ELI: Instalove, mountain man, golden retriever book boyfriend

by Mayra Statham, Julia Goda (Editor)

Baker Eli Woodman is not your typical mountain man.
He might be built like a brick house, but his muscles come from kneading fresh dough daily, not the great outdoors.

He might make delicious bread, but rest assured he’s not soft. Or he wasn’t, until her. One look, and he was a goner.
New to town, Stella Torres steals his heart and brings out a side of him he didn’t know existed—a soft-hearted beast that will wreck anything that tries to come between them.

It’s her first time in Moonlit Pines, and Eli wants to show her everything his mountain has to offer. Both in and out of the bedroom. Stella is falling hard for the mountain man with an ooey-gooey center and is enjoying every first he’s making a reality.

She has no idea that when it comes to her, this mountain man’s craving her more than his freshly baked cinnamon rolls!

Dear Reader!
Getting Woodsy is a new series that takes place in Moonlit Pines. These rugged older men might be stubborn, but when they fall, they do it hard!

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 2025

Reviews

[Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super OTT
Super insta everything
A man determined in a second
Very sexy and safe
A quick easy and safe read for these days

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was super cute, unexpected in the best ways and oh so steamy. Eli is a mountain of a man while also being a literal mountain man who also happens to be a baker. I loved they made him soft and gentle and yet very protective, dirty and dominant where it counts. I wasn’t sure at first because the beginning made Eli sound like he could/should be into his best friend and business partner Tessa. Then I found it odd that she really wasn’t mentioned at all the rest of the book. Stella though was adorable and life/men had done her wrong in the past. She was guarded but loved fiercely and loyally. Really hoping their other friend Tracie gets to move into the cottage next and find a good mountain man. No cheating or OW drama, slight OM drama but Eli took care of that quickly, virgin FMC, dual POV, HEA and an epilogue 10 years in the future. Looking forward to learning more about Tessa and Eli’s brother Owen in the next book!

[Lynne Garlick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Eli!! *swoon. I loved Reed’s story and I was so ready for Eli.
Stella travels to Moonlit Pines to escape an ex and see her best friend. There she meets Eli at his bakery and damn! Sparks fly and Eli sees the rest of his life mapped out. Now to convince her! Lol!
My heart!!

[Nicole M · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, how does one go about moving to Moonlit Pines because there is something clearly on the water there and I want some of it! Eli is every bit the mountain man WHO IS A BAKER 🫠!! Seriously, gotta me one of these brothers.

[Victória · Rating 3 out of 5]

Virgin h
Non manwhore H
Hea

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute

This was a cute but steamy read. Eli and Stella were a steamy couple. I enjoyed the read. It was perfect for a lazy winter afternoon.