Holidays with the Mountain Man: An Age Gap Forced Proximity Romance

by Jessa Joy

I'm snowed in with the huge mountain man for Christmas... and there's only one bed!

I came to Snowflake Falls to do a photography assignment, expecting cozy cabins, cute snowy pines, and picturesque scenery. I didn’t count on Beau Northwood, brooding, rugged, and ridiculously sexy, to show up like a one-man snowstorm.

This mountain giant rescues me from the side of the road when I think all hope is lost. He carries me to his cabin, lights a roaring fire, and makes me feel warmer than I have in years. He's brooding, rugged, impossibly strong… and incredibly distracting.

I’m only supposed to stay a night or two, but suddenly the city feels a million miles away. Choosing between my big promotion or the guy who's keeping me up all night (in more ways than one)? Let’s just say, my Christmas plans are officially off the rails... and I’m not even mad about it.

🎁 City girl meets mountain man

💗 Age gap

🏡 Snowed-in together with only one bed

📖 One hour romance read

❤️ Steamy short romance with a HEA

🎄Holidays with the Mountain Man is a short and steamy one-hour romance read. It's part of the Curvy Girl Holidays series, filled with festive HEAs. All the stories are interconnected, but can also be read as standalones. Get ready for curvy girls, cozy spice, and holiday love stories that'll leave you glowing!

Genres: Novella, Forced Proximity, Romance

42 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2025

About the author

I'm Jessa Joy and I write about curvy women and the alpha men who can't resist them. Short, steamy and upbeat is the name of the game. I hope you (like me) enjoy a guaranteed Happy Ever After! Whether you're into office, holiday or second chance romance, hot billionaires, small town shenanigans or enemies to lovers intrigue, I'm here to fulfil your reading desires!

Reviews

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strangers to Love -
Beau was shocked when he came across Clara whose car was in a ditch, but the impending snowstorm made him bring her to his cabin, as it was the closest location where they would be safe. As Beau and Clara were stranger, it was initially awkward for them having to spend time in close proximity, but it got a lot more uncomfortable when they had to share a bed. The tension between Beau and Clara grew as the snowstorm meant they were forced to spend time in close proximity, which heighten their growing attraction and led to them enjoying a mind blowing steamy encounter.

Unfortunately, reality came calling and Clara had to return to her life in the city, but she wasn’t ready to leave and wanted Beau to convince her to stay. However, Beau didn’t want her to derail her career, so he told her to return. As luck would have it, Clara realised she wanted a future with Beau after she left, so she came back and confessed her feelings to him, which gave them a chance to have a future together.

This was a really great love story to read, with wonderful characters and an exciting storyline, that kept me totally engrossed for a few hours. I recommend you grab a copy of this book now and you definitely won’t be disappointed.

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

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Tis the season! 🎄❄️🎅

I seriously love Jessa's books; they are NOTHING like the dark, filthy smut I usually read.

Instead, they’re cozy, sweet, quick reads, and I’m obsessed with Snowflake Falls. The town and the books remind me of Hallmark movies, and this one is part of her Curvy Girl Holidays series.

📷Clara and Beau🪓🪵

Clara needs the perfect shots to get a promotion at work. After working herself to death for the last two years to earn it, she’s determined to succeed. But when a big storm brews in Snowflake Falls, she ignores a warning from a local, heads up the mountain, gets stuck, and Beau comes to her rescue.

They get snowed in with only one bed, and things start to heat up between them. 😉🥰

Beau is the sweetest...

✅He rescues her

✅Carries her to safety

✅Make her something to eat and a hot drink to warm her up.

✅He’s her first

Can't wait to read more from Jessa!

[Annie Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️ARC Review
Holidays with the Mountain Man is pure winter-romance wish fulfillment. Jessa Joy gives us everything we want in a snowed-in novella, age gap tension, forced proximity, instant chemistry, and a mountain man who could melt a blizzard.

Clara and Beau’s connection sparks from the moment he scoops her out of the snow, and the heat only builds once they’re trapped together in his cabin with a storm raging outside and his loyal dog Comet keeping watch. The caretaking? Perfect. The tension? Delicious. The spice? Surprisingly intense in the best way…especially when Beau learns Clara’s big secret.

If you love protective heroes, cozy-but-filthy vibes, and romances that start warm and end scorching, this one needs to be on your holiday TBR.

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

[Mafia Wife · Rating 3 out of 5]

She is there for photography assignment. This isn’t exactly the trajectory. She thought her life was going to go in, but now that she’s here on the cusp of a big promotion she feels she should be committed to the path. That isn’t until she gets stuck, and is rescued by a hunky mountain man that makes her rethink everything. The life that he shows her in the brief time she’s there is so much more in color than anything she’s experienced in the city. He knew as soon as he saw her that she was his, his to claim. Now he just has to convince her that him and the mountain might be the path less traveled, but they’re the right one for her. This one has spice, a little mutual pining, an instant connection, and a happily ever after.

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

[Drea Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holidays with the Mountain Man delivers exactly what it promises: a spicy, festive escape with all the best tropes. This is a short Christmas novella, and my review is voluntary and honest.

If you love age-gap romance, a gruff mountain man, and a city virgin heroine, you’ll be right at home. The forced proximity on the mountain heats things up fast, and the chemistry is immediate and deliciously intense. The holiday setting adds a cozy contrast to the spice—especially the mountain man’s dog, who steals scenes while proudly wearing reindeer antlers.

The story moves quickly but still manages to deliver strong emotional payoff, plenty of steam, and a satisfying happily-ever-after. Perfect for readers looking for a quick, spicy Christmas read with heart, heat, and holiday charm.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clara is a city girl heading to the mountains in the middle of a blizzard for a photography job. When she gets her car stuck in a ditch on the side of the mountain, Beau comes to the rescue. Beau is all mountain man with an adorable dog who thinks he's part reindeer. From the moment Beau saw Clara, he knew she was his, but he wanted her to choose him, so he let her decide. This is a fast paced, holiday instalove novella with great characters who get their happily ever after. Holidays With the Mountain Man is book three in the Curvy Girl Holidays series. I recommend this book, this series, and this author to everyone who loves sweet Holiday romance. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is light and easy, a quick holiday read. My only issue is the whole stranded-in-the-snow-rescued-by-a-handsome-mountain-man form of forced proximity. I can’t tell you how many novellas I’ve read and reviewed recently with this same trope, and this book didn’t exactly put a new spin on it. I gave it an extra half a star for the dog with the reindeer headdress for 3.5 stars, rounded up to four.
Book is SAFE.
Heat is EXPLICIT/VIRGIN HEROINE.
NO TRIGGERS.
TROPES- Forced Proximity, Fish Out of Water, Instalove.

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

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beau finally find his Christmas miracle!

Beau and Comet have had a cameo in so many of the Snowflake Falls books, it is lovely to see this crazy reindeer-dog and his grumpy owner get their Happily Ever After!
Beau doesn't have the background you expect, but it does explain his grumpy, brooding personality, although this frequently slips when he is with Comet or Clara. Clara manages to slip through his walls and defenses, almost without trying, but he cannot resist her, their chemistry or the need to claim her. A steamy and sexy addition to the holidays series, you cannot help but like Beau, Clara and Comet.
I read this on Kindle Unlimited.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara might have come to town on a assignment for a perfect photo, but she found SOO much more. It's not surprising someone who doesn't know the mountains can get lost, and stuck. Clara just got lucky by Beau finding her and bring her home to safety from the storm.

Beau might be a loner, but he has so much to give, and Clara is determined to get it out of him. He is the perfect assignment he is looking for. These two happen fast and bright, but it feels right. You can feel the connection between them.

It leads to a HEA that lets them both stay together and live out the perfect Christmas!

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara is sent to Snowflake Falls on a photography assignment, this could be just what she needs to secure her promotion to Creative Director. Her plans for the perfect shot is circumvented by a snowstorm that strands her with Beau and his want to be reindeer, Comet.

The pair have an attraction from the beginning but she is just here for an assignment, or is she? As with all the Snowflake Falls stories, it does not take long for both to fall.

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

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Holidays with the Mountain Man” by Jessa Joy

-A snowstorm, one bed, and an irresistible age-gap spark make this short, steamy read shine. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Clara’s detour into Snowflake Falls and Beau Northwood’s cabin turns into fast feelings and warm chemistry. The cozy setting, quick pacing, and Comet the dog add charm to their snowy whirlwind romance.

A spicy, heartfelt escape with a sparkly ending that I enjoyed and recommend.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stand-alone, quick, hot and steamy, Christmas read with a cute golden retriever who thinks he's part reindeer, he's also been seen in the other books in this series.

Snowflake Falls is a picturesque town, especially during the holiday season. Clara is sent to get pictures, but gets stuck on the mountain during a blizzard. Beau and Comet end up saving her.

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

[Carisa Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute age-gap holiday novella. Claire is trying to get a promotion so she tries to drive up a mountain in a blizzard, SMH seriously shouldn't do that. Beau thankfully shows up. This is a fast paced, romance story. It's a meet-cute, snowed in, cabin in the mountains story that holds your attention and packs everything in for that HEA.

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

[Aspen G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holidays with the Mountain Man is sweet and sultry forced proximity instalove. City girl Clara lets her hubris lead her into a snowstorm, and Beau offers her shelter and perspective. These two are so cute together, and joyous Comet the reindeer pup is the a absolute best! I adored this quick and easy love story.

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

[Oriana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara is a photographer that needs great photos of Snowflake Falls to get a promotion. But the weather makes it impossible for her. After landing in a ditch and half freezing to death, she gets saved by the grumpy older mountain man Beau. A snowstorm , a cozy cabin and a lot of attraction brings them together. But what happens when the snow is melting ?
Instalove, age gap(15 years), sweet , steamy , romantic and safe with a sweet HEA and no drama😍😍😍😍

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book with compelling characters and plenty of steam. Her boss is pressuring Clara to get the perfect photos for a Christmas publication, but now she is stranded by a blizzard. Beau is her rescuer, and their attraction is immediate. I love how Beau is such a help to Clara. This is a great short read with the best HEA.

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

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect Hallmark movie set up. Girl with demanding job in the city, goes to the mountains for work, ends up stranded in a cabin with a hermit during a snowstorm. Instalove ensues and they live happily ever after. But what really sold me on this story was Comet the dog who thinks he's part reindeer as soon as the holidays roll around. He was just to dang cute!.

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

[Reading In the Red Room · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara is on a mission…several actual. She needs the perfect Christmas picture to empress her bosses…she wants a promotion. When her car gets stuck in the snow…she finds sooo much more than the perfect picture. Beau has done the corporate world…he know has a quiet life and loves it. When he saves Clara from the snow he wins in soo many ways. This is a cute quick holy story and the perfect addition to this series.

[Bryony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara is on a mission to find the Christmas Magic and winds up stuck on the mountains in Snowflake Falls. Enter Beau the lonely Mountain Man who comes to her rescue. the pair are instantly attracted to each other despite their age gap and their different lifestyles. After giving in one night the reality comes crashing down around them until they both realise they would rather do life together than never see each other again and get their happy ending.

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable novella has everything you’re looking for in a holiday story. The older mountain man, forced proximity, tension and chemistry. These two have this amazing night together but have to return to reality. This book is a must read for the holiday season.

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

[laura.lovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story with a damsel in distress kind of first meeting, uncomfortable and awkward turns fast to steamy and hot, being snowed in, only one bed, chemistry and add some drama before the happy ever after.

This book is captivating, full of charm, warmth and spice - perfect for a spicy holiday treat.

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

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 - 4 stars.

What a way for these two to meet, I liked how he came to her rescue and how he took care of her. The connection and chemistry between them was instant and I liked seeing them together. I loved Comet as a character and thought he was good support and a little scene stealer.

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

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us an older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Clara and Beau. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with forced proximity, connection, determination, realizations and steam.

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

[Sandy Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one by Jessa. Fell in love with the characters. Good story line. Spicy, quick read. Wish epilogue was a little more into their relationship. As always, HEA.

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

[Summer Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how easily their chemistry is. They are written like puzzle pieces that click together from the start. Big bonus is Comet, an adorable lab that according to Beau is the worst wingman ever.

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

[Jenia Tortora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara and Beau are a match h made in mountain man instalove perfection!! She’s the driven one and he’s the one with self worth issues. It’s a great short story with heat, heart and a great HEA.

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

[Ava Donato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving Mountain Man

This was a fun book to read. The female character was enjoyable as was the male. She got stuck with it and he took care of her in the snow he was a true love story.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is how it started.....I'm snowed in with the huge mountain man for Christmas... and there's only one bed! The age gap is quite large, he's the Mountain Man around 40 and she is so much younger.
They do get on well together though. This was such a lovely story. Loved it all. 5☆

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Clara found what makes her happy and fulfilled when she falls in love with Beau. I liked Comet.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars