The Curious Mountain Man

Movin' to the Mountains #2

by Casey Cox

I'm a nerdy, neurodivergent librarian who lives a quiet life in the mountains. While out birdwatching one day, I stumble upon a giant of a mountain man bathing in the lake. Naked. I manage to run away, hoping he didn't see me. And then he shows up at my library.Something about him lures me in. Sure, he's tall, bearded, and insanely gorgeous, but there's a gentle curiosity in his eyes. And when he looks at me, it's like he's trying to understand me…Orrrr maybe I'm imagining it. Yeah, that's probably it. I mean, why would a handsome, barrel-chested lumberjack like Branum be interested in a Mr. Plain and Boring like me?

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Novella, Audiobook, Contemporary, LGBT, Contemporary Romance

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 13, 2023

About the author

Casey writes MM romance with plenty of 💕, 🔥, 🤣, and of course 🍆 + 🍑.

Click the "+ Follow" button so you never miss a new release!

Reviews

[Drusilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately it didn't knock my socks off. It's a good typical short book with wonderful characters and a light story.
Maybe the problem is that I've just read a mountain man - librarian story?
So I'm sorry it was a nice one but didn't super wow me.
The spice was wonderful though, really good sex ...

"Fuck!" I exclaim. "It's so…"
"We don't have to do anything you're not ready for, baby." I hear Branum's words. I do. But I'm going to get that monster inside of me…or die trying. 😳💖😳

There is more potential in this story, especially I would have liked to know more about the librarian.

"Look at me. I'm a nerdy, neurodivergent librarian. My hair is fire-engine red. My eyes aren't the same color. I have these gross freckles all over my face. And I'm so tiny you could probably lift me up with one arm."
The line on Branum's forehead fades. "Why are you listing all the things I like about you?" 🫠💞🫠

[⋆｡°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°｡⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐ - first part was fantastic, had a lot of potential, but in the second part I think the MMCs didn't get that same exciting energy

🟢 Mountain man / librarian
🔵 Size difference
🟣 Cute, romantic, sexy but a lot off-page in the second half
🟡 Likeable MMCs that could've had a much better and more developed story
🟠 Virgin
🌶️ Good spice, but scarce and also off-page; t/b

This novella started out fantastic. It was sexy, it was quirky and set the scene for some sweet and hot things to come. I was really excited and I liked PJ and Branum much more than Eddie and Harrick.

PJ is a small ginger guy that just moved into town and on one of his birdwatching hiking trails sees Branum, the big muscled gentle giant, swimming naked in a lake.

I just had to put this in here. I'm a sucker for 🍰. Have to show it, have to.



Branum tracks PJ down and goes by the library any chance he gets. He kinda likes PJ and asks him out on a date. They were both a bit awkward, but so damn cute, I really liked them!

"He. Did. What?" Trevor whisper- shouts each word.
I stop scanning books and let out a despondent sigh. "He kissed me on the cheek and left."
"And by cheek you mean…"
"The one on my face."
"Right."

So 😄 when they finally clear the air and have sex already, they're fire, the sex is great and they're simply adorable together.

But after they get together the story just loses all the excitement. A lot of things happen off-page and it seems like the storyteller is running towards the end to finish this up, asap. There's a quick 'meet the family' trip, but other than that, nothing much happens.

I think both main characters didn't get the page time they deserved, they were both great and needed more special things happening to them - and us reading about it. There was OCD, there were talks of forever pretty early on, there could be mentioning of them living together, how they handle it, more of their romantic times together, since they were both complete romantics.
They just kind of died down in the story, at least that's how it felt to me.

Even so, I liked them better than the first couple.

[JonathanSamuelReads · Rating 1 out of 5]

I forget these are novellas so that’s why everything’s rushed. If you don’t think to hard about it you might like it. The writing was idk choppy and cringe at points to me. While I enjoy owns voice’s especially queer men this series has been a miss for me!

[Kaity · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audio: 5 stars for Kirt Graves, this audio can be found on Everand

Book: 2 stars

It was cute and cheesy haha but it’s forgettable… 😬😂

I liked the beginning and then got bored with the middle and ending was cute haha.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

- opposites attract
- size difference

Branum finds himself intrigued by the sweet librarian PJ after he accidentally trespasses on his property and catches him sunbathing in the nude. So much so that he shows up at the library the next day to sign up for a library card just to speak to PJ, and from there sparks up a tooth achingly sweet romance between the two.

Their story oh so sweet, and so far my favorite out of the Movin' to the Mountains series. Branum is such a sweetie, and I loved how he wanted to do all these sweet romantic gestures to win over PJ AAANNDDDD accepted his OCD without judgement. & PJ is downright adorable!

[Cat the bookworm (semi hiatus ish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of potential, but so predictable I could almost recite the dialogues before they happened 🤷‍♀️

I mean… I know it’s only 100 ish pages, you can’t pack a lot in there. But after having read quite a few short stories/novellas lately, I KNOW it can be done better, that’s why I’m a tad disappointed.

The “mountain man” is Branum (and doesn’t this sound like the perfect name for a huge man?). Branum owns a timber yard, because ofc he’s not only a mountain man, but a lumberjack, too 😅 One day, right after swimming naked in his lake (😂), he feels like there’s someone watching him - and spots a cute readhead running away.

Said readhead is named PJ and is Thickhead’s new librarian. Yea, the town is called Thickhead 😂. And yes, a virgin librarian, because ofc he’s a virgin.

So Branum decides to get to know him better, and all things go from there.

I liked that both Branum and PJ have their own struggles (one can’t read properly, the other has OCD), but again - the book is too short to cover both issues properly, so they’re treated more or less as side notes, only adding to their quirks.

So. Much. Potential. Wasted.

It’s a nice palate cleanser, nothing more, nothing less. Not bad, but not memorable, either 🤷‍♀️

[Book Binge: Reviews by Melissa DaSilva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another novella from Casey Cox’s Mountain Man series and I loved it just as much as the first one and how it is a totally different story. This book is about the brother of one of the MCs from book 1 and book 3 is about their other brother. It can absolutely be read as a standalone but why not read all of them!!

Branum was an awesome character. I loved how sweet and soft spoken he was for such a big mountain of a guy. He was so genuine and saw and loved PJ for who he was. PJ is described as a nerdy, neurodivergent librarian. Books with neurodivergent characters are hit or miss for me. This one was an absolute hit. I thought this author did such a good job portraying PJ’s character and how Branum dealt with PJ’s OCD.

It was super refreshing to have both characters act like adults. There was no miscommunication, they talked about their feelings and what they wanted and told the truth even when it was hard. In such a short novella those things are key and it felt totally in line with these characters.

I am loving this series and am super excited to read book 3! I highly recommend picking up these novellas for fun, short reads!

[Molly Otto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Update: I was unaware this was an AI generated cover prior to reading this book. I in no way support using AI for books. Just wanted to say this and will be changing my review because of this.

OK, let's start this off by saying I'm super picky about both neurospicy and OCD representation cause, let's be honest, not enough authors do enough research to capture this without coming off as judgmental or condescending. Guess what Casey does achieve this, and does it beautifully add to it in a frigging novella! I don't understand how they can create such well-balanced stories in such short stories, truly spectacular.
Branum and PJ just balance each other out. They build each other up and balance the other. They show what a caring and supportive relationship should be while helping the other grow to be a stronger person.
This is book 2 of the Movin' to the Mountains series of a trio of brothers finding their happily ever afters. You do not need to read the previous book, but I also highly recommend that book as well.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Curious Mountain Man by Casey Cox

💚 Mountain Man x Librarian
💚 Size Difference
💚 Neurodivergent Rep (OCD)
💚 Virgin MC
💚 Novella

Overall: ⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Humour: 🤭🤭
Intimacy: 🫂🫂🫂🫂
Angst: 🥺🥺

First person dual pov 👀

[⋆˚ʚ Abril ɞ˚⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

«It won't be the most exciting life. But it will be a life filled with love. Reading. Birdwatching. Swims in the river and hikes through the mountains. And love. Nothing but my loyal, unwavering love for him.»❤️

[Pontiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Branum wants a quiet life after what he went through in the military, so having his land in the mountains and close to his brothers suits him. He feels someone watching him, but it doesn’t feel threatening, and he soon knows exactly who it is.

PJ is a librarian who’s new in town, and he has some cute quirks that make him shy away from people. He has heterochromia, bright red hair, and OCD, so he feels finding someone who accepts him is almost impossible. But he can look, and the mountain man he watched was a beautiful sight.

