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Up North #8

Once in a Forest

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Jason has one rule when it comes to holidays - work his shift behind the bar and then find a willing body to distract himself with. One night is long enough to satisfy his needs and still walk away with his heart intact. It has worked out fine for most of his adult life, but this Easter, he's trying something new. He's leaving the city to visit his friend, Aiden, who recently moved in with his boyfriend in the middle of nowhere, but one unfortunate incident leaves Jason without a place to sleep.

Tom doesn't do relationships, he rarely does hook-ups and never too close to home. Living on his own without attachments is far easier than having the whole town knowing about him. As the holiday approaches, his lonely house grows even quieter than normal - at least until his friend, Tristan, dumps an arrogant bartender in his lap.

As soon as Jason lays eyes on the gruff lumberjack whose home he'll be sharing, he knows who'll warm his bed for the weekend and help chase away any pending holiday gloom. Too bad Tom doesn't want to get with the programme. As much as he wants to let Jason close, he won't risk outing himself for a weekend fling. Will Jason trust Tom not to break his heart if he stays longer than a couple of days, and will Tom value their relationship higher than the town gossip?

In this
Once in a Snowstorm (Nortown #1)
Once in a Forest (Nortown #2)
The Empty Egg (Nortown #2.5)

* * *

Content this story includes scenes of explicit intimacy between consenting male adults

125 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2016

3 people are currently reading
95 people want to read

About the author

Ofelia Gränd

82 books151 followers
Gay fiction and M/M Romance writer

Ofelia Gränd is Swedish, which often shines through in her stories. She likes to write about everyday people ending up in not-so-everyday situations, and hopefully also getting out of them. She writes contemporary, paranormal, romance, horror, Sci-Fi and whatever else catches her fancy.

Her books are written for readers who want to take a break from their everyday life for an hour or two.

When Ofelia manages to tear herself from the screen and sneak away from husband and children, she likes to take walks in the woods. She’s recently discovered the miracle of podcasts and spends her strolls listening to wise people talk.



If you want to know more, subscribe to Ofelia's email list at http://ofeliagrand.us9.list-manage.co...


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5 stars
30 (28%)
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47 (43%)
3 stars
20 (18%)
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8 (7%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Al.
Author 27 books154 followers
March 29, 2016
I seem to be very partial to this Lumberjack series, which makes me wonder if it's too late for me to consider a whole career change.....
Lots more brooding goodness :D
Profile Image for Ele.
1,319 reviews40 followers
July 2, 2016
*3.5 stars*

I very much enjoyed Once in a Forest , although I didn't love it as much as the first book, Once in a Snowstorm.

This is the story of Tom, Tristan's lumberjack friend, and Jason, Aiden's friend from the city.

What I liked :

Lumberjacks! More lumberjacks y'all!



What I loved:

~Tom is in the closet and is afraid to come out. The mere thought of it, causes him to feel physically ill. Yes, he has openly gay friends. Yes, the town seems to be more accepting. And yes, he has a support system. But Tom is still afraid and hesitant.

The author did a great job with this. It pisses me off to no end, when people make flippant assumptions about when a person should come out. Having a support system is not all it takes. And who are you to judge about such a personal thing? Apologies for the mini rant.

I loved how the author handled it, and I loved the characters' reactions regarding this.

~There were more feels in this one. There was humour and flirting too, but there was some angst as well. Not the contrived kind, but the one that tugs at your heartstrings a little bit.

~I love all secondary characters.

~There is this small-town feeling that I completely adore. Strong sense of place and community too.

What I didn't care for :

~For the most part of the book, the only good thing about Jason is his dog. He comes on too strong, pushes Tom, and he was such an asshole about at first. Tom was so gracious and kind about it, and Jason acted like a douchebag.

~Things felt a little rushed, considering that everything happens in a matter of days.

~Aiden was a really shitty friend to Jason here. I loved that he was basking in his HEA with Tristan, but dude!

Bottom line: I didn't love this, but I definately enjoyed it a lot, and I do recommend it. And John will get a story, right? Don't say no to me.

God, I feel I talked this book to death.

*Review cross-posted on Gay Book Reviews.*
Profile Image for Heather K (dentist in my spare time).
4,062 reviews6,534 followers
November 17, 2018
*3.25 stars*

I'm enjoying these little novellas by Ofelia Gränd, and I was charmed by Once in a Forest, though I had a few issues.

I love a lumberjack story, and though I had a hard time picturing Jason (who was annoyingly snobby) and closeted Tom together, I grew to enjoy them over the course of the story.

I like Ofelia Gränd's writing, even though if I read the adjective "cerulean" one more time I'm going to scream. I also love an opposites attract story, and I like how Ofelia uses that trope often.

A cute story and a nice follow up to the first novella in the Nortown series, I think I'll keep reading these charming small-town romances.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

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Profile Image for Dante Love Fisher.
208 reviews2 followers
March 27, 2016
In the second book in the Nortown series we get Tom's story! And, while this time around we get our lumberjack and a few new and different tropes (I think), the tropes take a little bit of a backseat. Either that or they just aren't as fucking crazy as in Book 1. LOL



We also get tattoos, and a lot of beard! :D



Fun read!

And I want John's story!
Profile Image for True Loveislovereview.
2,794 reviews1 follower
June 1, 2016
Another read just how I like them. Feelings at the right moments. Personalities absolute not superficial, dancing around each other, the tension, the clash and thank god just before I wanted to scream they finally entwine.
I loved this short story very much
Profile Image for Debbie McGowan.
Author 88 books199 followers
April 4, 2016
(Editor's review)





I adore Tom.
Jason...has a nice dog.

Great story, touching in places, hilarious in others. I'm thinking about moving to Nortown, find me a sensitive lumberjack...who likes women...don't fancy my chances.
Profile Image for Wicked.
798 reviews
July 7, 2016
This entire series is charming, that's the best way I can describe it at the moment.

I read out of order because book 2.5 was about Aiden and Tristan and I couldn't wait. I was convinced a different couple wouldn't be as wonderful as they were. I was right and I was wrong. Initially I did not like Jason at all, although Tom I loved from the start. It took nearly the whole story for me to cut Jason some slack but he ended up growing on me by the end. Mostly because he was smart enough to get how amazing Tom was. I love when an author can change my mind on a character and show hidden depths or growth or change and that is exactly what happened with Jason. The small town feel of these stories makes the town itself seem like a character and I am really enjoying it. I want more. John's story soon? Yes please with amaretto syrup on top.

Now I have to go back and hunt down the free stories from this author that have been sitting somewhere on my cyber shelf waiting. After reading these, I simply must have more.
Profile Image for Nerea.
724 reviews33 followers
July 18, 2016


Ok, Definitely I love this series!!

In this one, Jason, Aidan ex coworker come to the small town for a weekend visit. He wanted to jump into Aidan in the past but since he hadn't got the opportunity he decided to come to have a last chance.
BUT all his fate is against it!
Aidan is happily involved in a formal relationship with Tristan and his dog Biscuit goes totally mad with Tristan´s dog so the only solution is to past the weekend at Tristan friend TOM´s house.

:_____________D

Jason is annoying, flirtatious and really cute.
Tom is a super closeted lumberjack who is totally scared to be out or about the town's rumors.

It has been fun to read this! They have a lot of chemistry and the story is so fluid and interesting!

Note: Who the H is John? We NEED his story!
Profile Image for Amy Spector.
Author 32 books124 followers
March 27, 2016
Ofelia Gränd has opened my eyes to both the iKea fueled lumber industry and the appeal of bearded, sweaty men.





Profile Image for Tess.
2,164 reviews26 followers
March 29, 2016
4 stars

This was a light and sexy lumberjack novella. It wasn't completely smooth sailing to the HFN as these guys each had a few issues to work out and neither had ever been in a real relationship before. I'd be interested to seeing how things develop between these guys ...
Profile Image for Gabis Laberladen.
1,207 reviews
March 27, 2016
Darum geht's:

Jason feiert Ostern nie, sondern sieht die Feiertage nur als gute Gelegenheit, eine extra Schicht als Barkeeper einzulegen und einen One Night Stand zu finden. Dieses Jahr hat ihn Kumpel Aiden in seine Hütte am Ende der Welt eingeladen, wo er seit kurzem mit seinem neuen Freund Tristan und Hund Og wohnt. Doch beide haben nicht bedacht, dass sich Jasons Hund Bisquit nicht mit Og verstehen könnte. Nun sind sie gezwungen, Jason bei Tom, einem Freund Tristans, unterzubringen. Jason erliegt schnell dem Holzfäller-Charme Toms, doch der ist so geheimnisvoll und verschlossen, wie es nur geht.

So fand ich's:

Wie schillernd-schwules Cityleben auf den rustikalen Charme eines Holzfällers trifft, das haben wir schon in "Once in a Snowstorm" erleben dürfen, als Aiden vor Tristans Haustüre strandete. Nachdem die beiden ihr Happy End gefunden haben, kommt Aidens Freund Jason zu Besuch und hat genauso seine anfänglichen Probleme mit dem Landleben wie Aiden. Doch die kleine, sympathische Gemeinde, in der jeder jeden kennt, und der undurchsichtige Holzfäller Tom faszinieren Jason und er fühlt sich dort sehr schnell heimisch.

Eigentlich hätte Jason nichts gegen eine kleine Affäre mit Tom einzuwenden, doch der lässt sich gar nicht in die Karten schauen und verheimlicht vor allen, dass er schwul ist. Und als klar ist, dass beide Interesse haben, gehen die Vorstellungen, woran sie nun genau interessiert sind, weit auseinander. Trotz aller erotischen Spannungen erleben die beiden ein schönes Osterwochenende miteinander und Jason entdeckt, wie dieser Feiertag im Gegensatz zu seinen üblichen Plänen, erst arbeiten, dann One-Night-Stand, auch ablaufen kann. Er ist empfänglich für selbst gekochtes Essen und Toms Fürsorge und man genießt diese ungewohnte Situation mit Jason. Und auch Tom kann nicht anders, als aus seinem Schneckenhaus herauszukommen.

Der Ton der Geschichte ist leicht und unterhaltsam, die Geschichte fluffig und fröhlich mit nur einer kleinen Prise Drama, und insgesamt macht sie einfach Spaß, genauso wie schon "Once in a Snowstorm".

Die kurzen Auftritte des menschenscheuen und geradezu verängstigten Nachbarn John deuten wohl darauf hin, dass da noch eine weitere Geschichte zu erzählen ist. Ich bin sehr gespannt und hoffe auf mehr!
Profile Image for Dee Aditya.
Author 6 books47 followers
March 27, 2016
This was fun!

Lonely Lumberjack Tom is very deeply in the closet, because he doesn't want to be the topic of gossip for the whole town. City boy Jason is in the area to visit Aiden, and laments the lack of hot twinks the whole time he is there.
Until he shifts his sights to Tom.
And Tom likes Jason, but he doesn't want to be with him.

So there's complications. Which get sorted out. Then of course


And a super cute epilogue!

I think I liked this one a little more than Once in a Snowstorm because I felt this was a little funnier, mostly due to Jason's antics. And there were some really adorable scenes too, like when Tom takes Jason to the hospital.

Cute and funny (and also full of feelz).

I want John's story!
Profile Image for Blackmermaid.
457 reviews
March 30, 2016
I was pleasantly surprised to see that this is now a series! I enjoyed Once in a Snowstorm and I was wondering if Tom would have his own story. Jason decides to visit Aiden, but he ends up staying with Tom. Having Jason stay with him becomes difficult for Tom as he is not out and he has no intention to. Jason's past prevents him from having relationships. The epilogue takes place a month into the future this time. I would love to read John's story. I have many questions about him!
Profile Image for Maria.
711 reviews38 followers
April 4, 2016
An enjoyable, easy read with a little more angst than the previous two books. It can't always be hearts and flowers. Sometimes you have to work for it. These two are an example of that. Tom was wonderful. Jason was not. Glad to see Jason finally puts the big boy pants on and mans up. I was beginning to think this asshat wasn't good enough for anyone, let alone our lovely, hunky, adorable Tom. I was proven wrong. I like that. The unpredictability. Oh, we still get a HEA. Thank you for that! Looking forward to John's story. Coming soon I hope.
Profile Image for cmbookdiva.
650 reviews7 followers
May 29, 2017
Loved it and I got to see more Tristan and Aiden.
Profile Image for Vfields Don't touch my happy! .
3,435 reviews
November 26, 2018
Wow, I enjoyed this way more than the first in this series. Tom, the mountain man and Jason the city boy collide because of a dog named Biscuit. Funny thing is the author forgot the dog more than a few times or he has the biggest bladder, ever! The nookie was sexy once they got to it. Overall for me this was a decent read. I read it as part of my winter holiday books but it really surrounds Easter. Whatever!
Profile Image for Tam.
Author 21 books103 followers
September 8, 2017
I enjoyed this one but not quite as much as the first. Jason was kind of an asshole and Aiden invited him to stay and then pretty much abandoned him. And they should get their dogs fixed, might cure that aggression thing. Still an enjoyable read though.
Profile Image for Sylvia.
1,435 reviews13 followers
April 6, 2017
3.5☆

