Lost in the Wild

Huddling for Warmth #1

by Cassie Mint

I came out here to interview a cryptid.

Now he’s carrying me off to his cave.

The Wild Man of Starlight Ridge is a local legend. A man who wanders the mountains barefoot and bare-chested, with a shaggy beard and long, unkempt hair.

I’ve been sent out here to interview him, but when we finally meet… well, let’s just say he’s not my biggest fan.

He thinks I’m a spoiled, helpless city girl who’s out to ruin his peace. I think he’s a jerk who needs a shave.

But when I sprain my ankle, it’s the Wild Man who comes to my rescue, scooping me up in those big, strong arms.

And it’s cold on the mountain at night.

So we’d better huddle for warmth in his cave…

Lost in the Wild is a short and steamy instalove novella, starring a wounded wild man and the girl who heals his grumpy heart.

Genres: Novella, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Military Fiction, Short Stories, Forced Proximity

91 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2024

About the author

Cassie 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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Reviews

[Christina (stinarinareads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75✨
1.5🌶️

I was charmed by this one waaaaaaaaaay more than I expected for it being so short and insta-lovey. I love a dirty forestman, SUE ME!

While the premise is a little Ludacris™️ and a little out there that these two characters would fall in love over the course of a day basically, their easy chemistry with each other and their banter was so utterly charming. It was honestly just an overall sweet read, and another winner from Cassie Mint!

[CriSsStina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had higher expectations for a novella.
It was quite... flat... sadly 😅.
I might try the next one if I'll also catch it as a freebie.

[atomickitten · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

My hopeful self before diving into this book:


I actually loved this one.

This is almost the Cassie Mint that I love.

It is instalovey, fact.
And the time frame is ridonculous.
Also fact.

And because of that I am taking away 1 star.

But I still freaking loved it.

The longing and the chemistry were so good, I couldn't unglue myself from this book till I hit 'the end'.

I am soooo excited for the next book in the series, Close to the Edge.

It sounds completely like my cup of my favourite tea.

And summing up, this is me after diving into this story:

[Lolina ⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did I finish exams, or did exams finish me 🫠-

ANYWAYS- I have two months' worth of reading to catch up on so here goes 😭:

I actually really liked this- I wasn't too sure of it at first because the writing felt really conversational, but I ended up loving this 😭. It was genuinely so endearing, and their dynamic was soso cute.

It was such a fun read, and I would've loved to have read more 🥲🥂.

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5

TROPES:
~mountain man
~damsel in distress
~age gap
~instalove

I don't know how I feel about this one. I wasn't intrigued by the blurb... at all, lol. And this storyline seems to be a common one by novella authors. I'm so tired of mountain men!!!

SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate: virgin heroine
OM/OW drama: none at all
Cheating/sharing: nope
HEA?: yes! <3

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.perfectly fine but have no idea why either are in love.

[Jo Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild Man gone wild
4 Stars

Cryptid: a creature whose reported existence is unproved, such as Bigfoot.

Evie is on a trek up a mountain to find the Wild Man of Starlight Ridge, get an interview with him, save her job and win at life. Or at least that was the plan. Instead, the Wild Man is rude, definitely wild and thinks spending time in a cave is the height of luxury. But huddling and cuddling for warmth does strange things to a person…

This was such a fun tale - a mountain man gone wild type tale. It’s the first in the ‘Huddling for Warmth’ series and based on this book and the title of the series alone, I’m all in, right now.

Our heroine, Evie, was someone I liked straight off the bat. She was exactly the kind of person you’d imagine would hike up a mountain, alone, in a strange place, to interview a mountain man. She’s not daft, thankfully, but she’s so optimistic and happy that I couldn’t help but smile with her, root for her, and totally understand how quickly and deeply Rowan (yes, a man) fell for her.

At first I wasn’t sure how things were going to go with Rowan once I realised that his cave was an actual, cave cave. And then he had matted hair. The dirt can be washed off but matted hair? Gross. I was also concerned for the poor man’s mental health and what I’m assuming was severe PTSD. Luckily, everything was fine and I quickly warmed to both Rowan and his cave. The hair got gone and, while not explicitly stated, the issues that Rowan obviously had were handled carefully enough for it not to be an issue in the book.

