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Mail Order Mountain #4
Big Ol' Beard
I’m studying birds in the mountains for the summer.
Then I discover Bigfoot.
Okay, okay, so he’s not really a sasquatch—he’s just a mountainous man in flannel. And sure, I shouldn’t have screamed like that, but the guy took me by surprise, you know?
Because he’s huge. So big and burly and bearded that in the fading light, I mistook him for a bear.
I think I really hurt his feelings, though. Our encounter haunts me—and when I figure out which one is his cabin, I can’t help knocking on his door.
He thinks I’m being polite. And yeah, it started that way, but once I get a good look at him…
Oh, boy. I want so much more.
Big Ol’ Beard is a short and steamy instalove story, starring a burly cinnamon roll and the scientist who wants a nibble.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2022
293 people are currently reading
394 people want to read
About the author
Cassie Mint
152 books1,388 followersCassie writes outrageous, OTT insta-love with tons of sugar and steam. She loves cookie dough, summer barbecues, and her gorgeous cat Missy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
March 8, 2023
**4.3/5 stars**
FINALLY! And I say that because I've been a bit let down by the Mint's novellas I've been reading lately, them never really quite reaching more than 3 stars. This one, is the type of story I've been wanting to read. Even though it was short, the pacing was perfect and the characters were likable enough for me to care for them. There are many things I want to touch on so let's get started!
The story was about Cain, a very tall man who's been nicknamed 'BigFoot' by the community living in the mountains. Seeing his friends find the love of their lives with the Mail Order Brides program, he decided to sign up for it in the hope to find his soulmate, to marry and have children. For weeks, he's been waiting to be match, but no success. But maybe he isn't looking in the right place and she is closer than he may think, equipped with binoculars, a voice recorder and bear spray.
Cain was like a big teddy bear; caring and protective. The most endearing thing about him was how shy he was. I normally dislike characters who doubt themselves too much, but I really liked the way he was written. His worries were believable, knowing how he'd been treated all his life, and the fact he'd never been loved by anyone before just made my heart squeeze. He was awkward and didn't necessarily know how to socialize, especially with Abigail, but even if it was a short novella, the author was able to give him some character development.
As for Abigail, she was just as awkward as Cain. She was a bit of a loner, not very comfortable around people. I liked that there was some explanation as to why she was that way. She was an introvert with a passion that didn't resonate with the people, so she would often be on her own. And I don't know for you, but I personally recognized myself in her as I'm socially awkward and never know what to talk about around people in general. But when you start me on a subject that I'm passionate about, or been alone fangirling about for so long, I just don't know how to stop. And when I realize they aren't interested, I just go back to my shell because that's the only thing I have enough confidence to talk about, and that's the only place that seems to bring me joy. This was Abigail, and I could relate so much to how she felt around people. Another thing that I really liked about her was her age; my girl was 28, probably one of the older heroines Cassie Mint has written and what a breath of fresh air that was.
Cain and Abigail were two awkward love birds who didn't know how to act around each other. It was delightful. I know, some may be annoyed at how long it took for them to get on the same page about their feelings, but for me, it was great! Lately, Cassie Mint's formula for her love story seems to be bringing misunderstandings and drama after the main characters get intimate with each other and all of it happening within a day. And I've honestly been fed up with it because it's often rushed and stupid stuff that gets resolved within a chapter or two, which aggravates me. It's so unbelievable and unnecessary. In Big Ol' Beard, we had a nice setup, a nice pacing, some misunderstanding BEFORE the characters got intimate and admitted their feelings, to a heartwarming ending/conclusion without rushed and misplaced drama. Simple but much more enjoyable. Cain and Abigail really were meant for each other.
This novella proves that even an instalove story can flourish over the span of a few days to a few weeks, feel more grounded, realistic and not take away any of the romance for the sake of useless bullshit. DO IT MORE OFTEN. Thank you.
✔️HEA
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Boss/Employee
✔️Age gap
✔️Shy/Protective/Virgin H
✔️Loner/Sweet/ Virgin h
✔️No OW/OM
✔️No cheating
✔️Safe
✔️Slow burn
✔️Push and pull
🔥 Steam level: 3/5
⚡Content warning
Would I recommend this novella? I'm no expert, I'm no clairvoyant, but I can tell you you will enjoy it. Yes, if your taste usually aligns with mine, this one is definitely for you.
**Note that I do not rate novellas and full-length books by the same standards**
FINALLY! And I say that because I've been a bit let down by the Mint's novellas I've been reading lately, them never really quite reaching more than 3 stars. This one, is the type of story I've been wanting to read. Even though it was short, the pacing was perfect and the characters were likable enough for me to care for them. There are many things I want to touch on so let's get started!