I'm really liking the Nortown series so far
I liked the first one better though .
2,760 reviews13 followers
April 15, 2019
I love this author and the way her stories all tie together. The men who make up these stories and the way they all have their past and hearts broken make you want to heal them. So when they find the ones who are meant for them it makes you smile. Jason cracked me up with his snarky little boy attitude of trying to get more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for blub.
2,040 reviews
March 28, 2016
A free copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

Tom is a lumberjack who is so deep in the closet that the thought of even having a relationship sets him into a panic. Jason is a bartender from the city taking a break for the Easter holiday to visit his friend Aiden. Issues arise, resulting in Jason rooming with Tom. Jason sees this as a his chance, whereas poor Tom is trying to resist Jason in hopes of not becoming the talk of the town.

This was a cute story. From the blurb I thought Jason would be overly aggressive to the point of being annoyingly push but he wasn't like that at all. He was subtly aggressive almost passive and his flirting was too. It was kind of like a "haha..I'm joking..haha..(whispers)..not really..(whispers end)hahaha ¬_¬" kind of way. It was fun to read.

Tom was such a caring sweetheart. His concern over Jason, when he barley knew him, was sweet and he was so easy to like for it.
Profile Image for Shelley Chastagner.
2,696 reviews38 followers
April 14, 2021
4.5 stars! I've come to really love Ofelia's writing style, I get sucked in from page one and fall in love with her characters. Tom made me shake my head, growl in frustration, and feel so sad. He's spent his life hiding and full of fear over what others will think. I loved his tattoos and what they represented. Jason is overly sure of himself and doesn't know what to think about Tom's lack of response to his flirting. Both of these men are living behind a mask in order to protect themselves, living in isolation. It was nice to see them open their hearts and step out into a real relationship.
This book has been retitled. It was previously listed as Once In A Forest.
Profile Image for Jor Barrie.
68 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2016
I loved Once In A Snowstorm, and book II in the series didn't disappoint! The recipe isn't much different, but I could read about butch lumberjacks forever without getting bored!

It's a lovely story, sweet, hot & funny, with a bit of angst thrown in for good measure. I loved Tom right from the start (who wouldn't?), and although Jason was a real pain in the b*tt to start with, I did warm to him in the end.
It's the kind of story that feels like a well-earned break in peaceful surroundings, away from the usual hectic pace of life.

And I'm sure I'm going to love John's story too!
Profile Image for Clau Felton black.
48 reviews2 followers
January 16, 2017
Estoy disfrutando mucho esta serie sobre leñadores. Es un insta-love porque se enamoran y deciden vivir juntos durante el fin de semana de Easter pero me pareció bien manejado.
Tom es gay pero sigue encerrado en su closet personal. Toda su lucha interna bien planteada. Y Jason... pues Jason me pareció algo niñato y compartí, en varios pasajes del libro, el concepto de "idiota" que Tristan siente por él.
Me encantó ver Aiden y a Tristan como personajes secundarios. Sobre todo a Tristan con esa personalidad tan suya.
Profile Image for J.J. Carroll.
Author 8 books11 followers
April 2, 2016
Fun follow-up. I probably wanted to see a few more tropes, but still a good read. And I want John's story!

Oh, and it's been annoying me, I knew the guy on the cover looked familiar and I finally worked it out -- he looks just like a carpenter who worked on our house...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

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