The Grumpy Recluse's Wager

Saddle Creek, TX: The Mountain Men #1

by Kat Baxter

Natalie I almost had the life of my dreams. That is until a goat, a churro, and deflating bouncy house made me internet-infamous and ruined my reputation as the reigning queen of over-the-top bachelorette parties. Now, I have no choice but to start over in the mountains of Saddle Creek. Living on my uncle’s ranch--alone--for three months without help is the key to inheriting the land. But it seems like he made the same promise to a glaring--but hot--mountain man. Linc I thought I was doing just fine on my own. Just me and my goats-for-hire. Suddenly, everything changes when my neighbor makes a bargain with his niece to give her his land. The pampered, curvy city girl is the last thing I need, especially since my neighbor had previously promised to sell his land to me. Now, I just have to find a way to drive Natalie away. The only problem is I don’t want her to leave. She’s the last woman in the world who would want a grumpy goat farmer like me, but she’s also the only woman I want.

Genres: Romance, Novella, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, M F Romance

116 pages, Paperback

Published July 16, 2023

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Kat Baxter writes fast-paced, sweet & STEAMY romantic comedies. Readers have dubbed her “The Queen of Adorkable.” and her books “laugh-out-loud funny,” and “hot enough to melt your kindle.” She lives in Texas with her family and a menagerie of animals. Kat is the pseudonym for a bestselling historical romance author.

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Reviews

[Steph (Teacups & Tropes) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Kat for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was soooo cute. I loved Linc. He seems like a big grumpy grump but he's actually such a softie. And the way he fed the baby goat every three hours. Guh. My heart. And Natalie was such a great character too. She was determined and strong willed and she was definitely the best match for Linc.

[Not your Mother’s Romance(semi-hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, just didn’t impress me. I don’t really spend time on reviews when it wasn’t my thing. I’ve got too much reading to do.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just an okay story for me.

This was well written but the story just wasn’t for me. The heroine was more forward and pushy than I personally prefer my heroines but I know a lot of people won’t have a problem with that. I also didn’t like that there was barely any internal dialogue from Lincoln about him wanting anything more than just wanting her and then at the end her just blurts out how much he loves her and wants to marry her. Even for instalove it felt like it came out of nowhere. Just okay for me.

[Ivy Deluca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick(ish) Review

Just what I expected a quick and easy read with little angst and some sexy times. And goats. Plus a tease for more. I’ll be keeping an eye out for the next one.

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalie (h) moves into her Uncle’s Charlie’s mountain cabin to re-evaluate her plans after an Internet-famous debacle involving goats ends her bachelorette party business. She’s less than thrilled when grumpy neighbor Linc (H) shows up with his herd of goats to rid invasive species from the land surrounding the cabin. Things get off to a little bit of a rocky start between Natalie and Linc, but when she ‘s forced to temporarily move in with him, things begin to heat up even as Linc tries to fight his attraction to her. Sweet mountain man, grump-sunshine romantic quickie with a side of heat.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie is a star!

I love that Charlie sees his opportunity for matchmaking and fully embraces it!
Linc doesn't believe in fairytales, he also has doubts about forever....but Natalie sure does make him want more. I love that she shakes up his perfectly ordered world and makes no apologies for it, she knows her worth and fully embraces it. She may also embrace the fairytales and happily ever after for her clients, but that doesn't mean that is what she is wanting for herself. She just has to get Linc to ask her what she wants for her forever rather than letting his imagination run wild with crazy ideas.
A fantastic feisty read on Kindle Unlimited.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good short, instant love story with humor, with goats and a medling uncle. This is a must read.

[Nikki_Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! Fab*u*lous Absolutely love this one!! I couldn't put this one down. This was a nice quick, short read.

