Hi, I’m Lola! I’m a book lover with a *slight* romance obsession. My books are all steamy romantic fantasy or paranormal romance, and there is always a happily ever after.
Stop by my Facebook group, Lola's Book Lovers, for updates, giveaways and other fun!
“You’re my mate, Wren. You know that means you’re it for me. I haven’t been with anyone else since we started sleeping together. I left because I knew I wouldn’t be able to walk away if I stayed any longer. If I’d known you weren’t on birth control, I wouldn’t have gone anywhere.”
nothing more romantic than your man saying if you hadn't gotten pregnant and had my kid, i would have stayed away even though you are my mate 👹
Así que, básicamente, te amo y fui miserable cada minuto en el que no estuvimos juntos, pero si no hubieras tenido un bebé mio no hubiera vuelto. ¡Que copado! ¡Este si que es el último romántico!
A ver, no es una historia lo suficientemente larga como para realmente hacer una reseña muy larga, o analizar mucho, el problema no fue la escritura (esta autora me encanta) sino las bases mismas de la historia. El chabon la dejo sin decir nada, se fue años y volvió solo porque se entero que tenían un hijo, perdón pero esta muy lejos de parecerme romántico.
3.5 stars. Very fast novella, a palette cleanser after a DNF. Nothing groundbreaking happened, but it was enjoyable and met all expectations. However, I wish bear shifters were more popular in shifter romances because bear>wolf any day.
Si el primer libro ya era una locura, Bearly Taken logra ser aún peor. La trama sigue siendo igual de superficial y sin sentido, con personajes inmaduros que toman decisiones ridículas a cada paso. No hay profundidad en la historia ni en el desarrollo de los personajes; todo se siente apresurado y mal estructurado.
Los diálogos son forzados, las situaciones carecen de lógica, y el romance (si es que se le puede llamar así) parece más un cúmulo de eventos aleatorios que una relación real. Siento que la autora intentó hacer algo entretenido, pero terminó creando un desastre que ni siquiera es lo suficientemente divertido como para disfrutarlo irónicamente.
Definitivamente, este libro no mejora nada respecto al primero. Si lo leí fue por pura curiosidad, pero la verdad es que no vale la pena.
Lola is back with the second book in the Cub Lake Shifters series. Barely Taken is Wren's and Reed's second chance story.
This book was short and sweet. I liked both Wren and Reed, and they're really good together. There's one trait that all bear shifters seem to have, they're stubborn. I loved that Reed was so determined to work everything and that Wren let him. In the past, they made some poor choices, and they owned them, but it led them here. There was open communication and both acted like adults, so there was no real angst. But there were a couple of surprises that I really enjoyed.
Bearly Taken was a quick romance, just enough to brighten the day. I'm really enjoying this series, I hope Lola has plans for more.
Honestly this seems like this author wanted to write something short, cutesy and a little different. It was her version of a palate cleanser and I am sure she had lots of fun creating the concepts behind these novellas. While it’s certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, I cannot blame her for trying something new and bringing some creativity back into fantasy books
I really enjoyed this quick and easy read where get to see what happens when Reed finally finds out he is a dad and returns for Wren. Was funny, cute and had me laughing through most of it.
Lola Glass delivers a steamy, emotional ride with Bearly Taken, the second installment in the Cub Lake Shifters series. This novella dives straight into a whirlwind of love, regret, and second chances, giving readers a delicious mix of tension and romance with a dash of adorable family dynamics.
The story begins with a morally messy secret: the heroine had a baby with her bear shifter mate but didn’t tell him. Right from the start, this setup hooked me—it’s packed with emotional stakes and the promise of some serious drama. Glass skillfully balances the tension, ensuring you’re on the edge of your seat while rooting for the heroine’s difficult choices.
The hero, returning to town after leaving without a word, brings with him a compelling blend of guilt, determination, and undeniable charm. His discovery of their son shifts the dynamic in unexpected and heartwarming ways. Watching him step into fatherhood, while trying to win back the love he lost, makes his redemption arc deeply satisfying.
Their chemistry is undeniable, rekindling the sparks of their past while navigating the scars of heartbreak. The heroine’s internal conflict—torn between guarding her heart and embracing the family she’s always dreamed of—feels authentic and relatable. I appreciated how her strength and vulnerability were portrayed, especially as she faced the emotions stirred by his return.
The addition of their son adds a layer of warmth and charm to the story. His presence not only softens the hero but also serves as a reminder of what’s at stake. The interactions between father and son are sweet and genuine, adding to the novella’s emotional depth.
Bearly Taken is a perfect bite-sized read for fans of shifter romances. Glass excels at weaving a tale that’s both steamy and heartfelt, delivering a story that celebrates love, forgiveness, and the complexities of second chances. If you enjoy fast-paced, feel-good romances with a touch of paranormal intrigue, this novella is a must-read.
I can’t wait to see what’s next in the Cub Lake Shifters series—Glass has a knack for creating shifter stories that leave you smiling long after the last page.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
’Ella era el amor de mi vida y yo iba a convertirme en el amor de ella, incluso si eso me matara.’
•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers. •Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.
Bearly Taken de Lola Glass Serie Cub Lake Shifters libro 2
Argumento:
Tuve el bebé de un cambiaformas oso... y no se lo dije.
¿Moralmente cuestionable?
Sí.
Pero debería haber sabido que existía una posibilidad.
Y definitivamente no debería haberse alejado de mí sin siquiera molestarse en despedirse después de convertirme en su pareja.
Pero ahora ha vuelto al pueblo.
Él también sabe de nuestro hijo.
Y está decidido a no irse, pase lo que pase.
No debería permitirme volver a sentir algo por él... pero empiezo a preguntarme si alguna vez dejé de amarlo.
Mi humilde opinión:
Romance paranormal con segunda oportunidad, cambiaformas oso, bebé secreto.
Dos años pasaron desde que Reed dejó a Wren con una nota, un corazón roto y nueve meses después un bebé. Ella lo hizo todo sola hasta que él se entero de que tuvo a su hijo y regresó a su pueblo de Cub Lake para estar con ellos. A ella le cuesta creer que esta vez será se quedará pero él le muestra todos los días lo arrepentido que esta y que no la ira como la última vez.
La forma en que Reed dejó a Wren fue desgarradora y cobarde. Wren lo hizo trabajar para ganarse su confianza de nuevo. Él no la presiona porque sabe que todavía no le cree y tiene miedo, de a poco se va acercando y con acciones le muestra que será un buen padre y compañero. Al principio detesté a Reed pero se ganó mi perdón.
Lamentablemente fue una historia muy corta! Me quedo con ganas de mas, ojalá haya mas historias de esta serie.
*Bearly Taken* by Lola Glass builds on the first novella, bringing readers back into the bear shifter world for another quick and casual read. While it carries many of the same comments as *Bearly Mated*—predictability, simple plotlines, and missed opportunities for deeper character development—it does make some noticeable improvements.
This time, I felt like I got to know the characters a little better, which helped me connect with them more. There’s still room for the author to work on descriptive writing, as the story leaves some details feeling underdeveloped. However, the pacing of the buildup to the smutty, spicy scenes was better here, making them feel more grounded in the characters' relationships.
I was delighted to learn that Hudson had a girl cub—it added a charming detail to the story that I wish had been explored further. The novella is still short and fast-paced, but I found myself enjoying this one more than its predecessor. It’s a super quick read, ideal for an afternoon escape, but like the first book, it leaves you imagining how much more it could have been with added length and depth.
Overall, *Bearly Taken* is an improvement on *Bearly Mated*—it’s still light and simple but with a bit more to offer. Fans of quick novellas and casual reads will likely find it entertaining, even if it doesn’t fully dive into the potential of its fantasy world and characters.
If you're looking for something short and sweet to cleanse your palette after reading a darker genre or just want a quick read with all the feels, this is the story for you. This bear shifter romantic novella is Happily Ever After Guaranteed!
What I love most about this second-chance romance is how both Wren (our female lead) and Reed (our male lead) take accountability for the situation they are in. I've read a lot of similar stories in which only one person is blamed, and no accountability is made by the other party, so it was refreshing to see such acknowledgment.
The commitment and determination Reed showed, after pulling himself together, were lovely. He was a little dramatic sometimes, but those scenes were entertaining. Wren's growth over her fears was beautiful and done in such a timely manner that it didn't feel rushed. Parker was the most adorable baby, and his part in this story didn't feel like canon fodder for Wren and Reeds' relationship, which I appreciate.
My favorite quotes:
"She was the love of my life—and I was going to make myself the love of hers, if it killed me."
"He would push my personal boundaries as much as he could without crossing a line, but he respected them when it came to my son. And I appreciated that, tremendously."
"The choices I’d made were mine as much as the choices he’d made were his."
A bear shifter, a secret baby, and a second-chance romance? I was so ready for this one to knock my socks off. But… it didn’t quite live up to the hype I had in my head.
The story had a solid setup—a single mom keeping her shifter baby under wraps until her ex strolls back into town, determined to claim his place in both their lives. I loved the potential for emotional drama and swoony moments, but what threw me off was the sheer number of errors in the book. Wrong names, spelling issues, and grammar mistakes—yikes! It felt like I was tripping over typos instead of falling for the romance.
Now, about the spice. I’m a self-admitted spice fiend, so maybe I’m a little hard to please, but this one barely registered on my heat radar. Don’t get me wrong, the chemistry was there, but it didn’t sizzle the way I hoped it would.
Overall, it wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t hit the bar I had after the first book. If you’re looking for a quick, light read with a shifter twist, it might work for you—but personally, I was left a bit disappointed. Here’s hoping the next one packs a punch!
A wonderfully cute second-chance bear shifter romance
This is another great quick-read romance by Lola Glass; with great chemistry between the characters, humor, love 💖, steam and possessive males. Set in a different part of the same world as the "Deceit & Devotion", "Wildwood" and "Mate Mountain" books.
In this we see Wren being reunited with Reed. After 'claiming' her with his mark he'd left her two years before, but when he hears from his friend Hudson (Bearly Mated) that she has his cub he returns to prove to her that she and the cub are his; and he knows he'll have to work hard to prove it to her.
Wren had felt Reed should have realised he would become a father after leaving his mark on her. But he'd disappeared the morning after leaving just a note to lock up. She hadn't wanted to lose any time with her son so had refused help from the bear clan, but then Reed comes back wanting to prove he's not leaving again. Can she trust him enough to let him into their lives and accept his help?.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Genre & Tropes : Paranormal romance x shapeshifters x bear x second chance x secret pregnancy x very short novella
Une petite romance sympa mais sans plus
C'était globalement une lecture agréable mais j'aurais voulu un livre entier avec beaucoup plus d'angst et j'aurais aimé que Wren reste plus longtemps sur ses positions avant de pardonner à Reed (dont la logique était plus que douteuse ...)
Bref, une romance sympa pour se distraire mais pas inoubliable !
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A nice little romance but nothing more
It was overall a pleasant read but I would have liked a whole book with a lot more angst and I would have liked Wren to stick to her guns longer before forgiving Reed (whose logic was more than questionable ...)
In short, a nice romance to have a light read but not unforgettable !
**Bearly Taken** had a great premise—bear shifters, secret babies, and second-chance romance—but it didn’t quite live up to the hype. Wren, a single mom, is forced to confront her ex, Reed, when he returns to claim his place in her and their child’s life. While the emotional drama was promising, the book was weighed down by editing issues, including typos and grammar mistakes, which made it hard to fully enjoy.
The chemistry between Wren and Reed was there, but the spice barely registered. I was hoping for more intensity and heat. I did appreciate that Wren didn’t forgive Reed immediately, adding depth to their relationship. However, many key moments with their child, Parker, were told instead of shown, which made them feel less impactful.
Overall, it wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t live up to expectations. If you’re after a quick shifter read, it might work, but it left me hoping for more in the next book.
Part of the Cub Lake Shifters series get comfortable you are going to be a moment trust me grabs a hold and don’t let you go until the last page has been turned 😊. Wren and Reed met and mated then of course he left her with his cub to raise like most bear shifters, but it also left a bad taste for her. Fast forward he runs into his friend who informs him that she had his cub of course he didn’t really think it was possible, but he heads back for his girl and cub, but he didn’t imagine her wanting nothing to do with him. Reed is no stranger to hard work wiling to work to prove he is in this and work for a second chance proving she can trust him with her heart and her child but will she give him another chance, will she allow him to be a father, the magnetic pull of the mate bond is there but is it enough, and can they find their second chance at happiness?
I read this series simply because i had really bad insomnia and was bored. Do I regret it .... yes and no. I think the story plot for these two books are great but do i think they are poorly told at the same time yes.
This book particularly just p*ssed me off, like girl yall was f*ck buddies and he dipped one night after yall f**ked when you said you was on birth control and you blaming him saying you should've known :/. Like everyone made me mad making it seem like it's all his fault but like dude really it's not. And she HID her pregnancy and blamed him for not knowing ......
Though to further dapper my mood comes the forgiveness because i will agree with the other reviews and be like if you was so mad to hide this man child for 2-3 years then you shouldn't cave for some d*ck that easily. And i will blame him for basically marrying this girl in bear shifter terms and saying he loves her and misses her so much for those years he was gone just to never reach out because of some hidden "rules".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was exactly what I was hoping we got from book two of this series.
You must read book one to know what's going on in this world because Lola dives right into the heat of it all.
Wren and Reed are so perfect for each other. And the fact that this man just KNOWS what she needs before she can even vocalize it... WHEW! It's romance gold.
This is an adorable and steamy novella perfect for anyone needing a short read to get them that HEA high we all love.
I would love more books in this world (or a world like it)!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He’d found out she’d had his cub and he was back to claim his family but it wouldn’t be easy. After marking her and claiming her, he left!
Reed knew he had a lot of making up to do, she didn’t trust him but he would do everything within his power to win the love of his life back even if it meant shadowing her to keep her safe.
Loving these Bear Shifter novella’s in this series, they are short packed with so much entertainment, love, steam, obsession and possession you won’t want to put them down!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.