Protected by the Mountain Man

Rosewood Ridge Riders #1

by Lilah Hart

He’s her father's friend. Sleeping with him breaks all the rules.

It’s the perfect act of rebellion.

Not only am I getting a tattoo, but the artist is my dad’s friend.

When I see just how hot he is now, though, I can’t help but think about rebelling in a completely different way.

Dylan can help me break all the rules. But what will happen when he realizes I’m his friend’s daughter?

Protected by the Mountain Man is an OTT age gap romance featuring a biker hero and V-card heroine. It’s designed to be read in only one hour. If you like short, steamy instalove novellas, you’ll love the entire Rosewood Ridge Riders series.

Genres: Novella, Contemporary, Smut, Small Town Romance

33 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 10, 2024

Reviews

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short and sexy age gap /dad's friend romance with strong characters in Dylan and Delaney. The author takes you into their lives with an insta lust to love. She brings the heat and delivers an entertaining story. I enjoyed reading their story and loved the ending.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and are freely given.

[🩷🎀Sayaka🎀🩷 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is insanely short. Read it in about 35 mins. BUT IT WAS SO GOOD sweet and spicy and I loved the epilogue. It was also really well written. The author did a great job at giving us a steamy and cute read. I just wish he was more of a mountain man! This was more biker romance to me :) but I still loved it don’t get me wrong lol

[Karen Nastasio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing short story and book 1 and I can’t wait to read more in this series. Delaney has decided to live with her father and wants to break the rules and decides on a tattoo and walks in and see Dylan her dad’s best friend who is so sexy that it has her wanting more than just the tattoo and is the one that will be doing her it in a place that nobody will see if she doesn’t want them to. Dylan is an tattoo artist who has just watch a gorgeous female walk in to get a tattoo done and although she is young it doesn’t stop his body from betraying him and wanting her for more than a tattoo. They have a steamy time together but Delaney still feels guilty about not telling him that her father is his best friend. How does it all turn out and do they have a future together or not.

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

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a super short but spicy story, i absolutely loved it. It's super fast paced and super short, so perfect if you only have a short amount of time to read.

Delaney comes home to the town her dad lives in and walks into her dads friends tattoo parlour, but gets more then she bargained for after asking for a tattoo. But will she tell him the truth or will it come to light about who she really is.

Dylan is a tattoo artist and Delaney's dad's best friend. What will happen when they end up having some fun in his parlour, will he find out who she really is after not recognising her when she first walks in.

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

[addictedtodarkromance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was super short but steamy and cute.

Delaney (father's daughter) wanted a tattoo but when she stepped into the tattoo shop she realized that the artist was her dad's best friend (Dylan). Although she recognized him he did not know who she was as it had been many years since they saw each other (and she decided not to tell him at this time). One thing leads to another and some spicy scenes follow. Delaney isn't sure how he will respond when Dylan finds out though.

Dylan is sweet and makes sure that Delaney is comfortable at all times. Delaney has grown up a lot and is very forward with Dylan. I thought they were cute together and they def had lots of chemistry.

I recommend this book and all the others in this series!

Overall: 4 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice/Heat Intensity: 5 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Dylan & Delaney
Type of book: MF, Very Fast Burn, Duel 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Standalone
Title: Protected by the Mountain Man - Rosewood Ridge Mavericks: Book 7
Epilogue: Yes
Ending Type: HEA

*Father's Best Friend
*No daddy kink
*Mountain Man
*No cheating or sharing


- 18+

*I received an early copy of this book from the author via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of a new interconnected series, the Rosewood Ridge Riders, a MC that happens to be the very group that played weekend football with the Rosewood Ridge Mavericks from the author’s last series.

Delaney just moved to town after being gone for almost a decade and, having only visited a few times before, not many people would recognize her, least of all Dylan, the town’s tattoo artist and a friend of her dad’s. Thankfully, because she wanted a tattoo, mostly as a form of rebellion against her too strict mother but she wanted it in a place that would usually be hidden unless she chose to reveal it. Who knew she could be so bold as to tease Dylan by revealing parts of herself that weren’t necessarily needed to be bare in order to get the tattoo?

Dylan knew she was too young for him but, try telling that to his traitorous body. He didn’t even know her name, ask him if he cared! He just knew he was crazy about her and she seemed to feel the same way.

Need a quick romance fix but not much time to commit to reading? Here’s your answer; this book and the ones connected to it, are quick little bites, enough to satisfy a reader’s need for some steam with everything you’d expect from a much longer book except without all the angst. 4.5 stars!.

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

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tired of her conservatively controlled college life, Delaney hits up the tattoo shop as fast as she can when she moves to stay with her father in Rosewood Ridge. The hot tattoo artist turns out to be her father's friend Dylan, but it's been years since they saw each other and he doesn't realise it. They are so attracted to each other, and one thing leads to another, and she gives him her v-card. There was great banter, some cute moments, and lots of heat.

He still doesn't know who she is until after they sleep together and he takes her out on a date and lo and behold, in walks Daddy Dearest. I like that he Dylan was ready to go head to head with Delaney's father, and didn't hem and haw or get all insecure about the relationship.

This was a great feel good story that was entertaining and steamy. What a great start to a new series. The author has many similar short stories which I also highly recommend! I swear I almost squeal each time I get to read one of the author's books!.

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

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

DYLAN runs at a tattoo parlor in Rosewood Ridge.. He's working on his computer when a beautiful woman comes in asking for a tattoo.
DELANEY is on a mission. She is going to get a tattoo to thumb her nose at her mother and her mom's judgy sisters. She grew up in Kentucky but her father lives in Rosewood Ridge. This man is her father's friend. He just doesn't remember her since she left when she was 14. She just got a job at Rosewood Ridge Elementary.
She knows who he is but doesn't want to say anything. She is drawn to him. When the tattoo is done they have time together in the parlor. Then they head to get tattoos. As she's sitting in the booth with Dylan she suddenly realizes whose bike she saw in the parking lot and just as she's going to tell Dylan who her dad is..he yells out her name. After he leaves they discuss the situation and decide that no one is going to tell them who to date or be with.
A cute story that gives one the giggles in their declarations.

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

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy the escapism in Hart's books. The age gap trope is one of my favorite that she does, and the combination of biker and small town mountainesk feel just feels like a good blend. The main characters in this book, Dylan and Delaney have great chemistry from the start, though not too much else. The first 3/4 of the book is focused purely on physical traits and "compatability".😉 Guess what happens when they get around to actually talking (which she intentionally avoided BTW!)? Yeah, good times. Aside from the setting, trope and male lead, there's not much I'm hyping. The FMC was manipulative and caniving, no matter how you look at it. I would have applauded Dylan having a completely different response. Yeah, yeah, it's a story - I still say, have a bit of self respect!

I received a gift copy of this book and volunteered my review freely. I plan to continue this series, as I liked the general premise of the books. Hope the next couple (or at least FMC, as we know who the MMC will be) has better morals.

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

Protected by the Mountain Man is Book 1 of the Rosewood Ridge Riders series. It's a short and steamy, OTT, instalove, age-gap, curvy girl gets her mountain man romance. Delaney is a sassy, curvy, rebellious, 24 year old virgin. She recently graduated from a very morally strict college and is determined to rebel. She has moved back to Rosewood Ridge after 10 years to be a teacher. Dylan is a hunky tattoo artist and her dad's friend. When she goes to get her first tattoo, the connection between these two is instant and intense. Things get hot and steamy fast. But what will Dylan say when he finds out who she is? What will her dad say? Their chemistry was off the charts. Delaney was such a ball buster. She cracked me up with her sassy confidence. I loved this short and spicy read and look forward to the rest of the series.

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

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delaney has just finished her education at a very strict school which her mother made her attend. All aspects of her life have been restricted. Now she was free, she is taking back control of her life and the best way to shock her maternal family would be a tattoo. She is now staying with her father and goes to one of his friends who owns a tattoo palour. Dylan doesn't recognise her as last time he'd saw her she was 14 and is instantly attracted to her. Delaney doesn't let on who she is. She flirts with Dylan and she ends up getting more than a tattoo!

Delaney definitely takes control of all aspects of her life. The instant heat between them continues to grow with a HEA for them both.

A quick, spicy, instalove.

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

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best rebellion of her life! 

Dylan is friends with Delaney's dad, but he hadn't seen her since she was a young teenager and didn't recognize her when she came into his tattoo parlor. Other than being too young, she'd check every box if he had a list of the attributes of his perfect woman. 

Delaney is ready to rebel against her mother and maternal aunts. She recently graduated from a private, religious-based college that had very strict rules about what young ladies could not do. It was a very long list. She's ready to begin a rebellion, starting with a tramp stamp tattoo. Since she's a teacher, a tattoo must be in a place where it's out of sight while she's teaching. 

