Consumed by the Mountain Man

Willowbrook Ridge Lodge #1

by Julia Stone

Working in the lodge’s kitchen, my job is to keep the food coming and make the guests happy. Every morning, when the older, rugged ranger comes in for breakfast, I can’t stop my heart from racing. David is completely off-limits—he’s my boss’s brother, and one wrong move could ruin everything. The way his eyes linger on me, like he’s imagining all the things he wants to do… it makes me wonder if taking the risk might be worth it.


I don’t come for the pancakes—I come here for her. The innocent woman whose sweet smile tempts me knows just how to get under my skin. She thinks I don’t notice her sneaking glances, but I’ve seen enough to know she wants me too. I’ve waited long enough. I’ll have her beneath me soon—it’s only a matter of time.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

50 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2024

Reviews

[Antoinette Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

David and Avery. A love that just wouldn't quit.

This book totally grabbed me with its cover and the cool synopsis: a super intense, unspoken thing between two people that's building up but never acted on. Yeah, that got my full attention. And seriously, this book delivered!

David was head over heels for Avery. So much so he was risking high cholesterol and diabetes from all the pancake breakfasts he ate just to see her every day. But he didn't know Avery felt the exact same way about him. There's a HUGE reason though why she won't act on her feelings. But when your heart wants something...

When I tell you how this book had me grinning, laughing, and silently cheering "yessss" for David and Avery finally taking charge, listening to their hearts, and going after their happily ever after, you'll get it. This short but awesome story was definitely a beautiful, fun, steamy read. I loved it and would totally recommend it.

[OutsideOfTheTrack · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the narrator of this audiobook, I honestly spent most of the first part thinking this was an MM romance—until it switched perspectives. I really liked the narrator, though, and it’s totally not his fault. In both our defense, Avery is a gender-neutral name!

Once I got over the surprise that it wasn’t an MM story, I have to say this is the best one in the series I’ve listened to so far. The plot—well, I’m not sure I can even call it a plot—but the smut? Let’s just say it happens in the woods against a tree, so that’s definitely a win.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Consumed by the Mountain Man: Book 1 of Willowbrook Ridge Lodge but I felt like it wa missing something. Avery works at the lodge and David is the owners brother. He wants more than the food he’s there for, he wants Avery. She’s worried if they start something that she will lose her job but David won’t let that happen. This is a quick and easy read. I would recommend this book.

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

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

What. The. Actual. Fuckery. Was. That.


A VIRGIN 🤢

[Michelle Frater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Avery works in the kitchen at Shady Pines Lodge, where her days are filled with the bustle of meal prep and the occasional stolen glance at her boss’s ruggedly handsome brother, David. He’s been showing up for breakfast more often in recent months, and Avery can’t help but wonder if it’s more than the pancakes that have him coming back. But even though her heart skips a beat every time he’s near, she knows she can’t risk her job by giving in to temptation. David is a park ranger who feels at home in the wild, but he hasn’t been trekking to the lodge for the food alone. His growing interest in Avery has been the real draw, and when he finally lets her know that he’s interested, their chemistry ignites like lightning on the ridge. I adored seeing Avery break out of her shell. Though she might seem shy, she surprised me—and David—by making the first move. I loved that there was more to her beneath her quiet surface. With David determined to win her heart, their romance is a perfect blend of tension, tenderness, and fiery passion.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mafia Wife · Rating 3 out of 5]

She works at the lodge, and she has noticed him. Who wouldn’t he’s huge, can really put away the breakfast, is the owner’s brother and always seems to be staring at her. He is a ranger and from the moment he saw her he was hooked. This is an Insta love story with mutual pining. They are both attracted to each other but not sure how to get to the next step. This is a short story format so you don’t expect detailed character development of complicated plot lines, that said it was still a little lacking for me. The majority of the story is told in reflection via alternating points of view rather than in conversation which ends up giving almost an odd stalker vibe to it. You also didn’t really feel like you were getting the individual characters personalities since you were mostly seeing thoughts. Well it does have a happy ending, this one was not the most satisfying of the genre for me.

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

[Gwynne Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Pursue your desires. This advice, given to Avery, left her feeling overwhelmed and confused. However, the decision was made for her by a brooding, imposing man who regarded her as a delectable morsel to be devoured. As is typical of these short novellas, the story revolves around an OTT, age-gap romance featuring a young woman who is inexperienced in matters of love and an overly possessive, overprotective, brooding, or grumpy Alpha male who falls instantly and deeply in love upon meeting the woman of his dreams. Despite its brevity, this novella, crafted by the skilled writer Julia Stone, manages to incorporate all the essential elements of a contemporary romance, delivering the depth and emotional resonance of a full-length novel.”.

