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Calamity Montana #6
The Brood
The last thing Wilder Abbott needs is a houseguest. Solitude has been his stoic companion for nearly a decade. He prefers to brood over his mistakes in seclusion. Besides, he gets enough social interaction as a high school science teacher in Calamity, Montana.
But when his oldest friend calls, begging for a favor, Wilder begrudgingly agrees. For the next two months, he’ll give up his guest room to his friend’s little sister.
Iris Monroe isn’t the girl Wilder remembers. Gone is the shy, quiet mouse ten years his junior who always had her nose in a book. Grown-up Iris talks too much and asks too many questions, especially about his past. And her bright smile and clear blue eyes are hard to ignore.
Two months. He just has to survive two months. Except Iris is as nosy as she is beautiful. And his secrets prove hard to hide when she’s living under his roof.
But when his oldest friend calls, begging for a favor, Wilder begrudgingly agrees. For the next two months, he’ll give up his guest room to his friend’s little sister.
Iris Monroe isn’t the girl Wilder remembers. Gone is the shy, quiet mouse ten years his junior who always had her nose in a book. Grown-up Iris talks too much and asks too many questions, especially about his past. And her bright smile and clear blue eyes are hard to ignore.
Two months. He just has to survive two months. Except Iris is as nosy as she is beautiful. And his secrets prove hard to hide when she’s living under his roof.
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2023
1116 people are currently reading
7771 people want to read
About the author
Devney Perry
84 books28.3k followersDevney is a #1 Amazon, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of over forty romance novels. After working in the technology industry for a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to pursue her passion for writing. She was born and raised in Montana and now lives in Washington with her husband and two sons.”
Visit Devney's website to sign up for her newsletters and learn more about upcoming books.
www.devneyperry.com
Visit Devney's website to sign up for her newsletters and learn more about upcoming books.
www.devneyperry.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,097 reviews
September 17, 2023
kinda sad it’s the last book bc this series>>>>
August 28, 2023
forced proximity + brothers best friend + age gap + temporary roommates + grumpy/sunshine!!!!! a killer combo of tropes and this book totally delivered. wilder abbott is the broodiest of broody men, and when his best friend decides to cash in on a favor wilder owes him, he finds himself with a new roommate for the summer: his best friend’s little sister. iris is such a gem, she’s a social media influencer who is sunshiney and witty and she refuses to let wilder’s less than welcoming attitude bring her down while she’s in montana.
this was such a fun take on the brother’s best friend trope, bc wilder and iris hardly know each other at all and haven’t seen each other in 10+ years. the banter was so fun, and the forced proximity/roommates aspect made the tension between them even better. but there’s so much sweetness to their story too, after so many years of both being independent and mostly alone, they finally find a safe place to land with each other.
a low drama book with the perfect balance of tension, humor, spice, and heartfelt moments, all in the small town montana setting that devney perry is known and loved for. this series is so FUN, and the brood is the perfect new addition to the calamity world!
this was such a fun take on the brother’s best friend trope, bc wilder and iris hardly know each other at all and haven’t seen each other in 10+ years. the banter was so fun, and the forced proximity/roommates aspect made the tension between them even better. but there’s so much sweetness to their story too, after so many years of both being independent and mostly alone, they finally find a safe place to land with each other.
a low drama book with the perfect balance of tension, humor, spice, and heartfelt moments, all in the small town montana setting that devney perry is known and loved for. this series is so FUN, and the brood is the perfect new addition to the calamity world!
October 30, 2023
Mid 3 stars rounded up because my averages suck right now.
This was sweet, but didn’t have much plot -it was them being horny and resisting each other and then them being horny and banging each other- and the dead-wife trope was extremely heavy 😆.
But honestly, the plots in this series are all kind of light and the tropes kind of heavy but, like the others, this is readable and engaging.
I don’t read contemporary very often anymore because of the reliance on tropes, clichés and the sheer lack of originality, but this entertained me well enough.
Complete stand alone, very little was mentioned of last books/characters. Tropes include: age-gap, brother’s best friend/best friend’s little sister, grumpy sunshine, dead-wife, forced proximity, small town, roommates and insta-lust (is that a trope?). So see what I mean about tropes? Made me dizzy.
This was sweet, but didn’t have much plot -it was them being horny and resisting each other and then them being horny and banging each other- and the dead-wife trope was extremely heavy 😆.
But honestly, the plots in this series are all kind of light and the tropes kind of heavy but, like the others, this is readable and engaging.
I don’t read contemporary very often anymore because of the reliance on tropes, clichés and the sheer lack of originality, but this entertained me well enough.
Complete stand alone, very little was mentioned of last books/characters. Tropes include: age-gap, brother’s best friend/best friend’s little sister, grumpy sunshine, dead-wife, forced proximity, small town, roommates and insta-lust (is that a trope?). So see what I mean about tropes? Made me dizzy.
