Charmed by the Mountain Man

Willowbrook Ridge Fire Rescue #1

by Julia Stone

I don’t have time for distractions. As a paramedic, my job is about staying focused, staying sharp, and keeping people alive. So when I’m asked to train rookies alongside the fire department, I’m ready to keep things professional.
Then I find out who’s running the drills.
Lieutenant Walker Hale.
Grumpy, brooding, all sharp edges, and few words. I’ve seen him in action—commanding, steady, impossible to ignore—but up close? He’s even more intense.
I tell myself it’s just the training. The way he watches me with those furrowed brows...
Tired of watching him from afar, I shoot my shot by giving him my number.
One offer is all it takes to realize that I might’ve just started a fire neither of us knows how to put out.


I don’t do small talk.
I fight fires, I train my team, and I don’t waste time on things that don’t matter. But Violet Carter? She matters.
I’ve watched her work—sharp, fearless, too damn serious for a woman who should have men falling at her feet. I want to talk to her, but I don’t know how. So when she’s assigned to run drills with my team, I take my shot.
Funny enough, she doesn’t mind my awkward attempts at conversation.
Even better, she meets me halfway.
When I finally get her alone, I won’t need words to show her exactly what I want.

Genres: Romance, Small Town Romance, Firefighters

60 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2025

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was about a loooonnnnggggg mutually unrequited crush!
7 years!!!!! That’s crazy!

Our two characters have.a communication problem - each thinks they don’t have a shot. Whoops - but they’re so cute! Despite what the blurb said, Violet jumped first, while Walker came along for the ride! Girl Power!!!!
He’s such a cutie-pie - a cinnamon roll, a golden retriever and a silver fox all rolled into one… And when he gets OTT possessive or takes charge? Sign me up please.

Definitely not insta-love, but once they get together… They. Get. Together…Fast. (If you know what I mean….) This was a short novella, but Ms Stone packed in so much that it felt as fleshed out as a longer novel. I love some of the spice in these books, but I truly enjoyed that the majority of the book was spent on getting to know them and build their relationship before they take clothes off.
A truly enjoyable read, and I’m definitely going to make this an author on my must-read list when I want my little escape from reality….

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

[Rosanne Medill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about hot hot hot! This is one fiery ebook that you definitely willn want to get. I just loved it. Violet has had a crush on Walker this super hot older firefighter since the very first time she saw him. Walker has kept his secret from Violet since they first met. The tension is growing and their chemistry is boiling hot. Will Walker and Violet be able to make their dreams come true and be togeher forever or will their careers keep them at a distance? Can Violet get Walker to let down his walls and invite her into his heart? Does Walker finally admit that it's time to surrender to his feelings for Violet and does he show her that she was worth the wait? What a fantastic author to write this witty fiery hot 5⭐️ hit. I absolutely encourage you to get this hit. You won't be able to put it down. You will love it.

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

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a excellent read. We are back in Willow Ridge, dealing with the fire department. Walker Hale is dealing with another weekend of drills and keeping up with training. When he finds out the local EMS is tagging along to help with cross training to let the two teams work well together.

I love how Violet has been shy, and rather kept to herself, but her weakness apparently is Walker Hale. she is excited even to spend time in his space. Well, its a nice surprise when we find out Walker feels the same way. It's a delish rub your hands together plot twist!

I love they aren't worried about age or rank. When they finally give in it feelts naughty, and rewarding at the same time. These two finally realize their attraction, and boy does it go over VERY well.

ITs got heat, spicy,steamy. heart, and a touching HEA!!!!! You'll find yourself reading it twice at least.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t have time for distractions. As a paramedic, my job is about staying focused, staying sharp, and keeping people alive. So when I’m asked to train rookies alongside the fire department, I’m ready to keep things professional. Then I find out who’s running the drills. Lieutenant Walker Hale.
Grumpy, brooding, all sharp edges, and few words. I’ve seen him in action, commanding, steady, impossible to ignore, but up close. He’s even more intense. I tell myself it’s just the training. The way he watches me with those furrowed brows. Tired of watching him from afar, I shoot my shot by giving him my number. One offer is all it takes to realize that I might’ve just started a fire neither of us knows how to put out.
A sexy story....5☆

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story! Violet, the paramedic, is asked to take some rookies alongside the fire department on a drill to reinforce their skills. She is reluctant to agree but Walker, her secret crush, will be there to run the drill. After the drill is completed, they talk and she offers him her phone number. Their desires for each other are so intense that feelings begin to show. Will they make it a HEA? The plot and story line were great setting the scene. The chemistry between the characters was hot. This is a marvelous short read with lots of heart and passion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These main characters were quite a pair. Walker and Violet only had eyes for eachother, yet neither knew - Go figure. How long would it take them to figure it out? It was comical having the internal monolog accompanybtheir interactions. Knowing what they were thinking, but not saying, was... enlightening.😉 This story was like waiting for one of them to let the penny drop, to say the first word, make the first move. You knew it was bound to happen, and like any good collision you can see coming, you just can't look away. You'll be Flipping pages as fast as you can to find out how these two "make-out".

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

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Charmed by the Mountain Man” by Julia Stone

This novella sparkles with chemistry and humor. Violet is a strong heroine who makes the first move. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily sharing my honest opinion,

Walker is a dreamy mix of cozy warmth and alpha intensity—utterly swoon-worthy.
Though short, the story feels rich with character development and slow-burn romance.

