Mountain Wood

by Briana Michaels

Dean
This mountain is all I have left and it’s slowly killing me. I make thirst traps online for extra money, but it’s not enough, and I’m running out of time.

When a musical blasting, murder podcast obsessed, glamorous bombshell shows up on my property, there’s no way she’s here for a little vacay in the woods. Impossible. She must be working for the man hellbent on ruining me.

So why do I let her stay?

Grace
My self-discovery journey has me trading my Manhattan penthouse for a half-renovated rental cabin in the middle of nowhere. I’m in love already. The views are spectacular—a snow-capped mountain, thick forests, wildlife, and the sexiest lumbersnack I’ve ever seen in my life.

Taking what I want is my nature, and I want Dean. Not for a night or a weekend. For life.

A snowstorm isn’t the only threat looming over his mountain, and I’m about to show him how far I’ll go for those I love—even if it means using an axe for more than chopping wood.

Relax. I’m kidding.

Sort of.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Rom Com

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2025

About the author

Briana Michaels grew up and still lives on the East Coast. When taking a break from the crazy adventures in her head, she enjoys running around with her two children. If there is time to spare, she loves to read, cook, hike in the woods, and sit outside with a fire. She does all of this with the love and support of her amazing husband who always has her back, encouraging her to go for her dreams. Aye, she’s a lucky girl indeed.

Reviews

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
We love a mountain man who is making videos 😈
That's what Dean does he makes thirst traps and there pretty dirty lol. He meets Grace when she books a stay at his place. And they get off on the wrong foot when he thinks she's someone else. But she's there for herself she needs to get away from her toxic mother (we don't see her but we hear her voice) these two have a cute banter, and I laughed at how they both drove each other crazy. Plus how she accepted his content online and wasn't jealous of people. We did have drama from someone who wanted Dean's cabins. And our couple showed him when he tried to ruin them.
The spice!!! Pleasure dom!! Lord, he made sure to clean his plate hehe. He knew how to go down.

Low angst, no ow/om drama, no cheating, slight secondary character, drama, sexy times, no virgins

Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶


Slowinsta
Panic attacks
Tiny push away from H
Mentions of verbal abuse by parent
Abandonment
No condom
Pleasure dom
Praise kink
Tiny primal kink
Hea
Epilogue

[Michelle]

I started reading this about a month or so ago...and DNF'd it. I'm not sure if it was due to my mood, or if I truly didn't enjoy it. I had a lot of trouble relating to the FMC, and I felt like there was no longing...the chemistry was lacking. I may try it again, then again...maybe I won't. But I'm not going to give it a rating because the writing was good and I'm not sure if it was just me being in a reading funk, or what.

[Baby Got Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok well that’s that. 69% was all I could handle. There was still an hour left and I have met my contemporary line in the sand and it’s a eye rolly, ick fest about a Uber rich, privileged, disconnected from the real world, popular social media influencer who meets down on the farm (or mountain) poor in money rich in abandonment issues, hot “lumbersnack” thirst trap, medium level social media influencer…and he’s the one with depth!

If you question the veracity of my review I would point you in the direction of my highlights where you will find a terrifying amount of social media quips and liners.

My final straw was the FMC, Grace, our social media parasite schooling and scolding the reluctant MMC Dean that if he wants to be rich and successful on social media he must abandon his integrity and desire to be a genuine-ish version of himself online and seduce and make his audience think he gives a fuck about them on a personal level and are speaking directly to them to sell them stuff. I wish I was exaggerating.

The one painfully interesting thing about this book was how cliche of a red flag Grace is! Not exactly the kind of equal rights I’m looking for but I guess I’ll take what I can get.

I want to spare others from reading this book…truly this is not the contemporary romance you are looking for

[Jenn (myspookybookishlife) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Wow! This was absolutely amazing. Grace and Dean had such amazing and explosive chemistry. Seeing them both together was so dang spicy and so much fun. I loved how different both of their lives were before colliding together Grace being from a rich upstanding family that she ran to Bear Creek Cabins to get away from and find herself, Dean owning these cabins and trying to restore them back to what they were before. Watching them both work together and both using this work to content create was perfect. Such a great read and I hope we get to see the other guys stories!!!!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 5⭐️ (because Dean deserves the extra star)
Spice 🌶🌶🌶.5
Dual POV

Contemporary romance
Content creator x thirst trap
Rich, city girl x poor, mountain man
Axe wielding bearded tattooed MMC
Forced Proximity
Fast burn/instalust/instalove
Pleasure Dom
He LOVES to go down
Anxiety rep (panic attacks)
No 3rd act breakup
HEA

I went into Mountain Wood expecting a cozy, mountain-man romance and it totally delivered, but with way more humor and heat than I anticipated. Dean and Grace have fantastic chemistry. It’s the kind of connection that feels magnetic from the start ... flirty, a little wild, and honestly, just fun to read.