Branum is semiliterate, and wants to learn to read and get his high school diploma, so he decides to go to the library, where he can watch PJ. He finally works up the courage to ask him out, and they have a great time, sharing their insecurities and reassuring each other.

There are some tense moments about a misunderstanding, but they figure it out, and the new couple visit Branum’s brother Harrick and his boyfriend. Only Marsh, the oldest, is left single.

I enjoyed this novella, with an interesting quirky guy and a guy looking to be a loner.

I received this ARC for free, and am providing my honest review with thanks.

[read_romance.withgloria Gloria Worlikar · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This story was another amazing addition to this series and I devoured it from the first page.
Branum is the Mountain Man and also a brother to Harrick whom we met in the first book, he stays in the mountain and owns a Timber yard. But one day a red-head librarian trespasses on his property and now he has his eyes on him.
PJ is new to the town and is the nerdy librarian with weird quirks, he has been disappointed in his past so he hopes this new town brings him some joy & someone who will be with him even with all his flaws.

Branum & PJ's first meeting was so cute & all their moments were so swoony, I enjoyed this book so much and adored their chemistry. I loved how Branum was attentive to PJ's OCD and cared for him. I also liked how they liked each other's flaws and helped each other overcome them.

I loved this book a little more than the first one and recommend you to check this series out.

* I received an ARC copy from Neon Rainbow Reviews and this is my honest review *

[Bess]

As I reached the halfway point in the book, I was thinking how much better this book was pacing-wise. We'd reached the halfway point without sex, unlike The Silent Mountain Man. Don't worry, only a couple of pages later a virgin was begging to lose his virginity after his first kiss with a guy he met like a week ago. DNF. I think this author just isn't for me.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness- Branum and PJ and just adorable! Branum is so sweet and gentle, and PJ finds out what it finally feels like to be accepted and appreciated. I love how the 2 share their vulnerabilities with one another and the other doesn’t bat an eye. PJ is supportive in Branum’s goal to learn to read and get his GED and Branum shows such care around PJ’s OCD.

A fantastic novella you can read in one sitting! 5/5 stars. I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

[Reagan James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one more than the first one!!! It was so good I’m sad I have to wait 10 days for the 3rd one lol

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

a cute fluffy fun read! just like the first book I just wish they were longer bc I really like the characters

[Mariah Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed! This one was better than the first one in all ways.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Even if you fail a million times, it doesn't matter. You're showing up and you're trying. That's the victory in all of this.”

[Sus Would Rather Be Reading · Rating 2 out of 5]

Laughably mid. How did a 90 page novella feel like interminable??

Also someone’s virginity was referred to as a “gift” 🤢

[Lindsey (30Something_Reads) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @80%

Lol no.

Could I have technically sat through the last 20 pages and finished this? Sure. But I will not.

[Heather Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Fun! I love the characters of PJ and Branum. This is my favorite story so far.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have loved a full length novel about this couple.

[Paige Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet

The book is short and sweet. No real drama I love the mountain man with the nerdy librarian. While they were opposites they worked well together

[BookLover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Read

Another quick and fun read from Casey with no angst or drama. Instant attraction followed quickly by love and a happily ever after. This might be a short read but Casey manages to get enough of a story to make it worth reading. Perfect for reading in between longer reads.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Branum & PJ

- Opposites Attract
- Size Difference
- Librarian/Lumber Yard Owner

This was the second installment in this series and a cute, steamy, finding one's person read. Branum was enjoying a leisurely moment on his property when he felt someone watching him, so he decides to give them a show. PJ gets a little lost on a hiking trail while birdwatching and sees the mountain god of his dreams. Branum decides to visit the library and indulge his fascination with his ginger headed peeping Tom. The author did a beautiful job representing a character with OCD without coming off as judgemental or condescending. The couple truly balances each other out and have a deep support ingrained in their relationship.

Verse: No
HEA: HFN

[Fernanda Parente · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's getting better. This small story it's even better than the first one.
I loved both characters specially Branum, the way he supports everybody

I would like to know more about this couple, my favourite

Now, going to the third and last brother

[Layla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was very cute and I so appreciated the rep here

An MC with OCD, another MC with learning difficulties (probably dyslexia) and both MCs weren't classically attractive and handsome.

I only found the sexual encounters a bit awkward. They didn't read smoothly for me at all.

[Julie Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Curious Mountain Main by Casey Cox is the second book in his Movin’ to the Mountains series. It would be helpful to read the first book before this one as it gives the setting as well as reoccurring characters. This is the sweet story of two misfit men who find each other and fall in love. Branum Duncan lives with his brothers in the mountains around Thickehead where they run a timber yard. He also has a secret concerning his education that upsets him because he thinks if people know about it they would look at him differently. PJ has moved to Thickhead where he works as a librarian. He has pretty severe OCD which has caused him problems with relationships in the past so he thinks it will be hard to get and keep a boyfriend. However he loves the town, his job, and hiking and it is on one when he strays off the trail while birdwatching and sees Branum, in all his glory, skinny dipping in the river on his property. Branum catches a glimpse of red hair and knows just who saw him so he pays a visit to the library. The story continues from there as they talk and Branum is completely taken with PJ, even when he shows some of his OCD tendencies. PJ is equally taken with him, even more so when they reveal their secrets to each other and neither one is put off by them. As time goes on, with a few blunders as well as some very hot love scenes along the way, they know they are who each other needs and they fall in love. I really enjoyed this story. While it is short it is very complete and showed the longing and needs of the main characters and how they were just what each other needed. Branum was a sweetheart and went out of his way to make PJ comfortable with his OCD. PJ was funny and sometimes snarky and though he was reticent he was also hopeful that Branum would be there for him. PJ’s boss and friend as well as Branum’s brothers helped them out when needed as well as called them out for some of their dumb moves. I highly recommend this story, especially if you are looking for a short read with characters who don’t think they can find love because of things that are going on in their lives, yet they go on to do just that and find happiness in the end.

[Jenn ReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I should be on 'Weekend Update'...
This novella had it all: neurodivergence, nekkid burly mountain man, ginger librarian, nekkid burly mountain man, first times, nekkid burly mountain man, reading difficulties, and have I mentioned the soft-spoken, nekkid, swimming mountain man?

Branum is the aforementioned big, burly, nekkid, swimming mountain man that our sweet librarian, PJ accidentally stumbles upon when he gets turned around while birdwatching. Branum is semi-literate, meaning it takes him a great deal of time to read and he's not very comfortable reading aloud--something that becomes a goal for him.

PJ is the librarian, who has heterochromia, bright red hair, and OCD. Having stumbled across Branum skinny-dipping, he stops to watch him swim and float (and really, who wouldn't?) before taking off and hoping the big lumberjack didn't see him. However, his hair gives him away, and Branum begins showing up at the library with increasing frequency.

Branum wants to learn to read, he wants to be with PJ (who makes him feel comfortable and like he fits), and wants to live on the land he shares with his brothers.
PJ wants to be loved for who he is, to be with Branum, and wants to be physically attached to Branum whenever and wherever possible.
The Curious Mountain Man
Casey Cox

[Kiki Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

So yeah, I’m crushing pretty hard on these sexy, bearded Duncan brothers in the new Casey Cox Movin’ to the Mountains series!
The Curious Mountain Man has quite an opening scene, when PJ gets an eyeful of a gorgeous naked man bathing in a lake while out birdwatching. And it just gets better from there.
When Bran show up at the library where PJ works, so begins a sweet, awkward, sexy little courtship. These two are so freaking adorable.
I loved PJ. Everything that makes him think he’s undesirable - being a fun-sized, freckled ginger with mismatched eyes - is exactly what draws Bran to him.
Bran is smitten. This bookish library ticks all his boxes, and gives this sweet soul the courage to make some changes in his life.
The two share their secrets and insecurities, and the support they give each other is amazing.
Their first time is so lovely: just being together and present in the moment. Something else I really loved: PJ’s boss, Trevor, makes an unfortunate joke that has PJ doubting Bran. Then Trevor tells him not to misconstrue the situation. “…you hate that in your romance novels, right? Don’t be that guy.” What follows is a refreshingly honest conversation, which is followed by some bucket list office shenanigans.
This is another great novella that packs a lot of story in not a lot of pages.
You’ll love this gentle, romantic giant and how he treats his nerdy ginger like the king he is.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2