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Renaissance Shifters #2
Partridge in a Bear Tree
Work-focused, goal-oriented grizzly shifter Ashley Torben has just taken over managing her cousin's brewpub. She has plans for the struggling business, cousins to corral, and a vision to implement. The last thing she needs—or expects—is to find her fated mate. But Penny Partridge, the drummer for breakout rock band The Sixty Pix, is everything Ashley could have ever dreamed of.
Brash, organized, and enthusiastic, Penny is a woman who goes for what she wants, and she wants the gorgeous, determined-to-succeed Ashley. But Ashley can barely even look at her, and The Sixty Pix’s sudden fame interferes with any hopes Penny might have of getting the pub manager to warm up to her. Still, the holidays are coming, and maybe Christmas wishes do come true—because Ashley has a business disaster on her hands, and Penny might just be the woman who can rescue her.
As one crisis is averted, another one presents itself when Penny’s life is turned upside-down...and this time it’s Ashley who has everything Penny needs to sort things out again. It starts to look like they might have a clear path forward together—assuming they can survive their first Christmas with Ashley's huge, overwhelming family....
Brash, organized, and enthusiastic, Penny is a woman who goes for what she wants, and she wants the gorgeous, determined-to-succeed Ashley. But Ashley can barely even look at her, and The Sixty Pix’s sudden fame interferes with any hopes Penny might have of getting the pub manager to warm up to her. Still, the holidays are coming, and maybe Christmas wishes do come true—because Ashley has a business disaster on her hands, and Penny might just be the woman who can rescue her.
As one crisis is averted, another one presents itself when Penny’s life is turned upside-down...and this time it’s Ashley who has everything Penny needs to sort things out again. It starts to look like they might have a clear path forward together—assuming they can survive their first Christmas with Ashley's huge, overwhelming family....
- GenresParanormal Romance
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2024
96 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 19, 2024
OMG, this book was EVERYTHING I loved about OctoBEARfest, but with added sapphic and neurospicy rep.
I already loved both Ashley and Penny in Book 1 - they were both super competent characters who supported the two leads from that book from behind the scenes. Seeing them together was just magical and created so many laugh-out-loud moments. Plus, the references to Ms Murphy's other shifter sets - including (that I caught), Virtue Shifters, Alaskan Shifters, Gladiator Shifters (ZOMG! Maggi! Conri! JOASH!!!!!) and the Irish Zoo shifters series I've now forgotten the name of - made me squee out loud with each introduction.
I can genuinely see myself rereading this one multiple times in future because it just made me so happy to read!
I already loved both Ashley and Penny in Book 1 - they were both super competent characters who supported the two leads from that book from behind the scenes. Seeing them together was just magical and created so many laugh-out-loud moments. Plus, the references to Ms Murphy's other shifter sets - including (that I caught), Virtue Shifters, Alaskan Shifters, Gladiator Shifters (ZOMG! Maggi! Conri! JOASH!!!!!) and the Irish Zoo shifters series I've now forgotten the name of - made me squee out loud with each introduction.
I can genuinely see myself rereading this one multiple times in future because it just made me so happy to read!
December 19, 2024
A wild adventure!
Ashley finds her fated mate, and that draws her into unexpected total chaos that draws in shifters from every other series Murphy Lawless has written, under every other name! This was so fun, and such a great story about how our mates can turn out to be everything we need.
Ashley finds her fated mate, and that draws her into unexpected total chaos that draws in shifters from every other series Murphy Lawless has written, under every other name! This was so fun, and such a great story about how our mates can turn out to be everything we need.
August 4, 2025
Reviewed at Shifter Haven
Partridge in a Bear Tree is the second title in the Renaissance Shifters series, bringing us Ashley’s and Penny’s surprise-filled romance. Oh, my goodness! I want to talk and talk about this story… but, I can’t, at least not as much as I’m tempted to because I don’t willing do spoilers (hey, I’m human, sometimes things slip) and you really need to discover this adorable couple for yourselves. They are awesome!
We met Ashley (Bill’s cousin who took over as general manager at the family brewpub), who is quiet and focused, a take-charge type who has a very determined personality, and Penny (drummer in Gwen’s band the Sixty Pix) who is fierce in loyalty, protective of Gwen’s secrets and totally comfortable in her own skin, in the first story in this series, OctoBEARfest. It was obvious then that there was a spark between these two women, but it wasn’t acted on because it wasn’t their story…yet.
I loved watching their romance unfold and the shenanigans of the Torben family. I have to admit that I loved Ashley’s verbal take-down of Bill’s younger brothers, Laurie and Jon, for their arrogant, self-serving ways when suddenly she’s overbooked at the pub because of a “just helping out” offer. To be frank, I don’t think the younger brothers (cousins) are bad; they simply couldn’t see beyond their own needs that Bill was drowning in overwork, or that the simple helping someone out gave Ashley tons of unexpected work to be done quickly… they just don’t think beyond the moment. I’m not sure how I’m going to react when their stories come about, guess that’s a future thing.
Anyways… this is running too long. *sigh* Overall, I adored Partridge in a Bear Tree by Murphy Lawless. Ashley’s and Penny’s romance is cute, passionate, filled with laughter, and having each other’s backs. And that twist! The clue was there, I just didn’t see it. We’ll get a cameo by another of Ms. Lawless’s couples from another series, and have several other mentions of other folks from even more series. I love it when an author can bring in familiar faces once again in a current, non-related story. If you’re in the mood for a well-written, lively, passionate, humorous, one-liner-filled shifter romance with enough feels to last a week, then you’d love this one. Another title for the re-read pile. 🙂
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Partridge in a Bear Tree is the second title in the Renaissance Shifters series, bringing us Ashley’s and Penny’s surprise-filled romance. Oh, my goodness! I want to talk and talk about this story… but, I can’t, at least not as much as I’m tempted to because I don’t willing do spoilers (hey, I’m human, sometimes things slip) and you really need to discover this adorable couple for yourselves. They are awesome!
We met Ashley (Bill’s cousin who took over as general manager at the family brewpub), who is quiet and focused, a take-charge type who has a very determined personality, and Penny (drummer in Gwen’s band the Sixty Pix) who is fierce in loyalty, protective of Gwen’s secrets and totally comfortable in her own skin, in the first story in this series, OctoBEARfest. It was obvious then that there was a spark between these two women, but it wasn’t acted on because it wasn’t their story…yet.
I loved watching their romance unfold and the shenanigans of the Torben family. I have to admit that I loved Ashley’s verbal take-down of Bill’s younger brothers, Laurie and Jon, for their arrogant, self-serving ways when suddenly she’s overbooked at the pub because of a “just helping out” offer. To be frank, I don’t think the younger brothers (cousins) are bad; they simply couldn’t see beyond their own needs that Bill was drowning in overwork, or that the simple helping someone out gave Ashley tons of unexpected work to be done quickly… they just don’t think beyond the moment. I’m not sure how I’m going to react when their stories come about, guess that’s a future thing.
Anyways… this is running too long. *sigh* Overall, I adored Partridge in a Bear Tree by Murphy Lawless. Ashley’s and Penny’s romance is cute, passionate, filled with laughter, and having each other’s backs. And that twist! The clue was there, I just didn’t see it. We’ll get a cameo by another of Ms. Lawless’s couples from another series, and have several other mentions of other folks from even more series. I love it when an author can bring in familiar faces once again in a current, non-related story. If you’re in the mood for a well-written, lively, passionate, humorous, one-liner-filled shifter romance with enough feels to last a week, then you’d love this one. Another title for the re-read pile. 🙂
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
December 19, 2024
I didn’t realize that this was the second in a series when I purchased it. Yes, I grabbed this because I got a chuckle out of the title. This book had me rolling on the floor laughing out loud. I cannot tell you how much I bothered everyone around me with my giggle-snorting and loud guffaws. Do Not Read This In Public! After reading this I immediately purchased OctoBEARfest (the first book in this series) and preordered Renaissance Bear.
September 16, 2025
Loved it!!
Well, this was a surprise.
I am normally not into FF love stories, but I am definitely glad I gave this one a shot.
I have loved all the Zoe Chant/Murphy Lawless books I have read so far.
I will not give the spoiler away.
But suffice, to say it is funny and I love how the shifter part of this book was handled. I laughed out loud many times and of course, loved the happily after after
Well, this was a surprise.
I am normally not into FF love stories, but I am definitely glad I gave this one a shot.
I have loved all the Zoe Chant/Murphy Lawless books I have read so far.
I will not give the spoiler away.
But suffice, to say it is funny and I love how the shifter part of this book was handled. I laughed out loud many times and of course, loved the happily after after
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May 29, 2025Fantastic
This is Renaissance shifters book two and once again I was hooked start to finish. I loved Penny and Ashley's story. I also loved how Murphy Lawless had characters from het other series make an appearance and completely connected everything together. I can't wait to read book three in the series.
This is Renaissance shifters book two and once again I was hooked start to finish. I loved Penny and Ashley's story. I also loved how Murphy Lawless had characters from het other series make an appearance and completely connected everything together. I can't wait to read book three in the series.
December 20, 2024
This was an absolute delight! Same goofy premise as the first book. Lovable characters being nice to each other. A great twist which ensures it's not just a clone of its predecessor. Already looking forward to rereading it.
January 19, 2025
Cutest Shifter yet
Not enthusiastic about the unexpected girl on girl action, but loved the late-blooming shifter that Penny Partridge discovers. I’m looking forward to reading more about how this birdbrain grows up— or not.
Not enthusiastic about the unexpected girl on girl action, but loved the late-blooming shifter that Penny Partridge discovers. I’m looking forward to reading more about how this birdbrain grows up— or not.
December 19, 2024
Love it
I was so happy to see Maggie,Final and Josh again.
Ashley and Penny are great.
Penny's part I ridge adorable.
I was so happy to see Maggie,Final and Josh again.
Ashley and Penny are great.
Penny's part I ridge adorable.
June 19, 2025
Oh the twist, the delightful plot twist.
August 9, 2025
Ashley is super shy and not confident enough to talk to her mate Penny. Penny leaves just as Ashley gets up the nerve, but Gwen brings Penny back for the holidays. Any unexpected overbooking has Penny jumping in to help save the day, and leads to their first & second date.
When the unexpected happens, Ashley finds herself helping Penny find her new normal.
When the unexpected happens, Ashley finds herself helping Penny find her new normal.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews