Atticus

Starlight Mountain Saviors #4

by Tarin Lex

Starlight Mountain Saviors Book 4A Curvy Woman Alpha Hero Romance

I told my best guy friend that I love him. You know—that thing you’re never supposed to do. It effectively, and predictably, ruined our friendship. Now I’m stuck in the snow-slick mud, feeling utterly pathetic as I wait for him to come rescue me. Because he has to. Not because he wants to. God, this is humiliating.

Arlen’s the most precious thing I ever kept. And because I’m so deeply in love with her too, I let her go. Guess I’m a jerk, because I’d rather break her heart than mine. All I know is being “more than friends” would only hurt us both worse down the road. Then again…now that we’re not friends anymore, I’ve got nothing to lose. So I take, take, take. She needs me now. I need her more.

Hi Reader! Atticus is a standalone, short & sweet story with holiday feels and All The Heat! If you enjoy friends-to-lovers, alpha heroes, steamy scenes, and seeing families reunited for Christmas, this one is for you. Grab your comfy blanket and enjoy! xx

Genres: Romance

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2023

About the author

Hi! I’m a mama of four living my dream writing romance out in the country with the love of my life! I’m a busy bee like you, so writing & reading short romance is my jam. I hope each of my stories makes you smile, makes you sigh, makes you...swoon. ;) Most of all I hope you reach “The End” feeling ever-inspired and optimistic. With me, it’s always safe, steamy & sweet, with happily-ever-afters guaranteed!

Write to me: tarin@tarinlex.com
Join my tribe: facebook.com/groups/tarinlexreaders
Visit my site: www.tarinlex.com

Reviews

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting stuck in the mud

Atticus is the fourth book in the Starlight Mountain Saviors series. I laughed during this book while also having my heartstrings pulled. The story is about Arlen and Atticus. They have been friends for ten years, ever since he found himself in town after being kicked out of his house by his mother and stepfather at the age of seventeen. That is when Arlen's father found him and helped him get on his feet and make a future for himself as a forest firefighter. Arlen owns the local bakery, Sweet Nothings, where Jane and Rebel work, along with Jane's son, sixteen year old Joel. But Arlen's passion if actually pottery and this is where she finds herself getting lost and at peace. Arlen has been in love with Atticus for years now and he with her, but neither have crossed that line as they know it is out of bounds. But when Atticus comes back after being away for a month, and Arlen finds herself having volunteered to babysit a gaggle of young kids, things are about to go haywire, which includes Arlen's finally admitting just how she feels for Atticus. Things could definitely gone better but in the end all the mud and muck they have to get through will end in an equally dirty ending, but in the funnest way possible.
This story is tied to the previous books in the series, as the ladies are all together and you get a quick update on each couple. But this does read as a standalone also, so you don't have to have read the previous books. I really enjoyed this short, funny, sweet, dirty, and very delectable story.

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth novella in her Starlight Mountain Saviors series, Tarin Lex' Atticus is a sweet and steamy best friends-to-lovers romance. Professional search and rescuer Atticus and cafe owner Arlen have been best friends for ten years, since his mom and stepdad kicked him out of their house at seventeen. Both have loved the other forever, but neither has wanted to risk their friendship. Until Arlen gets up the nerve to lay it all on the line - and things turn awkward...at first. A fun, quick and steamy friends-to-lovers read.

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

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atticus is a short and steamy, OTT, friends-to-lovers, curvy girl gets her hunk romance. Arlen is a curvy girl who owns a cafe. Atticus is her hunky best friend of 10 years and is a mountain rescuer. When Arlen confesses her love to Atticus, she is sure she's lost him. But when she loses control of her car and he rescues her, she realizes she was wrong. He feels the same way. The chemistry was hot 🔥 hot 🔥 hot 🔥. I loved all the Taylor Swift references along with the 4th wall comment, lol. This was a great feel-good romance.

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

[Natasha Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atticus and Arlen have been best friends since they met 10 years earlier. They had deeper feelings for each other but didn’t want to lose the relationship they had if things didn’t work out . When Arlen takes her chance and admits her feelings Atticus does not react well. She is devastated. Atticus comes to her rescue when she loses control of her car and she realises she made a mistake about he feels. Sweet, steamy romance with amazing chemistry, friendship, love, a loving, caring hero and a wonderful HEA.

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

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Atticus Book 4 of Starlight Mountain Saviors. Arlen and Atticus have been best friends for ten years but now she’s being brave and telling him she wants more. Unfortunately, his reaction isn’t what she was hoping for so she runs. How can they ever go back to being friends after she declares her love? This is a short and sweet story, and I loved the characters. Sometimes going after what you want isn’t easy. I would definitely recommend this book.

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

[Shannon Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tarin Lex writes steamy instalove novellas that I find very entertaining for quick reads. "Atticus," Book 4 of the Starlight Mountain Saviors series of contemporary romance, had all the steamy heat and humor that I love, but otherwise, the plot kind of missed the mark for me. Atticus and Arlen are a cute couple, but there just wasn't a natural progression for any of the relationships in this story - not for Atticus and his mom, Arlen and her employees, or the happy couple themselves. It definitely won't stop me from reading all the Tarin Lex I can find, but this one just didn't do it for me.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atticus and Arlen's story is a friend to lover romance that with all good intentions go in the wrong direction. Both Atticus and Arlen have feelings for each other, but when the truth comes out, Atticus pulls away thinking he helping their relationship, but only to cause it to fall apart.

This was a sweet romance with the perfect amount of push and pull that leaves your heart and feeling on the table. I enjoyed getting lost in the character journey.

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

[Aliama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #4 in the series and Arlen and Atticus have us laughing and crying with them. They’ve been friends for the past 10 years and they do everything together. Except for telling the other how they really feel. Arlen comes across as a loner but really she wants girlfriends and Atticus. Atticus has had to grow up fast and everything he accomplished he did himself. These two have great chemistry and their continue to find out more and more about each other and the connections they have. A cute steamy read. I received an arc copy of this book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arlen and Atticus are best friends who have fallen for each other but they both kept their feelings to themselves. When Arlen finally admits how she feels for Atticus he panics and leaves. I loved these two for each other and my favorite part is that they started as best friends. This is a sweet and short, best friends to lovers romance with believable characters, a bit of drama, and a great ending. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Raquel M. · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

I just didn't care about these characters and just stopped at 70% after they got together, but o forced myself to even get that far. I can't imagine what come next, because it's all been said and done.

I understand how short stories are structured. So, reading 2 chapters of the MFC laments how she's just a spoiled and lucky rich girl and has no friends is not what I expected and threw me off. There is no build-up or chemistry between the MCs.

[Amy Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Another wonderful tale by Tarin, the story of Arlen and Atticus is wonderful, sweet and an absolute must read! There are ups and downs, a bit of mud and the making of new friendships and I absolutely loved it!.

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

[Angelique Lawless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story of best friends to lovers. Adorable story line and the way Arlen tells her feelings to Atticus is just so sweet. The whole mishaps one after the other are what ends up making this story just perfect. Tarin Lex is an amazing writer and does a great job writing these stand alone short stories but also incorporating characters from her previous books in the series. Love them all!

[JLH · Rating 4 out of 5]

So what his best girl has no clue what his best intentions are for her. He would rescue her from herself eVerytime. Like that time she got caught in the mud. Epic. Or when gets the crazy notion about her sister. When will he realize she needs to know? Soon because there is no cliffhanger.

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

[Carlyn Zanidean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story was cute and funny. Atticus and Arlen have been best friends for around 10 yrs, both have secret feelings for the other, and both are strange and awkward but together they complete and balance eachother out.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I like how Arlen comes out of her shell and gains friends and even more importantly love with her best friend Atticus. These are feelings well returned by Atticus.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends stepping up and taking a chance at love, with the one who has always been your true love. Great couple who both have that fear, but care so much for the other.

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

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can two best friends go from friends to lovers. They can if they'll look at what's in front of them and take a leap of faith. This town and its folks are one in a million.

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

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Zondra.Hallyahoo.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[MissyLynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many Taylor Swift references. *gags* Sick of pregnant characters and their brats.
Best friends romance. Felt rushed/ too rambling at times.

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading