Snuggled Inn

Burrowing Hearts #3

by Amy Bellows

I’m standing in an empty hall full of closed doors. Behind each one is an alpha I could bond with.

I’ve never met any of them before. I don’t know their names. All I know is that they’re like me: a fox shifter without a family.

Losing your parents is different when you’re a fox shifter. Our family chooses our mates for us. When my dads died, I thought I’d never get to have an alpha of my own.

Then I found out about Snuggle Inn. It’s a place that helps fox shifters like me find a mate.

Their services aren’t cheap, and there’s no guarantee it will work. The bonding process of fox shifters is precarious, even in the best of circumstances.

I hope I don’t choose the wrong door.

Snuggled Inn is low-angst mpreg romance with a sweet Daddy, a nervous boy, and an HEA with cute fox kits. It’s book three in the Burrowing Hearts series, but it stands alone.

Genres: Omegaverse, M M Romance, Shapeshifters, BDSM, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 26, 2023

Reviews

[Drusilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little story. Starts very well and interesting, develops into a typical hot omegaverse piece of the Amy Bellows. A few things bugged me and I fear the way these stories are set up is too predictable. This is the third book in the series and there are so many parallels to the other two that it was getting quite boring. Which wouldn't be necessary, because each couple is unique and I liked the kink in this one, which was implemented very nicely.

The sadistic side of Case is wonderfully authentically portrayed. Asher’s reactions are exceedingly beautiful and appealing. The blurb is irritating, this is not a daddy-dom story, we have bondage, spankings and humiliation. No complaint, this was surprisingly nice.

“You’d get off on that, wouldn’t you? The idea of me leading you through the woods on a leash makes you wet, doesn’t it? I bet you’d love it if one of the other couples looked out their window and saw you following behind me like an obedient spaniel. You’d let me play with your nipples outside too, wouldn’t you?” 🔥🔥🔥

I didn't like the calls Case was getting, it was annoying. And the doctor and the whole shifting back thing towards the end were very sloppy, it ruined the whole atmosphere of the book for me. 😡😡😡 However, I think I'm too sensitive about this, so this is rather a me problem.

[Kaity · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

There was something about this book that hooked me from the start.

The ending was a tad rushed but still I always enjoy an Amy Bellows book! Haha

[Vanessa GLP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it ❤️‍🔥, I just didn't enjoy the final chapters 🙃

[martina (the life of a chaotic reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love sweet shifter books so much. this author keeps serving and i’m here for it.
i could’ve read like 200 pages more about them and not get bored.

spoilers ahead

but i do have a question, where is the sweet daddy? because i read a book about a sadist that doesn’t want to be called daddy and it’s fine, i swear, i actually enjoyed it, but damn, warn a girl.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5⭐ˢᵗᵃʳˢ ┇ 2/5🌶ˢᵖᶦᶜᵉ ┇ 6/10💦ʷᵉᵗᵒᵐᵉᵗᵉʳ

hm. this was sweet but sadly i didn't enjoy this one as much as i did the rest of the series. it was still a decent read & i liked sweet, caring Case & bratty, pain-loving Asher together💞
i especially appreciated the clever solution for orphans to match with their mates (bc generally parents are the ones who choose their fox-shifter mates as a tradition in this universe)
but i also found myself a bit bored sometimes, idk.

also just to rant: i really wish all that calling wasn't happening during their burrowing!! it was so frustrating & i couldn't understand how those ppl couldn't respect & understand the importance of no contact during this time and how the hell the prestigious inn(!!) let other ppl bother them! ugh😤

ps. i loved Adam's (MC from Snuggle Season) appearance in this one & how he helped Asher c,:

﹉﹉﹉ ᵗʳᵒᵖᵉˢ ﹉﹉﹉
🏳‍🌈 MM
💬 first-person, dual POV
🦊 urban fantasy - omegaverse
🦊 fox shifters
🦊 single parent (of his young sister)
🦊 sadist Dom/brat sub
🦊 inexperienced dom, first times
🦊 knotting, mpreg
🦊 bdsm, exhibitionist, degradation, spanking
🦊 rope play, collar
🦊 low angst, medium burn
🦊 standalone in a series
⚠️ CW: death of parents, grief, mention of drug addiction and overdose (SC), fire accident

[Plumpka]

DNF 30%
Notatka dla siebie: czytaj streszczenia przed rozpoczęciem książki, nawet jeśli to seria, którą znasz.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sept 2024 - 3.5 stars

Still a lot to like but I was kind of let down by this on the re-read.

There is absolutely nothing cute about a 17-yo rebel child stealing 15k and breaching her brother's privacy to sign him up for a mating service without his knowledge. She is far too old for any of her "quirks" to be in any way endearing, I would be raging.

May 2023 - 4.5 stars

Fluffy and sexy, exactly what I expect from Amy Bellows.

I did so much aww-ing and ahh-ing while reading this.

Like with book 1 in this series, we return to a burrowing setting where our MCs follow a strict intimacy schedule recommended for fox shifters to successfully form a mating bond.

Their burrowing schedule is a bit different to most though, because they're both into kink and sex plays an important role in their feeling safe and confident with a partner. The clear negotiation and open communication in this was great. Case is inexperienced but has a good idea of what he likes, and Asher is there to guide him along the way. I always like when authors include good use of an MC's safeword too, and it's well done here.

Just a note that the blurb is a bit misleading on the kink: Case is not a Daddy, and he's certainly not sweet (in bed, that is; he's very sweet outside the bedroom).

I don't usually like tragic backstories™ but I was actually really touched by both MC's pasts. They're both orphaned and end up at the Inn, which is a matching service, because their parents aren't around to do the honours of finding them a match.

The first 3/4 of this book is just cute getting-to-know-you and hot sex. And. It. Is. Hot. There's not an awful lot of "plot" per se, but it didn't feel lacking.

The whirlwind climax and ending were a bit much for me, and I felt like I was teased with shifted fox sex, which does happen but off-page and is just mentioned in passing. Rude.

Overall though, I really enjoyed this, and it put me in a great mood.

Sexual content: Explicit, well-written, and there's a lot of it! Blowjobs, intercrural, anal sex (strict top/bottom).
Kink: Yes, very clearly negotiated. Bratting, nipple play, spanking, bondage (shibari), collar/leash, safeword used & respected.

[Mello · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how it happened, but I accidentally read this book before the 2nd book in the series. Anyway, the order doesn't matter much in this case since they're not related in plot. Although, in my mind, not reading a series in order is a cause of anxiety 😂.
I'm used to this author's weird shifter traditions by now, but this is one of the most adorable. The idea of spending a month cuddling with a stranger in the hopes of forming a lifelong bond is even romantic to me. I tried to explain to a friend how the fox shifter's burrowing season works and she thought I was crazy to read something like this. I admit, saying it out loud sounds a little ridiculous, but I love it!
I wasn't expecting the final twist in the plot and I didn't quite understand it either, but it all worked out well and I was happy with the couple. A very cozy read and recommended for those looking for an easy read.

[Xiomara · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts

This story was a little different than the previous two. It was still extremely enjoyable, short and cute. This story was also really into kink and it focused mostly on that. It was part of the plot and it helped the story. Overall a good story and hopefully there is a fourth book.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

The kink in this was unexpected but great!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Millie is hilarious and a wonderful sister! What an adorable little criminal!

Asher and Case are so cute together! I loved watching them figure each other out and fall in love.

I love the idea of Snuggle Inn and I want more of it! I want an island inn too! Give me all the burrowing love!

[Evelyn Bella (there WILL be spoilers) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kink x burrowing season? Baby dom alpha x experienced sub omega who wants to be tied up and fucked on a stage in front of a room full of people? What on EARTH did I just walk into?

This is not what I was expecting when I opened this book. I keep associating the author with Pebbles for Lewis so I was SHOCKED.

Anyway. These two were a refreshing surprise.

