Mountain Man's Surrender

Whispered Echoes

by Ellen Brooks

A scarred mountain man.
His best friend's curvy daughter.
But earning her trust means risking his heart.

~ Aspen ~

I came to this small mountain town to sell the garage my estranged father left me and never look back.

Until I find his best friend running the place.

Landry's rugged, commanding, and unexpectedly tempting.

The overbearing mountain man is everything I shouldn't want and his scars will no doubt have him shutting me out just like
my father did.

But when a snowstorm traps us at his remote cabin, the undeniable heat between us threatens to melt more than just my defenses and reveals a secret that changes everything.

— 🗻 —

Mountains keep their secrets, but can love heal their scars?

The untamed beauty of the mountains is no match for these scarred men. Fate brings women who hold the power to mend their wounds, but first, they must navigate the rugged terrain of their pasts. As they confront their scars, they discover that true healing can only come from one thing… love.

Each story in ‘Whispered Echoes’ delves into the lives of our wounded heroes and the courageous women who dare to love them.

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2025

About the author

Ellen Brooks pens sexy & satisfying stories. When she’s not dreaming up her next hero or plotting a happily ever after, you’ll find her absorbed in a novel, relaxing into śavāsana, or downing an iced coffee.

Visit ellenbrooks.info/extras to grab a free book today!

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella had a bit of a bumpy start, with Aspen and Landry not getting off on a great foot. She's angry at a father who abandoned her and her father, while Landon knows (and keeps a secret) that would rock her world. She just wants to sell things and move on, but weather doesn't permit it and she's stuck with Landry - UGH! Will she learn the truth, and Landry's secret? Will she sell the garage to start her business?

I voluntarily reviewed a gift copy of this book. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Man’s Surrender by Ellen Brooks ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Aspen and Landry’s story is everything I crave in a small-town, age gap, dad’s best friend romance—with a snowed-in twist that delivers all the heat.

Aspen comes to town expecting to tie up loose ends, not to find herself tangled in the arms of her late father’s rugged, scarred, and impossibly tempting best friend. Landry’s protective and gruff on the outside, but once they’re stuck in that remote cabin, his softer side starts to show—and whew, it’s worth the wait.

There’s a perfect balance of emotional scars, forbidden chemistry, and unexpected tenderness. And just when you think it’s all steam and snowflakes, a secret hits that completely changes the game.

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

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy reading this love story. Aspen and Landry are a perfect match if only he can get over the age gap and the fact that Aspen is his friend’s daughter. Aspen finds out that she has inherited a garage from a father who had recently found out about her. She always thought that he didn’t want her and in reality he never knew about her. Landry has been keeping the garage going and the connection between them is powerful.

[laura.lovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your craving a forced proximity, dad’s best friend, small town story full of spice, reluctance, forbidden desire, emotions, protectiveness, gentleness, healing, change and lots of love - you found the one.

It’s the perfect mix of sweet and spicy and all that set in a snowy cabin.

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

[Didi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful age gap small town romance. Aspen has come to Wildwood with a plan. Revelations point to a different scenario and she discovers a new reality. Loved the small town welcome, the emotion evoking plot, the poignant moments between Aspen and Landry and the development of their feelings. Add snowstorm proximity, sizzling passion, and vulnerability that leads to a HEA-perfect quick read.

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

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ya'll are in for a full novel in novella form in this book.

Aspen comes to town to sell the garage her non existent father left for her in his will. She hasn't known him even a day in her life. She meets her dad's best friend, Landry. who is running the shop. In a small town like theirs...therr are non chains, or competiton to getting quality auto work done. I love the outlook Landry has for the shop. He has kept it running to help the people in town. He gives them options to pay in installments and meals if it means they townfolk can be safe and get to more important appointments.

Aspen has no idea what she's walking into. She's got heart and sass. She also learns things are not what they seem. She thought she couldn't live with the memory of her father, but she might not be able to leave.

I have to be honest...this book made me totally cry. (in a good way). Its got real heart, heartbreak, lies and secrets that needed to see the daylight, and a chance for Aspen to learn more truths that she can ever imagine.

Landry wants to keep his distance from Aspen but she is making it impossible. She doesn't let him shy away or take the easy way out. She makes him answer for his feelings and accept him broken pieces after war and all. There is a line in this book where Aspen talks about fate bringing them together to be where they are at that time and moment. (sorry got read it to get the whole feels, but you are know its SO worth it).

This is a touching story of heartbreak, half truths, found family, love, and a real positive vibes feel of a HEA.

[Rosanne Medill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my ! You can just feel the sparks flying. This extremely talented author will have your interest from the beginning. I absolutely loved it. Aspen comes to see about selling the garage of the father she never met and get back to the city. Landry is keeping his best friend's garage going. He's working on a car when in walks a fiery young woman and he's instantly attracted to her. Aspen is ready to let loose her anger on the man who took it upon himself to keep the garage open when she sees a well built gorgeous mountain man and she feels a deep pull towards him. Their passion is sizzling hot and their chemistry is undeniable. Will Aspen and Landry realize they have found a deep connection with each other or will they ignore it because of her ɓeing his best friend's daughter? Can Aspen take a chance and change her plans to stay with Landry and can she accept the truth about what she was told is actually a lie? Does Landry let his age difference keep him away from Aspen and does he let himself give his heart despite his secrets yet to be revealed? I definitely encourage you to get this sizzling exciting hot 5 ⭐️ hit. You won't be able to put it down. You'll just love it.

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

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

Mountain Man's Surrender is part of the multi-authored Whispered Echoes series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, opposites- attract, curvy girl gets her mountain man romance. Aspen is a curvy jewelry maker from the city who has come to town to claim the garage her late father left her. She never met him and was always told he didn't want her. Landry is a hunky, ex-military man who was her dad's best friend. He has been running the garage, unbeknownst to her. When they meet, the attraction is instant, but Landry has concerns about their age gap and the fact that she is the daughter of his late best friend. She is a bit rude at first, wanting to sell the place, but she learns that all is not as it seems. Further, as she stays with Landry, the attraction is too much. They give in, and it's hot. Their chemistry was insane and the ending was so happy after a bit of angst. I loved the bonus epilogue, too.

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

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A connection she was supposed to find

Is it forbidden?
Or is it fate?
She never met her dad, but Landry is the connection to him that she is missing, the link that helps to forgive and to heal.
My heart hurts for Aspen and the grief she is dealing with, but I am glad that her misplaced anger doesn't blind her to reason and her broken heart doesn't stop her from falling in love. A steamy night snowbound in Landry's cabin shows them the possibilities...but they have to be brave enough to take the leap.
A lovely read on Kindle Unlimited, I look forward to more from Wildwood.
I read this on Kindle Unlimited.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- Landry and Aspen
Genre- Mountain Man Romance
Heat- open door, explicit.
Series? N
Safety? Y
Triggers? N
Tropes- Father’s Best Friend, Unknown Father, Small Town, Fish Out of Water, Instalove, Age Gap.
What I liked- Aspen is a jewelry artist and I think that’s so cool. And Landry is a Renaissance Man. Neither of them has to rescue the other, which is refreshing. They may have an age gap, but they are equally strong people.

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

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aspen heads to Wildwood to sell the garage she inherited from her absent father, but she ends up finding love with her father's best friend. Landry was working in the garage when Aspen showed up and they had an intense connection from the start. This is a heartwarming, mountain man romance with well developed characters, secrets, steam, and a great ending. Mountain Man's Surrender is book ten in the multi-author Whispered Echos series. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

So technically this story could be labeled as a secret baby, yet it's not quite that. For being such a short story, it had surprising depth to it and there were some really sad moments in it too. There were also some rather hot and steamy moments that should have been taboo but were all too perfect for this couple.

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

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I’m reviewing today is titled, Mountain Man's Surrender which is part of the Whispered Echoes - A Spicy Wounded Mountain Man book series written by Ellen Brooks. Aspen and Landry are a perfect together if only he can only move past the age gap and the reason that Aspen is his best friend’s daughter. This is an instalove story with a wounded mountain man and a head strong city girl.

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

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Aspen had a plan but it changes when she gets to Wildwood and finds out the truth about her father. Meeting Landry only adds more doubts about her plan. I like how falling in love with Landry leads to happiness and she still gets her dream.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a fast-paced older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Aspen and Landry. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with secrets, connection, insecurities and realizations.

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

[Sarah Freilinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where there's a will there is a way

As pen has come to Wildwood for some closure. She thinks he father abandoned her before she was born and now wants to redeem himself in death by leaving her his garage. Landry has kept the garage open for the town, just waiting for Aspen to.come to town.
There is a secret that can change it all.

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found Home

An inheritance from a father she never knew. With her mother gone it’s time for a fresh start. Only arriving to claim her inheritance she realizes nothing is what she expected. Story for the heart about facing truth, loss and a new future. The ending made my heart happy.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aspen was told by her mom that her dad didn't want either of them. Her mom died and now she's alone. She's contacted and told she inherited her dad's garage. She goes to Vermont to sell and finds so much more. Including Landry. Loved this story! Received a free copy.

[Tychedea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I missed that this was a novella in the description. For the length it was good, but because of that, it was also a bit rushed. I liked Landry and Aspen as characters. I liked them well enough that I would have liked the time to get to know them and their story better.

[Debi Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Older Guy

This was a great read. It was a dad’s best friend, older age gap, with a mountain man who is falling for the daughter. A few steamy scenes and of course a happy ending for Landry and Aspen. It is definitely a must read book.

[Ciji Jacober · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so sweet!! A cute little short story with a happy ending. I absolutely loved it! Aspen and Landry are perfect together.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Romance Book. Awesome Storyline. The most Amazing HEA ending with the fantastic characters. This book is going to be a best seller for Ellen, and I am in love with her writing style.

[T.I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I really liked this one. It's so good. You won't be able to put it down. Totally worth the read. Enjoy.

[Emillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

cute palate cleanser novella