Smitten with the Mountain Man

Willowbrook Ridge Fire Rescue #7

by Julia Stone

He’s possessive. She’s untouched. Sparks are inevitable.


Taking over my grandmother’s photography business was supposed to be simple.

A calendar shoot. Some attractive firemen. A good cause.

Except nothing about Captain Diego Palmer is simple.

He’s twice my age, all hard edges and smoldering stares that see too much.

Every time his deep voice curls around me, I feel my innocence slipping.

This job was supposed to make my grandma proud, but how do I stay professional when all I want is him?

Diego

I know discipline. I know control.

But the second Adeline Blackthorne walks in with her camera, my restraint burns to ash.

She’s sunshine and temptation wrapped in a sweet, untouched package.

And I’m a jealous, possessive man who can’t stand any of my crew looking at her for a second too long.

She thinks she’s here to capture us for a fundraiser, but I know the truth.

The only thing I want her focused on…is me.

Genres: Romance, Small Town Romance

55 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2025

Reviews

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the heart of this story is Diego, the broody-yet-beloved fire chief of Willowbrook Ridge Fire Rescue, who’s more comfortable running into a burning building than posing shirtless for a calendar.

Addie is sunshine wrapped in vintage film. She’s recently taken over her grandmother’s photography business, and though she’s a professional through and through, she’s got one little problem: the fire chief turns her knees to jelly and her thoughts into something very unprofessional.

From the moment Diego lays eyes on Addie behind that lens, it’s clear this is more than a standard calendar shoot. He can't stand the thought of her focusing on any of the other guys but it’s not just jealousy. It’s longing.

The moment Addie asks to photograph Diego, everything shifts. And when he cheekily bargains for a kiss in return, sparks fly—literally and figuratively. That single kiss becomes the catalyst for everything they've been dancing around.

The chemistry between Diego and Addie is playful, magnetic, and undeniably real. You can feel their nerves, their attraction, their slow slide from flirty tension into genuine affection.

If you love small towns with big hearts, reluctant heroes who fall hard, and heroines who shine with quiet strength, Smitten with the Mountain Man is the romantic escape you didn’t know you needed. It's tender, it's steamy, and it's full of moments that’ll make you wish you had a firefighter calendar of your own.

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

[Rosanne Medill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a hot one. This ebook just keeps on sizzling with so much heat. I just loved it. Diego is in charge of the firefighter's calendar for charity. He thinks the photographer is the owner of the photography business that takes the photos. But to his shock and surprise he sees Addie a stunning young woman photographer and the intense attraction just keeps pulling him towards her. Addie is very attracted to Diego captain of the Firefighter station and she can't believe the tingling and throbbing is for the annoying but good looking man. The chemistry they share is off the charts and the attraction they have towards each other is magnetic. Will Diego and Addie acknowledge that everything feels just right when they're spending time together? Will Addie admit to deep feelings for Diego or is she afraid of what he might do if he realizes her secret? I absolutely encourage you to get this outstanding sizzling passionate 5⭐️ hit written by this exceptional author that you shouldn't miss. I loved it and you will too.

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

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking over my grandmother’s photography business was supposed to be simple. A calendar shoot. Some attractive firemen. Except nothing about Captain Diego Palmer is simple. He’s twice my age.
Smoldering stares that see too much. I feel my innocence slipping. This job was supposed to make my grandma proud, but how do I stay professional when all I want is him?
Diego:
I know discipline. I know control. The second Adeline Blackthorne walks in with her camera, my restraint burns to ash. She’s sunshine and temptation wrapped in a sweet, untouched package.
I’m a jealous, possessive man who can’t stand any of my crew looking at her for a second too long.. The only thing I want her focused on is me.
Enjoyed this story.....loved it. 5☆

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

Diego and Addie

SMITTEN WITH THE MOUNTAIN MAN is part of the Willowbrook Ridge Fire Rescue series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, opposites-attract, curvy virgin gets her firefighter romance. Diego is a 39-year-old hunky firefighter. Addie is a sassy, curvy photographer in her 20s. She is in charge of the firefighter calendar this year, which Diego is in charge of coordinating. This is the first year as she has taken over from her grandma. The two are instantly attracted to each other and things quickly heat up. They had insane chemistry and we ended on a happy note. I loved it.

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Two Hearts Unite as One -
The chemistry between Diego and Addie was intense from the very beginning, even though he was a grump and she was sunshine personified. However, the opposites-attract dynamic between Diego and Addie made the way their relationship developed from flirting to the steamy encounter, ensured any reader would have a fun and addictive reading experience. I found myself staying up late just to finish reading the book before I slept and I can say it was worth my time.

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

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely little story with lots of heat! It’s the perfect length to read while you’re waiting for your mom to finish getting her hair colored (yes, cats have moms). Or at least, that’s what I did. This book put a smile on my face that lasted the rest of the morning. It’s a true Instalove, no games.
Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- Diego and Addie
Genre- OTT Contemporary Romance
Heat- open door, explicit, virgin heroine.
Series? N
Safety? Y
Triggers? N
Tropes- Instalove, Firemen Are Hot, Fundraising Fireman Calendar, My Angel Is a Centerfold, Forever and Ever Amen.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s time for the annual firemen calendar photo shoot and Agatha’s granddaughter has taken over the business. Addie arrives at the station and meets Diego. He knows he needs to keep it professional but the attraction is overwhelming. The restraint is non-existent when they meet at her shop to take photos of him. Will this lead into a HEA for them? This was a hot, spicy and steamy read that is highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diego is dreading the upcoming photo shoot for the fundraising calendar. The woman was known for being hard and ruled, but he gets a pleasant surprise when it turns out to be her granddaughter, Addie.

Addie has a great fierce personality and i love the wit she throws out at him. They put the need to be near a firehouse in case of fire a real struggle! While the fast intense connection surprises them both, its the HEA they both are dying for.

Sometimes pictures can be more than worth words....years of love!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hot and steamy, stand-alone, quick read about the Willowbrook Ridge Fire Rescue firefighters. It's time to take the pictures for the calendar, and Diego is tied up in knots about the photographer.

Addie took over her grandmother's photography business. She's just fine photographing the firefighters, it's the fire chief that makes her want to be unprofessional.

I enjoyed the play between Addie and Diego.

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

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Smitten with the Mountain Man” by Julia Stone

-Diego, the grumpy fire chief, and Addie, the sunshine photographer, make for a fun opposites-attract romance. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

The banter and sizzling chemistry build beautifully from teasing to tenderness. The small-town firehouse calendar setup adds humor, heat, and plenty of charm.

A quick, steamy, and heartwarming story.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had me chuckling from the start. The idea of big, tough firemen intimidated and scared of a cranky grama just struck me as funny. When Diego found out it was her granddaughter instead, oh, now that was trouble of a whole different kind. You'll love seeing them dance around eachother in their best attempts at being professional. (They both really need the calendar l's success.) Read and see how it all plays out.

I voluntarily reviewed a gift copy of this book. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diego dreads having to work with the designated photographer for the firefighter calendar because she's always so difficult to handle. To his surprise, it's not the same photographer but Addie, the granddaughter. The chemistry between Diego and Addie is immediate. This is a fun, quick escape read with a wonderful, happy ending.

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

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet short read in beautiful series - Willowbrook Ridge Fire Rescue. Firefighters calendar is meant to be, but this year everything is different. Now here is she - Addie. And Diego's world goes upside down.
Beautiful and sweet short read to enjoy in one go.

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

[laura.lovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy x sunshine, fun, bickering, banter, chemistry, spice, lots of attraction, charm and love, all that is making this book so entertaining and joyful to read.
Can’t get much better.

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

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Photographer, Addie, knows what she wants. What she wants is firefighter, Diego. Will these two headstrong people be a good fit? Or will their relationship go up in smoke before it even begins?.

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

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pictures
A quick cute story of love from behind the camera. Addie is a distraction that Diego wasn’t expecting. As she takes pictures of him trying to capture his spirit, he steals kisses to capture hers.

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

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Diego and Addie fall for each other. I liked how surprised Diego was at their first meeting.

[T.I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Totally worth the read. The characters and storyline are so good. You're gonna love it too. Enjoy.

[Cindy Hardegree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addie and Diego

This was a fun to read quickie before bed. Addie was quirky perfect for determined firefighter Diego who was in charge of the guys for a calendar shoot.

[Zondra.Hallyahoo.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed getting to read Diego & Addie's story in this newest book in the Willowbrook Ridge Fire Rescue Series and thought the two of them made a fun couple. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and seeing who it will be about.

Willowbrook Ridge Fire Rescue Series
Charmed by the Mountain Man: Walker & Violet
Deal with the Mountain Man: Wyatt & Olivia
Blossoming with the Mountain Man: Max & Daisy
Sweet for the Mountain Man: Barrett & Michelle
Adored by the Mountain Man: Knox & Alina
Treasured by the Mountain Man: Charlie & Lucy
Smitten with the Mountain Man: Diego & Addie
Falling for the Mountain Man: Ryder & Zaria

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