The Winter Cabin Next Door

by Amber Warden

Elle thought the mountains would be her refuge, a place to escape the turmoil of her marriage. She never expects her sanctuary to be ruined by a grumpy mountain man.

When Joe encounters a tourist on a dangerous trail, he sets out to make sure she returns safely. He’s big, bearded, and gruff, but her fear makes him want to gentle his ways, and the bruises on her raise all his protective instincts.

A sudden snow storm and a broken heater bring him to her cabin doorstep. Only Joe isn’t as scary as she first thought. Beneath his rugged exterior hides a kind and caring soul, someone who helps her through her panic attacks and offers to show her the beauty of the outdoors. He’s unlike anyone she’s ever met, but the timing is all wrong. She’s still married.

And her husband will stop at nothing to find her.

Featuring underappreciated women receiving help from male neighbors who are gentle caregivers, The Neighborly Repairs series contains standalone short reads with steam.

Genres: Christmas

114 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

A former numbers cruncher, Amber Warden left the accounting world to write emotional and steamy contemporary romance instead.

Her main hope is for those reading to take away the feeling that they are more than enough for anyone.

When she's not writing, she's reading shoujo manga, playing otome games, and listening to her favorite J-rock music.

She'd love to hear from her readers:

amberwardenauthor@gmail.com

Instagram @amberwardenwrites

Facebook @amberwardenauthor

Reviews

[Stephanie Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all need a Joe in our life. The setting of this story was magical, the characters were easy to cling to, and I was rooting for them the whole way. I’m not sure how so much sadness, heartbreak, and love into so few pages. I loved the authors addition of Joe’s dialect- it was easy to hear his voice in my head. I loved, loved, loved the way this ended, and the epilogue was everything I needed.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm on the fence with this one. It's a shorter book that deals with situations that are terrible and sad. But I couldn't connect with the MFC Elle Jenkins. She was running from her husband who was doing these things to her. Was he physically abusive, it was implied, but then, Elle explained he grabbed her wrists only once. Was Adrian emotionally abusive, yes. I couldn't stand that guy. But there wasn't any depth or growth to see Elle take back her power, to not be a victim anymore, she was always apologizing for every single thing she did when she ran to hide/stay at a cabin that was meant for her best friend. I know Elle has been gaslit, insecure, has anxiety, but she was more passive aggressive if anything. There wasn't enough fire to her character.

Elle meets an older man, Joe Graham. He was 40 something. Elle was... well, the story never shared that.🤷🏼‍♀️🤷 I didn't get a sense of their chemistry or connection. Joe was grumpy, sharp in his way of speaking, but kind of supportive. I didn't like the writing style of his 'holler accent'. Or how he called Elle 'sweet thang.' Yikes. No. Just no.😖 There's little heat in their story. Why Elle never seem to wear the right shoes or how she cut her foot, but then she was walking again just fine later, was strange. She wasn't prepared for winter. The story for me wasn't cohesive enough. It felt... underdeveloped. I was expecting something else. If you want to read it, you should. Maybe it'll work for you. Good luck. Happy reading.*•>§<•*🎄🎄🎄

Overall rating: 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

☃️🥶Thank you to Ms Warden and Booksprout. The opinions shared here are my honest thoughts.🥶☃️

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some stories don’t just warm your heart—they heal it. The Winter Cabin Next Door by Amber Warden is one of those quiet, powerful romances that sneaks up on you with its tenderness, strength, and emotional honesty. It’s not about grand gestures or whirlwind passion; it’s about rebuilding what’s been broken and finding safety in unexpected places.

Elle comes to the mountains searching for peace after finally walking away from an abusive marriage. Her bruises—both seen and unseen—tell a story of survival, of someone whose light was dimmed for too long. The cabin she retreats to is meant to be her refuge, a place to catch her breath. But fate, as it turns out, has other plans—and they come in the form of Joe, the gruff, bearded mountain man next door.

Their first meeting is anything but romantic. When Joe finds Elle on a dangerous trail, his instinct to protect kicks in hard. He’s cautious, gentle where others have been cruel, and quietly patient with her fear. What begins as reluctant proximity—helping with a broken heater, checking in during a snowstorm—slowly grows into a friendship built on respect and care.

I loved how Warden didn’t rush this story. The romance between Elle and Joe is a slow burn in the truest sense, unfolding at the pace of healing. Joe doesn’t try to fix Elle or push her forward before she’s ready; he simply stands beside her, offering warmth when she needs it most. His knowledge of grounding techniques, his steady presence during her panic attacks, and his unwavering patience make him the kind of hero who feels real—one who understands that love sometimes looks like quiet understanding rather than sweeping declarations.

Elle’s journey is both heartbreaking and empowering. Watching her rediscover her sense of self, reclaim her laughter, and finally believe she deserves gentleness again was deeply moving. The story doesn’t sugarcoat trauma or healing—it shows that both take time, and that choosing to stay gone, to rebuild, is an act of immense bravery.

And that ending—subtle, hopeful, and filled with the promise of new beginnings—felt exactly right. It doesn’t rush a happy-ever-after; it gives us something even more satisfying: the feeling that Elle’s peace, and her future with Joe, are earned.

Amber Warden writes with warmth and emotional clarity, crafting a romance that feels like sitting beside a fire on a snowy night—soft, steady, and full of quiet light.

**Perfect for readers who love:**
❄️ Gentle, protective heroes
💔 Healing after heartbreak
🏔️ Small-town, snow-covered settings
🕯️ Slow-burn, emotionally rich romance
❤️ Stories where love feels safe and real.

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

[Michelle Frater · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s heartbreaking to watch someone lose their sense of self in an abusive marriage, to see a person’s spark dim little by little until they hardly recognize themselves. For Elle, the breaking point came the day her husband used more than words to make her feel small. That moment became her turning point and three cheers for Elle for walking away right then and there. With nowhere to go, a friend offers her a remote mountain cabin as a place to heal and figure out what comes next. But the cabin comes with an unexpected surprise: a gruff, protective mountain man named Joe. Their first encounter is anything but charming as Joe startles Elle on a hiking trail and insists on escorting her back to safety, all grumbles and concern. But when she later discovers that he’s not just the cabin’s caretaker but also her next-door neighbor, fate seems to set a gentle plan in motion. Despite Elle’s understandable wariness, she slowly begins to feel at ease around Joe. And while his attraction to her is undeniable, what makes Joe truly special is that he recognizes what Elle needs most — not romance, but friendship, patience, and space to heal. His steady kindness and quiet strength stand in stark contrast to the man she left behind. Through Joe, Elle begins to rediscover her confidence, her laughter, and her sense of worth. The slow-burn chemistry between them is beautifully written, full of tenderness, emotional depth, and genuine connection rather than instant sparks or heavy spice. I found myself cheering Elle on as she finally confronted her past and grateful she didn’t have to do it alone. I also loved that the story gave Elle the breathing room she needed to stand on her own two feet before stepping into something new. It felt real and empowering. And that ending? The perfect touch of magic to leave your heart full and a smile on your face.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[keoni&#x1f48c;✨&#x1f319;&#x1f337; · Rating 3 out of 5]

elle finds herself realising that after 10 years with her husband, she just doesn’t know herself. she’s been in fight or flight mode ever since her parents passed away. moving in and being emotionally manipulated by her now husband, she wakes up one day realising she doesn’t feel like a whole person anymore. she has lost parts of herself that she doesn’t even remember losing.
joe is a gruff, protective mountain man who is living in the woods with his nephew. his sister passed away and he took on responsibility for his young nephew, hoping to be able to be the adult figure he needs in his life. when elle decides enough is enough and she runs away to her friends cabin in the woods, they find eachother walking a slippery path, with friendship and love ahead.

i enjoyed this book as a premise, i just couldn’t find myself connecting to the characters as much as i usually would with other books. i’m not sure whether it was the accent they had or the nicknames joe had for elle like ‘sweet thang’ or possibly the fact elle sometimes felt childlike to me.
i know she had dealt with trauma and it could have been a response to that but sometimes it felt like she was too sweet and kind and acted very young when i believe her character was supposed to be over 30 years old.

however i did enjoy the gentleman side of joe and how no matter what he was always there for elle, whether she needed help getting out of a panic attack so he held her and brought her back down. whether she needed support on an icy, slippery path they were walking down, and even just to be a friend for her to lean on in times she clearly felt lonely. joe is a true gentleman in every sense of the word.

thank you to BookSirens and amber warden for this free advance reader copy. all my opinions are my own and i’m leaving this review voluntarily 🤍

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet romance about a broken woman, finding herself again in the mountains

Wauw.
This is so well written. How can such a heartbreaking story fit into a novella?

