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Today is my birthday, and I’m headed up to the ski lodge for the weekend to celebrate with my friends, but a late start, an early snowstorm, and a wrecked car puts me directly in the path of the one man I should never consider giving my heart to.

The handsome stranger appears out of nowhere, an answer to the miracle I’ve been praying for, saving me from certain death. He brings me to safety and as the night wears on, we have no choice but to huddle together for warmth as the storm rages on outside. But as the hours stretch into the night, and we grow closer, Damon's story unfolds, and he drops a bombshell on me that has me reeling.

How could I have fallen so hard, so fast for the person responsible for tearing apart my family’s legacy?

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, forced proximity, and small mountain towns, then check out Damon and Tara's story today!

Damon is an OTT instalove standalone novella, and it is the 8th book in the Mountain Men of Scarlet 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.

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2023

51 people are currently reading
38 people want to read

About the author

Ren Booth

68 books55 followers
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.

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5 stars
52 (44%)
4 stars
38 (32%)
3 stars
16 (13%)
2 stars
9 (7%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.9k reviews369 followers
October 16, 2023
Finding Forgiveness . . .

Damon Richards came home from his military service and tore up a local bar when heavy drinking and PTSD drove him to uncontrolled violence. He finally sought treatment and felt ready to come back and reconnect with those he had abandoned and try to atone for what he did to others.

Tara Maguire, one of the family members whose bar Damon had destroyed back then, has headed to a ski lodge to have some fun with her friends. But a snow storm causes havoc and she crashes her car. A stranger finds her and takes her to a cabin to wait out the storm. The cabin is cold, the power is out, but they cuddle to stay warm and feel the strong attraction to each other. As they talk and get to know each other, he tells her his story, not knowing she was one of the Maguire family whose bar he tore apart and ruined her father’s business. But recognizing his story, she knows now who he is and accuses him of selfishness and lets her words cut deeply into him, bringing out his guilt over what he did – but not giving him a chance to finish explaining why he behaved that way. Is this the end of any chance for a relationship between them? Will she let him explain? Or will she wait for the earliest opportunity to leave him behind?
Profile Image for Curvy Girl Book Nerd   (Jen S).
4,903 reviews64 followers
October 22, 2023
Damon is book 8 in the Mountain Men of Scarlett Ridge series. It is a short and steamy, OTT, instalove, second-chance, curvy girl gets her mountain man romance. Damon is a hunky, ex-military man returning home after 2 years. He left after a low night of drinking and damage. Tara is a sassy curvy girl returning home for her birthday and spending time with her dad and helping with the ailing family business. When she gets stranded in a snowstorm, Damon comes to her rescue. They connect and have a few days of passion until she learns who he is. He is the person who caused the damage to her dad's bar. But he is back in town to make amends. Can they come together and make love work? Will her dad and his family forgive him and realize he's a changed man? The chemistry between this couple was pure fire. There is a lot of angst and drama, but then we get an amazing HEA. I loved this couple and am excited for Blake's story!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Grinning Cat.
4,190 reviews120 followers
October 16, 2023
MMC/FMC- Damon and Tara
POV- 1st person dual
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Sub Genre- Mountain Man Romance
Heat- 🌋☄️ they do the thing and name the parts, using the female P word and the male C word.
Series? Y
Safety: no cheating, no S. Violence, no sharing, no OW/OM drama, no cliffhanger, HEA
Triggers- language, explicit erotic content.
Tropes- BBW, Forced Proximity (Snowed In), Strangers to Lovers, Damsel in Distress, Sins of the Past, We Put the Fun in Dysfunctional, Let It Snow.
What I liked- this was short, but steamy and sweet.
What I didn’t- this book was steamy and sweet, but short.
Verdict - there’s not a lot to this book, but there doesn’t really need to be. It’s a Safe, fun read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,274 reviews12 followers
November 4, 2023
I enjoyed this story with all the characters within. The main characters were Damon and Tara.

Tara is heading to a ski lodge to spend time with her friends on her birthday and to see her father. But a snowstorm makes it hard to drive through and she wrecked her car. She is luck that she didn't hurt herself. But her car is not so lucky. She in the middle of no where and can't do much.

Damon has returned  to his family's home town and he staying at a cabin not far from town. While chopping wood he heard a crash of a car. He go to see where and finds a young woman has crashed. He decides to help her get to his cabin so that she can call someone.

This was a fun short read. It had action and drama throughout. It had a few giggles within. It does have a bit of steamy to it.

I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
Profile Image for Philippa Lythall.
544 reviews7 followers
October 15, 2023
This is book 8 in the mountain men of Scarlet Ridge by Ren Booth. Although it part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

Tara is on her way to meet her friends for her birthday celebrations. The snow is falling down heavily, visibility is low and Tara’s car hits a tree.

Damon hears the noise outside and rescues Tara from her crashed car and brings her into the warm. They soon find a way to warm up and celebrate Tara’s birthday.

What will happen when Tara discovers he is the one that wrecked her dad’s bar. Can Damon convince her that he has beat the demons of his ptsd.

I enjoyed this mountain man romance, perfect as I’ve enjoyed other books in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Barbara Atkinson.
1,063 reviews6 followers
October 11, 2023
I loved this short read. Damon is a changed man. Two years ago he destroyed his family relationships and a local bar in the process. After making changes he is back to make amends. Tara is on her way to celebrate her birthday when a snowstorm hits. Damon rescues her and the chemistry builds from there. This is such a great short read. Damon is another hot mountain man from Scarlett Ridge. He is so valuable and raw and seeking forgiveness. Tara is fierce, loyal and protective of her family. I have enjoyed all the men of Scarlett Ridge.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Victoria.
4,935 reviews
October 16, 2023
Although I have missed a few stories from this series, it didn't stop me from enjoying this book. I felt a connection to the characters and was invested in them getting a HEA. The connection and chemistry between Damon and Tara was written well and was believable, I felt for them both when truths were told, but their connection held firm and they were able to work through things. I liked the importance of family, forgiveness and support in this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Donna.
2,174 reviews30 followers
June 12, 2025
Damon returns to Scarlet Ridge ready to make amends and prove to everyone he’s a changed man. He meets Tara and they immediately feel the sparks between them. Even when she realizes who Damon is they are able to talk things out. I loved how he’s able to reconnect with his family and gain their trust. It’s really positive how he’s able to het Tara’s father to forgive him and he even approves their marriage.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nate.
24.6k reviews19 followers
October 24, 2023
I enjoyed Damon and Tara’s book. It was an intriguing read. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
Profile Image for Lorraine Anton.
2,982 reviews11 followers
January 4, 2024
Great

Damon and Tara.

I loved reading this story.
I loved reading the mountain man romance stories.
I loved the characters, plot and storyline.
I loved the hot chemistry.

Read it
Profile Image for Jay myrandomspace2023.
316 reviews11 followers
February 19, 2025
Absolutely a 4.5-star read for me. He's a recovering alcoholic, and she was affected by his past. When the truth comes out, the end results are amazing!
12.6k reviews76 followers
May 27, 2024
The author has given us a heartwarming story that pulls us into the lives of Damon and Tara. The story keeps us turning the pages with regrets, connection, determination and steam.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews