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Renaissance Shifters #1
OctoBEARfest
Welcome to Renaissance, Colorado, a new shifter city by the author of (and set in the same world as!) the best-selling Virtue Shifters books!
Grizzly shifter Bill Torben has spent his life working for his family's brewery and has loved every minute of it, although he's a liiiittle bit envious of his younger brother leaving town and almost immediately finding his fated mate. But the brewery has been on shaky ground for the past few years, and Bill's sense of responsibility won't let him step away to look for a new future of his own.
And it's just as well, because Gwen Booker is about to rock his world. Hired to be the musical talent at the brewery's annual Oktoberfest, Gwen bursts onto the scene with beauty, enthusiasm, talent...
...and the wrong kind of music. There was a mixup somewhere along the way, and they hired rock musician Gwen Booker instead of jazz musician Gwendolyn Brooker...
...and Bill has never been so grateful for a mistake in his life. Now if they can navigate a path through love, music, and homebrew beer, together they might just get OctoBEARfest back on its feet!
OctoBEARfest is a charming, steamy standalone with a guaranteed happily ever after and no cliffhangers. If you’re looking for funny, fast-paced paranormal shifter romance, preorder now and fall in love with the Renaissance Shifters!
Grizzly shifter Bill Torben has spent his life working for his family's brewery and has loved every minute of it, although he's a liiiittle bit envious of his younger brother leaving town and almost immediately finding his fated mate. But the brewery has been on shaky ground for the past few years, and Bill's sense of responsibility won't let him step away to look for a new future of his own.
And it's just as well, because Gwen Booker is about to rock his world. Hired to be the musical talent at the brewery's annual Oktoberfest, Gwen bursts onto the scene with beauty, enthusiasm, talent...
...and the wrong kind of music. There was a mixup somewhere along the way, and they hired rock musician Gwen Booker instead of jazz musician Gwendolyn Brooker...
...and Bill has never been so grateful for a mistake in his life. Now if they can navigate a path through love, music, and homebrew beer, together they might just get OctoBEARfest back on its feet!
OctoBEARfest is a charming, steamy standalone with a guaranteed happily ever after and no cliffhangers. If you’re looking for funny, fast-paced paranormal shifter romance, preorder now and fall in love with the Renaissance Shifters!
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 3, 2025
The cover displayed here is so ridiculously cheesy I would never have selected it—so kudos for the new design. It is a much better fit for the vibes of the book.
The book itself is a curious experience. On the one hand, I am happy that it doesn’t really contain a lot of the stuff I get the ick from in shifter romance: the aggressive Alpha nonsense, too much smelling/irresistible odor stuff, and all that. On the other hand, the shifting didn’t really seem to matter much. This could have been a human romance with some love at first sight to drive it. At least the inner bear dialogue was cute. Cinnamon rolls, indeed.
I liked the music and the band and the relationship so all in all I am happy I made it through some of the rough opening bits. I had a difficult time following some sentence structure choices at first. It soon got ironed out and I could get into the coziness of the story.
The book itself is a curious experience. On the one hand, I am happy that it doesn’t really contain a lot of the stuff I get the ick from in shifter romance: the aggressive Alpha nonsense, too much smelling/irresistible odor stuff, and all that. On the other hand, the shifting didn’t really seem to matter much. This could have been a human romance with some love at first sight to drive it. At least the inner bear dialogue was cute. Cinnamon rolls, indeed.
I liked the music and the band and the relationship so all in all I am happy I made it through some of the rough opening bits. I had a difficult time following some sentence structure choices at first. It soon got ironed out and I could get into the coziness of the story.
August 4, 2025
Reviewed at Shifter Haven
OctoBEARfest is the first title in the Renaissance Shifters series, bringing us Gwen’s and Bill’s completely unexpected romance, but then isn’t that just like fate to throw a curve at a couple?
Sometimes an accidental meeting is simply fate giving a couple a slight, if unexpected, push in the right direction. Bill is really overworked and distracted, running the pub he took over from his parents, along with the brewery, with little to no help from his younger brothers. It’s the only way that he can explain how, instead of the jazz singer he intended to book for the pub’s Octoberfest celebration, he ended up booking a rock ‘n roll powerhouse who would turn out to be his mate. Now, if only he’d stop blushing so much, he might figure out how to make their vastly different lives and careers work together!
I completely loved OctoBEARfest by Murphy Lawless, absolutely everything about it, from the cinnamon roll meets the powerhouse couple to the vibrant secondary (but totally necessary) characters, to the endless Torben relatives, the music, the dynamics, and those twists that caught me unawares. *chef’s kiss* And don’t forget the Virtue Shifters series connections. Yeah, this one will definitely be on the reread list. Bill and Gwen simply fit, the human with a turbulent history, the bear shifter who is overwhelmed by family and responsibilities… they may seem like total opposites on the surface, but at the core, where it matters most, they complement each other, have each other’s backs, and they just work.
If you “need” a well-written, emotional, funny with laugh-out-loud moments, one-liners, an extended or found family, and a story that will warm your heart, then OctoBEARfest by Murphy Lawless is a perfect fit for you. Loved it so much.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
OctoBEARfest is the first title in the Renaissance Shifters series, bringing us Gwen’s and Bill’s completely unexpected romance, but then isn’t that just like fate to throw a curve at a couple?
Sometimes an accidental meeting is simply fate giving a couple a slight, if unexpected, push in the right direction. Bill is really overworked and distracted, running the pub he took over from his parents, along with the brewery, with little to no help from his younger brothers. It’s the only way that he can explain how, instead of the jazz singer he intended to book for the pub’s Octoberfest celebration, he ended up booking a rock ‘n roll powerhouse who would turn out to be his mate. Now, if only he’d stop blushing so much, he might figure out how to make their vastly different lives and careers work together!
I completely loved OctoBEARfest by Murphy Lawless, absolutely everything about it, from the cinnamon roll meets the powerhouse couple to the vibrant secondary (but totally necessary) characters, to the endless Torben relatives, the music, the dynamics, and those twists that caught me unawares. *chef’s kiss* And don’t forget the Virtue Shifters series connections. Yeah, this one will definitely be on the reread list. Bill and Gwen simply fit, the human with a turbulent history, the bear shifter who is overwhelmed by family and responsibilities… they may seem like total opposites on the surface, but at the core, where it matters most, they complement each other, have each other’s backs, and they just work.
If you “need” a well-written, emotional, funny with laugh-out-loud moments, one-liners, an extended or found family, and a story that will warm your heart, then OctoBEARfest by Murphy Lawless is a perfect fit for you. Loved it so much.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
November 17, 2024
I'm trying to figure out exactly what I want to say about this book, beyond squeeing incoherently. It's just EXACTLY what I needed - the character dynamics, the music, the EVERYTHING were the perfect combination of laugh-out-loud moments and safe-warm-hug-of-a-story.
Gwen felt like any of a number of real life child-star-turned-indie-musicians, and I absolutely loved the found family she'd built around her with her band (also, I'm delighted that Book 2 looks like it's bringing the two uber-competent characters from both sides of the Book 1 relationship together). And while Bill had all the strong, supportive cinnamon roll vibes going on, I loved that their relationship had more than just pure sweetness going on.
Plus, the thing that really, really sold me on this pairing was how much we see the two of them supporting each other through their individual journeys to figure out what they each do and don't want from their lives, completely separate from their relationship together. That's something we don't often see in shifter romances, and I'd really like to see more of it.
So I can't wait until Book 2 comes out later next month - I've already pre-ordered it, and I may end up rereading this one before it drops.
Gwen felt like any of a number of real life child-star-turned-indie-musicians, and I absolutely loved the found family she'd built around her with her band (also, I'm delighted that Book 2 looks like it's bringing the two uber-competent characters from both sides of the Book 1 relationship together). And while Bill had all the strong, supportive cinnamon roll vibes going on, I loved that their relationship had more than just pure sweetness going on.
Plus, the thing that really, really sold me on this pairing was how much we see the two of them supporting each other through their individual journeys to figure out what they each do and don't want from their lives, completely separate from their relationship together. That's something we don't often see in shifter romances, and I'd really like to see more of it.
So I can't wait until Book 2 comes out later next month - I've already pre-ordered it, and I may end up rereading this one before it drops.
September 24, 2026
Love and the accidental talent
I loved this fated mates shifter romance. This low angst story had the perfect mix of humor, love, real life issues, big emotions, messy families, strong friendships, and spice. Bill and Gwen were portrayed as real and relatable characters with scars and issues who were just trying to do their best as messy beings living their lives to the best of their abilities. Bill is a grizzly bear shifter who runs Thunder Bear Brewpub, his family’s pub and brewery, in the small shifter-friendly town of Renaissance, CO. Gwen is a small time rock star who lives in Denver and works as a receptionist as her day job. Bill and Gwen meet when he accidentally books Gwen Booker, the rock star, instead of Gwendolyn Brooker, the jazz musician, for the annual October fest held at Thunder Bear Brewpub. Despite the huge snafu, Bill immediately recognizes Gwen as his fated mate. So maybe not such a mistake after all. The journey to their HEA, includes truth-telling (hello shifters are real), baggage unpacking (there is a surprising trunk full here), and life course rearranging. The happy swoony ending made my heart so happy and I’m glad we are going to hang out in this town for a bit.
I loved this fated mates shifter romance. This low angst story had the perfect mix of humor, love, real life issues, big emotions, messy families, strong friendships, and spice. Bill and Gwen were portrayed as real and relatable characters with scars and issues who were just trying to do their best as messy beings living their lives to the best of their abilities. Bill is a grizzly bear shifter who runs Thunder Bear Brewpub, his family’s pub and brewery, in the small shifter-friendly town of Renaissance, CO. Gwen is a small time rock star who lives in Denver and works as a receptionist as her day job. Bill and Gwen meet when he accidentally books Gwen Booker, the rock star, instead of Gwendolyn Brooker, the jazz musician, for the annual October fest held at Thunder Bear Brewpub. Despite the huge snafu, Bill immediately recognizes Gwen as his fated mate. So maybe not such a mistake after all. The journey to their HEA, includes truth-telling (hello shifters are real), baggage unpacking (there is a surprising trunk full here), and life course rearranging. The happy swoony ending made my heart so happy and I’m glad we are going to hang out in this town for a bit.
February 5, 2025
Cozy and sweet
💖 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Genre: Paranormal romance
Features:
🎸 Meet/cute, instalove romance with laugh out moments.
🧸A sweet bear shifter that runs the family business: a beer garden.
🎸A spunky rock star that gets mistaken for a jazz star with a similar name.
Overall, this one was pretty good. The beginning seemed really cozy and Hallmark-esque. Loved their interactions together and one liners with laugh out loud moments. The spice level was pretty tame and very low. This book is mostly storyline, which I like.
The ending was pretty fun and I loved that the couple got their happily ever after.
💖 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Genre: Paranormal romance
Features:
🎸 Meet/cute, instalove romance with laugh out moments.
🧸A sweet bear shifter that runs the family business: a beer garden.
🎸A spunky rock star that gets mistaken for a jazz star with a similar name.
Overall, this one was pretty good. The beginning seemed really cozy and Hallmark-esque. Loved their interactions together and one liners with laugh out loud moments. The spice level was pretty tame and very low. This book is mostly storyline, which I like.
The ending was pretty fun and I loved that the couple got their happily ever after.
November 17, 2024
Great intro to a new series spun off Virtue Shifters series!
Bill is waiting for jazz musician Gwen Brooker, when he books rocker Gwen Booker! Gwen Booker turns out to be his mate! Where will this go from there? This is a great introduction to a new series that is a spin off of the Virtue Shifters series. I can't wait to see what happens next!
The pace is fast and the tone is hopeful with a character oriented storyline that has a few steamy scenes. The characters are vivid and engaging. Enjoy this fun shifter romance with super character development.
Bill is waiting for jazz musician Gwen Brooker, when he books rocker Gwen Booker! Gwen Booker turns out to be his mate! Where will this go from there? This is a great introduction to a new series that is a spin off of the Virtue Shifters series. I can't wait to see what happens next!
The pace is fast and the tone is hopeful with a character oriented storyline that has a few steamy scenes. The characters are vivid and engaging. Enjoy this fun shifter romance with super character development.
November 20, 2024
perfect Rom-Com
An accidental booking brings together the perfect mix-matched pair that brought a smile to my face, and had me laughing out loud during the cinnamon roll scene! She was supposed to be an elder jazz singer, not this Rock and Roll powerhouse! He was a responsible overworked brewer running his parents pub. She turns his life upside down, but in a good way. How was he supposed to tell her he was a bear shifter and that she’s his fated mate? I loved this book and can’t wait for more!
An accidental booking brings together the perfect mix-matched pair that brought a smile to my face, and had me laughing out loud during the cinnamon roll scene! She was supposed to be an elder jazz singer, not this Rock and Roll powerhouse! He was a responsible overworked brewer running his parents pub. She turns his life upside down, but in a good way. How was he supposed to tell her he was a bear shifter and that she’s his fated mate? I loved this book and can’t wait for more!
December 27, 2024
Love, Love, Love The Renaissance Bears!
The Torben bears have been favorites ever since I read Steve Torben's fated mate story. Now, it's Bill and Gwen's turn. Bill has been working hard managing the Thunder Bear Brewery and the local pub. It's no wonder he made a mistake and hired the wrong performer. As Bill and Gwen do damage control, their relationship grows ever so close. Stellar characters, a wonderfully entertaining story and a satisfying happily ever after kept me turning pages well into the night.