Linc mets Natalie when she comes to stay at her grandfather's cabin. Linc neighbor is Charlie, Natalie's uncle. Linc is taking his goats to Charlie's land to clear it when Natalie spots him from inside the cabin. Natalie goes out to asks Linc what he's doing but calls the sheriff. Natalie finds out that Linc and his cousin Forest Lily's Forest got permission to clear the side of the mountain with their goats. Linc tells Natalie that if she wants to talk to Charlie they'll be having lunch with him. Natalie shows up at the diner because she wants to tell her uncle that her internet is out and she needs it. Natalie's uncle Charlie tells her that she can stay with Linc since he has really good internet she can use. Linc takes Natalie home to get a few of her things then to his house where he shows her her bedroom. Linc lets Natalie know the guys will be over for poker night, she asks if she can make anything to repay him for letting her stay. Linc tells her they just have beer and nuts, then Natalie tries to kiss him but he puts a stop to that. When the guys come over for poker they go and find all the things that Natalie made, Linc has to call her out of the bedroom to tell them what she made. When one of the guys leaves Natalie takes his place, when she starts shuffling the cards, they can't believe their eyes. Natalie starts winning every hand and the guys find out she played cards a lot growing up. When Linc runs out of money he tells everyone they're done tonight. Linc has to check on his goats, when Natalie is getting ready for bed she runs into him. Linc tells her she can't dress like that Natalie tells him she wants to make a wager, she tells him he's going to break and acknowledge there is something between them. If Natalie wins Linc and the guys will do the work on her cabin all she has to do is pay for the materials. For three morning Linc gets up early so that he can use the shower in his bedroom that he gave to Natalie. As the water beats down on him he starts to think about her, then he pleasures himself. Linc notices the bathroom door is open and then he sees Natalie watching him. So Linc tells her to pleasure herself, they come together. Linc's phone starts to ring, when he answers it he finds out it's the County Hospital, Charlie's int he hospital and Linc is his emergency contact. Linc tells Natalie to get dressed and soon they're on their way. When they arrive at the hospital they head up to Charlie's room, they can hear him yelling. They find out that Charlie is going to be fine and spend the rest of the day with him. When they get back home Natalie asks Linc why thinks she wouldn't stay in the cabin. Linc tells her she's a shooting star meant for bigger things. Natalie tells him all her life she's been unsettled and restless, unsure where to fit in, he centered her in a way she didn't know was possible. Natalie tells him she doesn't care about all the romance stuff. What she wants is someone who will commit to love her, not just for a month or a year but forever. Linc kisses her, and Natalie tells him she's not his mom. Linc tells her he hopes not, Natalie tells him what he said about his mom, she left because this life wasn't enough for her, and that's her problem. Linc tells her he's going to love her forever, Natalie asks him if they're officially forfeiting the wager. Natalie tells him she needs him, Linc takes her back to his bed. Linc tells her he loves her, Natalie tells him she loves him. Linc tells her that Charlie set them up, Natalie tells him he sure did. Linc pleasures her, then they make love. Linc tells her he's going to marry her, Natalie tells him she's going to let him. Two years later, Linc comes home to find Natalie snuggled up on the couch a goat with her. It's been two years since they met and a year since they've been married. Linc goes to push the hair off her face and she wakes up, he tells her she baby's the goat. Natalie tells him that won't last much longer, then she places his hand over her stomach. Linc asks her if she's sure, Natalie tell him she took three test this morning. Linc tells her he doesn't know what he did to deserve her but he's thankful. Natalie tells him he was just him, but his goats helped a little.

[Beverly Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, fast-paced, instalove with a side of steam!
Natalie and Lincoln are absolutely adorable together.
After a goat fiasco makes her internet famous, extreme bachelorette party planner Natalie retreats to her Uncle Charlie’s cabin to work on her fresh start. There she meets the next door neighbor, Linc, a grumpy mountain man who uses herds of, you guessed it, goats to manage lawns and help clear invasive plant species. With his rude, stubborn attitude, these two do not get off on the right foot. He thinks she’s too much of a high maintenance, city girl to make it even one night at Charlie’s cabin. But between those pesky goats and a meddlesome uncle, Natalie ends up crashing at Linc’s place for a bit. They get to know each other a little better. Turns out the grumpy goat man exterior is hiding a soft gooey inside. He’s also using that gruffness as protection. Linc has a very soured view on relationships and marriage after his mom’s leaving nearly broke him and his dad. He knows Natalie is special, but his skewed view convinces him she wants a fairytale romance, and other things he can’t give her. It won’t let him believe she would stick around for the likes of him so he tries to keep her at arm’s length. Natalie sees that he’s holding himself back and decides to push him. But can he get over his assumptions and unwillingness to even try? Or will he lose out on what could be his fairytale ending?.

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

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Trouble With Goats . . .

Natalie had her career right where she wanted it as a bachelorette party planner. But an incident involving goats and a destroyed bouncy house -- occupied at the time by the entire bridal party sleeping off their hangovers -- hit social media and ended her career. Her Uncle Charlie Carson offered to give her his cabin in Saddle Creek if she remains there 3 months. Apparently she will find out he also made an offer to sell it to his neighbor – a farmer who owns lots of goats!

Linc is attracted to Natalie, but he has convinced himself that since she is a city girl, she would never settle down in the mountains with him. So he tries to maintain distance. But his critters chew her internet wires and, since she can’t create her website for her business, and some frat boys at Ruthie’s diner in town recognized her and could come around to bother her, she has to accept everyone urging her to move in with Linc for a short time. Will this be the start of a relationship as they get to know each other? Could Natalie find happiness here with her mountain man?

The characters are so likable in this story. Uncle Charlie is a clever matchmaker, making sure the people he cares about are happy. Grab your copy and laugh at all the antics and see if there is a HEA for all of us at the end.

[Debbie Orazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read Insta-love grumpy/sunshine romance.

I love these quickies by this author. They are sweet, steamy and always leave me smiling. Highly recommend!

Natalie Green is a curvy firecracker. She owns an event planning business and is known for her over the top bachelorette parties in Houston. Her dream is to be a wedding planner and have her own event venue.

Linc Adams owns a goat for hire business with his cousin Forest. He is her Uncle's neighbor.

Sparks fly when they meet. He brings his goats to her Uncle Charlie's property to work on eating the kudzu. She is not feeling especially friendly about goats after having a bad experience with them which cost her her job. The goats eat her Wi-Fi connection so her uncle, who has moved into an assisted living center and left her his land, suggests she temporarily move in with Linc to be able to use the internet. Linc is trying desperately to fight his attraction to Natalie because he thinks she wants to move to the city after she gets her new business up and running. After a poker game with his buddies they make a water about him giving in to their attraction. He loses the bet and they get their HEA.

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

[lf]

More than a little butting going on

The Grumpy Recluse's Wager is the first book in the new The Mountain Men of Saddle Creek series. I really loved this story as at time it had me laughing out loud, chuckling, getting a little steamy and very much delighting in a sweet, grouchy and steamy story. Natalie Green has found herself moved into her uncle Charlie's cabin up on Saddle Creek mountain. She had to flee Houston after a viral Tik Tok video from one of the bachelorette parties she planned was a little too much to handle. She has plans for the 20 acres with fabulous views that is Uncle Charlie's property. She wants to turn it into a destination wedding business, helping the local economy, her sister's vineyard and accomplish what she always wanted to do in the process. What she was not expecting was to have a whole herd of goats crossing in front on her window, after all it was goats that made her go viral. She confronts the big sexy mountain man who has brought the herd onto the property and from there things are about to get smexy hot, even as he fights it all the way. That is until the wager which he finds he is more than happy to lose.

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie had a blow up on the internet- she is infamous. It is a long and funny story, although she doesn’t think so. So, she is staying up at her elderly Uncle Charlie’s cabin in the mountains of Texas. Her older half sister Brooke is trying to cheer her up on the phone when goats show up. OMG lol. Let’s just say Nat does NOT like goats. Then there are all the goats on her Uncle’s property with a very hot guy there too. They are trying to eat the kudzu on the property.

Charlie is ‘old man Carson’ who has moved into an assisted living facility as he is getting too old to take care of his home or land. Linc and his goats are trying to get rid of the kudzu because that stuff spreads like wildfire. Nat doesn’t believe him, and he doesn’t believe that she is related to Charlie. So the Sheriff gets called. So funny!

My stomach still hurts from laughing so much! It is a great quick read. I really enjoyed the poker night too and how much Charlie is a sneaky smart old man. Lol.

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

[Deborah Durand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story may be short on words, but Baxter made up for it with heat and humor. It’s an insta-love, insta-lust between Natalie Green and Lincoln Adams. Humiliated on TikTok, wedding planner Natalie is regrouping in west Texas at her uncle Charlie’s cabin. She runs into her next door neighbor Linc, who runs an eco-friendly goat business. Goats wrecked her last event and now she has to deal with them again, plus a huge, hot, hunk-of-burning-love grump. Read how the reclusive Texan waxes poetic with F-bombs to the curvy, sassy, designer-luggage-loving babe and how they make beautiful music together. I can hear Robert Plant now 🎶 “WOMAN, you need….LOOOOOOOOOVE!!!!” 🎶 accompanied by loud electric guitars.

You’re gonna love this tiny, humorous, romcom starring big, beautiful, people. This is the first story I’ve read by the author. I give 5 stars 🌟 for rereads. This is a keeper. Enjoy. I received an ARC from Booksprout and I am leaving an unbiased review voluntarily.

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mountain Men of Saddle Creek, the brand new series from the pen of Kat Baxter, kicks off with the fabulously entertaining and swoon-worthy The Grumpy Recluse's Wager. When Natalie moves into her uncle's cabin in the mountains with her eye on building a wedding venue on the sprawling surrounding land, the last thing she expects is to be swept off her own feet by her grumpy, reclusive neighbour. Although Lincoln doesn't make the best first impression - showing up on Natalie's land with a herd of goats - their meet-cute alone will have you smiling so much your cheeks hurt. And watching both Lincoln and Natalie trying to pretend that neither wants the other other person is the makings of a page-turning steamy and swoony romance. An absolute must-read, and I can't wait for the next installment of The Mountain Men of Saddle Creek.

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

[Ingrid Spera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what synopsis says

So, this was a cute and fun story... But definitely NOT what the synopsis said. At no point is it mentioned that Uncle Charlie was going to give Linc the land or even that Linc wanted it! That entire portion of the story doesn't exist.

This story is basically that Natalie moves into her uncle's house and Linc's goats eat the WiFi cable so she has to go and stay with him while thinks get fixed. They start off with a little bit of tension because he thinks she's gonna leave and then they decide each other.

It's a cute and sweet low angst read that I enjoyed, just not the one I thought I was getting.

Also, I wish certain Scriptures at the used earlier in the book. We don't find out until 1⁄3 of the way, maybe even half the way, that she is biracial. I would have like to have known that earlier so I could have picture that way earlier. Even if the description had been her darker skin or her curly hair...

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I absolutely love anything from Kat Baxter and The Grumpy Recluse's Wager is no exception. It is a short, funny, steamy, instalove, grumpy/sunshine, curvy girl and her mountain man romance. Natalie has retreated to her Uncle's cabin after becoming internet famous in not a good way. Her Uncle says she can have the cabin if she can live up there 3 months. Lincoln is her hot, next door,mountain man/goat farmer, neighbor. He wants to buy the land. They are both instantly attracted to one another but Lincoln is worried they aren't compatible. Can Natalie show him how wrong he is? These characters have amazing chemistry and some seriously laugh out loud funny moments. I absolutely loved it!!.

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

[Jennifer Brewster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything Kat writes and this was no exception. This was Grumpy /Sunshine, forced proximity with a little side a meddling uncle. Natalie retreats to her uncles to reevaluate her life and career after a viral video cost her her business and clientele. Her uncle promised her the land if she can stick it our for 3 months. Too bad he has offered the same thing to his neighbor Lincoln.

Sparks go flying between these two at their very first meeting but Lincoln being the recluse he is thinks he isn't made for romance and sees Natalie as a city girl destined for bigger things. There was some back and forth, a baby goat and a wager at a poker table but in the end Love won out.

That shower scene was 🔥🔥🔥!!!!! I am so ready for the next book in the series!

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie went to her Uncle Charlie's property to recoup after an incident in Austin, Texas with her party planning business. He had promised her if she stayed three months, he would sign the property over to her. Her first day there, she had a run with the neighbor, Lincoln(Linc) Adam regarding his goats being on the property, and the goats eating the internet connection into the cabin. She ends up staying with Linc which she has an attraction to, and he has one to her too, but they are both trying their best to exnore the overwhelming chemistry. Read this amazing over the top book that will make you smile at times at some of their far outlandish things.

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

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 3 out of 5]

After meeting Linc in Lily's Forest, I couldn't wait to see him finally fall in love.
Natalie and Linc shouldn't makes sense.
After all Linc is a goat farmer.
and Natalie...well she doesn't have the greatest history with goats.
I really liked the book.
Honestly though, I felt like Linc caved too fast for his reasonings for keeping his distance from Natalie. I wish we would've at least gotten a scene with the two of them talking out more of the issues and how Natalie despised the city and actually loved being in the country.
I'm really looking forward to the next book...especially if it's some shirtless mountain man ;).

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

[Suelen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homem da Montanha x Garota da Cidade

Eu achava que não iria curtir tanto esse livro, mas na verdade ele me surpreendeu. No começo não fui muito com a cara do Lincoln, o achei bem diferente do que foi mostrado em "Lily's Forest", mas depois que ele começou a conviver com a Natalie, isso mudou. Não teve muito romance, pois Linc insistia em se manter afastado, mesmo assim foi uma história boa de se acompanhar e, por isso, eu recomendo!

OBS: Na sinopse diz que o tio da mocinha havia prometido vender a terra dele para o mocinho, mas isso nunca aconteceu. Em momento algum tal fato foi narrado na história. Achei até que iria rolar uma disputa de terra por causa disso, mas não teve nada a ver.

[Darius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un romance relámpago y divertido que te deja con una sonrisa en la cara.

Me reí bastante con Natalie y con Linc. Ambos son divertidisimos.

La historia es sencilla y graciosa, con un toque extra y bien distribuido de tensión sexual que va creciendo rápido a medida que avanza.

Una historia perfecta para leer en unas pocas horas, darte un respiro mental y solamente disfrutar camino a un felices para siempre sin dramas telenoveleros.

Es el primer libro de Kat que leo. Y, sin lugar a dudas, me aventuraré a leer más de ella. Tiene una pluma fresca y contemporánea que llamó mi atención, espero disfrutar del resto de las entregas de esta saga con el mismo entusiasmo que con la historia de Natalie y Linc.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpalicious Linc gets his Happily Ever After

A social media disaster, a meddling uncle, and a whole bunch of goats bring Linc and Natalie together, for better or worse. Thankfully, Kat Baxter gives us Better in the form of an opposites attract, grumpy sunshine, forced proximity love story.

Strong, resilient Natalie and stubborn, reclusive Linc dance around each other in a will they or won’t they, kind of way. They created an absolutely delicious, $exy slow burn that knocked my socks off with anticipation. YUM!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I purchased a copy. This is my honest review. 🔥⭐️🔥⭐️🔥⭐️🔥⭐️🔥⭐️ from me!

[Lucy Chesna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1 of The Mountain Men of Saddle Creek. The story is about Natalie and Linc. It started rough for Natalie because of what happened to her business, and she needed a fresh start. Her uncle promised his place and she wanted to create something amazing there then she meets Linc. Let's say it didn't work out so well in the beginning, but Linc couldn't stay from her. They both had a connection, but stubbornness stayed in the way. With a little pushing from others, they realized they were meet for each other, You are going to love this as much as I did. I can't wait to read Book 2.

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

[T Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

HEA
Standalone, interconnected characters
Mountain Men of Saddle Creek
Grump/Sunshine
Dual 1st person PoV

*over 18 readers only *

Linc and Natalie were made the same promise by Natalie's uncle. Natalie wanted to be a wedding planner, but somewhere along the way became an over-the-top bachelorette party planner. One that went viral online for all the wrong reasons, goats. Linc is a goat farmer, and she now hates goats. Who will get her uncle's land? Or is something else at play here?

I know I can always count on Kat for some insta-love, steam, and giggles. These light-hearted, interconnected standalones are just the right size of quick but fulfilling.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Kat does it again! I’m seriously obsessed with all of her books and this one did not disappoint!

Natalie’s uncle gave Natalie the land and cabin he lived on, under the condition that she needs to stay there for three months. Her uncle also set a stipulation up for Lincoln, the recluse. The two of them meet and it’s just got and explosive! They have this banter back and forth with each other that I just loved. You could feel the sexual tension between one another, until they finally gave in! So cute & steamy! 😍❤️🔥

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can always depend on Kat Baxter to make me laugh out loud at the dialogue in her stories whether it be the inner dialogue of the character or the banter between characters. Add in a heroine who owns her curves, a grumpy hero who truly appreciates them and some goats and you have the makings of another fun, sweet, hot, instalove story.
Welcome back to Saddle Creek where there’s a little bit of magic in the air to help hearts find their true love match.
I received an free advance review copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This short story moves along nicely and has likeable characters in Natalie and Lincoln, it was nice to catch up with characters I had met in a previous book and meet new ones too. There were good relationships in this, connection, chemistry, friends, families, pasts, dreams, going after what you want, a little scheming and some intervention from some goats. I am interested in reading more from this seties.

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 such a fun read that had goats woven throughout ;D I loved how the author had goats be the 'bad guys' to set in motion Natalie's move to her uncle's farm, have them be the 'heroes' by ridding the farm of an invasive plant and then have one become a cuddly pet. Linc and his brother have a goat farm and they help out with invasive plants but he is quite a grumpy guy. With forced proximity, though, he lets go of his walls and opens up to the positive that Natalie brings to his life. Expect a highly entertaining reading ride with some drama, chemistry and steamy romance. Good fun!

[Sassy Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this latest story in the Saddle Creek world. I couldn't put it down. I love reading anything by Kat Baxter. I loved the interactions between Natalie and Linc. Natalie has come to her uncle's cabin after an incident with her job. She meets Linc when he brings his goats to clean out some areas on the property. Linc knows that she is something special. He doesn't believe he can offer her what she needs. Will she be able to change his mind so they can explore their feelings?

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