy he wishes it was real. Will he finally tell her how he feels?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how to finally get rid of the ex, Layne enlists Elias' help. This allows them to realize what they have is real and makes both happy.

[Sandy]

Great to have such a good and supportive friend. It's nice that the transition to more than friends is quite easy, even with some worries.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carrie Kelley]

This romance is a sweet and steamy story. With great character's and banter that I would absolutely recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[J]

A quick, fun read as Layne and Elias ratcheted up the fake relationship - I liked the author's spin on this trope.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy Hutchins]

I love how Layne and Elias's story just flows. You get a great story that starts from fake dating to real. You fall in love with both characters and truly want whats best for them. I highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda Ricchio]

Layne's troublesome Ex keeps being troublesome, so Elias steps up. Their attempt at fake dating just reminds them quiet can be fierce sexy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.