A spicy, heartfelt start to a promising small-town firefighter series in Willowbrook Ridge. I look forward to reading about other characters in the future.

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining story of two people who have had a crush on each other for years. When Violet takes two trainees to the fire station to get involved in a firefighter's training exercise she finally gets Walker to talk to her and gives him her number. Walker has had a crush on Violet and tends to talk in a commanding way as he is nervous. Their first date turns into forever in this page-turner.

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

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start of new Willowbrook Ridge Fire Rescue series -short steamy read.
What happens when two attracted to each other people just look at each other from a distance for years? One just needs to be brave enough to change that setting. So Violet asks Walker to ask her out. Will their use their lifetime opportunity?
Adorable characters and their chemistry, you just can't put this book down. Enjoyed it.

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

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s not a lot of plot here; what little there is is meant as a framework for the sexytime scenes. But the bits of plot are fun, and just enough to keep this on the erotic romance side of things rather than straight-up erotica.
Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- Walker and Violet
Heat- open door, explicit, virgin heroine
Safety? Y
Tropes- Firefighter/Paramedic, Secret Crush, Instalove, Workplace Romance, More Hot Than Plot.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good book! Violet has been crushing on Walker for seven years and doesn't know how he feels about her. Walker has a strong attraction to Violet, but thinks she couldn't possibly be interested in a guy his age. These two are so good together. This is a sweetly spicy story. I am saving it in my "read again" file!

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

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I’m reviewing today is titled, Charmed by the Mountain Man which is the seventh installment of The Willowbrook Ridge Fire Rescue Book Series written by Julia Stone. This story serves a small-town, first responder romance. It is a slow-burning story full of chemistry and strong willed characters. It’s just the right amount of emotional heat that keeps you turning the page.

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

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violet is a paramedic who has a massive crush on firefighter Walker Hale. WHen they are sent to head up a training exercise, Violet decides to shoot her shot with Walker and ask him out on a date. Walker quickly argrees and decides that this is his chance to make his dream girl his.

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

[QueenMum1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun novella.
Violet is a paramedic.
Walker is a firefighter.
Both are in leadership roles in their prospective professions.
Tropes:
OTT, instalove, mountain man, firefighter, paramedic, HEA romance, secret crush, age-gap.

A huge thank you to Julia Stone and Booksprout for providing me with an eARC book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violet is a paramedic in Willowbrook Ridge. Se's been charged with helping the trainees, even if it's her day off. But being around Walker makes up for working overtime.
Walker dreams of making Violet his, but believes she'll want someone closer to her own age.

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

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

He loves her from afar, she loves him from afar. Neither one is brave enough to make a move, each of them thinking they are not good enough for the other. That is the delightful premise of this beautiful, steamy love story.
I recommend this for a really pleasurable, quick read.

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

[laura.lovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the great start to the new "Willowbrook Ridge Fire Rescue" series.

It’s funny, spicy and sweet full of mutual attraction, warmth, intensity and love.

It’s slow, despite being short and that makes the character development deeper and the center of the story.

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

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violet is a paramedic who gets roped into taking two newbies into a fireman training session on Saturday.
Great read, loved the story and the characters. If you enjoy mountain man stories, you’ll enjoy this short spicy story!.

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

[Rhonda Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet is a paramedic who does nothing but work. She is assigned to assist with training the local fire house. Walker is a the leitenant in charge. He is older and oh so sexy. Violet has a crush on him, but does he have one on her? Will this older guy see her for what she is and not her age?.

I received a free copy of this book 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. I liked how Violet and Walker fell in love once they decide to act on their attraction. It was a quick steamy story.

[Amanda Ricchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Violet finds out she's working with her favorite fireman, she takes her shot not realizing Walker is more than agreeable. This is a steamy quick read that fogged my glasses! Wow!.

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

[Elaine Swinney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well written short story with good characters. I would have liked to have seen more of their story. This is one for that short read time, a lazy afternoon of when you are waiting in the carpool line. I would encourage everyone to give this one a chance it is worth your time.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Willowbrook Ridge Fire Rescue. Paramedic Violet Carter and Lieutenant Walker Hale's short story is well worth rreading. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brittany D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was spectacular! The way the characters were written was outstanding and I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprised

She has admired him from day one. He’s older and thinks he can’t have her. Surprise, she asks him out and the game is on. Wonderful story!

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charmed by the mountain man was an entertaining read. This was Walker and Violet’s story. I received an early copy of the book. And voluntarily leaving this review.

[Zondra.Hallyahoo.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of a new set of interconnected standalone instalove novella's set in the small town of Willowbrook Ridge. I enjoyed getting to read about Walker & Violet and their story as well as the brief mentions of some of the other members of the Fire Rescue group this series is centered around. The epilogue at the end was nice and I look forward to reading about the other characters as the series continues.

Willowbrook Ridge Fire Rescue Series
Charmed by the Mountain Man: Walker & Violet
Deal with the Mountain Man: Wyatt & Olivia
Blossoming with the Mountain Man: Max & Daisy
Sweet for the Mountain Man: Barrett & Michelle
Adored by the Mountain Man: Knox & Alina
Treasured by the Mountain Man: Charlie & Poppy

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