Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book

I came to this mountain for market research.

Now I’m sheltering from a storm with a bearded grump.

Aiden McCrae has an attitude problem. Hey, maybe that’s why he can’t keep a mail order bride—but when I lose my cool and suggest that to him, waving my clipboard on his deck, he sends me away without another word.

I don’t get far, though. Not when my car won’t start as a storm lashes against the mountainside. It’s dangerous out here, and I’m about as nature-proof as my skirt suit.

Let’s face it: I’m doomed. I’m gonna be struck by lightning, or eaten by a bear, or washed away by this torrential rain.

But insult or not, Aiden lets me shelter in his cabin… and my research has just begun.

Lonely Beard is a short and steamy instalove story, starring a reclusive mountain man and the skirt-suited answer to his prayers.

58 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2022

273 people are currently reading
326 people want to read

About the author

Cassie Mint

152 books1,387 followers
Cassie writes outrageous, OTT insta-love with tons of sugar and steam. She loves cookie dough, summer barbecues, and her gorgeous cat Missy.

Sign up for Cassie's newsletter!
www.authorcassiemint.com/newsletter

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
547 (32%)
4 stars
599 (36%)
3 stars
416 (25%)
2 stars
81 (4%)
1 star
20 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
Profile Image for Anovelqueen .
299 reviews1,047 followers
September 30, 2022
***3.5 STARS***

New to me author but overall a good read. Interesting and unique story concept.

Grace comes up to Aiden’s mountain to find out why his mail order date matches are running away from him. Aiden didn’t realize how lonely he was until he started reading romance books from the library.

Cute couple. Not exactly OTT instalove…more like a little enemies to lovers but a solid read.
Profile Image for *˚Remnant Light ‧͙⁺˚*・༓☾ .
348 reviews471 followers
March 8, 2023
**2.5/5 stars**

What a disappointment this was. Honestly, it wasn't that bad but I just had such high hopes for this novella. The hero was introduced in Grizzly Beard and I was very interested in reading his story.

It starts with Grace, a mail order bride representative for the program who was sent to help Aiden, a man signed up for Soulmate Express but who, despite having been matched three times, can't seem to keep the brides as they all walk away. Only, when she is about to leave his cabin after questioning, a storm begins and her rental car doesn't want to start. She is stuck spending the night at Aiden's...

The thing with Aiden is that, even in his introduction in the other novella, the author centers the plot around his difficulty to speak, as his voice is sore and raspy and his throat painful. Right from the start, we wonder why he has a scar on his throat, why women don't stick around even if he is an attractive man...And so, you pick up his novella, because you are curious to learn more about him and NOTHING. The author doesn't even bother explaining his situation. How disappointing is that?

Instead, the story focuses a little bit too much on Grace who has a savior syndrome, wanting to fix everything even though the person she's trying to help clearly doesn't want her help. She was just too hyper, too forward and inconsiderate for me. I didn't especially like her. Her personality didn't really fit with Aiden's. The way she said things or caused unnecessary misunderstandings was annoying.

That’s what happens when you let the Cloudy Lake librarian slip a bunch of romance novels into your stack of books about woodcraft. You start getting ideas, but real life isn’t like that, is it?-Aiden


But, I DID like Aiden overall. I love when heroes are grumpy and shy. I just really wish he'd been able to talk about his situation, his past, etc. He was interesting and likable, and definitely the highlight of this novella. Too bad he didn't get the love he deserved in the writing.

Maybe I think I’ve been obvious, mooning after her with hearts in my eyes, but that’s not enough. Maybe I need to be crystal clear.-Aiden


Overall, the chemistry wasn't bad per say. Honestly, it was pretty good up until they decided to become intimate with each other. It happened too suddenly out of nowhere. I didn't like that we were rushed into an intimate scene like that, especially since they literally had just met a few hours prior. I mean, there is a storm going on outside, Grace's rental car is broken and she has to stay at Aiden's...at this point, why not make the storm last a day or two more? WHY JUST ONE NIGHT and try to cram pillow talk, sex, misunderstandings, drama, sadness, resignation, love, passion, sex, happy ending? I mean, wouldn't that solidify a connection more to make them be stuck with the other a little longer? They'd get to learn about each other, talk about their past, their fears and blablabla...Why the damn rush?! ANYWAYS!

I'm very upset because the author missed out on so many opportunities here. I also really didn't care for the misunderstanding formula, the rushed drama sprinkled in and the rushed full intimacy scene. Bummer.

✔️HEA
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Age gap
✔️Grumpy/Virgin H
✔️Virgin h
✔️No OW/OM
✔️No cheating
✔️Safe
🔥 Steam level: 2/5
Content warning

Would I recommend this novella? As a a wise Jisoo once said: 'Not bad, but not good'.

**Note that I do not rate novellas and full-length books by the same standards**

Mail Order Mountain Series
(Series Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.3 /5)
1. Grizzly Beard - 2. Lonely Beard*
3. Bossy Beard - 4. Big Ol' Beard
Profile Image for Lorena ♡ (semi-ia).
473 reviews471 followers
April 14, 2024
ngl, i'm very into the 'lonely mountain man with a beard' so if you notice a pattern in the novellas i read, just look away 🤭
Profile Image for april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews.
1,479 reviews2,619 followers
September 26, 2022
Five mountain man stars ☆☆☆☆☆

Another hit from Cassie Mint! I loved learning more about Aiden- we got just a hint of him in the previous Mail-Order Mountain novel. In this one his personality shines a little brighter after meeting his woman, Grace.

Grace works for Soulmate Express. She's matched Aiden to his previous three love matches but they all fell through (two didn't like his "broken" voice, one married his neighbor). She feels like she's failed at her job. So she shows up on his doorstep, wanting to get to know him a little and find out the true reasons as to why each match was cancelled.

They only know each other for a short amount of time, but their attraction to each other is undeniable and intense. There's very few misunderstandings, it's low on angst, and there's some steam!

safety:
dual virgins!
age gap (23h, 34H)
no OM/OW
no cheating/sharing
HEA ♡

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kayla Brunson.
1,595 reviews273 followers
September 30, 2022
I enjoyed this one so much more than book one. I loved the characters and found their romance believable. There was a small moment when I wanted to shake them for the bit of miscommunication, but they quickly got things right. I love how this set up the plot for the next book and I'm excited for it!
Profile Image for Viv “BookVixen” Gutierrez .
1,598 reviews480 followers
October 1, 2022
This was the BESTEST!! I was eagerly waiting for aidens story after getting a glimpse of him in grizzly beard, and I wasn’t disappointed! He was all swoon!! Grumpy, scarred, his voice as rough as gravel, vulnerable and yearning for love. He has signed up with a matchmaking service and all three of his matches had bailed on him.

Trying to find out the problem, Grace, the woman who did his matches, trudges out to the mountain to find out what went wrong. And finds a growly mountain man who is intent on sending her packing. Again, for a novella, a great story is fleshed out in a short amount of space. There’s the animosity between the two, then the sizzling chemistry and some funny moments and of course, the passion and steam!! You feel as if you know both Aiden and Grace, their loneliness and yearning, just from a few paragraphs.

What I absolutely melted over was the hero’s vulnerability and honesty about his lack of experience and his fear that he wouldn’t make it good for the heroine. He wasn’t cocky and swaggering, he knew he was going on instinct and he was willing to listen and learn.

Safe. Both virgins. No others, no cheating or sharing and no abuse. HEA with epilogue almost a year later with heroine preggers
Profile Image for Kate V.
1,857 reviews371 followers
November 8, 2022
3.5 - 4 smut-scale stars!

A friend on Goodreads (thanks Starr) had me checking this author out and I'm glad I did because these are short and sweet with just the right amount of heat. Aiden from book 1 gets his HEA with Grace. This wasn't really insta-love which was nice and I loved that Grace was both badass and vulnerable. Aiden was grumpy but just needed love and companionship. Really enjoying this series concept.
Profile Image for Shruti (Hiatus).
214 reviews119 followers
January 6, 2023
The first book was cuter maybe because there was some legit cuddling (mmmmmm *gurgles*) but from the second I saw Aiden's brief appearance in the previous one, I needed to see this man get his HEA and guess what? He totally did. Very insta-everything no doubt, but cute all the same. Best read when you need a bite sized snack when you're feeling lost between books. It's such a fast read that you blink and it's over.
Also btw, they're all virgins?!? It makes the whole insta-thing more weird and unreal 😂✋
There is something about these men though, it might be that they have feelings(😂) and that immediately raises my antennas 👽
Profile Image for Daisy .
83 reviews5 followers
October 1, 2022
I didn't really like the h. Hated her behavior of wanting to fix everything.
Profile Image for Tiff.
541 reviews64 followers
November 8, 2022
We got to meet Aiden McRae in the first book, when Luna, he mail order bride, falls for Griff. As it turns out, Luna was Aidens 3rd mail order bride that didn’t work and he’s decided done with the program.

Grace works for the mail order bride company and she’s come out to talk to Aiden about his lack of success. After finding that Aiden truly is done with the program, Grace is set to leave when her car won’t start and a storm rolls in. While she’s stranded at Aidens, they find that they’re pretty well matched themselves.

I really felt for Aiden after the first book, and I wish this one was longer because I wanted more Aiden. I love scarred heroes, and Aiden was a virgin hero too! I’m so happy that Aiden found his happily ever after. I wish these novellas were longer, I’m not ready to leave Aiden!

4 Stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for atomickitten.
1,004 reviews162 followers
December 7, 2022
3.5-4 stars

Aiden was such a sweetheart!


It was such a cute read!
But again, it all happens within one day so I can't give it more.

But I'm super excited to read the next one, Bossy Beard, because these two already know each other.
So fingers crossed!

Profile Image for Alison.
1,507 reviews109 followers
August 2, 2023
Her perfect record!

Grace is so worried about her matchmaking perfect record that she drives up a mountain to figure out why Aidan can’t find a match. Oh no, there’s a storm and she has to stay. Surprise! They’re perfect for each other!

Okay, so it’s not exactly original but it was still a fun, cute, quick read. The best part is that we get a hero virgin who’s actually nervous about how well he’ll perform and doesn’t magically know how to do everything. That alone makes it worth the read.
Profile Image for Anna Whin.
944 reviews57 followers
November 11, 2022
cassie mint’s books are getting really repetitive and there’s not much that can keep my attention. it is very similar to her previous works. i always read her new releases because i have hope that she will write something really good and different but it has not been the case recently.
Profile Image for Wendy.
896 reviews176 followers
November 19, 2022
This is a quick read that is for the sex, no real story.
First problem. This guy has had 3 mail order brides ditch him because of his…. Voice.
What is wrong with his voice? I have no idea. Book doesn’t say. But the heroine of the story seems to know. But we don’t.
I am guessing it is mentioned in book one? But these r stand alone stories. Seems like an important detail.

Now, on to the virgin stuff.
As soon as I realized she was a virgin too, I knew it would be all about her experience, it always is.
It was looking good though he tells her he has never done this before. He makes a comment that it might not be great the first time but he will learn.
Ok, sounds reasonable.

Then he sticks one inch in her and uses his thumb to get her off, then has sex with her, THEN the infamous, changing of positions!
(If u don’t know me then let me tell u the problem. He is a virgin in his 30’s. But he has the restraint to be only 1 inch in her while he gets her off, then can last through 2 positions, and make her dum again! A virgin!? How? How would he not blow his load immediately?)

So that was a bummer.

At least it is a 1/2 hour read. And still going to read book 4.

Virgin rating:
Innocence of virgin hero: 3/5
Innocence in losing it: 2/5
Build up to losing it: 3/5
Hotness of losing it: 3/5
Busted touching himself: no
POV of losing it: female
Profile Image for Oriana Reads.
4,307 reviews37 followers
September 30, 2022
Aiden is looking for a mail order bride,but each match was a fail this far. Grace is the owner of this match making service and finally wants to find the right match for the broody mountain man. As soon as they met sparks flew and they fell hard and fast. Insta-love, sweet, steamy, romantic, fun to read with a sweet HEA and absolutely drama free😍😍😍😍😍😍
Profile Image for Pamela Contrera.
167 reviews
October 11, 2023
3.25
Okey esta serie esta copada. Las parejas se sienten más reales que lo normal. Tipo siento esa conexión y ese development en la relación. Casi siempre empieza con atracción sexual, que pasa a obsesión y después al amor. Acá se siente la atracción física, después se vuelven amiguis con atracción sexual y terminan in love. Me gusta este pequeño shift en este tipo de libros.
Profile Image for Dorianne.
241 reviews33 followers
January 3, 2023
*4.5*
this novella was so much fun! I laughed out loud so many times, I love their banter (I will never get over the "not my nook" line delivery)
Profile Image for dais.
854 reviews95 followers
August 14, 2023
AWWWW MAN THIS WAS SO SWEET 🥺
Profile Image for MissClo.
410 reviews27 followers
December 14, 2022
I loved the miscommunication here urghhhh so good!!

But I wish we knew what had happened to cause the damage to Aiden’s vocal cords
Profile Image for Lisa D.
1,082 reviews4 followers
October 6, 2022
Fun book

I'm loving this series!! Terrific story with great characters and plenty of steam. I was a little confused about Aiden and if this was his first time. He said some things that made me think it was but then he had some experience. A little confusing but still a great book.
Profile Image for Sam Perez.
191 reviews4 followers
October 10, 2022
Grace & Aiden. Another enjoyable Cassie Mint novella! These are just such great books to read when you want something light and fun! I wish we learned a little bit more about each character - I feel like I really only know them on the surface level and they could've used some of that time they spent together getting to know one another.
Profile Image for Nancy Reads.
923 reviews17 followers
November 20, 2022
LONELY BEARD by Cassie Mint is 2nd Book in the Mail Order Mountain Series. This is Aiden McCrae's story. In Book 1 Grizzly Beard, poor Aiden had lost his last mail order bride, when she had been dropped off in front of the wrong cabin & fell instantly in love with the wrong mountain man. I felt sorry for Aiden and I did wonder if he ever found his own mail order bride. When I saw the next short-story book was his story, I wanted to read it.

Seems the rejection of Aiden's last mail order bride was not his only rejection. He was very good looking and had a muscled body. But he had injured his vocal cords and talked with a gravelly voice. The first two mail order brides had rejected him for how he talked. Grace from Soulmate Express was at Aiden's door trying to see for herself, since she had a perfect record and had always found her clients their soulmate, why Aiden's intended brides had all rejected him. She was determined she could still find him the right match. Only Aiden was finished with her and all her matchmaking. He had been hurt and disappointed enough. When Grace lost her cool and blamed him for her failed matches, he wanted her gone. She gave up and was going to leave, but her rental car wouldn't start. It was getting dark and a mountain storm with high winds, rain and lighting blew in. Aiden was just lonely and not a bad guy. So he saved the woman who had been driving him crazy. She had no other choice but to spend the night in Aiden's warm cabin. By morning they both were thinking that Grace need not look for another match for Aiden. Can two such opposites find love and happiness together?
168 reviews
May 10, 2025
🔥
2,316 reviews26 followers
September 30, 2022
This book was extremely fun to read and kept me smiling! I loved Aiden and Grace both individually and as a couple. Aiden is a lonely mountain man looking for love but only finding more loneliness when his matches run away at first meet. Grace is his match coordinator and also lonely but stays too busy to notice. She visits him on the mountain to find out what went wrong but meets her own version of forever instead. These two together are perfection and so much fun to read.

Grace is definitely spunky and focused. She’s determined to find Aiden’s match even if he’s done wanting to look. The chemistry between them is instant and scorching. Luckily a dead battery and a mountain storm keeps them together until they can realize what could be between them. I love the innocence between them as well and that they are experiencing everything together for the first time. There is so much to love about this book so it’s definitely a must read! I loved the scene with them laying by the fire. I loved the scene when things are clear and it’s time for her to leave. I also really loved the ending and the set up for the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,613 reviews43 followers
November 23, 2022
This is the second book in the series. While it can be read alone, I think it is better read in order. Aiden hasn’t made a successful match with the mail order bride service. The last one fell in love with another man on the mountain before she even met him in person. Grace has a perfect record at matching people. Aiden isn’t going to mess that up. She has come all this way to figure out how to best match him. But things take a turn when Aiden says he is done with the agency and Grace loses her temper a bit. Then her car won’t start and she gets caught in a crazy storm. But maybe things will work out. Afterall Aiden and Grace are attracted to each other. He isn’t a client anymore so it wouldn’t be unprofessional. This was a great quick fun read. I love Aiden’s rough voice but I would love to know what happened to him to make his voice like that. Grace is realizing why women may want to come out to this mountain in the first place. Life is simpler there. I am loving this series. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Great job Cassie.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.