It was nice to see our couple interacting both on the mountain and down in the town. It made their time together seem real and made their instant connection and feelings come across a lot more realistic. Despite the huddling for warmth, it’s more towards the end of the book that our couple have sex - and it’s both hot as well as funny. The reason Evie is snapped out of her lust is hilarious and so something I would do in the same situation. Brilliant.

Cassie Mint is definitely one of my favourite insta-love authors. She manages to quickly bring me into a story, know and love the characters and root for them to get together and live happily together - all while making me laugh and swoon. It’s so easy to read one of her stories and I know she’s always going to give me exactly the shot of love and romance that I need in my life.

[Sarah Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute mountain man romance. It was a short story that had a nice flow. It really put the mountain man trope to the extreme but I liked that it was different from other books with that trope. Evie and Rowan didn’t have the smoothest start but they soon warmed up to each other and I liked the HEA they got.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quickie review: I am all about those quick, insta love reads. Especially when they are well written. And I know Cassie Mint won’t lead me astray. Even when the mountain man has matted hair and trapezes through the forrest barefooted. I know to trust the process. So I did. And in the end, I closed this book out with the biggest smile on my face and immediately ready to read the next one in the series. 5 Wild Stars!!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75/5 stars
Instead of getting therapy a traumatized soldier moves to a cave in the mountains until he’s hunted down by a reporter for a cryptid story. Then less than 72 hours after meeting each other they decide to get a cabin together and living happily ever after. It was a lot in such a short novella.

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love me some sunshine heroine.

[Maria]

FREE today (February 3, 2025) on Amazon.

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too sugary sweet for me. I wanted a growly mountain man but this dude was ultra sensitive and too cute for the vibe I wanted. It’s a sweet book but the concept didn’t work for me in novella form.

[Whit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of mountain man-books, but never with a truely wiiiiild man before.

At first I was a little "where is this going" because I had a (not in a sxy way) "me Tarzan, you Jane"-fear, but this is so greatly written! I had to wait for a few days and read it again, but it was just as good the second time. It IS a bit more "rustic" and cavey than I'm used to, but I actually really liked it - CM always has my back even when I don't know what I want ;) )

Our heroine Evie is such a sweetheart - she's optimistic, sweet, quirky and just trying to get ahead in life and work, going up the mountain to find "the wild man" for her article.

Our hero Rowan, who've lived in his cave for at least a few years, was a bit more complicated. He needed to get away from the city to deal with his past (ex-military/PTSD) on his own. He kept away from everything and tried to make peace with life, but then the little citygirl marched her way into his cave - and into his heart.

I loved how they pushed each other out of their comfort zone - and learned to grow (and heal) with each other.

I can't wait for the next one in this series!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

City girl Evie (h) hopes to make a name for herself at a media company and sets out to find the Wild Man of Starlight Ridge. The hike up the mountain tests her limits, even as she feels a sense of empowerment, self-discovery, and a connection with the natural world. After hours of searching, she encounters the Wild Man, Rowan (H), a rugged, bearded figure who’s grumpy and unwelcoming. Rowan warns her to leave, believing she doesn't belong in the wilderness, yet he can't help but watch over her, coming to her rescue when she's lost and injured. Offering her shelter and a place to heal, the two begin to connect as they get to know one another, and things heat up between the two despite the rough accommodations and the cold temperatures in his cave. As Evie helps Rowan reconnect with his past, he opens up about his life and the reasons behind his isolation. Their time together in the wilderness changes both of them, leading to a transformative decision that leads them to a compromise that allows them to build a life together that balances Rowan’s need for solitude with Evie’s connection to the town. Hot and steamy instalove, grumpy-sunshine, mountain man romance with a side of angst.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my. This was freaking good! I love that Cassie is not afraid to think outside the box. This was different and I loved it. Evie is hiking up a mountain to meet the Wild Man. He's like an urban legend and she wants to see if he exists. Well, he does. His name is Rowan and he is a beast of a sexy man. Rowan has been living in the mountains for an undetermined amount of time. We know it's been a while. I'd say a few years at least. He has to escape his life, people and his haunting memories. All's well and good until Evie comes there and then his world is tilt on its axis. She wakes up a part of him that has long been dormant. She makes he want a s he hasn't felt that for a long time. I loved how these two connected. Not just conversationally, but deep down to the marrow. I wanted to cry with the struggle Rowan has. But thankfully Evie and Rowan find their way to each other, both devoted to be together. I adored this so much, literally beyond words.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't go looking for wild men-- you just might find one.
Lost in the Wild by Ms. Mint is a novella with a side trauma. Rowan isn't the Cryptid that Evie was sent to find. He's not crazy or dangerous and now she's afraid she's going to lose her reporting job because the story is going to fall through. Rowan just wants to be left alone to deal with his PTSD. like a lot of ex-military, He wants to be close enough to see his family but not other people. Eevee's appearance is disrupting his solitary life.
This is a Cassie Mint story- the HEA is just around the corner but there will be roadblocks. That's why we love her stories. Ms. Mint’s novellas are short, hot, and satisfying.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evie is hoping to find the local legend, Wild Man of Starlight Ridge. After hours of searching, she comes across Rowan, a grumpy bearded guy who warns her to leave. Rowan has been living a cave, he cannot stand to be around people, it brings back memories from his time in the service.

There is something about Evie that makes him want to be part of society for her. Evie is just what he needed, someone to push him forward. But will he be able to take that step?.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s just say that I absolutely love everything that Cassie Mint writes, but this one I had to kind of make myself read it. The synopsis didn’t leave me wanting for more. However, once I started the book, I couldn’t keep it down. Evie and Rowan are great together. She is so out there and he’s such a recluse. It was fun seeing them interact with each other. The cave scene was so good and sexy. Ugh! I can’t wait for the next steamy novella.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowan likes living in a mountain cave away from people because of his PTSD. Evie is on the mountain to interview a local wildman legend. I loved how the author brought them together for their first meeting. Even though they didn't get off to an easy start the more time they spent together the closer they got and before they knew it sparks were flying. Lost in the Wild is a short, sweet, instalove, mountain man romance with believable characters, some humor and angst, and a sweet happily ever after. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Melissa Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one in Huddling for Warmth series. I loved Evie. She was quirky and sweet. Rowan was a recluse in the mountains when Evie loudly made her way to his mountain looking for an interview. This was a fast paced sweet story. With some humor because poor Evie is kind of a hot mess. Great story. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly a wild read and I love how Evie stepped into Rowan's caveman world with all the gusto of a determined reporter and basic city gal. Lol! There is definite humour in this story as she slowly pulls him out of his shell for basic things like a hair cut and shave ;P, but he helps her find what's important in life. Theirs is a sweet and steamy romance with a wonderful HEA that has compassion and compromise, to have both of them living their best lives. Good fun!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unconventional conditions has these two characters finding their attraction when Evie is seeking the Wild Man of the mountains, only to find him grumpy and uncommunicative. Liked how she eventually breaks down his barriers as, he finds himself slowly falling for the unlikely woman to brave the mountain to get answers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[KY Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost in the Wild is the first book in the Huddling for Warmth Series by Cassie Mint

I have read a lot of books by this author, and this one is definitely one of her best. It is everything you want in a steamy instalove. The story is well written, the characters are likable, and the emotions are believable. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

ARC was provided by Booksprout, and this is my honest review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evie is tasked with getting an interview with wild man relcuse Rowan, whose not to happy to see her at first, but when she gets injured hes the first to help her and keep her safe and warm! well written steaym fast paced, desires and more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JaneH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evie and Rowan, a quirky, funny, sweet insta romance with lots of emotion. He has isolated himself from people, living in a cave, Evie comes along and the insta bug happens. Evie is so strong and determined, I really liked her. Rowan is suffering however he finds a way to push through his pain enough to suit them both. Truly, a wonderful read.

[Alexis Coy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great Cassie Mint book! I really liked her Mountain Man series and I think I'll like this one just as much. It has the sweetness, spice and HEA your expect from Cassie Mint, but I liked that this one was longer than normal. Can't wait for the next one!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Lost in the Wild by Cassie Mint. This is definitely in my top 5 favorites. Evie is determined to get her interview with the The Wild Man of Starlight Ridge but she gets so much more. Despite his appearance and gruff attitude Evie and Rowan have a connection neither expected. 5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the FMC; she’s like sunshine, which might be why our MMC is drawn to her. There was that moment of foolishness, but they made up for it. I liked their meeting in between. I am glad they did not give up on their feelings for each other.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short read, instalove, opposites attract. The story of Evie and Rowan who meet when she is trying to track him down in the wilderness where he lives to interview him. I liked how it was told from both points of view.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.