He’s a mountain she can’t resist trying to climb.Dr. Sarah Lynde loves sex and is not ashamed to admit it. The sociology professor and single mother of two is in the market for a new friend with benefits…not a relationship.Army First Sergeant James McAllister never knows when the next deployment will come, but someday he wants to settle down with his true soulmate and have children. Sarah is … have children. Sarah is just a diversion until that happens…right?
They think they’re simply meeting each other’s needs, but their undeniable connection has built a mountain with two faces: one of fiery passion and one of soul-crushing heartbreak.
They just have to decide which face to climb.
Authors’ Note: Intended for readers 18+. Another version of this book was previously published under the same title. This edition has been rewritten and edited. The first three Mountains Series books must be read in order, as it is James and Sarah’s continuing saga. The subsequent books in the Mountains Series function as standalones.
Book 1: Mountains Wanted – James & Sarah’s Story #1
Book 2: Mountains Climbed – James & Sarah’s Story #2
Book 3: Mountains Loved – James & Sarah’s Story #3
Book 4: Christmas in the Mountains – James & Sarah’s holiday novella
Book 5: The Navigator – Garrett’s Story
Book 6: The Explorer – Abby’s Story #1 (coming soon)
Book 7: The Adventurer – Rachel’s Story (coming soon)
Book 8: Mountains Transcended – Abby’s Story #2 (coming soon)
more
Mountains Wanted (Mountains Series #1)
By Phoebe Alexander
5 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed reading this book. Mountains Wanted (Mountains Series #1) by Phoebe Alexander had me hooked from the beginning and I soon found myself lost in the story. I enjoyed reading about the characters of Dr. Sarah Lynde and Army First Sergeant James McAllister. Sarah is a woman who is intelligent, a single mother, and a sociology professor. She is looking for a new friend with benefits. That is when she meets James. James is a man that is in the Army, loves to read, and never knows when his next deployment will come. He is a man that knows he will one day want to settle down but for the time being, he is just looking for a diversion. Then he meets Sarah. The physical chemistry between Sarah and James is very strong. They share a strong connection. What starts out as something casual starts to turn into something more. What does the future hold for Sarah and James? Read this book to find out. This is the first book in a series and is very steamy. Sarah is not shy about having an open relationship. James and Sarah are likable characters and I grew to care about them with each chapter that I read. There are other characters that are introduced that I enjoyed reading about as well. Sarah has a bestie that is a true friend and helpful to her. This story has both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments that had my emotions going up and down. Don’t miss out on the first book of James and Sarah’s story. I can’t wait to read the next one.
Mountains Wanted
By
Phoebe Alexander
This is book 1 of The Mountain Series. In this first book we are introduced to the main characters, Sarah and James. Sarah is a single mom with two kids doing all the normal things, work and taking care of her kids. When she meets James. This book is a great introduction to a good series and I can’t wait for the next book. It has good love scenes and a good story line. You will enjoy this and I personally can’t wait for the next book.
As usual this author nailed it with her writing style and ability to bring it all to life. The characters are well develop, in more ways than one ;), and their personalities really shine through. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. This is one of my favorite authors and I am always on the look out for more reads from her. If you like steamy, this is for you.
Phoebe Alexander outdid herself again. Mountains wanted is a story about crave, desire, and pure sex appeal. The characters were great and very relatable. I love the way Alexander writes and the way all of her books that I’ve read so far draw me in. I recommend this to anybody who needs a heart racing, hot novel.
5/5 Stars
Mountains Wanted (Mountains Series Book 1) by Phoebe Alexander
This isn’t the first book by Alexander I’ve read. This new series is great and I loved every minute of it. Mountains Wanted is the first book in the Mountain Series.
Sarah is a single mom to two wonderful kids. Meeting James at a sub place she couldn’t keep him off her mind. When she meets him again a few days later things change. The quote I chose for Sarah is: “With all due respect, let’s say your life is on the line in the heat of battle. Would you rather have a gay soldier who is one hundred percent focused and loyal to his fellow soldiers by your side, or a straight soldier whose mind is nowhere near the battlefield? The truth of the matter is people have the ability to be professional and put their recreational and sexual desires aside when needed. This ability has absolutely nothing to do with sexual orientation. It has everything to do with integrity and work ethic.”
James is home for good. He’s teaching ROTC and encourages his students to attend Sarah’s lecture. When he meets her one on one he can’t keep her off his mind. The quote I chose for James is: “Being deployed in a war zone, it’s obviously not like everyday life. In order for the men to stay focused, accomplish their missions and stay alive, it requires—more than anything else—mental discipline. If an individual loses focus and doesn’t see something they ought to have seen, it may not only get them injured but the person next to them as well. It’s imperative to keep distractions to a minimum. It’s focus and discipline that make the difference between frightened boys and professional soldiers who get the job done. That’s also why drinking and sex are discouraged while deployed.”
Highly recommended for Contemporary Romance lovers.
Mountains Wanted by Phoebe Alexander is the first installment to Ms. Alexander’s new series Mountains. Personally reading anything by Ms. Alexander is like catching up with a long-lost friend. Her dialogue is so easy to read and comprehend, her characters are fascinating and relatable, and her story line in Mountains Wanted leaves her readers wanting more. I was so excited for this book and it was so good that I devoured it in one sitting. This contemporary romance had everything I could want including passion, intrigue, and high-strung emotions. But it was also funny, sexy, and massively entertaining. After devouring this book in one sitting so need book two like now, I just have to know how the story continues.
I am quite familiar with this author and her work, so I knew what to expect. And it was HOT! And steamy. Then again, that’s her style of writing. She is extremely thorough and detailed in her writing and that includes her sex scenes as well. Not that I mind at all. As with all her books, they are very quick reads for me because once I pick them up I don’t want to put them down. This one ended in a cliffhanger so I know that she will continue where she left off. I am just not sure what will happen. I can’t wait to find out.
I was not prepared for the amount of steam in this contemporary romance, but I’m not saying that’s a bad thing! 😉 There were definitely some pearl-clutching scenes.
Sarah is a professor of sociology and James is in the Army. They meet and have an instant connection and when they are together intimately, they both feel like it feels so normal and that it’s just right.
Sarah is polyamorous, which was a lifestyle that was new to me to read about. She loves sex and isn’t ashamed to admit it. She’s not looking for a relationship, just a friend with benefits.
James is accepting of Sarah’s lifestyle, and even explores things himself. He agrees to a friends with benefits arrangement, but when no clear rules were set, things become murky.
Sarah wasn’t supposed to fall in love but realizes that she has done just that. She finds herself having a hard time knowing that James has also found himself in love with another person, despite his and Sarah’s FWB arrangement.
With an impending deployment, there are some tough decisions that need to be made. Will James choose Maggie, the high school sweetheart with whom he recently reconnected back home? Or will he choose Sarah, the woman he’s grown to love over several months?
Mountains Wanted (Mountains Series #1) by Phoebe Alexander
4 out of 5
Mountains Wanted by Phoebe Alexander is a delicious, emotional ride through finding love in the least expected places. Dr. Sarah Lynde is a professor and single mom. Sarah, through her friendship with Rachel, discovered a love of sex and isn’t afraid to go after who she wants.
Sarah meets 1st Sgt. James McAllister at a panel discussion on gays serving in the military. James is everything that Sarah could want in a partner, tall, strong, sexy, intelligent. And, a few things she doesn’t, poor at communicating, looking at redeployment. The connection Sarah and James share is unlike anything Sarah has felt before. When Sarah offers James the chance to be friends with benefits, James quickly agrees. What happens when Sarah wants more? Is James willing to change the nature of the relationship?
Sarah is a single mom of two kids who she is trying to raise with the help of her mother and her best friend. Sarah’s ex decided, Daniel, to disappear 3 years ago. Sarah helped the kids pick up the pieces and move on. Abby is now 15 going on 40. Abby faces decisions about relationships and adolescence with wisdom beyond her years. Owen is 10 and enjoys asking sex education questions to annoy his sister. Owen has a heart as big as the Rocky Mountains. Now Daniel has emerged with a new wife and son and wants back into the kids’ lives. Will Sarah be able to hold all the pieces together?
James is finding his way in Sarah’s world. James doesn’t know if Sarah’s world is where he fits. He knows he wants a wife, kids, a family some day. He thinks he is just about ready to go for it but is facing deployment, again. A decision has to be made. Is James willing to look for the family he wants with Sarah? Is there a place for Sarah in James’ life when he gets back from deployment?
Phoebe Alexander takes you and your emotions through all the peaks and valleys. It’s a wicked climb! I can’t wait for the rest of the series to find out where life takes Sarah and James.
This book includes descriptions of a polyamorous lifestyle and may not be for all readers.
Mountains Wanted (Mountains Series Book 1) by Phoebe Alexander
I knew going in that this book was a part of a series and I guess technically a cliffhanger so I can only be mad at myself for having to wait to find out what happens next, thankfully I won’t have to wait too long since the series has seven books released.
I got very frustrated with Sarah several times, some of her behaviors were those I have come to expect from younger female characters but with her history I can see where she would have some trust issues.
I love Sarah’s kids and Rachel and envy her openness and ability to be herself without fear or concerns.
I will be starting the next book as soon as I get a chance to. My lack of patience won’t allow me to wait too long. Especially since I have loved every single book I have had the pleasure of reading by Ms. Alexander
If I could give a million stars I would, I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book!!!! It was definitely a book I could not put down. Dr. Sarah Lynde’s character is strong and bad azz in many ways. She is a provider to her two children and balances being a professor. When she meets Lt. James McAllister at her speaking engagement, I knew there would be sparks. Boy oh boy was I right. The story unfolds when they get together there is so much sizzling heat. James is torn between what he wants and what is right in front of him. There are many ups and downs between James and Sarah when it comes to matters of the heart and feelings. What does James? You will have to read and find out. The ending….AHHHH … I need book 2 ASAP :).
Sarah is looking for a hook up, Friends with benefits whatever you want to put a label on it but definitely not a relationship that why this seems a great deal with James.
Sarah is woman who knows what she wants, nothing complicated, no relationship just sex. While at work she meets James who seems the ideal person for a friends with benefit package, there is an instant attraction but as it goes on can she just see him a bit of fun or will it get serious.
James is a RTOC Instructor and is giving a talk to a class but his attraction is drawn to the professor, Sarah. When they approach each other James feels the attraction and when the opportunity to just scratch each others itch becomes a reality James jumps in with both feet but feelings are starting to play a part and James is at crossroads.
I love, love, love this author and her stories there is never a boring one, the writing is brilliant as usual and the characters are well developed and just jump off the page with the chemistry they have.
I always love how Phoebe creates her female lead characters with strength and a “don’t give a crap” attitude but also shows the flaws in there characters as well and that is also evident in this book. I also love the way the male characters are nearly always alpha men but have that soft side to them that you just melt into.
This is the first book in this series and can’t wait to read the next books to see how this beautiful relationship and couple progress.
This was a great start to a new series, the blurb really made me want to read this and it quite honestly did not disappoint. Really liked Sarah and James relationship the slow burn and the angst was there and honestly, it was written great. Did not expect the ending and I can’t wait to read the next book and find out what happened.
Mountains Wanted, Mountains Series, Phoebe Alexander, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, Contemporary Romance, Romance – Barbara Stegall June 2021
This is my first book written by Phoebe Alexander and I just want to say WOW! What an great story. Has the right amount of STEAM with some humor mixed in. Got to love kids mixed in an story especially when they are so real. I got sucked into the story and read way into the night as I could not put it down.
Sarah is a woman with needs and desires that she has let go by the wayside for too long. Standing in the sub shop waiting to place her order, she sees this hot hunk of soldier that she would like to take a bite out of (who doesn’t like a man in uniform?). Sarah doesn’t see him again until she attends a panel discussion on the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. She’s a professor and a participant. She sees him in the audience and they make eye contact. After the discussions, he suggests getting together for coffee to further discuss this topic. This leads to other things and some steamy no strings attached action. Sarah is fine with this because she is polyamorous. But uh oh…..she falls in love with him which creates all kinds of problems. They are seeing other people. He starts seeing his high school sweetheart. Oh the many glitches that happen in this “relationship.” Once you start this book, you just can’t stop. You have to see if they can work it out. The characters, both main and supportive, are relatable and likeable. You find yourself wanting to follow all the twists you know are coming. Part of the book is in Colorado, which is where I am so I love it for that reason too. This author is up there on my favorites list.
This is an escape book. One that you pick up when you are looking for an easy, romance read without too much drama. There is a little bit of angst and a fair bit of steam. I enjoyed that the FMC was self-assured (most of the time) and that the characters owned who they were. There is a fair bit of detail and inner monologue but it helped to understand the characters motivations better.
Mountains Wanted (Mountains Series #1) by Phoebe Alexander – Review by Krista Vaughan
Sarah is looking for a “friend with benefits” and James is looking for a hot distraction until he’s ready to settle down. These two light up the pages with their heat. It’s refreshing to read about people who represent different lifestyles and relationship types. There is not nearly enough representation in literature of alternative lifestyles. When feelings start to delve deeper and relationships need to be reexamined hearts can be broken. I’m very much looking forward to reading the next book!
Warning for 18+ readers.
Being polyamorous and part of the LBGTQ community this book touched my heart in special ways. Dr. Sarah Lynde is a very sex positive woman. She is comfortable in her skin and knows who she is. Sarah is on the lookout for a friend with benefits when she meets the very handsome Army First Sergeant James McAllister. Meeting at a lecture Sarah gives about the military’s don’t ask, don’t tell policy they meet up for coffee for a continuing discussion. Their views differ but the attraction and electricity between them is undeniable. Sarah is hesitant for a serious relationship after her marriage ended in a disaster and James having served in Afghanistan and having a failed marriage is also a little reluctant.
I love all the discussions about their status and feelings; in a polyamorous relationship communication is very important. It was nice to see that portrayed so wonderfully and realistically. The feelings Sarah had about telling James that she was polyamorous for fear of how he would feel about it, were perfectly on the mark!!
Mountains Wanted is the first in the Mountains Series by Phoebe Alexander. While this novel is different from her other novels, it touches on an issue in today’s world. Follow along with Sarah as she learns more about herself and what she wants. Alexander took a topic that isn’t discussed that much and wrote a novel about it. The main character, Sarah, struggles a little bit about what she wants and with whom she wants it with. Can she settle for just one? This novel is a great start to a wonderful series and I can’t wait to read more.
Hot, steamy, unorthodox romance writing at its finest! Sarah, single mother of 2, enjoys her life as a free spirit with no strings attached relationships. James is military and not looking for anything serious. When the two meet and begin a friends with benefits relationship, things become complicated as Sarah finds herself falling for James.
This story is HOT. Full of lustful, descriptive sex scenes, it is not for the faint at heart! Mountains Wanted explores relationships from all angles, including friends/boyfriends/friends with benefits/and everything in between. I could relate completely with Sarah as she dealt with her relationship with her teenage daughter! Great character development, great conversations. Would have rated it a 5/5 but there were some scenes that felt unnecessary to the flow of the story and could have been eliminated.