Mountain Man's Jaded Heart: A Grumpy Sunshine Forced Proximity Romance Novella

by Ren Booth

I don't do distractions. Don't do relationships. And I sure as hell don't believe crystals have magical powers.

That's what I tell myself after the curvy beauty sets up shop next door.

One burst pipe. One gaping hole in the wall. And suddenly I'm losing my damn mind watching the curvy crystal shop owner. The sway of her hips as she arranges her rocks, the curve of her lips when she hums, the flush of her skin when she catches me staring.

I tell myself it's just physical. That a man can only take so much temptation before he breaks. The more I avoid her, the easier it'll get.

But when a snowstorm traps us together in my forge, her body pressed against mine for warmth, those walls I've spent years building crumble faster than that flooded drywall.

Mountain Man's Jaded Heart is the sixth book in the Men of Passion Peak series, which is a series of standalone sweet and steamy instalove novellas featuring hot mountain men and the curvy women they can't get enough of. A little OTT, no cheating and a HEA is always guaranteed!


Grumpy/Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Curvy Woman
Instalove
Small Town

67 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

Ren Booth writes steamy, instalove stories featuring over the top heroes who are a little rough around the edges and the curvy ladies who make them melt. She doesn't write cliffhangers or cheaters and a happily-ever-after is always guaranteed. Ren lives deep in the Appalachian Mountains with her hubby, a couple of kids, and her fur babies. When she's not reading or writing, you can usually find her making memories with her loved ones.

Reviews

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

Alyssa and Logan

Mountain Man's Jaded Heart is book 7 of the Men of Passion Peak series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, grumpy-sunshine, forced-proximity, curvy girl gets her mountain man romance. Logan is a hunky, grumpy blacksmith. Alyssa is a curvy ray of sunshine who has recently moved back home to open her own tea and crystal shop. When a pipe bursts in her new space, it causes damage to Logan's shop too since they share a wall. He chews her out but is attracted to her. Later, when they end up snowed in together. She stays with him at his forge and things quickly heat up. What happens when the storm is over? This was a beautiful story about finding love again, even though they had both been hurt before. The chemistry was pure fire and we got a great HEA. I can't wait for Ezra's story next!

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Logan is the kind of gruff, brooding mountain man who keeps to himself, convinced that solitude and silence are safer than risking his heart. Alyssa, the curvy, crystal-loving shop owner who moves in next door, is his opposite in every way: bright, spirited, and unwilling to dull her shine. At first, he tells himself he can resist her—the swish of her hips, the easy hum of her voice, the way she makes even a room of rocks feel alive. But temptation has a way of chipping through stone, and when a snowstorm forces them into close quarters, the slow burn between them erupts into something undeniable.

What I loved most about this book was the way Ren Booth balanced humor, heat, and heart. Logan isn’t just a grumpy mountain man stereotype; he’s layered, scarred, and deeply human. And Alyssa isn’t just sunshine and crystals—she’s resilient, strong, and exactly the kind of woman who challenges him to believe in more than just survival. Watching them thaw toward each other, then stand side by side when it mattered most, was both tender and thrilling.

This isn’t just a steamy snowed-in romance (though it absolutely delivers on that front). It’s a story about letting go of judgment, learning to see past first impressions, and realizing that sometimes the love we least expect is the one that fits best. By the final page, Logan and Alyssa left me with a smile as warm as their fire-forged chemistry.

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

[Aspen G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Man’s Jaded Heart is Instalove sweetness with a snowstorm and one bed. Logan and Alyssa each carry scars from their past relationships, and the literal hole in the wall between their businesses opens up a whole new world for each of them. I adore Alyssa, who is very in touch with her intuitive side and has returned to her hometown to start over. She is kind, caring, patient, understanding, and a soft spoken sweetheart who is close with her family. Logan is mostly a loner, hurt badly by his ex, and a master-craftsman who doesn’t handle surprises too well. He prefers order and structure; but he also recognizes when his stubbornness and stiffness push too far. Watching his heart open to her, watching him stand up for her, is swoony and so beautiful. I loved that the third act drama was from external conflict and not a breakup, and the ending is just so satisfying. A quick and easy read that melts the heart.

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

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- Logan and Alyssa
Heat- open door
Series? Y
Safety? Y
Triggers- Plumbing disasters
Tropes- Forced Proximity (Snowbound!), Grumpy v Sunshine, May the Forge be with You, Rock On, Small Town, Small Business Owners
What I Liked- I think the plot elements came together to make a really good book. I liked the way the author handled the tropes and that fireside scene was delicious. Booth did Grumpy v Sunshine right: grumpy without being an unbearable Alphahole, and sunshine without being annoyingly twee.

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

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This FABULOUS book drew me in from the start. Logan was the perfect grump. Alyssa was the perfect sunshiny girl.
I loved how Logan opened up to Alyssa, and how their relationship started in a storm, and grew.
The chemistry between this couple was amazing and steamy. The ending was wonderful.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book, it was a very enjoyable read.

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

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick read has a memorable first meeting, good connection and chemistry, and a sweetness about it. These two went well together and I liked seeing them open up to each other, support one another and fall in love. I liked that Logan didn't deny what he was feeling, that he was brave enough to take a chance on them and how well he fitted into her family, I also liked finding out about both their careers/passions.

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

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story started with a bang, far from the ideal meet cute for Logan and Alyssa. I enjoyed the grumpy vs sunshine dynamics of their banter and interactions, and was drawn in by the vulnerability of both characters. The story wove through facing, and breaking, barriers of both in physical and emotional form. I was rooting for them to overcome their differences, and embrase their similarities, from the beginning.

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

[Cathaleen Way · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now what you imagine

This is another great read in the Men of Passion Peak. Logan and Alyssa warm your heart. It reminds us that even though first impressions are important. They are not always the full picture. Watching these two warm up to each other and then stand for each other was wonderful. I really love this series and can’t wait for the next book.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Logan and Alyssa's first time meeting doesn't go very well. Her shop is adjacent to him and a busted water pipe in the wall connecting them isn't good because he's a blacksmith. Sparks may fly but instant attraction out weighs it all. Love these two.

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

[Manda S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cute little steamy read. I was so wrapped up in this one I had forgotten to pick my kids up. Luckily they stock me on Life360 and promptly corrected my error. This story was worth the minor mom mess up.

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

[Alibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking a super quick insta-love read then Logan and Alyssa's story will hit the spot. A touch of enemies to lovers as Alyssa quickly melts the broody walls around Logan's heart. Both have been hurt before in love, but find forever in each other.

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely quick opposites attract romance. Watching growly Logan fall for the sunshine filled Alyssa was so fun. Perfect blend of tension, nasty Ex drama, humor, forced proximity, undeniable chemistry, sizzle and forever.

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

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a wonderful story that pulls us into the lives of Logan and Alyssa. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with connection, denial, forced proximity, realizations and steam.

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

[T.I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved reading this one. It might be short, but it's so good. Y'all have got to get this one. Happy reading.

[christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was so cute but there were so many grammatical errors and missed punctuation that it took me out of the story, but it was still good.

[Cherie Alvaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan and Alyssa's story was an enjoyable read! I loved the chemistry between the pair and how their story evolved!.

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