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Mountain Men of Whiskey River #3
Take Me to the Lake
A Billionaire, Mountain Man, Virgin Hero Romance.
Someone is watching me. Luckily my mountain man is watching over me.
Hope:
I didn’t think they would find me here. I moved to the small town of Whiskey River three months ago, hoping I would finally be safe from my past. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I can breathe easier.
Then I meet the mountain man who makes my breath quicken. And my heart race.
He’s my protector – safe in his strong arms.
But my past is coming for me… and he might end up paying the price.
Cash:
The tracks along the treeline were my first clue. I might not have experience with women, but I know my way around the woods. And Hope is not safe living out here alone.
And I’m pretty sure that’s my fault.
Her stalker knows I have money, and that I’ll pay any price to keep the woman I love safe from harm.
But what her stalker doesn’t know is that I plan on making them pay instead.
Someone is watching me. Luckily my mountain man is watching over me.
Hope:
I didn’t think they would find me here. I moved to the small town of Whiskey River three months ago, hoping I would finally be safe from my past. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I can breathe easier.
Then I meet the mountain man who makes my breath quicken. And my heart race.
He’s my protector – safe in his strong arms.
But my past is coming for me… and he might end up paying the price.
Cash:
The tracks along the treeline were my first clue. I might not have experience with women, but I know my way around the woods. And Hope is not safe living out here alone.
And I’m pretty sure that’s my fault.
Her stalker knows I have money, and that I’ll pay any price to keep the woman I love safe from harm.
But what her stalker doesn’t know is that I plan on making them pay instead.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2022
416 people are currently reading
933 people want to read
About the author
Kaci Rose
94 books1,392 followersJoin Kaci's VIP mailing list and get 2 FREE Novellas at
http://www.kacirose.com/free-books
Kaci runs on coffee, chocolate, and Oreos. She loves her book boyfriends with tattoos, muscles, beards, and a little dirty.
Kaci loves romance books and has been jotting down ideas since she was in high school and is now putting the ideas down on paper. She believes in satisfying, happily ever afters with a lot of steam on the way.
Follow Kaci Rose
Facebook @KaciRoseAuthor
Instagram @KaciRoseAuthor
http://www.kacirose.com/free-books
Kaci runs on coffee, chocolate, and Oreos. She loves her book boyfriends with tattoos, muscles, beards, and a little dirty.
Kaci loves romance books and has been jotting down ideas since she was in high school and is now putting the ideas down on paper. She believes in satisfying, happily ever afters with a lot of steam on the way.
Follow Kaci Rose
Facebook @KaciRoseAuthor
Instagram @KaciRoseAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews
November 11, 2022
Did anyone edit this book? The second book in the series is about Jenna and Phoenix. In this book the FMC has a best friend named Jana. It was a continuous issue where the author would be writing about Jenna and would start to call her Jana every few sentences and vice versa. There were lots of other editing issues as well but this was by far the most annoying.
September 19, 2022
Five mountain man stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Hope recently moved to Whiskey River and she loves it there. One day she meets Cash at the local grocery store. He had never been shopping before so she helped him. Their romance is a little slow moving, but it's worth it.
Cash is innocent in all things. Girls, flirting, shopping, being around people. He's used to being on the mountain with his brother- who recently passed. So now he's all alone. Hope helps him with things he doesn't know how to do, and Cash teaches Hope about mountain living.
I loved this novel. I'll definitely do a reread. Cash is so endearing and sweet.
safety:
dual virgins
no OM/OW
no cheating/sharing
safe
HEA ♡
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hope recently moved to Whiskey River and she loves it there. One day she meets Cash at the local grocery store. He had never been shopping before so she helped him. Their romance is a little slow moving, but it's worth it.
Cash is innocent in all things. Girls, flirting, shopping, being around people. He's used to being on the mountain with his brother- who recently passed. So now he's all alone. Hope helps him with things he doesn't know how to do, and Cash teaches Hope about mountain living.
I loved this novel. I'll definitely do a reread. Cash is so endearing and sweet.
safety:
dual virgins
no OM/OW
no cheating/sharing
safe
HEA ♡
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 28, 2024
Twist!
Ok this one had a little more suspense to it! I’ll be honest, Cash was not so much of a good guy to me and was upset with him throughout different parts but everything seemed to come together- overall a good story!
Ok this one had a little more suspense to it! I’ll be honest, Cash was not so much of a good guy to me and was upset with him throughout different parts but everything seemed to come together- overall a good story!
Read
March 22, 2023It just wasn’t for me. The H is very inexperienced and the h somewhat too. I just didn’t understand the insta attraction. Like the magnitude wanting the h to live with the H after one date.
September 23, 2022
Never knew I needed a mountain man in my life until I read this book. Hope and Cash were perfect together. Hope was finally free from her toxic environment and decided to start a new life in Whisky River Montana. Enjoying the mountain scenery and the beautiful natural landscape, Hope was happy to have new lease on life.
Cash has lived as a recluse for most of his life. Being raised by his older brother secluded in their cabin high in the mountains, Cash was a little standoffish and introverted but everything changed the moment he laid eyes on Hope.
Hope and Cash were a beautiful couple together. Hope enjoyed the simple things in life and love Cash the way he was. Cash not having much experience with people had a hard time adapting to social norms. Cash fell fast and hard for Hope and he was everything Hope never knew she needed. This couple did experience quite a few growing pains and had to learn to stop jumping to conclusions or making assumptions.
When Hope's past comes back and her life is in danger; Cash shows up and shows out proving that he was the man she needed and the only man who would go through any length to protect the woman he loves.
Cash has lived as a recluse for most of his life. Being raised by his older brother secluded in their cabin high in the mountains, Cash was a little standoffish and introverted but everything changed the moment he laid eyes on Hope.
Hope and Cash were a beautiful couple together. Hope enjoyed the simple things in life and love Cash the way he was. Cash not having much experience with people had a hard time adapting to social norms. Cash fell fast and hard for Hope and he was everything Hope never knew she needed. This couple did experience quite a few growing pains and had to learn to stop jumping to conclusions or making assumptions.
When Hope's past comes back and her life is in danger; Cash shows up and shows out proving that he was the man she needed and the only man who would go through any length to protect the woman he loves.
December 28, 2024
Quickie Review: I quickly dove into this one after devouring book 2. While I did love the romance between both Cash and Hope, there was so many errors and mistakes, that it became hard to enjoy the story like I wanted to. There have been a few errors in the previous books but nothing like this. It makes me a bit hesitant to start the next book. 4 Stars.
September 19, 2022
This was not my favorite in this series. It started off cute enough and it felt like the characters had a very genuine connection. Where it fell off for me was the miscommunications and the drama added to the story.
There was a bit of jumping to conclusions and actions taken by our two main characters that I didn’t like. They needed time to make being a couple work, but we had this outside conflict thrown in that took away from that.
While this disappointed me, I am still looking forward to the net book in this series. It seems it’s going to be a mail-order bride situation and I love those.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
There was a bit of jumping to conclusions and actions taken by our two main characters that I didn’t like. They needed time to make being a couple work, but we had this outside conflict thrown in that took away from that.
While this disappointed me, I am still looking forward to the net book in this series. It seems it’s going to be a mail-order bride situation and I love those.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
October 4, 2022
I love mountain men books and Kaci does them so well. What more can you ask for? Small town along with the strong silent type.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 1, 2023
Right now, she's smiling at me. That smile is making my heart do funny things.
⭐⭐⭐.5|5
🌶️.5|5
GENRE: contemporary romance
TROPES: virgin hero // virgin heroine // insta love
POV: multiple
TW: kidnapping // stalking
CLIFFHANGER: no!
HEA: yes!
I was waiting so patiently for Cash's story because his was the one that intrigued me the most. Being raised by a brother who was suspicious of everyone, so Cash grew up on the mountain in mostly solitude! Luckily he met the guys and they formed their tight-knit group.
While I really liked Axel's and Phoenix's stories, Cash's seemed a bit rushed to me. I really wanted to love this, but I didn't connect with him and Hope like I did with the other couples. I knew going into this that these couples hit it off and things progress very quickly, which I didn't mind.
I loved their meet cute though. How he was lost and didn't really know how to navigate a grocery store 🥹 Hope noticed and helped him out. It was precious.
I loved how shy Cash was. I hardly read any books with shy guys, so that was a nice change. And his protective side when it came to Hope. Can never go wrong with an alpha male!
I also wish I got more of Cole and Jana's story, but hopefully that's coming 👀
Either way, it was a cute read, I just wish there was more of a connection for me!
Can't wait for Bennett's book!
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions and words are my own.]
⭐⭐⭐.5|5
🌶️.5|5
GENRE: contemporary romance
TROPES: virgin hero // virgin heroine // insta love
POV: multiple
TW: kidnapping // stalking
CLIFFHANGER: no!
HEA: yes!
I was waiting so patiently for Cash's story because his was the one that intrigued me the most. Being raised by a brother who was suspicious of everyone, so Cash grew up on the mountain in mostly solitude! Luckily he met the guys and they formed their tight-knit group.
While I really liked Axel's and Phoenix's stories, Cash's seemed a bit rushed to me. I really wanted to love this, but I didn't connect with him and Hope like I did with the other couples. I knew going into this that these couples hit it off and things progress very quickly, which I didn't mind.
I loved their meet cute though. How he was lost and didn't really know how to navigate a grocery store 🥹 Hope noticed and helped him out. It was precious.
I loved how shy Cash was. I hardly read any books with shy guys, so that was a nice change. And his protective side when it came to Hope. Can never go wrong with an alpha male!
I also wish I got more of Cole and Jana's story, but hopefully that's coming 👀
Either way, it was a cute read, I just wish there was more of a connection for me!
Can't wait for Bennett's book!
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions and words are my own.]
October 18, 2022
I would have liked a bit more
I just couldn't connect with the characters
I just couldn't connect with the characters
November 27, 2024
“Take Me to the Lake” is another good installment in the Whiskey River Mountain series. This is Cash and Hope”s story.
Cash has been taking care of his terminally ill brother. His brother raised him when their parents died in a car crash. Now he has been returning the favor. After his brother passes he is at a loss on how to take care of the everyday thins most of us take for granted like grocery shopping. His brother took care of all of that.
When he enters the local market, he is shell shocked; so, when Hope sees him she goes to his aid. They quickly become friends and soon lovers.
Hope hasn’t lived in Whiskey River for long but she loves it. She waits books for a living after escaping her druggie mother and her boyfriend. Now she is excited to start a good life. After meeting Cash, she knows that she has found the right man.
Like most stories, there is trouble brewing. Someone is watching and stalking Hope. The question is who and why?
These quick romantic reads are fun and sexy. They are perfect for a relaxing afternoon read. I enjoyed it and off to read the next book in the series.
Cash has been taking care of his terminally ill brother. His brother raised him when their parents died in a car crash. Now he has been returning the favor. After his brother passes he is at a loss on how to take care of the everyday thins most of us take for granted like grocery shopping. His brother took care of all of that.
When he enters the local market, he is shell shocked; so, when Hope sees him she goes to his aid. They quickly become friends and soon lovers.
Hope hasn’t lived in Whiskey River for long but she loves it. She waits books for a living after escaping her druggie mother and her boyfriend. Now she is excited to start a good life. After meeting Cash, she knows that she has found the right man.
Like most stories, there is trouble brewing. Someone is watching and stalking Hope. The question is who and why?
These quick romantic reads are fun and sexy. They are perfect for a relaxing afternoon read. I enjoyed it and off to read the next book in the series.
September 16, 2022
I don't think any book in this series could get less than a 5 star review from me. I want to start by saying that one of my favorite thing about this series is that the men aren't experienced in relationships or sexually. With most romance books, the men are experienced in the bed and the woman is hanging onto their v-card. This is Cash and Hope's story and of course they hit it off quick. Hope is running away from her past while Cash is still recovering from the death of his brother. Their chemistry was perfect from the beginning, Hope was confident in her ability to connect with Cash. Cash is a major sweetheart, he even Googled how to be a good boyfriend! He is very protective over her and when people from Hope's past comes back to haunt her, it kicks into overdrive. This book had very little disagreements between the couple, no OW drama also draws me to this series. This book could be a stand alone but I would highly suggest reading the first 2 books in the series so you can get to know the other characters. I can't wait to see where the next book takes us, the storylines overlapping makes me especially excited.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 14, 2023
Take Me to the Lake by Kaci Rose is a contemporary romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Elizabeth Russell and Bryant Walker. This is the third book in the Mountain Men of Whiskey River series.
This is the third book of Kaci's that I have read, and it won't be my last. The relationship between Cash and hope is fast paced but I really enjoyed them together. I liked that we got Cash, Hope, Emily and Bennett's points of view throughout the book.
I can't wait for the next book in the series Take Me To The Mountain to be released on audio so I can get Willow and Bennett's story.
Elizabeth and Bryant did a great job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of their work in the future.
I would recommend this book if you like contemporary romances.
The Flock Team
This is the third book of Kaci's that I have read, and it won't be my last. The relationship between Cash and hope is fast paced but I really enjoyed them together. I liked that we got Cash, Hope, Emily and Bennett's points of view throughout the book.
I can't wait for the next book in the series Take Me To The Mountain to be released on audio so I can get Willow and Bennett's story.
Elizabeth and Bryant did a great job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of their work in the future.
I would recommend this book if you like contemporary romances.
The Flock Team
September 22, 2022
A*R*C for honest review with no compensation Received from BookSprout 4 stars
Take Me to the Lake is book 3 in the Mountain Men of Whiskey River by Kaci Rose. While each book is a standalone reading in order give you more background into the Whiskey River men.
What happens when two people meet up, lock eyes and fall hard in an instant..secrets, sparks, connections, suspense and more. This is Cash and Hope’s story!
Take Me to the Lake is book 3 in the Mountain Men of Whiskey River by Kaci Rose. While each book is a standalone reading in order give you more background into the Whiskey River men.
What happens when two people meet up, lock eyes and fall hard in an instant..secrets, sparks, connections, suspense and more. This is Cash and Hope’s story!
September 29, 2022
Take Me to the Lake is the 3rd book in Kaci Rose's Mountain Men of Whiskey River series. I feel like I have been waiting forever for this story. I really enjoyed the interactions between not only the main characters but all of our favorites from the past stories. The jumping to conclusions was a bit frustrating but overall a very enjoyable addition to the series. Very solid 4 stars.
The ONLY reason I lowered my rating to 3 stars was due to the editing. I have never docked a rating because of errors since very rarely is there a "perfect story" but this one was rough. I truly hope the author fixes the errors and pushes a new copy out.
In the end though, I really enjoyed this addition and have already pre-ordered the next in the series!
The ONLY reason I lowered my rating to 3 stars was due to the editing. I have never docked a rating because of errors since very rarely is there a "perfect story" but this one was rough. I truly hope the author fixes the errors and pushes a new copy out.
In the end though, I really enjoyed this addition and have already pre-ordered the next in the series!
November 2, 2022
Wreck Like
It’s like a train wreck or car crash that I can’t stop watching.
There was constant confusion between Jenna and Jana, not on my part, but on the author’s part.
Hope was kind of hot and cold at times. She knows that Cash is a very sheltered and unsocialized guy, but she gets upset that he can’t recognize flirting.
Other than that it was pretty decent.
It’s like a train wreck or car crash that I can’t stop watching.
There was constant confusion between Jenna and Jana, not on my part, but on the author’s part.
Hope was kind of hot and cold at times. She knows that Cash is a very sheltered and unsocialized guy, but she gets upset that he can’t recognize flirting.
Other than that it was pretty decent.
November 21, 2023
So Kaci Rose tried to spice up this story with an actual storyline. But the writing is still mediocre at best.
The main character Hope is a bookeditor and this book was in desperate need of one but not the fictional type.
The sentences just don't make sense sometimes and Jenna and Jana's names are used for the wrong character sometimes two sentences apart.
This series was a bit of a guilty pleasure but i solemnly swear there will be no more mountain men on my reading list after this.
The main character Hope is a bookeditor and this book was in desperate need of one but not the fictional type.
The sentences just don't make sense sometimes and Jenna and Jana's names are used for the wrong character sometimes two sentences apart.
This series was a bit of a guilty pleasure but i solemnly swear there will be no more mountain men on my reading list after this.
September 5, 2023
If it wasn’t for the fact that the author tried to promote another book she wrote in this book, I would have loved it.
I just think it’s not done and it really put me off. That combined with all the mistakes that could have easily been edited out. No. You lost me.
I just think it’s not done and it really put me off. That combined with all the mistakes that could have easily been edited out. No. You lost me.
February 3, 2024
More elaborate plot than the previous books but also the worst editing. Jenna is from the last book but keeps getting interchanged with Jana, a new character...often in the same paragraph. 🤦♀️
There are 2 more books in the bundle I bought. I hope it doesn't get worse.
There are 2 more books in the bundle I bought. I hope it doesn't get worse.
September 20, 2022
Wow. Another amazing book by Kaci Rose. I love this series. It gets you hooked.
March 18, 2024
Had some editing issues for a few chapters.
March 28, 2024
For the love of god WHO IS YOUR EDITOR! They suck 🫠
March 28, 2024
Frustrating that the author kept mixing up Jana (Hope’s best friend) with Jenna (Phoenix’s wife)
August 29, 2025
Loved the story.
Found 19 errors. Really need to have the proofer go over it again at no extra cost.
Reached out, but no response.
Still love your books
Found 19 errors. Really need to have the proofer go over it again at no extra cost.
Reached out, but no response.
Still love your books
December 7, 2025
Terribly written. Obviously not edited which is ironic because the MFC in the story is an editor.
September 17, 2024
Ironic that the main character is a book editor, yet there was little to no editing in this book.
October 7, 2025
“He seems to be one of these mountain men who hides here in the mountains.” Girl.
All the books in this series are the same. Guy who’s out of touch with society, instant attraction to the first woman who takes interest, woman who takes immediate interest. At least one of them sexually inexperienced. Crafts and hunting. The main character is unabashedly insecure, so that’s new and not great.
Update: she’s not as bad as it makes her out to be in the beginning, but Cash is. Although her insecurity does make her prime for Stockholm syndrome which is what she got. I honestly wouldn’t have been surprised if Cash payed a guy to stand outside of their window which actually might’ve been a better twist ending. I honestly think the townspeople she be warning these women.
Extra thoughts while reading + Spoilers:
He’s never been to a grocery store. He doesn’t know variations of carbs. He doesn’t know how much houses cost. He has heard of a southern accent, but has never heard one in real life… We get it. Please stop this. You’re making him out to be a bear instead of a man and I’m sure even bears have heard southern accents.
I’m thinking the mountain men should come to town more because they do just fall in love with the first women who speak to them lol.
OH GOD THEY’RE STILL DOING THE LITTLE ONE THING.
If anyone cares, the audiobook narrator, Elizabeth Russell, narrates with more of a New Orleans accent than a Georgia accent in my opinion. Also it sounds like the main character (idk her name at 17%) is in her 40s not 20s.
Listen, we all have our shit but please don’t throw a tantrum over a man you just met two weeks ago after he even talks to another woman. “Oh no, he’s just a mountain man, he doesn’t know the rules of dating”. The rules of dating say that you can’t talk to other women? OMG now she’s calling it an excuse. Bless him, this is going to be a hell of a relationship.
Also she’s repeated that she doesn’t want to be her mother three times in one page and I’m over it. Like I’m supposed to believe she’s never dated anyone in her life before this.
It’s simple: was he flirting back? No, okay. And he notice she was upset and he didn’t dismiss her. She dismissed him. I can’t. Her neighbor is being so passive as well and unhelpful. Tell her she’s jumping to conclusions and she’s not a child anymore, so she needs to figure this shit out with her boyfriend.
Why are we getting backstory of Axel and Emily?
Lmao I’m 34% in and I was like who’s Hope? I promise, I am listening.
Idk why I feel like Axel was more believable to have fallen in love with Emily after like a week. Maybe because he was a little bit deranged that I believed he would. Or maybe I can believe that one guy would do it but not 3 men in the same vicinity. I do like Cash’s innocence more than Axel’s aggression though.
His thoughts about Hope in chapter 12 are verbatim of Axel’s in book one. I wish it was more unique especially since it doesn’t apply to “get her to stay”. She lives there.
Why are they always virgins? I thought that was a male fetish. Are men reading these or are more women than I think obsessed with virgins?
Axel, Alex, Jenna, and Janna. It’s a little confusing but it’s okay.
I forgot that this book is about her being followed. Honestly it doesn’t fit because we’re halfway in and there’s been no illusion to her being followed or any past people she may know that would want to follow her.
About the baseball conversation, of course it sounds better for him to say he loves Hope’s personality but he legit doesn’t know her that well, so if he had said the sex was the best part then fair. Like they genuinely haven’t “put up” with anything other than her possessive episode in the beginning. But I don’t blame him for blowing up because he has been around a total of 4 other guys who, per this world, are head over heels with their women and no one else.
Oh good the girls are complaining as well. Lol I can’t with them. They’re just two sweet, innocent virgins who never ever complain. They just prefer to jump to conclusions instead. Wasn’t he supposed to talk to Emily about this? What happened to the guy who openly communicated?
“You’re pushing me to be normal…” LMFAO can this book be serious for a second!?
Apparently he loves her even though he was ready to break up with her after some guys complained about their girlfriends. Okey dokey. These are children, not nearly 30 year olds. This is awful.
Jesus Christ. I’m glad she has the wits to leave after he snapped at her for trying to help him. He’s too naive and trust to have been raised by his brother the way that she describes him.
I agree with Jana. It doesn’t matter that Alex is stupid, it’s still a patter of behavior.
NOOO YOU WEREN’T WRONG OMG! This book is full of red flags and everyone keeps pointing them out, then taking it back. Making excuses just like she keeps repeatedly saying her mom did. They don’t know each other. Plain and simple. I wish this felt like a cutesy romance but it feels so realistic like I know there are women out there ignoring red flags and giving bad advice. He cares for her AND he has emotional regulation issues. BOTH are true.
“It isn’t anything you did. It’s something I have to work on, and I’m hoping you’ll work on it with me.” Absolutely not. It is not her job to fix him. He needs to work on it himself and come to her when he’s figure it out or at-least made progress. There’s literally no guarantee that he won’t yell at her again for speaking her mind. No, no, and no.
In case you didn’t pick up on it, I’m internally screaming. It’s only been a week! He’s going to murder her and hide her body in the woods. Lol bye Hope, I’m sorry I thought you were the problem and it was the bear cub instead.
It’s been a month and they’ve been in 3 fights .
“If cash is bringing her to officially meet us…” They’ve met on multiple occasions?
She has dated before!! Why does she act like she hasn’t?? She keeps referring to her mom’s relationships as if she’s never had one of her own. Her trust issues would make more sense if one of her boyfriends had showed similar behaviors.
Then all the sudden her reservations are gone because her mom showed up. *more screaming*
How did she feel like it was time when she was just saying she needed space yesterday?
Side note. Making a pie for Bennett to take home is funny to me. I guess he can’t make a pie on his own. That’s reserved only for the women in the mountain.
Why don’t they have a peep hole in the door? Obviously whoever she opened the door to would push their way in. And how did her mother get up there with no money?
If he heard the gunshot and ran back within a few minutes then why didn’t he just run after their footprints? He would’ve found them immediately.
Why wait for the cops and have your friends come to your cabin instead of out looking for her when they live in the mountain only to have them wasting time to get there and then search?
“I waste no time…” actually you have wasted a lot of time and you literally could’ve had her back by now.
I—omg this is hard to listen to. He should have called Axel and told him he’s going after Hope, so call the police and the rest of the crew for a search party. Then he should’ve hung up and followed the tracks. By the time everyone showed up, he would’ve been fighting them or whatever he’s going to do. Instead he’s knocking on doors to find literal crackheads who mind you, have to also carry dead weight, so they didn’t get that far.
Was this beta read? I’m so frustrated because this entire book has been a rollercoaster and now this. AND the police live in this town! It’s not a separate state. Even if some of them were unfamiliar with the mountain, they could’ve partnered up with one of the mountain men and split into groups. That’s how a search party works. They wouldn’t be like that looks scary, GGs, bye!
Oh don’t worry guys the random military guy found them in 3 seconds taking away all the tension…wow pointless.
They are acting like this is a sting operation. It’s two crackheads with no weapons. And why would they go to sleep with hostages? What is he even saying?
Now you’re telling me that Jana was missing for 3 days and no one noticed. Unbelievable. They also didn’t even ask for an amount of money. Why is her boyfriend monologuing like a DC villain?
Right, so there was no point in them waiting. That’s what I thought.
This book has been pure torture. I’m not even going to comment on the rest of it. I’m done. Next book obviously Jana and Cole who they left her alone with to be stitched up except the paramedics are there to do that... Best of luck y’all.
All the books in this series are the same. Guy who’s out of touch with society, instant attraction to the first woman who takes interest, woman who takes immediate interest. At least one of them sexually inexperienced. Crafts and hunting. The main character is unabashedly insecure, so that’s new and not great.
Update: she’s not as bad as it makes her out to be in the beginning, but Cash is. Although her insecurity does make her prime for Stockholm syndrome which is what she got. I honestly wouldn’t have been surprised if Cash payed a guy to stand outside of their window which actually might’ve been a better twist ending. I honestly think the townspeople she be warning these women.
Extra thoughts while reading + Spoilers:
He’s never been to a grocery store. He doesn’t know variations of carbs. He doesn’t know how much houses cost. He has heard of a southern accent, but has never heard one in real life… We get it. Please stop this. You’re making him out to be a bear instead of a man and I’m sure even bears have heard southern accents.
I’m thinking the mountain men should come to town more because they do just fall in love with the first women who speak to them lol.
OH GOD THEY’RE STILL DOING THE LITTLE ONE THING.
If anyone cares, the audiobook narrator, Elizabeth Russell, narrates with more of a New Orleans accent than a Georgia accent in my opinion. Also it sounds like the main character (idk her name at 17%) is in her 40s not 20s.
Listen, we all have our shit but please don’t throw a tantrum over a man you just met two weeks ago after he even talks to another woman. “Oh no, he’s just a mountain man, he doesn’t know the rules of dating”. The rules of dating say that you can’t talk to other women? OMG now she’s calling it an excuse. Bless him, this is going to be a hell of a relationship.
Also she’s repeated that she doesn’t want to be her mother three times in one page and I’m over it. Like I’m supposed to believe she’s never dated anyone in her life before this.
It’s simple: was he flirting back? No, okay. And he notice she was upset and he didn’t dismiss her. She dismissed him. I can’t. Her neighbor is being so passive as well and unhelpful. Tell her she’s jumping to conclusions and she’s not a child anymore, so she needs to figure this shit out with her boyfriend.
Why are we getting backstory of Axel and Emily?
Lmao I’m 34% in and I was like who’s Hope? I promise, I am listening.
Idk why I feel like Axel was more believable to have fallen in love with Emily after like a week. Maybe because he was a little bit deranged that I believed he would. Or maybe I can believe that one guy would do it but not 3 men in the same vicinity. I do like Cash’s innocence more than Axel’s aggression though.
His thoughts about Hope in chapter 12 are verbatim of Axel’s in book one. I wish it was more unique especially since it doesn’t apply to “get her to stay”. She lives there.
Why are they always virgins? I thought that was a male fetish. Are men reading these or are more women than I think obsessed with virgins?
Axel, Alex, Jenna, and Janna. It’s a little confusing but it’s okay.
I forgot that this book is about her being followed. Honestly it doesn’t fit because we’re halfway in and there’s been no illusion to her being followed or any past people she may know that would want to follow her.
About the baseball conversation, of course it sounds better for him to say he loves Hope’s personality but he legit doesn’t know her that well, so if he had said the sex was the best part then fair. Like they genuinely haven’t “put up” with anything other than her possessive episode in the beginning. But I don’t blame him for blowing up because he has been around a total of 4 other guys who, per this world, are head over heels with their women and no one else.
Oh good the girls are complaining as well. Lol I can’t with them. They’re just two sweet, innocent virgins who never ever complain. They just prefer to jump to conclusions instead. Wasn’t he supposed to talk to Emily about this? What happened to the guy who openly communicated?
“You’re pushing me to be normal…” LMFAO can this book be serious for a second!?
Apparently he loves her even though he was ready to break up with her after some guys complained about their girlfriends. Okey dokey. These are children, not nearly 30 year olds. This is awful.
Jesus Christ. I’m glad she has the wits to leave after he snapped at her for trying to help him. He’s too naive and trust to have been raised by his brother the way that she describes him.
I agree with Jana. It doesn’t matter that Alex is stupid, it’s still a patter of behavior.
NOOO YOU WEREN’T WRONG OMG! This book is full of red flags and everyone keeps pointing them out, then taking it back. Making excuses just like she keeps repeatedly saying her mom did. They don’t know each other. Plain and simple. I wish this felt like a cutesy romance but it feels so realistic like I know there are women out there ignoring red flags and giving bad advice. He cares for her AND he has emotional regulation issues. BOTH are true.
“It isn’t anything you did. It’s something I have to work on, and I’m hoping you’ll work on it with me.” Absolutely not. It is not her job to fix him. He needs to work on it himself and come to her when he’s figure it out or at-least made progress. There’s literally no guarantee that he won’t yell at her again for speaking her mind. No, no, and no.
In case you didn’t pick up on it, I’m internally screaming. It’s only been a week! He’s going to murder her and hide her body in the woods. Lol bye Hope, I’m sorry I thought you were the problem and it was the bear cub instead.
It’s been a month and they’ve been in 3 fights .
“If cash is bringing her to officially meet us…” They’ve met on multiple occasions?
She has dated before!! Why does she act like she hasn’t?? She keeps referring to her mom’s relationships as if she’s never had one of her own. Her trust issues would make more sense if one of her boyfriends had showed similar behaviors.
Then all the sudden her reservations are gone because her mom showed up. *more screaming*
How did she feel like it was time when she was just saying she needed space yesterday?
Side note. Making a pie for Bennett to take home is funny to me. I guess he can’t make a pie on his own. That’s reserved only for the women in the mountain.
Why don’t they have a peep hole in the door? Obviously whoever she opened the door to would push their way in. And how did her mother get up there with no money?
If he heard the gunshot and ran back within a few minutes then why didn’t he just run after their footprints? He would’ve found them immediately.
Why wait for the cops and have your friends come to your cabin instead of out looking for her when they live in the mountain only to have them wasting time to get there and then search?
“I waste no time…” actually you have wasted a lot of time and you literally could’ve had her back by now.
I—omg this is hard to listen to. He should have called Axel and told him he’s going after Hope, so call the police and the rest of the crew for a search party. Then he should’ve hung up and followed the tracks. By the time everyone showed up, he would’ve been fighting them or whatever he’s going to do. Instead he’s knocking on doors to find literal crackheads who mind you, have to also carry dead weight, so they didn’t get that far.
Was this beta read? I’m so frustrated because this entire book has been a rollercoaster and now this. AND the police live in this town! It’s not a separate state. Even if some of them were unfamiliar with the mountain, they could’ve partnered up with one of the mountain men and split into groups. That’s how a search party works. They wouldn’t be like that looks scary, GGs, bye!
Oh don’t worry guys the random military guy found them in 3 seconds taking away all the tension…wow pointless.
They are acting like this is a sting operation. It’s two crackheads with no weapons. And why would they go to sleep with hostages? What is he even saying?
Now you’re telling me that Jana was missing for 3 days and no one noticed. Unbelievable. They also didn’t even ask for an amount of money. Why is her boyfriend monologuing like a DC villain?
Right, so there was no point in them waiting. That’s what I thought.
This book has been pure torture. I’m not even going to comment on the rest of it. I’m done. Next book obviously Jana and Cole who they left her alone with to be stitched up except the paramedics are there to do that... Best of luck y’all.
September 22, 2022
Take Me to the Lake is the third installment in the Mountain Men of Whisky River series. It is part of an interconnected series but can be read as a standalone.
Hope left behind her addict mother and ventured to Whisky River Montana to place some roots. She loves her simple life of living in a cabin, walking through town, and spending her days as a freelance editor. Cash is a 28-year-old mountain man recluse. He was raised unconventionally by his paranoid older brother, Harvey. He is naive, socially awkward, and so innocent that it will make your heart melt.
Cash and Hope have an instant attraction to each other. Even though Cash is nearly 30, this is almost like a coming of age story. He’s never dated, flirted, or been intimate with a girl before. His only friends are the other men living isolated on the mountain and their wives. I’m so glad that readers got to read from Cash’s POV because it really made me feel for him. He was just so sweet! My only complaint is that Hope and Cash had several miscommunication issues which caused unnecessary drama that could have easily been avoided.
The chemistry between the two main characters was fabulous and the spice was *squeal* so good! I loved that both of them were inexperienced and learning together. It was great to see some return characters from the previous books and I’m excited for Cole to get his own HEA! Overall this was a really sweet book with sprinkles of spice that will make you smile like a fool.
Tropes: Small town romance || Virgin Heroine || Virgin Hero || Instalove || Happily-Ever-After
Heat: 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Hope left behind her addict mother and ventured to Whisky River Montana to place some roots. She loves her simple life of living in a cabin, walking through town, and spending her days as a freelance editor. Cash is a 28-year-old mountain man recluse. He was raised unconventionally by his paranoid older brother, Harvey. He is naive, socially awkward, and so innocent that it will make your heart melt.
Cash and Hope have an instant attraction to each other. Even though Cash is nearly 30, this is almost like a coming of age story. He’s never dated, flirted, or been intimate with a girl before. His only friends are the other men living isolated on the mountain and their wives. I’m so glad that readers got to read from Cash’s POV because it really made me feel for him. He was just so sweet! My only complaint is that Hope and Cash had several miscommunication issues which caused unnecessary drama that could have easily been avoided.
The chemistry between the two main characters was fabulous and the spice was *squeal* so good! I loved that both of them were inexperienced and learning together. It was great to see some return characters from the previous books and I’m excited for Cole to get his own HEA! Overall this was a really sweet book with sprinkles of spice that will make you smile like a fool.
Tropes: Small town romance || Virgin Heroine || Virgin Hero || Instalove || Happily-Ever-After
Heat: 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
August 6, 2024
It's the worst book in the series so far. The editing was appalling with Jenna and Jana being confused, left, right, and centre. And I'm so exhausted with Emelie's POVs popping up all the time. It's just making me hate her so much at this point.
October 22, 2025
And she hates it out of the park again I love these stories are so wonderful and so sweet
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