The story was about Cain, a very tall man who's been nicknamed 'BigFoot' by the community living in the mountains. Seeing his friends find the love of their lives with the Mail Order Brides program, he decided to sign up for it in the hope to find his soulmate, to marry and have children. For weeks, he's been waiting to be match, but no success. But maybe he isn't looking in the right place and she is closer than he may think, equipped with binoculars, a voice recorder and bear spray.
When I first realized yesterday that my visitor was Abigail, that the voice of my bear-spray angel matched the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, a part of me died inside. I figured there was no chance. Women like that don’t look twice at big, hulking brutes like me.-Cain
Cain was like a big teddy bear; caring and protective. The most endearing thing about him was how shy he was. I normally dislike characters who doubt themselves too much, but I really liked the way he was written. His worries were believable, knowing how he'd been treated all his life, and the fact he'd never been loved by anyone before just made my heart squeeze. He was awkward and didn't necessarily know how to socialize, especially with Abigail, but even if it was a short novella, the author was able to give him some character development.
I’ve scraped enough climbers and hikers and tourists off these rocks over the years, but here I am ready to break into song like some hairy Disney princess. I’m barely looking at where I’m putting my hands.-Cain
Stop it😂
As for Abigail, she was just as awkward as Cain. She was a bit of a loner, not very comfortable around people. I liked that there was some explanation as to why she was that way. She was an introvert with a passion that didn't resonate with the people, so she would often be on her own. And I don't know for you, but I personally recognized myself in her as I'm socially awkward and never know what to talk about around people in general. But when you start me on a subject that I'm passionate about, or been alone fangirling about for so long, I just don't know how to stop. And when I realize they aren't interested, I just go back to my shell because that's the only thing I have enough confidence to talk about, and that's the only place that seems to bring me joy. This was Abigail, and I could relate so much to how she felt around people. Another thing that I really liked about her was her age; my girl was 28, probably one of the older heroines Cassie Mint has written and what a breath of fresh air that was.
Oh, I know that tone. That low level exhaustion, that world weary sigh that says I am a whole lot to deal with. I know it by heart.-Abigail
Cain and Abigail were two awkward love birds who didn't know how to act around each other. It was delightful. I know, some may be annoyed at how long it took for them to get on the same page about their feelings, but for me, it was great! Lately, Cassie Mint's formula for her love story seems to be bringing misunderstandings and drama after the main characters get intimate with each other and all of it happening within a day. And I've honestly been fed up with it because it's often rushed and stupid stuff that gets resolved within a chapter or two, which aggravates me. It's so unbelievable and unnecessary. In Big Ol' Beard, we had a nice setup, a nice pacing, some misunderstanding BEFORE the characters got intimate and admitted their feelings, to a heartwarming ending/conclusion without rushed and misplaced drama. Simple but much more enjoyable. Cain and Abigail really were meant for each other.
It’s not that he doesn’t want me. Cain’s awkward too. There’s two of us. …We’re doomed.-Abigail
This novella proves that even an instalove story can flourish over the span of a few days to a few weeks, feel more grounded, realistic and not take away any of the romance for the sake of useless bullshit. DO IT MORE OFTEN. Thank you.
✔️HEA
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Boss/Employee
✔️Age gap
✔️Shy/Protective/Virgin H
✔️Loner/Sweet/ Virgin h
✔️No OW/OM
✔️No cheating
✔️Safe
✔️Slow burn
✔️Push and pull
🔥 Steam level: 3/5
⚡Content warning
Would I recommend this novella? I'm no expert, I'm no clairvoyant, but I can tell you you will enjoy it. Yes, if your taste usually aligns with mine, this one is definitely for you.
**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*
November 6, 2022
Another big mountain man virgin (and heroine virgin). Love it. Not very realistic, him being 40, and her being 28, but who cares.
Love it.
Love it.
May 17, 2023
Every time I sit an exam I reward myself w a novella 💀 yes this is my coping mechanism 🤡.
-=-
There is literally nothing new for me to say abt CM at this point - but this book was SO good😭. I love it when both the characters are just socially awkward and don't know what to do with themselves it was so dfhdnvueh.
I also loved the heroine 😭 she was so relatable and CM really nailed the internal monologue in this one. Those little moments where she doubted whether Cain liked her, or wanted to listen to what she had to say were so endearing- and I love how that didn't stop her from being straightforward d and blunt. And Cain was oblivious but in the sweetest way possible I love them 💀😭.
.
This book's definitely one of my favs by her, it just had that level of completeness that I've been dying for with some of her most recent books. It finally felt complete 🥹.
This one hit different.
(no we will not be talking about the title or cover let me live in peace 💀)
-=-
There is literally nothing new for me to say abt CM at this point - but this book was SO good😭. I love it when both the characters are just socially awkward and don't know what to do with themselves it was so dfhdnvueh.
I also loved the heroine 😭 she was so relatable and CM really nailed the internal monologue in this one. Those little moments where she doubted whether Cain liked her, or wanted to listen to what she had to say were so endearing- and I love how that didn't stop her from being straightforward d and blunt. And Cain was oblivious but in the sweetest way possible I love them 💀😭.
''Oh my god. The pieces clunk together in my head, a whole day too late. It’s not that he doesn’t want me. Cain’s awkward too. There’s two of us .…We’re doomed.''
.
This book's definitely one of my favs by her, it just had that level of completeness that I've been dying for with some of her most recent books. It finally felt complete 🥹.
This one hit different.
(no we will not be talking about the title or cover let me live in peace 💀)
January 6, 2023
Huge shy guy x smol shy woman = cute story 👏
I loved seeing all the MCs from previous books make an appearance in this miniature book.
Insta-eeevvverything ofcourse, Cassie has created a world where it's okay to tell a person "hi it's nice to meet you, and I love you" in pretty much one go (I'm only slightly exaggerating).
She still manages to make me feel for these big, lonely men. It's sweet how they just want to be fussed over, love someone and have that someone love them back 🥺
The first book remains my favourite 😁 I'd rec reading these in order just to see other characters pop in.
I loved seeing all the MCs from previous books make an appearance in this miniature book.
Insta-eeevvverything ofcourse, Cassie has created a world where it's okay to tell a person "hi it's nice to meet you, and I love you" in pretty much one go (I'm only slightly exaggerating).
She still manages to make me feel for these big, lonely men. It's sweet how they just want to be fussed over, love someone and have that someone love them back 🥺
The first book remains my favourite 😁 I'd rec reading these in order just to see other characters pop in.
November 20, 2022
Super fast read with two adorkables. They are both socially awkward and both go from 0-60 in no seconds. But they match in their instalove. Cute.
Both are virgins. And magically know how to make everything work the first time.
Both are virgins. And magically know how to make everything work the first time.
November 25, 2022
4 stars
June 16, 2023
Oh yeah this was adorable! ♡♡♡♡
Do you love big, shy, lonely romance heroes? Cassie Mint has the perfect guy for us. Big Ol' Beard is, I think, the last book in her Mail Order Mountain series and it was really good. A quick romance novella about a scientist studying birds and the big mountain man who is actually the goo-iest cinnamon roll. He's very shy and doesn't really know how to interact with a pretty girl so it's so cute to see them meet and want to connect so badly!
I'm so weak for any Cassie Mint book, I swear. I AM A FAN FOR LIFE!!!
Do you love big, shy, lonely romance heroes? Cassie Mint has the perfect guy for us. Big Ol' Beard is, I think, the last book in her Mail Order Mountain series and it was really good. A quick romance novella about a scientist studying birds and the big mountain man who is actually the goo-iest cinnamon roll. He's very shy and doesn't really know how to interact with a pretty girl so it's so cute to see them meet and want to connect so badly!
I'm so weak for any Cassie Mint book, I swear. I AM A FAN FOR LIFE!!!
October 8, 2023
2.75✨
1.25🌶️
#️⃣ ~80 page novella
🐦⬛ Ornithologist FMC
⛰️ Mountain rescuer MMC
🍩 Cinnamon roll MCs
Not my favorite by Cassie Mint. The main characters were very sweet with each other. Overall forgettable.
1.25🌶️
#️⃣ ~80 page novella
🐦⬛ Ornithologist FMC
⛰️ Mountain rescuer MMC
🍩 Cinnamon roll MCs
Not my favorite by Cassie Mint. The main characters were very sweet with each other. Overall forgettable.
October 2, 2023
DNF 60%.
I need to avoid this author like the plague. The writing is so simple and trite. And not even very interesting, nor any sex as of 60%!
UGH.
I need to avoid this author like the plague. The writing is so simple and trite. And not even very interesting, nor any sex as of 60%!
UGH.
August 2, 2023
A cute ending.
The story was sweet. I liked how gentle Cain was and I enjoyed Abigail’s frenetic energy more than I thought I would. Her social awkwardness was pretty endearing. I thought the book was a sweet end to a cute series.
The story was sweet. I liked how gentle Cain was and I enjoyed Abigail’s frenetic energy more than I thought I would. Her social awkwardness was pretty endearing. I thought the book was a sweet end to a cute series.