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

[Liz M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tastier than the pancakes he eats every day!
David is a ranger in Willowbrook Ridge. He has breakfast at the lodge every morning. His sister owns the place, so she can't get rid of him. But it's not really the pancakes that keep him coming back. It's the sweet girl that works there.
Avery has been working at the lodge for a while now. She lives there too, which works out for her. The only problem is, if her boss finds out about the crush she has on David, she'd probably lose everything. She can't take her eyes off him. And, boy, can that man put away the pancakes!
This was a fun little age gap romance, with a hot OTT possessive mountain man, and the sheltered young woman he can't get out of his head. I can't wait for the rest of the series!

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

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a fun, quick romance. I liked both David and Avery. She could barely keep her eyes off him, but his sister was her boss and had a sharp eye, and she couldn't risk anything that could cost her her job. David keeps going for her and not the food- though tasty it is, there are only so many pancakes he should be eating. They danced around each other a bit until he's very clear he's there for her.

I think this is the first book that I liked a male narrator for the female role more than the male! lol Dan Levy did a good job for Avery. He wasn't bad as David, but not as deep and growly as I'm used to for mountain men, like with Tor Thom or Noel Harrison.

Overall: 4 stars
Performance: 3 stars
Story: 4 stars

[Donise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the dynamic between the two main characters. I could totally empathize with the female character in having a crush on a guy who kept coming in to eat breakfast where she worked. Unfortunately, his sister is her boss and she is fearful of losing her job if anything were to really happen between them. I liked how the male character cared enough to confront his sister before pursuing a relationship once he found out the female characters fear. I would love to know what turned the sister into such a hard person that she puts the fear of God into her employees and makes her brother unsure how she will react. Perhaps Ms. Stone will write her story.

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

[Lynn61 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instalove in the Mountains!!

“I want her. Not just to feed this hunger that rises each time I look at her. I want to see her every chance I get and love her like a man should.”

A short but oh so sweet and sexy story about Avery, a waitress working at Wllowbrook Ridge Lodge and David, the brother of her boss who works as a ranger on the mountain. She is innocent and younger but he doesn’t stand a chance. Nor does he want to. I love how he doesn’t let any circumstances affect their chance for a committed relationship, especially his sister.

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

[Praline 99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

mountain man romance.
Avery is a young waitress in a lodge lost in the mountains. She has a complete crush on her employer's brother but she knows that their romance is impossible without putting her job in danger.
David is a lone ranger living in a tower lost in the mountains. But lately he spends a lot of his meals at his sister's lodge so he can spend time with his beautiful waitress unfortunately despite all his attempts at rapprochement she remains distant.
Will Avery crack and let David into her life and will David convince Avery that yes. job is safe and that his feelings are sincere….

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

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The couple in this book were so adorably cute together. Avery was a shy, nervous server at the mountain lodge that David's sister ran. He made it a point to stop in for breakfast very regularly after she started, but not for the food. Nope, he was only hungry for her. She was determined to keep her distance, fearing her boss' wrath should she find out. Let the game of wills begin and the most stubborn/persistent win!

David and Avery had some of the cutest interactions, both in the lodge and out. Very worth the quick read. I received a gift copy and voluntarily provide this review. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Sheree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, steamy read about David, an older man and Avery the young woman he has been wanting to get to know for months. David shows up daily to his sisters’ lodge to eat, purely to see Avery. He has decided to make his move, hoping she wants him as much as he wants her. Avery is scared she will get fired for getting involved with her boss’s brother, but she desperately wants to be his. This was an enjoyable and easy read with age-gaps and insta-love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[laura.lovesreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery works in the lodge, where David for months comes for breakfast.
Avery is in love with him, but is afraid of loosing her job, because David is the brother of her boss.
But David feels the same and she is the reason, why he comes for breakfast, just so he can see her.
Avery is shy, sweet and innocent. David is overprotective, older and hot.
It’s a super enjoyable, sweet and steamy instalove romance story.
You can enjoy this book in one sitting and in under a hour.

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

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery likes her job at the lodge, it also keeps a roof over her head. Every morning the boss's brother, David comes in for breakfast. She knows he is off limits as she does not want to ruin what she has.

David is not coming to the lodge every morning for the pancakes, he is coming to see her. He sees her looking at him, he does not know how much longer he will be able to wait. it is time to ask her out.

This is a steamy ready, the characters are perfect for each other.

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

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is def a insta-love, but intense!! This is first read of me for Julia.

Avery is the picture of nervous. She gets nervous in everything she does, but nothing more than when she sees her boss brother David. He is massive in every way, and she can't get enough.

Its cute but intense as they start to really talk, and as they finally get a chance for a date. It doesn't take much for them to realize how crazy they are for each other.

we got a good look in.....nature, chemistry,heat, and a whole lotta Love!.

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

David and Avery’s love story
Book Title-Consumed by the Mountain Man: An OTT Instalove Short Romance
Author-Julia Stone
MMC/FMC- David and Avery
Genre-Instalove Short Romance
Length- short story
Spicy level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🌶️ out of 5 peppers
Series-Book 1 of Willowbrook Ridge Lodge
Tropes- OTT, instalove, mountain man
What I liked-I totally LOVED this short story. It was a short but sweet read. I really loved the two main characters, Avery and David. They were amazing characters. I totally recommend this book.

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

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this short, sweet story, Avery has moved from the city to a small mountain town. Working as kitchen help at a lodge, she can't help noticing the park ranger who comes in to eat every morning. Seems like he notices her too, but she doesn't want to get distracted and lose the job that she loves. Luckily, love finds a way to get them together. Expect sweet spice and a HEA.

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

[Exalt Naga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short and cute novella. Avery works at a resort and is in love with the resort’s owner’s brother. She doesn’t want to lose her job so she keeps telling herself it’s just a crush and she’ll get over it. Then she finds out that David feels the same way. Sparks fly and the rest is history. Short, sweet, a little spice, and a HEA.

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

[Shalalah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading Julia Stone's work, though it won't be my last! Her writing style is genuine and flows, holding your interest and investing in the outcome. David and Avery are a sweet couple who are both attracted to each other and are likable. Give this book a try; I think you will love it as much as I did!.

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

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first story in the "Willowbrook Ridge Lodge" series. It is a short and quick read about Avery and David. Avery works at the lodge, as she hustles around, she secretly crushes on David. He is the boss' brother. David is a park ranger who has been frequenting the lodge more often. She has peeked his interest. They fall hard and fast for each other in this sweet, steamy and cute story.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished Consumed by the Mountain Man by Julia Stone, and I’d give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a super quick, steamy read with an over-the-top, insta-love romance between Avery, a kitchen worker, and David, a rugged park ranger. Their chemistry is intense, and the story moves at lightning speed.

While I enjoyed the heat and the escapism, I felt like the characters lacked depth, and the plot was almost too rushed to fully connect with them. If you're looking for a short, spicy read without much complexity, this delivers—but if you prefer more buildup and character development, you might find it lacking.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the brilliant narration of Dan Levy

Avery was looking forward to a quiet life at Shady Pines Lodge. All changed when she meets Forest Ranger David. Both are attracted to each other. One problem is David is the lodge owner's brother. David and Avery have a deep connection , even with the age gap. The two are both hot and steamy and belong to each other.

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

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

H and h both have a crush on each other. It’s been months. It isn’t explained why he didn’t peruse her sooner. But it’s a cute story. h is a virgin and much younger than the H David. No angst or real drama at all except her worried she might lose her job if David’s sister (her boss) finds out about them. Kinda felt like instalove because the story begins after months of them both liking eachother. I’d call this a palate cleanser.

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short instant romance. Avery works at a lodge and has stared at David for months when he comes in for breakfast. He is the owners brother and a Forest Ranger. David decided one day to talk to her and ask her out. Their love story makes this a page-turner.

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

["They Did What?" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery and David are so cute together. David is an OTT insta-love ranger who falls for shy, innocent Avery. I do wish the book had been somewhat longer and the characters’ back stories had been more developed but as written it’s a perfect read when you have only a short amount of time for your reading escape!! I would recommend this book.

[Ineta · Rating 4 out of 5]

He watched her for months. She watched him watching her and felt in distraction that can costs her her job. They just needed a little push to see that their one-sided-crush was mutual.
Sweet, steamy instalove short romance to read in one sitting.

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

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining mountain man, Insta love short story romance book that holds your attention captive from beginning to end. The storyline is intriguing as the elements unfold. The characters are well written with steamy chemistry together. I enjoyed this book.

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

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

David and Avery. Hes a ranger and her boss's brother. Shes the cook in the diner where he eats breakfast every morning. She wants him and she sees the way he looks art her but she cant take the chance. And he wants her and not just for a hook up. Such a sweet sexy read. Loved it.

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