Mountain Sanctuary

by Elise Gedicke

Corbin
I’m not good with people. Never have been. Up here in the mountains, it’s quiet and predictable. Just me, my mom, my tools, and enough distance to keep the world where it out there. After prison, I didn’t come looking for peace. I came looking for safety from a society I didn’t trust.
Then she showed up.
Mint, with her dark chocolate eyes and a tortoise named Steve, stormed into my world like a sunrise through fog. She’s too young for me, too fearless, too curious. But she doesn’t flinch at my scars or my silence. She says she’s here to deliver a letter. To close a chapter in someone else’s life. But I think she’s opening something in mine.
And if I can find the words she makes me forget how to say, maybe, just maybe, she’ll stay.

Mint
My grandma’s last wish was simple. Find the man who left her all those years ago and give him the letter she never had the courage to send. I didn’t expect that man to be living in a hidden mountain community. I didn’t expect to understand him, to want him to become a grandpa to me. And I sure as hell didn’t expect Corbin.
He’s a mountain of a man, all rough edges and downcast eyes. But every time he speaks, it’s real. No games, no masks, no lies. He thinks he’s too broken to want anything more than solitude. But I see him. And somewhere between grief and healing, between Steve’s slow steps and Corbin’s slow smiles... I stopped chasing closure.
I started chasing him.

Unknown Binding

About the author

I am a full-time RVer. I travel the country in my motorhome with my dog, Porthos. I enjoy reading, hiking, kayaking, biking, and camping. Follow me @elisegedickeauthor!

Reviews

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corbin, the sweet, shy giant who let a little girl decorate his beard in Mountain Refuge gets his own story in Mountain Sanctuary. Corbin was a breakout character in Refuge, so I was glad he found his true love. Mint, who has a tortoise named Steve, a grumpy grandfather who wields a shotgun, and a kindness to her, is a good match for our Corbin. They have instant sparks, but Corbin doesn’t know how to talk to people. He learns to talk to Mint, though, largely because of her persistence and personality.

I just adore Corbin. He has a big heart. Plus, he treats his mother like a queen, and if that’s not an indicator of how a man will treat his woman, I’d be shocked.

Gedicke’s work is about found family, and that is evident here on the mountain. The reclusive characters have formed their own unique bond as a family of the heart. Really good, really heartwarming read with tearjerker moments and some steam.

[Yaasmiyn Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved it

Rate: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️.5

Okay, so.... Like always, there's no way to not love Elise's books. Her characters are so realistic, and lovable, even when they are recluses who don't like humans (I get it), Corbin, despite not wanting to be around people, is so sweet and loving towards Mint. I loved that he was honest throughout the book with her, and how their love blossomed. I loved how even through her insecurities, Mint was positive and offset Corbin's grumpy attitude.

As usual, the spice was spicy, the plot was thick, the characters were great, and Elise delivered beautifully with this story. I haven't read the first one, but definitely am going to now.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Sanctuary is book two of the Mountain Mutineers Series.

Corbin was an amazing character. There is no way you could end this book and not love him. Upon meeting Mint, he knew almost immediately that he had found the one for him. Everything he did from that moment on was to make sure that Mint was taken care of and loved. However, Mint was only there for a short time to get to know her long lost grandfather. But sometimes there is something about the mountains that pulls a person in and they don't want to leave. We get to see these two fall in love and I was there for every moment of their story. Their moments together and their confessions made me feel so much more connected to the story. It was a beautiful tale of two people finding themselves together, becoming friends, and falling in love. For Corbin it was a faster fall than Mint, but she wasn't too far behind.

This was a beautiful addition to the series and I highly recommend.

[Dawn Litwiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corbin and Mint are the best follow up to the first book in this series! I was so excited to read about Corbin and learn more of his story.

The back story and how Corbin and his mom ended up on the mountain was heartbreaking and satisfying at the same time. Corbin is truly a wonderful man who is a protector through and through!

The reason for Mint making her way to the mountains was an unexpected surprise and I was thrilled that it was introduced in that way and it gave more insight to other characters as well.

I absolutely loved this book, but I knew I would because I love and devour everything this author has written! I’m a fan for life and will continue reading anything Elise wishes to write!

[Monica Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain sanctuary

A great departure from the mc world for elise gedicke. I really enjoyed this quite shy grumpy mountain man and sunshiny fmc. I loved watching them learn how to love each other and become comfortable in all situations. The spice was great.

[ALR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corbin and Mint’s story is a quiet, age-gap romance, dealing with mountain life in a realistic way. I received an advance reader copy of this book for free from BookSirens and the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts are my own.
Corbin’s early life was a total opposite from his mountain life. While a giant of a man height wise, he often felt small because of his father, then as a misunderstood ex-con, and even more so as an “outsider” to the townies who don’t like his appearance. The fact that he’s so quiet has helped him adapt to life on the mountainside, but after looking after his niece and nephew he never realized how quiet his life was and what he was missing out on. Meeting Mint,there was an instant attraction but never in his wildest dreams did he think she’d reciprocate his feelings.
Mint was on a journey, fulfilling her grandmother’s last wish when she meets Corbin. She wasn’t daunted by the age gap or his appearance, finding them more appealing for her but his grumpy nature put her off at first. She’s quite an individual, independent and a bit quirky (case in point her pet tortoise), but not weak willed which I liked.
I also liked the fact that while the attraction started right away there was time that passed as the relationship between the two built, making in seem more realistic . This book was also very different from book 1 in the Mountain Mutineers series as there is less action and intrigue going on and there is more focus on the relationship between the two leads and how mountain life impacted it. Technically it stands as a read on its own but there is some overlap in details from book one that intertwined in this one so I think reading the previous book will give a greater understanding. Those who’ve read book one will be happy to see many familiar characters. While both books are dealing with mountain life they are vastly different though. Still the spice level was good:4/5.
My biggest gripe with this book was the ending chapters/ epilogue which was quite a cliffhanger (literally),but still this author is a must read for me. 4 stars

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The two main characters, Corbin and Mint, are so darn lovable and made me both laugh and cry. Both are society’s misfits, not fitting into the normal categories, and in Corbin’s case not comfortable with most people. Society or the community at large failed to act when Corbin and his mother showed obvious signs of abuse during his first eighteen years of life. They punished him for finally taking the life of his police officer father with a decade behind bars. Since his release, Corbin and his mother have made the mountain their home, rarely leaving it. Corbin never thought that the love of a woman or children of his own were part of his future. Then Mint came to the mountain to find her long lost grandfather and changed Corbin’s life forever. It was mutual attraction from the first, but Corbin’s lack of social skills causes some friction and pushback. When she leaves the mountain again, his heart goes with her. The moment she returns to live with her grandfather, Corbin is right there to claim her for his own. Thankfully, Mint is very willing to be Corbin’s partner and lover. Their story is entertaining, endearing and engrossing, with a few very fascinating secondary characters (even a tortoise named Steve) and unexpected twists.

I loved that though Corbin is a rather intimidating and hairy behemoth with a grumpy, growly and gruff exterior, he is all marshmallow inside. Young Belle certainly knows it and so does his mother. Now Mint knows it too. I loved Mint’s sassiness, confidence and determination to find a way to contribute to their life of the mountain and not just let Corbin take care of her. I love that she and Corbin are on the same page when it comes to romance and experience. I appreciated the insightful look at life on the mountain too.

This book has my wholehearted recommendation.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t help but melt for this gruff, lonely mountain man, hiding away from the world and nursing old wounds. There’s a sharp irony in how society often turns a blind eye to domestic violence, yet harshly punishes those who finally fight back. That cruel indifference stole ten years of Corbin’s life. Now, he and his mother keep to themselves, trading human contact for peace and distance from the judgment of others. Then Mint shows up on the mountain, searching for her grandfather and upending everything Corbin thought he needed. He never imagined marriage or a family in his future, but when Mint decides to stay with her grandfather, Corbin can’t shake the feeling she was meant to be his. Corbin fits the mountain man archetype to a T—gruff, growly, and physically imposing, yet with a tender, marshmallow-soft heart beneath the flannel. And that only makes him more endearing. His deepest desire is to care for Mint, but she refuses to be just someone he protects. Mint is sassy, confident, and fiercely determined to be his equal, pulling her own weight on the mountain and proving she’s no burden. I especially loved that they’re both outsiders, carrying scars the world can’t see. That shared loneliness makes their connection burn all the brighter. This is a tender, beautifully written story about two lost souls who find exactly what they need in each other and get the happy ending they so deserve.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Readernerd57_book_reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐ 2🌶️ 3❤️
I received and ARC copy for free and this is my honest review.

✨Review Highlights✨
-Good characters
-Low to no stakes
-No real conflict in the plot
-Not what I was expecting, wanted more to the story
-Insta-love

I had an alright time reading this book. In comparison to other books by Elise Gedicke, this book felt slow and like nothing happened. I still really enjoyed the characters and getting to know them and know more about the world of the Mountain Mutineers, but I just felt like there was no real conflict in this story.

Yes the characters had minor disagreements, however there was no major conflict to solve. The only really bad thing that happened was at the end and even then it was an accident and not something that had been building throughout the book.

I just wanted there to be more to the story. Going into it I was expecting there to be more. Even the romance part of it fell a little flat for me. It was very fast, insta-love and with there being no real conflict, I felt like there was no reason to root for the main characters because they were already getting everything that they want. I wanted more out of the story.

I would recommend this book if you need a low to no stakes romance to read with a HEA. I would not recommend this book if you are looking for some action or drama, or want some kind of conflict to push the plot forward.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for Corbin's book since we were introduced to him in Mountain Refuge. His relationship with Belle was so sweet and special so I just knew he was a going to be our gentle giant with a side of grumpy until he met the one.

Corbin being lonely even with living with his Mom is such a real emotion that everyone could feel. He met Mint at just the right time. She was on the mountain get to know her long lost grandpa and never thought she would meet her one while doing that. Both have some self esteem issues but with each other they are so connected it doesn't matter. The age gap in most cases would be hard especially with trying to live an off the grid lifestyle but Mint is such an old soul and mature enough to want to make sure she is contributing and not just a burden

Overall, Corbin and Mint were so perfect for each other that of course their love story was at lighten speed. You don't take anything for granted and you don't waste time. This installment of the Mountaineers series was awesome. I expected nothing less from this most talented author.

Now, Miss Elise loves putting little Easter eggs in her epilogue and boy was this one a doozy. Also, with Corbin's POV epilogue she keeps us guessing and makes us assume one thing and had me sobbing before I actually finished it. Naughty, naughty 😋 but I loved it.

[Jojo Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series but this one will take some topping. Two people both feeling that they don’t fit in to society, he is a giant of 6’8 I think, ex con who sees himself as a murderer despite it being self defence and she is tall for a women, curvaceous, the only mixed race kid in school and not fitting in with any social group, brought up by her single mum, grandmother and honorary uncle, Boys didn’t want to date her and the girls didn’t want to be her friend.
She embarks on a journey, with her giant tortoise,after she promised her Nan she’d go on to find her grandfather who abandoned his wife before she could tell him she was pregnant and deliver a letter
Her Grandfather is Tommy who lives on the mountain that Corbin lives on, despite his gruff nature and lack of social skills it’s love at first sight but it’s a while before she come back to mountain to live with her grandfather and claim her man

[Vickie Chaisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Sanctuary is the second book in the Mountain Mutineers series and in many ways it is very different but at the same time very alike. The Mutineers are misfits from society who came back from trauma, war, abuse, jail, changed but who still have the protective need to serve and care for their people or for someone who need care. The storyline is not as succinct or intense bit the characters are. Corbin and Mint and the community around them are intense and running in their own way. Neither of the main characters have ever been mainstream or fit in and I know I felt them at my core. I connected with Corbin's mom , and Mint's Steve. Corbin with his heart of gold wanting a family so bad but never imagining he would ever have one built his own on his mountain. This author writes well developed, well written characters you either like or really hate. So well done.

[Library.of.linds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age gaps are not my thing but I loved the forest book so much so I decided to give it a try and I’m so freaking glad I did!!! Mint was my absolute favorite and it was so refreshing seeing a FMC who is also a little thick in the thighs written in such a positive light. She is badass and loves herself. (YAS QUEEN!!)

Mint finds herself on the mountain looking for her grandfather. In the process she runs into a broody, older ex con who is hiding from society. From their first meeting they know they won’t be able to forget each other, and the more time they spend together, the closer they become.

This was super sweet, a bit spicy, but man, that ending!!! NOT FREAKING COOL ELISE!!!! NOT. COOL!!!! 😒 I can’t wait for others in this series. My heart is ready. 🥰❤️‍🩹

[Aleaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

-ARC provided by the author

I enjoyed this book and was pleasantly surprised that while it is recommended to read the rest of the series first it’s not required. The author did a great job of giving background information for characters without it feeling like random summary thrown into the plot!

I feel like the story was paced well up until the end, without giving away spoilers I think fully showing the mudslide and afterwards would have been really beneficial in rounding out the plot! I really loved Mint as a character and loved that she wasn’t the conventional skinny helpless blonde people usually write!

Overall this book was a fun read and I’d recommend!

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mountain Mutineers are a group of misfits where society has let them down or turned their backs on them. They are a community of forgotten people that have banded together to support each other to survive under the toughest circumstances. The romance between Corbin and Mint is slow moving as Mint adjusts to life on the mountain. I enjoyed reading about the heartbreaking stories of each of the characters and was happy Corbin got the HEA he deserved. However, the ending was extremely rushed like the author met her page quota and had to suddenly wrap it up. I normally love the way this author writes, but the ending for Mountain Sanctuary needed to be better.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dit enjoy the story until the epiloge, it was a bit fast paced because of the jumps in storyline. But at the end of the book if goes from a middle of a piece of the story to multiple epiloges and in my opinion skips a big chunck of the story. A lot dissapointing because the plotline was good and was not finished. For the first time I am dissapointed, the book could have been a lot better if the story was completely written.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jenn M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Me a Big Mountain Man!!!

I loved the backstories of Corbin and Mint. They both had struggles that they had to overcome and were looking for more in their lives. They happened upon one another by chance and the attraction was immediate. It took a minute, but they finally found their own HEA.

This book will have you laughing out loud, crying big ugly tears and loving all of the characters on that mountain. I loved this book and am waiting not so patiently for the next one in the series!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the most fun to read. Talk about a quick courtship. Corbin and Mint were so perfect and hard to leave at the end. Both of them found the one person in the world who was ment for them. The chance to look into their world was eye opening and wonderful. I certainly could not do it. I was so worried about Belle but the ending was perfect I’m hoping we can get Owen’s story too

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Rew E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Corbin & Mint's journey to their HEA. The two loners find solace, validation, and love together. Corbin, big, hairy, and grumpy, has lived a life of hardship and finds that mountain life is a good fit for him. Mint is a loner who feels her 'bigness' is a hindrance to her love life. The two together make a great couple. Their journey to discovery of each other and themselves makes for good reading.

Good storyline and characters.

[Debbie Bolay · Rating 5 out of 5]

💕💖💕 Corbin and Mint 💕💖💕 Corbin has had a rough life till he reaches his mountain sanctuary. There he plans to live his life with his mom, honary brother, neice and nephew! Mint is searching for her grandpa. This is a book, like all Elise Gedicke books, you will not want to put down! Love this book, this series and this amazing author! Put this book on your TBR list today!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dusty Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corbin and Mint

I wanted Corbin's story for a year now and it so did NOT disappoint. It was so perfectly him. The grumpy beast of a man with the biggest heart found his perfect match. A BBW to the extreme with all the sass, love, and kindness that he deserves with a steel backbone that he needs. While I wish Corbin could have been mine, Mint is his perfect match. You could have not given me such heartbreak at the end though.

[Vivien Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corbin had a long stint in prison, and when he finally got out, he decided to live in the secluded mountains with his mother. Then along comes Mint, to the mountains, to fulfill her grandmother's last wish, which is to look for her grandfather. When she meets Corbin she thinks he's a grumpy, rough around the edges guy. She's a very likeable character who even has a cute pet turtle. I really enjoyed this sweet romantic story with this grumpy sunshine couple.

[Sarah DeLong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corbin captured my heart in book one, Mountain Refuge, and I was secretly hoping he'd get his story told. And what a story it is indeed! Corbin's history is heartbreaking, yet this grumpy, gentle giant somehow finds love when he least expects it. Mint is the perfect lady for him, along with her pet tortoise, Steve. These two have an incredible story of hardship, finding love, peace, and acceptance.

[Ela La1978 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corbins story is emotional in so many ways. How he ended up in Prison, on the mountain, what he did and where it goes, entering Mint.
Their Story is excellent and exceptional. This age gap couple has more in common than the thought. Building a live on the mountain is different for Mint but their future is looking bright.
Loved every minute of reading this book.

[Jessica Fahey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book didn’t have any major action until the end of the book. The epilogue explains some of what happens but I feel it leaves out many things I feel I have missed out/. Probably will be answered in the next book. I enjoyed all the characters and the premise of the story. I enjoyed this authors writing very much but prefer her other stories more.

It was a good book.

[CAH - malphrusc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book….from a fearless leading lady to a brooding mountain man who quietly longed for something more… this was a great read read with lots of twists and turns that ended up with the best HEA.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Charlene Alana Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mint and Corbin's story gripped me from the start, I could not put it down once I started it. I instantly took to these characters. It's such a rollercoaster ride with twists and turns. It's filled with action, drama, love, spice and so much more.

The storyline, plot and characters where wonderfully written.

Highly recommend.

[Christyn P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! So good. I loved this story and the overall storyline. Mint and Corbin’s story was deep. Full of rich characters and amazing plot lines. Their love story had vulnerability, violence, resentment, instant chemistry, passion, and love. I can’t wait for the next.

[Daria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good and...
It sounded good and it was okay. Everything was okay, nothing to pull me in.
I liked the story well enough, for a fall quick romance it needed a bit of something.
The characters were okay, the.chemistry between was a bit sketch.
Just my opinion.

[Dee Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are no typos, but the characters entire inner monologue/repetitive thoughts took a toll on my brain.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really had to push to finish this one.