September 24, 2023
4 stars
After the last book in this series, I couldn’t wait to read Wilder Abbott’s book. I love a grumpy hero. When Wilder’s best friend calls him to cash in an old favor and asks him to let his little sister stay with him a few months, he can’t stay no. Even though a house guest is the last thing he wants. Then enters in Iris…
Iris seems so opposite of Wilder. She is a free spirit and a traveler and ten years his junior, but these two click even though he doesn’t want to. I loved watching them fall for one another. It was a sweet book and I was happy to see Wilder get his hea.
After the last book in this series, I couldn’t wait to read Wilder Abbott’s book. I love a grumpy hero. When Wilder’s best friend calls him to cash in an old favor and asks him to let his little sister stay with him a few months, he can’t stay no. Even though a house guest is the last thing he wants. Then enters in Iris…
Iris seems so opposite of Wilder. She is a free spirit and a traveler and ten years his junior, but these two click even though he doesn’t want to. I loved watching them fall for one another. It was a sweet book and I was happy to see Wilder get his hea.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Ava Erickson & Ryan Hudson
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 7h 50m
September 8, 2023
honestly, i think this is now my fav of the calamity series🤭🤭 i absolutely loved wilder and iris. their chemistry, tension, forbidden attraction jumped off the pages.
it’s age gap and he’s a hot as hell teacher so he’s moody and broody (lol) AND he has a beard..be still my heart. iris is wilder’s best friend little sister and she’s an influencer who has been traveling and not staying in one place for awhile. so she goes to calamity and stays on wilder’s house during her stay in calamity (hellooooo forced proximity!). iris was honestly giving me such girl crush vibes - i LOVED her! oh and also the spice in this??? probably one of the more spicier books devney has done and she delivered. hello, shower scene!!! and don’t get me started on how jealous wilder was when iris would wear shirts that belonged to men she knew..he ripped that shit right off 🥹🥹🥹
i loved this!! thank you devney for the arc!!!
it’s age gap and he’s a hot as hell teacher so he’s moody and broody (lol) AND he has a beard..be still my heart. iris is wilder’s best friend little sister and she’s an influencer who has been traveling and not staying in one place for awhile. so she goes to calamity and stays on wilder’s house during her stay in calamity (hellooooo forced proximity!). iris was honestly giving me such girl crush vibes - i LOVED her! oh and also the spice in this??? probably one of the more spicier books devney has done and she delivered. hello, shower scene!!! and don’t get me started on how jealous wilder was when iris would wear shirts that belonged to men she knew..he ripped that shit right off 🥹🥹🥹
i loved this!! thank you devney for the arc!!!
September 8, 2023
1.5 stars
Here as my certified job of being a hater (btw I wish I liked this I’m not just hating to hate I swear)
Iris moves into Wilders house as a favor called in by her brother who happens to be his best friend. She’s also ten years younger than him (she’s 25) and he had a wife that died 9 years prior. My issue with this is that there’s not really any plot and I hate Iris’ brother.
Basically the plot is this:
Iris moves in > instant lust > they do what roommates do🫣 > some issues with students > they fall in love > her brother finds out.
This girl said “I’m not in love with him yet” then says she lives him TWENTY PAGES LATER LMFAOOO. And Wilder has some guilt over his wife dying which happened almost a decade ago and basically turn out HE HATED HIS WIFE this dude always complained about his wife’s crying and kept comparing her and Iris.
She’s an influencer so naturally she gets disgusting comments like being called a wh*re. Then when her brother finds out about the relationship HE ASKS HER WHY SHE SLEPT WITH HIM. Your baby sister moved into a house with a man 10 years her senior and then you accuse her of taking advantage of him??? Don’t get me wrong it could have been a possibility but that’s YOUR SISTER.
Lastly the plot with the students was stupid and I saw it coming from a mile away 🫥
Despite all of this is was a quick read but I think she should’ve stopped after the last book I honestly didn’t even feel like I was in the same town anymore. And if there’s another one WHO WOULD IT EVEN BE ABOUT??? Please let this be the end of this series🙇🏻♀️
Here as my certified job of being a hater (btw I wish I liked this I’m not just hating to hate I swear)
Iris moves into Wilders house as a favor called in by her brother who happens to be his best friend. She’s also ten years younger than him (she’s 25) and he had a wife that died 9 years prior. My issue with this is that there’s not really any plot and I hate Iris’ brother.
Basically the plot is this:
Iris moves in > instant lust > they do what roommates do🫣 > some issues with students > they fall in love > her brother finds out.
This girl said “I’m not in love with him yet” then says she lives him TWENTY PAGES LATER LMFAOOO. And Wilder has some guilt over his wife dying which happened almost a decade ago and basically turn out HE HATED HIS WIFE this dude always complained about his wife’s crying and kept comparing her and Iris.
She’s an influencer so naturally she gets disgusting comments like being called a wh*re. Then when her brother finds out about the relationship HE ASKS HER WHY SHE SLEPT WITH HIM. Your baby sister moved into a house with a man 10 years her senior and then you accuse her of taking advantage of him??? Don’t get me wrong it could have been a possibility but that’s YOUR SISTER.
Lastly the plot with the students was stupid and I saw it coming from a mile away 🫥
Despite all of this is was a quick read but I think she should’ve stopped after the last book I honestly didn’t even feel like I was in the same town anymore. And if there’s another one WHO WOULD IT EVEN BE ABOUT??? Please let this be the end of this series🙇🏻♀️
September 13, 2023
YES Devney Perry is BACK 👏👏 the Calamity series never lets me down 🥹 I absolutely loved Iris and Wilder!
February 3, 2025
I wanted to like The Brood, but aside from the last 15%, it just didn't have that Devney Perry charm. Although I don't generally like reading books about influencers, I really liked our protagonist, Iris. Unfortunately, Wilder didn't really do it for me. My main issue with this story though is that for the majority of the book Iris and Wilder are just having sex, not getting to know each other as people or falling in love. Additionally, I didn't like the way the dead-wife plot was written. Wilder is constantly comparing Iris and his past wife, Amie, and it was very off-putting. Particularly, the way that the dead-wife plot coincided with all the sex scenes was especially uncomfortable. At one point, Wilder complains that Amie always wanted to make love and go slow, and then a couple pages later tells Iris that the reason he likes her is because she lets him do anything he wants to her (sexually). I really hated the way that these women were pitted up against each other, and it always took me out of any romantic mood I was in. So overall, The Brood wrapped up well, and I had fun with this series, but this book just didn't meet the standards I have for this author's writing.
September 8, 2023
The Brood is book 6 in Devney Perry’s Calamity Montana series which is such an underrated series! I love this small town series so much and this one has so many favorite tropes of mine: brother’s best friend, age gap, roommates/forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, and a widower hero.
Wilder is a highschool teacher and gets a call from his best friend Danny one day who is calling in a favor. Danny’s sister Iris is a social media influencer who will be traveling through Montana and needs a place to stay, so Danny asks if she can be Wilder’s temporary roommate. Wilder hasn’t seen Iris in 13 or so years and isn’t quite sure how he feels about sharing his space with someone, but he feels super pulled to Iris upon seeing her. While Wilder is broody and Iris is the complete opposite…sassy, tattooed and not afraid to go after life how she wants no matter what her family thinks. Somehow these opposites end up being perfect for one another. Iris has always been excited about her next adventure, but now Wilder has her questioning whether she even wants to leave Calamity…
This was such an easy read to get swept up into, the romance is low angst and it was just fun seeing Iris and Wilder fall for one another. Wilder is a widower and we see his complicated feelings about that explored. I loved how these two brought the best out in one another and were such a steady balance.
Wilder is a highschool teacher and gets a call from his best friend Danny one day who is calling in a favor. Danny’s sister Iris is a social media influencer who will be traveling through Montana and needs a place to stay, so Danny asks if she can be Wilder’s temporary roommate. Wilder hasn’t seen Iris in 13 or so years and isn’t quite sure how he feels about sharing his space with someone, but he feels super pulled to Iris upon seeing her. While Wilder is broody and Iris is the complete opposite…sassy, tattooed and not afraid to go after life how she wants no matter what her family thinks. Somehow these opposites end up being perfect for one another. Iris has always been excited about her next adventure, but now Wilder has her questioning whether she even wants to leave Calamity…
This was such an easy read to get swept up into, the romance is low angst and it was just fun seeing Iris and Wilder fall for one another. Wilder is a widower and we see his complicated feelings about that explored. I loved how these two brought the best out in one another and were such a steady balance.
October 14, 2025
this was cute, a lil spicy, and fluffy, and the audio narration was great. i loved both the voices! the story was a typical small town grumpy x sunshine, and i enjoyed most of the story but i found it weird how there was OWD with one of his students basically........ like he never indulged in the pettiness of an 18 year old but the way that was kinda the central focus of the third act was an interesting take.
i also dont know why it seems widowers are allergic to actually loving their previous wives. i have yet to read a book where they were actually deeply in love and it wasn't just a "doomed" marriage that he had yet to get over because of the guilt and not because he actually loved them. i just think it would have more emotional value if he actually did love amie instead of basically harboring those small resentments.
i also dont know why it seems widowers are allergic to actually loving their previous wives. i have yet to read a book where they were actually deeply in love and it wasn't just a "doomed" marriage that he had yet to get over because of the guilt and not because he actually loved them. i just think it would have more emotional value if he actually did love amie instead of basically harboring those small resentments.
September 14, 2023
3.5 Stars
September 13, 2023
Dnf 18% (maybe I’ll try again but probably not). I was not really wanting to read about a main girl whose job is something I scroll so fast by on Instagram/tiktok… and it was already mentioned she’s an influencer 3 times, and with how she has a social media manager to post content/edit things for her. Passs.. I don’t prefer when books are heavy on the social media talking.
