“Mountain Boss” by S.J. Tilly: A Perfect Blend of Enemies to Lovers and Workplace Romance

• Author: S.J. Tilly
• Release Date: March 27, 2025
• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• My Rating:
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
• 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

My first SJ Tilly book did not disappoint, I’m now going to need all of her books now! I absolutely loved this book. Lady Bear and Ben are my new favorite sidekicks, ready to defend at any time.

Courtney packed up her life  and moved to Colorado for her new job position at Black Mountain Lodge as their new maintenance person and they provide resistance for their employees. Courtney needs this job more than anything, there is no turning back for her and no one else to rely on but herself. Arriving at Black Mountain Lodge, Courtney is taken back by the handsome man with gorgeous eyes, a toned body leaving his flannel open to expose that delicious chest hair of his. 

Spoilers Ahead

In a short little time Country finally has a place that feels like home at Black Mountain Lodge. With friends she never thought she would make with the other employees. The guys have welcomed Courtney into their little family and will do everything and anything to protect their own. 

“We’re the Black Mountain Family. We look out for each other.”

“That we do.” I nod. Then I nod again before I crack a smile. You meant the rope,” I say with a lightly mocking tone.

Fisher grins.

I won’t lie when Country said “Owie” I almost stopped reading, I had no idea that was a word that made me cringe 🤣. Turned out to be one of my new favorite books. I’m so glad I kept going. Sterling definitely reminds me of my mountain man at home 🙊

I’m not tough. But I am desperate. And sometimes, that’s the same thing.

I also think I’m tough but maybe I’m just desperate to not have someone see what’s underneath the mirage. And sometimes it’s nice to have someone on your side, it took me a while, I think I’m starting to get better at relying on someone and asking for help, but fck is it hard.

Sterling wasn’t expecting Court to be a woman when she was hired for the job. Not sure what to do with her Sterling puts her in the Laundry cabin, there was no way he was going to let her sleep in the bunk house with the rest of the all male employees. Slowly Sterling starts to become obsessed with his Little Worker, protective of her and gets a little jealous every now and then.

It’s be an asshole or seduce her. So I guess I’m gonna keep being an asshole

I had to bite my lip. Because fck me, a girl with tools is hot

Falling for Courtney wasn’t part of Sterling’s plan to get her to quit. He thought being an asshole would hopefully push her to quit. Oh and how Courtney believed he truly hated her, didn’t want her there and would fire her for being a woman. Not thinking, and trying to find a quick solution, Sterling puts her through some unlivable conditions. She is a survivor -a fighter, this may be her worst but she will come out on the other side

… that I realize the obvious

None of the guys have talked to Courtney.

No one has met her.

And if no one has met her, then no one told her about lunch.

She wasn’t being shy by staying in her cabin; she didn’t know.

The burger rolls in my stomach

I really am an asshole

I couldn’t imagine what was going through Sterling mind about all the things Courtney has gone through since she started at the Lodge.

Scenes That Broke My Heart

It’s okay

I’m going to be okay

I’ve been in shittier conditions

I have a roof over my head

A private bathroom

Limited food

Half a tank of gas

Two hundred dollars

And a board to sleep on

… my smile drops.

End. Of. The fucking month.

Defeat feels heavy around my ankles, making it hard to lift my feet.

Maybe I can ask Mr. Black for an advance?

I take a step toward my cabin. Maybe I could convince him to pay by weekly. Just for my first  month.

…And I know… I know I can’t ask this man for money.

Even if I earned it.

Even if I’m going to keep working for it.

Even if I’m worth it…

I can’t ask him.

Because he’ll say no.

I feel a second tear ready to fall.

But I can’t let it

Can’t let him see it.

Holy fck. This hurt. I feel we have maybe all been in this position once in our lives, maybe not as bad as Courtney having to take care of herself since she was 16 years old. Sure she lived with her mother, but she got a job at 14, and then moved out on her own at 19. Living pay cheque to cheque, skimping by, living off of non perishable food, trying to be healthy but not being able to afford the proper nutritious food.

A Scene I Love

“You saw my receipt , and you called me Cookie,” I remind him. Reminding myself as well. “I know … bigger. But I don’t like the name.”

….”Courtney.” His seriousness stops me. “I need you to listen to me real fucking carefully.”

I press my lips together.

“I called you Cookie for two reasons. And neither of them had anything to do with the shape of your perfect fucking body.” He takes a step closer, finally following me. “Reason one.” He stepsward again, raising his hand and holding up one finger. “You literally threw a cookie at me. And two” He holds up a second finger. “ I call you Cookie because you’re sweet and delicate and”-he reaches out and grips one of my braids-”I want to eat you.”

The air gets tangles in my lungs

He … what? 

“I know I shouldn’t.” He drags his hand down my plaited hair. “But I can’t resist anymore”

“Resist?”

“Yes, Cookie, I can’t, I won’t resist the urge to touch you any longer. He lets my braid fall from his fingers” And you have until the count of three to get out of reach if you don’t want this.”  

THIS! THIS! THIS! I absolutely loved this scene. As a girl with curves, been made fun of for my weight, being heavier than most other women. I have – I was very uncomfortable in my own skin, I tried to hide my body under big sweaters, oversized clothes. My feelings would have also been hurt if someone gave me a nickname based off the food I get making me feel bad about my weight. It took me so long to get comfortable in my own body, to be okay with the weight I am now. I was lucky to find a man who loved me at my heaviest, to the woman I am now. He makes me feel so good about myself again.

A Couple of My Favorite Quotes

It doesn’t matter that we’re hardly touched.

That we haven’t kissed.

That we’ve barely talked.

And even though I want to know everything about her, the lack of information isn’t important. Because there’s nothing in her past that would keep me from wanting her.

Needing her

If Courtney had asked my favorite cake flavor that night when we stayed awake talking until dawn, I would have said chocolate. And I would have been wrong. Because when I take a bite of my birthday cake, I swear it’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted.

“I want to build a home here with you.” His eyes move to the side, looking at the land around us. “I’ve thought about it over the years. Figured I might someday. But I want that day to be now. And I want it to be with you.” He looks back down, gaze on mine. “You can work at my side. You can find something else to do. You can change your mind a thousand times. Whatever it is, we can find your passion together.”

✨💜Tropes💜✨

• Age-Gap
• Enemies to lovers 
• Small Town Romance
• Workplace Romance
• Plus Size FMC
• Older MMC