Her story broke my heart.
I felt it in my soul.

How she keeps hearing her controlling husband's nasty comments in her mind... 💔
How she shrinks into herself in response to sudden movements or sounds... 💔
How she keeps apologizing for the smallest things, for all the things... 💔

Oh. My. God. 😭

My favorite quotes:

"I've got you. You're safe."

What it is about:
A woman escaping her abuse marriage finds unexpected comfort with a gruff mountain neighbor during a snowstorm, but her husband threatens their growing connection.

What I loved:
💔low on spice, high on heartbreak/healing
❤️‍🩹her journey to healing, trying to escape her husband's insults still invading her mind
🗣️his accent/dialect
⛰️how he is both a grumpy mountain man AND a cinnamon roll
🔚propere epilogue (2 yrs later)

What you need to know:
📚standalone, part of the Neighborly Repairs series
🫂3rd person
🐌slow burn
🧓age gap (he's in his forties)
👨🏻‍👦🏻single dad to his nephew
🍬he calls her "sweet thang"
❤️HEA

For the safety squad:
🔥spice: explicit and steamy
🔇language: profanity
🔪violence : domestic abuse (emotional, psychological, physical, financial), mention of dubcon with spouse and prior pain during intercourse
❌other: mention of violent death of parents, discussions of grief

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tender, Emotional, and Perfect for a Winter Night. The Winter Cabin Next Door by Amber Warden is a heartwarming yet deeply emotional read that beautifully blends healing, protection, and slow-burning romance. This book is everything you want in a cozy winter escape — snow-covered mountains, emotional depth, and a grumpy mountain man with the softest heart imaginable.

Elle retreats to a mountain cabin to escape the chaos and pain of her marriage, seeking peace and solitude. But her plans change when she crosses paths with Joe — a rugged, bearded local who embodies both strength and gentleness. When a snowstorm traps them together, what begins as cautious kindness turns into something far more powerful. Joe’s quiet patience and protective nature help Elle rediscover her courage and self-worth in the face of past trauma.

Amber Warden delivers a deeply touching story about finding safety, both physically and emotionally, in another person’s arms. The chemistry between Elle and Joe is tender and genuine, building from mutual care rather than instant lust — though the eventual heat between them is undeniable.

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

[Alex Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

First impressions? If I am being honest I didn’t think I would be able to get into this book, I tend to prefer books told in first person, like the character(s) are telling the story, not third person like someone else is telling it.

I can honestly say that although I was apprehensive at first I couldn’t put the book down. Once I read the first couple pages I was hooked. I will say I expected a bit more spice, but even without it the book was still amazing.

I loved how Amber was able to write the dialogue well enough that I not only knew who was talking, but also that she was able to show that their grammar was different. It showed they had lived in different areas growing up with different inflections. “C’mere, sweet thang.” is my favorite example quote from Joe to Elle to prove that point. Amber shows that not everyone in the world speaks the same, and even with the different inflections–some may seem wrong to some people–but I loved it. Not everyone has to be so proper when they speak 😂.

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

[love2read · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a nice heartwarming love story for the holiday season 🥰🎄❄️
Emotionally and possibly physically abused by her husband, Elle escapes to the mountains where she meets Joe, a gruff, but ever so lovable mountain man. He stood by her side, offering protection and support while she gratefully accepted his presence, drawing solace from the comfort he provided.
I adored this book. The author has a good grasp on natural dialogue and for creating characters that are genuine. This story has sadness, courage, trust, protection, confrontations, self-doubts, grief, loss, sacrifices, patience, friendship, passion, and love … I felt the emotions in my heart throughout the entire book.
There was just a little spice, but it had a lot of sweet and heartfelt moments woven in that I loved and, in the end, it made my heart smile. Truth be told, I'm a little disappointed it’s over as I was hoping for more of their happy ending, thus I’m giving it a solid 4.5⭐'s.
I was happy to receive a free copy of this book, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

[Nathalie DeSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Know your triggers before you start reading this book as it will show details of spousal abuse,

This is a slow burn heartfelt story about the power of healing and love. Elle is running from a decade of spousal abuse, she wants solace and peace that will help her start her road to recovery, so she sets for a cabin up on the mountain.. This is where she meets Joe, the next door neighbor, who comes to her rescue in more ways than cabin repairs. They spark a friendship, he sees the bruises, he senses her apprehension, and gives support and space to learn to be herself again.

The plot of this book is perfectly paced as it gives you a pause to savour the steps that they take from strangers to neighbors to friends to more. HE lets her be herself take her time, learn about independence, worth and true love.

A excellent read!.

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

[Sandy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional, wintry story with a Christmas sleepover. It was a whirlwind of emotions for Elle to find her own thoughts, wishes, and voice. I'm glad she met some friends on her path, especially the nice, patient Joe, who understood her, didn't take advantage, supported her, encouraged her, didn't object to her having time for herself, and was willing to wait for someday. And she made the right decisions for herself, finished what she started, took necessary measures, didn't rush, and embraced her emotions.


It seems so rare to find cabins with TVs, for example, to watch Christmas movies in the evenings, at least in books.

Got me thinking: how warm are floors in cabins in winter if one can walk around without socks and slippers? Even in houses and apartments with heated or non-heated floors, I wouldn't walk barefoot.



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

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. This novella is dual POV, well written and edited, and a sweet, low spice, escaping domestic abuse, contemporary romance between Elle, the female lead who has been abused for a decade, and Joe, the mountain man male lead who is a gentle supportive presence determined to keep vulnerable people safe. I cheered for Elle as she initiated separation from her abuser, and sympathised with her anxiety and stress. I enjoyed Joe’s immediately protective response and his determination to be Elle’s friend before considering anything else. I enjoyed the appropriately slow pace of the relationship development, and adored the acknowledgment that Elle needed both professional and private support through her separation, and time before she could seriously decide to have a new relationship.

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

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

THE WINTER CABIN NEXT DOOR is Book 2 of the Neighborly Repairs Holiday series. It's a short and spicy, slow-burn, opposites-attract, close-proximity, girl gets her mountain man Christmas romance. Elle is a married woman who has left her abusive husband and is hiding at a friend's mountain cabin rental. Joe is a hunky, burly, protective mountain man. He meets Elle while she is hiking and again when her cabin's heat goes out. Joe fixes it and realizes he just wants to protect her. He is a friend she needs and hopes for more when she is ready. When her ex shows up, can he keep her safe. This couple had decent chemistry and we ended on a happy note. I just wish that we got more of a glimpse into the future. Joe was such a big teddy bear. I loved it.

[Merilu Keenum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber Warden captures the spirit of Christmas and the joy of true love with Elle and Joe’s story!! It’s soft, poignant, and a powerful reminder of what a true hero looks like. He’s patient, kind, caring, and protective: exactly what Elle needs to grow her life after a horrible marriage kept her down. The mountain setting is beautiful and gives her inspiration and comfort while Joe shows her how she’s worthy of so much more! I love their relationship: they fit together so perfectly! It’s a slow burn, heavy on emotion, and crafted with a sense of life lived with tenderness and warmth! Loved every moment!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bookloverb1234 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Στα θετικά του βιβλίου είναι ότι διαπραγματεύεται πολλά θέματα μέσω μιας συντομης ιστορίας με φόντο μια χιονισμένη καλυβα την περίοδο των Χριστουγέννων. Θέματα όπως η απώλεια γονέα,το διαζύγιο ,η θλίψη . Η Ελ ξεφεύγει από τον κακοποιητικο σύζυγό της και καταφεύγει στην απομονωμένη κατοικία της φίλης της. Ο Τζο είναι ιδιοκτήτης και την πετυχαίνει τυχαία σε ένα χιονισμένο επικίνδυνο μονοπάτι.
Υπάρχουν πολύ ωραίες εικόνες της φύσης αλλά όχι τόσο χριστουγεννιάτικο πνεύμα όσο θα το ήθελα. Η χημεία του Τζο και της Ελ είναι σαν σπίρτο που έτσι και ανάψει κρατά την φλόγα ,μια φλόγα που μπορεί να περιμένει ,να δείξει αγάπη και να ξεκινήσει από το μηδέν μια ζωή.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet story & I enjoyed it very much. I particularly liked how Joe knew grounding techniques for anxiety & panic attacks. I like how he never pushed Elle into anything. I like how he waited for her until she was ready. I liked how she did come back. And how they still kept in contact the whole time she was doing what she needed to do. I thought the story would continue longer but glad it ended where it did. That’s what made it so sweet.
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. I hope other stories are as good as this one.

[Good Booking Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a tender, heartfelt story. While it’s much lower on the spice scale than I usually read, the chemistry between Elle and Joe still shines through beautifully. Their connection feels real and earned—built on kindness, healing, and quiet moments of trust. Joe’s gentle protectiveness and Elle’s emotional strength make for a sweet, comforting read that balances vulnerability with hope. A lovely, cozy mountain romance that proves soft can still sizzle in its own way.

I received a free ARC of this book and this review is only my opinion.

[Avantia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe is so gentle and understanding and able to read exactly what Elle needs. He was a true gentleman and hero. Elle is strong and fragile at the same time. I can believe she had been though what she had been though as the author wrote her well. She would definitely have had moments when she would doubt herself but Joe was a true partner showing her how strong she really is. My only complaint is it was too short would have like more of them as an actual couple but shows how good the authors writing was.

[RAECHEL THOMAS · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great Christmas novella when you just need a quick, feel-good book.
Elle (not Eleanor) and Joe were very easy characters to like and root for. For any woman who has lost herself in the shadow of a man, apologizes too much, or needs a fresh start......read this and I hope you find your Joe.

Thank you to BookSirens........I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jaedin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not really used to reading novellas, but I enjoyed this one. It kept you engaged and wanting more. Seeing the beginning of Elles journey was good, I just wish we could’ve walked through it with her, but then again a novella doesn’t really give space to that. I loved Joes grumpiness and seeing how he was a big teddy bear. It was something short and heartfelt. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elle wanted to get away from the throes of her abusive marriage and find some peace. She finds Joe a kind man who shows her she is so much more than she thinks of herself. He is kind and patient and helps her heal. It is a wonderful story with so much heart you can't help but connect and cheer for Joe and Elle to get their chance for happiness.

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

[Amber Novak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Neighborly Repaires Holiday series and is a sweet little story that packs a surprising amount of emotion and character into the short amount of pages. Joe is gruff and grumpy, but with Ella he wants to be softer so she knows she is safe. He's protective in the best way but never pushes her. Short, a little steamy, lots of love, and a HEA make this a great holiday read.

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

[Roberta Godoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book to read in one day, preferably close to the end-of-year holidays.

A short and very beautiful story about how it's possible to rediscover oneself by finding another person who fills the gaps that existed in the main character's life.

After fleeing a long and abusive relationship, she finds in the grumpy Joe the comfort and confirmation that yes, she is enough and yes, she can do whatever she wants with her life, without being erased by the other person.

[Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

I loved this story, you got enough of the backstory of the characters without being too repetitive. The story was told in a way that was respectful to themes, and I'm glad the ending played out the way it did. a short read, but really enjoyable.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read and a nice pick me up, if you are short on time and need a little romance. Elle is trying to sort out her feelings regarding her marriage and Joe is a big grump with a kind heart that he keeps covered up.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A emotional story, I was feeling for Elle she left a abusive husband and hiking in the mountains, When she meets Joe, He helps her and becomes very protective. I enjoyed their connection, I loved it from beginning to end.

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

[Kaitlyn Raasveld · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Elle and Joe. She needs someone to be there for her and he needs to take care of someone. I know shes married but he’s a turd and he doesn’t deserve her and Joe is determined to prove that. Love love love this read.

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

[brenda hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed read this book I couldn’t put it down turning the pages. I thought the story was interesting and was well written that kept you reading. I can’t wait to read from Amber Warden. I recommend.

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

[Patricia Lord · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great Christmas novella when you just need a quick read. This is about Elle finding herself after going through loss and abuse. Joe is a big grump of a teddy bear that befriends Elle and through that friendship feelings develop.

[Debra James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute read. I absolutely loved the gruff mountain man hiding his softness beneath his red flannel and scraggly beard! Highly recommend.