What I really loved was how the book blends the rugged mountain-man vibe with the influencer-in-the-woods setup. The contrast between Dean’s quiet, grounded energy and Grace’s big, social-media personality makes for some hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt moments. I also appreciated that there’s emotional depth with both characters healing from different kinds of hurt, but the story never gets bogged down in heavy drama. It stays light enough to be an enjoyable, feel-good escape.

Another thing that stood out to me was the anxiety representation. Grace’s panic attacks and the way she’s actively trying to retrain her thoughts after years of internalizing her mother’s negative commentary felt incredibly real. When she opened up to Dean about those struggles, his reactions completely melted me. He never judged her. Not once. If she was talking to herself or clearly fighting a mental battle, he’d just calmly ask what was going on in her head or simply be there with her, grounding her without making her feel broken. Instead of dismissing her feelings, he countered them with quiet reassurance and genuine positivity. That kind of gentle, nonjudgmental support was such a beautiful part of their relationship, and it made me love him even more.

Now let’s talk about Dean, because wow he’s truly the best book boyfriend. He’s caring, considerate, protective, and a total “acts of service” guy. His work ethic is incredible, he knows how to use his hands (in more than one way 😉), and he’s not afraid to show affection in ways that actually mean something. I loved that he wasn’t perfect, though. He had moments of panic and struggled with communication, but instead of letting that become a wedge, he recognized it and corrected himself; explaining things better, showing real emotional growth. And the fact that he LOVED and LIVED to eat her out?? Absolutely hot.

Dean also gives off authentic mountain-man energy. The kind that feels earned, not performed. He works hard, isn’t afraid of physical labor, and you get the sense he’s genuinely built his life with his own two hands. I also really appreciated that Grace, while filthy rich, breaks the stereotypical “spoiled rich girl” mold. She’s humble, grounded, and surprisingly eager to get her hands dirty after a lifetime of luxury. Their shared willingness to show up, learn, and put in effort made their connection feel even more genuine and balanced.

The spice level? Let’s just say it’s blazing. If that’s your thing, you’re going to devour this book. If you prefer a slower burn or less on-page steam, it might feel fast, but for me, it fit their chemistry perfectly.

Overall, Mountain Wood is a sexy, funny, emotionally satisfying romance that nails the “city girl meets mountain man” trope. Dean and Grace’s story felt genuine, passionate, and grounded, and I loved that they got their simple, well-earned happily ever after.

[Jesika Nankiville · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 / 5 ⭐️
4 / 5 🌶️
Method: 👩🏼‍💻 KU


Well sh!t….. so I really enjoyed the Next Level series and when I realised there was a spin-off series with thirst-trapping lumberjacks, how could I say no!!!

And I’m so glad I jumped straight it!

So you remember Mason from book 5? Well this book follows his sister, Grace. She needs to “find herself” and leave the insanely craziness that is her mother, just like Mason did. And where else would you run away to than a small town, in the shadow of the mountains, at a random little cabin lodge for the winter?

And what does she see as soon as she drives up the way? Only a shirtless lumberjack chopping wood!! 🪵 🪓 oh yeah!!!

It’s fun, it’s spicy and did i not mention this enough - but THERE’S A HOT LUMBERSNACK THAT MAKES THIRST-TRAPS!! 🥵 oh and that man EATS 😉


Favourite Moments / Quotes:

Grace: I would let this man toss me around in all kinds of ways. I want to climb him like a tree. Handle his wood in ways he’s only dreamed about. I would one million percent smash Dean.


When Dean realises Grace has seen his online thirst-traps:
“You liked every single one of my videos.”
“See? Supporter.”
“Stalker.”
“Tomato, tomahto.” She smiles proudly.


When the spicy be spicing:
Dean: “I don’t know what wrong with me. I just want to bury myself inside you as much as possible.”
“Oh no!” She dramatically rolls her eyes and holds the back of her hand to her forehead. “I’m so devastated.”


Driving into town:
Grace: “Dean Morgan, are you asking me out on a date, while taking me to the date?” I suck at this. “Yeah?”
“What if I don’t want to go?” That wipes the smile from my face.
Dean: “Then I’ll take you back home.”
Grace: “Well, now I’m torn. Cute date or go home and fu€k? This is unfair.”
Dean: “None of one said I can’t take you on a cute date, then go home and fu€k your brains out, sugar”
Grace: “You always say the best things” 🥰

[Alice Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still in shock that I got to arc read this, thank you endlessly @brianamichaels like genuinely, I'm already desperate for the next book!!!!

🪓 arc review 🪵

Holy. Fucking. Shit. I mean, trying to find enough words to accurately portray how much I loved this book has proven to be very difficult. Honest to god, this book was incredible. From page one I was obsessed. The characters are so loveable (excluding Bryson, i hope he gets hit by a fucking car, absolute prick) Dean's friends, Bennett, Nick and Conner were so funny. Especially when they were all together, But Dean's possessiveness of Grace in the bar was so fucking hot. If there's one thing you can always count of from a Briana Michaels book, It's spice that just hits different, this book was no exception.

Dean was so lovable, and so fucking perfect. I mean, a hot shirtless man with an axe going out of his way to ensure a woman he barely knows is safe and has everything she needs AND a cute dog?! You have the ultimate man. The way he reacted to the barbecue sauce thing was so fucking funny to me honestly. I love him and already miss him. The mouth on this man, fuck me. He without a doubt knew what he was doing, and fucking hell did this man love, or dare I say live, to eat.

Grace was so effortlessly funny. I saw a lot of myself in her tbh. Especially the sledgehammer part, that is 100% something I would do. Can't forget the true crime thing either. I love me some true crime. The way she left it all behind, got her fresh start and new life was so inspiring, and just made me love her even more.

[Lauren Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace needs an escape. What's the last place someone will look for a wealthy socialite? Obviously a run down cabin in the mountains. What's the last thing she thinks she'll find there? A tall bearded lumbersnack who posts thirst traps for extra money while working on his family's cabins. I love how Dean is all in even when he's questioning himself and Grace. He protects her without even knowing her well, saves her from herself...and a bear!! Grace and Dean both have emotional trauma caused by their families but in different ways. Michaels handles these situations and emotions beautifully. I love Dean's stoic yet playful Daddy energy. His friends sass him and you can tell they are family for life. I know we'll see Nick, Connor, and the rest soon enough. Grace is not what I was expecting and that is a good thing. She was raised a socialite but hates it. She loves rolling in the mud with the best pupper ever- Oscar, meeting a danger floof aka bear, loves true crime podcasts, is a brat, but also will totally throw a sledgehammer at you ;) These two totally different people work so well together and I laughed at the banter behind making the thirst trap videos and how awkward Dean was because let's be real, I would be too.
Tropes:
*Found Family
*Emotional Healing
*Danger floof
*High Spice
*Medium-Fast burn
*Rich girl/poor boy
*Lumberjacks
*She's the feral one
And so many more that I need you to find for yourself. This is totally a read again book.

[Shaina (ssmbookreview) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mountain Wood by Briana Michaels is the mountain man book you need to pick up. Dean has only known this mountain and he's going to do everything he can to keep it afloat. Grace is tired of her family's pressure and books the only remaining mountain resort cabin left. Too bad Dean doesn't realize she plans to stay for more than just her 2 week reservation.

Running a mountain resort takes a lot of money, something Dean doesn't have. While he's trying to update the cabins and get income flowing, he also uses his well toned body for some cash flow as well. Posting online thirst traps helps keep things afloat. Nearing the end of the season, he has one last guest, one he never imagined.

Grace needs a break. Her mother wants all the control and Grace is done. She finds a cabin and books it for 2 weeks. But she plans to stay through winter and keep her family away. When Grace sets her eyes on Dean, she is lovestruck.

Dean doesn't need another city slicker trying to take his mountain. He's told the guy more than once, he's not for sale. Grace seems like she's cut from the same cloth. But as Dean learns more about Grace, he realizes their pasts may be more similar than he thought. And Grace knows a thing or two about the online world and getting income streams.

With an honorable mention to the cutest pup, Oscar, loved this story! The opposites attract of Dean and Grace and the supporting characters were great. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[Petra Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warm, tender, and sweetly sexy.

Grace comes to the mountain to escape a moneyed but corrosive family life. Dean is one of those solid, gentle giants. He’s trying to rescue his grandpa’s mountain from a smarmy developer but the task of repairing the rental cabins is daunting.

Dean is also a secret social media lumbersnack. His videos are hot and hilarious, and even before he and Grace meet you know he’s a natural at praise kink. Shirtless. While chopping wood.

They don’t realize at first that they’re both on social media, and the discovery of each other’s accounts is what tips them into I-can’t-get-enough-of-you land.

A taste of Dean’s thirst trap videos [he’s splitting logs]

“Come on, baby. Open for me.” Tugging the stubborn, half-split log, I growl with the effort it takes to pry it in half. “There we go… that’s it… a little more. You can do it.” The wood finally cracks all the way down and two pieces of oak fall to the ground by my boots. Breathing hard from exertion, I lean down to smile at the camera and wink. “That’s my good girl.”

Sure it’s predictable, but it’s also a delightful way to spend the afternoon.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Good morning, gorgeous.” He looks directly into the camera. “I hope you slept well. I didn’t mean to keep you up all night but…” He bites his lip seductively. “I just can’t seem to keep my hands off you.”

When I started reading this book, the first person I thought of for Dean was Thane on TikTok and once I read the passage above, I figured Briana was thinking the same thing. If not, she should be. LOL! Man, these two had lots of hot, sweaty sex all the time.

Grace is a psycho, and I mean that as a compliment. This girl is absolutely crazy, and Dean loves every minute of it. When she went after Bryson with an axe, I swear I couldn't stop laughing. I loved that Dean let her be herself and didn't try to rein her in like her terrible mother.

My kindle said that it would take about 6 hours to read the book, but I finished it in a little over 4 hours. That's how do this book is. I believe this will be one of those books that I read again. I can't remember when I've laughed so much when reading a book.

I want me a Lumbersnack!!!

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[balayageandbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gets all the stars!

I seriously laughed out loud multiple times… and even almost cried…

There are two things for certain when I read a book by Author Briana Michaels…

One… each and every time I read a book from this author she manages to spin a story unlike anything I’ve ever read before.

And two … it’s always hands down some of the hottest scenes I’ve ever read!

Dean and Grace’s story is so unique and different. It’s such a different spin on that traditional secluded mountain man. Dean is the perfect thirst trap Lumbersnack and Grace is just the perfect amount of chaos and crazy that he needs! There’s so much chemistry and tension… and it’s perfection when it finally snaps!

The way that they both bond and share their trauma… the way they help each other heal… it’s all so beautiful. Their feelings are intense…and so is their chemistry! These two are HAWT!

There’s an incredible set of support characters and even some familiar characters. And one very amazing emotional support doggo!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever read Glitch and thought "Ok this man is hotttt but can you make him a lumbersnack?" Then Mountain Wood is for you!!! Dean, our MMC, is a sexy introverted mountain man who has been posting thirst traps to help pay his mountain lodge's bills. He oozes overprotective, my woman would be my queen, pleasure dom energy. Grace, our FMC, is an heiress trying to escape her emotionally abusive mother and forge her own path in life, whatever that might look like. She is the most beautiful mess of contradictions that will have you falling in love with her quickly. She is the type of woman who would try to hug a bear but in the same breath would not hesitate to use her knowledge of serial killer podcasts to make you regret life if you harm her loved ones. Lastly there is a dog, Oscar, who thinks commands are suggestions and will have you laughing with her antics. I ADORED our FMC and MMC equally and their love story so much.

[Kenz Rosewood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO FREAKING CUTE!!!

Gracie is running from her life (rightfully so), unknown to her she's running right into the arms of our lumbersnack Dean! Through struggling with her own internal voice attacking her, and her mother's voice Grace has felt less than undeserving of love her whole life.

Enter our hottie Dean, making thirst traps to help renovate and get his grandfather's cabins back up and running the last thing HE planned for was falling for the girl renting one of those cabins. Their love is so beautiful because neither of them feels deserving, but is so determined to make the other feel nothing but never ending love.

Watching both of them fall in love is 🤌🏻 so precious, the way @briana_michaels_author wrote these characters is everything! They're both struggling with their own pain, but they're both so willing to love and support the other.

This book like I said is so cute, and so worth the read!!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!! The chemistry between Dean and Grace, with a dash of Oscar is heart warming.

Grace needs an escape from the drama of her mother and life. so she rents a cabin in the woods and off she goes to explore. What she finds is more than she bargained for!! The owner is a thirst trap!! hello lumbersnack. Could he ever love a girl like her?? or is she just a placeholder??

She's gorgeous! Dean is smitten at first sight. She's everything he isn't. But when push comes to shove, he just wants to protect and love her. Could she ever want someone like him?? A thirst trap who needs some money and TLC???

[Colleen Beville · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you not love Grace and Dean? The influencer heiress who is trying to figure out who she is outside of her mother's toxic clutches and the grumpy mountain man with a heart and tongue of gold who loves giving his partners the princess treatment… and makes thirst traps about it? Ten out of ten work, I'll take twelve of them. Box them up for me, please. 

Mountain Wood was full of spice, silliness, swoon! I not only fell for Dean, but his friends, too. And I can't wait for our next trip to Bear Creek for more mountain man misadventures. 

[Michelle Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Wood

This was such a cute and fun story to read!! Definitely a palate cleanser type book

Dean and Grace were so cute together and of course we can’t forget Oscar!!

There is a little bit of angst and when I say little I mean little, but thankfully it all gets handled

I would never wanna get on Grace’s bad side cause she is definitely scary but like Dean said, she’s adorable like that

Would love to see a book for Connor and Taylor in the future, those two cracked me up…Also, would love to see more of Nick and his thirst traps!!

[Kristen Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled to finish this. Ended up skipping over some of the sex scenes because there was just too many. I understand that these books are smut with a side of plot, but the plot didn’t do it for me either.

If you like smut, mountain man with a beard who is a lumberjack, said man makes his own thirst trap videos (😬), and the MFC is a rich influencer who talks to herself a lot - mummy issues, then you may enjoy this book.

Didn’t mind the first 3 books in this series - didn’t realise this was interconnected as I haven’t read book 4 & 5.

[Carly Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this! Who doesn’t love a feisty fmc, a pleasure dom mmc, banter & tonnes of spice?? Dean is a lumbersnack who films thirst traps & owns a struggling mountain retreat - Bear Creek Cabins. Grace is a serial killer podcast loving influencer heiress who is trying to escape her overbearing mother & make her own way in life. The banter between these two had me laughing out loud. There’s plenty of plot, & plenty of spice. Highly recommended!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was exactly as advertised! It was a funny, super spicy story of a mountain man who makes thirst trap videos to make extra money and a social media influencer who books a cabin on Dean's mountain to escape her life. Overall, this was a very fun, quick read! I also liked the tie in with some of the characters we first met in the Next Level series. Can't wait to read the next book in this series!

There were some typos throughout though, which always kind of turns me off to a book a bit.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

pollen in my eye… they’re not glassy from the sweetness, okay maybe

This story has a smidge of cameo carry over from Briana’s Next Level series. Those don’t need to be read first, but why deny yourself!!?!!? This is a somewhat low angst sweet romance, though the characters both have their own unique tender spots that require navigating and growing through the HEA is more than worth it!! So sweet it left me slightly glassy eyed and so hot I wanted more! 🖤🖤🖤

[Jetscarbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy Mountain Men who make thirst trap videos. I usually enjoy all of Briana Michael's books. I think she does an amazing job at catching your attention from the first page, and her smex scenes are always smoking.

Both MCs were very likable. Both had me laughing at some parts. A+ for bringing in the goofy dog. It worked.

[The Bookish Owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Lumbersnack, Heiress, & A Dog on a Mountain

This is a super cute, spicy book. Michaels brings us Grace's story. She's Mason's sister & Nicole's bestie from the Next Level series. It was well worth the wait.

I recommend for fans of Daphne Elliot, Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws, and Axes & O's by Kayla Grosse.

[The Bookworm Hermit · Rating 5 out of 5]

lumbersnack please

Wow I didn’t realize I had a kumbersnack kink…Grace finds out she does too and I love how she allows herself the freedom to find herself. Dean is great at keeping her grounded and boy can he eat.😂😍 I love how Briana’s book are about finding yourself and learning to love who you are.

[Gemma Swid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Briana Michaels book (that would be glitch and Ryker). The spice in this is not what I would usually expect. It seemed very tame and I wanted it to be very unhinged lmao. But for only 300 pages, it was a good entertaining read about 2 influencers who fall in instalove

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious

I loved this story!! Mountain Wood was hot and Grace was hilarious! I love how Briana brings so much humor and heat to her books. Plus the plot twist at the end!! The bad guy got his just desserts.

[EllieGraceReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly sometimes I just need a book with insta love vibes and this was exactly what i needed, I had a great time reading!

I adore Grace & Dean separately and together🥹

[Smutty Shelf-Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

very hot and spicy 🌶🥵
low angst and easy read 🙌
just what I needed!

[Crystal Lima · Rating 3 out of 5]

*2.5

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings on this... I enjoyed it and the spice when it was spicing. Dedication: "To the thirsty ones who love beard rides."
Didn't connect with it as I'd hoped. It felt too drama-y to me and a bit long-winded?