Cabin Fever

by Jack Harbon

When Jayden's father falls ill from a questionable gas station sushi roll, he reluctantly takes the man's spot on his company trip. He'd much rather stay in the safety of his bedroom, distancing from the world and stewing under his own rain cloud. But the trip up to the cabins isn't all bad; he's rooming with three of his father's sexiest employees, and after a shocking and voyeuristic late-night discovery, Jayden soon begins to understand why these three are so eager to return to this cabin every year. Team-building exercises have never been so downright filthy, and with a little help from the guys, Jayden just might start to take action and get himself out of his own seemingly-endless despair.

CABIN FEVER is an erotic novella intended for audiences over 18. For a full list of content notes and acts portrayed, please check the back of the book.

Genres: LGBT, M M Romance, Novella

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

Jack Harbon (she/they) is a nonbinary transfem author writing everything from romance to erotica to horror—or sometimes a mix of all three. If she’s not scribbling down notes on one of her thousands of book ideas, she’s shopping for yet another doll to add to her collection, crocheting, or watching scary movies. Follow her on all socials @JackHarbonBooks!

Reviews

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't often review erotica, but when this author reached out I knew I was going to say yes.

True, Cabin Fever is a very high heat gay erotica, but it also has a surprising amount of tenderness and heart, dealing with mental health challenges.

Jayden has been struggling with depression, but when his father gets unexpectedly sick, it falls to him to lead the yearly company retreat. He ends up in a cabin with three gorgeous older men, and discovers that once a year at the retreat they all get very intimate with each other...

While this gets very sexy, there are certain elements of the kink involved here that aren't really my thing, which is why it's not a full 5 stars. But that's a personal preference and I think this is a really well-written erotica that also manages to tackle the complexities of recovering from a depressive episode in a meaningful way. This is further reinforced by the authors note at the end. I'm glad to see a new novella from Jack Harbon and hope for more in the future! I received a copy of this book for review from the author, all opinions are my own.

[lauraღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not one to believe in any kind of afterlife—and this could very well be me being dickmatized—but this is what I imagine Heaven is.

3.5 stars. I'm labelling this as contemporary romance, which is not quite accurate, because it doesn't meet all the criteria for a romance. But then I feel like labelling it as erotica (which is what it technically is) would be misleading, because it has more... idk, heart than I would expect from an erotica. The plot is simple: Jayden, a depressed young man, takes his father's place at a work retreat at a cabin in the mountains, and he ends up banging it out with three of his father's friends. Most of this is smut, but it also deals with Jayden's mental illness, him coming to terms with the almost fugue state he's been in for the last few ways, and taking the necessary steps towards getting better. Fucking three older guys doesn't fix him, but it doesn't hurt, either! And they each, in their own way, nudge him towards a better path. I loved how protective Julian was, how playful Derreck was, how Sid's mean guy schtick didn't negate his caring side.

As with any book that's pretty sex heavy, my enjoyment did kinda hinge on how appealing it was to me. Aaand there were a few things that made me lower my rating. (Spitting, for example, always makes me want to fight.) But for the most part, it was hot, and just a good, sexy time. No HEA, but very much a hopeful, happy ending. (No pun intended.) Kudos.

[Fae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick, steamy weekend read will go by just as quickly as Jayden's weekend away does. This one gets a strong recommendation from me, I enjoyed it.


Jayden

Jayden is 26 and in a dark place. In his own words, he's still "trying to figure out what the fuck I'm doing with my life". But he's not doing a great job of it, lately. He's depressed, down on his luck, and floundering. His father had already paid his way on an annual weekend trip with his employees but he got sick, and Jayden is tagging along in his place.

Good for Jayden, because he soon discovers his roommates for the weekend don't just come on this annual trip to commune with nature and drink beer, they come to hook up. Three men share the cabin with him: Derreck, Julian, and Sidney. It's the very first night when Jayden hears a suspicious sound and discovers them hooking up. Jayden's longstanding fantasies come true, and they beckon him to join.

The three men couldn't be more different from one another.


Julian

Jayden catches a ride from Julian, and he's the caretaker of the trio. He's the first to spy Jayden's untouched depression medication. Even before he sees the pill bottle, Julian tunes in on the vibes that while Jayden might say he's fine, under the surface he might be barely treading water at this point. Julian and Jayden have the best chemistry, and the sweetest burgeoning relationship, in my opinion.


Derreck

Derreck ticks all Jayden's boxes, and is the ideal man he'd like to hook up with. He's "lusted after this mother fucker for as long as I've known him." Lucky for Jayden, then. All Jayden's lusty fantasies come true over the course of the weekend.


Sidney

Sidney is mean, to put it nicely. He's someone Jayden has also lusted after, which works well when he's being super mean to Jayden in the bedroom. It helps that Jayden is into it, but of the three of them, I was least into the vibe Jayden had with Sidney because I'm not into degradation at all and I had to skim through the scenes where Sidney was being actively mean to Jayden. The power imbalance was too stark for me, Jayden being so much younger, and with him and Sidney not being in a relationship, it just wasn't my thing.

Once Jayden Peeps the Situation

Once Jayden gets a better idea of what's going on for their annual weekend trips, it's game on. Hot sex, MMMM style. I enjoyed the group dynamic and how each archetype got their time with Jayden.


Jayden Does some Self-Reflection

The second day of the trip, everyone sets out on a hike up the mountain. Jayden quickly discovers he's not in shape and questions if he can make it to the terminus of the hike. He pushes through and makes it up the mountain. Even though he's not an outdoorsy type, he feels the freedom and power of being able to succeed. He did that, step by step by step up the hills until he gets the payout, looking out over the vista. It sets something free in him. He understands the box he's been stuck in is self-made. And maybe he's ready to push his way through the funk he's been stuck in.

This bit of character development transforms this story from straight-up fantasy-fulfilling erotica to an uplifting story of growth, self-reflection and hope. I was so very glad the author chose to include this element to the story.


Hurt/Comfort

I think I liked the hurt/comfort element that comes into play later in the novella most of all. And I was glad Julian is there for Jayden to help him after he gets hurt.


Erotica vs. Romance

The romance reader in me was screaming for MORE relationship development, but for what it is, branded as Erotica, this story ticks most of my boxes and I strongly recommend it. If it were developed into a full romance story I'd want Jayden and Julian to end up together, with hooking up with Derreck and Sidney relegated to their annual weekend trip. But that's not really what this story is, and that's totally okay.


Recommend

This is a quick, easy, steamy read and I'm recommending it.

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

[B. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cabin Fever was a fun surprise I didn't know I needed! This was a quick read that packed a really potent... punch. Jayden had his hand and such full with three of the TOP employees at his dad's firm. Julian, Derreck and Sidney use a yearly team building trip to indulge in each other and Jayden ends up rooming with them when his Dad convinces him to join after a seeming prolonged bout of depression. When Dad can't make the trip, Jayden worries but there's no need when the trio take him under their wing. Jay really needed to get out of his head for a bit and while this novella is heavy on the heat, there were really wonder moments of vulnerability concerning Jay. The real dilemma Jay struggles with regarding how escaping a bit with JDS won't and never will make his real issues and the need to deal with them disappear. The beauty and heartbreaking in Jayden making the decision to do the thing he's been avoided nearly had me in tears which I absolutely wasn't prepared for in this book.
If anything, my only negative is that I really wanted more of these characters and I wanted to follow Jayden's journey (and he better use that number!).

Cabin Fever was a really pleasant surprise. I laughed and fanned myself and FELT which isn't easy to do in under 100 pages but my word did Harbon do it. Highly recommend!

[Patti Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Great Short Story to Read! Jayden has depression and anxiety issues and does not leave his room. Jayden is also very shy and like to hide. His father gets food poisonings right before his big weekend away. Jayden agrees to go in his place. Julian drives Jayden up to the cabin. Jayden is sharing a cabin with Julian, Derrick and Sidney. The other cabin will house Amir, Bradley and Ian. All of these men work with Jayden's father. Derrick is always around at the house for Birthday parties and holiday get togethers. Julian and Sidney also show up at the house. Sidney moved to America with his mother when he was 10 years old. Sidney has a English-Irish-American Accent. Jayden has had a crush on Derrick for 6 years. Julian goes out to chop wood, so they have some for the fireplace. Jayden goes out to help. That evening they settle in for the night the other guys finally show up. The next day they go in a hike and Jayden agrees to go to. On the way back down Jayden falls and Derrick carries him back to the cabin. Having fun together is a treat for the cabin trip only. Will Jayden make the trip next year??? Will Jayden finally take his medicine that he has been putting off???? What is in store for Jayden next???.

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

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Either you knew this is what we did every year, or…”
“Or…?”
“Or you’re one very lucky boy.”

I really loved this book. It was a fun, quick very steamy read. After his father gets food poisoning, Jayden takes his place on a company trip and shares a cabin with his dad's friends Julian, Derreck, and Sidney. I really liked the whole group of them and their different personalities. Jayden and Julian initially have the most chemistry simmering just below the surface until that night when Jayden sees something he never expected. Julian is the one teaching, guiding, and checking Jayden's consent. Derreck is fun and easy going. Sid has a sprinkling of grumpy in his personality and is very commanding. Jay is indeed a very lucky boy!

Their time together was hot. And it was a healing experience for Jay suffering from depression and anxiety. I enjoyed seeing his growth over the course of the story. Of course, the way it ended , I wanted more! I want to see where everyone ends up after this trip. I'd love to think they start meeting up for some fun and a real relationship starts between the four of them. Heck, I'll even take a story about next years work trip. Hopefully we'll see these guys again! This is the first book I've read by this author and I will definitely be back for more! 5 stars.

[Rachel E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't even begin to know where to start. I guess, how did I find this book to read? - I've been reviewing ARCs for a few months through BookSprout; most have been mountain man or Motorcycle clubs, with a few other genres thrown in(Fated mates, Mafia, etc). I was specifically looking for more MM novellas to review.... well did I get what I bargained for? Actually I got way more. I'm not new to Erotica, most of it hits the same beats but this was so well done and so emotional. The Story of the main character Jayden and how the connection with the other Main characters feeds his soul and helps him find himself, rather helps him find his way out of the darkness was stunning.

I personally read everything from Closed door romances to Erotica... I firmly believe that if done well and right, intimacy on page at whatever level can not only propel a story but be paramount to its telling. In this case, I thought it nailed the mark. I'll definitely be looking forward to reading more Jack Harbon in the future.

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

[Anne Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super hot!
I’ve got to say, I am new to this author and after reading the write up I was really excited about this book. And it didn’t let me down.
Jayden‘s father had food poisoning and couldn’t go on the trip he had planned with his work colleagues so he asked Jayden to go in his place. Jaden had been suffering with depression and felt this would be good for him. What he didn’t know was Jaden had crushes on three of the men that were going. And this trip would certainly be an eye-opener for him.
I will say the passion in this book is off the charts the chemistry it’s so strong. What I really enjoyed was that Derreck Julian and Sydney were so different. They all offered Jayden something so utterly different and everything that he needed.
I will say I didn’t really like the end of this book. I definitely wanted more for him. But an enjoyable read and I would read more from this author.

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

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a first time read for me and the author. My original thought was to hope for a short steamy read. But it is so much more! In fact, the sexual components really weren't my thing although well written.

Rather, the story of how those experiences in the cabin aloud Jayden, with each individual partner, find acceptance and freedom. Sid, Julian and Derreck touched a part of Jayden's insecurities and reassured him it was OK to want and feel what he did.

Most impressive to me was Jayden's acceptance that taking prescribed medication was OK. His willingness to at least try was powerful. And the authors comments about there own journey briefly told made this more than a sexual romp in a cabin but something powerful. Something that might help others. Bravo to you Jack Harbon.

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

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, this is a story about a young man, Jayden, that goes on a retreat and finds himself in the middle of something much more than he imagined. The company retreat his father paid for and could not attend turned into a sensual and sexual delight. But in addition to that Jayden gets to do some personal work on his struggles with depression and a sense that he needs to deal with that and his sense that his life is not progressing as he would like it to. These men, older than Jayden, each different from the other and each able to offer something different to Jayden that he needed to reassess where he was in his life. So although this was not a romance, it was an important time for Jayden and his weekend companions. Sometimes that is just what one needs.

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

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jayden is wallowing in depression and anxiety when he is coerced into taking his dad’s place on a company weekend to a cabin in the woods. Of the six employees going, he knows three —Derreck, Sid and Julien —so he opts to stay in their cabin rather than with strangers. He has little idea what goes on in that cabin after dark! Drawn into sexual experimentation with the three men, he discovers some things about himself, and finds the beginning of a way out of the darkness of the last few months.
Interesting, high heat story, leaving me hopeful for his recovery and wondering if Jayden will be back the next year.

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

[Emma Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cabin Fever is one deliciously steamy short read that manages to pack a surprising amount of emotional depth into its sexy, sweat-drenched pages. Jack Harbon does what he does best—hot men, hotter scenes, and just enough heart to make you feel like you’ve read more than just a spicy novella.

Jayden is a relatable, socially withdrawn introvert who finds himself reluctantly filling in for his dad on a company trip. Cue three very attractive older employees, a cozy cabin, and one explosive late-night discovery that shifts everything. What starts as an awkward weekend quickly spirals into an emotionally cathartic, sensually charged escape from Jayden’s self-imposed gloom.

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

[Angi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every year the company has a weekend get away. Since his dad is sick Jayden takes his place. What he didn’t know was the guys he was rooming with used this weekend as an entire weekend of filthy uninterrupted sex. When Jayden see the men they convince him to participate. Jayden who is suffering from depression and has rarely left home is nervous at first but decides to join in. The guys explain they never do this any other time of the year and they wait all year for this. The weekend changes Jayden and he decides to work on his depression and can’t wait to come back next year.

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

[Books and Daisies · Rating 4 out of 5]

What started as a smutty, in-between read quickly turned into something much deeper. Cabin Fever delivers the spice, but it was the unexpected emotional depth that truly caught me off guard. The afterglow, the return to reality, and then the author’s note—it all hit home in a way I didn’t expect.

The symbolism in this book struck me like a train, turning what seemed like a steamy escape into something more profound. To the author—bravo! I absolutely loved it, and I can't wait to read more of your work. 💙🔥

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

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jayden, Sid, Julian and Derreck’s story
Book Title-Cabin Fever
Author-Jack Harbon
MMC/MMC-Jayden, Sid, Julian and Derreck
Genre-mm romance
Length-Novella
Spicy level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🌶️ out of 5 peppers
What I liked-This was a super steamy and erotic story that is made to entice the readers. But I saw past that and identified with Jayden on his depression turmoil. The stigma of taking antidepressants is a real thing and is hard for some people to ask for help because of it. I glad that the writer brings that to light.

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

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the usual gay romance book. Jayden has taken his father's place on the work getaway due to food poisoning. He chose to stay with Julian, Derreck and Sidney as he knows them a little bit. He is surprised to see Sidney pleasuring Derreck on the first night and Julian takes him to join them. This becomes a weekend of sex for Jayden with all three men. So if this is not your thing then pass but it is highly entertaining and a must-read.

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

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, sat down with a mug of tea to read this one and that tea ended up stone cold, unlike the super HOT HOT story in this book! Amazing M/M/M/M (I think I counted that right!), tender, rough, funny - oh just read it, you won't regret it and it's only like, an hour or so if you do :).

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

[GreenPhoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stuck in a rustic retreat, sparks fly as confinement turns into combustible chemistry. The author transforms cabin confinement into a passionate playground, proving that even when you're hunkered down, love can catch fire in the most unexpected ways.

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

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected the heat and erotica having read the blurb but I was pleasantly surprised by the well written storyline that had such great characters. The author manages to build depth to the characters and plot alongside the heat making it such a great read!.

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

[Angel Roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick and spicy read.

Jayden is depressed, but when he's asked to take his father's place on a business trip, he becomes much happier!!

Quick story, minimal plot but lots of spicy group scenes.

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

[Amy (amysbooksnthings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

I really enjoyed reading this novella. There was definitely high heat and spice, but there was also unexpected tenderness. I really appreciated the author's note as it really tied back to the story and the mental health struggles the MC was dealing with. Looking forward to seeing what Jack Harbon comes out with next!

[C J · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author somehow combined raunchy gang bangs and inspiration for self improvement in one short little story. Bravo.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

This was so fucking good

[Jessica Swan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Just smut