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Bear Camp #1.5
The Cubby Hole: A Bear Camp Short
What if my best friend is the one that got away? He told me he loved me back in college, but I didn’t believe I was good enough for him. For twenty years, even as I tried to make other men love me, he’s the one who’s really been there for me. Now we’re back at the campground where he first confessed his feelings for me and the cabin he rented has a private hot tub and only one bed. A little bourbon, a ton of memories, and a few bombshell truths… Maybe our being together was always just a matter of time. The Cubby Hole is a 15,000 word short story from the Bear Camp series featuring friends to lovers, second chances, and one night that brings a true love full circle. It can be read as a standalone. This story was first available as part of a promotional giveaway. No new content has been added.
67 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
March 1, 2025
THIS should be the prequel to get readers hyped for the Bear Camp series. My favourite from James Slade so far. It’s short but the relationship development has a realness to it and I was fully invested for the whole 67 pages. It has none of the campground shenanigans and a sole focus on their connection. I’d say this reads better as book 0.5 as timeline wise it occurs the night before book 1 starts.
August 2, 2025
2,75 stars.
Second chance mm romance novella - Bear Camp series.
It was nice enough watching Eric and Ben getting back together. I wasn't really convinced about their 20 year long connection watching each other (often literally) with other partners, but, good for them to find their forever home with each other after all, at 39.
Second chance mm romance novella - Bear Camp series.
It was nice enough watching Eric and Ben getting back together. I wasn't really convinced about their 20 year long connection watching each other (often literally) with other partners, but, good for them to find their forever home with each other after all, at 39.
September 30, 2023
This was a short but very well paced second chance/best friends to lovers. You could feel their connection.
November 12, 2023
This little story goes along with the book Muscle Cub. It explains what's going on with Eric and Ben who invite Paul to the camp in the second full novel of the series.
It's hard to really make an impact with a short story, but Ben and Eric really touched me. Getting together at a very young age, when they were too distracted by life to make things work as a couple, they remained friends for 20 years.
And just where their story began in their teens, they take a full circle, coming back to the famous Bear Mountain Lodge Men's Camp Ground to celebrate their (shared) birthday.
I have been intrigued by Ben in the second book. He doesn't say much. Eric's the socializing one, so it was interesting to see Ben take matters into his own hands to finally resolve their decades long attraction.
I was really happy to see their own moment together here. I understand why it couldn't be part of the second book. It makes sense having it as a separate story.
4 stars!
It's hard to really make an impact with a short story, but Ben and Eric really touched me. Getting together at a very young age, when they were too distracted by life to make things work as a couple, they remained friends for 20 years.
And just where their story began in their teens, they take a full circle, coming back to the famous Bear Mountain Lodge Men's Camp Ground to celebrate their (shared) birthday.
I have been intrigued by Ben in the second book. He doesn't say much. Eric's the socializing one, so it was interesting to see Ben take matters into his own hands to finally resolve their decades long attraction.
I was really happy to see their own moment together here. I understand why it couldn't be part of the second book. It makes sense having it as a separate story.
4 stars!
September 8, 2023
"The feeling of his lips against mine had always existed, tucked into the hole in my heart."
🔵 Best friends to lovers
🟢 Both MMCs 39 years old
🟡 Ex-lovers, but they've both loved each other all along
🟣 This story is too damn short
🟠 I need a full length book, thank you
The story is about Eric and Ben, two lifelong friends, who've started out by being together, but ended up falling apart because of Eric's insecurities.
Now, at the age of 39 and 20 solid years into their friendship, they've made their annual trip to Bear Camp, but this time Ben comes up with a new proposition, and that one includes them getting back together.
🟢 An interesting fact; in all of the books in this series I'm realizing one thing, and that is - the MMCs aren't using gallons of lube and they hardly use condoms, but the lube part is definitely not there. Usually in mm books the lube is almost like the 3rd MC. 😄
"His saliva mixed with my precum to form the most obscenely perfect glide. The best lube in the universe: spit, precum, and sheer urgent need."
Tell me more. No, seriously, I need more of this.
Again, the writing was wonderful 😏😄, I absolutely loved this story.
Way, way too short, there was so much left to be said and the ending was very abrupt with no epilogue, but I liked the MMCs and would love to read their full-length story.
At this point I'm honestly begging for this author's spice and kissing scenes - in detail. They're so good and I want more of it. We've had tongues already in this novella, it's progress, people!
🔵 Best friends to lovers
🟢 Both MMCs 39 years old
🟡 Ex-lovers, but they've both loved each other all along
🟣 This story is too damn short
🟠 I need a full length book, thank you
The story is about Eric and Ben, two lifelong friends, who've started out by being together, but ended up falling apart because of Eric's insecurities.
Now, at the age of 39 and 20 solid years into their friendship, they've made their annual trip to Bear Camp, but this time Ben comes up with a new proposition, and that one includes them getting back together.
🟢 An interesting fact; in all of the books in this series I'm realizing one thing, and that is - the MMCs aren't using gallons of lube and they hardly use condoms, but the lube part is definitely not there. Usually in mm books the lube is almost like the 3rd MC. 😄
"His saliva mixed with my precum to form the most obscenely perfect glide. The best lube in the universe: spit, precum, and sheer urgent need."
Tell me more. No, seriously, I need more of this.
Again, the writing was wonderful 😏😄, I absolutely loved this story.
Way, way too short, there was so much left to be said and the ending was very abrupt with no epilogue, but I liked the MMCs and would love to read their full-length story.
At this point I'm honestly begging for this author's spice and kissing scenes - in detail. They're so good and I want more of it. We've had tongues already in this novella, it's progress, people!
January 23, 2022
This Bear Camp short packs a wallop. Friends to lovers who break up in their early 20's, and become friends again for the next 20 years. It's never the right time is it? All of these goofy thoughts to muddy up the waters when it was right there in front of your face all along. Turning 40 never felt so good. Content. More please! 🐻🏕
January 4, 2022
Fun and sexy free second-chance romance short! I thought the pacing was great and the emotions were really well done. A couple of places where I wanted a bit more, but overall super solid!
May 26, 2023
Loved this when it was part of an anthology
This is just a cute best friends remembering why and how they were each other's first love so many years ago
It's a short but still packed a punch.
This is just a cute best friends remembering why and how they were each other's first love so many years ago
It's a short but still packed a punch.
January 23, 2022
3.5 stars
• the introduction of 20 years of friendship and relationship history between the MCs was done very well
• decent pacing overall
• i liked the...first half or so, but later on something was missing for me. not sure what.
• eric was almost too head-in-sand at times.
• what was the point of mentioning there was only one bed?? it didn't matter! bait and switch
• "pretty blues" was used approximately 13 times too many
Overall, solid writing and characters. Turns out the naked bear/cub fuck camp thing isn't really my speed, so I won't be continuing on to other books. still a well done novella.
• the introduction of 20 years of friendship and relationship history between the MCs was done very well
• decent pacing overall
• i liked the...first half or so, but later on something was missing for me. not sure what.
• eric was almost too head-in-sand at times.
• what was the point of mentioning there was only one bed?? it didn't matter! bait and switch
• "pretty blues" was used approximately 13 times too many
Overall, solid writing and characters. Turns out the naked bear/cub fuck camp thing isn't really my speed, so I won't be continuing on to other books. still a well done novella.
January 5, 2022
I really love this series! This is a sweet, short story of two best friends who failed 20 years ago when they tried a relationship but have never really gotten over each other.
Bear Camp is a great, fun setting and Slade James is a writer who I definitely look forward to reading more from!
Bear Camp is a great, fun setting and Slade James is a writer who I definitely look forward to reading more from!
January 1, 2022
What a way to start the year off!!! I have been wanting more from Slade James for so long!! I feel like a druggy, begging for more books. BUTTTTTTT, my heart feels so full coming back to Bear Camp!!! While this is only a novella (and I’m still holding out for another full length), it does tide me over… for the time being!!!😂
Ben & Eric have been friends for 20 years. They’re back at Bear Camp to celebrate their 39th Birthday with friends, arriving a day before everyone else for a little alone time. And even though their sexual relationship only lasted a short time, they got an incredible friendship from it. I loved them so much and felt a kinship, seeing as how I turn 40 this year. Being so close in age to the characters made it even more memorable.
This is a Friends to Lovers short story set in the same world as my book husband, Sawyer! I can’t wait for his cameo in Muscle Cub!!!
Ben & Eric have been friends for 20 years. They’re back at Bear Camp to celebrate their 39th Birthday with friends, arriving a day before everyone else for a little alone time. And even though their sexual relationship only lasted a short time, they got an incredible friendship from it. I loved them so much and felt a kinship, seeing as how I turn 40 this year. Being so close in age to the characters made it even more memorable.
This is a Friends to Lovers short story set in the same world as my book husband, Sawyer! I can’t wait for his cameo in Muscle Cub!!!
January 11, 2022
There were aspects of this I really liked. The relationship between the two MC’s, their history, their bond, was really sweet.
Unfortunately there was way too much internal dialogue and the spit-as-lube and unprotected sex without discussing status are two of my biggest sexy times pet peeves. Totally takes me out of the story.
Another YBBB novella with soooo much potential but too many flaws made it fall flat for me.
Unfortunately there was way too much internal dialogue and the spit-as-lube and unprotected sex without discussing status are two of my biggest sexy times pet peeves. Totally takes me out of the story.
Another YBBB novella with soooo much potential but too many flaws made it fall flat for me.
January 19, 2022
I loved this short story. I’ve really enjoyed everything I’ve read by Slade James. His writing has a smooth cadence that just draws me in. Being from East Tennessee and very familiar with clothing optional camps for men, I felt right at home with the setting. I also felt right at home with both Ben and Eric. I can’t wait for the next full length book.
March 13, 2022
For a short book, this story held a lot of content. The characters are well developed and the chemistry tangible. It's part of a series, so I didn't expect a comprehensive beginning and end, but the justification for resisting for so long didn't sit right and made me drop my rating a little. But it's a good read and the series is fun.
January 4, 2022
Awww. This was super sweet goodness. I love it every time I visit Bear Camp. Can’t wait for the next full length.
November 26, 2023
My issue with this one was that 98% of this novella was inner dialogue. Or it felt like it was. It was really exhausting. I needed so much more in this. More action, more discussion, more connection...just more.
July 26, 2022
This one was a let down. I didn't connect with either Ben or Jim.
June 19, 2023
This is book 1.5 in Slade James’s Bear Camp series. I liked the second chance/friends to lovers aspect. It was really emotional and sad how the timing wasn’t right over the last 20 years for these two, even when they tried for a relationship.
I think this suffered from being entirely from Eric’s POV. Even at the end, Ben felt like a wisp that never fully took shape. Like Eric was still making assumptions.
Usually when long time friends become more in a story it actually makes their HEA feel complete - but it barely felt like an HFN here. I don’t know, I think after the emotional and heartbreaking 90% I just needed more.
I think this suffered from being entirely from Eric’s POV. Even at the end, Ben felt like a wisp that never fully took shape. Like Eric was still making assumptions.
Usually when long time friends become more in a story it actually makes their HEA feel complete - but it barely felt like an HFN here. I don’t know, I think after the emotional and heartbreaking 90% I just needed more.
January 16, 2022
I admit that I need to get my backside in gear and read this first novel in this series, Grumpy Bear. It's on my kindle and I have already read the prequel short story/novella, The Uncut Wood, and the follow-up, The Day Pass.
So when I saw this on Prolific Works's MM Romance Group's 2022 Your Book Boyfriend's Boyfriend giveaway, I hope that this would get me to push Grumpy Bear up my TBR, though I suspect this was going to hint/introduce us to the next novel in the series's love interests (And I was right. And we have a title - Muscle Cub).
A second chance, best friends to lovers story taken place over the course of one night. This felt very different to my typical MM romances that I read (or romance in general, as I am not that well read in this genre!) as I usually go for fun, fluffy romances, but I did like this and I am going to make myself read Grumpy Bear in the coming months (though I do have one or two other romances that I would like to read before Easter 2022).
There are one or two things that I didn't exactly warm to. There was a lot of internal monologue which, at times, disturbed the flow of the story or the action. And the unprotected sex scene with spit and pre as lube didn't sit right with me for a few reasons - but these are my issues, not the story's.
I'm intrigued over returning to Bear Camp in novel form.
So when I saw this on Prolific Works's MM Romance Group's 2022 Your Book Boyfriend's Boyfriend giveaway, I hope that this would get me to push Grumpy Bear up my TBR, though I suspect this was going to hint/introduce us to the next novel in the series's love interests (And I was right. And we have a title - Muscle Cub).
A second chance, best friends to lovers story taken place over the course of one night. This felt very different to my typical MM romances that I read (or romance in general, as I am not that well read in this genre!) as I usually go for fun, fluffy romances, but I did like this and I am going to make myself read Grumpy Bear in the coming months (though I do have one or two other romances that I would like to read before Easter 2022).
There are one or two things that I didn't exactly warm to. There was a lot of internal monologue which, at times, disturbed the flow of the story or the action. And the unprotected sex scene with spit and pre as lube didn't sit right with me for a few reasons - but these are my issues, not the story's.
I'm intrigued over returning to Bear Camp in novel form.
January 15, 2022
4.5/5 stars. Short story about a second chance romance between best friends and former boyfriends who go to a gay campground for the weekend. I was really impressed with the history and complex feelings James imparted in such a short story. The “second chance” here is really the characters growing and changing throughout their relationship to get to a point where they could have a healthy and lasting romantic connection, and their love for each other as friends and companions was palpable. It’s also apparent that (as James says in the foreword) the book is based on his own experience at gay campgrounds, because the setting and background characters feel very real. Highly recommended.
June 4, 2023
I cried, so . . . yeah. A very well done second chance romance novella that takes place over less than a day, but we get reminiscences of their 20 year complicated relationship. Single POV, which seems to garner the highest ratings from me. While I do like seeing inside both characters’ heads, something about that uncertainty works for me.
April 9, 2022
I enjoyed this novella, it was a quick and fun read. Some very interesting scenes that gave a greater view of the events of Bear Camp. I'm not the biggest fan of friends-to-lovers, as I've stated before. However, this one had an interesting nuance in that the two leads were exes-to-friends-to... well, you'll just have to read to find out.
January 2, 2022
How an author can write such a beautiful story in 15k words is beyond me but Slade James has done it with this lovely novella. I was hooked from the beginning and the absolute love between Ben and Eric is palpable. I’m so happy these two got the HEA they deserved and waited long enough for. I’ve loved what I’ve read from Slade and this series so far and I can’t wait for more from this talented and captivating storyteller.
November 4, 2022
Eric and Ben are the best of friends...they even share a birthday. They dated back in their early twenties but eventually broke up and found their way back together as friends. Reuniting at Bear Camp for their 39th birthday maybe things are changing?
I've enjoyed the stuff written in this world but I'm sick of these shorts. They're too short! I want more of Ben and Eric, which I know we'll get in the background of book two as they will be the ones to introduce Austin to his HEA Paul. Just get here already!
I've enjoyed the stuff written in this world but I'm sick of these shorts. They're too short! I want more of Ben and Eric, which I know we'll get in the background of book two as they will be the ones to introduce Austin to his HEA Paul. Just get here already!
January 3, 2022
Not going to lie, I was teary (if not crying) for a few good portions of this but wow was it worth it. This was beautiful. Heartbreakingly so. I loved that there was such a beautiful HEA and sometimes love really does just need to finds itself moment. This packed such an emotional impact. Absolutely beautiful and worth the puffy eyes.
August 27, 2022
A short story about that is both a ‘friends to lovers’ and ‘exes to lover’ story. It’s sweet and cute.
Freebie from author.
Freebie from author.
July 30, 2024
Eh. This one was alright.
May 10, 2025
kindle: 4⭐️ short but sweet, a fun quick read
September 22, 2022
I loved the bear camp series, so I read this short story taking place there.
It is a nice novella about two friends who were in a relationship years ago that turned into a friendship after they split.
Twenty years later they return to the place they went as a young couple to celebrate their birthday which is the same day.
That was originally the reason they got to know each other.
And maybe after 20 years there could be more than friendship (again).
The backstory was really sweet and the guys likeable.
But overall the book is not very remarkable, it is a quick read and not something I will remember.
If you know the series it is a nice part of it, but reading it as a standalone is probably not too exciting.
It is a nice novella about two friends who were in a relationship years ago that turned into a friendship after they split.
Twenty years later they return to the place they went as a young couple to celebrate their birthday which is the same day.
That was originally the reason they got to know each other.
And maybe after 20 years there could be more than friendship (again).
The backstory was really sweet and the guys likeable.
But overall the book is not very remarkable, it is a quick read and not something I will remember.
If you know the series it is a nice part of it, but reading it as a standalone is probably not too exciting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews