A love story that empowers and allows the lead characters to flourish, especially the heroine. How love should be, full of trust and joy. A great story, incredibly well written.

This one was a struggle for me - I've read a few titles from this author (Unloved was a previous year's favorite book), so I was looking forward to this book when I saw it available. Few constructive comments: The title does not match the story - I would strongly consider coming up with a new title that is more reflective of the story. The story plot itself was good, but I felt like Katy was so close to getting the "feels" from me as a reader but never quite got there so many times within the various relationships, even outside the two main characters (especially each with their parents/mom). I won't be posting this publicly because I understand this is an ARC and may still have future revisions but I wanted to share my thoughts. Thank you for the opportunity to review and look forward to other titles from this author.

Truly Seeing Oneself...

I have not read this series prior to this book and did not realize what I was missing out on... Wonderful characters that are personable and realistic... their troubles and issues laid out in a way that touches you and makes you feel for them... I am now hooked on this author and looking forward to reading more! I really enjoyed Soren and Nola's story... watching the interactions between his brother Magnus and Cady was entertaining! A book I will remember!!!

Kodiak Lumberjack is the latest book in Katy Regnery's The Odds are Good series. I love how the books in the series are all connected via the ads in The Odds are Good, but each story and couple are unique.

Soren and Nola's meeting is unconventional when they connect after she answers the ad his brother wrote. The two of them quickly began to fall for one another. Though they formed a connection, they each have their own insecurities and family issues to work through. I liked that there was conflict there and how they each supported one another through it.

The story moves at a good pace, and though they fall quickly for one another it didn't feel rushed. Katy did a nice job creating a unique story with interesting characters, and I flew through reading it.

Kodiak Lumberjack is an emotional and sweet love story.
Soren lives in the shadow of his older brother Magnus. He is a smart, successful accountant who gets roped into replying to his brothers mail.
Nola lives a sheltered life, hiding from the world. She is a successful influencer but is lonely. She was the victim of a terrible accident as a child that left her with scars.
She replies to the ad Magnus places, and when Soren reads it he feels a connection to her and tells her it's really him. They continue talking and decide to meet in person.
I really enjoyed this book, and I could not put it down once I started reading it.

Katy Regnery has a new book just out! It is called Kodiak Lumberjack and is part of the Odds Are Good Standalone Romance Series. Katy has been a favorite author of mine for a while. I love how she makes her characters interesting and realistic. (At least as much as you can in a novel.) I have also had the opportunity to meet her, which was also cool.

Soren was an accountant in Kodiak, Alaska. He was the quiet unassuming brother. He went to college, came home and helped run his family’s business. He was not his brother and was often overlooked and treated differently than his brother.

Nola was an influencer and has a huge following. However, she also pretty much hides out in her apartment and only really hangs out with her family. When she was young, an accident damaged her face. Scars that she can see and her family can see. Her overprotective family doesn’t see any other way, but to help her hide.

Nola has answered a wanted ad about finding a future husband, however Soren answered instead of his brother. Luckily he confessed pretty quickly and Nola spoke about her scars. To me, the best part was reading about their first weekend together. My second favorite part was when Nola met Soren’s family.

Soren and Nola were quality people that you hope and root for every step of the novel. Two people who were willing to take a jump into the unknown and deserve every moment of happiness! Katy Regnery has written another WOW story! Kodiak Lumberjack was a great read.

Sören and Nola are fabulous. Their stories broke my heart – because they are real and true. Even when families mean well, the hurts are real and long-lasting. Sören is so supportive of Nola! And when she gives him her support? I loved her even more. This is a great read about Sören and Nola – but an even better one for the human condition. Loved it.

This book was beautiful. The writing was on point. It is exactly what you would expect from this author. I devoured each page of this book and was reminded why I love this trope.

Kodiak Lumberjack was a good surprise. It grabbed me from the first page and pulled me into the story. It was a different story about how we look at ourselves and allow others to influence that. I loved the book and look forward to Magnus story. Read it! You won’t be sorry.

Magnus places an ad for a wife, but his younger brother Soren answers Nola’s letter. Soren has always been “less than” in his parent’s eyes. But to Nola he is everything. She has scars that Soren sees past to the beautiful person beneath. Nola is from Georgia. Soren is from Alaska. Can they find a forever home? Can they rise above their families to make one of their own? Loved this book!

Family can be a challenge or a joy. But this story has a view of family that is a bit twisted. Her family can't get over an early childhood trauma. His family has a favorite and it is not him. When his brother decides to look for a wife he asks for help. Her letter catches his interest. But not for his brother. He wants to know her. The book is interesting and caught my interest early in to the story.

I loved Nola so much, I wanted to shake some sense into her mother! Sören was perfect for her, and his relationship with Magnus seemed genuinely brotherly, flawed, and real. Although this was a short book, it packed a lot of heart and growth for Nola, as well as depicting a very convincing if sudden development of feelings between her and Sören.
Months ago I began Summer in Skagway but it was a DNF for the attitude of the MMC toward women in general, and I could not get past the crazy ex-girlfriend trope that made me want to throw my kindle against the wall. Perhaps I need to revisit it, as Magnus had a significant redemption in this book. I may need to hold my nose and plow through that bit.
I received an advance reader copy from the author and netgalley, and I’m pleased to share my honest opinion.

A wonderful, heartwarming addition to the Alaskan “Odds are Good” series by Katy Regnery. The emotional story features Nola and Soren, their instant connection, and the struggles they face with identity and family issues.

Nola, scarred by a traumatic childhood accident, carries both visible and emotional wounds. She decides to seek more from life, responding to a personal ad that sets the wheels of fate in motion. The author skillfully navigates the complexities of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), offering readers a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals dealing with this condition.

Soren’s character, overshadowed by his good-looking brother Magnus, takes an unexpected turn when he stumbles upon Nola’s response to his brother's personal ad. The discovery of her response captivates him, and it's not just her charm but the genuine connection he feels that prompts Soren to respond. This sets the stage for a slow-burning love story that goes beyond the physical, capturing the essence of genuine emotional ties.

This book is a captivating addition to the collection of emotional stories that fans of the author have come to adore. I truly enjoyed this book and think you will too. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

This was quite an emotional read! I cried multiple times throughout the story. I really liked Soren and Nola together and definitely felt their connection right from the beginning. There was such a powerful message of strength and hope that I really appreciated. I will admit that their romance seemed to move a bit fast for how sheltered Nola had been, but it was still a wonderful and powerful story.

Katy Regnery strikes again - - what a beautiful story!

Nola and Soren are both two wounded souls. They've each struggled with their identities and baggage. Their families haven't necessarily been the most supportive over the years even though they may not have intentionally failed them.

Nola was injured in a car accident as a young child leaving her with terrible facial scars. Even though the scars have faded over the years, Nola doesn't see the change. She still sees them as bold and intrusive as ever. They've impacted her life and stunted her ability to function in society. Even though she's a successful social media influencer, she never shows her face online. She decides she needs more from life and responds to a personal ad.

Soren has always lived under the shadow of his brother. He's the athletic and "good looking one" that everyone fawns over - - including his parents. Soren is the smart nerd who feels unseen. When he sees Nola's response come through to his brother's goofy personal ad, he is drawn to her honesty. They begin talking and eventually decide to meet.

Their story was heartbreaking. To see how beaten down they'd both been was so sad. Yet watching them bloom and thrive in one another's light was just lovely.

I truly enjoyed this book. It was so touching and sweet. These two characters will stay with me for a while.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

This is a wonderful story. Ms. Regnery takes internet partner hunting to an imaginative, amusing yet believable level. When Nola answers an “Odds Are Good” personal ad because the person writing the ad was searching for someone who is plain/homely, she starts something that changes her life (and Sorën’s). I appreciated how Ms. Regnery includes both Nola’s and Sorën’s dysfunctional families, making for a great collection of believable characters. I’m always glad to read a story set in an Alaska, just for the additional charm that setting brings. This book was a great addition to this fun series.

Full disclosure: I was gifted an ARC of this novel and requested to post a review.

How is it possible I have not read anything from this author that I didn't completely fell in love with the characters and their love stories (i read just about all her books)Something about K R storytelling that suck me in every time. It's like magic.
This love story between Nola and Soren is just emotional and beautiful ❤️ Two broken souls found each other when it was least expected. They so deserved a HEA 🫶🏼 Loved it!!!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GowJto

Apple | B&N | Kobo: https://books2read.com/u/mdGY6R

✅ Heartbreaking

✅ True-to-life characters

✅ Scarred heroine

✅ Sweet, smart, sexy hero (with 👓)

✅ Slow burn to scorching hot

✅ Satisfying HEA

I was looking forward to reading Soren's story, and it was as wonderful as I hoped it would be. I went through a wide range of reactions as I read - giggles, happiness, and tears. Oddly, it was the heart to heart between Soren and his brother Magnus that affected me the most. There were several quotes that I loved, like this one from Nola, "He looks at me earnestly, his eyes shining with so much love, it shouldn't be possible that it's all for me."

I reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

I forgot how much I liked this series, as I have missed the past couple of books.

Kodiak Lumberjack started off and I was not sure I was going to like the direction it too, but I shoudl not have worried.

Nola and Soren's story happens fast - I mean, their relationship moves <i>real</i> fast, but that is the fantasy we all need, right? Find the right person, fall in love and BAM together forever in 3.2 seconds.

But their story is more than that. It was lovely to see two people support each other, stand up for each other against those who should love them unconditionally (their families kinda do, but they suck at showing them).

It was also good to see growth in not only themselves and their relationship, but in those around them.

I did enjoy this story, and I will go back and read the books I missed. But what I really need is to see Soren's brother's story, as it is going to be a fun one to watch.

I did not enjoy this book. I couldn’t connect with Soren and Nola at all, and I didn’t really feel their chemistry. I know we were supposed to dislike the family members, but I kind of hated that there really wasn’t a redemption arc to speak of. A minimal effort to be better, but nothing really concrete. I did appreciate that Nola was able to overcome her issues and grow, but I didn’t really think Soren overcame his. Sorry, this one was a miss for me!

I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.