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Fit Mountain Instaloves Vol. 1 #1
Crazy Grump
He’s grumpy. He’s pushy. He says that I’m the one.
And the craziest part?
I think he might be the one too...
Callum Walker is a crazy grump.
Okay, fine. He’s a hot, crazy grump.
Still.
He’s known me for less than a day.
And now he’s showing up at my job saying that I’m the one.
Like I said. Crazy.
But there’s something else about him too.
Something protective in the way he looks at me.
And when he sees me on one of the worst days of my life
He doesn’t even flinch.
He just tosses me over his shoulder and says “you’re mine.”
And now that he’s taking me back to his cabin,
I’m starting to think that I want to be his, too…
And the craziest part?
I think he might be the one too...
Callum Walker is a crazy grump.
Okay, fine. He’s a hot, crazy grump.
Still.
He’s known me for less than a day.
And now he’s showing up at my job saying that I’m the one.
Like I said. Crazy.
But there’s something else about him too.
Something protective in the way he looks at me.
And when he sees me on one of the worst days of my life
He doesn’t even flinch.
He just tosses me over his shoulder and says “you’re mine.”
And now that he’s taking me back to his cabin,
I’m starting to think that I want to be his, too…
62 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2022
930 people are currently reading
615 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
July 25, 2023
By day, Penny is a school teacher, and by night, she is a pizza delivery driver. She needs to make some extra cash to keep her dad in his nursing home after a nasty fall.
𝒜𝓇𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝑔𝑜𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒹𝓇𝑜𝓅 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒶 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁, 𝒫𝑒𝓃𝓃𝓎?
One stormy night, she has to deliver a pizza at the top of a mountain and gets stuck, so she walks the pizza the rest of the way. When Callum opens the door and finds a soaking-wet Penny, he is stunned and needs to know more about this beautiful girl.
Stella Banks is a new author to me, but I can't wait to read more from her.
𝒜𝓇𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝑔𝑜𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒹𝓇𝑜𝓅 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒶 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁, 𝒫𝑒𝓃𝓃𝓎?
One stormy night, she has to deliver a pizza at the top of a mountain and gets stuck, so she walks the pizza the rest of the way. When Callum opens the door and finds a soaking-wet Penny, he is stunned and needs to know more about this beautiful girl.
Stella Banks is a new author to me, but I can't wait to read more from her.
June 15, 2024
Pizza delivery turns to love. It was fine.
February 6, 2023
Cute
This is a new author for me. A cute quick insta love read. Will be reading the others in the series.
This is a new author for me. A cute quick insta love read. Will be reading the others in the series.
June 2, 2024
Another Steamy Instalove
Stella always writes the best instalove novelettes!
Complete with sexy alpha males and strong, independent females,this series of short stories is perfect if you want a quick and steamy read.
Stella always writes the best instalove novelettes!
Complete with sexy alpha males and strong, independent females,this series of short stories is perfect if you want a quick and steamy read.
February 12, 2024
Crazy Grump, Book 1 of the Fit Mountain Alphas series (Volume 1), was about Callum Walker, a former Marine turned contractor and mountain owner, and Penny Jones, a second-grade elementary school teacher by day and a deliverer of pizza by night.
This was a cute story that ended much too fast. There was so much happening in this book, but it was all over the place. The reader was first introduced to Penny, who was working her second job of delivering pizza. She'd had to take on more work to pay for her father, who was not a healthy man. Forced to deliver pizza up the mountain late at night in a rain storm, she ended up stuck and having to walk to the only residence there...her customer, Callum. When he learned she was stuck, he drove her back to work. The next day, Penny was working at her main job as a teacher, during which one of her students introduced her to the child's uncle...Callum.
No ages were given for either character, although with Penny being a teacher who had graduated three years earlier, the reader could figure out that she was around the age of 25-26. Callum's age was a little harder to determine, but since he'd spent several years in the military, he was probably closer to his mid-30s. Although they had both been born and raised in the same tiny town, a place where everyone knew each other and was into everyone else's business, neither had ever seen or heard of the other, which was pretty odd.
There wasn't much angst or drama, or even spice for that matter. There wasn't time for it to develop. There were some twists and turns that never got addressed after they were introduced. That was another disappointment. Too few characters were introduced, so it was just Penny and Callum. There wasn't any conflict no push/pull...nothing. It was bland, flat, and boring. There was no Wow factor.
This story took place in a 24-hour space of time, then it was over. But there was so much that happened with no explanation, and it left the reader pretty much hanging in mid-air. It was quite disappointing, because the story had so much potential, and it wasn't utilized. The whole thing felt so incomplete and rushed. I could only give it a two-star rating. Unfortunately, there are 8 more stories in the series. I hope they aren't all this boring.
This was a cute story that ended much too fast. There was so much happening in this book, but it was all over the place. The reader was first introduced to Penny, who was working her second job of delivering pizza. She'd had to take on more work to pay for her father, who was not a healthy man. Forced to deliver pizza up the mountain late at night in a rain storm, she ended up stuck and having to walk to the only residence there...her customer, Callum. When he learned she was stuck, he drove her back to work. The next day, Penny was working at her main job as a teacher, during which one of her students introduced her to the child's uncle...Callum.
No ages were given for either character, although with Penny being a teacher who had graduated three years earlier, the reader could figure out that she was around the age of 25-26. Callum's age was a little harder to determine, but since he'd spent several years in the military, he was probably closer to his mid-30s. Although they had both been born and raised in the same tiny town, a place where everyone knew each other and was into everyone else's business, neither had ever seen or heard of the other, which was pretty odd.
There wasn't much angst or drama, or even spice for that matter. There wasn't time for it to develop. There were some twists and turns that never got addressed after they were introduced. That was another disappointment. Too few characters were introduced, so it was just Penny and Callum. There wasn't any conflict no push/pull...nothing. It was bland, flat, and boring. There was no Wow factor.
This story took place in a 24-hour space of time, then it was over. But there was so much that happened with no explanation, and it left the reader pretty much hanging in mid-air. It was quite disappointing, because the story had so much potential, and it wasn't utilized. The whole thing felt so incomplete and rushed. I could only give it a two-star rating. Unfortunately, there are 8 more stories in the series. I hope they aren't all this boring.
November 19, 2022
mid
The parts kinda felt confusing and incongruous to each other. Like it was sweet one minute and then it was filthy the next. Probably the worst was the scene at the school. I used to teach so I just know that any teacher who loves her job and loves her kids would talk to a student’s guardian in a frkkn school closet.
Other authors have done the sweet then filthy formula but in this one it felt weird. Am probably thrown also by the title. H didn’t feel like a grumpy dude. He was more sweet than grumpy. See how it’s confusing?
The parts kinda felt confusing and incongruous to each other. Like it was sweet one minute and then it was filthy the next. Probably the worst was the scene at the school. I used to teach so I just know that any teacher who loves her job and loves her kids would talk to a student’s guardian in a frkkn school closet.
Other authors have done the sweet then filthy formula but in this one it felt weird. Am probably thrown also by the title. H didn’t feel like a grumpy dude. He was more sweet than grumpy. See how it’s confusing?
April 3, 2024
sweet love 🥰
This book served up a charming tale that captured my heart. I'm eagerly anticipating the sequel and curious to see which brother will steal the spotlight next. The concept of love at first sight is delivered with such sweetness here, particularly because the male protagonist is not only a feast for the eyes but also exudes thoughtfulness and a nature. It was a delightful read that I breezed through in no time. Definitely worth checking out!
This book served up a charming tale that captured my heart. I'm eagerly anticipating the sequel and curious to see which brother will steal the spotlight next. The concept of love at first sight is delivered with such sweetness here, particularly because the male protagonist is not only a feast for the eyes but also exudes thoughtfulness and a nature. It was a delightful read that I breezed through in no time. Definitely worth checking out!
April 5, 2023
Wow this was really really good
June 19, 2025
3.5✨
Sympa. Penny et Callum sont mims.
Sympa. Penny et Callum sont mims.
July 27, 2025
Super quick novella- 62 pages
Insta love
Dual pov
No owd/omd
HEA
Insta love
Dual pov
No owd/omd
HEA
December 12, 2022
Firstly, let me say that I liked this story but it could have very easily gone the other way. This is a standalone short story that you will get through in about an hour. Perfect if that's all your looking for. However, that comes at a price. Everything in this story is instant. Instant connection, instant love, instant events. The story jumps from event to event in order to cover everything the author obviously wanted, but in my opinion it leaves out everything that I love about this genre. The growth of a connection, the leap from like to love, the angst over whether the feeling is returned. All of that is missing, and it makes the story weaker for it. Also, there is nothing in Callum's character that I would have pegged as 'grumpy man'. In fact, he seemed charming right from the start. Overall, I feel that I would have liked this story to be longer to allow the characters to breath.
August 21, 2022
Penny is a schoolteacher that delivers pizza in the evenings for extra money. Her next delivery is to a place she hasn't gone before so she double checks the address with her boss. Callum lives on the top of the mountain because he is planning to build a fitness place with his brothers. When Penny arrives and gets stuck in the mud she rushes to his door. Callum is stunned that she is his pizza driver and knows that he wants her. Callum tracks her down at school using his niece as a cover to see her. Will he convince her to take a chance on him?
This is a great story that will hook you in the first chapter. This is a well written and very entertaining story. It's a book that any book lover would enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a great story that will hook you in the first chapter. This is a well written and very entertaining story. It's a book that any book lover would enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 6, 2024
Callum has returned home after spending time in the military. He and his brothers bought a large parcel of land on the mountains to build a fitness resort.
Penny is a school teacher. Her father falls and needs a hip replacement. Penny talks an extra job as a pizza delivery person. She goes to the top of the mountain in rainy weather to deliver a pizza to Callum.
He is immediately drawn to Penny and becomes obsessed with protecting her.
The first signs of danger and he goes ballistic and insists that she is moving in with him.
I love haw much of a possessive protector Callum is.
Penny is sassy and independent but secretly loves how possessive and domineering Callum is.
Enjoyable short read.
Penny is a school teacher. Her father falls and needs a hip replacement. Penny talks an extra job as a pizza delivery person. She goes to the top of the mountain in rainy weather to deliver a pizza to Callum.
He is immediately drawn to Penny and becomes obsessed with protecting her.
The first signs of danger and he goes ballistic and insists that she is moving in with him.
I love haw much of a possessive protector Callum is.
Penny is sassy and independent but secretly loves how possessive and domineering Callum is.
Enjoyable short read.
April 14, 2024
Crazy Grump is the first installment in Stella Banks’ Fit Mountain Instalove series. In it, she chronicles the age-gap romance between Penny Jones and Callum Walker. Penny is an elementary school teacher in the day and delivers pizzas for the local pizza shop in the evenings. Since her mother suffers from Parkinsons, Penny need to take a second job to help defray the medical costs. Callum is a former marine and recently bought Biggs Mountain so he and his brothers can built a resort on the mountain. Destiny brings them tougher when Penny delivers a pizza order to his cabin amidst a winter storm. Upon laying eyes on each other they are smitten. Will they act on their attraction? Will she be able to safely return to the shop? To find out what unfolds, you must read this entertaining short story.
Ms. Banks does a great job utilizing literary devices. Her dialog, both conversational and internal monologues, are outstanding. Readers get a fuller understanding of their backstories, their pain, and their happiness. Her lead characters are multi-dimensional. The secondary characters are also interesting and the camaraderie between them and the lead characters is enjoyable. This character-driven plot line moves at a nice pace.
Ms. Banks does a great job utilizing literary devices. Her dialog, both conversational and internal monologues, are outstanding. Readers get a fuller understanding of their backstories, their pain, and their happiness. Her lead characters are multi-dimensional. The secondary characters are also interesting and the camaraderie between them and the lead characters is enjoyable. This character-driven plot line moves at a nice pace.
June 13, 2024
Callum Walker and Penny Jones are seriously the cutest 🥹 Penny is a teacher but she also delivers pizza as a side gig. Callum just bought Bigg Mountain and ordered a pizza after a long day. The weather is complete crap and she gets stuck… that’s all I’m going to say. I’m not sure why the word “grump” is in the title because I didn’t find him grumpy at all. I mean he answers the door “You lost, sweetheart”. Doesn’t sound grumpy to me 🤷🏻♀️ This novella is super short but the pacing is great. It checked all my novella boxes which is why it’s an instant 5⭐️I’m super excited to continue on with the series. Dare I say I might have found a new favorite novella author 👀
December 1, 2022
While this book may not be remembered as one of the greatest literary finds of all time, it certainly is a fun read…and if you’re into grumpy mountain men who are super sexy and way too hot🔥🔥— this book is definitely for you! The storyline is on par with most instalove stories; the characters are certainly memorable; no real plot twists or turns to deal with; and one really good HEA. This is a really quick read that’s entertaining from first to last page. Grab your copy today! (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book today and really enjoyed it!) ❤️
August 4, 2024
Stella’s books suck me in instantly. I really enjoyed this story. The instalove stories or so unrealistic but that’s the best part. Penny is a teacher as well as a pizza delivery driver by night. One night she delivers a pizza to a house on top of a massive mountain. Only, her car isn’t built for the roads there. Especially when it’s raining. She gets stuck and makes it to the home on foot. This is where she meets Callum. What comes next is a whirlwind romance. I loved that it jumped to a year later!
October 1, 2024
In Crazy Grump: A mountain man instalove we meet Penny a young teacher having money troubles who also delivers pizzas at night. Callum was a marine who left to join his brothers to buy a large cabin where he and his brothers want to build a fitness resort.
As this a very short novella things happen very fast. Although it’s called crazy grump, I did not find Callum to be grumpy. In fact he was very kind and sweet. This is a very fast read, it was enjoyable and had some cute moments. This is the first in a series of Fit Mountain Alphas.
As this a very short novella things happen very fast. Although it’s called crazy grump, I did not find Callum to be grumpy. In fact he was very kind and sweet. This is a very fast read, it was enjoyable and had some cute moments. This is the first in a series of Fit Mountain Alphas.
Read
December 29, 2025This is a Very short story Um By audio it only takes an hour sometimes that's what you need It has definitely an alpha male Wanting to protect And A woman who I guess needs protection. she's trying to hold it all together and he kind of rescues her I guess is how you want to say it I actually bought this because of the narrators who were doing it Sebastian York and Maxine Mitchell are one of my favorite top tier narrators who narrate. of course I enjoyed their narration and it was a perfect short little story to cleanse my palate to go into something totally different.
November 4, 2022
Grumpy mountain man
I enjoyed this short story by Author Stella Banks . A grumpy mountain man meets the love of his life when he orders a pizza.
Said delivery driver takes his pizza to him not thinking she was about to meet the man who would change her life for the better.
As I said this is a short story but full of insta love hotness . If you like grumpy smexy mountain men this one's for you
I enjoyed this short story by Author Stella Banks . A grumpy mountain man meets the love of his life when he orders a pizza.
Said delivery driver takes his pizza to him not thinking she was about to meet the man who would change her life for the better.
As I said this is a short story but full of insta love hotness . If you like grumpy smexy mountain men this one's for you
December 4, 2022
Some parts of this short story worked for me, like the connection they both felt and the crazy feelings Callum had for Penny as soon as he saw her. However there were some parts that didn't quite work for me such as the scene at school and calling Callum grumpy as he didn't come across that way to me personally. The story itself moved along quickly and had sweet and sexy moments. I am voluntarily leaving this review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.
December 8, 2022
He's protective. And obsessive. And his obsession is her, as soon as he sees her, soaking wet, on his porch, with his pizza in her hands. This book is super fast paced and hot. If you don't love Instalove, then this story isn't for you. But if a story that you can read in one sitting, with a possessive mountain man is for you- definitely grab this for all the instant feelings.
*I am leaving an honest and voluntary review after receiving this book as an ARC.
*I am leaving an honest and voluntary review after receiving this book as an ARC.
January 24, 2023
This novella is really well written! I sped through it and while I loved the chemistry and didn't totally hate the instalove trope, I could see how this story could have been fleshed out into a full novel. There was a lot of potential with all of the characters and the plans for the resort. This could have been something really good if a little more time was put into developing it into a full book!
January 4, 2024
Absolutely Amazing
Stella Banks’ writing is amazing. This book is so filled with details and is a novella. A hot one at that. Normally I am a details person and want my books long, but the way Stella writes you never feel like you are missing anything. You get vivid pictures of the characters, what the story is about and all that spice. I am loving her books soooo much and can’t wait to read more!!!
Stella Banks’ writing is amazing. This book is so filled with details and is a novella. A hot one at that. Normally I am a details person and want my books long, but the way Stella writes you never feel like you are missing anything. You get vivid pictures of the characters, what the story is about and all that spice. I am loving her books soooo much and can’t wait to read more!!!
November 16, 2024
This was a quick little novella. It was kind of fun and spicy, but also insanely ridiculous too.
The initial meeting until then end of the story, all fell within a twenty-four time frame, making it hard to believe if I am being honest.
While it’s hard to get a read of the characters in a story like this, Callum comes off as insanely possessive and Penny as desperate. Some of that is likely from the constraints from the length of the story.
That said, I will read another in this series.
The initial meeting until then end of the story, all fell within a twenty-four time frame, making it hard to believe if I am being honest.
While it’s hard to get a read of the characters in a story like this, Callum comes off as insanely possessive and Penny as desperate. Some of that is likely from the constraints from the length of the story.
That said, I will read another in this series.
February 13, 2025
GENRE & TROPES, is this book for you?
I would classify this book in the following genre:
Short Story Steamy Romance, with the following tropes:
- protective hero
- alpha male
- instalove
- damsel in distress
SPOILER-FREE REVIEW:
For its genre I thought this book was fairly well done. It was, however, very short on plot, but the truth is, that's not uncommon with a romance of this length. The external plot was simply pushing the story forward while not playing a significant role in and of itself. Instead, this short story remained more heavily focused on the romantic and physical attraction between the hero and heroine.
If all of this sounds like something you'd enjoy, this book is for you!
I would classify this book in the following genre:
Short Story Steamy Romance, with the following tropes:
- protective hero
- alpha male
- instalove
- damsel in distress
SPOILER-FREE REVIEW:
For its genre I thought this book was fairly well done. It was, however, very short on plot, but the truth is, that's not uncommon with a romance of this length. The external plot was simply pushing the story forward while not playing a significant role in and of itself. Instead, this short story remained more heavily focused on the romantic and physical attraction between the hero and heroine.
If all of this sounds like something you'd enjoy, this book is for you!
May 13, 2025
Talk about Instalove.
He’s retired from the military and is now - with his three brothers - building a fitness center atop a mountain.
She is his niece’s schoolteacher by day, pizza delivery person by night.
Wait … I thought her father lived with her? Or had he passed away and she’s still trying to dig out from under the medical bills?
I guess I didn’t pay attention to much other than their really quick HEA. 😅
He’s retired from the military and is now - with his three brothers - building a fitness center atop a mountain.
She is his niece’s schoolteacher by day, pizza delivery person by night.
Wait … I thought her father lived with her? Or had he passed away and she’s still trying to dig out from under the medical bills?
I guess I didn’t pay attention to much other than their really quick HEA. 😅
July 4, 2025
Way too short even for a short story.
I’m not usually a fan of short stories but every so often I read a plot and fancy it. There is no plot with this one. She delivers a pizza to him, he thinks ‘mine’ her house gets burgled and he packs all of her things and moves her in with him!!! 😱😱😱😱 That’s it! It’s way too short at 53 pages without the epilogue which is a year later. Even short stories in magazines are longer than that! Seriously!
I’m not usually a fan of short stories but every so often I read a plot and fancy it. There is no plot with this one. She delivers a pizza to him, he thinks ‘mine’ her house gets burgled and he packs all of her things and moves her in with him!!! 😱😱😱😱 That’s it! It’s way too short at 53 pages without the epilogue which is a year later. Even short stories in magazines are longer than that! Seriously!
August 21, 2022
Penny (h) is supposed to be delivering a pizza during a storm to a customer, Callum (H), at a mountain top cabin. Callum takes one loos at the bedraggled woman and instantly falls for her. He just has to convince her that she belongs to him and has no problem stepping up to protect her. Quickie mountain man instalove story to start Fit Mountain Alphas series.
January 31, 2024
lol no
I’m sorry, this was just .. not good. It has the possibility to be SUCH a good story, but it’s too short and too rushed which just comes off as unintentionally funny and ridiculous, not as romantic and sexy. There were multiple times while reading this where I was actually shaking my head because I was baffled by it.
I’m sorry, this was just .. not good. It has the possibility to be SUCH a good story, but it’s too short and too rushed which just comes off as unintentionally funny and ridiculous, not as romantic and sexy. There were multiple times while reading this where I was actually shaking my head because I was baffled by it.
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