Mountain Beast: A Curvy Good Girl/Bad Boy Romance

by Hallie Bennett

She’s looking to be bad.

Dr. Autumn Landish is tired of being a good girl. Divorced and forced to start over in a new town, being good has gotten her nowhere. So, maybe it’s time she gives High Ridge’s Beast a chance to show her how fun bad can be…

He’s searching for something good.

Grumpy Briggs O’Hare has an attitude problem. Raised in and out of foster care, being the bad boy was the best way to survive. But maybe it’s time to drop the act and let a curvy little doctor heal his wounds…

76 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2026

About the author

Hallie prefers steamy stories where the curvy girl finds love with a filthy-talking hero. And when she ran out of reading material, she decided to write her own stories. If you want a quick, hot read, she's your girl!

Website: www.thearrowedheart.com
Shop: www.steamyromancereads.com
Instagram: @authorhalliebennett
Facebook: @authorhalliebennett

Reviews

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. This short story is dual POV, well written, and a fast-paced, sweet and steamy, opposites attract, wealthy good girl/poor bad boy, contemporary romance between Briggs, the grumpy male salvage yard operator lead, and Autumn, the female doctor lead. I empathised with the trauma both characters carried, especially Briggs. I enjoyed Autumn’s compassion and her willingness to push Briggs to act for his own benefit. I enjoyed Briggs grudging interest in Autumn and his support and encouragement of her self esteem, as she returned the favour. I appreciated the acknowledgement that ongoing professional mental health support is sometimes required for healthy living. I enjoyed the steamy intimate scenes and happiness of the ending.

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

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briggs has been known as the beast because of his rotten attitude. But he has a an outdoor rage park where you can go in and beat things to your hearts content. When Briggs sees someone out there really going at it he gets worried they might be hurt. When he checks on Autumn he’s obnoxious and rude and she lets him know it. When they meet again it’s more love me hate me. Fast paced good girl who wants to be bad and a bad boy story. Lots of steam and great dialogue that brings two souls together.

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

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story about Autumn and Briggs. Briggs is angry about the way. His ex-girlfriend treated him as white trash and Autumn is angry I about her ex-husband and how he cheated on her and still pushes his troubles on her. I enjoyed how both characters were good for each other, they started off hating each other, but then became friends with benefits and then finally into a relationship that leads them a happily ever after.

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

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Autumn Landish came to High Ridge after divorcing her cheating ex and walking away from the practice she’d poured her heart and soul into. Unfortunately, she seems to have forgotten to leave her incompetent ex behind, because the man is still forever calling her whenever one of his latest disasters needs fixing. Understandably, Autumn needs an outlet for her frustration, which brings her to Briggs O’Hare’s rage park, where she can smash some things while imagining her ex’s face on them. Honestly, therapy with a baseball bat? I approve. Briggs is well known around town for his charming disposition—or, more accurately, his complete lack of one—which has earned him the nickname “The Beast.” And after a brief encounter, Autumn is more than happy to agree that the man is rude, arrogant, smug, and completely insufferable. Naturally, she can’t stop thinking about him. Autumn has spent her entire life being the good girl, following the rules and doing exactly what everyone expected of her. And look where that got her. So, when Briggs offers her a chance to explore her rebellious side, she decides to go for it. They agree to keep things simple: no feelings, no commitment, no complications. Just a little mutual release. Yeah…we all know how that usually goes. Because beneath Briggs’s prickly, bad-boy exterior is a man who has been hurt so many times that he’s convinced himself he’s better off alone. When everyone around you spends years telling you that you’re difficult, unlovable, or simply not worth the effort, eventually it becomes easier to believe irredeemable. And Briggs has believed them for a very long time. His last girlfriend certainly didn’t help, dating him because she enjoyed the thrill of slumming it with someone she considered beneath her. Charming woman, that one. No wonder Briggs built walls high enough to keep everyone out. But Autumn doesn’t see him that way. She might have wanted to hook up with a bad boy, but she never once looked down on him. What starts as a physical arrangement turns into something so much more tender and meaningful. Their relationship felt wonderfully natural, with the transition from f*ck buddies to lovers beautifully paced. I especially loved watching them begin to realize that the person they thought they were simply playing with had somehow become the person they couldn’t imagine losing and that maybe they weren’t nearly as incompatible as they thought. One of my favorite scenes was when Autumn and Briggs found themselves ganging up on her parents and her ex during an unexpected visit. Watching them fall so naturally into a united front and then inadvertently declare themselves a couple in the process was absolutely priceless. I loved watching these two bring out the best in each other. Autumn shows Briggs that he is worthy of being loved, exactly as he is, while Briggs gives Autumn the confidence to finally stop living according to everyone else’s expectations and start living life on her own terms. I loved the way Autumn helped Briggs see that the “Beast” everyone else had written off was actually a man with a huge heart who simply needed someone willing to look past the intimidating exterior. And Briggs, in turn, gave Autumn the freedom to discover who she really was beneath all those rules and expectations. This was such a lovely opposites-attract romance, but more than that, it was a story about two people who had both been defined by other people’s expectations learning to see themselves differently and unexpectedly become exactly what the other needs.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ❤️‍🔥🏔️ **A Grumpy Mountain Beast, a Good Girl Ready to Break Bad, and a Romance Full of Heat\!** 🏔️❤️‍🔥

*Mountain Beast* by Hallie Bennett was such a fun curvy good girl/bad boy romance\! Autumn and Briggs’s story had all the grumpy tension, emotional healing, and steamy chemistry I was hoping for\.

Dr\. Autumn Landish is tired of always being the good girl\. After her divorce forces her to start over in a new town, she decides it might be time to take a few risks—and High Ridge’s Beast seems like the perfect man to show her how much fun being bad can be\. 😳

Talk about stepping outside her comfort zone\!

Briggs O’Hare has earned his reputation as High Ridge’s bad boy\. Grumpy, guarded, and carrying wounds from growing up in and out of foster care, he has spent most of his life believing that being tough is the best way to survive\. But Autumn sees more beneath his rough exterior, and she may be exactly what he needs to finally let someone in\. ❤️

I loved the contrast between them\. Autumn is a good woman who is ready to reclaim her life, while Briggs acts like he wants nothing to do with softness or vulnerability\. Their chemistry makes it impossible for either of them to keep pretending they aren’t drawn to each other\.

Autumn’s journey was one of my favorite parts of the story\. She isn’t simply looking for another relationship after her divorce—she’s trying to figure out who she is now and what she actually wants\. Watching her become more confident and willing to embrace her desires made her incredibly relatable\.

And Briggs is such a deliciously grumpy hero\. ❤️‍🔥 Beneath the attitude and bad\-boy reputation is a man who has spent years protecting himself from disappointment\. Autumn brings out a tenderness in him that he doesn’t know how to handle, and I loved seeing him slowly realize that he deserves something good too\.

Their romance is full of playful tension, emotional vulnerability, and plenty of heat\. Autumn may be ready to be bad, but Briggs quickly discovers that the woman he wants most is also the one who makes him want to become a better man\.

At 76 pages, this is a quick, steamy read with a satisfying emotional arc\. I enjoyed the way the story gives Autumn and Briggs enough time to connect while keeping the pacing fast and engaging\.

If you love **curvy heroines, good girls ready to break the rules, grumpy bad boys, mountain men, small\-town romance, opposites attract, emotional healing, steamy chemistry, wounded heroes, and a guaranteed happily ever after**, *Mountain Beast* is definitely worth reading\.

**Absolutely 5 stars\! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐**.

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

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

She wants freedom. He wants proof that love doesn’t always come with a price.

Autumn comes to High Ridge after a marriage shaped by obligation and betrayal, determined to stop being polished, accommodating, and endlessly responsible. She’s built a successful life by doing what was expected of her, but starting over gives her the chance to ask what she actually wants. Briggs is everything she was taught to avoid: rough-edged, blunt, intimidating, and completely uninterested in anyone’s approval.

Their first meeting sparks irritation, attraction, and a challenge neither can forget. What starts as a reckless attempt at freedom becomes a no-strings arrangement fueled by sharp banter, bruised defenses, and chemistry that keeps pulling them back together. Neither expects the arrangement to become a place where they can drop the versions of themselves they show everyone else.

As lines blur, Autumn discovers the tenderness beneath Briggs’s anger, while he begins to see how much her life has been shaped by guilt and expectation. Their teasing starts carrying more weight, conversations get more personal, and the moments between hookups begin to matter as much as the physical connection. What was supposed to stay casual starts asking more of both of them.

Autumn becomes more willing to claim what she wants and set boundaries without apology. Briggs slowly stops treating closeness like a threat, and the man who expects judgment finds himself wanting to be known by someone who doesn’t flinch at his rough edges. Their connection shifts from provocation and sex into something steadier, softer, and far more difficult to dismiss.

An ultra-steamy, enemies to lovers, friends with benefits, opposites attract, small town mountain romance about two guarded people shedding old roles and learning how to choose each other without losing themselves. It’s messy, intimate, sharp-edged, and ultimately about finding something real where neither of them expected it.

The Elevator Pitch: A newly divorced doctor determined to reclaim her life collides with a guarded mountain man who has spent years mistaking anger for protection. What begins as a no-strings escape built on sharp banter and combustible attraction slowly exposes the wounds neither of them expected the other to see. As rebellion turns into trust, they have to decide whether choosing each other is worth risking the defenses that once kept them safe.

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 Ultra-Steamy / Erotic Romance

[Justina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars for this one, rounding up to 3

I liked Autumn, the FMC, who’s a recovering good girl. I also related to her rage (what woman doesn’t feel rage in 2026?). Autumn embraced her fury, found an outlet for it and stopped being obedient and taking shit from people and started to finally live for herself. Yay, Autumn! Her choice of… activity to be spontaneous did not make much sense to me, but you do you, girl (or in this case: him, I guess).

Unfortunately, the MMC’s insecurities were exhausting and ruined the whole experience for me. He repeatedly referred to himself as „white trash” trying to guilt (?) the FMC for wanting to get with him framing it negatively (as her slumming it, wanted to try to be a bad girl etc). Everyone has issues, sure, but goddamn, he acted like an insecure (and manipulative!) 12 year old, and not a grown ass man. He needed a therapist, not a fwb arrangement, and he poisoned everyone around him with his issues (including his best and only friends).

Complex characters are great, but this wasn’t it for me - at some point it’s just too much for the MMC to constantly project his own harmful assumptions onto someone who treated him with nothing but sass and kindness (and as a desirable equal!). I got fed up with him and couldn’t root for the couple. Again, I think he should get a therapist, not a girlfriend.

I’m so tired of this trope. Women are not responsible to heal grown men who have refused (for all their lives) to deal with their own shit. It wasn’t a sexy cute mountain man story to me, at all.

~~~~~~~~~

I received this ARC for free via Booksprout in return for my honest review. I’m sorry it’s not enthusiastic, but it is what it is.

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Beast is a fast-paced, ultra-steamy romance about two people ready to break free from the roles that have defined them. Autumn is tired of being the polished good girl who always does what is expected, while Briggs has spent years hiding behind the bad attitude that earned him the nickname “Beast.” Their sharp, antagonistic first meeting quickly develops into a no-strings arrangement filled with fiery chemistry and entertaining banter.

I especially enjoyed the contrast between Autumn’s compassion and Briggs’s gruff exterior. She challenges him to make choices that will benefit his own life, while he encourages her to recognize her worth and pursue what she truly wants. Beneath their teasing and physical attraction, both carry painful experiences that influence how they view relationships, trust, and themselves. Briggs’s history in foster care made it particularly easy to empathize with his fear that love will always come with a price.

The outdoor rage park was a fun and unusual element that suited Briggs perfectly while also creating a memorable introduction between the characters. I also appreciated the story’s acknowledgment that love can offer support and encouragement, but ongoing professional mental-health care may still be necessary.

With its opposites-attract chemistry, enemies-to-lovers tension, friends-with-benefits arrangement, plentiful steam, and satisfying ending, this was an engaging story about two guarded people discovering that they do not have to remain trapped by their pasts.

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

[Aspen G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Beast is so many things—emotional, intense, spicy, fast-paced, and so easy to read. It is clear that both Briggs and Autumn each have a LOT of baggage, and they allow their past hurts and trauma to dictate the terms of their present. And yet, they each challenge and push the others to step outside that self-imposed box and consider something different. Pushover Autumn allows her parents and her ex to continue to control her choices in the most unhealthy ways. She does not know how to let go and cut cords, to move on and make a clean break from their toxicity. Briggs has been hurt over and over by people who look through him and use him, so he has no idea how to trust or open his heart. His pain is palpable and his defensiveness and coldness are intense. Author Hallie Bennett really built these two well—each clearly broken, and helping the other to heal. Their community of shared friends is small but mighty, and I adored that she never gave up on him, and in return he helped her take her power back. This is a touching, sizzling, fun read with a heartful HEA.

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

[Tiffany Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Opposite Sides of the Tracks!**

Mountain Beast is the second book in the Mountain Men of High Ridge series, and Briggs and Autumn couldn’t seem more opposite at first—yet they’re actually so much alike in ways they don’t initially realize.

Both carry scars from past relationships, which is part of what brings them together. When Briggs discovers Autumn at his rage park, taking out her frustrations with a good old-fashioned baseball bat, their first meeting doesn’t exactly go smoothly. And with Briggs being known as the “beast,” sparks definitely fly for all the wrong reasons!

But as Briggs and Autumn begin to truly get to know each other, their walls slowly start to come down. The chemistry and connection between them become undeniable and incredibly strong. They balance each other perfectly, making them such a wonderful couple.

Briggs and Autumn’s love story was heartfelt, fun, and an easy, quick read that kept me invested from the beginning to their HEA.

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

[Malini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthy by MeemsAngel82

This was another excellent read by our author. A safe read, but just know this h has been married previously and has some insecurities which our H is a perfect match for. He has his own insecurities, but the two of them work so well together and not the typical dynamic.

He was grumpy, shaped by bad experiences and she had been hurt by her ex husband, her parents not understanding and wanting her to bend instead.

I will never understand people encouraging going back to a cheating ex. And if they are your own parents...you just then have to remember your parents aren't always right. She was still strong besides all of that emotional upheaval and meeting this man set her body off. He was a good man but he didn't have any solid family support besides his friends. And thank goodness for them! They were attracted and went for it, but the heart won out and they are actually really perfect for one another. A great group of friends and another pair has found love. Wonderful read.

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

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Beast by Hallie Bennett was a fun, steamy read with all the things I enjoy in a good mountain-man romance. I loved the chemistry between the curvy heroine and the rugged, grumpy hero. Their good-girl/bad-boy dynamic made for plenty of tension, sparks, and swoony moments. The mountain setting added to the story and gave it that isolated, protective feel that worked perfectly with the hero’s personality. I also appreciated that the heroine had her own strength and personality rather than simply being there to fall for the hero. The romance moved at a nice pace, and there was plenty of heat without losing the emotional connection between the characters. Overall, Mountain Beast was an enjoyable story with a curvy heroine, alpha mountain man, and steamy romance with a happily-ever-after.

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

[Avid Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grumpy meets sunshine sweet love story…

Briggs has been unlucky in love and has a chip on his shoulder from a prior bad relationship and from how he is perceived by the busybodies in his small town. He has low self esteem and thinks that everyone sees him as “white trash” or a beast.

Newly divorced Autumn is trying to break free of stifling expectations placed upon her by overbearing parents and an over attached ex husband who can’t seem to let her go and leave her in peace.

What started off as a hot and reckless moment of passion, escalated to a friends with benefits situationship and blossomed into friendship and love.

This was a wonderful romance story with engaging characters. You’ll be just as invested as I was in Briggs and Autumn’s story and root for these two wonderful people to find their HEA.

[Shana W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable quick read. Briggs owns a junk yard and a rage park. Autumn visits the rage park when she's furious with her ex-husband, and this is where they first meet. Neither of them can get the other out of their thoughts. Things heat up when they meet again during a street dance, where they become friends with benefits. Briggs has been burned by women one too many times, so it takes him awhile to see that Autumn is not slumming it with the bad boy, not does she see him as white trash. I felt bad for her, because she has horrible class-conscious parents who favour her ex, although he cheated on her. I love how their relationship evolves and how Briggs and Autumn help each other deal with their baggage. You will be entertained if you enjoy short, romantic and spicy stories.
I read an advanced copy and I am leaving an honest review.

[Christine Biesheuvel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Bad Girl And Grumpy Beast
What a fun read! Being a bit older, there’s all kinds of problems in their pasts. Briggs was raised in foster care and deserved his bad boy reputation, combined with his grumpy attitude and distrust of women, most women kept their distance. Not so Dr. Autumn Landish. Raised to be an obedient daughter and wife until the final insult as her husband cheated on her made her cut herself off from her past and start anew in High Ridge. When they meet, sparks fly literally, and the fire between them only grows.
Lots of humor and spice, emotional growth from a problematic past that takes the reader along. Enjoyed the story very much. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gazelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briggs has a reputation for being a grumpy/bad boy whose attitude towards love has been written in his scars/broken heart. He isn't nearly what he thinks everyone sees of himself, but his attitude is the shield he uses to protect himself but it's creating issues with his best friend who recently found the love of his life. Autumn has always followed her parents' rules and done everything to live up to expectations, but she still has been let down by those in her life. She moves to a new town and starts her new practice but still keeps being used by her ex and her family. She needs an escape and Briggs offers the best kind a rage room and then they find out they both can help each other heal! A quick steamy read that will have you wanting to visit the town again and again.

[Vedece Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her divorce Autumn wants someone to teach her how to be a "Bad Girl", not the perfect daughter she was brought up to be.
Briggs is a bad boy who's grown tired of the life and even after twenty years, he still has the reputation.
Both have trust issues that are based on the past and they both need something, someone new.
But first, they have to understand each other, then keep it on the "Summer only" basis that was agreed upon.
In Suitor's Crossing that never happens!
Suitor's Crossing is as spicy and captivating as ever.

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

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Beast by Hallie Bennett is an entertaining, enemies to lovers short read that grabs your attention from the start. I love the characters Autumn and Briggs. Her good girl to his bad boy shows through with both of them being strong characters that make a perfect match. This compelling couple work towards their “happy ever after” while dealing with their own personal conflict and past bad experiences. Their journey is full of heart-felt emotions, developing trust, learning to let someone become close, and two people finding their “one”. Mountain Beast is part of the series, Mountain Men of High Ridge.

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

[TheNorksWife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autumn and Briggs have both been jaded by what they thought was love. After a less than ideal meet-cute, they begin a friends with benefits arrangement which later turns into more. While the story itself was okay, the ending and epilogue felt particularly rushed. The epilogue itself felt like it should’ve been the last chapter in the story, with the epilogue actually wrapping up some loose ends. But if you’re looking h for something quick to read, then this is a pleasant one to pick up.

✨No cheating.

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

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

Book two of "Mountain Men of High Ridge". Dr. Autumn Landish has tried to be the "good girl" her whole life and she's sick to death of it getting her nowhere. All she ended up with was an idiot ex-husband and parents who still disapprove of everything she does. Briggs O’Hare was raised partly by uncaring parents, but mostly, by the foster system and he quickly developed a prickly personality as a shield. No matter how successful he's become, the town still thinks of him as white trash. Can a good girl find love with a bad boy grump? Find out in this spicy little romance.

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this was a very quick read it was very good and spicy to boot. I loved Briggs and Autumn and even though they come from two very different worlds they make a wonderful couple. Unfortunately they both have some baggage from their past but when Autumn’s past makes an appearance Briggs is right there and ready to protect her. This is truly a wonderful book about new starts and giving people a chance. What begins as a “friends with benefits” situation soon turns out to be much more. Great series.

I received an arc copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briggs has a very low opinion of himself, and the town does not help with their stories. Autumn is new in town and the local doctor trying to start over from a bad divorce. She uses Briggs Anger Park to destroy stuff due to her ex and he sees her. He has an attitude towards women due to all the women in his life has let him down. She is actually friends with his best friends wife, who he has yet to accept fully. Can she convince him that all women are not the same?.

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

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. I loved watching Briggs grow out of the chip on his shoulder and Autumn learn that she didn’t have to please anyone and could just be herself. Their connection was immediate, maybe not the best first interaction but the second one was much more surprising. This is a great read. I am enjoying this series and I can’t wait for the next book.

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

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Mountain Beast” by Hallie Bennett

-Briggs and Autumn are such a fun opposites-attract couple, with plenty of banter, chemistry, and steam. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts about the story.

I love the idea of Briggs’s rage park, and their first meeting there had me smiling. Both carry plenty of baggage, but it is fun watching them challenge each other, heal, and grow. This is a fast-paced, emotional, spicy read with a satisfying happy ending.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Men of High Ridge.

Such a Fun, Short, Little Romance.
Briggs was raised in foster homes. He has anger issues and although he is good looking, he has been looked down on by most. He is known in town as the grumpy beast. When he see's Autumn the new Dr. at his salvedge yard he is intrigued. She is a good girl wanting to be Bad, Briggs calls her a valkyrie. Maybe they can become friends.

[Cynthia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of Mountain Men of High Ridge story of Dr. Autumn Landish and Briggs O’Hare. Now that’s how you tame a bad boy that is secretly a grumpy marshmallow for his good girl doctor. The way these two start off and end will have you laughing.

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

[Trey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read with two great characters. Autumn is ready to stop always being the good girl, while Briggs has plenty of his own walls to break down. I loved watching these two find each other and bring out the best in one another. A sweet, fun story with plenty of emotion and lovable characters.

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

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

FWB, we all know how that works out. I love the idea of a rage park. I would be there in a heartbeat taking out all aggressions on salvage parts – how fun would that be, meet me there? Such a cute story and one of my favorites from Hallie. I can see myself reading this one again when I need a feel-good story.

[Melissa Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in Mountain Men of High Ridge series. I absolutely loved Briggs and how blunt he was. People found him off putting but Autumn starts to see the real Briggs. I couldn't put the book down. Easily read in a setting. Great characters.

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

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of an advance copy received from the author.



An emotional story about two characters, Autumn and Briggs. Neither is perfect, nor is they imperfect. Their journey is a story you could easily empathize with. With sufficient passion and romance, and the twists and turns, they reach a HEA together.



I received an Advance Reader copy of this series and am voluntarily leaving a review.