April 5, 2023
cain is a giant teddy bear that you can’t help but fall in love with because he is the sweetest man ever <3
December 16, 2023
I only wish this were longer because these two were so cute! They're both so dang awkward which you think would be a disaster but they eventually figure out how to talk to each other. 😂
October 29, 2022
Another swoony read from Cassie! I loved this one! Awkward, adorkable heroes melt my heart, and both MCs were so damn cute together!!!
100% safe. Dual virgins. No sharing, others, cheating or abuse. HEA with epilogue.
100% safe. Dual virgins. No sharing, others, cheating or abuse. HEA with epilogue.
December 11, 2022
5+ wonderful stars!
I loved it!
What a perfect ending to this series!
If you're looking for a quick , heart-warming and 100% safe read about two socially awkward people who meet and fall in love, then this book is it!
I loved Cain, our giant hero.
I loved Abigail, our adorkable heroine.
And I freaking loved them together!
My absolute favourite in this series!
Highly recommend!!!
I loved it!
What a perfect ending to this series!
If you're looking for a quick , heart-warming and 100% safe read about two socially awkward people who meet and fall in love, then this book is it!
I loved Cain, our giant hero.
I loved Abigail, our adorkable heroine.
And I freaking loved them together!
My absolute favourite in this series!
Highly recommend!!!
November 8, 2022
I love me a big ass mountain man, so Cain was the bees knees as far as I’m concerned! We know Cain has been looking for love for a couple books now and I’m so pleased that he found it in Abigail.
Cain works for the rescue department, with Griff. He’s huge, awkward in love, and a virgin hero (love those!).
Abigail is a bird scientist, up in the mountains studying woodpeckers and shit when she’s scared by Cain in the dark and hits his ass with some bear spray. Feeling horrible, so goes back to apologize to him the following day. Cain, upset that he didn’t take advantage of Abigail‘a offer to come inside after the bear spray incident, is super stocked that Abigail came back around again. He can’t keep his mind off her and the possibility of love that she brings.
I loved Abigail. I loved her awkwardness, her straight shooter way of communicating, the way she related things to her scientific way of thinking. She was perfect for Cain, who was inexperienced and therefore awkward in love himself. I loved their sex scene, how they were open and communicative with each other where neither of them had any experience. You can’t help but want the best for these two and I’m happy they found each other.
Cain works for the rescue department, with Griff. He’s huge, awkward in love, and a virgin hero (love those!).
Abigail is a bird scientist, up in the mountains studying woodpeckers and shit when she’s scared by Cain in the dark and hits his ass with some bear spray. Feeling horrible, so goes back to apologize to him the following day. Cain, upset that he didn’t take advantage of Abigail‘a offer to come inside after the bear spray incident, is super stocked that Abigail came back around again. He can’t keep his mind off her and the possibility of love that she brings.
I loved Abigail. I loved her awkwardness, her straight shooter way of communicating, the way she related things to her scientific way of thinking. She was perfect for Cain, who was inexperienced and therefore awkward in love himself. I loved their sex scene, how they were open and communicative with each other where neither of them had any experience. You can’t help but want the best for these two and I’m happy they found each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2023
it’s really hard to rate novellas. 😵💫
I really like this author and I really enjoyed this series for what it was : Short, sweet, insta-love, low on spice but good writing.
I’m a sucker for a man who’s looking for love and wants to be fussed over, wants a family of his own 🥺 this was definitely Cain (H)
The first one is still my favorite but this was a close second. The only thing that could’ve been better would’ve been a full novel with a medium burn instead of insta love but that’s all personal preference !
I really like this author and I really enjoyed this series for what it was : Short, sweet, insta-love, low on spice but good writing.
I’m a sucker for a man who’s looking for love and wants to be fussed over, wants a family of his own 🥺 this was definitely Cain (H)
The first one is still my favorite but this was a close second. The only thing that could’ve been better would’ve been a full novel with a medium burn instead of insta love but that’s all personal preference !
April 5, 2025
cute i guess???
October 31, 2022
Abigail is an ornitology scientist and she searches for woodpeckers in the woods when she meets the big and bearded Cain... Well she thought he is a bear and pepper sprays him.🤣 Cain is instantly smitten with the cute science nerd and nothing can stop him from getting his woman. He is awkward and tongue tied but freaking cute while trying to talk to his One🥰🥰 Instalove, with sweet characters, steamy scenes, romantic and totally safe (oh yes double virgins 😍🤩) with a sweet HEA and no drama😍😍😍😍😍
November 13, 2022
This was smutty adorableness. Abigail studies birds, specifically woodpeckers and runs into Cain. Their meet cute is great and I loved the awkwardness of both characters. They were perfect together. Sweet romance with a HEA.
October 29, 2022
A well written short romance novella. Slow burn with the H/h both awkward and tongue tied. A steamy scene near the end. It was a fun read!
December 18, 2022
Reminded me of that SZA song that's been going around these days about big boys🤔🤔🤫🤫🤭🤭
December 29, 2022
4.5 stars
tropes: small town, awkward main characters, grumpy/sunshine, instalust, close proximity, small town, ott, virgin MCs
tropes: small town, awkward main characters, grumpy/sunshine, instalust, close proximity, small town, ott, virgin MCs
June 19, 2023
Awww this one was so fucking cute. I swear the shy and awkward guys will always have a place in my heart
June 22, 2023
This was ADORABLE.
Such a cute novella. I love giant teddy bear male leads 🧸
1/5 in 🌶️ lvl
Also hard to believe both of them are virgins at 28 and 40 but oh well.
Such a cute novella. I love giant teddy bear male leads 🧸
1/5 in 🌶️ lvl
Also hard to believe both of them are virgins at 28 and 40 but oh well.
January 1, 2023
3.5 🌟.
Recommended
Recommended
November 4, 2022
Adorable! I think this was my favorite out of the whole series.
November 28, 2022
BIG OL' BEARD is Book 4 & last short-story in the MAIL ORDER MOUNTAIN book series. I've read them all and each one could be read as a standalone, but I'd read them in order as each book has a different couple. I meet the characters again in each of the books. They are all short & steamy instant love stories.
Cain from mountain rescue is a giant among men. That is the reason the locals had given him the nickname of Bigfoot. He was on his way home to his cabin when he came across a young woman who he thought might be lost, as it was getting dark. Her name was Abigail and she was an Ornithologist. She was out bird-watching & had lost track of time or how late it was getting. Their first encounter was a huge disaster. Still Cain insisted on walking her home to her cabin. It was dark and there were bears and wolves in these mountains. If you have been waiting your entire life for love, when you finally meet that special someone, but don't have a clue as to how to act or what to do...
Cain from mountain rescue is a giant among men. That is the reason the locals had given him the nickname of Bigfoot. He was on his way home to his cabin when he came across a young woman who he thought might be lost, as it was getting dark. Her name was Abigail and she was an Ornithologist. She was out bird-watching & had lost track of time or how late it was getting. Their first encounter was a huge disaster. Still Cain insisted on walking her home to her cabin. It was dark and there were bears and wolves in these mountains. If you have been waiting your entire life for love, when you finally meet that special someone, but don't have a clue as to how to act or what to do...
November 28, 2022
This is the fourth and final book in the series. They are better read in order. Cain is a big man. He too has is trying to find his match with the mail order agency. It hasn’t been working for him. Then he gets bear sprayed by a woman in the woods. She didn’t mean to hurt him she just got scared. In fact, he liked that she was prepared. When she invites him in, he walks away. Abigail can’t believe she just did that. Abigail is studying woodpeckers. The two run into each other many times. Cain seems to miss the hints that Abigail is throwing out that she is interested. Will Cain figure things out? Both of the characters are virgins. Cain scares people but he doesn’t scare Abigail. This is an age gap romance as well. I really have enjoyed this series. I would love more mountain men books. Cassie did a wonderful job with the characters and the world building. This one and the others are quick reads.
October 24, 2022
The relationship between Cain and Abigail is so funny.
Growing up, I was a bit of a nerd I always imagined that my interactions with males was similar to how she is with Cain. She's not exactly awkward, but she is blunt and says things as they come into her mind.
Cain is envious of his fellow mountain men. They've all seemed to find the woman for them that doesn't mind living away from civillization, wifi, and starbucks. For Cain, his attempts haven't been successful. It's hard when he's compared to Bigfoot and doesn't have much experience with women.
But Abigail seems to be everything Cain could or ever want in a woman.
Will these two awkward people be able to overcome miscues and go out their comfort zones to get what they both want with each other?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Growing up, I was a bit of a nerd I always imagined that my interactions with males was similar to how she is with Cain. She's not exactly awkward, but she is blunt and says things as they come into her mind.
Cain is envious of his fellow mountain men. They've all seemed to find the woman for them that doesn't mind living away from civillization, wifi, and starbucks. For Cain, his attempts haven't been successful. It's hard when he's compared to Bigfoot and doesn't have much experience with women.
But Abigail seems to be everything Cain could or ever want in a woman.
Will these two awkward people be able to overcome miscues and go out their comfort zones to get what they both want with each other?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews