Jackson

Mountain Men of Scarlet Ridge #1

by Ren Booth

As a romance author, I’ve written countless love stories, but after having my heart broken, I can't seem to find the plot anymore. That is until I stumble upon a love story I never expected – my own.

My cheating ex-boyfriend shattered my belief in love. That’s not such a good thing for an author who makes her living writing romance novels. A wicked case of writer's block is threatening my career, and I have to do something to claw my way out of this funk. Seeking refuge and inspiration in a secluded cabin in the mountains, I never thought my temporary landlord would be a hot rugged mountain man. He's a former Marine with physical and emotional scars that he’s desperate to heal, even if he doesn’t know it yet. Try as I might to not get too distracted by him, he makes it impossible with the wood-chopping show he puts on every morning.

I came to this mountain to find inspiration, and I might have just found more than I can handle.

Can we overcome our emotional scars and find our happily ever after, or are we doomed to live in our pasts, never embracing the love we both deserve?

If you love strong men who are a little rough around the edges but always seem to melt like a big marshmallow for the women they love, ex-military, and small-town romances set in the mountains, then check out Jackson and Taylor’s story today!

Jackson is an OTT instalove standalone novella and is the first book in the Mountain Men of Scarlett Ridge series. There’s something in these mountains that seems to attract a healthy population of the biggest and hottest men around. Scarlet Ridge men are just made different. They're rugged, hot, and ready to love. They won’t ever cheat, are hopelessly devoted to the woman they love, and will always do what it takes to guarantee a HEA with zero cliffhangers.

Genres: Romance, Novella, Military Fiction, Contemporary, Forced Proximity, Ebooks, Fiction

88 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2023

About the author

Ren Booth writes steamy, instalove stories featuring over the top heroes who are a little rough around the edges and the curvy ladies who make them melt. She doesn't write cliffhangers or cheaters and a happily-ever-after is always guaranteed. Ren lives deep in the Appalachian Mountains with her hubby, a couple of kids, and her fur babies. When she's not reading or writing, you can usually find her making memories with her loved ones.

Reviews

[Andrea ☾ [is inconsistently consistant] · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️ Small town/ Military romance: Mountain man saves romance writer from writer's block by d!cking her down so good, she's able to finish a novel in two weeks.

I'm not kidding. That's the plot lol. Taylor got cheated mere months before her wedding by her smarmy, abusive fiancé and when she gets the strength to leave, she finds she's lost all ability to write romances and dreamy heroes. Jackson is an ex-marine with too many scars to count and a broken heart that just won't mend itself, no matter how much he isolates himself in his cabin in the woods. When Taylor's bff suggest that she mixes it up a bit on the cabin her cousin's renting out, these two come together and all sorts of sparks fly.

I'm not sure I can say this was all that good, but it wasn't bad. If you like the tropes definitely give it a try. I've just gotten kind of tired of the "she can't defend herself, so he has to defend her" to the point where it gets to physical violence. I know that's a me thing, though. The scars rep and the big girl rep are lovely and although this is extremely extra lovey, I kind of like that too...

So, overall, pretty good but not great.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Healing

Taylor goes to the mountains to heal and find herself. Jackson has been broken for some time. While spending time together they both begin to heal and fall in love.

[Ofwitchbrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything was fine, until I got the ick.
The ICK was when he proposed. Like WHY SO FAST BRO?

[Raven61 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 ⭐️! Delivers exactly what it promises … 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

This novella is fast paced, spicy, and features explicit fantasies from both POVs. These eventually transform to something very 🔥.

⛔️ There are a couple of potential triggers for sensitive readers, and these include: adult language throughout; very sexy, detailed intimate fantasies and scenes featuring dominance, submission and a quick spanking for pleasure; cheating by now exes (not MMC or FMC); violence with assault, fighting to defend her honor, verbal insults and terms utilized, threats, etc.

I really enjoyed this novella. It is the first story I have read by Ren Booth, and as luck would have it, the first of the series. The pace is good, it has a lot of hot fantasy and intimate scenes with the rest of the story connecting them together. So if you are looking for a quick, super hot read, that is not heavy on the storyline, then I can recommend this one. It was a great little escape from reality for an hour or so.

There are a few things grammatically that needs to be cleaned up, such as missing words, extra inserted word, punctuation with missing quotation marks, commas, and spaces before and after ellipsis. I uploaded my notes to goodreads for anyone interested.

I also had a couple of areas where I needed additional information regarding Jackson, such as how did he decide to be a graphic designer? It seems like an incongruous career choice for a Marine / POW that has decided to become a recluse and mountain man. Does he work for a company, self-employed? How does he acquire work if self-employed? Makes it seem selfish of Taylor, because she didn’t ask any questions about his work, or even find out when he did it.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story with all of the  characters. The main characters were
Taylor and Jackson.

Taylor is a writer that has writer's block. She is badly shaken after her ex boyfriend did something. She want to write again but it's not coming up in her mind. Her friend tell her to go to a cabin in the mountains that someone in the family owns to see if that might help her with her writing.

Jackson was in the Marines but now he lives in a cabin in the mountains. He has emotional scars that he dealing with. So when a family member asks him if he would mind loading out the other cabin on his property he not so sure.

This was a fun short romance story with action, adventure and drama throughout. It had a few giggles within.

I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout. This is my honest unbiased opinions.

[Dawn Thrasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackson and Taylor

My goodness! Ms. Ten is a new to me author, but I am definitely a fan now after reading this! I have to admit, I teared up a few times while reading this. The emotional and physical traumas that each of them had to go through was believable without going too in depth with it. I love how they were both able to acknowledge the pain, but not overly fight the feelings they were experiencing for each other. This is definitely an instalove, but it has a good pace considering the length of the book. I also love how they both were able to see that the other was healing them from their pasts and accepted it and moved forward. This is a definite recommendation from me. I borrowed this through KU, but went back and bought the whole series and can’t wait to dive in to the next mountain man!

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Jackson: A Mountain Man Curvy Girl Short Instalove Romance Book 1 of Mountain Men of Scarlet Ridge. Taylor needed to escape her apartment where her ex cheated on her, she lost her writing mojo and needed some time away. Jackson has a cabin he rents to Taylor for his cousin as a favor. He doesn’t want to like a Taylor, he has scars of his own. They can’t seem to keep away from each other but can Jackson risk opening up toTaylor? He wants to. When her ex comes calling will she stay with Jackson? Such a sweet storyline and I loved the characters. I was very happy with the ending. I would definitely recommend this book.

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

[Kathy Wideman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of this series as well as the first book by Ren I have read. Jackson retreated to the mountains after he was injured in the military. He carries a lot of guilt for not all his team making it home. Taylor is a romance author who just had her world turned upside down. He caught her fiancé cheating on her and has lost her writing mojo. Her friend suggests a cabin in the woods to help her get it back. Jackson definitely helps her get some inspiration. He is one fine man. Turns out the two are interested in each other. Can they overcome their insecurities and take a second chance at love? This book was a wonderful second chance instalove story. I look forward to reading more about the men of Scarlet Ridge. These characters were wonderful. Great job Ren.

[Barbara Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a steamy short read. The story is about Jackson and Taylor. The chemistry between these two is hot. Jackson is a former Marine who Is now living as a recluse in the mountains. He suffered greatly during his service only to return home with a broken heart. Taylor is a romance writer who has lost her creative ability after she discovered her fiancé cheating on her. Taylor rents a cabin from Jackson to try and distract herself and find her writing muse again. Jackson is a hot grump that provides her with writing inspiration. This story has steam, lost love, past hurt healing, learning to love yourself and opening your heart again. This is a steamy short read.

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

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sub Genre: Mountain Man Romance
POV: 1st person dual
-With-
- No Cheating/Sharing
- No S. Violence
- No Cliffhanger
- Guaranteed HEA
Here’s the breakdown:
MMC/FMC- Jackson and Taylor
Heat level- they do the things, the P word is used, and he spends extensive time visiting Australia
Triggers- Language, Violence, Explicit Erotic Content
Tropes- Grumpy/Sunshine, Instalust, Arm Porn, Ebil Ex, Former Military, Adrenaline Sex
What I liked- I liked the connection they had beyond the Instalust. And the Arm Porn was fantastic.
What I didn’t- there’s not a lot to this book. But it’s okay because of the Arm Porn.
I received an advance review copy for free and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Philippa Lythall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a curvy heroine and a bit of a recluse mountain man romance. It makes a good read that won’t take you long at all.

Taylor feels that she has failed at romance after being cheated on by her ex and this is affecting her ability to write her books. She retreats a mountain cabin to find inspiration.

Jackson is a ex marine and lives on the mountain in his cabin. He is scarred both emotionally and physically.

In this instalove romance we find out if the couple can heal both their hearts together.

I enjoyed this book with it’s steamy scenes and I loved the epilogue. I would definitely recommend this book and would read more books from this author.

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

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taylor is a romance writer facing writer's block, so she goes to a secluded cabin to try and get her inspiration going. Jackson is the owner of the cabin she staying at and her landlord. Sparks fly between them and soon Taylor has found her inspiration thanks to Jackson. Jackson tries to fight his attraction to Taylor but soon he just wants to be with her. Will Taylor find more than her inspiration on this journey?

This is an amazing story that will hook you in the first chapter. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.

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

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackson and Taylor's Story . . .

Romance writer Taylor has writer’s block, most likely caused by her cheating ex-boyfriend who has badly shaken her belief in love. So she goes to a secluded cabin in the mountains to try to heal and find a little inspiration. Her landlord Jackson is a former Marine with his own issues to deal with. Those scars run deep. Will the two of them focus on each other, and perhaps find that together they can both begin to heal? Will they find a HEA waiting for the two of them?

[Caroline Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by the author and I was completely immersed from start to finish! Jackson and Taylor are a dynamic duo who are both going through their own insecurities. There's an instant mutual attraction and sparks fly constantly around them, pulling them together. Their story is filled with heartache, passion, friendship and more. Can they help eachother work through their turmoils to be together?...

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

[Brandi-Lynn Weiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read f/Ren! This was only the second book of hers I’ve read, but I love her style. This was a quick read. It had a nice storyline, & Jackson & Taylor were easy to love. Both were broken in some way- she had her heart broken by her ex, & he felt broken. After being severely injured as a Marine, & having his ex leave him, he retreated to the mountains for solitude. When Taylor ends up renting his cabin, there’s an instant spark between them & it’s not long before they both realize they found what they’ve been missing in each other!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackson A Mountain Man Curvy Girl Instalove Novella- Ren Booth
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶
Tropes: instalove,  curvy fmc, mountain man, writer fmc, ex military mmc

I loved Jackson! This was a short steamy romance. This story had traumas, heartbreak, healing, and plenty of spice. The MMC was strong, protective, grumpy, and full of literary inspiration 😘. The FMC was a curvy, sassy writer who had recently ended a relationship and looked for an escape to help mend her heart and to find inspiration for her romance book. Let's just say Jackson was more than happy to oblige.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taylor a romance writer has a serious block she can’t write anything because of her cheating ex boyfriend so when she calls her best friend Taylor is offered to stay at a cabin in the mountains for awhile and when she goes she meets the grumpy and gorgeous Jackson she’s instantly attracted to the mountain man but Jackson has demons of his own. I loved this story and the characters and I highly recommend this book.

[AlexandraLeigh91 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by Ren Booth and it’s everything you want in an OTT Instalove book! The FMC Taylor catches her now ex in bed with another woman and her bff has her back! They set her up in their cousins cabin to give Taylor a much needed change of scenery. Jackson is ex military, scarred and feels broken and knows what a broken heart feels like too.

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

[Amber Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌶️🌶️.5/5
This was a well written and past paced book. It’s perfect if you just need something light and easy to get through. Taylor is a romance novelist having trouble with the inspiration she needs to write a new book. She’s coming out of a narcissistic relationship with a cheating ex. She rents a cabin in the mountains from war vet, Jackson, who falls instantly for her and treats her like a queen, giving her the perfect inspiration for her next book.

[Maranda Prigmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This was a great start to a new series and author for me. Welcome to scarlet ridge. Then men are big p, brawny and sexy as hell. Taylor needs to recharge her batteries and get some inspiration in order to write her romance books again. Jackson is a retired marine who became a mountain man. These two can't avoid the pent up frustration they both have. So why not scratch that itch? This was so good. Can't wait to read Beckett's story next.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌶🌶🌶 Good spicy spice, but not a ton of it, due to length constraints.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Great writing!!! It takes talent to really get me invested in characters when the total length of the book is only around 80 pages, but you did it!

Sometimes, when reading short romance, you just have to let go of believable timeliness, and let the instalove happen. If you can get past that, you will INSTALOVE this one!

*heart eyes emoji*

[Linda Mandell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taylor is a romance writer who has writer's block. He just broke up with her boyfriend and needs a place to write. Her friend suggests a cabin which is owned by a mountain man name Jackson. Jackson is a retired Marine with some baggage from being overseas. He has lived on the mountain by himself and was very content until Taylor showed up. The story is about how Taylor saves Jackson from his darkness and how Jackson helps Taylor lose the writer's block.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taylor was heartbroken when she arrived in Scarlet Ridge

Jackson the reclusive ex-Marine rented out the cabin to some city slicker but wants to be left alone. Then he get a look at Taylor and she charms and soothes his inner beast. I loved the encounter with David in the coffee shop and cheers to the local who said he tripped. They healed each other and found a new future full of love with no ghosts haunting them.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

New author with a heartfelt storyline and message, life may have challenges, but life also offers many chances in life, you just need to be brave enough to take them. Great storyline, loved the characters of both dealing with loss and heartbreak and surviving stronger together.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.

[Emzy Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story. I felt and immediate connection with the MCs. The heartache and heartbreak that they go through before they meet made me tear up. Their interactions with each other are both hot and hilarious at times. Sprinkle in some drama and some serious growth and healing and you have this fabulous ride. This book has won a special place in my heart. I hope it does for you too.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This plot is soooo thin! I don’t enjoy too much angst preventing the characters from falling in love but this book was so unrealistic. Lots of gratuitous sex and sexual language, I assume to cater to the quick naughty lit boom that’s going on. I read the whole thing so I guess it wasn’t the worst but it was not something I would want to read again nor would I recommend it.

[Dasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romántica contemporánea con insta-love y HEA.
Ha estado bien pero, la verdad, se me ha quedado un poco corta. Normal, por otro lado, por las pocas páginas que tiene. El final me ha parecido algo precipitado pero la dinámica entre la pareja y Jackson, el protagonista masculino, me han gustado bastante.

[Hillary Scholz · Rating 2 out of 5]

As advertised it was instalust/love and for some reason, that trope doesn't work for me outside of fated mates lol. He proposed after no longer than a month of knowing her and it ended in a baby epilogue. Which struck me as too much, too fast.

It was fine for a few hour read and it filled a reading challenge spot.

[Ana Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome short read!!!!!

Awesome short read!!!!!
Jackson and Taylor are the stars of this first book of the Mountain Men of Scarlet Ridge book. We also get a small peek at others whom I suspect will get their own stories soon. Nicely paced and full of super spicy good stuff. Really liked it!!!!

[Pam Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright!

I chose this rating because this book was alright. I enjoyed the characters. This was a book about believing in yourself, you're worthiness, It was pretty short and straight to the point. The ending was great, I love the way they fell in love and got married. I recommend this book to romance readers.