(2 stars instead of a dnf 1 star because I like Devney Perry)
(2 stars instead of a dnf 1 star because I like Devney Perry)
October 1, 2023
dnf- the gucci peggy rainbow shoes and constant mention of tiktok/instagram as a millennial character was almost enough for me to chuck my kindle to the wall…
September 7, 2023
"Two months in Montana. Two months with Wilder Abbott. Two months to push a few of his buttons and boundaries. Hmm. Maybe this would be fun after all."
The Brood tells the story of broody high school teacher Wilder, and inquisitive social media influencer Iris. What starts as a favor to his friend, turns into so much more when Wilder agrees to let Iris stay with him for 2 months.
I really enjoyed this one. I love a broody, man of few words hero. Add in a sunny independent tattooed heroine, who asks too many questions- match made in heaven. I loved the contrast between their personalities, the forbidden brother's best friend/age gap vibes, and the whole 'can't keep our hands off of each other' spice the story brought. These two just fit into each other's lives so well. It was a fun story, light on drama (and perhaps plot), making it a quick, effortless and enjoyable read. Get ready to get your binge on!
4.5 Stars ⭐
What You'll Find:
--Smalltown Romance
--Broody Tortured Hero
--Social Media Influencer Heroine
--Brother's Bestfriend
--Age Gap
--Close Proximity
--Sunshine Grump
--Dual POV
*Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely.
The Brood tells the story of broody high school teacher Wilder, and inquisitive social media influencer Iris. What starts as a favor to his friend, turns into so much more when Wilder agrees to let Iris stay with him for 2 months.
I really enjoyed this one. I love a broody, man of few words hero. Add in a sunny independent tattooed heroine, who asks too many questions- match made in heaven. I loved the contrast between their personalities, the forbidden brother's best friend/age gap vibes, and the whole 'can't keep our hands off of each other' spice the story brought. These two just fit into each other's lives so well. It was a fun story, light on drama (and perhaps plot), making it a quick, effortless and enjoyable read. Get ready to get your binge on!
4.5 Stars ⭐
What You'll Find:
--Smalltown Romance
--Broody Tortured Hero
--Social Media Influencer Heroine
--Brother's Bestfriend
--Age Gap
--Close Proximity
--Sunshine Grump
--Dual POV
*Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely.
September 7, 2023
5 stars!
We’re back in Calamity Montana with a gorgeous romance that is sweet, sexy and gorgeously heartfelt! Full of fantastic tropes, this is a brother’s best friend, opposites attract, forced proximity, age gap romance with an irresistibly grumpy hero and a free spirited heroine, and I loved this book!
This is the 6th book in the Calamity Montana series, but is a complete standalone, with only some very minor character crossover. So you can read this one on its own (but don't miss the earlier books, because they're all so good!).
Wilder moved to Calamity for a fresh start where he could live in solitude and brood over his tragic past. He is the high school science teacher and lives a very quiet life. But that is about to be upended when his best friend asks him to take in his younger sister while she’s in town for two months.
Iris is a popular influencer who found success by sharing her life on social media, spending two months in one place before moving on somewhere else. It’s let her live a wild and free life all over the world, and now she has set her sights on Calamity, moving in with Wilder while she explores life in a small mountain town.
Wilder and Iris haven’t seen each other in over a decade, since she was a quiet, mousy teenager. Now she’s a gorgeous bombshell, confident and curious, covered in tattoos and jewellery, with a preference for clothes that show some skin. She’s bright and bubbly, and all the things that Wilder is not. And she’s about to rock his world.
I’ve decided that it’s Devney’s grumpy heroes that I love the best (the pinnacle being Kaine from Tragic). You can tell Wilder has a huge heart, that his closed off isolation hides so much pain, and I couldn’t wait to get the heart and soul of him, to truly understand him. It takes Iris bursting into his world, full of life, confidence and cheeriness, to push him out of his moodiness. And it starts with the epic chemistry that sizzles from the moment they see each other.
OMG, the sexual tension is insane! They’re both feeling it, and while Wilder has his reasons for not wanting to go there, the attraction proves powerless to resist, and I was bouncing up and down with excitement just waiting for him to crack. And damn, it was worth the wait!
Their passion for each other is wild, and they soon find themselves completely wrapped up in each other. And as Wilder finally starts to live again, Iris realises the joy that comes with a peaceful life. The emotion builds beautifully, it’s easy and natural, I felt everything along with them, and I loved watching these two fall so hard for each other.
They do both have personal issues to work through, and the drama is realistic and handled well, with the two of them supporting and encouraging each other, right by each other’s sides as they figure it all out. There’s no angst, just straight-up honesty between them, and here is where I need to give a shout-out to Iris, because she is so open and straightforward, she doesn’t allow game playing or stupid behaviour. She’s so self-aware, what you see is what you get, and she is the perfect match for Wilder, the two of them balancing each other out perfectly as she drags him back into the land of the living, and he provides a stable, peaceful place for her to be her true self. Together and individually, I love both of these characters so much!
