Her Unforgotten Bear Mate

Crescent Lake Bears #8

by Arizona Tape

A bear shifter, a long lost friend, and a romance written by fate. When bear shifter Sasha attends the monthly fated mate ritual in her hometown, she never expected to run into her long lost childhood friend and crush, Matilda. Back from living abroad, Matilda returned to Crescent Valley in the hope to reconnect with Sasha, unsure whether her best friend harbours any resentment over how their friendship ended and whether after all this time, there might be something to salvage. Despite the passing of time, they reconnect easily. It's clear they have a past... but do they have a future? **** Her Unforgotten Bear Mate is a fated mates paranormal romance featuring a bear shifter and her mate. It includes a standalone f/f between long lost friends and a dash of steamy goodness. It is part of the Crescent Lake Bears series.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, LGBT, Paranormal, Lesbian

Unknown Binding

About the author

Arizona Tape lives her dream life hanging out with her dog and writing stories all day.

Her favourite books to write are urban fantasy and paranormal romances with queer leads, stories that she wished were around when she was younger.

When she’s not writing, she can be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen, watching shows that make her cry, or trying her hand at her new hobby of the week.

She currently lives in the United Kingdom with her girlfriend and her adorable dog who is the star of her newsletter. Sign up here for adorable pictures, free books, and news about her books: www.arizonatape.com/subscribe



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Her books are available on all retailers and can be requested from most public libraries.

Reviews

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crescent Lake magic at work. Tape's short story covers the recognition of deep feelings beyond friendship - fated mates finding each other and frank discussions about goals and desires mixed with some heat. Matilda/Tilly and Sasha get their HEA ten years after their best friends duo was split by Tilly moving away.
Tape's quick reads take me away from today's depressing news.

[SnooRegrets · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars - not the smartest conversations or the most exciting.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once more the author delivered a really cute story! The story is relatively short and therefore perfect to read in one sitting and yet the author does manage to make the characters feel real and to have us root for them. I assume it's because their feelings are so recognizable. When you're young leaving behind your best friend is one of the worst things there is, especially if you notice quite soon that they're moving on and that your place is "taken" by someone else. It's amazing to see these friends reunite and even more amazing to discover what it means when they find out that the special bond they had is totally meant to be more.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short and sweet fated mates story with two childhood friends reuniting and finding out they are mates. While short, Matilda and Sasha’s story still felt very well done and while we do only get a brief glimpse of this mating ceremony night it was still a good story. Also this series seems to have a very interesting fated mate marking reveal.

[Grendaycita Segovia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.8

Aunque se que es una historia muy corta, pero no me dio el sentimiento de la corta de los dragones, ¿será que tengo más preferencia por los dragones?

📒: Free Short Story - Aplee Libros

[Darci · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book from stuff your kindle day, I thought it was gonna be silly but it was actually a cute little story. Not very spicy, and it’s mostly about two friends catching up. Straight and to the point, just not my kind of book!

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Matilda arrived for the faded mate ceremony at Crescent lake she was shocked to see the woman behind her was her old classmate an ex best friend Sosha it seems as soon as she locked eyes with her old friend it was hard to tear them away. It has been 10 Years since she saw her and it seems she turned from a padgy face teenager to a striking attractive woman after the ceremony she invited Sasha to her room and was glad she took her up on it. Coming back to Crescent Lake changes Sasha‘s life for the better but will she find her faded mate or has she already found it in her friend Matilda? I love these books but noticed one reading this one that none of the characters ever shift and although I’d love a sweet romance I would love it if they actually shape shift it as well. Either way if you love a sweet romance in this one was a good one I especially loved the epilogue And how it all came full circle then you’ll definitely love this book. It is a short fun sweet read I say it in every review but I love these books and totally enjoyed them and highly recommend them. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

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

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book five of the Cresecent Lake Bears series and the main characters are bear shifter Sasha, and her former childhood best friend Tilly (Matilda), who has just returned from living in France, to Crescent Valley. Tilly had no choice in the move to France, still being a teen at the time and their friendship didn’t last over the long distance. She hoped to reconnect with Sasha and is surprised to find her at reception in the hotel most shifters and kin use for the crescent moon mating ritual. Tilly was Sasha’s childhood crush, but she never told her that before they lost touch. Tilly believes Sasha resented her for not keeping in contact. They had a past together, but can they wish for a future together, when they don’t know each other as adults? A lovely glimpse at the shifter/kin crescent moon ritual and the pressures it brings, but also the joy it can bring to those who find their mate during the weekend. It is almost as if they had never been apart and they stay together after the ritual, waiting to see if a mating mark will appear on Tilly. Lovely short romantic tale set in Crescent Lake, combining shifters and kin, and I can’t wait to read more. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Aryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, sweet reunion story between two friends who never stopped loving each other.

Pros:
♥ Quick, one-sitting read
♥ Potential for warm fuzzies and feet kicking
♥ Healthy, open communication during spicy scene

Cons:
♥ Majority of the story is dialogue centered around reminiscing
♥ Not enough time to build up the tension and romance I wanted to see

It was a short story, so not a lot of time for plot to begin with. Not a lot of fantasy stuff happening, honestly not even a lot of romance stuff happening. The bulk of the content was dialogue and when it's two friends catching up with a little undercurrent of mutual attraction, much of the dialogue was like, "Hey, remember when...?" That's sweet and cute for a chapter, maybe, but the whole story? I got a little bored.

I would have preferred to see this as a full length novel with more plot happening around our love interests, as well as more tension and build up between the two. But that's not to say what I read isn't perfect for another reader. This could be exactly what someone else is looking for. For me, it was "meh."

[Tabitha · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot was nonexistent—the MCs meet again after 10 years apart, spend one night in a hotel making moon eyes at one another, and realize they’re fated mates in the morning. The end. The story felt like a wish fulfillment fantasy for someone who maybe once had a crush on a friend and lost touch with them. I couldn’t relate, and from the text alone I didn’t get the kind of soul-deep longing that I would’ve hoped for to help draw me into the narrative. I thought it was kind of messed up that the MCs kissed the night before their (maybe) fated mates were going to be revealed, and then consciously decided not to go any further just in case. That’s so backwards! Isn’t the whole point of a fated mates story that the two characters feel inexplicably drawn to each other, and then they realize at some pivotal point that it was fate all along? The utter lack of confidence in each other—better not go any further, you probably ain’t it—is jaw-dropping.

[O'Livia Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Unforgotten Bear Mate

In Arizona Tape, Her Unforgotten Bear Mate, bear shifter Sasha is attending the monthly fated mate ritual at Crescent Lake in hopes that she will finally find fated mate the one person who wears her mark and hopefully that person just might be her long lost child hood best friend Matilda. Matilda has just returned to Crescent Valley from 10 years living abroad in France with her family she’s come back to take a dip in Crescent Lake and also for Sasha her old best friend. So what will happen are they fated mates and if not can they friendship survive them not being fated mates. I received this book as an ARC for my honest opinion and I honestly love it.

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 5th book in the “Crescent Lake Bears Series.” Sasha and Matilda are bear shifters who were childhood friends. Sasha has had a crush of Matilda since childhood. Matilda and her parents moved to France. Now that Matilda is back at Crescent Lake after living abroad, Matilda is hoping to run into in her long-lost friend Sasha. Matilda never forgot about her friend Sasha. As Sasha is attending the monthly fated ritual when she and Matilda see each at the hotel imagine their surprise. The two attend the ritual and when morning arises Matilda feels the mating mark from Sasha on her back. As I am a lover of bear shifter romance, I enjoyed reading about Sasha and Matilda romantic journey.

I received an ARC via Booksprout and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroines were the best of friends and now have a chance to reconnect. Can they perhaps forge an even deeper connection?

This book is part of a series, but it is written as a standalone. Start at any point.

This is an urban fantasy story with a FF romance and shifters. The story is well written and easy to read with an intriguing setting. The setting is well developed and it is fun getting to explore it a bit. The characters are great and I love both of our heroines. They have great chemistry and I really enjoyed watching them work through their initial reluctance. Overall. a fun story and I look forward to seeing what comes next.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder”
Even though Sasha and Matilda were best friends growing up, they still took the time to talk about the “big stuff”. Like kids, marriage vs mating bond, pets, where to live, & yardwork. I like how they didn’t take their mating marks for granted and assumed they’d instantly be compatible forever and ever. These type of chats are crucial for any type of committed relationship.


Think I’ll follow their example and have an alcopop (piña colada or mojito?) before starting in on ‘Her Lumberjack Bear Mate’ (expected 10 Sept).
For whatever reason, I read book #2 yesterday (‘Her Breakfast Bear Mate’). Perhaps it was the lure of more yummy food by AZ!

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. When you read shifter books there's always different ways they find their mates and I loved this books way as it was really original. This is also the first Female mates pairing I've read as well and loved reading Tilly and Sahsa's history and how the both of them want so much to be mates and hearing everything they've been through. But also with a bit of spice added. I will be looking for more books by this author as I loved the story and the way it was written.
I got this book free as an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Zahavah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally standalone F/F fates mates novella. Didn't even realize this was book 5 of a series until right now.

Cute, not at all deep, childhood friends re-meet as adults. Very straightforward storyline and light on any smut.

