Emergency with the Mountain Man: A Small Town Lumberjack Instalove Romance

by Celia Skye

One emergency call changed everything.

I came to Silver Ridge to rebuild my veterinary practice and heal from a toxic relationship, not to fall for the local forester with warm brown eyes and capable hands. But when Jake calls about an injured bear cub, everything shifts.

One look at this man who protects both wildlife and community, and my carefully guarded heart cracks wide open. He sees my worth when I've forgotten it myself. Makes me feel capable again. Makes me want to stay in this mountain town forever.

When we work together to save wildlife and I see his deep respect for the forest he works in, I start questioning everything—my plans to keep things simple, my carefully guarded heart, my belief that I'm better off alone.
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Emergency with the Mountain Man is a steamy instalove novella featuring a gruff forester and the wounded veterinarian who heals his heart. With small-town warmth and mountain heat, this first book in the Silver Ridge Mountain Men series delivers the perfect escape for romance lovers who crave protective heroes and the strong women who bring them home.

Genres: Romance

51 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2025

Reviews

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norma and Jake . . .

Wildlife veterinarian Dr. Norma McKenzie has just opened a new practice and receives a call on Tuesday morning from Jake Webster stating that a bear cub was injured at their worksite. That puts everyone in greater danger since the mother bear would be nearby. Jake tells her they haven’t seen the mother bear for days, and the baby is probably 4 months old and about the size of a large dog. She packs her supplies and drives up the mountain to meet Jake so he can guide her to the cub. Her left hind leg is broken and a spot on her head is swollen, but she is breathing easily, her heart is strong, and her pupils are reactive. She has been unconscious for 2 hours according to Jake. He helped her load up the young bear and followed her to her clinic, waiting 2 more hours while the surgery was performed. He was there to help if needed, but stayed out of her way. And Kirkwood Timber would pay the bill for the surgery and wildlife services when the cub is placed with other bears to learn survival skills. She was definitely impressed with the crew taking responsibility and caring for the animal’s welfare. And Jake can’t get his mind off of the caring woman who confidently saved an injured animal.

Jake had coffee with his cousin Maple Cordova who already knew about his attraction to the new vet since the town gossips don’t miss anything! And as Maple told him to stop playing it safe and ask her out, Norma walked into the diner. Maple pushed Jake out of his seat and he greeted Norma who had found a rehabilitation facility for the orphaned cub. He offered to show her some hiking trails and she suddenly showed signs that someone had hurt her in the past, so she politely backed off. But Jake is patient and won’t give up. He knows she is worth the wait. And the next time he invites her to see a beautiful waterfall that tourists don’t know about, she agrees. He is so different from her horrible ex, and he enjoys life and nature and makes her smile… and maybe even begins to heal her. Is she ready to admit she has already fallen in love with him?

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Emergency with the Mountain Man is the perfect blend of small-town warmth, wilderness beauty, and heart-thumping romance. Celia Skye knows how to craft a story that feels both tender and wildly passionate, and Jake and Norma’s love story had me hooked from the first emergency call.

Norma’s journey—trying to rebuild her life after heartbreak—makes her instantly relatable, and the way Jake sees her strength (even when she doubts herself) made me swoon. Jake is everything you want in a mountain man hero: steady, protective, a little rugged around the edges, but with a heart as big as the forest he protects. The scenes with the injured bear cub aren’t just sweet, they highlight the respect these characters have for life, nature, and each other.

The chemistry between them is undeniable—steamy, electric, and the kind of instalove that makes you believe in fate. Add in the stunning Silver Ridge setting, with its mountains, wildlife, and close-knit community, and I didn’t just want to read about this world—I wanted to live there, to be part of this little town where love feels so inevitable and powerful.

If you’re looking for a quick, heartfelt, and sexy escape with a rugged lumberjack hero and a heroine who finds her way back to herself, this book is a must-read. I’m already dying to dive into the next Silver Ridge Mountain Men story!.

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

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feeling inadequate as a vet because of her ex, Norma heads to Silver Ridge to rebuild her veterinary practice. When Jake calls her about an injured bear cub, she heads to the location to treat the animal. When Jake takes her to the injured animal, she realizes it is more serious than she thought and needs to transport it back to the clinic. She sees how gentle and caring Jake is and wonders if a relationship is possible but Norma is not ready to dive into a new relationship. Spending time with Jake, she learns his desires are to protect both the wildlife and the community. This opens her heart. Will Norma give Jake a chance to see where this could lead them? They make a wonderful couple which makes this story entertaining. The plot was well-written and the chemistry between the characters were heart-felt. I highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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

Norma and Jake

Emergency with the Mountain Man is Book 1 of the Silver Ridge Mountain Men series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, mid-life, forced-proximity, girl gets her mountain man romance. Norma is a sweet and smart wildlife veterinarian who moved to town a few weeks ago to start her own practice after leaving a bad relationship. Jake is a 35-year-old hunky logger. When Jake talks after a bear cub has been hurt on his property, the two are instantly attracted to one another. Norma is scared though after having been hurt, but Jake isn't giving up. Can he show her that he is all in? That she can trust him? The chemistry between these two was pure fire and we got a great HEA. I loved it.

[Smart Cookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You're here to treat an injured animal, not ogle the local lumber crew."

Emergency with the Mountain Man by Celia Skye is a sweet slow-burn romance. Set in the charming town of Silver Ridge.

We meet Norma, a dedicated veterinarian, when she rushes out on an emergency call to help an injured bear cub at Jake’s job site. Sparks fly from their very first meeting, but they take things slow since Norma is healing from past hurts and not quite ready to open her heart again.

Celia Skye has a gift for creating characters you can’t help but root for, and Norma and Jake are no exception. This story is a warm, engaging read that feels like the perfect start to something bigger in Silver Ridge.

[Crystal0503 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Norma came to Silver Ridge for a fresh start after being in a toxic relationship that not only damaged her mentally but left her questioning her abilities at work. Jake on the other hand is settled here in Silver Ridge and everyone is waiting to see who he settles down with. As the local logger Jake see a few wildlife injuries so he gets a chance to see Norma out working once in a while or out on ranches tended to horses, so they run into each other from time to time giving them time to get to know each other around others and their natural environments. But can Jake be patient while Norma heals? Is Norma really willing to push herself after everything that happened with her ex? Come see if Norma will be the one to finally take Jake off the market and if he can help her heal.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to Silver Ridge to rebuild my veterinary practice and heal from a toxic relationship, not to fall for the local forester with warm brown eyes and capable hands. When Jake calls about an injured bear cub, everything shifts. One look at this man who protects both wildlife and community, and my carefully guarded heart cracks wide open. He sees my worth when I've forgotten it myself. Makes me feel capable again. Makes me want to stay in this mountain town forever.
Such a lovely story, I loved it! 5☆

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norma is a wildlife veterinarian who has come to Silver Ridge to get away from a toxic relationship. When she goes on a call for a bear cub she meets Jake who is a lumberjack who works in sustainable forestry. They are both impressed with the other's skills and things go from there. This is a wonderful book about finding someone special and accepting the baggage with the wonderful. Great book!.

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

[Julie's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a series of standalone stories set in Silver Ridge. Ms. Skye brings us a delightful tale of two people with battered hearts who find their HEA. I really enjoyed this is a short, easy read that still has enough depth to make you you fall in love with the characters. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

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

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start of a new series - Silver Ridge Mountain Men. Wildlife emergencies bring them together - veterinarian Norma and logger Jake. And their attraction is strong and undeniable. Will Norma overcome betrayal and give a chance to Jake?
Amazing characters, community and sweet instalove romance to enjoy in one go.

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

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norma runs a veterinary practice in Silver Ridge after a tough breakup. She's not looking for another man. Jake also had a bad relationship that made him skittish, also. But when he meets Norma, he decides it's worth the risk and starts to persuade her too. This is a great short read with the best happy ending.

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

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norma is a recently relocated veterinarian to a small town and receives a call about an injured black bear cub injured with something on a worksite. She worries about the danger of a momma bear being close by and what she might do.
Emergency With the Mountain Man is a well written story with a lot of heart. Great characters add to the story and make this a five-star read. Grab this and enjoy.

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

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake and Norma
Quick read, instalove, mountain man-city girl, small town, romantic, steamy and happily-ever-after.
Norma moves to a small town for a fresh start after a cheating ex. She meets Jake, a logger and mountain man. He's handsome, sweet and intelligent. Just he kind if she's not afraid to take a chance.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first story in the Silver Ridge Mountain Men, veterinary Norma and forester Jake meet when he brings her an injured bear cub. They will have things to overcome because of her ex. the short story is well written with a very good storyline and a happy ending. I want to read the next book. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norma moved to Silver Ridge to start over. Jake was a local logger. They met at an emergency with a bear cub. Norma wasn’t ready to have anything serious or so she thought. Jake was already all in. This adorable book is all about finding yourself and love when you least expect it. This is a great read.

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

[A Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emergency with the Mountain Man: A Small Town Lumberjack Instalove Romance is book 1 of Silver Ridge Mountain Men series! It is a good short read! The story was good and the characters were interesting! I can't wait to read more of the series!.

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

[Jennifer D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet and solid mountain man romance. I loved Norma the FMC’s strength, and also Jake’s quiet certainty. Their mutual love of animals and nature really came through in the story. The community strength and support was amazing.

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

[Cherie Alvaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

After leaving a toxic relationship, Norma moves to Silver Ridge to open her veterinary practice. Meeting Jake sees her rethink her ideal of swearing off relationships. This well written story kept me not only entertained but finding myself itching for the next book in this series.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is going to set your heart on fire when you begin reading all about Jake the SEXY mountain man, and you can't forget about Norma who is going to fall hard for Jake even though she has her heart protected or so she thinks. This is the perfect read to kickstart your day.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good. It's a fast paced instalove open door steam fest. These Canadian women can't resist the Silver Ridge Mountain Men.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout 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 Jake and Norma bond and fall in love over a shared love of the forests and wildlife.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed emergency with the mountain man which was Norma and Jake’s story. I thought it was an entertaining read. I received an early copy of the book. And voluntarily leaving this review.

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

Loved it.

[Britany | SouthernAsianReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I’m more meh about it than anything. I’m all for insta-love, but I need to feel the connection. Sadly, I did not this time.

[Thuy Cu · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5