Mountain Grump (Mountain Men #3) by S.J. Tilly

ABOUT THE BOOK

Tilda
I have a new house. Well, new to me. Just like living in my own place on the top of a mountain, rather than in a city apartment, is new to me. But it’s mine now because my Great Uncle Jack passed away, and he left me his freaking house. In Colorado. On the border of Lonely Peak State Park.

But that’s not all he did.

He also left a series of letters. A scavenger hunt of clues that leads me back to Vegas. To his lawyer’s office. To the reading of his will. Where I learn I must marry in order to keep my sudden inheritance out of the greedy hands of my family. And since they’re the worst, I only have one option.

Ask the grumpy park ranger I just met to be my husband.

Ethan
Jack never lied. Not outright. But he did omit some things. Like the fact that his grandkid Matty is actually a fully grown woman named Matilda. And the fact that she looks like a walking, talking mountain fairy with her long purple hair and a wardrobe of lust-inducing dresses.

He also failed to mention that he was setting us up. That he was setting all of this up. And now, when the woman I unwittingly agreed to watch out for stands before me, asking me to marry her, there’s only one answer I can give…

MY REVIEW

If there’s one series that has me completely hooked, it’s S.J. Tilly’s Mountain Men series, and seriously, what could be sexier than a possessive, grumpy park ranger obsessed with a curvy, accident-prone stranger?

Ethan Grant is the quintessential loner. He’s the park ranger of Lonely Peak State Park, and he follows the rules like they’re his Bible. Rude? Sometimes. Grumpy? You bet. But beneath that tough exterior, he’s also incredibly dependable. He’s the kind of guy who anchors you with his steadfast nature, which is probably why he feels so drawn to Tilda, even when he pretends he isn’t.

And I love Tilda Wright with her lavender hair, her awkwardness, and her penchant for purple ribbons and suncatchers. She hails from Las Vegas with a feisty spirit, a heart of gold, and a past full of disappointments. Recently, she’s inherited her great uncle Jack’s cabin along with something she didn’t bargain for… she must get married in five days to claim her inheritance. Let the games begin! Her shitty family sees her as just a silly girl taking their inheritance, but she’s learned to mask her emotions and show a brave face, while inside, she’s wrestling with her low self esteem. And who is the lucky guy? You guessed it! Ethan, in all his broody glory, is her knight in shining armor slaying her nasty family with verbal warfare and physical flair. So rewarding!

Now, let’s just talk about the chemistry between these two which is off-the-charts. There’s something magnetic about the way Ethan can’t help but wrap her in his protective nature, despite his grumpiness. And how sweet is it when he lends her his baseball hat? Swoon alert! It’s those little moments that make you root for them. Tilda might think Ethan is only interested because of her late uncle, but we know the truth that he’s totally captivated by her spirit and strength. And the lengths Ethan goes to prove his love to Tilda? So romantic.

Don’t forget the supporting characters like Ethan’s sister Sandra who is a breath of fresh air in the midst of Tilda’s chaotic family drama. She is straightforward and non-judgmental, and sees Tilda for who she is and instantly accepts her along with the small-town folks who make her feel welcome.

I highly recommend this charming love story that proves that sometimes love really does need the perfect mix of grumpiness, vulnerability, and a sprinkle of purple ribbons to get a happily ever after.

Thank you to Ms. Tilly for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Mountain Men Series

1 Mountain Boss (2025)
2 Mountain Daddy (2025)
3 Mountain Grump (2025)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Like all her books, S.J. Tilly resides in the glorious state of Minnesota, where she was born and raised. To avoid the freezing cold winters, S.J. enjoys burying her head in books, whether to read them or write them or listen to them.

When she’s not busy writing her contemporary smut, she can be found lounging with her husband and their herd of rescue boxers. And when the weather permits she loves putting her compost to use in the garden, pretending to know what she’s doing. The neighbors may not like the flowery mayhem of her yard, but the bees sure do. And really, that’s more important.