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Maplewood Springs #2
Wild About the Mountain Guide
When a thriller writer without any outdoors experience signs up for my wilderness retreat, someone’s bound to get lost, and it might just be me.
Knox
As Maplewood Springs’ hiking guide, I’ve seen it city folks who think granola bars count as dinner, influencers who want to pose with bears, and that one guy who brought a hair dryer to look his best after summiting Mount Hartley.
But this week’s Spirit of the Wild wilderness retreat might just be the thing that breaks me.
I don’t know what’s worse. The retreat’s ridiculous name, or the fact that thriller novelist Peyton Reed shows up with enough bug spray to fumigate a small country and thinks a compass is just a fancy paperweight. She’s stubborn, scared, and completely out of her element… And the one person I can’t stop thinking about her.
I need this gig to pay for Grandma’s physical therapy. What I don’t need is discovering that the real risk of navigating these mountains is nothing compared to what she does to my heart…
Wild About the Mountain Guide is a sweet romcom set in the small town of Maplewood Springs, Montana, featuring a gruff mountain guide and the thriller author he falls for. This novella is the perfect lighthearted romance and can be read in a couple of hours. It has no explicit content but does have all the chemistry and humor you’re looking for in a closed-door romcom!
Perfect if you
Small towns with heart
Funny banter and slow-burn romances
Outdoorsy adventures and fresh mountain air
Rugged mountain men with hearts of gold
Closed door romcoms
Lots of feel-good humor, sizzling chemistry, and a guaranteed swoony HEA
Knox
As Maplewood Springs’ hiking guide, I’ve seen it city folks who think granola bars count as dinner, influencers who want to pose with bears, and that one guy who brought a hair dryer to look his best after summiting Mount Hartley.
But this week’s Spirit of the Wild wilderness retreat might just be the thing that breaks me.
I don’t know what’s worse. The retreat’s ridiculous name, or the fact that thriller novelist Peyton Reed shows up with enough bug spray to fumigate a small country and thinks a compass is just a fancy paperweight. She’s stubborn, scared, and completely out of her element… And the one person I can’t stop thinking about her.
I need this gig to pay for Grandma’s physical therapy. What I don’t need is discovering that the real risk of navigating these mountains is nothing compared to what she does to my heart…
Wild About the Mountain Guide is a sweet romcom set in the small town of Maplewood Springs, Montana, featuring a gruff mountain guide and the thriller author he falls for. This novella is the perfect lighthearted romance and can be read in a couple of hours. It has no explicit content but does have all the chemistry and humor you’re looking for in a closed-door romcom!
Perfect if you
Small towns with heart
Funny banter and slow-burn romances
Outdoorsy adventures and fresh mountain air
Rugged mountain men with hearts of gold
Closed door romcoms
Lots of feel-good humor, sizzling chemistry, and a guaranteed swoony HEA
87 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2025
9 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Sophie-Leigh Robbins
19 books314 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Sophie-Leigh Robbins writes fun, feel-good romantic comedies that will make you laugh and swoon.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 6, 2025
A fun light read that will give you all the warm fuzzy feelings! Perfect if you are looking for a quick read!
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
September 22, 2025
I am perhaps one of the least outdoorsy people in the world... but there's just something about a romance set in the wilderness that will win me over every time... and this one was no exception! Right away, Knox and Peyton drew me in. She's a thriller author forced on a wilderness retreat, and he's a mountain guide not looking forward to leading this particular retreat. Though both may have started our reluctantly, it doesn't take long for sparks to fly and opinions to change. Theirs was a really sweet romance with beautiful chemistry between them. I loved his patience with her and how they both fell hard and fast... the story takes place in just a week, but it felt just right for them. As much as I enjoyed Knox and Peyton, I also loved getting to meet the rest of this unique cast of characters along on the retreat, who added so much fun to the story too! This is a super quick read, easily read in just a sitting or two, but doesn't feel at all rushed or incomplete... just the perfect bite-sized outdoorsy romance!
Wild About the Mountain Guide is a closed-door romance with kisses only. It does have one minor swear. It is the second book in the Maplewood Springs series but could absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Wild About the Mountain Guide is a closed-door romance with kisses only. It does have one minor swear. It is the second book in the Maplewood Springs series but could absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
September 28, 2025
A really cute, quick read. Peyton has absolutely no outdoors experience. Knox is the attractive mountain guide. The entire group are well written and each displays their unique character. I loved the scene where Peyton, an author of thriller novels, tells the campfire scary story. Great ending that ties everything together.
I received this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 4, 2025
loved it!
Such a great short read ! I enjoyed the first novella in the series and I loved this one even more:). Knox was such a great hero….very masculine, take charge, protective and handsome. Peyton was adorable and such a fun and authentic heroine. Their sweet romance during a wilderness trip kept my interest and there were some interesting and entertaining supporting characters. Highly recommend!
Such a great short read ! I enjoyed the first novella in the series and I loved this one even more:). Knox was such a great hero….very masculine, take charge, protective and handsome. Peyton was adorable and such a fun and authentic heroine. Their sweet romance during a wilderness trip kept my interest and there were some interesting and entertaining supporting characters. Highly recommend!
September 19, 2025
What a great story. Peyton goes on a wilderness retreat, enforced by her publisher, and meets Knox, the guide. This book will have you laughing out loud in places as they find their forever. You really need to read this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 13, 2025
Quick, Satisfying Read
Peyton is fun and serious from initial contact. Knox is serious and not looking forward to the wilderness retreat until he spends time with Peyton. The group is fun, Knox and Peyton's chemistry is real, and their mountain adventures keep one's interest. Good book with a good ending.
Peyton is fun and serious from initial contact. Knox is serious and not looking forward to the wilderness retreat until he spends time with Peyton. The group is fun, Knox and Peyton's chemistry is real, and their mountain adventures keep one's interest. Good book with a good ending.
October 13, 2025
Great second novella
This is the second novella in the Maplewood Springs series. I loved the first one, but I loved this one even more! Peyton and Knox’s story was great. I also enjoyed all the other characters in the novella. It made me want to be on the adventure with them. Highly recommend this novella!
This is the second novella in the Maplewood Springs series. I loved the first one, but I loved this one even more! Peyton and Knox’s story was great. I also enjoyed all the other characters in the novella. It made me want to be on the adventure with them. Highly recommend this novella!
December 21, 2025
I’ve enjoyed all the books I’ve read by SL Robbins.
She writes a lot of novellas, though, so they’re extremely quick, insta-love type plots… I wish they were longer and more developed. This one is no exception! I felt like the hiking group had so many great idiosyncratic tales to tell (or weird things to do), and our couple fell just a bit too fast… I definitely needed more.
She writes a lot of novellas, though, so they’re extremely quick, insta-love type plots… I wish they were longer and more developed. This one is no exception! I felt like the hiking group had so many great idiosyncratic tales to tell (or weird things to do), and our couple fell just a bit too fast… I definitely needed more.
September 18, 2025
This is unusual for me to give a novella 5 stars, but there honestly wasn't anything I would change about this story. it was a wonderfully written story. It was fast and quick to read, but extremely satisfying. Most novellas leave me wanting more of an ending/wrap-up, but this one was perfect.
September 20, 2025
This is a super adorable mountain retreat rom-com! So loved it! It is sweet and charming, funny and easy-to-read.. Cute characters! I can't wait for the next one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 7, 2025
Mini Review
Wild about the Mountain Guide by Sophie-Leigh Robbins is the second book in the Maplewood Springs but it can be read as a standalone. This novella is perfect for any season. Knox is a mountain guide who loves the outdoors and Peyton is a novelist who writes thrillers. She seems to be his total opposite. Peyton is more of an indoors person but her publisher kind of forces her to do the wilderness retreat to hopefully end her writer's block. This book was really adorable and fun.
Some Things I loved:
The wilderness and outdoors, I literally wanted to go on a hike while reading.
(I actually finished reading this one outdoors. The Book will make you want to get outside too.)
Peyton’s career makes things so fun throughout the book. I love the way she thinks and I’m a huge fan of mysteries and scary movies so her being a thriller writer was so much fun.
The banter is so fun and the side characters are hilarious.
The small town vibe
If you are looking for small town vibes, a slow-burn romance, opposites attract, rugged mountain men, outdoor adventures, and a quirky novelist then you will love this one.
Wild about the Mountain Guide by Sophie-Leigh Robbins is the second book in the Maplewood Springs but it can be read as a standalone. This novella is perfect for any season. Knox is a mountain guide who loves the outdoors and Peyton is a novelist who writes thrillers. She seems to be his total opposite. Peyton is more of an indoors person but her publisher kind of forces her to do the wilderness retreat to hopefully end her writer's block. This book was really adorable and fun.
Some Things I loved:
The wilderness and outdoors, I literally wanted to go on a hike while reading.
(I actually finished reading this one outdoors. The Book will make you want to get outside too.)
Peyton’s career makes things so fun throughout the book. I love the way she thinks and I’m a huge fan of mysteries and scary movies so her being a thriller writer was so much fun.
The banter is so fun and the side characters are hilarious.
The small town vibe
If you are looking for small town vibes, a slow-burn romance, opposites attract, rugged mountain men, outdoor adventures, and a quirky novelist then you will love this one.
October 6, 2025
I loved it! I as completely connected to this short book. I loved everything about it! Pacing was fast and engaging and the characters were quirky and different, showing respect for each other. A definite winner!
November 13, 2025
Fun, quick read.
This was a really sweet, fun story. I liked the different characters in the hiking group that Knox lead. For a short read the plot was developed and the romance between Knox and Peyton was written well.
This was a really sweet, fun story. I liked the different characters in the hiking group that Knox lead. For a short read the plot was developed and the romance between Knox and Peyton was written well.
January 6, 2026
Absolutely Fun Read
This was a great story about conquering fear and finding strength. How not to let first glance determine another person. The characters are unique and their descriptions and antics bring the story to life. The scenes are breathtaking.
This was a great story about conquering fear and finding strength. How not to let first glance determine another person. The characters are unique and their descriptions and antics bring the story to life. The scenes are breathtaking.
September 29, 2025
Loved this one so much! A cute, short read that’s packed full of banter and an insta-love where you just find your person! Loved Knox & Peyton together and the whole wilderness retreat crew!
September 30, 2025
Short but sweet
I needed something short, so I picked this up, and I thought it was cute and sweet!
Content:
Side character who believes in New Age stuff
I needed something short, so I picked this up, and I thought it was cute and sweet!
Content:
Side character who believes in New Age stuff
October 29, 2025
Book #2: Much better female lead! 💕
December 17, 2025
Cute story
Two opposites have a great connection on the long hike. It's a sweet and swoony quick read with great characters and storyline.
Two opposites have a great connection on the long hike. It's a sweet and swoony quick read with great characters and storyline.
October 24, 2025
4.5⭐/5
It was a very good read.
This short, yet very pleasant novella was full of warm moments, humor, and, of course, love. We return to Maplewood Springs – a beautiful setting nestled in the mountains, where people go to relax, gain new strength, and seek inspiration. And inspiration was the reason why thriller author Peyton found herself in this place. Whether voluntarily, that is questionable. She is not exactly an outdoorsy person. But a mountain guide named Knox will help her. Although for him, leading a group of people who could not be more different is the last thing he wants. Their first meeting, since both were somehow forced into this, did not go the most ideal way. However, it did not take long for the sparks to fly. Their chemistry was wonderfully written. I also liked the rest of the group, who added lightness and even more humor to the story.
Definitely pick up this book when you feel like relaxing and smiling from ear to ear. This book is made for that.
It was a very good read.
This short, yet very pleasant novella was full of warm moments, humor, and, of course, love. We return to Maplewood Springs – a beautiful setting nestled in the mountains, where people go to relax, gain new strength, and seek inspiration. And inspiration was the reason why thriller author Peyton found herself in this place. Whether voluntarily, that is questionable. She is not exactly an outdoorsy person. But a mountain guide named Knox will help her. Although for him, leading a group of people who could not be more different is the last thing he wants. Their first meeting, since both were somehow forced into this, did not go the most ideal way. However, it did not take long for the sparks to fly. Their chemistry was wonderfully written. I also liked the rest of the group, who added lightness and even more humor to the story.
Definitely pick up this book when you feel like relaxing and smiling from ear to ear. This book is made for that.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews