Chosen By Chase

by Lily Birch

She doesn't know it yet, but this curvy vixen is about to be my baby mama. 🔥🔥🔥🔥



I’m done with love.

My man, whoever he is, has had thirty-one years to find me, and so far he’s done a terrible job of it. So, I’m officially retiring from the love market.

That’s why I talked Martha Ellis into throwing a marriage auction on Red Oak Mountain. I’m wedding myself off to whichever man is willing to fork over the most money for me. All of the proceeds are going to pay off my student loan debt.

And there’s a clause. I only need to stay married for one year. So if whoever bids on me turns out not to be my Prince Charming, I don’t need to fret.

There’s an expiration date on my happily ever after.

I’ll be single and debt free again in three-hundred and sixty-five days.❤️




When I spot Nicole on the Red Oak Mountain marriage auction, I realize she’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. I sold my dating app software, Spicy Match, a decade ago and turned into an instant billionaire. Sounds like a dream come true, right?

But I hadn’t known the trouble that would bring. Ever since then, I don’t know if the women I meet want me for me, or if they just want to snag the founder of Spicy Match.

But this marriage auction in teeny, tiny Red Oak Mountain seems perfect. Nicole Hudson is going to give me the one thing I want in life. A child to carry on my legacy.

I’ll have my assistant bid on her, and the pre-nup she signs will guarantee my anonymity. Nicole doesn’t know it yet, but she’s about to be my baby-mama. 💋🔥

Author’s Note: Chosen By Chase is a mountain man marriage auction two hour short read romance. The Ozark Mountain Men books are quick and steamy novellas. They’re spicy, full of heart and always have an HEA. If you like this one, check out the rest!

This book is part of the Ozark Mountain Men Spicy Instalove series. If you want to read more mountain man romance stories set on Red Oak Mountain, check out my other titles!


❤️ Age Gap
❤️ Curvy Girl
❤️ Small Town
❤️ OTT Instalove
❤️ Forced Proximity
❤️ Bred To Be My Baby Mama
❤️ Alpha Billionaire Mountain Man
❤️ Marriage Auction Breeding Romance

Genres: Romance, Forced Proximity, Amazon

85 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 19, 2025

About the author

Lily Birch writes short and steamy instalove romance featuring sexy mountain men and the curvy women who fall for them.

She publishes a new short read every Friday. ❤️

She lives in the Ozark mountains in a one-stoplight town with her mountain man husband, a diva pug and a devious beagle.

Visit her at lilybirch.com to catch every new release.

Reviews

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

Nicole and Chase

CHOSEN BY CHASE is book 1 of the Instaloving Mountain Men series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, mid-life, opposites-attract, marriage auction, curvy girl gets her billionaire mountain man romance. Nicole is a 31-year-old sweet and curvy receptionist who has been unlucky in love. She has decided to auction herself off for marriage to pay off her student loans. Chase is a hunky, reclusive tech billionaire who sold his dating app for millions. When he sees Nicole's marriage profile, he immediately wants her to be his baby mama. He wins the auction via his assistant, and initially shrouds himself in secrecy, afraid of being used for his money. The two end up connecting on all levels and finding an unexpected love. These two were so sweet together. Their chemistry was pure fire and the ending was so happy. I loved it.

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Red Oak Mountain is my favorite fictional place. When Nicole auctions herself off to pay off her student loans she never imagined the mystery she was going to end up married to. Even though Chase is not originally from Red Oak he is accepted by the locals in time. This is a great read and I am so excited for the next book.

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

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chosen By Chase by Lily Birch is one of those romances that sneaks up on you—starting with a bold, slightly unhinged premise and unfolding into something surprisingly tender, intimate, and emotionally satisfying.

Nicole Hudson has officially waved the white flag on love. At thirty-one, drowning in student loan debt and stuck in a dating rut that goes nowhere, she decides if romance isn’t in the cards, at least financial freedom can be. Her solution? A mountain-town marriage auction with one rule: one year of marriage, then she’s free and debt-free. Practical. Temporary. No feelings required… right?

Chase, on the other hand, has everything except the one thing money can’t buy. After selling his dating app empire and discovering that wealth makes sincerity impossible to find, he retreats to Red Oak Mountain, craving privacy, peace, and a legacy. When Nicole steps onto the auction block, something clicks—and his carefully controlled plan turns personal fast.

What makes this story shine is the quiet intimacy between Nicole and Chase. Their relationship unfolds behind closed doors, away from prying eyes, letting readers feel like they’re tucked into their secluded world with them. Chase’s secrecy is intriguing rather than frustrating, and Nicole’s mix of skepticism, courage, and vulnerability makes her incredibly relatable. Watching her realize she’s wanted for who she is, not what she offers, is deeply satisfying.

The chemistry is immediate and intense, but the emotional growth is what lingers. Chase isn’t the cold billionaire archetype—he’s cautious, lonely, and unexpectedly gentle. Nicole isn’t a gold digger—she’s a woman who took control of her future when no one else was going to save her. Together, they challenge each other’s assumptions about love, trust, and what a “temporary” arrangement can become.

Chosen By Chase is steamy, cozy, and surprisingly heartfelt—a marriage-of-convenience romance that proves sometimes the most unconventional choices lead straight to the forever you never believed in. If you love mountain settings, secretive billionaires, curvy heroines, and stories that feel intimate rather than over-the-top, this one is absolutely worth the bid.

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

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Chosen By Chase is unapologetically over-the-top instalove done exactly the way fans of the trope want it—fast, spicy, and emotionally satisfying with a mountain-man alpha who knows what he wants and doesn’t hesitate to claim it.

Nicole is instantly relatable. She’s exhausted by disappointment, practical about her future, and refreshingly honest about why she agrees to the marriage auction. The student-loan angle gives her choice real weight, and the one-year marriage clause adds a fun ticking clock that keeps the story moving. She’s curvy, confident, and not waiting around for fate—she’s forcing it to show up.

Chase is peak billionaire mountain man energy. The former dating-app founder who’s disillusioned by wealth and craving something real is a great contrast to the auction setting itself. His desire for anonymity and certainty makes his decision to bid feel calculated—but the way that calculation melts into possessiveness and devotion is where the story shines. He’s decisive, protective, and completely locked in from the moment he sees Nicole.

The marriage auction trope is the star here, and Lily Birch leans into it without apology. The chemistry is instant, the stakes are clear, and the pacing is perfect for a short read. There’s no unnecessary angst—just intense attraction, firm intentions, and that classic instalove “this is happening whether you’re ready or not” energy.

What really works is that beneath the spice and possessiveness, there’s a genuine emotional payoff. Both characters are tired of being used—Nicole by circumstance, Chase by wealth—and finding each other feels like a clean reset for both.

Chosen By Chase absolutely delivers. Fast, fiery, and addictive—this is comfort romance for readers who like their love stories bold, claimed, and wrapped up tight by the last page 🔥❤️.

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

[Heidi Lengenfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chosen by Chase is the kind of unapologetically bold, spicy instalove romance that knows exactly what it’s doing—and leans all the way in. From the moment the marriage auction on Red Oak Mountain kicks off, this story delivers high heat, high stakes, and a surprisingly tender emotional undercurrent beneath its OTT premise.

Nicole is refreshingly pragmatic. She’s not chasing fairy tales or grand romantic gestures—she’s chasing freedom. Specifically, freedom from student loan debt and the emotional exhaustion of hoping love will magically work itself out. Her decision to put herself up at a marriage auction feels daring but grounded in self-preservation, and that practicality makes her instantly compelling. She’s confident, self-aware, and very clear about the one-year expiration date on her marriage.

Chase, on the other hand, is a billionaire with a problem money can’t solve: trust. After selling his dating app empire, he’s spent years questioning motives and intentions. The anonymity of the auction—and Nicole herself—offers him something rare: clarity. What starts as a calculated plan quickly becomes something far more intense as chemistry ignites and emotional lines blur.

Despite being a short read, the story packs a punch. The pacing is fast, the attraction immediate, and the dynamic deliciously unbalanced in that classic alpha-instinct-meets-curvy-heroine way. What elevates this novella is the heart threaded through the heat—moments where vulnerability sneaks in and turns lust into something deeper.

If you love mountain men, bold heroines, marriage-of-convenience chaos, and romances that waste zero time getting to the good stuff, Chosen by Chase delivers exactly what it promises: spicy, indulgent escapism with a guaranteed happily ever after.

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

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Unexpected Love Connection -
Nicole had given up on love which led to her going a dirtiest route to get married, but she never expected the adventure she would embark on to achieve her goal. From the moment Chase laid eyes on Nicole he knew he wanted to be with her, so he did everything possible to make her his, but he was still shocked to find out that she didn’t know who he was. Even though Nicole and Chase had intense chemistry between them, they were both hesitant about making expectations for their marriage.

However, Nicole and Chase soon realised their feelings for each other was more than just convenience, especially after confirming she really didn’t know anything about him and finding out his dreams had been realised. Unfortunately, not long after Nicole and Chase settled into their family life, the peace they had maintained for a while was disrupted by a reporter, but they were able to swiftly deal with the matter and get back to their peaceful and happy lives.

This was a truly exciting story about characters who were polar opposites in wealth and personalities, but the chemistry between them was epic from the moment they met. I was hooked from the first page and didn’t stop reading until it ended, but I still wanted to read more of Nicole and Chase’s life story. You will definitely enjoy reading this interesting book and be happy to share it with your friends.

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

[Ms. Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole Hudson is thirty-one, single, works as a receptionist, has a ton of student loans and has never been in love. She doesn’t believe in love anymore. She asks Martha, one of the Red Oak Mountain founders to set up a marriage auction. She stays married one year to the man who wins her and at the end, she will hopefully be debt free.

Chase Kennedy has his assistant, Bryce, go to the auction and bid $100,000 for Nicole. He lives in a mansion on the mountain that was built ten years ago. No one knows his name or why he moved to the mountain. When Bryce brings Nicole to the house, Chase has her read and sign a prenuptial contract. She also has to sign a non-disclosure agreement that she can’t tell anyone who her husband is.

After signing the paperwork, they get married in the living room, but the groom has still not revealed himself to Nicole. He says “I do” through the house speaker system.

I knew this would be interesting. I loved that Nicole does not like using technology and Chase is a computer nerd.

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

[Kat Jowett · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when you're 31 your love life doesn't exist. You have student debts and live on a mountain you decide to have a marriage auction because if you can't find love then you may as well live life debt free right. Little does Nicole know that the mountains resident recluse Chase has his eye on her and 100k later she's being escorted to her new husbands house her new husband who's a mystery won't show his face to her, or tell her his name until after they've consummated. Chase is the owner of a app called spicy match which he sold for billions after his stats were leaked he was being hounded by deceitful woman after his money so he moved to the mountain and tried to live solitary so when he noticed the marriage auction and couldn't take his eyes off the woman he decided to bid.

He's more than she bargained for, she's not the gold digger he thought.

So maybe love dos exist if they can break all the barriers?.

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

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw that this book was about a marriage auction planned by the woman who was being auctioned off, I figured what the heck, I’ll bite.
What I got was a bit more than that. But I can’t give spoilers. So what I will say is the bride is 31 and has given up on love. She’s also swimming in college debt, so she’s using the auction to try and pay down some of that debt, in exchange for a marriage that must last at least one year.
And I will also say that the groom keeps his identity a secret from everyone involved with the auction. Including the bride. And he has some valid reasons for that, and it makes for some pretty spicy sexytime.
Book is SAFE.
Heat is EXPLICIT.
NO TRIGGERS, although some readers may be a little squicked out by auctioning oneself off for money. If you are one of those readers, try a different book.
TROPES include Mystery Man, Bachelorette Auction, Marriage of Convenience, Breeding Intentions (it’s not really a kink so much as a goal), and Opposites Attract.

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

[The Honest Bookmark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid, enjoyable read that kept my interest the whole way through.

The plot was engaging and moved at a good pace. There was enough happening to keep things interesting without feeling rushed or overcomplicated. I stayed invested and never felt like I was pushing myself to keep reading.

The characters were another strong point. They were likable, easy to connect with, and their dynamic worked well for me. I enjoyed their interactions and felt like their relationship developed in a believable way.

The spice was present but fairly mild. It worked for the story, but it was not a standout element and did not add a lot of extra intensity. If you are reading mainly for heat, this might feel a little light.

The ending wrapped things up nicely and felt satisfying. It gave enough closure to make the journey feel complete without dragging on longer than it needed to.

Overall, Chosen by Chase was a good read with a strong plot and solid characters. It did not blow me away, but it was enjoyable, well balanced, and worth the time.

[Barbara Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole is a thirty one year old receptionist who is drowning in student loan debt.
She makes little money but is unwilling to leave Red Oak Mountain. She decides that apparently love is a lie and to get herself out of debt she auctions herself off as a bride.
Chase is a famous social media app creator. He has given up on love even though his match making app has made him into a billionaires he is interested in an heir and when he sees Nicole’s ad he is intrigued.
Chase is very private since everyone only sees dollar signs when they look at him and his behavior is very bizarre at first. The more Nicole gets to know Chase the more she falls in love with him.
This was a very enjoyable story. Neither Nicole or Chase have been lucky at love. They both feel jaded and no longer believe love is fictional. The chemistry between the two of them is off the charts . Very sweet read.

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

[Louise J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in Lily’s Ozark Instaloving Mountain Men series. A lifelong Red Oak Mountain resident, Nicole has become fed up with the dating scene and her student debt, so she decides to auction her hand in marriage to clear her debt. It’s only for a year and then she can get divorced so no biggie. Chase recently moved to Red Oak Mountain and lives a reclusive life after making his fortune and finding that’s all people wanted him for. What he wants is a child, and Nicole is the perfect woman to give him one. After his successful bid, Nicole is whisked away to Chase’s mansion where their unexpected chemistry leads to passion and pleasure. This is a quiet and intimate story where you feel hidden away with Nicole and Chase whilst they explore their relationship and each other – it’s blissful, steamy and satisfying in every sense. A fantastic start to this new series 😊

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

[Nancy Koske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole is now 31 and still hasn't found her forever love when she decided to have an arranged marriage auction set up in Red Oak Mountain; but what did she really get? She wanted to payoff her student loan debt. Chase had written an app that had made him a 'billionaire' over 10 years ago when he discovered that people wanted only his money--not him as a person. Now he had a secured property outside Red Oak Mountain when he decided that he would win Nicole's auction to bred an heir on his terms. His plan included having his personal assistant do the bidding and an iron-clad contract for an one-year period.What did he really get with his win? Will Nicole change his plans for the good or bad? How will the town and people prove that they are different and protect their own? Will he get a future and possibly an heir?.

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

[Amie Kieffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Instaloving Story...
I really flew through the pages of Chosen by Chase -- I loved the fun and different (for me anyway) storyline! I was wondering what the premise could be for a "marriage auction" situation, and it actually didn't seem too crazy. (Just a little crazy...ha ha ha.)
I was definitely rooting for it to work out between Chase and Nicole, and it was fun to see how it would all play out. Nicole, as a character, is such a good person and innocent to a degree. I was quite invested to find out why Chase made himself out to be such a mystery...

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

[Alicia Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started off a little different for me. I was not sure how I felt about it but I am not sure why I worried. Of course I loved this book, Lily Birch wrote it. I loved the unique twist in this series and the mystery of Chase. I understood each character and I fell in love with them at the same time they fell for each other. Such a great story and I will be counting down the minutes to the next story. So excited about this new series.

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

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another start to a new series set on Red Oak Mountain. Nicole is 31 and finding love is just out of her reach. A marriage auction is the only way to get money to pay her student loans. To be won by a mysterious man for a hundred thousand dollars leaves her speechless. Chase Kennedy is a tech mogul hiding out in Red Oak Mountain away from the media. Marrying and keeping his identity a secret from Nicole until he can trust her. Living together feelings start to grow. Loved it.

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

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although part of the Instaloving Mountain Man series, this book can be read as a standalone. The aloha billionaire hiding his identity and the woman who falls for him.

The characters drove the storyline and they were so very appealing and likeable and perfectly steamy together. Plot was pretty straightforward. World building was solidly drawn. All in all a great read! Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting story in that a billionaire finally shows up in Red Oak Mountain and he falls for the one girl who may not know who he is. But how he gets her is through a marriage auction. I loved her innocence and trust in him and the process and his awe and wonder and how she trusts so blindly and doesn't see him as a dollar sign. It's full of plenty of steam and heart equally. Can't wait to read more in this series.

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

[Keyyyy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really nice read ! While I'm losing track of all the couples of this mountain and I think that Clay liked his secracy a bit much (though I can understand, he has moneyyyyyy. Like he sold his app years ago and doesn't have to work anymore in his life and can provide for his wife and her whole family... wow).
it was wholesome book. they had instant chemistry and it was cute and domestic to see them get to know each other and enjoy time together.
can't wait for the other singles to find their match !.

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

[Jennifer D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one came in really hot!! Then got really sweet….. cause how would you do it if you were so famous you had to hide away in the mountains to not only save yourself from exploitive paps but also save your friends and community from being badgered???? Well…you might but a bride at an auction…. And you might insist on your first night without her ever seeing your face or knowing your name…. And you might….just fall in love with a sweet country girl who wouldn’t care if you were rich and famous🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰.

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

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books of the Author, have read many of them, but this was one to remember. Nicole decided that only way to get out off her student loans is to put herself on marriage auction. And she doesn't believe in love any more, in possibility to find it. But she was wrong about it.
And Chase, her mystery husband finds her perfect for him - spicy, feisty and gorgeous.
I loved the story line, the dynamics and development on their relationships. Perfect short steamy read to enjoy. Loved it!.

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

[Lynn61 · Rating 5 out of 5]

When an auction leads to love ❤️

Such a captivating and meaningful read. Chase has dedicated his life to using his money to help others but is alone and desperately wants a family. Nicole feels love passed her by and wants a marriage of convenience to pay her school loans. As they work their way to love, the community of Red Oak Mountain is there to lend a hand. This book is full of steam and heart 🥰.

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

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an incredible short story! I was very leery at the start of this book given its very unconventional start - but the way this romance unfolded was truly beguiling and beautiful. Chase and Nicole are wonderful characters and their love story will take readers out of the ordinary and move it to extraordinary. Beautifully written and enchanting.

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

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very endearing story. A broke woman who marries herself off to pay off her debt. A man who makes a dating app that makes him billions. He doesn’t want her to know his identity, hoping that she will love him not just his money. She no longer believes in love but wants a debt free life. Their journey to forever is a joy to watch unfold.

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

[Jenia Tortora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole is over waiting for the right man. She wants to be settled and decides a marriage auction is the right path. Chase wants an heir and is struck by Nicole. He believes this might be a chance to get what he wants and maybe have someone want him for him. It’s a fun story that proves love can happen even when it’s not planned or believed to be possible.

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

[Lyndsay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took a different approach as a Lily Birch book but it was sooo good. I was so hooked from the beginning. The mystery of a bid on a wife to this couple that didn't know one another getting to know each other under these different conditions. The chemistry was off the charts, and spicy. I loved how these two got together. This is a definite must read!!!

[Debdutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Chosen by Chase” by Lily Birch

-A fun, fast-paced mountain romance with a unique marriage-auction twist. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Nicole and Chase are both jaded by love, yet irresistibly drawn together. The mystery, chemistry, and spice kept me hooked from start to finish.

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

An intriguing story with a woman tired of waiting for her prince charming and to pay of her loans enters into an auction that will fulfill two things and the beauty of it is if he is not the man of her dreams it has a time stamp! It is a great story filled with drama that kept me glued to the pages.

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

[Sandy Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the book a lot. Interesting plot. I don’t think that I’ve read one like it before. There’s some secrecy. Lots of spice. The MMC is hiding for a couple reasons. The FMC is sweet and kind, doesn’t care what Chase is trying to help as long as he is honest with her. And a HEA.

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

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chase and Nicole
Mountain man, small town, marriage auction, steamy, drama, and HEA.
Nicole auction herself to raise money to pay off debts. Shes given I pmon finding love. Chase wnts a wife. Once he sees Nicole's auction advertised, he knows she's the one for him.

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