A perfect storm is brewing. Will there be casualties?

I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[KY Book Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Protected by the Mountain Man by Lilah Hart is the first book in her new Rosewood Ridge Riders Series. 

When Delaney walks into Dylan's tattoo shop, her only intention is to get a tattoo and break the rules that had governed her life the past several years. She has no idea the changes she is about to set in place. 

Dylan is immediately attracted to the beautiful young woman asking for a tattoo. He has no idea they have met before or that they share a connection. When their encounter goes far beyond the tattoo and they both agree they want more, that is when things get complicated. Especially when their connection is revealed.

This age gap OTT dad's friend novella is a sweet quick read. The entire story can be read in about an hour. 

ARC was provided by Booksprout, and this is my honest review. 

[Terriann Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in the new Rosewood Ridge Riders series was great! I have loved all the books that I have previously read by this author. This story is about Delaney a young woman that has been raised in a very strict and controlling environment, she has recently left college and has decided to move in with her less strict dad. She wants to experience all life has to offer and decides to throw caution to the wind and do as much as she can to start owing her own decisions and life choices. She meets Dylan, a gruff, older, tattoo artist and biker, but when hidden secrets come to light, will she get everything she ever wanted or lose everything? Brilliant start to the new series. I love these big, gruff mountain men!.

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

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good Story!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Delaney grew up with her mother only visiting her father. The last time she was in Rosewood Ridge she was 14 years old. She remembered Dylan the tattoo artist who was friends with her father. She was now living in Rosewood Ridge, staying with her father, and had a teaching job at the elementary school. She walked into the tattoo shop and said she wanted a tramp stamp. He talked her out of that and suggested she put it elsewhere. She grew up extremely sheltered and had just graduated from a private college where they couldn’t get into any trouble, date, have sex, really do anything that was against the code handbook. While in the shop she couldn’t tell Dylan who she was. She decided on the tattoo she wanted. Dylan set it all up and while she sat in the chair… 😊😊😊😊😊💜💜💜💜💜🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laney/Delaney (h) requests that tattoo artist Dylan (H) ink her as part of her rebellion against the strict private college rules against tattoos and other activities she's finally out from under. As Dylan starts working on the tattoo, he becomes intrigued by Delaney's rebellious spirit and her determination to break free from her rigid upbringing. The flirtatious exchange between Dylan and Delaney grows increasingly heated, leading to a sexual encounter in the tattoo parlor - better make sure that chair is cleaned well. Despite the potential complications due to their age difference and Delaney’s concealment of her father Nate, being Dylan's friend, their connection deepens. Hot and steamy age gap, forbidden romance with a little bit of angst.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. We are into the world of Rosewood Ridge Riders.

Delaney is back in town and wants to see her Dad's friend and tattoo artist, Dylan. She comes out of a few years of living under strict circumstances. She wants to open up things before starting her new job in town.

Dylan has no idea of who this beauty is, but he can't look away. He usually doesn't mix lines but she is making that difficult. They come together fast and furious, and spicy accents!!

When Dylan finds out he is shocked to find who she really is, but doesn't. change how he feels for her. These two are so sweet and spicy together. It might be a insta-love fast read, but you'll certainly breeze through the pages!!

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dylan owns the tattoo parlor when a beautiful young woman comes in and they are drawn to each other. After they decide on what tatt she is going to get, she tells him her name- Delaney. She is just out of school and will be starting a job at Rosewood Ridge Elementary. She has had a crush on Dylan as he is her dad's bestie, and she lives with her mom. Nate is her dad and he and Dylan are part of the Rosewood Ridge Riders. When Nate finds out, he is livid. He feels betrayed by them both. It takes a bit for the both of them to calm him down. I love the whole story. It is steamy and romantic and fun. I can't wait to read the next book.

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

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delaney goes to a tattoo parlor and gets one from Dylan, the owner. During the hour it takes, they talk about so much easily but she is hiding who she really is - his best friend's daughter who he has not seen in ten years. Things get steamy after the art work is done and when they go for tacos, they cross paths with her father. Surprise! Great characters, entertaining situations and a rebellious daughter who isn't going to take it anymore. You will cheer for them, too. Terrific short storyline that is fast moving and satisfying.

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

[Aspen G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protected by the Mountain Man is a short hot love at first sight novella with sexy tattoo artist Dylan and sheltered college graduate Delaney. She completely blows up the spectrum of wild when she storms into Dylan’s life, and the fiery temptress unapologetically goes after what she wants. I love her gusto and her fun attitude, her brazen behavior, and her sweet innocence all wrapped up in this fun package. It’s so fascinating to see how Dylan reacts to each of her thoughts and behaviors, and the bonus epilogue is a MUST read too, so be sure to grab that!!!

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

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the very beginning the author’s writing was just wonderful and descriptive which meant that i could get fully immersed in the story.

I loved both Dylan and Delaney they were both down to earth, strong characters and the story had a couple of tropes that i love - sexy age gap and dad’s best friend.

The delicious spicy scene during the first few chapters was amazing and really well written.

I really enjoyed it being a short story but there was also part of me that wanted to find out more about Dylan and Delaney’s story!

I also really enjoyed the epilogue and finding out a little bit about their lives in the future…

[Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protected by the Mountain Man is the first novelette in Lilah Hart's latest series, Rosewood Ridge Riders, a spin off of the Rosewood Ridge Mavericks series. These are all short reads, easily consumed in under an hour, that are seriously steamy and pack all the feels.

This is a dad's best friend (even if dad was quite young) between an early 20s heroine and mid to late 30s hero. If you love mountain men, instalove and some seriously hot bedroom action, you will enjoy this one!.

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

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short instalove novella and is Delaney and Dylan's story. Delaney just graduated from college and moved in with her dad Nate. She plans to teach at the school in town. She is feeling rebellious so she goes to Dylan's tattoo shop to get a tattoo. There is an instant attraction that they give into. But Delaney is hiding a secret that could derail their HEA. Will their age difference and her secret end their connection? Check it out to see.

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

[Sondra Olbrias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dylan does not know what to make of the young beauty who entered his shop. She wants a tattoo and claims she is beyond innocent thanks to the rules of her college. Delaney has returned to the place she vacationed as a child. And decided to get a tattoo as a way to show her freedom. Delaney lies about her name so Dylan won't make the connection to who she is. All she wants is to lose her virginity and claim her life as her own. Dylan is more than willing to help inane way she wants.

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

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, instant-combustion romance. I love the characters and their strong attraction to each other. Dylan has known Delaney all her life because her dad is his best friend. Delaney comes back to town to teach and starts out her new life with a tattoo done by Dylan. The kicker is that Dylan doesn't recognize her. So, no spoilers—this book didn't disappoint! I enjoyed the element of taboo and the incredible chemistry that Dylan and Delaney have. Great book!

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

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, having read all of Lilah Hart's books and loved them all, Protected by the Mountain Man is officially my favorite. It was quick and steamy and once I started reading Delaney and Dylan's book I was hooked. After graduation Delaney was quick to accept her dad's invitation to move back to Rosewood Ridge. Initially Delaney just wanted a tattoo as a act of rebellion but the moment she sees her dad's friend Dylan everything changes. Who better to break all the rules with than a sexy mountain man!

[Melissa Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the new Rosewood Ridge Riders series. I'm excited for a new series by Lilah Hart. This is a short fast paced story. Great if your short on time or near a palate cleanser ( I love to read short sweet books in between my dark romances). Delaney and Dylan are great characters. Good start to the series.

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

[Patience · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story romance was alright! I found it to be a lot more fast paced compared to the other short stories I've read by Lilah Hart. But nonetheless, this was a cute, sweet, smutty, age gap /dad's friend romance, and I loved the fact that the mmc is a tattoo artist!! Helped fuel my inner fantasy of wanting to date a tattoo artist 😂

Also, the bonus scene was super cute! A nice add on <3.

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

[Cynthia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 1 of Rosewood Ridge Riders starring Dylan and Delaney. Well that one could have gone wrong, I can’t believe Dylan didn’t know and Delaney didn’t say anything to him. I have to say I thought Delaney’s dad was going to punch Dylan. I have to say this story holds some passion that will burn up the pages of your book. What a great first book.

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

[Barbara Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delaney is fresh out of a very strict college. She plans to break every rule they forced on her starting with getting a tattoo.
Dylan owns his own tattoo shop, he is smoking hot, older and a friend of her father’s.
The is a super short steamy read. It is OTT but very enjoyable. Paints a complete picture in just four short chapters.

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