Garrett I came to Cherry Hollow for a fresh start after serving my time. The mountains were supposed to be my refuge, a place to disappear. But my quiet life is turned upside down when I meet Daphne. This curvy beauty is sweeter than cherry pie, and I’m instantly smitten. She believes in me, even though the rest of the town thinks I’m a monster… Will she still want me when she finds out they’re right?
Daphne When a family scandal tears my life apart, I escape to Cherry Hollow. It seems like the perfect place to start over and chase my dream of becoming an artist. Then I meet Garrett—a brooding mountain man with a bad reputation. The town calls him a criminal, but I know there’s more to him than that. Beneath his grumpy exterior is a heart of gold, and I’m falling fast. But Garrett has secrets, and the truth could destroy our future forever.
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.
Clara King writes short and steamy romance books featuring grumpy heroes who are tough on the outside and gooey on the inside. Her heroines are strong, curvy women with big dreams and sunshine personalities. Clara’s books include age gaps, cozy small towns, and a happy ending for every couple. When she’s not writing, Clara can be found reading, watching comedies, and eating anything remotely chocolate-based. She’s a history nerd, a cat person, and a fan of all things Jane Austen.
Short and quick. Insta-love with dual V and HEA. I've read this kind of story one too many times, but there's still some comfort with the classic mountain man stories.
I just felt sad for Garett, who spent 18 years in prison for defending himself and his mom from a nasty man. It was an accident, but still, that's a lot of time gone, and it's something he can never get back. ☹️ Anywaaay, moving past that, I'm happy for him that he's finally living his life and has found someone special to share it with.
Book info: - Age gap (20) - Insta-love - Dual V - Mention of murder - No cheating, OM/OW, separation - HEA (2 yrs, married and pregnant)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Fun, easy novella. Dual V, no omd, owd H spent almost his whole adult life in prison, and never before or after wanted to be with a women until he met the h.
The Mountain Man’s Redemption by Clara King ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Small town whispers, big mountain hearts, and a love worth fighting for.
Garrett is the kind of hero you ache for—gruff, wounded, trying to build a quiet life in the shadows of the mountains after a dark past. But when Daphne shows up in Cherry Hollow, bright-eyed and bruised by her own history, their paths collide in the most tender, slow-burn way.
What I loved: • Redemption arc perfection – Garrett’s struggle to prove he’s more than his past broke me (in the best way). • Daphne’s quiet strength – She’s soft but fierce, the kind of heroine who sees through walls and fights for love. • Grumpy/sunshine energy – Classic and deliciously done. • Art, healing, and a fresh start – This book nails that cozy, hopeful, second-chance vibe.
The Mountain Man’s Redemption is for fans of slow-burn romance, deep character growth, and small towns filled with big gossip and even bigger hearts.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Mountain Man's Redemption is part of the multi-authored Whispered Echoes series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, opposites-attract, age-gap, double virgin, curvy girl gets her mountain man romance. Daphne is a 22 year old sweet and curvy artist who just moved to Cherry Hollow after her parents were caught in a scandal. Garrett is a 42 year old hunky, reclusive mountain man and woodworker with a criminal past. When the two see each other in the local bakery, they are instantly drawn to each other. He ends up hiring her to do a painting so he can spend time with her. As they spend time together, sparks fly, and things get hot and S-T-E-A-M-Y. These two were perfect for each other. They had insane chemistry, and we got a very happy ending. I loved it!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Daphne had fled her hometown when her parents,the mayor & his wife, were charged and arrested for stealing city funds. She was being judged by others that she was guilty by association. She first meets Garrett at the bakery where they both wanted to buy a slice of cherry pie;she had lost her glove at the bakery and he gets her address so he can return it. Rita,small town gossip, says nasty things about Garrett. He just wants to get pie and leave. When he brings her glove and see her art painting supplies, he arranges for her to paint a picture for his fireplace mantel. Daphne tells Rita to leave Garrett alone or she will tell Rita's secret when they were buying art supplies. Does she know Rita's secret? As they get to know each other,Daphne tells him what happened with her parents and the town. No one has ever stood up for him since his mom did! Will Garrett tell her his secret? What is Daphne's reaction? Will they have a future?.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'But there’s something else. Something that makes my heart thump even harder than her beauty. It was the way she looked at me. There was no fear or disgust in her expression. Her eyes were warm and eager, and it made me feel something I’ve never felt before.'
I loved this book. I'm always drawn to the misunderstood or outcast male- especially honorable ones. I loved both Garrett and Daphne. I was sad for how people treated him- and Garrett had good reasoning to do what he did- and he just wanted to be left alone. I loved the instant attraction from them both- and that that first glimpse was from Daphne's point of view while both were waiting in line for cherry pie. (I completely understand that a delicious treat was one of the only things that could get him to venture into town among people!) I also love that he had an excuse to see her when he found her glove.
These two were so sweet together! I loved reading their romance play out. 5 stars.
The Mountain Man's Redemption by Clara King is part of the multi-author Whispered Echoes - A Spicy Wounded Mountain Man series. We are back in Cherry Hollow with this story about Daphne and Garrett. Daphne left in a hurry from her hometown of Plainville, Iowa. She drove to the mountains and when when she stopped in Cherry Hollow she thought he could restart her life here. Garrett moved to Cherry Hollow three years ago where he bought a remote shack and then worked to rebuild it. He lives a hermit life where he only comes down to town for supplies, which include the cherry pie from the local bakery. This is where Daphne and Garrett first see each other and it then finds two people who fit each other perfectly, even if they come from very different worlds originally.
This was a wonderful read that really hit me in the feels. Garrett, having spent almost 20 years in jail, accepts the town's rejection of him as a good man and lives a mostly reclusive life. Daphne, desperate for a fresh start after a terrible family scandal that she was unaware of, moves to Cherry Hollow hoping to make a life as an artist. These two connect, first just with eye contact, and soon enough, on so many other levels. They had such great chemistry but more than that, they both accepted and supported each other. This was sort of a slow burn romance but don't doubt the heat. I was rooting hard for them to find their way to a happy ending and love how it came about. I'm looking forward to checking out other books in this multi-author series. Good fun!
Eu amo os livros dessa autora e esse aqui não foi diferente. No começo, achei a história bem parecida com outra da autora (Her Bossy Lumberjack), pois ambas as mocinhas têm o mesmo background, viveram a mesma coisa e estão fugindo pelo mesmo motivo. Mas a semelhança no enredo vai até aí. O mocinho Garrett tem uma história completamente diferente do outro mocinho. Ele e Daphne são tão opostos em suas vivências, mas como eles precisavam um do outro. Ambos conseguiram enxergar além do passado do outro e encontraram uma felicidade com a qual nem ousavam mais sonhar. Foi realmente lindo e especial de acompanhar. Eu amei demais. Mais um na minha lista de favoritos. Super-Hiper-Ultra-Mega-Power recomendado!
This was a great read. This story has all the feels. You get a good dive into deep characters, real emotions, steamy connection, and a lovely HEA.
Daphne moves to town to give herself somewhat of a fresh start. She has a feeling about town. I love her wonder at meeting new people, leaning into a new experience, and then it happens. She meets Garrett.
Garrett character has such reality, depth, and real struggle. You fall in love with the good man he is. He owned up to his past, done his time, and closed up years ago. It takes one look at Daphne to make him want things he never thought possible.
Their story is intense, emotional, steamy, and reassuring that love can heal things you never thought possible. It was a fantastic HEA.
Running from the scandal her parents caused, Daphe finds herself settling in Cherry Hollow. Not ready to make any real connections with people in town she is blindsided by the intensity she feels when she makes eye contact with a huge tattooed mountain of a man in the bakery. Not expecting it to lead to anything she is surprised when Garrett knocks on her door.
Garrett is used to being the town pariah but can't help pursuing the beautiful new comer.
Two lost souls finding a heartfelt connection and a home in each other. A sweet, steamy romance with a wonderful HEA.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cat’s Stats MMC/FMC- Garrett and Daphne Genre- Mountain Man Romance Length- novelette Heat- open door Series? Y Safety? Y Triggers? Discussion of involuntary manslaughter Tropes- Haunted Pasts, Dysfunctional Family FTW, Double V Cards, Instalove, Gossip Girl. What I liked- Daphne was both a really good person AND easy to like, which is a balancing act many authors don’t succeed. Most authors turn genuinely good and admirable characters into Mary Sues, but that didn’t happen here. And Garrett, well, it was beautiful to see him open up.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Mountain Man’s Redemption is a super cute, safe, and sweet instalove. Garrett and Daphne are each hiding from their past and searching for a fresh start. While that looks different for each of them, it also draws them closer to each other. I loved watching these two open up to each other and share their vulnerability. Garrett’s tragic past and Daphne’s silent hurt are heartbreaking, but they are each stronger for coming through their drama. The double v-card sweetness and the heat that builds and builds is so much fun. I so appreciate author Clara King’s ability to create a robust and beautiful love story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Clara King strikes again!! I love her insta love, love at first sight, not too graphic but steamy none the less, Garret and Daphne both have a past hers may not be the same as his but both are judged severely. That’s how she ends up in cherry hollow! When the best cherry pie in the world has them crossing paths! Sometimes small town everyone knows everyone’s business has a pay off! I absolutely love reading story’s by Clara King as a in between pallet cleanser or a quick waiting room read! Can’t wait to read whatever comes next for Clara!
Overall Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spicy: yes, 1/2 of chapter 9 and then 1/2 of chapter 10 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book is part of a multi author series called Whispered Echoes. Tropes: age gap, fresh start, ex convict, and innocent FMC. Daphne comes to Cherry Hollow for a fresh start. Garrett is an exconvict who also came to Cherry Hollow but stayed in the mountains. Garrett and Daphne are instantly attracted to each other. An instalove novella with a recluse MMC and a sweet artist FMC. Likeable characters which made me love both of them.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Garrett is an ex-con living in the mountains, Daphne fled her home in Iowa to escape a family scandal and is in Cherry Hollow looking for a fresh start. An encounter in the local bakery, an instant attraction, and a return of a lost glove leads to Garrett commissioning Daphne to create a painting for him. I have previously read a similar premise with a FMC escaping a family scandal and though both characters are likeable, this didn’t quite gel for me.
Tropes: age gap, dual virgins, instalove, small town
Are people allowed fresh starts from the mistakes of their past? Daphne thinks so, as she has been labelled 'guilty by association'. So when she meets this hunk of a man, and what gossip she has heard about him, she can look past this and see the man he is now.
Garrett has kept himself to himself since returning home, but one look at Daphne and he is enamoured, even more so when she sees past his past and sees the man he is today.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Daphne moved to Cherry Hollow after a huge scandal about her family erupted. One day she sees Garrett at the Town bakery and is instantly smitten with him. But people tell her he is a criminal. Garrett served time for taking a man's life after he threatened his mom. He is now out of prison but stays away from the judgemental people in town, until he sees Daphne. These two fell head over heels for each other and nothing and nobody could break them apart. Instalove, age gap, short ,OTT, romantic, with a bit of steam, sweet and totally safe (dual virgins 😏) with a sweet HEA and without drama😍😍
This is a wonderful story. Garrett is an ex con and has lived in Cherry Hollow for three years. He rarely goes to town because people avoid him until he meets Daphne. Daphne left her home under scandal and ended in Cherry Hollow too. When Garrett and Daphne meet it's like they're kindred spirits. And love is not far off. This is a short story, well written, has some laughter and tears and I enjoyed reading it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Garrett moved to Cherry Hollow for a fresh start but town busy bodies won’t let him leave his past in the past. Daphne is new in town escaping the ruins of her family’s choices. Together sparks fly and li e and understanding bloom into something truly beautiful. A sweet and steamy tale full of love and joy in the midst of life's challenges.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
-A tender, grumpy-sunshine novella wrapped in second chances and mountain charm. Daphne’s quiet strength meets Garrett’s bruised soul in a story of healing and hope. Whispers can’t drown out the truth when love sees beyond the past. Cozy, emotional, and heart-mending—this is small-town romance at its best.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Daphne and Garrett have both faced judgement, meeting each other helped them in many ways; having someone who understood them, supported them, loved them and accepted them for who they were no matter their pasts. I liked seeing the change in both of them and what Garrett was willing to do to keep Daphne in his life.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great short read in Whispered echoes series. Running from her home town Daphe stops at Cherry Hollow and decides to stay. Garrett and Daphe both have their past. Will their attraction overcome their past secrets? Great story, great characters, amazing read. Enjoyed it so much - very well written. Sweet and heart warming story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Garret and Daphne are both looking for the similar things. To start over from their past life. In this read the small town makes things difficult with judgement and nosey people. But when Garret finds her glove under his boot he mow has a reason to see Daphne again. Grey pasts. Attraction to wanting to be seen for who they are that could lead to something more. Touching read.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The book I’m reviewing today is titled, The Mountain Man's Redemption which this book is part of a multi author series called Whispered Echoes written by Clara King. This is the cutest age gap love story! A romantic story about second chances and about finding your mountain man. Garrett and Daphne are like able characters which made me love both of them.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I always enjoy Clara’s books. There’s something about them that always sucks me in right away and I love the cozy vibes of the books. Garrett and Daphne had good chemistry and I loved the way she came to his defense with Rita. And as always, the epilogue was great! This was a great read from The Whispered Echoes series and I can’t wait to check out the rest of it.
Garrett is an ex-con. Daphne has fled from her parents' lies and choices. Tropes: Mountain man, small town, quick read, curvy women, dark past, opposites attract, fresh start, protective hero, OTT instalove, HEA romance.
A huge thank you to Clara King and Booksprout for providing me with an eARC book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Daphne is looking for a place for a fresh start. She stops in Cherry Falls for coffee and decides this is the place to live. She meets Garrett at a coffee shop and sparks fly. Soon they are learning each others secrets and healing wounds for each other. Great story and quick read.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another great short read with a lot of meaning. Both Garrett and Daphne come from worlds that were not perfect. He was an ex convict who was protecting his mom when his life changed. She was from a small town where her father was mayor and allegations against him touched her life. Now they have found each other and can create the world they both need!