The Torben bears have been favorites ever since I read Steve Torben's fated mate story. Now, it's Bill and Gwen's turn. Bill has been working hard managing the Thunder Bear Brewery and the local pub. It's no wonder he made a mistake and hired the wrong performer. As Bill and Gwen do damage control, their relationship grows ever so close. Stellar characters, a wonderfully entertaining story and a satisfying happily ever after kept me turning pages well into the night.
March 5, 2026
Played out nicely and I liked the wrong artist angle.
The humorous cinnamon bun situation, brilliant.
Gwen was a riot. Take charge and get it done no nonsense attitude. Even down to proposing to Bill.
Glad she got closure in regards to her thieving father.
Bill was a gentle giant, no alpha male rubbish, pure sweetness.
I liked how these two balanced and bought sense to each others work/life roles.
I even enjoyed the music scene side of this story.
Plenty of cousins to come.
Not sure I’ll read the next book as I’m not into same sex couples.
Read through KU.
The humorous cinnamon bun situation, brilliant.
Gwen was a riot. Take charge and get it done no nonsense attitude. Even down to proposing to Bill.
Glad she got closure in regards to her thieving father.
Bill was a gentle giant, no alpha male rubbish, pure sweetness.
I liked how these two balanced and bought sense to each others work/life roles.
I even enjoyed the music scene side of this story.
Plenty of cousins to come.
Not sure I’ll read the next book as I’m not into same sex couples.
Read through KU.
July 14, 2026
Borrowed via KU.
Adorable, laugh out loud funny, continues on after a couple of the books in her Virtue Shifter series.
Bill makes a mistake and books the wrong band for his family's pub's Octoberfest. When the lead singer is his fated mate, he's afraid it'll ruin the fading business - but it's the best mistake he's ever made.
Now the two have a really good reason to work together and try to save the weekend bookings, and may just improve both their lives.
I'm definitely happy to read more about this huge family of bears.
Adorable, laugh out loud funny, continues on after a couple of the books in her Virtue Shifter series.
Bill makes a mistake and books the wrong band for his family's pub's Octoberfest. When the lead singer is his fated mate, he's afraid it'll ruin the fading business - but it's the best mistake he's ever made.
Now the two have a really good reason to work together and try to save the weekend bookings, and may just improve both their lives.
I'm definitely happy to read more about this huge family of bears.
November 15, 2024
Such a sweet story!
I enjoy all of Ms. Murphy's books, but I absolutely loved this one. The entire story carried a sweet and mellow vibe, and the ending was perfect. I admit to wanting more of a resolution regarding Gwen's father, but it might have brought the mood down too much. Highly recommended for a light, romantic read.
I enjoy all of Ms. Murphy's books, but I absolutely loved this one. The entire story carried a sweet and mellow vibe, and the ending was perfect. I admit to wanting more of a resolution regarding Gwen's father, but it might have brought the mood down too much. Highly recommended for a light, romantic read.
November 24, 2024
Great book!!!
I just loved this book from the beginning! I enjoyed Gwen strength and directness and that she wasn’t the one who needed to be “saved”. She was so take charge and protective of Bill from the start. Her energy and enthusiasm really made for a great book. Can’t wait Ito read the next one!
I just loved this book from the beginning! I enjoyed Gwen strength and directness and that she wasn’t the one who needed to be “saved”. She was so take charge and protective of Bill from the start. Her energy and enthusiasm really made for a great book. Can’t wait Ito read the next one!
December 14, 2025
very nicely done
I am so so so tired of the typical romance trope where there is some dumb misunderstanding that tears the couple apart, and then they fix it at the end of the book. None of that nonsense here, thank goodness!
Just a nice fun story with some heat close to the end of the story. Very enjoyable and without the trope irritation. !
I am so so so tired of the typical romance trope where there is some dumb misunderstanding that tears the couple apart, and then they fix it at the end of the book. None of that nonsense here, thank goodness!
Just a nice fun story with some heat close to the end of the story. Very enjoyable and without the trope irritation. !
November 15, 2024
I fell in love with the Tobins in Hold My Bear and anxiously awaited OctoBEARfest. I was not disappointed.
Lots of fun, some laugh-out-loud moments (and I did) and some great family dynamics.
Whichever name she writes under, this author is always worth reading.
Can’t wait for the next one!
Lots of fun, some laugh-out-loud moments (and I did) and some great family dynamics.
Whichever name she writes under, this author is always worth reading.
Can’t wait for the next one!
