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Movin' to the Mountains #2

The Curious Mountain Man

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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?

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 13, 2023

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Casey Cox

58 books573 followers
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5 stars
474 (33%)
4 stars
513 (35%)
3 stars
349 (24%)
2 stars
82 (5%)
1 star
16 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
Profile Image for Drusilla.
1,211 reviews523 followers
June 2, 2024
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?"
🫠💞🫠
Profile Image for ⋆。°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°。⋆.
1,217 reviews287 followers
January 13, 2024
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.
Profile Image for JonathanSamuelReads.
270 reviews48 followers
November 27, 2024
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!
Profile Image for Kaity.
2,058 reviews23 followers
November 2, 2024
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.
Profile Image for Dani (Daniiireads).
2,147 reviews356 followers
November 15, 2023
- 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!
Profile Image for Cat the bookworm .
973 reviews211 followers
May 8, 2025
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 🤷‍♀️
Profile Image for Book Binge: Reviews by Melissa DaSilva.
940 reviews102 followers
November 22, 2023
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!
Profile Image for Molly Otto.
1,661 reviews36 followers
February 26, 2024
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.
Profile Image for Nahal TC.
414 reviews3 followers
August 1, 2026
Short, Sweet & Exactly What I Needed 🏔️❤️
🎧 Narrated by Kurt Graves

After enjoying book one, I was looking for another short, steamy, and drama-free read. To be completely honest, I'm also a little behind on my reading challenge and needed a few novellas to help me catch up. 😉 Sometimes that's exactly what these shorter stories are perfect for.

Just like the first book, The Curious Mountain Man delivered exactly what I was looking for. It had a little bit of lumbersnack goodness, a satisfying amount of spice, and two imperfect but lovable main characters who felt relatable despite the novella length. Their flaws gave them personality, their chemistry was effortless, and the romance was balanced nicely with enough story to keep me invested.

This was another cozy, quick read filled with sweet romantic vibes and just enough steam without sacrificing the plot. Casey Cox continues to prove that even in under 100 pages, you can create characters worth rooting for.

Kurt Graves once again did a fantastic job with the narration. His warm, engaging performance added so much charm to the story, making it an easy and enjoyable audiobook to listen to from beginning to end.

If you're looking for a cozy MM mountain man romance that's short, engaging, low on drama, and high on chemistry, this series is definitely worth picking up.

Review Book 1: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

⭐ Story: 2⭐
❤️ Characters: 4⭐
✍️ Writing: 3⭐
🌶️ Spice: 3⭐
🎧 Narration: 4⭐
Profile Image for Chloe.
455 reviews45 followers
May 6, 2024
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 👀
Profile Image for ⋆˚ʚ Abril ɞ˚⋆.
323 reviews52 followers
August 7, 2025
«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.»❤️
Profile Image for Pontiki.
2,648 reviews10 followers
December 13, 2023
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.
Profile Image for read_romance.withgloria Gloria Worlikar.
354 reviews14 followers
November 21, 2023
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 *
944 reviews6 followers
August 7, 2026
Enjoyable Cute Romance

An enjoyable short story with two adorable characters who fall hard and get their HEA.

Branum is a mountain of a man who owns the local sawmill in the small town of Thickehead and PJ has moved to the town to work in the library. PJ has been bullied his whole life, ginger hair, freckles, small and with eyes in different colours and suffering from OCD but everything he sees as flaws are the very things Branum finds adorable.

PJ is hiking and birdwatching one day when he inadvertently veers off the public track onto Branum’s land and sees more than he bargained for, a beautiful giant of a man naked and swimming in the river and he can’t take his eyes off him. Branum is aware that he is being watched and puts on a show for the peeping Tom and when he spies a head of ginger hair running through the forest he knows exactly where to find him.

The story is straightforward and humorous, instant attraction, both men know what they want and go for it and shy quiet PJ is surprisingly up for all the spice!




Profile Image for Bess.
295 reviews8 followers
Read
December 19, 2023
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.
Profile Image for Emily.
359 reviews12 followers
November 26, 2023
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.
Profile Image for Reagan James.
115 reviews7 followers
December 17, 2023
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
Profile Image for Ari.
266 reviews117 followers
January 9, 2024
a cute fluffy fun read! just like the first book I just wish they were longer bc I really like the characters
Profile Image for Mariah Victoria.
477 reviews15 followers
January 10, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed! This one was better than the first one in all ways.
Profile Image for Sus Would Rather Be Reading.
188 reviews7 followers
September 28, 2024
Laughably mid. How did a 90 page novella feel like interminable??

Also someone’s virginity was referred to as a “gift” 🤢
Profile Image for Terri.
1,108 reviews21 followers
December 20, 2023
Would have loved a full length novel about this couple.
Profile Image for Paige Turner.
1,680 reviews24 followers
January 20, 2024
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
Profile Image for BookLover.
671 reviews4 followers
May 13, 2024
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.
Profile Image for Natalie.
584 reviews158 followers
December 16, 2023
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
729 reviews86 followers
December 29, 2023
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
Profile Image for Layla .
1,468 reviews104 followers
November 3, 2024
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.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews