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Shane’s bad day gets worse when his sanctuary on the mountains is invaded by an un-Collared wolf, who thinks attacking him is a great idea. Shane has no intention of getting involved in this lady Lupine’s complicated life, but there’s something about her that raises his protective instincts to the highest they’ve ever been.

Freya McHugh is in search of her brother, who disappeared from the city where the two of them had been living as human. The trail leads to a mercenary organization, with whom Freya has managed to land a meeting. That is, until a grizzly bear Shifter derails her plans.

Shane not only screws up Freya’s meeting with the woman mercenary leader but he spirits her to Shiftertown and a house full of bears. To make matters worse, he’s stirring Freya’s long-dormant mating frenzy. She has things to do and a brother to find, but now Shane is filling the gaping hole in her life she hadn’t realized was there.

The hunt for Freya’s brother takes a sinister turn, which poses grave danger to all Shifters. Shane and Freya must decide where their loyalties lie and face a peril that might destroy them.

358 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2024

145 people are currently reading
255 people want to read

About the author

Jennifer Ashley

215 books7,329 followers
NY Times Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley writes historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance, historical mysteries, and urban fantasy as Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner.

Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Profile Image for Lover of Romance.
3,712 reviews1,125 followers
September 5, 2025


This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥.5
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂 .5
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧.5
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.25


First Impressions
Bear Facts is the 15th installment in the "Shifters Unbound" series and this is where we get a story that connects to some of the previous books. Shane, runs into our heroine, who is lupine and while their meet cute was a bit angsty that resulted in a fight, there is something about Freya that Shane can't resist. He can't resist what calls within him when he is near her. Freya while she is on the run, she also can't resist the friendship and protectiveness that she sees in Shane. He stands by her in a way that she has only experienced with her twin. And through a set of events, a deeper connection forms between them. And while this book did start out a bit slow at first, it really picked up speed and I didn't want to put it down.

First Line
Goddess help him, but life with bears could be a serious pain in the ....fur.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Shane
The Heroine: Freya

Summary
Shane enjoys the solitude that he finds in the mountains....until he runs into a she wolf and at first he thinks she is feral, but soon he comes to the conclusion that there is so much more going on and that this lupine needs him even if she won't admit it at first. It leads them to the pack that she grew up and the man she considers a father but feels hurt by past mistakes. But it soon becomes clear that Graeme had his own reasons and had never abandoned her in the way that she had expected it. Shane and Freya build a mating bond in the journey to discovering what happened with her brother....but will he be the man she has always known?

What I Loved
Bear Facts was a delicious read and I had a fun time with this one. I really liked this audio once you get past 25% and then it really picks up pace very quickly. I really enjoyed the way in which this book developed. It starts out with tension and a physical fight between these two and I loved how careful Shane was with Freya....and not just physically. I was curious to see how this book would develop and I really loved the twist of seeing how Graeme and Misty would fit into this story. (they are one of my favorite couples of this series actually) and it was intriguing to see the connections there and seeing some deeper challenges to Graeme and that even though he is happy with Misty.....their life is still packed with challenges. The romance that develops between Shane and Freya was intriguing. Its more slow burn at times, of course, they have chemistry, but its not a relationship they are quickly jumping into even though both feel a deep connection. A unique twist was seeing the way in which they were trying to solve a mystery, the hidden truths behind Freya's identity, and what was really happening behind the scenes with her brother. I found the third act especially to be quite interesting.

What I Struggled With
The beginning lol .....it was really slow and I almost was tempted to DNF it actually. I really didn't want to considering how much I enjoy this author but I just wasn't into the story at first. You do need to be patient with it. Now it could have been the narration as well, or just a blend of the narration and the pacing of the story itself.

Narration
I do enjoy this author for the most part, I liked the way in which this story kept me on my toes in many ways.

Overall View
Bear Facts was a true delight and its a story that spins a tale of fierce love, intense dramatic plot lines and a voice that calls deep to the reader to keep you hooked till the end!

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance
Character Types: Shape Shifter, Werewolves, Bears, Alpha Mellow
Themes: Danger/Suspense, MC on the Run, Pack Dynamics
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Mistaken Identity, Return to Hometown

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Christine Feehan
Nalini Singh
Rebecca Zanetti

Song This Book Inspires
Never Tear Us Apart-Bishop Briggs

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators:
Cris Dukehart

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Profile Image for Daz Waltzer-Hill.
25 reviews
February 1, 2024
Wonderful story, lots of familiar characters, what's not to love?
I was so so so happy to have another Shifters Unbound story! The heroine, Freya, is gutsy and likeable, and I liked the development and slow burn of the relationship with Shane. What really surprised me (and had me smiling) was the reunion with Graham, especially given their history, and what she expected. Which was kinda what I expected, too, because… well… it’s Graham. He might be all sweet with Misty and the cubs, but with everybody else he’s still Graham, LOL! And I have to admit, I actually cheered out loud when the not-bad-lady walked into Dylan’s office, and Tiger was standing there! I adore Tiger (who doesn’t) and was thrilled to see more of him, and Zander, too! If I could give this book 10 stars, I would have!
Profile Image for Darcy.
14.4k reviews543 followers
February 4, 2024
This is a favorite series of mine, so it's always fun to read a new book. Lots of drama in this one, collared shifter vs non-collared shifter, then you throw in ferals, so much going on. I felt for Freya, she was quickly in over her head, so it was great that she ran into Shane and he could help her out, even as she didn't want the help and then had to accept it very reluctantly. By accepting the help Freya was forced to deal with one aspect of her past and see that things weren't what they seemed, healing a hurt. Freya also fit in so great with the bears, it was funny!

Her quest to find her brother sent her to some odds places and brought in a potential new ally for the shifters. Dylan mostly dealt with this new person and you can tell going forward he will be the point of contact between the two. I've very intrigued how that will go.

Loved what we learned with the twin cubs, Kyle and Matt, how the both schooled the adults and let Freya know she and her brother are like them.

The ending was great! Loved seeing the mating ceremony and the nugget that Tiger laid on the new couple.
2,663 reviews2 followers
February 4, 2024
Can she find her twin bro and make the ft decision 4 her future?

I loved it all!!!! It's been wayyyyyy 2 long since the last book. When things go sideways when she tries 2 get answers about her bro she has a unexpected surprise with Shane. He's a grizzly and a tracker and that's a good combo 4 him with the responsibility he has. When they find out about some humans turning shifters against their wills 2 become feral they will do what they can 2 find answers of who, and where so they can do what they can do. Can Shane and others find what they looking 4 or will everything go up in smoke? read and find out. I was so ooo happy when Dylan and Tiger was in it!! Tiger might scares people that don't really know him but I loves his little gifts. I sooooo can't wait 4 the next book and I hope it's asap instead of waiting a few yrs and least it felt like a few yrs 2 me since the last book. Lol
Profile Image for Chalice.
3,681 reviews112 followers
February 5, 2024
The couple: Shane and Freya

Romance trope: shifters
Series: Shifters Unbound
Length: 358 pages

Plot: Shane is feeling a little irritated and unsettled when he takes off after a fight with a bunch of misogynistic Lupines. He goes on a run and meets Freya, a wolf on the run who's looking for her twin brother. She has a mission that she won't give up, but it seems that in many ways, their missions overlap. Freya needs to find her brother, who seems to be with a group of shifters being held captive and Shane needs to find a way to squash the rebellion starting to happen in his Shiftertown. When he takes Freya back to his group, there is even more overlap and their burgeoning relationship is threatened. But Shane is one determined bear and won't give up without a fight.

Commentary: Allowing Freya and her brother to escape and stay on the run feels very un-Graham-like (helping them along the way doesn't, but allowing them to be there in the first place didn't feel genuine). But I was happy for Shane - happy that everyone in that bear household is finding their mate. And I loved seeing Cormac again, with his gentle, peacemaking self. He's the perfect mate!

Previous book in the series: Tiger's Daughter
Profile Image for Kat.
381 reviews47 followers
June 18, 2024
I thought this was going to be the last book I read in the Shifters Unbound series because the previous few books really took a nose drive in terms of writing quality, however Bear Facts was a return to what I loved about the series. It's not trying too hard, Shane and Freya have a personality outside of just lusting after each other and being sad, and the plot is coherent.
Profile Image for Sabrina.
1,446 reviews119 followers
February 6, 2024
It is always so much fun diving back into this world. It always takes me a minute to remember certain characters but once it clicks, it’s like I never left this series. So this story follows Shane and Freya. Shane is having a pretty bad start to his morning. Trying to keep the peace when all his bear wants to do is eat some breakfast and go for a run. When he finally makes it for a run, he is attached by a wolf shifter. It takes Freya a hot second to realize that the bear she just attacked isn’t the cause of the feral scent she picked up. And once they both realize the other means no harm, all is almost well. Well except for the fact that this bear just keeps helping her out when all she wants to do is slip away and attend the meeting with this mystery woman who may have key information on her missing brother. And of course, Freya’s plans are further derailed when Shane follows her to the meeting and realizes something bad is going down. He whisks her away to Shiftertown with the promise to protect her and help her find her brother. Little does he know that there are some people in his town she ran away from in the first place. A whole new set of problems and plenty of familiar faces in this story! Somewhere out there are people turning shifters feral in order to create an army and it’s up to these guys to figure out who and stop them. Meanwhile, if that wasn’t enough, Freya and Shane find themselves drawn together and slowly realize they are mates. Great story! Great new characters and plenty of old ones I love getting cameos from. And as usual I can’t wait for the next book!
1,142 reviews19 followers
February 6, 2024
A great series, my only complaint is we have to wait so long for the.next instalment.

A novel take.on the shifter tale. In this world shifters are not accepted and are kept in "ghettos" fenced off from the human population. They are also forced to. wear magical collars which suppress much of their shifter natures. Bears, wolves and big cats are the main species though there are others like snakes and such. Life is hard for a shifter, its.difficult for them.to.find.their.mates as they are forbidden to travel, there are not many willing to employ a shifter and some occupation s are not open to them, like police. The shifters are a very long lived species living for hundreds of years, they came to.earth through portals which linked to the Fae lands, in these lands.the shifters were used and abused by the Fae as war dogs. Disposable. The shifters living in the "shiftertowns" have developed their own says of combating the draconian rules which govern their livez. Beneath the facade of acceptance is an underground resistance which works hard to better the lot of the shifters and to help those who fall foul of the "Shifter Council" the human organisation that regulates shifter existence. Each book deals.with a new couple finding and discovering their "Mate Bond" amid passion and danger, but there is a long running thread linking all the books with the main characters reappearing often as they try to achieve a better life for themselves. This features Shane, a best and Freya, a wolf running into each other literally while out in the forest. I love the books which the Bears feature prominently, the wolves are very intense, the cats very devious (or they think they are) but the Bears ......straight out fun they all have mysterious side but their goofy natures cannot be denied even in dangerous situations....... And Shane he's very goofy ..............
1,117 reviews4 followers
March 9, 2024
So wonderful to have another book in this series, too long since the last one.
Shane, lovable bear is out running off frustration with the wolves in his town when he smells something feral and almost immediately is attacked by a wolf, which he quickly realises is an uncollared shifter. He quickly becomes intrigued by her, and follows her when she leaves.

Freya is worried, her twin has disappeared, and she can't reach him through normal means, their twin bond, or their inner wolves. Even worse when searching for him she attacks what she thinks is a feral bear shifter, and now he's following her, albeit into a situation where she's being increasingly uncomfortable.
When the community learns of a threat to all shifters Shane is part of the team sent to resolve it, but Freya insists on joining them in case her brother may be involved.

Lovely to see so many we've met in previous books, I always love to see Tiger and Zander, but also meet the adorable Matt and Kyle (in either form).
Hope we see books for some of our other characters really soon.
1,145 reviews
February 1, 2024
Opening chapter shows our MMC trying to deal with a gang of angry wolves who want to take their own mates by force. Basically, they don't think it's fair they're stuck living in this shifter town without the benefits of female company. And since the local females aren't interested, they plan to kidnap, rape, and forcibly mate them and pass them around...

***

“So not only are you going to tell every Shifter woman in this town they’re fair game but that you’re going to pass them around?”

“Yep,” the second wolf said, as Leo remained in a silent stare-down with Shane. “We’ll cut you in, if you’re with us.”

***

The MMC does a decent job as enforcer of warning them off their super disgusting idea but he can't kill them. I mean... what??? You live in a dystopia where paranormals wear magical collars but you can't murder a gang of rapist wolves??? No thanks. Not interested in this HEA. Not interested in anything by this author.
2,815 reviews57 followers
February 10, 2024
Oh My!!! It had been so long since I had read a Shifters Unbound story. I feared I wouldn't remember much. Thanks to the talented writer, leaving such an impression from past books, it all came flowing back. There was no putting the book down. She grabbed my attention and never let go until the very end.

Shane and Freya's story is packed full of suspense, action, and drama. It begins on a mountain when she attacks him thinking his a feral. Taking her to the shifter town brings back her and her brother, Rolf's past.

The romance between Shane and Freya was anything but easy. Her fears controlled her decisions. Shane's patience was an inspiration. The support they got from many of the shifters left my heart all a twitter. The twists left my mouth hanging wide open. Holy Moly!!! I gotta say I didn't see it coming.

Now, I wait to see what happens next with the shifters.

Profile Image for Lita.
2,539 reviews7 followers
February 21, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this book. Having read all of Jennifer Ashley's Shifter Unbound books over the years, it was like visiting old friends. I love her characters and the stories she weaves with them. I'll admit to being on the edge of my seat a few times as she took me through adventure after adventure. You can't have a shifter book without fated mates discovering each other and this was no exception. The couple in this book were perfect for each other. While there was sex, there wasn't an over abundance of it and it didn't take up pages and pages of text which left more room for the actual story to evolve and play out. This was a solid 4 star read leaning into the 4 1/2 star zone for me.
Profile Image for Anna-Marie Buchner.
930 reviews7 followers
February 3, 2024
GAH I love this series. Bear Facts was amazing. Shane and Freya gave us all the feels you would ever want in a read I'm seriously curious about Neal and Keira will something come out of their encounter. What will happen to Freya's brother? Will Leo find his true mate (snickers). I just love everything about the Shifters Unbound series.
Usually I'd give a little more detail about the book but not with this one. Honestly there was a lot happening and I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone. Grab this book quick.
424 reviews
February 4, 2024
Sublime!

I always look forward to a new addition to this series. I drop all other books to read this. This one is intense in its secrecy and what is happening to shifters. Jennifer Ashley has set up a couple of possible new story lines, as well as caught us up on what has been happening with "old friends" from the series. I love Tiger. I look forward to Brody meeting his true mate.
These stories reflect what is happening in the world to those who are different. May they all get a happy ending.
Profile Image for Tracy DeNeal.
380 reviews19 followers
February 13, 2024
Love My Shifters

Another five star read! Jennifer Ashley has done it again. She created the perfect mate for our lovable Shane whilst also keeping her readers in touch with our faves from the Las Vegas and Austin Shiftertowns. Bliss!

Shane and Freya are a wonderful, though, unlikely match, which makes this story all the more fun. Wolves, Lions and Tiger and Bears, oh my! Gotta love ‘em! I really want more Kyle and Matt—they are so adorable.

Now wait for the next book! I wait with bated breath.
4,538 reviews29 followers
March 3, 2024
It was good to see Shane get a happy ending.

After rereading the entire series over the past week or so, I have issues with the world building. In the first book and thereafter it was stated that the male shifters outnumbered the females and consequently the females get to be choosy about who they mate. You would think that would help dismantle the usual misogyny in these situations. However the mate claims and the challenges seem to give the power back to the guys. It’s like they ignore the woman’s choice when challenges are issued. It’s stupid and annoying.
Profile Image for Dar.
4,534 reviews92 followers
March 3, 2024
So happy to be back in Vegas and focused on the bears!!! Bears are some of the best shifters, and Shane is textbook with his easy-going manner, love of all things sweet, and ability to switch into a vicious predator in a moment. Freya is no easy-going wolf, she is under pressure, frightened, and unsure, but she has such inner strength, it radiates from her. Loved the story, the twists and the new characters, and the narration was, once again, superb <3 p.s. and don’t worry, just because we are in Vegas doesn’t mean we don’t get some Tiger time 😊
Profile Image for Read All About It.
2,032 reviews23 followers
February 1, 2024
Shifter Amazing!!

Shane grinned down at her then at the stunned crowd. “I bet you all saw that coming. Am I right?”

This series is a long time favorite of mine and I’m so glad that Shane finally found his mate.

“With me? A big goof of a bear no one wants?” “How could no one want you? You’re wonderful.”
Lots of great shifter stuff going on and all our favorites show up to make it even better.
Profile Image for Shyla.
715 reviews3 followers
February 4, 2024
Bear Facts

Shane had been waiting years for a mate and then Freya attacked him out of no where. The fighting concluded fast with Shane taking her to the local cabin for shifters. She just wants to find her brother and not live in a Shiftertown. Well some things just don’t happen after you fall in love. Can Freya learn to live wild and free in a Shiftertown? Highly recommend this book and series
Profile Image for Suzi.
1,008 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2024
very good

Shane is fed up with the wolves in his shifter town. He goes up the mountain to let his bear free to run and get away from all the petty issues he has been dealing with. Freya has been searching for her missing brother and while letting her wolf free to run and search she ends up tussling with a collard bear. Good story with a mixture of drama and suspense . Can’t wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Anna.
83 reviews
February 15, 2024
Can't wait for the next book

Ok, putting all the Spidy senses aside, this book is fast-moving. It captures your interest and keeps building to the end. I am hoping the next book in the series will be about Keira. There is definitely a story waiting to be told about her.

I love the way Jennifer never leaves a Clifthanger but just iterduces a new character with a story that needs o be told.
Profile Image for Joan Schooley.
216 reviews
February 27, 2024
I just love the storyline with this with these books I hope she never runs out of ones to meet or different storylines that come in to play in this one. I would hate to see it and I love it that much but I’m not gonna give any spoilers, but it’s definitely a must read, if you have never read the series you need to start at the first one and read them. I’m actually thinking about this summer rereading the entire series.
22 reviews
July 21, 2025
Great story concept

Can't say enough about this book. Very different storyline with old friends included. Really loved the ending for everyone involved in the story. If you want a different kind of shifter romance read this. You will be happy you did. Once again Jennifer shows what a versatile writer she is. So many shifter dynamics, suspense, funny moments and romance all in one book.
Profile Image for Sheila.
536 reviews10 followers
August 18, 2025
Freya and Shane

I love these Shifter Unbound books. This one is about feral shifters forced into being mindless fighters. Freya is determined to find her twin brother Rolf. Rolf went missing and the only clue was a black card with just phone number. This leads to a meeting of a bear shifter enforcer investigating missing shifters. Lots of action, plenty of steam and we learn more about the Las Vegas Shiftertown.
Profile Image for Christin Ketelsen.
106 reviews
February 2, 2024
Absolutely love the shifters unbound series!

I have every book in the collection and am so thrilled to read Shane's story. I'm excited for all the stories that come next. Having this set in the Vegas shorter town, let me visit some old friends too. I completely adore Matt and Kyle!
Profile Image for Cherylbestlife.
475 reviews8 followers
February 3, 2024
good…

It was good to get back to the Las Vegas shiftertown. Austin and Vegas are my favorites. We get more mystery and intrigue surrounding corrupt humans/shifters trying to harm the shifter communities. Matt and Kyle are so adorable. I liked Shane’s and Freya’s love story. It was sooo good getting cameos from Dylan and Tiger.
16 reviews
February 3, 2024
Love it

This is the best shifter series I have read for years now. When I started reading I was sent back to a familiar world with great characters. This book like her others is filled with a bit of action, adventure, humor, favorite people from past books, and love of course. The only issue is waiting for the next book to come out.
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