November 15, 2024
Fabulous
I'm not at all sure which Zoe wrote this book, but I can assure you it's definitely one of the best "Zoe's" I have ever read. It's fun, sexy, wonderful characters, cracking story line. I absolutely devoured it in one sitting. Brilliant book..
I'm not at all sure which Zoe wrote this book, but I can assure you it's definitely one of the best "Zoe's" I have ever read. It's fun, sexy, wonderful characters, cracking story line. I absolutely devoured it in one sitting. Brilliant book..
November 18, 2024
A rock star of a romance
When a pub owner accidentally books a rock band instead of a jazz legend, he finds his fated mate. Is it fate? Disaster for his pub? Both? Can they somehow save the day? So many funny moments and so heart-warming! I loved this book!
When a pub owner accidentally books a rock band instead of a jazz legend, he finds his fated mate. Is it fate? Disaster for his pub? Both? Can they somehow save the day? So many funny moments and so heart-warming! I loved this book!
May 28, 2025
Fantastic
Fantastic first book of this new series. I was hooked start to finish. I love Gwen and Bill. Their story is filled humour and romance. I can't wait to read book two..
Fantastic first book of this new series. I was hooked start to finish. I love Gwen and Bill. Their story is filled humour and romance. I can't wait to read book two..
June 13, 2025
Beary Enjoyable Read
This was a sweet, enjoyable romp. The brewery backdrop contrasting well with the rock and roll vibe. Gwen and Bill were so different and yet adorably alike. An enjoyable read
This was a sweet, enjoyable romp. The brewery backdrop contrasting well with the rock and roll vibe. Gwen and Bill were so different and yet adorably alike. An enjoyable read
October 28, 2025
AWESOME READ!!!!!!
The first book of Renaissance Shifters was enlightened. Love Gwen and her corky ways, just the person Bill needed in his life and the work. Loved how Gwen was the one who proposed. World Wind love affair ❤️ that goes so well...Loved it.
Big fan Winzie19 💞🤗.
The first book of Renaissance Shifters was enlightened. Love Gwen and her corky ways, just the person Bill needed in his life and the work. Loved how Gwen was the one who proposed. World Wind love affair ❤️ that goes so well...Loved it.
Big fan Winzie19 💞🤗.
January 5, 2026
Really, Really liked this one!
Really liked the whole thing, characters, plot, humor, pacing, details, dialogue, just all of it. Bill and Gwen were so great together and actually believable! Even read parts out loud for hubby!
Really liked the whole thing, characters, plot, humor, pacing, details, dialogue, just all of it. Bill and Gwen were so great together and actually believable! Even read parts out loud for hubby!
November 14, 2024
fun read
Another fun read , well worth the time. How can you not like Bill? He’s charming and perfect for Gwen.
Another fun read , well worth the time. How can you not like Bill? He’s charming and perfect for Gwen.
November 14, 2024
Yes please!
This is a wonderful book and I have to have more. Gwen and Bill are such real people. Thank you for giving us a wonderful story.
This is a wonderful book and I have to have more. Gwen and Bill are such real people. Thank you for giving us a wonderful story.
December 14, 2024
such a cute story
If you are in the mood for a light read with a lovely HEA this is the book for you.
If you are in the mood for a light read with a lovely HEA this is the book for you.
February 4, 2025
Excellent Read Great New Find
A real new spin on shifter romance. Great environment 👏 good stage set for a magical performance ✨️ Worth the download and time
A real new spin on shifter romance. Great environment 👏 good stage set for a magical performance ✨️ Worth the download and time
June 27, 2025
Good story
I enjoyed the story. I really like how the intro of the band started with the fans singing before they took the stage. I liked the characters they were fun.
I enjoyed the story. I really like how the intro of the band started with the fans singing before they took the stage. I liked the characters they were fun.
August 18, 2025
I would barely consider this a shifter book.
October 12, 2025
so thrilled
That the author wrote of a male being shy and uncertain for a change.
Wonderful story and I enjoyed the unusual rock star angle.
That the author wrote of a male being shy and uncertain for a change.
Wonderful story and I enjoyed the unusual rock star angle.
December 25, 2025
Read it for the cinnamon rolls
I almost woke my partner up I was laughing so hard at the cinnamon roll scene. IYKYK. Great cute, quick read.
I almost woke my partner up I was laughing so hard at the cinnamon roll scene. IYKYK. Great cute, quick read.
May 26, 2026
AWESOME BOOK
Completely love this book. First one in this series. Can’t wait to read the rest. Way to go Gwen and Bill
Completely love this book. First one in this series. Can’t wait to read the rest. Way to go Gwen and Bill
June 11, 2025
OMG such fun!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews