Marked by the Mountain Man: A Curvy Girl, Age Gap Romance

by Khloe Summers

He’s a grumpy, inked-up loner with a cabin full of secrets…
She’s the curvy ghost hunter who talks way too much.

Knox
I didn’t plan to order a bride.
But after a long winter alone, I wanted warmth.
What I got is Juniper.
Curvy. Quirky. Talks like she’s trying to fill every silence I’ve spent years protecting.
Thankfully, she’s not here for me. She’s here to chase ghosts.
But the way she moves through my world…
The way she sees through me…
I’m starting to think the real haunting isn’t in the walls.
It’s in the way I want her,
And I don't know to make it stop.

Juniper
I came for answers.
Knox’s land is on the ghost registry and crawling with spirits.
I didn’t expect the man who lives here to be so…
Hot. Older. Tattooed. Built like sin.
He regrets ordering me the second I show up.
But I see the way he watches...
Like he’s starving.
Like he’s scared.
Maybe I wasn’t sent here to find ghosts.
Maybe I was sent to stir the hunger he’s trying to bury.
Trouble is… he's hungry for me.


Dear Readers,
If you love tattooed, obsessive, mountain men, age gap romance, and a sweet and curvy heroines, you'll love this high heat steamy romance. As always this title comes with Khloe's 'Easy Escape Seal' A no cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA guarantee.

71 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2025

About the author

Best-Selling Author Khloe Summers writes short, steamy romance about small town love and mountain men.

Married to her own heart of gold alpha for over twenty years, Khloe is a firm believer in the magic of Happily Ever After.

Reviews

[A79senlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghost hunting blogger Juniper is desperate to explore Knox’s land after hearing so many stories of restless spirits haunting the area. When she sees he’s put in an ad for a companion (no romance) on a mail-order bride website, she jumps at the opportunity. She never expects to find herself more interested in Knox than ghostly phenomena. Meanwhile, Knox isn’t looking for anything beyond a quiet friendship and Juniper’s nothing like what he wants — she won’t stop talking for one and she’s disrupting his routine. At first, he can’t wait to get rid of her, but he quickly realizes he doesn’t want her to leave. However, he discovers a shocking link between them that’s sure to make her hate him. He may not believe in ghosts, but he knows losing her will haunt him forever.

Juniper and Knox were a classic grumpy-sunshine couple, and I loved their banter. Juniper had such a quick wit and a relentlessly positive attitude despite all the pain in her past. She brings Knox back to life and offers him a future full of love and laughter (and maybe some spirits). Knox had shut himself off years ago partially due to undeserved guilt. It was really nice to see him allow himself to feel again. They were a perfect fit together. I also liked the ghostly side of the story. While admittedly I might roll my eyes a bit if I knew a Juniper, I still enjoyed the spiritual elements.

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

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juniper and Knox

MARKED BY THE MOUNTAIN MAN is
Book 5 of the Inked and Possessive. Rugged Mountain Ink series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, opposites-attract, grumpy-sunshine, forced-proximity, mail-order bride, curvy girl gets her mountain man romance. Juniper is a 24-year-old sassy and curvy ghost hunter. She has signed up to be a mail-order bride, just to gain access to an area owned by Knox and said to be haunted. Knox is a hunky, grumpy, reclusive mountain man. He had applied for a mail-order bride when he was lonely, but was more looking for company and help. When Juniper arrives, he's both attracted to and irritated with her. He's quite rude, but as they talk, he realizes he was friends with her dad. He has some secrets of his own, how will she react?  The banter was hysterical and the ending was so happy once they gave into the attraction. I loved it.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knox is a rugged, mountain man who loves his solitude, but after last winter, he decided he wanted someone to share his life with. He signed up for a mail-order bride, and Juniper answered the ad. Juniper is a ghost hunter and has been looking for a way to get on Knox's property because it is haunted. I loved how these two didn't seem like they would make a great couple, but they ended up being so perfect for each other. This is a well written, page turning story with believable characters, fun banter, steam, and a great happily ever after. Marked by the Mountain Man is a wonderful addition to the Inked & Possessive: Rugged Mountain Ink series. I recommend this book, this series, and this author to everyone who loves to read great books. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

Short, sweet, and a little bit smutty! Juniper was a real live wire. Coming to the woods, that have a reputation of being haunted but also answering an add for mail order bride. Knox really isn't sure why he gave in, and applied for a Bride, but now she's here, and she's young, and he's not what she expected. Crazy coincidences reveal who they are to each other, by way of knowing her Father. Knox thinks he has to stay away from her, but she's determined they are meant to be together. Great HEA ending. Trish. A.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an intense connection between Juniper and Knox. Knox finally let the months of lonely let him sign up for a mail order bride. Juniper just wants to dig into her ghost for her podcast so she can finally know she found something.

I love how they have connections they didn't know, nor expected to find themselves feeling things they haven't in years. The spirts, animals, and each other keep getting signs they are fate. They are meant to be together.

Its hot, intense, soul affirming, the other half to each other, and a smoking HEA. Its SO good!

[Andrea Smierciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knox is lonely living on his remote part of the mountain and at times cut off from civilization for months. He decides he wants a companion so tries for a mail order bride. Juniper signs up to be the mail order bride but really she just wants to investigate ghosts on the mountain. An unexpected connection will either bring them together or tear them apart. Can Knox get over his guilt for an accident? Can they each open their hearts to something greater?

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knoxs finds himself loney at times on the Mountain so decides to try for a mail order bride, and shes not like he expected. Juniper is a free spirit who signs up for being a mail order bride as a dare to investigate ghosts and spirits on the Mountain area that Knox owns she never expected a connection to form as it did with Knox, but can she get this grump to bring down his high walls and what will she discover? Well written engaging steamy desires, age gap, grumpy/sunshine, and more!

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juniper and Knox each have their reason for signing up for the mail order bride service. Knox was lonely last winter and just wants a companion, not a love affair. Juniper is a ghost hunter and the property Knox owns is supposed to have plenty of spirits.

Neither expected a connection with the other, nor would the heat turn up the more time the spent together.

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

[QueenMum1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knox has ordered a mail order bride. The question is does he really want one?
Juniper is not really here as a mail-order bride, she is looking for ghosts.
Tropes:
Mountain man, age- gap, small town, mail-order bride, quick read, HEA romance.

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

[RxReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great combo of tension, heat, and heart! Knox is that rugged, quiet type who wants to stay hidden, but Juniper shakes all that up in the best way. Their banter was fun, the chemistry was instant, and the slow melt from guarded to obsessed was chef’s kiss. Loved how protective he was while still letting her shine.

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

[Noemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juniper, is a Ghost hunter and blogger. She's looking to track Knox’s land. There are stories circulating of restless spirits in the area. She finds his ad for a mail-order bride that does not include romance on a website. She pursues an opportunity with him. She finds that there's a lot more interest in Knox than ghostly dealings.

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

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a couple really good twists. It put a new spin on the mail order bride troupe for sure. Knox is a grump and doesn’t have an idea what to do about Juniper. Juniper is sassy, sweet and determined. This is a great read.

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

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marked By the Mountain Man is Juniper and Knox's mail-order bride, age gap, grumpy sunshine HEA. Knox puts out an ad for a mail-order bride. What he gets is a quirky ghost chaser who he can't run away from....

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fifth short story in the Inked and Possessive. Rugged Mountain Ink series. Knox and Juniper's story is exceptionally well-written, featuring great characters and a compelling storyline that culminated in a very satisfying happy ending. I enjoyed reading. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Robin Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Ghostly Encounter

She was hunting ghosts and he was haunted by them. She was the daughter of his friend who died filling in for him they day. They got together when she followed a grizzly into the woods. Was it a sign or just coincidence? Either way, they put their ghosts to rest and got their HEA.

[A Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marked by the Mountain Man is book 5 of the Inked and Possessive, Rugged Mountain Ink series. The story was great! It was very steamy, interesting and enjoyable to read. The characters were amazing! They were fierce, had chemistry, and were very likable. I really enjoyed this book and this series!.

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

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knox got himself a mail order bride after spending a long winter alone in his cabin. So when Juniper turns up she's like a breath of fresh air, a ghostly spirit hunter who he thinks talks too much. They are however perfect for each other and just what the other needs. A great quick and steamy read.

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

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juniper is a spirited soul that is stubborn, sassy and caring. Knox is grumpy and hardworking man. Their story is different, full of adventure and passion.

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

[Cynthia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 5 of Inked and Possessive. Rugged Mountain Ink story of Knox and Juniper. Now that was entertaining and the hot scenes will have you wanting more they are just that good. This one is to be shared.

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

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us an older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Juniper and Knox. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with connection, denial, realization and steam.

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

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story. I like the ghost hunting storyline. I couldn't put it down. I loved the chemistry between Knox and Juniper.

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

[A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very god! I wasn't sure about the premise of this one and thought she might be on of those flighty types but she wasn't at all!! She was perfect. Loved her. They were both really great.

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

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marked by the Mountain Man: A Curvy Girl, Age Gap Romance
Book 5 of Inked and Possessive. Rugged Mountain Ink
Khloe Summers

I loved the banter, sass and first encounter. What a wonderful story!.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the ghost hunting made me laugh. I enjoyed how passionate Juniper was about hunting ghosts.

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

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series. The mountain men are to die for and the women get more than they wished. Knox and Juniper's story warmed my heart.

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

[booking _with_romancegirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute

I loved it spooky an cute plus a rugged mountain the banter is on fire and wow spice is good super short and quick but so worth it perfect for the season

[Jeketa Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

sooo good

Such a great story if you’re into a short read, but also paranormal/grumpy mountain man falling in love then you’re in for a good one!

[Amy Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

This is another excellent one from Khloe Summers. Something Knox never knew and was it really a ghost from their past? Have to read to find out. And there's 🌶️.