He'll call Asher a slut and Asher blushes and goes, "Stahp, you're going to make me hard."

😂😂😂😂😂This is jarring. How are they adorable but also so criminally horny.

Meanwhile Lila is such a menace. She complains about her caretaker because she's so 'annoying' and says weird shit like 'a stitch in time saves nine' and 'what does that even mean?' 💀sksksks child left behind.

Do they no longer teach kids idioms in school?

Also, every time I see shifters have a LITTER of babies I'm so sorry for them.

What do you mean you met your man a month before you got pregnant with FOUR babies and now you're about to give birth but considering starting an event planning business?!

Asher does NOT have the same 24 hours in a day as the rest of us and I will not be convinced otherwise.

[QuietlyKat]

I don’t really want to write a review for this one but I want a reminder for myself in case I ever consider rereading it. I tend to love Amy Bellows stories even when the stories have relationship dynamics, kinks or tropes that I typically avoid. She has a way of making those things work for me even though they usually make me uncomfortable because Bellows’ relationship building and world view are so lovely.

Unfortunately Snuggled Inn just didn’t work for me. The heavy focus on the D/s dynamic was too much for me. I wanted more story, more plot, more relationship building that focused on something other than that dynamic. That said, I think this story would appeal to a lot of people, so know my failure to enjoy this story is based entirely on the fact that D/s dynamics tend to make me uncomfortable in general and I usually avoid them. It’s a sweet story and well written, just not for me.

No rating; I just want this review as a reminder to myself for when/if I ever come back to the Burrowing Hearts series since I enjoyed Snuggled Inn’s predecessors.

[Perdita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guuuuurl. This book? Gave. Me. Blue. Balls. And let me be clear—I don’t have balls, but if I did? They’d be suffering. The way these two kept restraining themselves was like an emotional slap in the face. I felt their tension. I lived their frustration. The author delivered that ache so well, I had to close the book and exhale, whispering, “Only X days to go…”

Now, this book checked a lot of my boxes—except one biggie: the punishment. Like… when he spat out the strawberries, why was the “punishment” giving him exactly what he craved? That boy needed to suffer first. It felt like a missed opportunity to lean into the dynamic more.

The kinks? Right up my alley. Chef’s kiss. 👌
The characters? Cuuuuute.
Case blushing and then suddenly taking control? Delicious.
Ash being a playful tease? Adorable.
Millie, though? Mmm… naah. That little stunt she pulled was not cute, and frankly, she’s not young enough to be excused. I expected Ash to call her out more, show her how real brats play. Instead, he went the understanding-and-kind route. Boring. Give me chaos.

Oh—and to clarify—it was implied he’d go that route, not really shown. And look, I know these books tend to end with a pregnancy, but this one had so much going for it. It could have given us so much more. Like Ash and Millie, taking the baby Dom to a club for the first time, being claimed in front of a crowd! So many juicy opportunities lost to the wind!

The last few chapters didn’t hold me quite like the rest of the book did, but overall? I really liked this. I plan to read more from Amy—she’s clearly good at weaving emotion, heat, and humor together, and I want to see where else she takes it with different characters and stories!

I actually picked this up for a reading challenge, expecting something soft and fluffy like the first two books in the series. But when Asher dropped that kink bomb outta nowhere? Babyyyy I squealed! I literally did a happy little dance and reread that scene ten times, squeaking with joy. I love when a book sneaks in a freaky surprise like that! Hush for me it was a surprise!

Now listen. I’m begging—please let the next book be about one of those omegas from book three. The ones who showed up with babies on their hips, bruises on their faces, nothing but a diaper bag to their name. Just wanting to sever their bond and finally be free. I want that story. I want the healing, the comfort, the softness after all that pain—and the fear of falling into the same nightmare again. Written right, it would heal me!

[Resch Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thrilled to see Amy Bellows released another book in the Burrowing Hearts Series. These stories are absolutely delightful; filled with plenty of fluff, cuddles, and steam...Snuggled Inn was no exception. 

Asher and Case were so endearing, both with unconventional backstories and kinks that lead them to the Snuggled Inn for hopefully a successful bonding period. I liked that both of them were there due to the loss of their parents. A common tragedy to bond them and strengthen their budding attraction. Then throw in some kinks, sizzling banter and the whole bonding month was set to be endearing AF. Amy Bellows throws out an unconventional twist where Case and Asher are forced to finish out their bonding as foxes.

I liked the balance between their animal side and their human sides. The banter and chemistry between Asher and Case was off the charts and their quick romance didn't seem rushed...in fact, it seemed natural. Almost like they were meant to be, imagine that? The ending was sticky sweet and my only complaint (which I have with almost every Amy Bellows book), is it ended a little too quickly. Give me one extra chapter or a few pages of bliss for these characters. 

[Amos24601 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving these foxes

This was a super sweet read. Case and Asher made such a great pair. I loved that Asher, the sub, was the experienced one and Case, the new dom, had no experience all. That somehow seemed to balance them out.

I very much enjoyed their D/s dynamic. Case going into it was an analytical mindset was very amusing to me, but it worked for him.

This was a fast paced book and the majority of it takes place over seven days. Then we get some time jumping here and there. The end did seem slightly rushed and there were aspects that made me frown a bit, but overall, a lovely addition to this series.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute! And kinky. And we get more depth to the workings of burrowing without a family to pick your mates. I honestly love this series, and to me anything Amy adds to it feels like a win

[made you loooook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. However, it was my least favorite of the series so far (out of books 1-3).
I really liked the concept of how red fox shifters would be able to have a burrowing season if they didn't have parents to arrange the burrowing partner. That was pretty cool. The main characters were, for the most part, likeable.

What I didn't like:
- The kink was just a little ... meh for me
- The phone calls from the business and from the nanny hired by Lila. First of all, why would anyone have the direct number to the cabin where people are burrowing? It seems more realistic that they'd have, at most, a line to the main Inn number and then Lila could call the cabin if needed. Second of all, why would the nanny hired by Lila call at all, and for such a dumb reason - literally just complaining? You would think that since it was arranged by the Inn, that nanny would understand more fully that contact shouldn't be made. Third of all, the guy calling from work - having been in on the plan for burrowing - should definitely not have called. He kept saying he shouldn't have called, and like, yeah he was right... (I'm sorry, clearly the phone calls were a huge issue for me)
- Millie was annoying. Why would she go through all that work and then do something to cause the nannies to contact her brother during the burrowing? Then again, teenagers are annoying, so maybe that's realistic. However, she's supposed to be brilliant and, I assume, logical.
- Did we ever get an explanation for how Millie faked the physical exam for Cade? Maybe I missed that.
- How much p0rn did 17 year old Millie have to watch from her brother's internet history in order to do the hours of phone interviews in which kink and preferences were extensively discussed? And this means Lila or someone was discussing s3x with a 17 year old for hours? Idk, it's just a bit weird.

[Red T · Rating 5 out of 5]

And this 3 book series closes with a banger of a novel. This was fun KINKY sweet and a curve ball out of nowhere.

While the previous 2 entries are smut I wasn't prepared for how kinky the smut was going to be here. I loved it! I really liked how the author took sort of lessons on burrowing from the other 2 stories and made a new season with its own rules and timing.

Case is my number 1 shifter Dom and on my favorite Doms list. He has this shy bashful beginner side that falls away as he grows confident and in love. He's so proper and dedicated, so professional and responsible... and then he's a male madly in love and lust. Perfect!

Asher is playful, kinky, sure of himself and funny. Creative and cute as well. I liked how he lets go and enjoys the ride watching Case become his Dom.

I liked the romance and smut, was very entertaining and believable, with good chemistry between MCs. The pace of the story is great, much much better than book 1 and slightly better than book 2. Now what got me a bit confused was a plot twist by the end of the book that I totally didn't see coming and with the way it was written I had trouble following it, understanding what had happened and why the characters were making the decisions they made. It was weird. I think it worked if the intention was to convey the nature of accidents or trauma, I guess but it was slightly off puting.

Still, the ending was everything. I loved it so for 99% of the book it was perfect. I'm still giving this novela a 5 out of 5, will totally re-read during the winter. And I gotta find a puffy tacos recipe.

[Daly's Library · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book in the series was fine, but the rest seems very repetitive, Following the same story ideas, the same issues to resolve, ultimately, and to be honest, the characters are not distinctive enough for me.

I relistened to this series over the past week and I already can't remember which plot points happened in which installment. This is not a good thing to have happen immediately after having read the stories. Adding 1* because the idea of a professional service to help fill in the very big issue with how the arctic fox family -matched partner thing works was actually decently done.

That said - It's so very late-stage-capitalism american of this story to make this so expensive only a well off person could possibly afford the luxury though. All the rest are doomed to a life of loneliness and unfulfillment I guess. This whole "difficult to get matched with favourable circumstances and progressively worse the less picture perfect someone's family circumstances are" trope comes off very dystopian if one considers anyone else in this universe other than the character of one of these stories. I think the whole idea is nice if you do absolutely no analysis. once you start trying to piece together the logic of the universe, it only gets worse and worse. Before someone jumps on me with 'but this is just meant to be a positive, feel good, cozyvup in a blanket with a cup of cocoa and read in bed' sort of book- I am well aware. I still expect a more thought out premise for a universe.

[Scatteredashes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story blew me away! I love Amy's books but Case and Asher are something special. I loved how they met at this burrowing inn as a way to find a person that they are able to make a bond with. Amy always has such a unique way that each animal has to create a bond but these cute fox shifters have to bond with a stranger. Case and Asher don't know each other going in but they're absolutely perfect for each other. In addition to being in similar situations, their Dom/sub relationship is nicely balanced. I loved watching Case come into his own as a Dom. This was the hottest book by Amy in a while! That's not to say that the others aren't steamy but there was something about the degradation/praise and hair grabbing along with the rope work that gave me shivers! It was truly spectacular!! Case's sister Mille is something else and I love how over the top she was. Another thing that I really appreciated here was that there wasn't any disruption to the bonding process between Case and Asher. There is an event that puts pressure on them, but nothing that broke the tentative beginnings. I hope we get to see these two once their love island is up and running! It would be nice to see them as a cameo in the future.

[els✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

- an MM shifter romance! burrowing season, forced proximity, BDSM, D/s relationship, instalove!
- i love the idea of the inn! such a sweet way of doing it
- i can only assume that Case not acc applying will be the conflict??
- well their schedule is a bit different from the first book 😂
- this one is so HOT!!! oh my god, the dirty talk is off the charts
- i love that Case told Asher he didn’t sign up himself! pushed that anxiety away 😂
- i cannot get over the sex?? it’s SO GOOD
- all of their conversations are so heart felt and raw, it’s so good
- the BDSM is done SO well i am lapping up those scenes (and so glad it isn’t daddy k!nk lol)
- well, i did NOT see that third act conflict coming
- i am so frickin happy they bonded!! they’re so perfect for each other
- he got pregnant 🥹🥹
- uh oh he’s not shifting back!!
- ADAM IS HERE!!!!
- i’m so happy he was able to shift back into his human form, was getting worried for a sec
- hehehe he’s having four babies
- OH MY GOD THE ALPHA PRESENT, i laughed so loud my partner thought i was choking 😂😂
- once again a super cute (and this time SUPER spicy) story!! god i love these so much
- we’ll get more of these right? like i need more of these desperately

[Laura]

(DNF) I was looking forward to this one but I didn't do the usual research by reading spoilers until after I was a few pages in. There was a certain phrasing that gave me pause and prompted me to look for a specific spoiler, and I'm really glad I did. This might've ended up being at least an ok read, but I did not want to read about the little sister of one of the MCs being in the picture once the MCs mated. I just personally get really irritated by MCs that have children already or they're responsible for a sibling and they might as well be their parent.

If that's somebody else's particular "yuck" factor, I hope this helps. I also saw in some reviews that the month-long bonding is constantly being interrupted by phone calls from the family of the MC with the little sister. That would also drive me crazy. I tried to give it another shot and the second chapter opens with the Alpha MC's little sister calling him while he's waiting to be chosen by the omega. And we find out right away that this little sister signed him up for the bonding program without his knowledge, so he was obligated to go. No, thank you. If that was just a glimpse of what the rest of the book looks like, then I'm saving myself the aggravation. That would drive me up the fucking wall.

[Traci S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Asher and Case’s story, it was such a perfect blend of wonderfully sweet and crazy hot. I love spending more time in Heron Manor, this world is so beautifully brought to life. This author has a remarkable ability to create a shifter world that feels so natural and real, which makes it so easy to be pulled into the story. Asher and Case are so swoony together, their romance has a bit of everything. My favorite aspect of their story was the emotion. Case in particular has given up on finding a mate - that is the price he’s paid for raising his younger sister - Millie. So, I loved that it was Millie that put Case on this path - the one giving him a chance at a lovely happy ending. Another beautifully told romance, I absolutely loved it.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the series!

I loved Snuggled Inn by Amy Bellows. It's the third book in the Burrowing Hearts series. I loved Asher and Case's story. I loved the rules that they have to abide by and how they adapt them to include their kinks. I thought it was interesting that they only have burrowing seasons from their 23rd to their 27th year, and that they will be alone after that if they don't form a bond. I also thought it was interesting that they have to bond with a stranger. Lila from the Snuggle Inn did a great job playing matchmaker, and I'm glad that Millie did what she did for her older brother. It was very sweet of her. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[The Spiced Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foxes and shibari, what more could a gal ask for?? I wanted an gay Omegaverse with shibari and this book was suggested. As someone who adored foxes, a fox shifter book was a no brainer. I still don’t know how I feel about animal shifter books, but I honestly really loved the dynamic between Asher and Case. The dom/ sub relationship these two had was so hot and tickled everything I was looking for. I do feel the ending was rather rushed but I honestly really loved the way the relationship unfolded. This was my second book by this author and honestly I enjoyed this one much more. The story telling was better and the relationship felt more natural between the main characters. All in all a sweet and fun read.

[Joy Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to Snuggle Inn to!!

Amy has once again given us a great book to Snuggle Inn to!! Being orphan fox shifters means that Case and Asher have a miserably low chance of bonding with a mate as it's normally the parents that arrange a possible mate and burrowing conditions. In place of that we find the Snuggle Inn. Sweet, sexy times ensue, but not everything goes smoothly. Beautifully written with complex characters and plot twists that keep you guessing and turning pages throughout, this book is sure to become a favourite! I loved reading this book and highly recommend it. Don't miss out on this book!!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved this book! Case and Asher had such an amazing and wonderful story. It was sweet with the right amount of heat. Amy’s shifter books are my absolute favorite and this one was just as great. Both Case and Asher are orphans that are going through their burrowing season (one without fully realizing it) and don’t have their parents to set them up. Fortunately, there is the Snuggled Inn where orphan fox shifters can be matched for their burrowing season and it’s for fox shifters a part of the D/s community. Perfect for Case and Asher! I highly recommend this book and the rest of Amy’s shifter books!

I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

curveball

One thing about this author, while they really stick to the rules of their world, they also get their characters to push those rules in order to make space for themselves.

Fox shifters get a bum rap in the mating game: they need total isolation from others for a month to bond. Pile onto that with the fact that family picks the mate, and orphans are totally left out in the cold.

Sweet, family-oriented alpha virgin Dom meets smartass kinky sub, they figure out their own schedule for coaxing their inner shifter essences to meet and bond, then a disaster forces them to run away from help to protect their fledgling mate bond.

[Becky A · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Snuggled Inn" received FOUR stars.

This might be my favorite of the series. 💖

The novel gained *stars* for these items:

* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."

* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."

* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."

* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"

The novel failed to gain stars for this item:

NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."