The Mountain Man's Midnight Date

by Mia Brody

This New Year's Eve, the mountain man boss is determined to claim his sweet little assistant before the clock strikes midnight.

Joy

Pathetic. That's the word for a curvy girl who crushes hopelessly on her grumpy boss the way I do mine. But it's not my fault the growling mountain man demands I drive to his remote cabin at least once a week to bring him paperwork.

I mean, join the twenty-first century and send an email. But then I wouldn't have the chance to visit him every week. See? I'm in a lot of trouble and not the good kind.

That's why I accept the invitation to the New Year's Eve masquerade. For a few hours, I can put on a mask and pretend that my hot boss is one of the guys here tonight. Maybe I can even pretend he's the one who won't stop staring at me.

Ford

Irresistible. That's the word for my curvy assistant I keep demanding to see in person.

Computer illiterate grump. That's what she thinks I am. I'll keep letting her think it because I live for these moments when I get to scowl at my pretty little assistant.

But the moment I see her invitation to the masquerade party, I know I can't let her go. I'm not letting her sneak away to some party to kiss other men.

No, I'll be the one kissing her lips and convincing her to leave with me. By the time the clock strikes midnight, she'll belong to me forever.

If you love a holiday romance with more fireworks than a New Year's celebration and a possessive alpha who is crazy jealous, it's time to meet Ford in The Mountain Man's Midnight Date. This New Year's Eve love story is a stand-alone romance set in Mia Brody's Courage County which is the perfect place to find your next book boyfriend!

Genres: Romance

91 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2026

About the author

Mia Brody is a romance author who loves big, bearded guys that are gruff on the outside and oh-so gooey on the inside. She writes swoon-worthy small town romances set in the fictional town of Courage County.

She often writes characters that are disabled, chronically ill, or neurodivergent. Her own struggles with muscular dystrophy and anxiety inspire many of her stories. She's passionate about showing readers that happily ever after is possible for everyone.

Get exclusive bonus scenes, early access to her latest books, and more when you sign up: https://miabrody.com/news/

Reviews

[Jane Porter · Rating 1 out of 5]

I want to say that I LOVE Mia Brody's writing, and was so excited for this story. Courage County is one of my favourite fictional locations. But - I hated this book.

Spoilers below -

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I can not get past the whole club/anonymous connection aspect. It is SO unlike anything else Mia has ever written, and was jarring. The plot turned on this, and it just completely took me out of the realationship development and IMHO was completely unnecessary. Give me a forced proximity romance/small town connection/found family romance any day - and any of those would have been so easy to do instead of this bizarre choice.

Also - a wedding at the club? Really? How do you ever tell your children about that?

I have never been disappointed by a Mia Brody book before, and am hoping this is the last time I am.

[JaneH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ford and Joy….i loved both of them and their eventual steamy journey to a HEA epilogue.
She works for him. Both are lusting over the other but think it’s one sided. A friend of Joy gives her an invite to an adults only club, Ford finds out. They both go, wearing masks to ‘hide’ their identity and from then on they are on fire. So emotional, so steamy, great friends and deep love.
A quick read that I enjoyed A LOT.

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

[Marzetta Craven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ford and Joys chemistry is amazing. They both want each other but can't bring themselves to tell the other. I love how possessive Ford is. I love it! The story was well written and I loved all the characters.

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

[Nicole M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited for Ford and Joy. Their story... not at all what I was expecting.. was i here for it? sure thing! This story was spicy and fun and what a way to ring in the New year!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've loved Mia Brody's previous books for her green flag alphas and cozy domestic romance. This one is a significant pivot. It's not a criticism. It’s just different.

The “Mountain Man's Midnight Date” leans into red flag alpha dynamics: Ford follows Joy without her consent, threatens violence toward other men, and his possessiveness is framed as romantic rather than problematic. Ford’s red flag behavior never gets interrogated. His obsession and threats aren't something he recognizes as unhealthy, which means there's no growth arc there. But if you love obsessed, controlling heroes, you'll eat this up.

Ford's PTSD feels real and grounded, and the sexual chemistry is intense. If you specifically came here for a darker, kinkier love story, Brody delivers on that. The luxurious Club Crave setting brings in lite BDSM elements—submission language, power dynamics, voyeurism—that her earlier work didn't touch. Readers who want red flag alphas with satisfying dominance/submission dynamics and deeper BDSM integration might find the kink elements a bit surface-level. But readers who feel a bit timid about such things shouldn’t worry: Club Crave feels atmospheric but the actual power exchange dynamics are fairly vanilla within the scene itself.

If you loved “Her Cowboy Santa” for its warmth and green flags, this isn't that book. If you specifically search for "possessive alpha" and "obsessed hero" tags, this is worth your time. Just know you're getting a different Mia Brody than her earlier releases.

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

[Barbara Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ford is former military. He has a security business and for the last six months he has had help from his much younger assistant, whom
He is in love with. Ford is haunted by past military demons and feels as if he is too damaged and too old for Joy. He is a recluse and grump who has come to the fact that this is his life now. A life of solitude, but Joy makes him want more.
Joy is all warmth, sunshine and brings happiness to everyone she meets. She is secretly in love with her grump of a boss but after six months he still has not indicated that he shares her feelings. When an opportunity comes for Joy to step out of her comfort zone, she feels like it’s time to move on.
Ford finds out about her invitation to an adult playground and vows that he will be the only man touching her.
What happens when the masks come off?
This book was so enjoyable. Ford is so damaged and haunted by his past that he can’t see what is happening between him and Joy. He thinks he is too damaged for him but she is the only thing that quiets the nightmares.
Joy is so sweet but heartbroken. She is lonely and thinks about Ford constantly, but thinks he has no interest.
Expect secret pining, grump vs sunshine, emotional baggage, age gap off limit romance with dirty talk thrown in.
It’s takes a while to get to the spice but when you do, it’s 🔥.

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

[Jennifer Brewster · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mountain Man's Midnight Date is another addition to the Courage County and features Ford and Joy. Ford is a triplet and we met his brothers Nate & Hunter in previous books. Joy is the sister to Holly, who falls for Hunter in another book. Ford may come off as this gruff and grumpy character but he suffers from PTSD and terrible nightmares as a result of his time in the military. He hides himself away from those he loves most because he doesn't want to burden them but he also doesn't feel like he deserves happiness. Joy feels like she has always fallen short to Holly's success and is destined to be lonely forever. Even though he has feelings for Ford, she can't imagine someone like him sharing those feelings.

Until Ford finds an invite to a very exclusive club that Joy dropped at his house. He realizes that this may be his only chance to have a piece of her. There are some masks, a king size bed and some new years eve magic at work. While their road to forever isn't the easiest path, love often times is not.

I am so glad all the brothers got their HEA's. Now can we please get the story about Emma May and that yellow sports car????

[Tiffany Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

**So Sweet and So Naughty!**

*The Mountain Man’s Midnight Date* is the fourth book in the *Courage County Holidays* series, and this time, it tells the story of Joy and Ford as they find their happily ever after. From the beginning, both Ford and Joy have had feelings for each other but have been hesitant to express them, thinking their feelings might be one-sided.

When Joy is invited to a private event at an adult club, she decides to go. However, when Ford finds out, he is determined that no one else will touch what he considers his. Hiding behind a mask, Ford seeks out Joy so they can finally make their secret desires a reality.

I thoroughly enjoyed the short and spicy instalove story of Ford and Joy. It reveals a new side to both characters as they explore their feelings and push each other out of their comfort zones. This journey also helps Ford reconnect with his brothers after years of isolating himself following his return from the military.

I love the *Courage County* series, and I can't wait to see what comes next!

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

[Lynn Sell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ford is a reclusive mountain man who works in security consulting after he was injured in the military. He continues to suffer from nightmares and PTSD which is why he stays in his mountain home. Joy, his assistant, brings papers to him weekly to go over and sign. Neither of them realizes the attraction they have for the other. When Joy drops an invite for a NYE party at Club Crave, Ford decides that no one will have the woman he loves. Even with masks on, Ford is able to find Joy at the Club and spend time with her. When Joy realizes it is Ford, she runs out for home. As they finally admit their feelings and love for each other, this story brings Ford and his two brothers back together with their families in the end. Loved thr bonus epilogue!.

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

[Ms. Le · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joy is in love with her boss - grumpy mountain man Ford. He is also enamoured with her but with his nightmares and trauma from his military days thinks she would not want to be with someone like him. Joy, finally tired of waiting for Ford to return her feelings decides to use an exclusive invitation to a New Year masquerade at an adults only sex club. Ford finds out and goes there to claim her. This part of the story really threw me as a completely different style to Mia’s other books and felt out of place within this story. The non-communication annoyed me and although Ford knew it was Joy, she did not know immediately the masked man at the club was Ford. It seemed strange that to get over Ford she would randomly lose her virginity to a stranger in a sex club. It comes back on track by the end but not enough for me to love it. 2.5 rounded up.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

We finally get Ford's story and he gets his Joy. We learned about Ford in Nate's book, Her Christmas Santa, and also Hunter's book, The Mountain Man- Christmas Elf. Ford,

Hunter, and Nate are triplets in the foster system. It took their foster mother a while to reunite them as boys. They stick together now, and in the past few months have each found their forever love. Ford suffers nightmares and PTS from his last deployment, but Nate, Hunter, and Joy aren't giving up on him.

Best if read after the other triplets' stories, but no plot holes if you read them out of order.

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

[Kaya Branch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy and Ford spend a lot of the time they work together thinking about each other. While he feels like he's not good enough for her, she can't imagine someone like him wanting her. Thanks to a little New Year's Eve magic, they find their way into each other's arms and get the forever after they deserve. Their story gives a glimpse at the lives of their families and it couldn't be a greater testament to the knowledge that love always finds a way to make life so much better.

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

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, the last triplet Ford gets his story - we have read about him in his brothers' stories (His Cowboy Santa is Nate's story and Mountain Man's Christmas Elf is Hunter's story - highly recommend both) and he was a very intriguing character in their stories. In his own story he feels he is not good enough for his assistant Joy even though he is obsessed with her - in a great way, not creepy. It's a good thing Joy is as fixated on him also. Great scenes with them getting together. Wonderful read!!!

[Melissa Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy and Ford are my favorite couple out of Courage County Holidays series. I've been waiting for their story and it didn't disappoint. I love how Ford finally went after what he wanted with Joy. Both deserve happiness and love. I was rooting for this couple from the beginning. Mia Brody knows how to write characters that draw you in which is hard when it comes to novellas. 5 stars.

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

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, steamy last story for the final of the Courage County triplets. Joy and Ford’s mutual pining for each other finally snaps into place—even if the adult‑club setting isn’t usually my thing. Ford’s over‑the‑top possessiveness and Joy’s sunshine balance each other nicely. As a Mia Brody fan, I enjoyed the ride, even if this one landed as just an okay read overall.

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

[Jendy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been looking forward to Ford and Joy's story as the final triplet gets his HEA. I love a grumpy mountain man with a sweet girl who tames him type of story. I was impressed with the lengths that Ford was willing to go to make Joy see his love for her. I loved the naughty club scenes especially! So good! I'd so live in Courage County!.

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

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joy is Ford’s assistant. They've both secretly been smitten with the other. Joy knows her feeling will never be reciprocated and she decided to go to Club Crave. The moment Ford sees her invitation, he knows he’ll never let another man touch her. Joy belongs to him. What will happen when she finds out the man behind the mask is her boss? Speedy, steaming and sweet story.

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

[Debbie Onions · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally we get Ford’s story, the last of the triplets and what a story! I love how Joy and Ford come together in a most unusual setting (no spoilers). They are perfect for each other and the final pairing fits perfectly in the extended family dynamic.

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

[Cynthia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of Courage County Holidays story of Joy and Ford. This one had me wanting to shake these two and tell them to just talk to one another, but that club scene was hot and just what I would want so talking maybe overrated.

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

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

We met them in the previous book. Ford is Hunters brother and Joy is Hollys sister. Joy works for Ford as his assistant thanks to Hunter. Now they both have feelings for each other, but will they admit it? I really enjoyed their story.

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

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever need a reminder what ROMANCE is all about get yourself Ms Mia Brody's books asap!
I started with the digital books and eventually I'll line my walls with her paperbacks, hatdbacks if she has them.
Thank you Ms. Mia for writing FMCs I relate to. Happy writing.

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

[Kyareth14 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, the last of the triplets found the woman of his life. Ford preferred a quiet life in his cabin in the mountains, working as a security consultant, and that's how he hired Joy as his assistant. Joy was attracted to him, but it seemed the feeling wasn't mutual. And when Joy decides to go to an exclusive club to look for someone, Ford finds out and decides he won't let her find anyone else.

[Sil Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy and Ford were very well written. I loved the premise of Joy’s family having a media company and her being Ford’s assistant. The club scene really brought it together. Great ending and happy to see all three brothers get their happily ever after.

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

[Amy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story!! The chemistry between the characters was fantastic! Mia Brody does a phenomenal job weaving the character development into a novella. So much so, you feel the characters feelings. Thank you, Mia, for a wonderful story!.

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

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ford and Joy are in love with each other, except they are both too unsure to say anything. This felt like a spicy take on Cinderella and I loved it. My heart ached for Ford, but I was so glad he found Joy.

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

[Michele79 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fantastic book. I loved the boss/employee tropes and how they quietly punes for each other. Club Crave was a nice suprise...wasnt expecting that...but made for such a great part of the book. 5 stars.

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

[Emily B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Mia Brody’s work however this wasn’t my favourite. While I enjoyed the story there were a couple other parts that I didn’t. I felt like certain parts could have had more and felt like I missed a section because of it. Felt a little rushed.

[Cathy Moir-Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for Ford and Joy to get their happily ever after and it comes with a spicy little storyline !!! It's about time these two got the courage up to make their dreams come true. A really good read !!!

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the premise of this book that two people attend a masquerade ball and each know who the other is but neither admit and they are both falling into love. It was endearingly romantic and oh so steamy.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Ford and Joy’s story. They were both hiding their feelings for each other and when the opportunity for him to finally let her know how we felt came, he almost blew it! Glad to see them get their HEA.

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