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He’s grumpy. He’s cocky. He’s probably out of my league.
But the craziest part?
I think he just might be into me.


Cody Walker is a cocky grump.
Okay, fine. He’s a hot cocky grump. But still.
I don’t have time for his teasing or his jokes.
I’m a woman on a mission. And I’m not about to let anyone stand in my way.
Especially not him.
Besides, guys who look like Cody don’t go for curvy girls like me.
Right?
I mean yeah, he did sort of save my life.
And he was really sweet when I basically fell apart in his arms.
Ugh.
I don’t know.
Now it’s just the two of us out here in the woods, caught in the rain.
And he wants to take me back to his cabin.
I can’t believe I’m actually saying this but...

I think I just might go with him.

60 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2022

226 people are currently reading
121 people want to read

About the author

Stella Banks

119 books100 followers

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5 stars
341 (37%)
4 stars
242 (26%)
3 stars
245 (26%)
2 stars
67 (7%)
1 star
13 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Debbie Green.
240 reviews2 followers
April 3, 2024
Cody & Daphne

This book was definitely a page-turner, with Daphne coming off just as feisty, if not more so, than Cody. They were like two pieces of a puzzle, perfectly fitting together and balancing each other out. Cody has this cool way of smoothing Daphne's rough edges just enough. The one downfall was the lack of an epilogue—I was really looking forward to that cherry on top.
Profile Image for Jenni.
229 reviews6 followers
September 15, 2024
This is a series of short, steamy reads with no angst/conflict, and they are advertised as insta-love. Knowing this and reading them for what they are, I really enjoyed them.

Be sure to check out the author's website where she has bonus scenes/extra epilogues for each of the four Grump books.
Profile Image for Cherie.
45 reviews
February 6, 2023
Cute

This is a new author for me. A quick insta love read. It felt like it was missing something, the other novellas had an epilogue and this one doesn't maybe that's why it felt like it just ended.



Profile Image for Kiley.
1,873 reviews45 followers
February 12, 2024
Cocky Grump, Book 4 of the Fit Mountain Alphas series, Volume 1, was about 40-year-old Cody Walker, former military and a co-owner of the Fit Mountain Resort with his three brothers, and 30-year-old Daphne Watts, a former fashion photographer turned photography studio owner.

The Fit Mountain Lodge was hosting its first fashion show, so the place was filling up with models, much to the dismay of three of the Walker brothers. However, it was a money-maker, so they decided to put up with it for the time it was taking place. Cody was the only single Walker brother left, so when a beautiful woman caught his eye, he was more than ready for her. However, Daphne wasn't a pushover, so he had his work cut out for him.

Of the four books in this series that were about the Walker brothers, this was by far the best. It had more angst, more drama, and a touch more spice. The plot was not quite as flat as the first three books, and the storyline flowed a little better. There still wasn't much conflict, but there was more push/pull between the two main characters.

There weren't as many errors in this book so that made for a smoother reading. However, the story still felt incomplete and rushed, and it needed more content. I gave this a three-and-a-half stars, rounded down to three. I might return to the series at a later date, but as for now, I've read more than enough to show me that I'm not interested in reading more at this time.
Profile Image for Beverly McCall.
Author 2 books28 followers
April 14, 2024
Stella Banks does an outstanding job penning a entertaining instalove romance in Cocky Grump. It is the fourth installment in her Fit Mountain Insta-love series and chronicles the romantic journey of Daphne Watts and Cody Walker. Daphne is a photographer for Poppy Pierce. She is also a candidate in a prestigious photograpy award. Coming to Fit Mountain allows her to fulfill two purposes—the fashion bihoot and the wildlife photography of a rare bird. Cody is the last of the four Walker brothers to find his soulmate. When Destiny brings these two together they experience an electrifying shock between them. Daphne, in pursuit of her wild life passion, finds herself in a dangerous situation. Cody is bound and determined to rescue this woman who awakens his protective and possessive streaks. Will Cody be able to rescue her? Will they succumb to their feelings for each other? Does she get the photograph she needs to submit to the photography contest? You have to read this delightful short story to find out.

Ms. Banks does a great job utilizing literary devices. Her dialog, both conversational and internal monologues, are outstanding. Readers get a better understanding of their backstories, their pain, and their happiness. Her lead characters are multi-dimensional. The secondary characters are interesting and contribute to the suspense of this character-driven plot.
Profile Image for Raecharmed.
9,298 reviews70 followers
October 19, 2022
Daphne is a photographer in town for a fashion event and to find a rare bird to get a picture of it. Cody is one of the brothers that own the Lodge where the fashion event is being held. When he sees Daphne for the first time, he knows that he wants her. However, Daphne gives attitude because she doesn't believe he really wants her. When he finds out that Daphne and two other women ditch the hike guide, and no one knows where they are he takes off to locate them. When he finds them, he is just grateful nothing bad happened. Its not long before things heat up between them. Will Daphne give him a chance?

This is a great story that will captivate you from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
236 reviews
November 24, 2024
This series seems to get worse with every installment.

I understand that novellas have limited space to develop a story, but this one stretched believability to the breaking point. The plot follows a headstrong photographer determined to prove herself, who ditches her hiking guide, gets lost in the woods, and is conveniently rescued by a grumpy mountain man she just met.

By the end—after only a couple of days—he’s professing his love for her. Seriously?

Sure, there were other elements in the story, but they felt haphazardly thrown in to add depth. Instead, they only made the plot feel more scattered and unconvincing.
Profile Image for Oriana Reads.
4,298 reviews37 followers
October 11, 2022
Daphne is at a fashion convention as a photographer when she meets the owner of the resort. Cody is instantly smitten with Daphne but she is a hard nut to crack 😉 He saves her and her sisters from a hiking accident and sparks really start to fly. Insta-love, sweet, fun to read ,romantic and safe with a sweet HEA and no drama😍😍😍😍
Profile Image for Joycee.
1,613 reviews
May 15, 2025
Wow. That was quick.

I forgot to add this to my reading progress … from the bonus epilogue:
- What does the opinion of a bunch of strangers mean over the man I love anyway.
- I take my queue. (I take my *cue*?)

But I think I’ll look for more from this author. Fun short reads to add to my GR tally!
1,371 reviews3 followers
August 23, 2025
Fit Mountain book 4

Cody is working a fashion weekend at Fit Mountain. He just went to the office to have a break. Then the most Beautiful woman he ever saw asked for a room. Daphne is a photographer and she is trying to capture the image of a bird that is only in Wyoming. This book is Awesome, Great little story that just makes me feel good. Now you got to read it too !!!!
206 reviews
January 6, 2023
No epilogue

I did like the book, and this whole series, but without an epilogue to wrap it up, even a short one, it feels unfinished to me. Otherwise it would have gotten four stars. Still an enjoyable read!
Profile Image for Hunter.
687 reviews
September 17, 2024
Again, with the continuity errors. Are the twin sisters 20 or 19?
And how old are the brothers? How old are their wives? I'm so confused.

But, trying to overlook that, everything else was good. It was a quick, easy book that held my attention and was exactly what I needed.
2,788 reviews2 followers
October 20, 2022
Daphne and Cody

Last brother at Fit Mountain Lodge has met his perfect match even if she doesn't wish to acknowledge that it is happening.
Profile Image for Elana Katherine.
9 reviews
November 10, 2022
love it!

Loved this, short and sweet. Quick book for when your in the go which is always a plus for me.
Profile Image for Amy.
714 reviews3 followers
May 29, 2023
Started out fine but the ending....really?? C'mon now. Give me a break.
18 reviews
July 28, 2023
Abrupt ending

It ended sooo abruptly. Felt like it needed at least 1 more chapters like the books before. It just was over, in a snap.
12k reviews75 followers
August 9, 2023
The author has given us a fast-paced story that pulls us into the lives of Cody and Daphne.
163 reviews
December 4, 2023
Short, sweet, steamy and hopefully a H.E.A. but you don't know for sure. No epilogue. I borrowed this book from KU.
912 reviews
January 19, 2024
😍😍😍😍😍

Why Daphne tried to play with Cody like that ! ! ! Cody went and got his woman off the side of that cliff ! ! !
1,627 reviews2 followers
March 23, 2024
Good

I agree with the other reviewers - this ends way too abruptly. All the other characters in the other stories got an epilogue. Why couldn't there two?
Profile Image for Krissy Brinn.
681 reviews7 followers
June 21, 2024
Loved it

I loved it but it feels like it was missing something at the end. Off to read the bonus material.
Profile Image for Brittney.
612 reviews36 followers
June 29, 2024
3.5⭐

Okay. There's 'instalove', and then there's instalove. Oof.
Profile Image for Debi Williams.
2,580 reviews5 followers
February 16, 2025
Great Read

This was a great read. It was fast paced, short, and sweet. It was an instant love. Just one glance and Cody knew Daphne was his. Definitely a happy ending
Profile Image for Robin Ann.
1,391 reviews3 followers
April 24, 2025
Cocky Mountain Male

He knows what he wants and he goes after it. She makes him work for it and they get their HEA.
Profile Image for Kathy Landis.
649 reviews4 followers
May 23, 2025
Cute and sweet

The ending was really sudden, and felt like maybe the author just ran out of steam. But it's a short, somewhat steamy story, and worth the time to read.
Profile Image for Eli.
250 reviews1 follower
May 28, 2025
Short, sweet and spice.
Just how I like them!
Perfect in between book. You get what you read and love it!
111 reviews
June 28, 2025
Short and sweet, insta-love worse than the others but could have been a cute longer story.
Profile Image for Coline.
1,379 reviews17 followers
June 30, 2025
Sympa. Cody et Daphne sont mims.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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