What moved it from 'liked it just fine' to 'hey I like this one' is that the two FMC actually talk about what they want out of life and other major decisions for their future. I really liked how they were both, "sure we might be fated mates, but that doesn't take away free will or make it so we shouldn't make sure we're actually compatible first." I've never seen that before in a fated mates trope book and I really liked it.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short and sweet romance about some childhood best friends reuniting and discovering they’re mates. Honestly, those two ladies couldn’t have been more adorable if they tried. There was a lot of connection and chemistry between the pair, and this can definitely be read as a standalone. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, because it managed to present a full story in those small number of pages, not just an insta-love snippet. Super sweet and full of longing, this is definitely a series worth pursuing.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matilda/Tilly is back from France. When she heads into the hotel for the shifter moon to find a fated mate, she runs into Sasha. They were nest friends ten years before while in school. They reconnect and enjoy their excursion into the cold lake. They go back to Tilly's room to do more catching up. To her surprise the next morning Tilly feels a mating mark on her back. Who does it belong to?
Beautiful story of friendship and love.

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

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute short story, read right before I went to work. Two childhood friends,who secretly loved each other, loss contact shortly after one moved away. They bump into each other years later and find out that little secret , but they are fated mates too. Had some talk about exes in between that, a short talk what they wanted in life, and sprinkle in a high school reunion ( I believe that’s what that was) and the end!
Definitely recommend this if you want a break after reading a longer story and just want something short and cute.

[Anne Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matilda had moved away from Crescent Lake with her parents, and her life long friendship with Sasha seemed to have been destroyed. But when Matilda comes back to visit 10 years later, Sasha is the fiorst person she runs into. Does fate have more in store for these friends? Love the cute story lines and brilliant characters in this series! They never cease to make me smile!.

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

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

They are back at Crescent Lake but instead of Dragon shifters, it is Bear shifters trying to find their mate. I liked this book. It is light and easy to read. I was able to read it in one sitting.
Sasha and Matilda had been childhood friends until Matilda's family moved away. Ten years later Matilda is back in town and on her first night there she runs into Sasha. What are the odds or is it just plain fate?.

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

[WILMA from the Netherlands · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but also a very sweet story, with a lot of humor. I had to laugh regularly, as Sasha and Mathilda (Tilly) turned around each other and did not dare to tell each other their feelings.
They hope to be each other's Fated Mate. Read the book with these wonderful, well-written characters to find out. I definitely recommend it to you. I enjoyed it.

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

[Sara Sigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matilda and Sasha were best friends in school until, Matilda’s family moved to France. They missed each other a lot, Sasha going to the Crescent Lake mating ceremony but not finding her mate. Matilda came back home after being away for 10 years when getting a room at the hotel she ran into Sasha. They went to the ceremony together and Matilda woke up with Sasha’s bear mate mark. Good book!.

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

[Emily Pennington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sasha and Matilda . . .

Bear shifter Sasha Evans is surprised to see her childhood friend and crush attending the fated mate ritual back home in Crescent Valley. Matilda Stafford had been living abroad all this time, but she never stopped thinking of her friend, Sasha, after the end of their friendship. Returning after 10 years, would Sasha still be angry with her? Would they be able to reconnect and move forward?

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tilly and Sasha were best friends in school until Tilly and her family moved to France. Ten years later they reconnect at the local fated mate ritual, always hoping they would see each other again. Lots of fun, backstories, old and new hopes and dreams, fated mate marks and chemistry. Loved the ending and the future looks bright.

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

[kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story about finding your true love. Matilda and Sasha found each other after ten years apart. They came to find their mate at the ceremony in their home town. And to their joy and surprise they ended up being fated mates. After being secretly in love with each other for years they finally got their happy ending!.

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

[Erin Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read more sapphic romances lately but have been struggling to find authors to support.

I downloaded this book during the last stuff your Kindle Day event, and devoured it. I absolutely loved every moment between Tilly and Sasha, and Arizona's writing style is beautiful. The relationship was great, and the spice was top notch. I only wish it was a little longer.

I can't wait to read more of this lovely authors work!

[Looby Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear shifter Sasha and Matilda a kin were best friends at school until Tilly had to move to France with her parents. Now Tilly is back and they meet up again at the Crescent Lake. But will they be fated mates? This was a short, cute, feel good story that I loved.

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

[Urszula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good world building. Well developed characters. Plot full of action twists and turns. Emotions flying around. Short easy to read and follow.Enjoyable and relaxing read.

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

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

[Milena · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fun reading another book based around Cresent Lake. Matilda and Sasha run into each other again after Matilda returns to the area. Matilda wants to see if she can find her mate after being gone for around 10 years or so. I loved reading about these 2 characters and seeing if after all this time there was still a connection between them.