Mountain Man's Holiday Timber: A short and steamy instalove romance

by Hazel J. North

From the moment this curvy artist steps into my workshop, I know she’s mine forever.

Holden
As a skilled carpenter, I’m used to working with my hands and enjoying a quiet life in the mountains. When Ridge Winter Fest comes around, I volunteer for a custom timber project, expecting a straightforward job. I certainly didn’t count on getting paired with Ivy Harrison, a gorgeous artist with curves to die for.

The moment she walks into my workshop, there’s a pull I can’t ignore. She has a way of bringing down my walls and showing me what it means to truly connect with someone. With her.

By the time Christmas approaches, I’m not just hoping for a kiss under the mistletoe anymore. I won’t settle for anything less than forever.

Mountain Man’s Holiday Timber is a short and steamy instalove romance full of heat and heart with no cliffhanger, no cheating, and a guaranteed HEA. This book is part of Christmas in Bearclaw Ridge, a steamy instalove holiday romance series set in a small mountain town where every protective mountain man finds a sweet, curvy woman to love.

Genres: Christmas, Short Stories, Romance

41 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2024

Reviews

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S)]

Mountain Man's Holiday Timber is Book 1 of Christmas in Bearclaw Ridge. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, curvy girl gets her mountain man Christmas romance. Ivy is a young, curvy artist. Holden is a hunky carpenter. When the two are paired together for the Christmas festival, sparks fly. They had great chemistry, and we got a wonderful HEA. Hazel is one of my faves for short and steamy Instaloves, and this did not disappoint, especially with a little Christmas magic thrown in. I loved it and can't wait for book 2!.

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

[Mary Anne]

Woodworker & the Artist

I realize this is a short instal9ve story & the story moves fast. The story started well with the 2 main characters meeting before a Winterfest Celebration. They find out the mayor has paired them to work together, as their talents compliment each other. The work goes well & while she is at his workshop they take refuge in his cabin during a blizzard. She is attracted to him & he is attracted to her, thinking he needs to go slow. She has never had sex but decides she wants him & is going to rake charges. He tells her she is it for him & he loves her. She tells him he will be her first & only & he is thrilled. When they have sex, it is really hard to believe as a virgin she will take charge & do everything he likes, when I her mind she was thinking she wouldn't know what to do or how to please him. To decide to live together before they have sex was weird too.

[Rose Patterson]

Mountain Man’s Holiday Timber is exactly what it promises to be: a short, spicy instalove romance with a rugged carpenter, a curvy artist, and enough heat to fog up winter windows. Holden is likable and Ivy is sweet, and their immediate attraction makes for a fun, festive escape. The small-town holiday vibes and cozy workshop setting add a nice touch, too.

That said, the story leans heavily on the “insta” part of instalove. Everything happens so fast that I didn’t feel as connected to the characters as I wanted to. A few more moments of build-up or emotional depth would’ve made their relationship feel more satisfying.

Still, if you’re in the mood for a super quick, steamy holiday read with a guaranteed happy ending, this one delivers exactly what it advertises, just don’t expect much beyond the heat and the charm.

[Lisa H]

I swear if Hazel puts up digital rights to Bearclaw Ridge I'm gonna be its first investor!! There is something so right and genuine about this town you can't help but love it. Then you add in Christmas and I'm a goner!

I love we have some holiday magic happening. Ivy is new to town and gets paired with woodworker extraordinaire Holden. The way these two interaction and develop into more feels.....genuine. You can feel that little tug your heart gives as they work, stealing glances at each other.

Who said you couldn't find many Sexy, Wonderful things to do during a blizzard to keep you hot and roasted! Its hot, heart, and all Holiday!!! #BearClawRidge.

[Samantha]

I really liked Holden and ivy Christmas romance and love that Holden and ivy work together for the ridge Christmas fest and Holden makes a lot of stuff out of wood and ivy is a freelance artist and love the spicy scene between Holden and ivy and I like that Holden is close with his family like mother and sister Noelle. And this was a quick, short spicy Christmas romance. And love the ending with Holden and ivy moving in together and ivy getting along with Holden family members and Holden proposing to ivy on there third Christmas together.

Spicy
Dual PoV
Mountain man
Curvy/ virgin FMC
Insta love romance
Christmas romance
Under 40 pages
Read as an ebook

[Shawna]

I loved Mountain Man's Holiday Timber: Book 1 of Christmas in Bearclaw Ridge. One look at Ivy and Holdens a goner. He’s ready to marry her up then and there. Ivy can’t believe she gets to work with Holden but how will she hold in her feelings? The Christmas spirit will bring together these two artists for a happy ever after. I loved this short and swear story, and the characters. I would definitely recommend this book.

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

[Lucy Chesna]

This is book 1 of Christmas in Bearclaw Ridge. This story about two artists coming together to create a together to help the town and ends falling in love. Holiday A curvy girl gets her mountain man Christmas romance. Ivy is a young, curvy artist. Holden is a hunky carpenter. When they get paired to help in Christmas festival, sparks fly. The steam, romance and insta love story that melts your heart. A great story.

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

[Suelen]

Amor e arte

Ah, essa é mais uma história curtinha e sem enrolação da autora, e me conquistou! Ivy e Holden formam um casal bem fofo, que se apaixonaram e não lutaram contra o sentimento, mas se entregaram a ele e encontraram a felicidade. Uma história super gostosinha de ler, que dá aquele quentinho no coração, sabe?! Fiquei com a maior vontade de conhecer essa cidade e seu festival de natal. Espero ver mais nos próximos livros - porque sim, agora eu quero ler a série toda. Eu amei demais e entrou na minha lista de favoritos. Super-Hiper-Ultra-Mega-Power recomendado!

[Joyce]

Holden and Ivy are the perfect match. Their artistic nature is not the only thing pulling them together.
This storyline is perfect for the Holidays, or anytime of the year. It will certainly heat you up when it’s cold outside. The characters have depth, and the romance is steamy.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this standalone, no cliffhanger, HEA book.


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

[LA FITCH]

A great short romance set in Bearclaw Ridge. Holden is at the town meeting for the Ridge Fest when Ivy comes into the room. They have been paired to provide decorated wooden pieces for the stalls to be auctioned off to repair the hall. Holden works with wood and offers Ivy space in his workshop for her art. They find love during a blizzard making this a page-turner.

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

[Lisa Bing]

This was a wonderful short holiday romance and I enjoyed following Ivy and Holden to their happy ending. These two are both artists and they just clicked from the first moment they saw each other. Getting to work together for the festival allowed that connection to bloom into strong feelings. I love that they had some forced proximity to let them be brave and speak of their feelings and solidify a fab HEA. Good fun!

[damnhotmama22 Turner]

Who says that Love at First Sight isn't real?

The moment that Holden and Ivy caught sight of each other they knew. There would never be anyone else for them. Plus being paired together for projects for The Christmas Tree Lighting and the Ridge Winter Fest . Then add a blizzard, being trapped in his cabin, of course the power goes out. Thank goodness for the fireplace. But then do they really need the fireplace to keep them warm???

[Aspen G]

Mountain Man’s Holiday Timber is awestruck hotness insta-love! Ivy is sweet, innocent, kind, and so talented. Holden is gifted in his own right, and I love how he instantly knows she is it for him. This sexy short has no angst, lovely steam, and a snowy holiday setting. Loved it!.

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

[Julie]

This was a quick read with very likeable and relatable characters (Holden and Ivy). Their instant attraction, while present in the initial portion of the story, takes a backseat to the storyline until the weather changes. Find out what happens between these two artistic people as the snow flies.

I received a gift copy of this book and voluntarily provide this review. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Betty Strohecker]

This could have been a sweet love at first sight story about two artists who meet while providing art at a winter fest celebration to earn money for a community center. However, it turned into something else. Listed as a steamy instant love story, I would classify it as trashy and filled with base vocabulary.

Sorry, not my cup of tea.

[Marti]

Cute story!

Short, sweet, and to the point! Things move pretty quickly in this short story, but the way the author designed the storyline … it just feels so natural and believable. Perfect read for those who like an instalove tale with believable characters. One that easily leaves you with a smile on your face at the end.

[CJ]

The author has given us a heartwarming story that pulls us into the lives of Holden and Ivy. The fast-paced story keeps us turning the pages with instant connection, a blizzard and steam.

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

[Lolita]

Sweet!

[Robin Vermeulen]

😨

[Elaine]

What a lovely read. It was a short and steamy romance. These two people, Holden a Carpenter and Ivy an Artist, loved each other. This was such a lovely story. I loved it all the way! 5☆

[Anita]

Simple

Just a simple mountain snow storm story with a happy ever after! Easy read and very short. Would have been better if it was longer & spicier!

[Joann]

Dreamy

Makes you believe in fairytales. Very short but does instalove a great justice! Like I said makes you believe in fairytales.

[gh]

Quick read