Rescued by the Mountain Man

Rugged Hearts #1

by Aria Cole

Rescued by the Mountain Man is a sizzling enemies to lovers, forced proximity, second-chance insta-love story with a tortured first responder and the one who got away.



She thought she could outrun her past. He never let go of their future.



When Emma returns to Devil’s Peak for one last adventure, the last thing she expects is to cross paths with Slate Warner—the man whose heart she broke a decade ago. She left him and the mountain life behind to chase her dreams, but the ruggedly sexy mountain man she once loved has only grown more irresistible, and now he’s built a life she’s not sure she belongs in.



Slate has spent years burying his feelings behind the rugged facade of the adventure business he’s built alongside his brothers on Devil’s Peak. But when Emma shows up out of nowhere, all those old desires burn hotter than ever, threatening the carefully constructed walls around his heart. He swore he’d never let her get close again—but the pull between them is impossible to resist.



As a sudden snowstorm traps them in a remote cabin, Emma and Slate find themselves facing the truth of everything they left unsaid. The heat between them builds, sparking a passion that’s as wild and untamed as the mountain itself. But when the storm clears, will Emma choose the life she’s built, or risk everything for a second chance at the love she never truly let go?



The Rugged Hearts series is full of rugged mountain men, steamy tension, seductive banter, and love worth fighting for.



Get ready to fall for the fierce passion of Slate and Emma in this heart-pounding, snow-melting, second-chance insta-love romance that will leave you breathless.

109 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2024

About the author

Aria Cole is the pen name of a USA Today bestselling author who published her first book in 2012 and began writing contemporary romance long before that.

Her books always feature possessive alpha men and the sassy, curvy, nerdy heroines who love them, along with a healthy dose of irresistible insta-love and happily-ever-afters sweet enough to make your teeth ache.

Follow Aria on Amazon for new release updates, or stalk her on social to see which daring book boyfriend she's writing next!

Newsletter - http://eepurl.com/ccGnRX
Instagram - http://bit.ly/2OzIWSA
Facebook - http://bit.ly/2d3UsDr
Twitter - http://bit.ly/2cppyRq

Reviews

[Miš · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3

[Oriana Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slate and Emma were in love each other years prior, but Emma left their mountain town to work as a wildlife photographer. Now years later she is back in town and runs into Slate and their love is still strong., but Slate is still hurting even after years. But the heart wants , the heart gets. Second chance, sweet, romantic, with a bit of steam and totally safe (dual virgins-they waited for each other) with a sweet HEA😍😍

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this second chance romance. The characters were interesting, the love scenes tender and sweet. "Because this time, no matter what she thinks, she's not getting away that easy." I liked how the author takes us into the future to see the couple years later with a large family of kids. HEA "The kiss is rough, desperate, a clash of need and regret, both of us pouring years of unsaid things into the way our mouths move together." "Slate's smile is slow, predatory, his voice a low rumble that seems to wrap around me."

[Rebecca Pickett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly I couldn’t even finish this book. She was stubborn. Then she wasn’t stubborn. They get together. They’re both virgins…they keep saying she’s been gone for years but never tell us their age. The dirty talk was so bad and cringy. Then they’re telling each other yes to forever then they’re second guessing it and he’s angry at her again. Then she’s staying but then she’s not sure if she’s staying. I just couldn’t finish it. For a book that was so short to be that awful. I expect these instalove books to be a little ridiculous but this was just too much.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma and Slate were once a couple until she broke his heart when she left the mountain. Now ten years later she's back and the spark is still there. Caught in a snowstorm these two are forced to face their past and finally get their happily ever after. Rescued by the Mountain Man is book one and a great start to the Rugged Hearts series. I look forward to reading the next book. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slate and Emma. They have history. When she left him behind for her dreams it broke his heart. Now years later shes back and needs a guide and hes not happy. But when the storm forces them to shelter alone together things change but then the cold reality of the next morning surfaces she will have to make a choice.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captured by the cover right off the bat and then once I began reading this romance story about Emma and Slate you can forget about anything else until the end. For being the very first book I have read by Aria all I know is where has she been because MAN, I LOVE this book, and I am going to be searching for more books by her.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a second chance story that pulls us into the lives of Emma and Slate. The fast-paced story keeps us turning the pages with a shared past, forced proximity, revelations and steam.

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

[Carlyn Zanidean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma and Slate get a second chance to finally have the future they both wanted. Both knew they were meant to be together, but said of the "What if".
But years after Emma left, she is finally back. And Slate will not let her go.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! That was a lot all in that book. I felt I was on a rollercoaster of emotions. Not knowing if Emma and Slate were to be together. Do they end up together? You need to read to find out.

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

[Donna McEachran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a great deal of backstory but Slate and Emma were obviously close until she left. Found the dirty talk a little over the top and the story seems to jump around. Ok read.

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

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rescued

Oh my god she was so stubborn. it distracted me from getting into the story but its short so it wasnt too bad. One minute she was so bull headed, the next he talking so dirty a porn star would blush.

It was short and steamy. 2 and a half stars.

[Imogen Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma
Slate

Second chance romance

Emma left slate years ago to follow her dreams and now she is back needing photos in the mountains

Dual Virgins- never wanted anyone else

Slate forgave her way too quick in my opinion

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and steamy read. Emma and Slate have history and when she shows up asking for a mountain guide, he’s not too thrilled to see her. After all, she left him with no word. After getting snowed in together they get a chance to work through their mistakes. The extended epilogues completed their story wonderfully.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Slate and Emma’s story. I thought it was an entertaining read. The characters had great chemistry. And voluntarily leaving this review.

[Cynthia Siermienski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rescued by the Mountain Man

I love these books. They're wonderfully romantic with a bit of laughter. Can't wait to read more about the brothers and their woman.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good

Was a very good short story. I think she was lucky to have him take her back after leaving the way she did.

[Maya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, ok I guess. Seemed to take a while to get anywhere with this one. Too verbose for me.

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 24%. They're both insufferable in their own ways. The amount of times the heroine said "nothing will change" and "stop being the hero" was enough to turn me off from reading the rest.

[Ashante Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

ugh. cringe. who taught this author how to dirty talk. it was so low budget porn. 🤦🏾‍♀️. not much of a story not much of a rescue either. book was "eh"

[Ashley Carr, LSoR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Slate and Emma‘s journey! They grew up on the mountain together, were involved, and then she moved away and left Slate brokenhearted. Now Emma is back but just to write a story. Will Slate be able to win her back?