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Bestselling authors Candace Ayers and Kym Dillon bring you SHORT "lunchtime quickie" reads—condensed romances intended to be read in under 2 hours!

Welcome to Mystic Hollow where wildest dreams (trust me, they do get wild) come true.

I did it.
I packed my bags, said adios to city life, and left my troubled past behind for a little town tucked in the bosom of nowhere.
Why?
Oh, let's call it the need for a fresh start.
Or desperation. Yeah, we can call it desperation, that works.
Why else would a shy, introverted bookworm like me sign up for an arranged marriage?
Because any man is better than the jerk I left behind, that's why.
What I don't expect is Waylon—all six foot plus of smoldering eyes, sexy swagger, and cocky smile. And did I mention muscles?
Holy moly, the man is built like a brick s***house.
He surpasses my ex in every way.
You know, the ex who's in town to unalive me.

**This is a SHORT, feel-good, instalove-inspired, fated mates bear shifter romance.**

This book can be read as a standalone, but the series is best read in order.

71 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2023

364 people are currently reading
74 people want to read

About the author

Candace Ayers

289 books537 followers

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5 stars
547 (56%)
4 stars
247 (25%)
3 stars
145 (14%)
2 stars
30 (3%)
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6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Cheryl.
2,108 reviews62 followers
October 27, 2024
Waylon and Alice

I was so happy for Waylon sticking up for Alice. The confrontation made her feel strong with her "bear" there.
Profile Image for Goddess of Chaos.
2,861 reviews12 followers
July 25, 2023
"It's not every day you find a plant that's as fussy about its environment as..."

"It's not every day you find a plant that's as fussy about its environment as a socialite at a backyard cookout."

Waylon is hoping to be one of the lucky ones who finds the Brides for Beasts has brought a mate for him to town, but he gets more than he dreamed of with Alice.

Alice isn't sure she's truly looking for happily ever after, but she's here, so she'll see what life hands her.

This done in one Kindle Unlimited quick read has a strong sense of community for such a quick read. With a focus on nature that adds some genuine charm to the story, and some unexpected laugh out loud moments this is a fun read from start to finish.
Profile Image for Jill K. Davis.
1,485 reviews12 followers
June 1, 2024
Alice is running, and Waylon is going to protect her. What I love the best is that when the climax comes, Waylon backs up Alice, but lets her deal with her own problem. Sweet story.

Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews361 followers
July 10, 2023
Waylon and Alice's Story . . .

Bear shifter Waylon is a baseball coach for the kids and he elicits constant good-natured groans from the team for his incessant puns and jokes. Even the groans please him! Waylon loves children and wants to become a dad if only he could find a mate. Because female bears are rare or non-existent these days, the Council has started a “Brides for Beasts” (“BfB”) program to find mates for the males and Waylon signed up immediately.

Alice, a professional botanist, has finally had enough and she leaves her abusive ex-boyfriend Theo to move to a small town and start over. New in town, she attends a cocktail party as a BfB first event. She is shocked that the Mystic Hollow men are so gorgeous! She attended this event to hide out from her ex, but she refers to herself as a weed in the flower garden of beautiful women. Then a woman, Baylin, comes up to her and they quickly become friends. But when a hottie starts drooling over Baylin, Alice is ready to return to her cabin and the book waiting for her.

Waylon is disappointed that he couldn’t seem to find that special someone that made his heart pound. But as he is refilling his drink at the bar, he breathes in a scent unlike any other. The problem is, he can’t seem to find the source! It fades, so he leaves to let his bear run to clear his head. He spends only a short time at the next event and lets his bear roam again in the woods. Alice has also skipped the event and is journaling about the exotic flowers she finds until she stands up and is facing a naked man! He was beginning to shift as he realizes he has just found his mate…. and she SCREAMS! She runs wildly through the woods and locks herself in the cabin before she starts laughing at herself. That could not have been real. But on Movie Night, she volunteers for the popcorn duty to avoid the men. A sexy voice sends tingles down her as she looks up and recognizes her customer. He tells a joke but can’t engage her in conversation. He comes back for his third refill and she gets one sentence out this time. On the 6th, she laughs at a joke. When he leaves, she heads back to her cabin, confused by her strong feelings for Waylon. Then he steps up to walk her home. He tells her he is a bear shifter and asks her to have breakfast with him at the diner – and then they kiss. He is gentle and patient, and willing to wait for their next step. He fills her with hope. And she wants him even more when she knew he played along with her silly bear hallucination rather than tell her that was impossible… Then a text comes in from Theo that he knows where she is and is coming to get her! Can Waylon protect her? Or should she push him away so Theo’s jealousy and rage won’t be directed at Waylon? Theo had almost beaten a barista to death for complimenting her earrings! She can’t risk Waylon being harmed... but can she stop Theo?
969 reviews9 followers
July 4, 2023
Waylon wants more than anything to get married and have a family, but there hasn’t been a female birth in over 40 years. So, he agrees to try the BfB program hoping to find his mate. He is sorely disappointed with every woman he meets until he smells something wonderful. But he can’t seem to find where it is coming from!

Alice joins the BfB program to get away from an abusive ex, hoping to buy some time until she can figure out what to do. She feels totally out of place and usually ends up off by herself. She is walking through the woods looking at the wild flowers and plants. As a botanist she is in her own little heaven, until she comes across a very naked man who turns into a bear. She screams and hides in her cabin. She is forced out of her cabin for movie night because she is on pop corn duty. When Waylon finds her, he knows he has finally found his mate, but she doesn’t seem to be very receptive to him. But his persistence finally pays off and the two of them hit it off. She is so excited, until she gets a text from her ex that he is coming to get her. Now she is worried that he will hurt Waylon, so she tires to distance herself from him.

This is a lovely story of a shy, beaten down woman who finally finds the courage to go after the love that she truly deserves. Excellent read and continuation of the series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
413 reviews5 followers
July 12, 2023
Alice is taking part in this event mainly to escape her abusive ex boyfriend who shouldn't be able to trace her.
She attends the first mixer and feels inadequate around the number of women she feels are superior.
Waylon is a bear shifter who longs for a mate and his own cubs after years of coaching other people's.
He manages to catch the scent of his fated mate but she also catches sight of his transformation which seems impossible to get human mind.
Waylon must convince his mate that she has worth and that he only wishes to protect what is his.

This was a shorter story than most but lost absolutely no emotion or impact from it being so.
Alice is written in a way that you instantly feel for her and her insecurities that were formed during abuse.
Waylon is a character who cannot give up on this woman because she will complete him and he has longed for that... He is willing to put the time and effort into their connection which is endearing.
This book was sweet and I was dragged into the woods alongside them while they explore their spark.
A wonderful read that bloomed like a beautiful flower and will continue to unfurl in my mind.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5,665 reviews63 followers
July 10, 2023
Waylon is the coach of the baseball team and longs for a family of his own. The group started a program that brings females in for a week of events and games to see if the bear shifters find their mates. Alice is in hiding from an abusive ex and is shy after being told repeatedly that she is worthless and stupid. Being a botanist, she is more thrilled with spending time in the woods with the plants.
Loved the characters, their personalities and entertaining situations as they slowly open up to each other. Interesting way to introduce his bear. The storyline has a hidden subplot about a wolf shifter in the area, but it only gets a mention in this book. Plenty of new friendships, matches, surprises, games and bad dad jokes to keep the pages turning. Perfect ending and future. Can not wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Vicky Johnson.
424 reviews
July 15, 2024
Alice is running from an abusive ex. She joined BFB to hide. She wasn't planning on falling in love.

Waylon is looking for love. He can smell Alice and knows he wants to find the source but cant seem to at first.

She is a botanist and is out in the woods looking at flowers while he is frustrated so he goes to shift in the woods so he can run it of. Right as he changes he smells her again and turns around just as he changes right in front of her.

She runs then convinces her self she must be hallucinating from the flowers. Waylon does everything he can to convince her they belong together but she isn't having it. He even tells them there fated mates but she thinks he is joking.

Her ex finds her in the woods and says horrible things and as he is about to attack Alice, Waylon shows up and turns into a bear. Alice knows she saw it that time but her ex didn't. Just as the ex steps forward towards Alice, Waylon the bear lets out a growl and scares the shit out of him. Then he stands next to Alice. It made me laugh when the ex asks what's going on and she just reply's 'I got a bear'

She finally believes all the fated stuff and they live happily ever after
Profile Image for Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading).
797 reviews17 followers
July 5, 2023
I absolutely adored reading Protected Mate by Kym Dillon and Candace Ayers. This is book 3 of the Brides for Beasts short story collection, I've not read 1 and 2 yet but after reading Waylon and Alice's story, you can bet that I'm going back for more.

This is a super sweet instalove fated mate scenario. Waylon is a big cuddly teddy bear with the best dad jokes at the ready, he just needs to find his mate. Alice is wonderful, she wicked smart and shy, but she also fears her ex.

Anyone who loves this aspect of shifter romances will probably enjoy this if there are looking for a short story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Angie.
1,409 reviews234 followers
July 8, 2023
This woman that fate has blessed me with is so much more than I ever dared to dream of finding, and I know with certainty that she is my future. My always.

4.25 stars

This is my favorite of the series so far as I loved Waylon so much! I loved how he was so open and vulnerable, and his cheesy dad jokes were the best. His honesty was refreshing and his patience with Alice was impressive in the face of her denial. Their romance was sweet if a little dramatic, and I hope we get Luke's story next.

Tropes: fated mates, opposites attract, charming hero, shy heroine, arranged marriage, small town romance, slight OM drama, band of brother, STEAMY🔥
3,201 reviews28 followers
July 9, 2023
I loved Protected Mate Book 3 of Brides for Beasts. Alice knows she’s different thank the other brides of BfB. She’s more here just to hide from her abusive ex. She wasn’t expecting Waylon and even though they have amazing chemistry she wants to keep him safe. Waylon knows she’s his mate but he needs to tread lightly. Can this joking bear get the shy girl to be his? This was such a sweet story and I just loved these characters. He’s a protector and she needs protection. I would definitely recommend this book and the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5,054 reviews28 followers
July 10, 2023
Alice is on the run from an abusive ex, she is hiding out in Mystic Hallow. She participates in the BfB events, she does not believe she will find anyone, she is just average. Waylon is ready to find his mate but he never has sensed her. One night he gets a whiff of a glorious sent and there she is.

Someone had hurt and it will take time for her to realize her worth to him. He will protect her when danger in the air.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jenn.
1,463 reviews26 followers
February 3, 2024
Uhh... no

This sort of minimalizes abusive relationships. If thus character ran from an abusive ex she'd be more hesitant around powerful men and seeing someone hurt him wouldn't fix all of the emotional baggage that comes with living through that kind of horror. It doesn't work like that. The sort minimalizes the trauma they've provided in the characters back story with unrealistic reactic and the confrontational scene was just complete garbage.
Profile Image for Reader_for_LifeTLG.
2,776 reviews17 followers
March 9, 2025
Mine - That's what Waylon thinks as he gets to know Alice better, but she's leery of being with him. Or anyone for that matter. She's hiding out from a toxic ex, hoping for a new start in her life. But Waylon's bear won't be deterred and is all too happy to make mincemeat out of the man who terrorized its mate. A little steamy and just as good as the first two, with a bear shifter who loves kids (so many bad dad jokes) and can't wait for one of his own with the woman he loves.
Profile Image for Lisa Bing.
6,257 reviews71 followers
July 10, 2023
This is a great addition to the series and I have to say, I loved Waylon and his jokes. He was a protector, through and through, though, and shy Alice, found she needed his protection in dealing with her ex. I loved that she was able to find the courage to make such a big change in her life and apply to be a mail order bride. These two were just fab together :D
Profile Image for Maria Leeper.
Author 5 books4 followers
July 13, 2023
Can a bear find true love?

When Waylon signs up for a BfB get together he finds more then what he expected. Sure he was looking for a mother for his future cubs but he didn’t really expect love. Sparks fly in this funny quick read from shifter writer Candace Ayers and her partner Kim Dillon.
484 reviews
November 6, 2023
Horrible past!

Alice is hiding from an abusive relationship. He ex abused her mentally, emotionally, and physically. She hopes that she's truly gotten away from his for good.
Waylon can't believe that he might have found his fated mate. He thought the old stories weren't really true....just stories.
Profile Image for Chalice.
3,702 reviews111 followers
October 2, 2024
The couple: Waylon and Alice

Romance trope: shifter
Series: Brides for Beasts: Bears
Length: 71 pages

Plot: Alice is a biologist who just wants to get away from her abusive ex and live her life. She isn't looking for love even though she signs up for the brides program. But when she meets Waylon, the goofy bear might be exactly what she needs.

Commentary: Waylon's jokes were groan-worthy, and I could absolutely see why she ignored them while she was playing chess with Lake. But his heart was in the right place, even if his brain wasn't.

Previous book in the series: Off-Limits Mate
Next book in the series: Wrong Mate
Profile Image for Susan.
872 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2023
Mates

He's hoping to find his mate here at the get to rather, but so far nothing. She doesn't like coming to these things cause she feels like she doesn't belong. When she going back to her cabin she sees a naked man, but it has to be a trick.
Profile Image for Christina Standridge.
1,046 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2023
A fast paced short story. Alice moved away from an abusive ex for a fresh start. Waylon is looking for his mate. Alice doesn't know that shifters exist and Waylon is a bear. Can he convince her to be his?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
7,160 reviews33 followers
July 11, 2023
I enjoyed this book. This is book three in this series Brides for Beasts. The story is well written, the story will hold your attention. The characters are engaging and have amazing chemistry. A perfect book to take on holidays.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.
137 reviews
July 11, 2023
Darling Couple, Great HEA

This book is my favorite in the series! I love the jokes and sweet attraction. Its an overlapping series that neatly seals each book and each book has appearances of previous couple. The joint authors enhance each other talent. Am anxious for book 4.
897 reviews2 followers
July 13, 2023
Cute

Alice is a shy, scared botanist who has an ex who put her down and is looking for her. Waylon is one of the bear shifters, a jokester, and a coach. He also knows Alice is his fated mate. The ex finds her, but what happens? Really cute story.
917 reviews3 followers
July 16, 2023
A quick read that keeps you invested in the story. Great chemistry between the characters. read
If you just need something to read for an hour or two this would be the perfect read.
I was given an advanced reader copy from booksprout and I voluntarily leave this review.
Profile Image for Andrea Fernandez .
4,840 reviews22 followers
July 26, 2023
Waylon and Alice

A deliciously sweet, endearing and charming romance. Waylon and Alice are a perfect match. He’s a little silly, she’s shy but you know what they say opposites attract. I am thoroughly enjoying this series. Cannot wait to see what happens next.
2,793 reviews2 followers
August 10, 2023
Third book equally entertaining

This match making series of human women to bear shifters continues to be entertaining. This story covers a dad-joking bear and a serious botanist that seems unlikely but fate works its magic.
Profile Image for Trish.
1,086 reviews5 followers
November 18, 2023
Wonderful story

I have been reading this series, and I love how they all connect, and the newly mated pairs, are always interacting with the books new couple, trying to connect. Very sweet characters.
Profile Image for Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams.
2,705 reviews5 followers
January 18, 2024
Protected Mate (Brides for Beasts: Bears Book 3)

The love story of Waylon and Alice. Alice is on the run from her abusive boyfriend. She has come to Mystic Hollow to get away from him. When Waylon meets Alice he know she is his mate. Can he protect her from her ex? Great story.
14 reviews
February 4, 2024
I'm torn because on one side its super sweet and nice, also the guy is respectful and so is his friend! which is a big plus for me, but on the other side calling this book "rushed" is like calling a dead guy not overly enegetic.

10 reviews
July 22, 2024
Loving this series

I've really been enjoying this series. I managed to read in reverse, Dragons first, Wolves second and now Bears. So impressed with the consistency in dialogue from one book to the next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

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