| Title | : | The Bear Who Loved Me (Grizzlies Gone Wild, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 304 |
| Publication | : | First published September 6, 2016 |
Between singlehandedly running her bakery and raising her teenaged nephew, Becca Weitz thought she had a decent grip on "normal." Then her nephew vanishes, and life as she's known it changes forever. Local legends are true: bear shifters exist . . . and her nephew is part of their clan. As is Carl Carman, the sexy, larger-than-life man who has sworn to find her nephew-and the other young shifters who've gone missing.
As the leader of his clan, Carl is surrounded by enemies. He's learned the hard way that keeping a firm leash on his inner beast is key to survival, though his feelings for Becca test his legendary control. Then danger stalks too close, and Carl realizes he must unleash the raging, primal force within to protect everything he holds dear. But can Becca trust his grizzly side with her life-and her heart?
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The Grizzlies Gone Wild Series
Book 1: The Bear Who Loved Me
Book 2: License to Shift
Book 3: For the Bear's Eyes Only
The Bear Who Loved Me (Grizzlies Gone Wild, #1) Reviews
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Link to full review below!Good characters, interesting plot, and a pretty quick read over all! I am looking forward to more in this series!
See full review on The Book Disciple -
Many thanks to Estelle at Forever Pub for the free copy in exchange for an honest review
This is just going to be a mini-review. 3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book. It was a classic shifter romance with a little bit of drama, danger and steam of course! Definitely worth a read if you get the chance.
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The Bear Who Loved Me is book one in the Grizzlies Gone Wild series by Kathy Lyons. It’s full of action, suspense, mystery, and romance.
Becca is a human, a backer, a aunt and now mother to her sisters son. She is a strong women who has put everyone before herself. She does what needs to be done to take care of her family. I felt for her and all the struggles she went through; it made her that much more real. When she learns about shifters and her nephew, well she can’t quit believe. I liked how she digested the information thrown at her. She went through a few different reactions, but eventually took it all in. No hysterics!
Carl is a bear shifter, the Alpha to his clan, and protector. I liked him. He is trying to change how things are run and ruled. To think and not just kill. To balance both.
Becca and Carl I liked from the beginning. Their back and forth was playful and funny. When the situation calls for seriousness they are focused. The love is intense and sweet. I enjoyed learning about this world. I liked how man and bear are two separate entities yet living in the same body and so they must find balance. The secondary characters where also fun and just added to the story. We are taken on an adventure full of mystery, suspense, and romance.
The Bear Who Loved Me was one of those books that once you pick it up, you aren’t going to set it down. I can’t wait to read more in this series.
Rated: 4 Bear Stars
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Forever via NetGalley with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
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3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this bear shifter story. Kathy Lyons is a new author to me and I am glad that I took a chance on this series.
Carl Carmen was an alpha who ran a boy summer camp where they discretely monitored boys whom they suspected had the bear shifter gene. When one of his campers, Theo goes missing, Carl has to have a difficult conversation with Theo’s guardian, Aunt Becca Weitz who had no idea shifters exist.
From the moment Carl met Becca, he knew she was the one. However, explaining to Becca about this shifter world as well as finding her nephew Theo was a lot for her to handle. One thing that couldn’t be denied was their mutual attraction. The mystery as to who was kidnapping shifters was pretty predictable but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book.
This book was different from what I have been reading all summer so I really welcomed a fresh shifter series. As far as the characters, they were very likable and relatable. It was a quick read that I finished it in a day. I really hope the next book is Carl’s brother because that was the subplot that really captivated my interest. If you like shifter stories, definitely give this one a change, you won’t be disappointed.
*Special Thanks to by Forever Publishing for the paperback given in exchange for an honest review -
This review was originally posted on
Addicted To Romance
Summary
Becca Weitz has been raising her nephew since he was a baby, a expert at decorating cakes and knows her life isn't perfect but its right and normal. But when her teenage nephew ends up missing, her life changes because she learns that her nephew wasn't a normal average boy, he is a were bear. Carl Carman, is the alpha of the were bear clan, and he has Becca brought to him At first Becca is outraged that she has been practically kidnapped, but she also knows that she is entering a world that has a whole new rule book and she is only a mere human. But when it becomes evident that her nephew has been taken forcefully, she will do anything to find him because she has raised him and he is like a son to her and she can be just as protective as a mama she bear protecting her young. Carl has had to make the best decisions for his clan, trying to make them see a better way of doing things. He knows he should probably mate with a powerful she bear, but he feels a connection to Becca, she calms him and excites him and he wants more. He just needs to convince her to give them a chance
Plot and Story Line
The Bear Who Loved Me was a fun and cute paranormal romance that was exciting and sensual. This was the first time that I picked her up and I was very intrigued by this book and the world that she introduces here. I will admit I do love a good bear shifter romance, and even though this one was a bit more different than I was used to I truly liked what I read here. The bear clan here, well its more primal in ways and more violent. The hero I was really drawn to. He is such a good guy but he also fears his bear in some ways. He suffered abuse from his grandfather and uncle who practically terrorized the clan. But then he took over for his father, and is trying to introduce a more logical way of doing things and not letting the beast have control. Now Becca she was different. She has many strengths but she does struggle with certain aspects. But what I liked about is that she doesn't frighten easily and stands up to Carl when no one else does. I really liked the mystery and suspese of the missing boys. It added some unique elements that only made the book even more exciting to read. I was very intrigued by the set up of the next book in line.
The Cover
I like the bear and the purple!!!
Overall View
The Bear Who Loved Me is a thrilling PNR romance that is engaging and tugs at your emotions!! EXHILARATING!
Click On Cover For Buy Link
[foogallery id="23357"]
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Becca is raising her nephew and owns a bakery. Things are going alright until her nephew, Theo ends up missing. She melts down a little bit not knowing what to do until Carl walks in her bakery.
Carl is a bear shifter and the leader of his bear clan. He's been watching Theo because he knows the boy is a bear shifter from his clan. So he tries to tell Becca about shifters but she isn't having any of it.
Young shifters are going missing and Carl wants to find out what's happening to them. So when he tells Becca what he is and she doesn't believe him, he still wants to help so he believes he has no other choice but to kidnap her and bring her home so he can show her the truth about him and his clan.
The more time Becca and Carl spend together the more they seem to fall for one another. But Carl is the alpha of his clan and Becca is a human and he knows that she would never fully be accepted as the alpha's mate because of that. Plus he's seen how his brother who can't shift has been treated by everyone and doesn't want Becca to be treated badly.
While they are getting to know one another and getting closer, there's also the search on for the missing kids. When Becca finds herself in danger, I could only hold my breath and hope that Carl found her in time.
This book was a mix of fun, danger, sadness and action as well as a really well done romance. I very much enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next one.
Disclosure: I was given a free ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own. -
I don't know - this was okay but I had a hard time with the heroine's nephew (who is basically her adopted son) missing - and then she knows he is kidnapped and possibly being tortured yet she is still all horny with the hero. Would that really be the case?
I wish we had more insight to the bear culture too. Review coming -
4 “Beauty tamed the Beast” stars.
I'm sure that almost everyone have read about werewolves and vampires but how many of you have read about bear shifters? It never crossed my mind to read a book about a he-bear, but here I am with a smile on my face after finishing The Bear Who Loved Me by Kathy Lyons.
Between running her bakery and taking care of her teenaged nephew, Becca Weitz thought she had a “normal” life. But one day her nephew vanishes, and she is thrown into a were-creature land.
Local legends are true: bear shifters exist, and her nephew is one of them. As is Carl Carman, aka Mr. Max, the oh so sexy, huge as a mountain man who has promise her to find her nephew.
Carl Carman is not just her only hope to find Theo, but also the leader of the Grizzly Bear-Shifter Clan.
On their journey to find Theo and the other young shifters who’ve gone missing, Carl & Becca submit to the overwhelming attraction between them. But can Becca leave her “normal” life to live in a world where fur, claws and violence are the order of the day?“She was a baker with no military skills whatsoever. And yet here she was rolling out in a convoy like she was part of a band of badasses.
Ridiculously cute yet feisty and sexy, Becca Weitz was a force to be reckoned with. And I loved the shit out of her. Without notice, just like a slap on the face, she was introduced to a world she didn't think could ever exist. And she handled it like a boss.
So I got the cool as shit heroine. What about the hero?
Carl Carman lived in an eternal conflict between his instincts as a bear and his logic as a human. I was drawn to him like a bear to his honey. LOL. I loved the way he worshipped Becca and how important was his pack to him. He really cared about them.“You have to love the bear as much as the man.”
Gah!! The chemistry between these two was passionately wild yet beautiful. Not only in the bedroom but outside of it. The banter had me laughing my ass off and the steamy scenes… well, let’s say you will need to stop reading for a minute to fan yourself.
I rested some brownie points for the fact that I didn't get an epilogue. And I wanted a damn epilogue!!! Carl & Becca bear babies and all.
Packed with an interesting plot and engaging characters, The Bear Who Loved Me is the perfect mix of cute and fun with the exact amount of action and steam. A winner if you are looking for a PNR reading.
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I've never read a bear shifter book. They've caught my eye before but it hasn't happened till now. I guess I never really thought about how much the characteristics of the animal can effect the character and the story. Either that or most of the shifter books I've read have had similar characteristics. Bears are different.
This story has an interesting premise. A bear clan that runs a kids summer program and they teach survival skills in a national forest. Of course the kids that they choose to come are the ones that may be going furry in the next few years. Because when a shifter gets a human pregnant, you never know if they will actually shift. But the first shift is always hard on the kids so they need those well honed instincts to get them to the forest. When Becca's nephew goes missing and Carl steps into help, it has more to do with bears than she's willing to deal with.
I enjoyed the characters in this story and I'm very interested to read the next book. There are a lot of secondary characters that I loved. It looks like Carl's best friend, Mark will be next. That one can't come soon enough. Mark is slowly going feral and I'm really hoping there's something else in store for his future. Other characters had my interest too. As for Carl and Becca, they are an unlikely pair that share sparks and words.
I enjoyed Becca's feisty spirit. She doesn't let Carl's alpha nature rule her. Considering she's human and never even knew shifters existed, she does a remarkable job standing up to him. I like Carl. He's not sure he can trust his bear most of the time. I liked how Becca speaks to his bear and brings him balance. They are an enjoyable couple.
The story is interesting with some extra issues that drive the story along. I read it pretty quickly and mostly enjoyed it. My only issue is that little extra something that takes a book from good to great. This book is missing that. I enjoyed it. I'll read the next book. It just missed something. I wanted it to be just a bit better.
Bears are interesting creatures and I liked this book. -
I’m going to keep this review short. This was my first book by Kathy Lyons, but it won’t be my last. I was super intrigued by the plot and by this whole community of bear shifters. I enjoyed the story and the characters for the most part.
Although Becca had her moments where I wanted to thump her.The attraction between her and Carl was intense and I loved all their steamy AF scenes together.
I’m glad that so many books in this series are out now because I feel a binge coming on! The next book will be Mark’s book and I’m intrigued to see how they save him.
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Bound by Shadows (Grizzlies Gone Wild #1) by Kathy Lyons
4 stars
M/F Shiter romance
Triggers: Kidnapping, torture, murder
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Becca is a baker, mom, protector and woman. She has been raising her nephew and knows that despite him being a teenager, he would never make her worry by just disappearing. Becca is going out of her mind when her nephew can't be found, but what makes her even more suspicious is that Carl comes out of the blue to let her know that he's also looking for him. She's somewhat confused, but knows that Carl is also someone that her nephew and a few of the other kids in town talk about and respect.
Carl is the alpha to the local bear shifters. While he has some disgruntled members, he also knows that he doens't want to rule like his uncle - unyielding and cruel. When a few new bear shifters go missing, he and his team will set out to find out why and where they've been taken.
Becca is not sure why she's so attracted or drawn to Carl and the same goes for Carl. He has never thought he'd find a mate in a human. But, when push comes to shove, he'll fight to the death to make sure that Becca is safe. This story has mystery, romance, funny banter and a slow burn attraction with explosive results.
I can't wait to see what happens next. -
The good:
-Lyons does a nice job describing the inner conflict of being a shifter
-the heroine doesn’t appear to be a virgin, thank god
The bad:
-I found both the hero and heroine to be kind of meh.
-Lots of telling rather than showing, especially towards the end of the novel
-I did not like starting the novel with another woman coming on to the hero, especially since that person was the hero’s ex and apparently at one point they’d had a pregnancy scare. It kind of made their relationship overshadow the main relationship of the book.
Safety Stats: -
Sexy grizzly bear shifters for the win! I had such a great time reading this. It had a light, fun vibe happening, it was entertaining and super-steamy! I love the world the author created and I'm excited for more!
I liked Becca a lot, she was doing everything she could for her nephew when she's thrown into this crazy world of shifters. Carl was awesome, incredibly sexy, a great protector, and the head bear in charge. I loved their worlds colliding when they meet! I liked Becca’s disbelieving reaction to everything and enjoyed her slowly coming around to her new reality. I loved Carl and his bear and the personal battle he was going through. I really liked Carl and Becca's attraction and that need he had for her and how it grew and exploded. These two were smoking hot! There were just a lot of really great scenes that were incredibly entertaining that had me smiling and turning the page. There's also a good bit of emotion, a lot of action, and drama too.
I thought this was a great introduction to the Grizzlies Gone Wild series and am looking forward to more. I like the secondary characters introduced and the different dynamics and politics of the clan. I liked all the details but appreciated that it wasn’t bogged down with every little thing. It gave me just what I needed so I could jump in and enjoy it. I thought the build to finding Theo, and to Carl and Becca coming together was great as well.
I loved this wild world, the characters, and their strong personalities. I enjoyed the drama and intensity and the heat. Oh, the heat! It was all awesome. Pure fun and entertaining to read! -
What a great find! Read this book for a reading challenge and it was an absolute delight. I'm not usually a fan of shape shifter books, but this book might have changed my mind altogether. Becca's nephew is missing. At first she thinks he is being his usual broody teenage self, but when Carl Carman, the owner of the summer camp her nephew attends every year, comes knocking on her door, she's thrown for a loop when she's told something unbelievable: werewolves and were-bears exist. Her world is titled on its axis and she is thrust into an unknown world, which she handles with such grace and chutzpah.
As for Carl, he was the typical alpha male - both human and animal. He himself is juggling the very difficult role of being the alpha of the clan, and finds balancing natural instinct and common sense is a daily war.
This book was entertaining and fun to read. Loved the supporting characters and look forward to reading their books next. -
Thank you @readforeverpub for the finished copy.
So I’ve been in a dreaded book slump. 😩
I’ve started and stopped three different books this week and couldn’t finish not a one. 😬
I decided to read this book just for fun and it did the trick. I finished this book in ONE day. I can’t tell you the last time I read a book in a day. This was my first time reading this author and it was a good read. I’m a huge picky paranormal reader so it takes a lot to impress when it comes to this genre.
Becca was smart and sassy. I loved how she knew when to question and knew when to be quiet and listen. It’s so annoying when the heroine is new to the shifter world and they swear they know everything and get themselves in all kinds of unavoidable danger. 🙄
Carl was your typical alpha male leader to a point. I loved the way he looked out for the community and didn’t rule with terror and tried to be reasonable in all his decisions and actions. This book is fast paced and I love how the drama isn’t dragged out and there isn’t drama just for the sake of having drama. Since I was very impressed with this first book I went ahead and purchased the rest of the ebooks in this series. If you’re a fan of shifter stories I highly recommend this book! -
Fantastic new to me author, Ms. Lyons, thrills me with this bear shifter series. If you have not read this series yet, now is a good time to pick up all three books and read them one after another. This one starts with Becca Weitz, a single "mom" raising her nephew. When her nephew is missing, she is frantic and does what she can to find him. The police are no help. Unexpected aid comes from Carl Carman. Carl is a man her nephew looks up to from his time spent in a summer camp in Carl's small town. Becca doesn't care what Carl does as long as he helps her find her nephew.
This book is sweet, funny and suspenseful. The characters are sweet and as expected, Carl is a bit gruff. He is a bear and bears can be a bit rough. The interplay between Carl and Becca is funny. What is especially funny is Becca's reaction when she learns her nephew is more than just a hairy hormonal teenage boy. Instead, he is a bear shifter and part of a larger clan, if he so choses. Becca pretty much loses her shit and goes around the bend. I liked this because so many times, authors write it as if it were perfectly understandable that shifters exist. Becca's responses are realistic and understandable. Carl trying to sooth and calm Becca down is classic.
Amidst this budding relationship, there is a more sinister thread to this tale. It sets up for the next two books in the series. There is someone hunting shifters and doing terrible things to them. This part to the plot does capture my attention and I'm vested to find out what happens. This paranormal romance is recommended to readers who enjoy humour, mystery and happily ever afters.
*provided by
NetGalley -
My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 Unicorns - I loved it!!!
***Received a copy of the ebook for an honest review
The cover is fierce and beautiful with both beasts on it and is my favorite kind of cover!
This is my first time reading Kathy Lyons, and it will definitely not be my last. This is the first book in a new series and is for adults only due to the content.
When I started reading the book, I had no idea how much I would love it! Becca and Carl make for an awesome story! Her nephew (son) is her everything, and I definitely connected with her being a single parent. I love her fierceness, and how she handles everything. Carl definitely has some war wounds and is trying to be a better Alpha even though others do not see it that way. This is a unique shifter world! There is plenty going on that you get sucked right into the story. I couldn’t put it down.
Kathy Lyons has a way with words, and she has me hooked! I can’t wait to see what Kathy Lyons cooks up in book 2!!
I highly recommend this book to all shifter lovers!!! -
Three cheers for grizzly shifters named Carl! I've been looking for a bear shifter series to fall in love with and guess what, I finally found it! Click here for my full 4.5 star review:
http://bit.ly/2bCF4JJ -
Becca is at her wits end, when her teenage nephew that she is caring for up and disappears. Hunky Carl comes to the rescue to not only find her nephew, but the other teenage shifters who have all gone missing.
I really admired Becca's strength not only physically, but mentally throughout this novel. She is tried time and time again, and continues to have things pile up on her. She really is a lot like most grown women, and she really was an amazing character.
This shifter romance is STEAMY and I was living for it! I really enjoyed my time reading this one. I like shifter romances on a whole, but this one in particular was fantastic! The banter between Becca and Carl had me living my best life, and I love this kind of trope in a book.
I would recommend checking out this series. This is a repub, and I LOVE THE COVER CHANGES!!! -
Ask and you shall receive
Where has this book been my whole life! The characters have such depth and emotions that I felt like they were standing in the next room, not trapped between the pages. I love how their are old occurrences mixed in with new experiences, making for a love story that I didn’t want to put down. The action and danger only added to the intensity keeping me enthralled until the very end. I absolutely love this story and I can’t wait to see what happens next in this fantastic world of shifters. -
Becca Weitz runs a bakery and takes care of her hormonal teenage nephew. She loves him more than anything but when he does not return home one day she is at her wits end. Enter Carl Carman who informs Becca that her nephew is about to shift, she thinks she is being punked. Once Carl convinces her though her only thought is finding her nephew and falling for Carl. Carl is falling hard for Becca but will she take him as a mate?
This was fun, loved the beginning. I thought the story had a lot going for it and looks like a great series to follow. I liked Carl, he is growly and really enjoyed the banter between Becca and him. -
Lately, I’ve been on a shifter reading binge. When I read the blurb for The Bear Who Loved Me, I knew I had to read the book. This book was more than I expected, and I loved every moment of it.
Since the death of her parents and sister, Becca Weitz has been trying her best to run the family bakery and raise her teenage nephew. After yet another one of their arguments, Theo seemingly refuses to answer her phone calls. Theo has been getting more agitated lately, but not speaking to her or returning her phone calls has never been something he’s done before.
Becca gets a surprised visit from Theo’s summer camp counselor Carl “Max” Carman and discovers Theo has been kidnapped. But the surprises don’t end there. In order to get Becca to cooperate and not get local police involved, Carl has to kidnap her and introduce her to a world she never knew existed. “Buckle up ‘cause it’s about to get weirder.” Shifters exist and her nephew is one of them.
Leading his clan and putting out fires is what Carl does. In trying to build a democracy instead of a dictatorship, he has others gunning for him. When he gets word that a couple of teens are missing, he has to use every resource at his disposal to find the kids and find out what’s going on.
From the beginning, I loved the characters of Becca and Carl. Their back and forth communication is at times playful and funny. But when the situation calls for it, they’re serious. Their love is intense and romantic. The secondary characters definitely put this book over the top and I loved them just as much as I loved Becca and Carl. From Mark, Carl’s best friend who is dying, to Alan, Carl’s younger brother and clan lawyer, to Tonya, Carl’s friend and highest ranking police shifter in the area, all the characters added something special to the story. The mystery of Theo’s kidnapping and subsequent fall out was a little mind blowing. The Bear Who Loved Me is one of those books that once you pick it up, you aren’t going to want to put it down.
I definitely can not wait to read the next book in the series.
**Received a copy from Forever Yours in exchange for an honest unbiased opinion.** -
4 Stars, 3.5 Flames
Creating castle cakes and taking care of her adopted son is all Becca could handle on a normal day. Too bad today was not a normal day as her son is not back from practice nor answering his phone. Not to mention his camp leader just walked through her door. Carl is not your average man and stirs all sorts of longing in Becca but finding her son takes precedence. What she finds out about his world blows her mind. Shifters, hunters, and were-bears, oh my!
Bears are my spirit animals so it comes naturally for me to grab any known were-bear romances; and I have. Some have been really good while most have fallen flat. This one included once I saw it up for grabs without reading the blurb. The Bear who loved me brought back my faith in were-bear romances and I am so happy I took a chance with it.
What I really loved about this book is the journey these two took. Carl may have been the new alpha of his clan and known what it is to be a shifter all his life, but he never really accepted it. He always separated man from bear which is what gave him so much anger, restlessness, and loneliness. It took a “weak” human to open up her heart to the “monster” he holds within. It took her bravery to shake his reality and giving her a glimpse into a future she desperately wants. They are both strong individually but together they’re unstoppable.
There were a few minor issues I had with the book. Although this book was written quite well, the storyline itself is overplayed. Kidnapping young shifters to study them brings the clan together in order to save them. Alpha meets human and human has to show their worth. Miss Lyons did add a new element to it which was a nice surprise. Overall, I loved this book and am patiently waiting Mark’s book. Something about an almost feral man that always attractive in paranormal romance books.
I was gifted a copy of this novel from the JeepDiva in exchange for an honest review. -
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The Bear Who Loved Me by Kathy Lyons
I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
This is my first book from this author but I gotta tell ya, it won’t be my last. When I saw this book I jumped because I love shifter stories. I also loved that the shifters were bears…..welll grizzlies to be more specific. It seems most are a cat shifters so I was excited to read the book.
This book is about Theo who has been adopted by his aunt Becca. They don’t know until Theo goes missing that he is part shifter. When Theo is kidnaped, his alpha/Maximus/Mr. Max/Carl comes to talk to Becca about what makes him so special. Carl has been watching Theo his entire life for signs to see if he will be a shifter or stay human plus he has also watched Becca longingly from the side.
When Carl shows up and essentially kidnaps *Snickers* Becca to his den. He needs her to be on board with the new life her son will be living plus he is having some not normal feelings for the brave and feisty human woman.
I loved Theo’s kidnapping story because it kept the action of the story flowing. I really enjoyed Carl and Becca trying to understand each other. She wants to understand these 2 parts of the man…1 human and 1 bear. He is so frustrated because she challenges his bear at every turn. However, he loves that challenge and wouldn’t have his mate any other way.
I am really looking forward to Mark’s book. I liked his attitude and the way he hit on Becca just to get a reaction outta Carl…lol But the story I am dying for is Alan’s. I really do hope he finds love and maybe even the woman he has feelings for??? -
Received in exchange for a honest review.
Carl was a awesome character. I loved how he struggled with his bear and his human side and trying to reconcile them as one. It wasn’t until Becca was in danger that he was able to do this. I also loved how he accepted everyone for who they were and tried to deal with things in a nonviolent fashion for. His attraction to Becca was awesome. Watching them interact was sweet, sensual and feisty at times. Becca showed us that you do not need to be a shifter to be fierce and accepted. She helps carl to see that there are many ways to solve things and that his bear and human are the same person.
The story is fascinating in watching Carl figure out who he is and coming to terms with his Bear and human being the same and not separate entities. He was a good Maximus for he didn’t rule with a iron fist and was diplomatic in nature. I felt for his brother and hope that he gets a book. Here we see the teenagers being in danger before they shift and what is done to them is horrible. Watching Carl go searching and helping rescue them is awesome.
Becca at first is a little aggravating because she is so stubborn but over time she comes into her own and we see a truly awesome character emerge. She is stubborn and compassionate and understanding as well. She sees Carl for who he is and shows him as well. Their attraction is through the pages and watching them fight it at first was sad but when they started to give in and find their way wowza.
A great fun book on reconciling the two sides of yourself, protecting those you love and finding love. The characters were complex and intriguing. Likeable and feisty but also fun and sexy. The writing fast paced and the story enjoyable and alluring. -
Loved this book, what a great new series!
Becca has her hands full raising her nephew (Theo) and owning her own bakery. Just when things can’t seem to get any more hectic her stubborn and moody teenage nephew disappears without a trace. Becca has no idea what to do, his friends haven’t seen him and he isn’t answering her calls. Just when she is about to go crazy with worry her nephew’s camp counselor, Mr. Max, shows up out of the blue.
Carl (aka Mr. Max) is the alpha and leader of the Gladwin Grizzly shifters. He has been watching out for Theo every since he first started attending his camp. He knows Theo is getting ready to experience his first shift and that neither Theo nor his aunt is aware that he is a grizzly shifter. When Carl finds out Theo is missing her knows the shift is near and he must find a way to lure Becca to his home to wait on Theo’s arrival without scaring her and exposing his clan to the “humans”.
Carl has definitely got his hands full between the uproar within the clan over his leadership, missing shifters and finding out that Becca, a human, is his bear’s true mate and his Maxima. I loved the interaction between Carl and Becca and how even though Becca was skeptic at first she reacts calmly and as rationally as possible about the whole shifter world. These two were smoking hot together and I found myself falling in love with Carl right along with Becca.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good shifter romance novel. I received an eARC of this book compliments of the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. All ratings and opinions stated are my own. -
Becca is just about handling running her bakery and raising her teenage nephew. However, when her nephew goes missing her world turns upside down, could it be possible that bear shifters exist and that her nephew is one of them? But, bear shifter or not, he has disappeared and she needs the help of the Carl, the big and gorgeous clan leader of the bears to find him.
If a book has bear shifters in it, than I want to at least give it a try. I don’t know what it is about bear shifters that appeal to me more than wolves or cats, maybe because I imagine them as big fuzzy cuddly teddy bears who will rip off the heads of my enemies when needed. Who doesn’t love that? So, I was pretty excited to start Bound by Shadows; however, I realised halfway through was a rerelease of The Bear Who Loved Me, which I had read before.
Much like the first time I read this book, I liked the idea of it, but I very quickly lost interest in the book. Although it’s only short, there just doesn’t seem to be enough going on to sustain the number of pages. A lot of the time seems to be spent waiting around with Carl and Becca mooning after one another. However, there was some great banter between them and they definitely had some smoking hot chemistry, yet still, I did find myself bored by about halfway through and skimming the rest of the book.
I haven’t decided if I want to continue this series, I did like some of the characters from the bear clan and would be intrigued to see them get their HEA. But, this book, I guess if I dig right down to it, I found boring. -
The Bear Who Loved Me by Kathy Lyons
An entertaining paranormal romance on the humorous side of the genre. First in the Grizzlies Gone Wild series, it starts with an introduction to a bear shifter community and the leader of the clan. Of course he is the definition of strength and character even as he questions the need for the occasional violence. Isn't the world stronger for diplomacy and fair treatment?
Then along comes the naive but strong and independent female that wakes up the bear and the bear declares "mate".
Oh there's a lot more including a bit of suspense and some steamy sex.
Overall, a wonderful romp/read from the paranormal world of Kathy Lyons. Book 2 and 3 are in my tbr and waiting. -
Actual rating 2.5 Stars
I initially gave this 3 stars because the premise was fairly good and the writing style not too bad but I found it had one too many plot holes. The back story and lore of the Bear shifters themselves was also a little off in my opinion and just wasn't as strong as it could have been.
Essentially I found it to be lacking in many areas and a bit cheesy in the dialogue and inner monologues of the main characters.
I expected better.
An advance reading copy was provided by the publisher, Forever, in exchange of an honest review. -
Alpha H is not respected by his clan as they are used to a more abusive style of leader. He's trying to change their culture so when he meets human h it forces everyone to think about their views. The human h's nephew is missing and so she discovers he's a shifter too. She's a good match to the H as she's a strong woman. Some angst, light steam and a good plot - loved it all.