It’s beautiful to watch them come together, and then be together. This book brought so many feels, and I finished it with a full heart and a huge smile on my face.
5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
We’re back in Calamity Montana with a gorgeous romance that is sweet, sexy and gorgeously heartfelt! Full of fantastic tropes, this is a brother’s best friend, opposites attract, forced proximity, age gap romance with an irresistibly grumpy hero and a free spirited heroine, and I loved this book!
This is the 6th book in the Calamity Montana series, but is a complete standalone, with only some very minor character crossover. So you can read this one on its own (but don't miss the earlier books, because they're all so good!).
Wilder moved to Calamity for a fresh start where he could live in solitude and brood over his tragic past. He is the high school science teacher and lives a very quiet life. But that is about to be upended when his best friend asks him to take in his younger sister while she’s in town for two months.
Iris is a popular influencer who found success by sharing her life on social media, spending two months in one place before moving on somewhere else. It’s let her live a wild and free life all over the world, and now she has set her sights on Calamity, moving in with Wilder while she explores life in a small mountain town.
Wilder and Iris haven’t seen each other in over a decade, since she was a quiet, mousy teenager. Now she’s a gorgeous bombshell, confident and curious, covered in tattoos and jewellery, with a preference for clothes that show some skin. She’s bright and bubbly, and all the things that Wilder is not. And she’s about to rock his world.
Maybe it would prove impossible to work Wilder out of his shell. I had no idea what it felt like to lose the love of your life. But maybe I could at least make him laugh a few times. Remind him what it felt like to smile.
Two months in Montana.
Two months with Wilder Abbott.
Two months to push a few of his buttons and boundaries.
Hmm. Maybe this would be fun after all.
I’ve decided that it’s Devney’s grumpy heroes that I love the best (the pinnacle being Kaine from Tragic). You can tell Wilder has a huge heart, that his closed off isolation hides so much pain, and I couldn’t wait to get the heart and soul of him, to truly understand him. It takes Iris bursting into his world, full of life, confidence and cheeriness, to push him out of his moodiness. And it starts with the epic chemistry that sizzles from the moment they see each other.
OMG, the sexual tension is insane! They’re both feeling it, and while Wilder has his reasons for not wanting to go there, the attraction proves powerless to resist, and I was bouncing up and down with excitement just waiting for him to crack. And damn, it was worth the wait!
“Damn it, Iris. I want you more than I can explain. It’s fucking maddening. But you’re too young. You’re Danny’s sister. You’re…”
Everything I wanted. Everything I didn’t deserve.
Her face softened as her hands splayed on my naked chest. “You want me.”
I tilted my head to the ceiling and groaned. “I want you.”
Their passion for each other is wild, and they soon find themselves completely wrapped up in each other. And as Wilder finally starts to live again, Iris realises the joy that comes with a peaceful life. The emotion builds beautifully, it’s easy and natural, I felt everything along with them, and I loved watching these two fall so hard for each other.
It was inevitable. I like the spinning of the earth or the rising of the moon. Before I left Montana, I would be in love with Wilder Abbott.
They do both have personal issues to work through, and the drama is realistic and handled well, with the two of them supporting and encouraging each other, right by each other’s sides as they figure it all out. There’s no angst, just straight-up honesty between them, and here is where I need to give a shout-out to Iris, because she is so open and straightforward, she doesn’t allow game playing or stupid behaviour. She’s so self-aware, what you see is what you get, and she is the perfect match for Wilder, the two of them balancing each other out perfectly as she drags him back into the land of the living, and he provides a stable, peaceful place for her to be her true self. Together and individually, I love both of these characters so much!
It’s beautiful to watch them come together, and then be together. This book brought so many feels, and I finished it with a full heart and a huge smile on my face.
5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2023
The newest standalone in the calamity standalone series is here! I really enjoyed the audiobook.
The Brood was really light and easy read, almost no conflict or issues facing the couple as they get their HEA.
I will say, I felt like the blurb made it seem like there would be a bit more suspense or grumpiness or something, but it was a pretty low angst, low conflict book.
The Brood was really light and easy read, almost no conflict or issues facing the couple as they get their HEA.
I will say, I felt like the blurb made it seem like there would be a bit more suspense or grumpiness or something, but it was a pretty low angst, low conflict book.
January 5, 2024
Wow. I really loved this story. The chemistry between the H/h was 💥! And I've found that I love a grumpy hero....So now that I've found a new author I'm going back to read all the books in this series. I hope they can live up to this one!
5 stars
5 stars
August 3, 2024
This story does not have that small-town vibe specific to the other books in this series.
January 9, 2024
5 Wilder and Iris Stars
I'm not quite sure what happened here. I love the Calamity series and somehow I missed reading this book. I saw someone's review on GR and suddenly realised I'd missed it completely.
Anyway...off to the trusty Kindle I went and I started reading this gorgeous age gap/ best friend's little sister / small town romance. This works as a standalone very well but this is a fab series so I would recommend all of the Calamity novels.
Wilder Abbott is 35 years old and a Science teacher at the High School. He's broody, handsome , keeps to himself and is popular with most students but not all.
Wilder doesn't take any crap from anyone. He says it how it is and pulls no punches. He lives in a remote house and everything is just as he likes it until his best friend asks for a favour. Then his world gets tipped upside down because along comes his best friend's sister , Iris Monroe. She's no longer the kid she was last time he saw her and she is staying with Wilder for two months.
I loved both Wilder and Iris. She is free spirited and has gone against the demands and expectations of her family to carve out a career travelling the world , flitting from country to country and building her presence on Social Media.
She's one of the loveliest rebel's I've read about.
Wilder stole my kindle heart. Broody heroes are my jam. These two are , on the surface , a Grumpy / Sunshine combination but there is the most delicious chemistry bubbling away here and the push and pull makes for really enjoyable reading. Wilder feels guilty for being attracted to Iris - she's 10 years younger than him , she's his best friend's sister and Wilder has a past that changed him as a person.
“Damn it, Iris. I want you more than I can explain. It’s fucking maddening. But you’re too young. You’re Danny’s sister. You’re . . .” Everything I wanted. Everything I didn’t deserve.
Her face softened as her hands splayed on my naked chest.
“You want me.”
I tilted my head to the ceiling and groaned. “I want you.”
How long til he cracks and they fall into something that could truly be amazing? Both are reluctant but that adds to the deliciousness of the story.
Not that Wilder loved me. Not that I loved Wilder. Not quite. Not yet. But damn, it was so close. It was inevitable. Like the spinning of the earth or the rising of the moon. Before I left Montana, I would be in love with Wilder Abbott. And that fucking sucked.
This was a great book and one I would definitely re read.
My musical muses for this novel are Wilder Days by Morgan Wade and Girl Going Nowhere by Ashley McBryde
HEA? Yes
Cheating? No
Be aware
I'm not quite sure what happened here. I love the Calamity series and somehow I missed reading this book. I saw someone's review on GR and suddenly realised I'd missed it completely.
Anyway...off to the trusty Kindle I went and I started reading this gorgeous age gap/ best friend's little sister / small town romance. This works as a standalone very well but this is a fab series so I would recommend all of the Calamity novels.
Wilder Abbott is 35 years old and a Science teacher at the High School. He's broody, handsome , keeps to himself and is popular with most students but not all.
Wilder doesn't take any crap from anyone. He says it how it is and pulls no punches. He lives in a remote house and everything is just as he likes it until his best friend asks for a favour. Then his world gets tipped upside down because along comes his best friend's sister , Iris Monroe. She's no longer the kid she was last time he saw her and she is staying with Wilder for two months.
I loved both Wilder and Iris. She is free spirited and has gone against the demands and expectations of her family to carve out a career travelling the world , flitting from country to country and building her presence on Social Media.
She's one of the loveliest rebel's I've read about.
Wilder stole my kindle heart. Broody heroes are my jam. These two are , on the surface , a Grumpy / Sunshine combination but there is the most delicious chemistry bubbling away here and the push and pull makes for really enjoyable reading. Wilder feels guilty for being attracted to Iris - she's 10 years younger than him , she's his best friend's sister and Wilder has a past that changed him as a person.
“Damn it, Iris. I want you more than I can explain. It’s fucking maddening. But you’re too young. You’re Danny’s sister. You’re . . .” Everything I wanted. Everything I didn’t deserve.
Her face softened as her hands splayed on my naked chest.
“You want me.”
I tilted my head to the ceiling and groaned. “I want you.”
How long til he cracks and they fall into something that could truly be amazing? Both are reluctant but that adds to the deliciousness of the story.
Not that Wilder loved me. Not that I loved Wilder. Not quite. Not yet. But damn, it was so close. It was inevitable. Like the spinning of the earth or the rising of the moon. Before I left Montana, I would be in love with Wilder Abbott. And that fucking sucked.
This was a great book and one I would definitely re read.
My musical muses for this novel are Wilder Days by Morgan Wade and Girl Going Nowhere by Ashley McBryde
HEA? Yes
Cheating? No
Be aware
February 19, 2025
This was my favorite of the series-I LOVED this couple!! Wilder was a close second to Knox 🫣
October 21, 2024
This would’ve been rated higher if the whole drama with Sadie hadn’t happened. I found that entirely unnecessary and gross.
October 1, 2023
3.5
Just as mid as the rest of the series, but I enjoyed it nonetheless
Just as mid as the rest of the series, but I enjoyed it nonetheless
September 8, 2023
This one was ok for me. Part of it was because I was predisposed to not like Wilder due to his actions in previous books. After hearing his story it does make sense, but he was still an ass! I did like how he was thinking bad, bad thoughts about Iris before he even realized who she was. That boded well for any type of relationship. Yet it drove me nuts how bad he treated Iris because he couldn't deal with his attraction to her and knowing she was his BFF's little sister.
Iris, on the other hand, I loved from the start. I loved her free spirit and how she made her life work for her. I do wish she would have stood up to her family more when she did go home. I really loved how Iris sort of took Sadie under her wing to help her start out doing what she did, but hated how it ended.
Iris and Wilder really shouldn't have worked as a couple, yet they did. Each one seemed to bend a bit for the other and they brought out the best in each other. I also liked how they were there when each faced some trouble in their lives.
The ending for this was cute and predictable.
Iris, on the other hand, I loved from the start. I loved her free spirit and how she made her life work for her. I do wish she would have stood up to her family more when she did go home. I really loved how Iris sort of took Sadie under her wing to help her start out doing what she did, but hated how it ended.
Iris and Wilder really shouldn't have worked as a couple, yet they did. Each one seemed to bend a bit for the other and they brought out the best in each other. I also liked how they were there when each faced some trouble in their lives.
The ending for this was cute and predictable.
February 11, 2025
Mostly just boring. There is almost zero plot outside of the high school student having a crush on the teacher which didn’t really go anywhere reasonable. Idolizing influencer culture is not for me. Also I always hate the “I never really loved my dead spouse like I love you” trope. Major red flag behavior.
September 8, 2023
i honestly don’t know how i feel about this. devney perry used to be a one click author for me but i’m not so sure anymore 🥴 i’ll admit that this trope is one i’m very picky with however a few of her last releases just didn’t hit the mark for me.
i will say one thing i love about her books is while there is drama it very rarely affects the main couple. her couples usually have good communication skills and solve problems together and i love it every time.
iris stays with wilder for 2 months while she’s visiting montana. she lives her life 2 months at a time, traveling from place to place. wilder isn’t thrilled about having his best friends little sister stay with him as he doesn’t like having people in his space. they haven’t seen each other in years and with their 10 year age gap there’s nothing they should have in common. literally from the day she arrives they’re fighting their attraction towards one another. it only takes them a week before they’re sleeping together. like most other couples this authors writes they sleep together right off the bat, don’t talk about it and somehow fall in love within a few weeks
dead wife trope i really only like when it was a marriage of convenience or it ended up to be a bad marriage 🫣
i don’t like hearing how the hero is in love with his dead wife throughout a story while he’s with the heroine and unfortunately this (kinda) happened here.
iris thinks wilder is still in love with amie literally until 80% of the book. he doesn’t do much of anything to show her otherwise. he refuses to speak about his wife, distracting iris with sex every time she tries to bring up their relationship. honestly it was icky like she’s trying to talk about your dead wife and the solution is to have sex with her to get her mind off of the topic?? gross
he feels guilty after sleeping with iris which makes almost no sense when we learn they were headed in divorce before amie’s accident AND he’s been with other women since her death???
i DID like how wilder never thought less of iris (like everyone else in her life) bc she was an influencer. him helping her take photos/videos for content was so cute!! the scene where his parents were coming and she was trying to go to a hotel?? he was NOT having it! moved her right into his bedroom 😮💨
when danny found out they were together? none of the typical downplaying we usually see in brothers best friends romance and i was so here for it. iris stood up for their relationship pretty well but i liked how wilder stood strong right beside her 🤭
the epilogue was typical for this author. married & babies two years later 🫶🏻
i will say one thing i love about her books is while there is drama it very rarely affects the main couple. her couples usually have good communication skills and solve problems together and i love it every time.
iris stays with wilder for 2 months while she’s visiting montana. she lives her life 2 months at a time, traveling from place to place. wilder isn’t thrilled about having his best friends little sister stay with him as he doesn’t like having people in his space. they haven’t seen each other in years and with their 10 year age gap there’s nothing they should have in common. literally from the day she arrives they’re fighting their attraction towards one another. it only takes them a week before they’re sleeping together. like most other couples this authors writes they sleep together right off the bat, don’t talk about it and somehow fall in love within a few weeks
dead wife trope i really only like when it was a marriage of convenience or it ended up to be a bad marriage 🫣
i don’t like hearing how the hero is in love with his dead wife throughout a story while he’s with the heroine and unfortunately this (kinda) happened here.
iris thinks wilder is still in love with amie literally until 80% of the book. he doesn’t do much of anything to show her otherwise. he refuses to speak about his wife, distracting iris with sex every time she tries to bring up their relationship. honestly it was icky like she’s trying to talk about your dead wife and the solution is to have sex with her to get her mind off of the topic?? gross
he feels guilty after sleeping with iris which makes almost no sense when we learn they were headed in divorce before amie’s accident AND he’s been with other women since her death???
i DID like how wilder never thought less of iris (like everyone else in her life) bc she was an influencer. him helping her take photos/videos for content was so cute!! the scene where his parents were coming and she was trying to go to a hotel?? he was NOT having it! moved her right into his bedroom 😮💨
when danny found out they were together? none of the typical downplaying we usually see in brothers best friends romance and i was so here for it. iris stood up for their relationship pretty well but i liked how wilder stood strong right beside her 🤭
the epilogue was typical for this author. married & babies two years later 🫶🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2024
Great end to this series...
I loved the dynamic between the moody, broody hero, Wilder Abbott, and the bubbly, vivacious social media influencer, Iris Monroe. She is the sunshine to his grump and wants to bring him out of his shell, which he wants no part of it. All of that tension smolders below the surface as their romance builds up, and when it finally ignites in a blazing inferno of feels and fire. Perry’s writing is beautifully evocative, and she captured all of that emotion and passion and drew me right into Iris and Wilder’s romance in a completely engrossing way.
This one was relatively low-angst, which I honestly loved. I appreciated to more down to earth, living a normal day aspect of this story. There was still tension, and banter, and spice, but it was all so perfectly balanced to create this amazing story. This was a perfect addition to the Calamity Montana series.
**Age gap --10 years
**Widower
**Grumpy/Sunshine
**Roommates to lovers
**Forced Proximity
**High school teacher/influencer
**Small town romance
Hoopla listen 🎶
I loved the dynamic between the moody, broody hero, Wilder Abbott, and the bubbly, vivacious social media influencer, Iris Monroe. She is the sunshine to his grump and wants to bring him out of his shell, which he wants no part of it. All of that tension smolders below the surface as their romance builds up, and when it finally ignites in a blazing inferno of feels and fire. Perry’s writing is beautifully evocative, and she captured all of that emotion and passion and drew me right into Iris and Wilder’s romance in a completely engrossing way.
This one was relatively low-angst, which I honestly loved. I appreciated to more down to earth, living a normal day aspect of this story. There was still tension, and banter, and spice, but it was all so perfectly balanced to create this amazing story. This was a perfect addition to the Calamity Montana series.
**Age gap --10 years
**Widower
**Grumpy/Sunshine
**Roommates to lovers
**Forced Proximity
**High school teacher/influencer
**Small town romance
Hoopla listen 🎶
September 11, 2023
Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating:🌶🌶
HEA
❗️Safety & Small Spoilers Below❗️
📌 Triggers: Online Bullying (on-page) Death of a loved one (off page) Guilt surrounding a death (on-page) Slut-Shaming (on-page)
📌 No Cheating/Sharing
📌 OWD: MMC has a dead wife & she gets brought up a lot in his pov. It's annoying at first, but after he explains certain things, it becomes more tolerable. There's also a woman who has a crush on MMC & she causes a bit of drama towards the end. It's nothing bad.
📌 No OMD
📌 No Third-act Breakup/Separation
Spice Rating:🌶🌶
HEA
❗️Safety & Small Spoilers Below❗️
📌 Triggers: Online Bullying (on-page) Death of a loved one (off page) Guilt surrounding a death (on-page) Slut-Shaming (on-page)
📌 No Cheating/Sharing
📌 OWD: MMC has a dead wife & she gets brought up a lot in his pov. It's annoying at first, but after he explains certain things, it becomes more tolerable. There's also a woman who has a crush on MMC & she causes a bit of drama towards the end. It's nothing bad.
📌 No OMD
📌 No Third-act Breakup/Separation
September 10, 2023
I was so happy to be back in Calamity, Montana!! Devney Perry never fails. Wilder is the broodiest high school science teacher. His friend calls in a favor for Wilder to cash in on, and ends up with his best friend’s little sister as a roommate. Both Wilder and Iris have spent many years alone, so this is very awkward for them at first. Iris is a very bright and fun social media influencer who tries to pry Wilder open with question after question.
This was such a light and fun read. The mix of spice, emotional moments, and banter was so good. Also, y’all he’s a reader!🫦
Tropes:
Grumpy/sunshine
Forced proximity
Age gap
Brother’s best friend
This was such a light and fun read. The mix of spice, emotional moments, and banter was so good. Also, y’all he’s a reader!🫦
Tropes:
Grumpy/sunshine
Forced proximity
Age gap
Brother’s best friend
September 12, 2023
This surprised me! I expected to not like it but was shocked when I did!
Iris and Widler’s relationship was just so sweet. They found peace & comfort in each other and I loved it. Wilder grew on me once he started opening up to Iris and o really loved the low angst and low drama.
There’s some subplots i didn’t like- mainly the one revolving around Wilders students in this class.
But other than that, pleasantly surprised by this!
Iris and Widler’s relationship was just so sweet. They found peace & comfort in each other and I loved it. Wilder grew on me once he started opening up to Iris and o really loved the low angst and low drama.
There’s some subplots i didn’t like- mainly the one revolving around Wilders students in this class.
But other than that, pleasantly surprised by this!
September 11, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
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