Grumpy Savior Mountain Rescue: A Friends-to-Lovers Sweet Romance

by Ava Donato

My grumpy, alpha, boss trains me in search and rescue… and we end up snowed in, sharing irresistible body heat like it’s the only thing keeping us alive.

I’ve been falling for Caleb Roarke for two years—the brooding leader who doesn’t look at me unless I’m pouring his coffee.
So, I do the only reckless thing and join the team with my dog.

He adjusts my harness, his hands steady while my pulse stumbles. The heat climbs my thighs as he catches me when I fall, and we share a heated look.

We are stranded overnight in a storm, bodies pressed together for warmth; pretending we’re only coworkers, which feels like a lie.

Then he slips a message into my pocket as I’m extracted, but the wind steals it before it's read.

Now he’s broken and unconscious in the hospital, and I’m realizing I’m left holding everything I never said.
Because I didn’t just fall for him—

I built my future around a man I might lose before he ever knows he’s mine.

411 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2026

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book the chemistry build up was amazing. The way they both had a troubled past but managed to find a way to express it and turn it into something good. I love how the dog helped them with there feeling for each other too almost like scout was herding them towards each other.

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

[Shalalah · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Grumpy Savior Mountain Rescue” hooked me from the first chapter, mostly because Jenna and Caleb feel so real—two people circling each other with all this unspoken longing and absolutely no idea what to do about it. Jenna’s been quietly in love with him for years, and Caleb… well, he’s the kind of gruff, steady man who pretends he doesn’t feel anything until the moment he’s forced to.

Their dynamic during the SAR training is electric in that slow, simmering way—every brush of his hands, every clipped instruction, every moment he catches her before she hits the ground. And when the storm traps them together, the tension finally snaps in the most tender, breath‑stealing way. It’s intimate without being rushed, emotional without being dramatic, and it fits them perfectly.

What surprised me most was how much heart this story carries. The lost note, the hospital scenes, Jenna realizing she’s been building a future around a man who might never wake up—it all lands with this quiet ache that makes their eventual connection feel earned. Her dog adds warmth and humor, and Caleb’s protectiveness never crosses into anything but devotion.

It’s grumpy‑sunshine with real stakes, a love story built on trust, courage, and the kind of longing that doesn’t fade even when everything else goes sideways. I closed the book feeling like I’d been through the storm with them, and I loved every minute.

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

[Jennifer Amaral · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is sweet, emotional, and absolutely overflowing with grumpy/sunshine chemistry 👀🏔️🖤

A grumpy search-and-rescue leader?

A sunshine heroine who's been secretly in love with him for years?

A snowstorm that leaves them stranded together with nowhere to hide from their feelings??

Yeah… I was hooked IMMEDIATELY.

Caleb Roarke is PEAK grumpy hero energy 👀🔥

Quiet. Protective. Brooding.

The kind of man who says very little but somehow manages to say everything with a single look.

And honestly??

Watching his walls slowly crumble was EVERYTHING.

Then there's the FMC and her loyal SAR dog 🐕🖤

She's determined, caring, and refuses to let Caleb's grumpy attitude scare her away.

The friends-to-lovers dynamic was SO good because these two already know each other so well, but neither of them is willing to risk what they have.

Until circumstances force them closer.

And WOW 👀🔥

The snowed-in scenes absolutely DELIVERED.

Between the forced proximity, the emotional tension, and all the things left unsaid, I couldn't stop turning pages.

But what really got me was the emotional depth.

Because underneath the romance is a story about trust, vulnerability, and realizing just how much someone means to you before it's too late.

✨ If you love:
• friends to lovers
• grumpy/sunshine
• search and rescue romance
• forced proximity
• protective MMCs

This one is heartfelt, romantic, emotional, and packed with mountain-rescue swoon 🏔️🖤🔥.

[Malini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking risks by MeemsAngel82

This was a well written read and it is a full story about heros. One already there and the h wanting more in her life. Wanting her life to mean something and hoping her dog can use her skills to her best advantage. This H admires her and that she wants to do what they do.

She is up to the task. But are their hearts?

I appreciate the emotional tolls it takes on someone to risk their lives and their crew to save someone. Also it can weigh on you when you get a negative outcome in your rescue plan. The two have more in common than they know at first and both are good people that are dedicated to helping others which is so admirable! They connect despite fear and I love the use of the dogs in this story. The only thing I do wish the story ended with them having an emotional conversation about their feelings, getting into their grove on the team and in life, now having a partner. And then give us a glimpse into their future. Instead the ending gave us a shock and turns away from the romance. I was let down by that part. They really are a special couple that deserved that closing piece. Amazing story and an emotional one.

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

[Barbara Dale]

In the rugged wilderness of the mountain rescue landscape, Caleb leads a dedicated Search and Rescue team, navigating treacherous terrain and life-threatening situations. As the narrative gradually unfolds, he encounters Jenna, a woman equally guarded by past wounds and emotional barriers. Their tentative connection develops against a backdrop of intense rescue missions, each challenging their ability to trust and open up to one another. Despite numerous obstacles that threaten to keep them apart, their relationship slowly takes root, building a complex and compelling dynamic. The story culminates in a suspenseful moment that leaves readers eagerly anticipating what comes next, with the unresolved tension hanging as dramatically as the mountain cliffs they traverse.

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

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

'A rugged, alpha hero meets a fierce woman ready to challenge him, along with her loyal SAR dog, who might be the first to notice she’s falling for him. With themes of friends-to-lovers, sweet slow-burn chemistry, and the irresistible pull of forbidden love, this story will have you hooked from the first page.'

The characters drove the storyline and they were very appealing and likeable and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Nathalie DeSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a love story that brings two damaged people together under exteme/heroic conditions giving them time, space, and a sort of angst when dealing with each other's sentiments.

Caleb & Jenna are mountain rescue members; she started this career following him and hoping to give her doggy a job. But their close proximity, the danger they face, and their attraction connects them in ways that carry through their regular and work life. What shines in this story is the complex writing, as it brings need, attraction, passion, drama, and ultimate love in a layered way that keeps you reading through its pages.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This grumpy-meets-sunshine, friends-to-lovers romance follows Jenna as she joins a search-and-rescue team led by the skeptical Caleb Roarke. After two years of unrequited pining, Jenna must prove her grit to him, culminating in a tense night sharing body heat in a snowed-in cabin. When an injury leaves Caleb hospitalized, Jenna is finally forced to confront her feelings for the rugged alpha hero. This is a new Author to me. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenna and Caleb’s story is a grumpy/sunshine one that has her falling for him and him for her but he doesn’t show it. She decides to join the SAR and he’s helping her. But when they are stranded together things turn steamy and when she’s rescued he leaves a note but it gets lost. He ends up in the hospital and now she is left feeling that she never got to tell him how she felt. But there is a shock you might not see coming.

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

[Debra Soehner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenna is very attracted to Caleb but he doesn't appear to notice her until she tells him she is interested in joining the Search and Rescue team he belongs to. He is very closed off at first and doesn't believe she has the grit and stamina for it but she proves him wrong. Great novel with a friends to lovers theme.

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

[Cathy Moir-Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For two years Caleb Roark has been coming into the diner where Jenna works, but he never looks at her. She feels invisible. She tries striking up conversations but nothing seems to work until she starts asking him about the SAR work he does. Desperate, she volunteers with the SAR team and starts training her dog for search and rescue. Caleb continues to hold back where Jenna is concerned, until they end up stranded in the snow and dependent on each other for warmth.

[$2.08 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good story! The main characters both had lost people in their lives so they stayed separate from others and didn't allow anyone close. Throughout the story, they learned to let each other in. It was a beautiful journey.

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

[Bruce Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the book. Good character development, along with good plot. It also showed that sometimes soldiers coming home need more than just a pat on the back. Would definitely reread this book.

[Tianna Meeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, it had some sweet romance but some plot as well. I also loved that they started as friends first then they became romantic. Would recommend.

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

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lot. It was chalked full of emotions and danger and situations that kept me on my toes. I loved it and I need more. The characters were wonderful and their relationship ship was so sweet.

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

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenna and Caleb’s story keeps you engaged and entertained as she falls for him and he falls for her, but doesn’t tell her. Then there’s an accident and it may all come tumbling out, if he survives.

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

[Suieko Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super slow romance but it was still a good read. I loved scout the dog and the background stories of both MC's were plotted well but I personally felt kike it dragged in a lil bit too much but it might not for others.

[Pamela Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good read. It's a good story line, includes search and rescue action, good characters and interesting story development. I would have given a 5 star rating, but there was a couple of things that seemed unresolved at the end. Although, there is a very unexpected surprise at the end, it seemed like the romance the story focused on was unsatisfactorIy left hanging.