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Monster Relations Bureau #4
Holly's Grizzly
Being snowed in with a grizzly shifter wasn’t on the itinerary for my holiday in the mountains.
Going on a winter backpacking trip may not have been the best thing to fix a broken heart. After an accident on trail leaves me without my pack and nearly freezing to death, the last thing I expect to see is a huge, terrifying grizzly lumbering out of the woods.
Even more unexpected is watching that grizzly turn into a man who scoops me up and carries me back to his cabin.
With a blizzard setting in and no way to get home until the storm passes, Irving invites me to stay. And it doesn’t take long for cozy nights in front of the fire with my big, burly, handsome rescuer to turn into something else. Snowed in together with nowhere to go, we quickly discover the merits of sharing body heat to stave off the cold.
But I came out to these mountains for a reason, and after a breakup that left my confidence shattered, I don’t know if I can trust this, trust him, trust myself not to make another mistake and fall for the wrong person. Especially with time running out as the snow stops falling, and real life waiting for me back in Seattle.
Holly’s Grizzly is a cozy, spicy holiday romance novella with a guaranteed HEA. For a full list of content details, visit the author’s website.
Going on a winter backpacking trip may not have been the best thing to fix a broken heart. After an accident on trail leaves me without my pack and nearly freezing to death, the last thing I expect to see is a huge, terrifying grizzly lumbering out of the woods.
Even more unexpected is watching that grizzly turn into a man who scoops me up and carries me back to his cabin.
With a blizzard setting in and no way to get home until the storm passes, Irving invites me to stay. And it doesn’t take long for cozy nights in front of the fire with my big, burly, handsome rescuer to turn into something else. Snowed in together with nowhere to go, we quickly discover the merits of sharing body heat to stave off the cold.
But I came out to these mountains for a reason, and after a breakup that left my confidence shattered, I don’t know if I can trust this, trust him, trust myself not to make another mistake and fall for the wrong person. Especially with time running out as the snow stops falling, and real life waiting for me back in Seattle.
Holly’s Grizzly is a cozy, spicy holiday romance novella with a guaranteed HEA. For a full list of content details, visit the author’s website.
157 pages, Paperback
First published November 22, 2024
141 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Miller
12 books454 followersHi, I'm Leigh! I am an indie romance author who writes mainly in the fantasy and paranormal genres. I've been a romance fanatic since the first time I snuck one of my mom's Harlequin paperbacks, and never looked back.
When I'm not writing, I spend a ton of time outdoors camping, hiking, and taking photos. I'm also big into tarot, astrology, and all things witchy,
Sign up for my newsletter to get bonus content, new book announcements and author updates: https://www.authorleighmiller.com/bc-...
When I'm not writing, I spend a ton of time outdoors camping, hiking, and taking photos. I'm also big into tarot, astrology, and all things witchy,
Sign up for my newsletter to get bonus content, new book announcements and author updates: https://www.authorleighmiller.com/bc-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
December 15, 2025
Oh so he’s a grizzly shifter who loves to cook and she’s a vegan on an eat pray love hike that’s gone wrong. So much fun.
December 23, 2024
Thank you Leigh Miller for the ARC!
Trigger or content warnings? Yes included in book.
Details?
FMC’s name is Holly, she is 28 years old. She went throughout a breakup and has been trying to find herself since then.
MMC’s name is Irving, and his age isn’t specified. I believe he is either Holly’s age or older.
Safe sex is covered, and both are clear of STDs and Holly is on birth control. They decide to go without condoms.
Holly’s ex is named Cody, and he wasn’t a very nice man. Holly was left feeling blindsided when he left, and searched for peace by keeping busy. She hasn’t been with anyone since.
No OW, and it has been awhile for Irving too.
My thoughts?
Y’know, it was like my craving for a cozy holiday romance was actually a reminder of “hey dummy, you have a review you should draft and then post”.
Irving is my ideal MMC. He may be physically huge, and imposing but he knows how he comes across. The chunk of time between Irving rescuing Holly and then Holly making a move was filled with Irving trying his best to calm down his reactions to her. He caught himself looking? He immediately looked away. He found his thoughts wandering to a PG place? He reprimanded himself. Holly’s comfort was the highest priority and once she let down her guards? Woo. A man who takes pride in his company being taken care of and being comfortable? I found my eyes reading too fast to be able to actually take in the details because I couldn’t get enough of the two of them. As bare bottom of the barrel this is, I also appreciated that he didn’t ogle Holly when she was frozen. No boners, no lusting, just genuine worry if she would be okay.
Holly has some problems but I found them realistic. I did panic when the blizzard scene was happening, even knowing it worked out in the end and there was a HEA on the horizon. Me, myself and I have always been wary of camping. Even worse when it is a lone woman, and especially when it is bad weather. That was enough to know her desperation to get away from her reality in the city. The elements are no joke, and even though Holly had all her back up plans fate still had a nasty twist for her. Waking up naked, wrapped up in a blanket, while sitting the lap of an equally naked man wrapped up in his own blanket was definitely met with some valid internal panicking. Luckily it was smoothed out between the two of them quickly, and while this was a quick romance (the bulk of the story taking place over a couple days) there really is nothing like being thrown into a “stuck together in this cabin” that can seriously speed along a connection. They indulged in each other, learning everything and still wanting the mundane details of each other.
The epilogue shows them engaged and hiking together. Which leads me to- having a grizzly bear shifter of a fiancé definitely helps scare away creepy men on the trail. Bless Irving.
Trigger or content warnings? Yes included in book.
Details?
FMC’s name is Holly, she is 28 years old. She went throughout a breakup and has been trying to find herself since then.
MMC’s name is Irving, and his age isn’t specified. I believe he is either Holly’s age or older.
Safe sex is covered, and both are clear of STDs and Holly is on birth control. They decide to go without condoms.
Holly’s ex is named Cody, and he wasn’t a very nice man. Holly was left feeling blindsided when he left, and searched for peace by keeping busy. She hasn’t been with anyone since.
No OW, and it has been awhile for Irving too.
My thoughts?
Y’know, it was like my craving for a cozy holiday romance was actually a reminder of “hey dummy, you have a review you should draft and then post”.
Irving is my ideal MMC. He may be physically huge, and imposing but he knows how he comes across. The chunk of time between Irving rescuing Holly and then Holly making a move was filled with Irving trying his best to calm down his reactions to her. He caught himself looking? He immediately looked away. He found his thoughts wandering to a PG place? He reprimanded himself. Holly’s comfort was the highest priority and once she let down her guards? Woo. A man who takes pride in his company being taken care of and being comfortable? I found my eyes reading too fast to be able to actually take in the details because I couldn’t get enough of the two of them. As bare bottom of the barrel this is, I also appreciated that he didn’t ogle Holly when she was frozen. No boners, no lusting, just genuine worry if she would be okay.
Holly has some problems but I found them realistic. I did panic when the blizzard scene was happening, even knowing it worked out in the end and there was a HEA on the horizon. Me, myself and I have always been wary of camping. Even worse when it is a lone woman, and especially when it is bad weather. That was enough to know her desperation to get away from her reality in the city. The elements are no joke, and even though Holly had all her back up plans fate still had a nasty twist for her. Waking up naked, wrapped up in a blanket, while sitting the lap of an equally naked man wrapped up in his own blanket was definitely met with some valid internal panicking. Luckily it was smoothed out between the two of them quickly, and while this was a quick romance (the bulk of the story taking place over a couple days) there really is nothing like being thrown into a “stuck together in this cabin” that can seriously speed along a connection. They indulged in each other, learning everything and still wanting the mundane details of each other.
The epilogue shows them engaged and hiking together. Which leads me to- having a grizzly bear shifter of a fiancé definitely helps scare away creepy men on the trail. Bless Irving.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2025
KU Read
154 Pages
Holiday Romance
Paranormal
Forced Proximity
Snowed In
Grizzly Shifter MMC
Holly gets caught in and unexpected storm while hiking and its Irving who finds her almost frozen after falling in the river. Her rescue leads to them being snowed in for the Holidays and its not long before they are tangled in each other. But when the snow melts and Holly needs to return home will Irvings Grizzly side let her leave?
This was a short cosy read with plenty of happy vibes without being too deep and demanding. I also likes the festive element but it wasn't played on so much that you couldn't read it anytime of the year either.
154 Pages
Holiday Romance
Paranormal
Forced Proximity
Snowed In
Grizzly Shifter MMC
Holly gets caught in and unexpected storm while hiking and its Irving who finds her almost frozen after falling in the river. Her rescue leads to them being snowed in for the Holidays and its not long before they are tangled in each other. But when the snow melts and Holly needs to return home will Irvings Grizzly side let her leave?
This was a short cosy read with plenty of happy vibes without being too deep and demanding. I also likes the festive element but it wasn't played on so much that you couldn't read it anytime of the year either.
March 29, 2025
This was suprisely a very good little read. It was very short but so cute and very spicy. I absolutely adored the mmc and the fmc was also quite enjoyable. The story is cute and although this would be my biggest fear (to be found by a man in the woods), it was all good as the mmc was just a little cutie pie. I just wished this could have been a bit longer like the other books in the series, but it was still quite good!
3.75 stars!
3.75 stars!
December 24, 2024
3.3/5
It was sweet and short and if you’re looking for a slice of life Christmas novella this may just be exactly what you want.
But I don’t know. It didn’t hit the spot for me. Maybe because of how long the “this can’t last” and mutual pining went on and NEITHER OF THEM SAID ANYTHING. It felt like a different type of a miscommunication trope. He didn’t want to pressure her to stay and she didn’t want to ask for what she wanted and it just felt like angst for no reason.
But it really was sweet. I liked Holly and Irving. And not too long of a little book.
Monster (grizzly bear shifter). Hiker lost in the woods FMC. Snowed in. FMC can’t ask for what she wants/feels like a burden. Sweet and patient woodworker MMC. Cock warming. Big cock. No OWD. Slight OMD (someone hits on her in the epilogue and also she is a year out from a breakup that hurt her and she talks about it with him). No pregnancy. No breeding or knotting. No OV. Epilogue with proposal on the pacific hiking trail.
It was sweet and short and if you’re looking for a slice of life Christmas novella this may just be exactly what you want.
But I don’t know. It didn’t hit the spot for me. Maybe because of how long the “this can’t last” and mutual pining went on and NEITHER OF THEM SAID ANYTHING. It felt like a different type of a miscommunication trope. He didn’t want to pressure her to stay and she didn’t want to ask for what she wanted and it just felt like angst for no reason.
But it really was sweet. I liked Holly and Irving. And not too long of a little book.
Monster (grizzly bear shifter). Hiker lost in the woods FMC. Snowed in. FMC can’t ask for what she wants/feels like a burden. Sweet and patient woodworker MMC. Cock warming. Big cock. No OWD. Slight OMD (someone hits on her in the epilogue and also she is a year out from a breakup that hurt her and she talks about it with him). No pregnancy. No breeding or knotting. No OV. Epilogue with proposal on the pacific hiking trail.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2024
Leigh has done such a good job creating and expanding this world. I’m not sure what she is planning to release next but I can tell you I will definitely be reading it.
Holly spends a year reclaiming her life after a bad break up, and if that’s not 1000% relatable I don’t know what is. I think she let herself become someone she didn’t love anymore and she chose hiking & camping, activities she could do alone, to really get to know & love herself again without anyone else’s influence. A camping trip during a winter storm just maybe wasn’t the best idea….or was it?
Holly & Irving’s romance is a sweet slow burn. It didn’t have the insta-love moment because bears don’t have fated mates like dragons & kraken 🥺. Even if they aren’t fated, I think they were made for each other though!
If you haven’t read the other books in this series I REALLY recommend reading Nora’s Kraken & Kenna’s Dragon before you read this one. Some stuff will just make better sense that way.
I cannot thank Leigh enough for giving me the chance to ARC read for her. This is the second book I’ve gotten to ARC read for her & I will be forever grateful to her for giving me that chance!
Holly spends a year reclaiming her life after a bad break up, and if that’s not 1000% relatable I don’t know what is. I think she let herself become someone she didn’t love anymore and she chose hiking & camping, activities she could do alone, to really get to know & love herself again without anyone else’s influence. A camping trip during a winter storm just maybe wasn’t the best idea….or was it?
Holly & Irving’s romance is a sweet slow burn. It didn’t have the insta-love moment because bears don’t have fated mates like dragons & kraken 🥺. Even if they aren’t fated, I think they were made for each other though!
If you haven’t read the other books in this series I REALLY recommend reading Nora’s Kraken & Kenna’s Dragon before you read this one. Some stuff will just make better sense that way.
I cannot thank Leigh enough for giving me the chance to ARC read for her. This is the second book I’ve gotten to ARC read for her & I will be forever grateful to her for giving me that chance!
February 20, 2025
Short feel good story ❤️🩹
November 10, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
this was a quick and fun read! I wish we could’ve learned more about both Holly and Irving and it felt a bit rushed, especially towards the end
this was a quick and fun read! I wish we could’ve learned more about both Holly and Irving and it felt a bit rushed, especially towards the end
July 15, 2025
A happy little cheeseburger of a read.
November 21, 2024
Holly's Grizzly is a novella in the Monster Bureau's series. Holly, who we've met in Nora's Kraken and Kenna's Dragon get's her own story. Holly is dealing with the aftermath of a bad breakup. She's is trying to find herself. She does this by hiking. On one hike she meets Irving. The sweetest, coziest romance ensues. I loved Irving.
I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2024
4&1\2 fabulous🌟's for Holly's Grizzly🌟🔥💖
This was such a perfect novella for A cold wintery night. I really e joy the is series each book has been a delicious adventure into the world of the Monster Relations Bureau. I truly hope this series has a long life a head because I feel there are many stories yet to be told. Holly is Kenna and Nora's best friend from the first two books. She's been heart broken and trying to puck up the piece of her life . She decides to go on a winter hiking trip but nothing goes as planned weather turns angry and Holly finds herself trapped in the snow with conditions getting worse. As always danger increases as the snow gets worse and she ends of being rescued by a huge gorgeous bear shifter. He's everything her heart has always wanted but she afraid to hope . Irving a grizzly shifter finds Holly half frozen and brings her back to his cabin to keep her safe during the storm. He's drawn to her and so is his bear. His quiet life in the mountains has been turned upside down . together they explore their attraction know the storm will end and they'll part ways. What happen when neither one of them wants to let go but both are too afraid to grab a hold of what they truly want? You need to read and find out this was the sweetest most heart warming of all the books thus far and will keep you cozy and a cold winter night. Highly recommend💖🔥🌟🔥💖🌟💖🔥🌶🔥💖🌟💖🔥🌟🌶💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟🌶🔥💖😁😁💖🔥🌶🔥
This was such a perfect novella for A cold wintery night. I really e joy the is series each book has been a delicious adventure into the world of the Monster Relations Bureau. I truly hope this series has a long life a head because I feel there are many stories yet to be told. Holly is Kenna and Nora's best friend from the first two books. She's been heart broken and trying to puck up the piece of her life . She decides to go on a winter hiking trip but nothing goes as planned weather turns angry and Holly finds herself trapped in the snow with conditions getting worse. As always danger increases as the snow gets worse and she ends of being rescued by a huge gorgeous bear shifter. He's everything her heart has always wanted but she afraid to hope . Irving a grizzly shifter finds Holly half frozen and brings her back to his cabin to keep her safe during the storm. He's drawn to her and so is his bear. His quiet life in the mountains has been turned upside down . together they explore their attraction know the storm will end and they'll part ways. What happen when neither one of them wants to let go but both are too afraid to grab a hold of what they truly want? You need to read and find out this was the sweetest most heart warming of all the books thus far and will keep you cozy and a cold winter night. Highly recommend💖🔥🌟🔥💖🌟💖🔥🌶🔥💖🌟💖🔥🌟🌶💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟🌶🔥💖😁😁💖🔥🌶🔥
December 27, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - You don’t have to choose between the man and the bear here… This was something different for me. I actually had to Google what a shifter was prior to reading and then debated whether to proceed when I figured it out - but I’m glad I did! While I’m not normally interested in paranormal or fantasy reads, this one felt within my grasp since the MMC is a grizzly shifter rather than something more… otherworldly.
I read this novella in its entirety on Boxing Day and it felt like the perfect choice for a lazy day after Christmas. Comfy, cozy, and spicy. The book is billed as having “less plot, more vibes,” and the vibes were immaculate. Beyond the vibes, I still felt there was enough there to keep things moving forward rather than just giving us stagnant smut.
Irving (I hated his name I’m sorry) was my kind of MMC - a sweet, protective caregiving type who prioritized the consent and comfort of the FMC. We love to see it!
I read this novella in its entirety on Boxing Day and it felt like the perfect choice for a lazy day after Christmas. Comfy, cozy, and spicy. The book is billed as having “less plot, more vibes,” and the vibes were immaculate. Beyond the vibes, I still felt there was enough there to keep things moving forward rather than just giving us stagnant smut.
Irving (I hated his name I’m sorry) was my kind of MMC - a sweet, protective caregiving type who prioritized the consent and comfort of the FMC. We love to see it!
January 9, 2025
This is the perfect post-Christmas around New Year's book to read. It's sweet, it has shifters, it has lots of consent, it has c0ckwarming but with him mindful of UTIs, it has adorable miscommunication but at least they do talk in-between smfuck sessions. And most of all I can kind of see the character growth for the both of them. He's a thick'ems. I love how the was described as warm, hairy, and thick. Like those football players that are packed and stacked but a little round in the middle, yum yum. That was the most fun out of the book because everything is just so nice so sweet. My biggest hang up is, we get this big what to do about Holly and why she is where she is emotionally and physically but we really didn't for him. He was just sweet the whole way.
November 18, 2024
This was a fun, short and cozy winter/christmas novella, that's both sweet and with a mid dose of spice (🌶️🌶️)
The author has marketed the book as a book with less plot and more ✨ vibes ✨ and i totally agree 💯. Read if you want winterly vibes, where the main characters are snowed in togheter and the mmc is a sweet cinnamon roll grizzly shifter (that knows his way in bed 👀)
I am a Leigh Miller stan, and recommend her books to everyone who wants to read fun paranormal romances with spice, and this book is no exception 🐻 (and as a bonus it's adorable!!)
Thank you so much to the author for the arc 🫶
The author has marketed the book as a book with less plot and more ✨ vibes ✨ and i totally agree 💯. Read if you want winterly vibes, where the main characters are snowed in togheter and the mmc is a sweet cinnamon roll grizzly shifter (that knows his way in bed 👀)
I am a Leigh Miller stan, and recommend her books to everyone who wants to read fun paranormal romances with spice, and this book is no exception 🐻 (and as a bonus it's adorable!!)
Thank you so much to the author for the arc 🫶
November 17, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of Holly’s Grizzly and I absolutely loved it!! I have read many books by Leigh but this is definitely one of my favorites. Irving is an absolutely sweet, sweet MMC and I love the relationship the characters develop. Despite the story being shorter than some of her other works I didn’t find that it felt rushed at all. It flowed perfectly. I also adored the use of the snowed in trope! It’s one of my fave story tropes.
December 7, 2024
A sweet, tender, and cozy story featuring a determined FMC recovering from a bad ex and a grizzly shifter who falls hard for the woman he rescues in the cold wilderness. Their love story is touching and swoony and hot! The snowed-in trope works well here, since who better to keep you warm than a bear ;) I loved this holiday read and it's my favorite by this author!
January 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot - 3/5
Characters - 3/5
Spice - 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Holly's Grizzly is a cute Christmas novella following Holly as she becomes stranded in Irving's cabin (a bear shifter and our very own MMC) during the holiday season and begins to fall for his charms. This was an adorable, easy read with a fairly predictable storyline that includes some spicy scenes (cough - cockwarming - cough) and likeable characters.
Plot - 3/5
Characters - 3/5
Spice - 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Holly's Grizzly is a cute Christmas novella following Holly as she becomes stranded in Irving's cabin (a bear shifter and our very own MMC) during the holiday season and begins to fall for his charms. This was an adorable, easy read with a fairly predictable storyline that includes some spicy scenes (cough - cockwarming - cough) and likeable characters.
February 21, 2025
This was a quick cute read. Heavy on the spice and insta love, but in this case it just worked being a whirlwind love at first sight, locked away in a cabin for a weekend kind of deal. Didn’t realize it was part of a series but they are standalone reads.
December 14, 2024
This was so cute!!!
December 27, 2024
very cute but about 100 pages too short
January 14, 2025
Don’t knock it until you try it this book was loads of fun.
May 9, 2025
It was cute, spicy, sweet and a quick read to kill a couple hours on a rainy evening before bed.
December 4, 2024
Cute Holiday Read
Very sweet story. Not as wildly smutty as the author's other books, but a lovely and cozy read with very adorable character's.
Very sweet story. Not as wildly smutty as the author's other books, but a lovely and cozy read with very adorable character's.
November 22, 2024
Book rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice rating: 3/5 🌶️
ARC REVIEW:
Grab your cozy blanket and prepare to dive in, because this book is hotter than a jalapeño in a sauna! Seriously, if you’re not reaching for a cold drink while reading this paranormal shifter romance, are you even doing it right?
Holly’s first Christmas as a single gal sounds about as appealing as a snowstorm in July—so, naturally, she opts for the good old “let’s go hike in the woods and pretend my life isn’t chaotic” approach. What could possibly go wrong, right? Spoiler alert: everything. A little accident leaves her pack-less and freezing her toes off, which is when she encounters a lumbering grizzly straight out of a nature documentary. But wait—this grizzly has no intention of being the subject of a wildlife cautionary tale; he decides that poof! He’s a handsome man now. Because why not?
Irving’s the name, rescuing stranded women is his game, and boy does he do it well! One moment, Holly’s getting ready to meet her frosty fate, and the next, she’s being whisked away to a cozy cabin with a guy who could probably bench-press a bear (oh wait, he literally can). As the blizzard rages outside, things heat up inside, and let me tell you—the steam between these two is enough to melt any snowman within a ten-mile radius!
And don’t get me started on the charming character depth Leigh Miller brings to the table. Flawed, relatable, and draped in just the right amount of holiday magic, Holly and Irving will make you root for their happily ever after while you could practically roast marshmallows over the tension sizzling between them.
This book serves up low stakes and equal parts sweetness, spice. If you haven’t joined the Monsters Bureau fan club yet, now’s your chance. Trust me, once you read this one, you’ll be eagerly waiting for your next fix of Leigh Miller’s enchanting worlds. She’s like the holiday cookie you didn’t know you needed but suddenly can’t live without!
Special thank you to Leigh Miller for choosing me to be an ARC reader for “Holly’s Grizzly”
Spice rating: 3/5 🌶️
ARC REVIEW:
Grab your cozy blanket and prepare to dive in, because this book is hotter than a jalapeño in a sauna! Seriously, if you’re not reaching for a cold drink while reading this paranormal shifter romance, are you even doing it right?
Holly’s first Christmas as a single gal sounds about as appealing as a snowstorm in July—so, naturally, she opts for the good old “let’s go hike in the woods and pretend my life isn’t chaotic” approach. What could possibly go wrong, right? Spoiler alert: everything. A little accident leaves her pack-less and freezing her toes off, which is when she encounters a lumbering grizzly straight out of a nature documentary. But wait—this grizzly has no intention of being the subject of a wildlife cautionary tale; he decides that poof! He’s a handsome man now. Because why not?
Irving’s the name, rescuing stranded women is his game, and boy does he do it well! One moment, Holly’s getting ready to meet her frosty fate, and the next, she’s being whisked away to a cozy cabin with a guy who could probably bench-press a bear (oh wait, he literally can). As the blizzard rages outside, things heat up inside, and let me tell you—the steam between these two is enough to melt any snowman within a ten-mile radius!
And don’t get me started on the charming character depth Leigh Miller brings to the table. Flawed, relatable, and draped in just the right amount of holiday magic, Holly and Irving will make you root for their happily ever after while you could practically roast marshmallows over the tension sizzling between them.
This book serves up low stakes and equal parts sweetness, spice. If you haven’t joined the Monsters Bureau fan club yet, now’s your chance. Trust me, once you read this one, you’ll be eagerly waiting for your next fix of Leigh Miller’s enchanting worlds. She’s like the holiday cookie you didn’t know you needed but suddenly can’t live without!
Special thank you to Leigh Miller for choosing me to be an ARC reader for “Holly’s Grizzly”
February 5, 2025
This was my favorite book in the series so far! The story was really cute, the vibes were great and the characters had such fun chemistry.
If you’re a fan of the Monster Relations Bureau series, this one sure belongs on your TBR this winter. And, if you haven't read the other books yet, no worries! It can definitely be read as a standalone, so you too can squeeze it in!
Also, can we talk about the cover? The moment I saw it, it gave me huge "Taylor Swift 'All Too Well' music video" vibes, and I was obsessed from the moment I saw it. I really liked the idea of Dylan and Sadie as Irving and Holly.
I read this book as an arc but I'm leaving my thoughts voluntarily. I definitely recommend checking this book out!
If you like to take a look at more books I read, check out my Goodreads profile. I also sometimes post reviews on Instagram and talk about bookish stuff on Threads.
If you’re a fan of the Monster Relations Bureau series, this one sure belongs on your TBR this winter. And, if you haven't read the other books yet, no worries! It can definitely be read as a standalone, so you too can squeeze it in!
Also, can we talk about the cover? The moment I saw it, it gave me huge "Taylor Swift 'All Too Well' music video" vibes, and I was obsessed from the moment I saw it. I really liked the idea of Dylan and Sadie as Irving and Holly.
I read this book as an arc but I'm leaving my thoughts voluntarily. I definitely recommend checking this book out!
If you like to take a look at more books I read, check out my Goodreads profile. I also sometimes post reviews on Instagram and talk about bookish stuff on Threads.
March 12, 2025
this was slightly strange. man’s could turn into a grizzly bear? like ok sir, go off i guess.
twas a novella but also think it ended too early as there was also a ton of miscommunication for majority of the book which i HATE (like just fkn speak to each other, you have NO ONE ELSE TO TALK TO).
twas a novella but also think it ended too early as there was also a ton of miscommunication for majority of the book which i HATE (like just fkn speak to each other, you have NO ONE ELSE TO TALK TO).
November 20, 2025
In this one, we have a pre-packaged ready-to-consume boyfriend material ideal called Irving who is perfect beyond measure and ready to serve the female character, Holly everyway possible. Within just a few days of first meeting her, he becomes her everything, taking the role of her personal life savior, guardian, therapist and psychologist, crisis management coach, cook, boyfriend, parent, friend, wildlife guide, and sex coach. We do not get to know his backstory much, he only consists of perfection and is there basically only to help out Holly who is a survivor of an emotionally abusive relationship breakup which keeps resurfacing in her life, brining about a sense of anxiety and freeze.
It's nice to read how selflessly Irving takes care of Holly, it's comforting, refreshing, and I welcome the traditional gender role reverse representation for sure. Yet this insta-everything feels off-putting and even the characters, themselves struggle with it. Everything seems too good to be true, too much, too fast to both the reader and the main leads. It feels at times completely one-sided, like a therapeutic idyl, not an actual relationship among two people who'd grow emotionally in it.
Irving seems to be in need of not much emotional growth at all because he doesn't have any emotional needs or faults of his own. He's this almost angelic type character. Yet we never find out what has influenced him to develop his kindness and selflessness, which emotional struggles has he faced in the past (apart from not liking the city due to overstimulation), which life episodes have contributed to him becoming himself, why does he hold the values he has, etc. We know nothing.
There are also several logical fallacies in the way he is depicted which make him feel unreal as a character compared to Holly. For instance, he lives in isolation most of the time, apart from his best friend Vic the wolf shifter and a few of his other very remote neighbours, yet seems to be an expert when it comes to his skills in bed and interpersonal communication skills. Or, he seems so much in tune with societal expectations around consent and boundaries, all the while not being part of the society, himself, and not using the internet.
As for his relationship with Holly, it's unclear what is in it for him besides comfort from loneliness and the insta-bond and insta-lust but he still gets insanely (over)attached to Holly immediately which is rather concerning. I don't get that bond, as they in fact live very different livestyles and do not have much in common at all. The main point of the bond just appears easy light talk and the fact that Holly is female, that's it imo.
There appear to be wholesome moments in the storyline and I get the appeal of having a MML who isn't trash-abusive but the story leaves the reader feeling wanting at times for something more real, not coming straight from a pastel dream involving a very human, very real woman and a shifter boyfriend ideal who feels like a trope or a sketch at times, or a service-provider/actor. Having said that, the culmination scene with Holly's departure seems to be more in line with realism because for a change, they do not act in it like flawless entities but as human beings.
The setup of getting stuck in a snow storm seems to be very popular in cozy monster romances, as there's the trope of forced proximity which is usually coupled with the fated bond, which I personally am not a fan of because it raises questions of free choice and consent. In this one, the FML freezing almost to death, near-drowning and a scary encounter with a wild animal (well, a shifter) were utilised as plot devices which can be a trigger for some.
It's nice to read how selflessly Irving takes care of Holly, it's comforting, refreshing, and I welcome the traditional gender role reverse representation for sure. Yet this insta-everything feels off-putting and even the characters, themselves struggle with it. Everything seems too good to be true, too much, too fast to both the reader and the main leads. It feels at times completely one-sided, like a therapeutic idyl, not an actual relationship among two people who'd grow emotionally in it.
Irving seems to be in need of not much emotional growth at all because he doesn't have any emotional needs or faults of his own. He's this almost angelic type character. Yet we never find out what has influenced him to develop his kindness and selflessness, which emotional struggles has he faced in the past (apart from not liking the city due to overstimulation), which life episodes have contributed to him becoming himself, why does he hold the values he has, etc. We know nothing.
There are also several logical fallacies in the way he is depicted which make him feel unreal as a character compared to Holly. For instance, he lives in isolation most of the time, apart from his best friend Vic the wolf shifter and a few of his other very remote neighbours, yet seems to be an expert when it comes to his skills in bed and interpersonal communication skills. Or, he seems so much in tune with societal expectations around consent and boundaries, all the while not being part of the society, himself, and not using the internet.
As for his relationship with Holly, it's unclear what is in it for him besides comfort from loneliness and the insta-bond and insta-lust but he still gets insanely (over)attached to Holly immediately which is rather concerning. I don't get that bond, as they in fact live very different livestyles and do not have much in common at all. The main point of the bond just appears easy light talk and the fact that Holly is female, that's it imo.
There appear to be wholesome moments in the storyline and I get the appeal of having a MML who isn't trash-abusive but the story leaves the reader feeling wanting at times for something more real, not coming straight from a pastel dream involving a very human, very real woman and a shifter boyfriend ideal who feels like a trope or a sketch at times, or a service-provider/actor. Having said that, the culmination scene with Holly's departure seems to be more in line with realism because for a change, they do not act in it like flawless entities but as human beings.
The setup of getting stuck in a snow storm seems to be very popular in cozy monster romances, as there's the trope of forced proximity which is usually coupled with the fated bond, which I personally am not a fan of because it raises questions of free choice and consent. In this one, the FML freezing almost to death, near-drowning and a scary encounter with a wild animal (well, a shifter) were utilised as plot devices which can be a trigger for some.
April 7, 2025
It was so sexy and cozy!
This is the first book/novella I have read from this author, and it did not disappoint. Was there a huge story with intriguing plots and action? No. But there was a delicious mountain man/grizzly shifter who knew how to take care of his lady. This novella is tiny and yet it has a complete beginning, middle, and end with cute characters and hot love scenes.
The Plot
Holly is trying to brave the wilds on her own when a blizzard shows up and ruins her fun. She tries to make it back to her car, only to fall into a freezing river. She is saved by Irving, a big 'ol grizzly shifter who happens to live in a cabin all by hims lonesome. Alas, Holly has to stay there for a few days while she waits for the snow to calm and the roads to clear.
The Romance
Holly got out of a bad relationship just a year ago and is still trying to heal from it (it wasn't abusive, just your typical men not giving a shit stuff). She explains all of this to Irving, who takes it very seriously and tries to show her he believes she should be treated as a queen.
"Your pleasure is the only pleasure that matters here, and I'm going to take care of you and make sure you get what you need." (pg 78)
I urge her forward with a firm grip on her ass, keeping her anchored and giving her permission to sink onto me, press that perfect, delicious cunt of hers against my face, soak my beard, sit on the throne that was made for her." (pg 95)
He's also very practical, making her food, keeping her warm, and he even points out something that never gets talked about in romance books: when she says she wants him to "leave it in," he says,
"You're not getting a UTI on my watch." (pg 104)
No one ever mentions this! It is critical to go pee after having sex to make sure all that gets cleaned out properly. And yet, here is this sweet guy, making sure she's all cared for. SWOON!
Anyway, in this series, grizzlies don't have fated mates, but the two of them feel a deep connection and long to stay together, even though it's only been a few days. It's pretty believable, given the pace and their histories. This is just a sweet little read for those days when you need a quick fix or have been reading heavier stuff and need a break. I'm looking forward to reading the others in the series now :)
This is the first book/novella I have read from this author, and it did not disappoint. Was there a huge story with intriguing plots and action? No. But there was a delicious mountain man/grizzly shifter who knew how to take care of his lady. This novella is tiny and yet it has a complete beginning, middle, and end with cute characters and hot love scenes.
The Plot
Holly is trying to brave the wilds on her own when a blizzard shows up and ruins her fun. She tries to make it back to her car, only to fall into a freezing river. She is saved by Irving, a big 'ol grizzly shifter who happens to live in a cabin all by hims lonesome. Alas, Holly has to stay there for a few days while she waits for the snow to calm and the roads to clear.
The Romance
Holly got out of a bad relationship just a year ago and is still trying to heal from it (it wasn't abusive, just your typical men not giving a shit stuff). She explains all of this to Irving, who takes it very seriously and tries to show her he believes she should be treated as a queen.
"Your pleasure is the only pleasure that matters here, and I'm going to take care of you and make sure you get what you need." (pg 78)
I urge her forward with a firm grip on her ass, keeping her anchored and giving her permission to sink onto me, press that perfect, delicious cunt of hers against my face, soak my beard, sit on the throne that was made for her." (pg 95)
He's also very practical, making her food, keeping her warm, and he even points out something that never gets talked about in romance books: when she says she wants him to "leave it in," he says,
"You're not getting a UTI on my watch." (pg 104)
No one ever mentions this! It is critical to go pee after having sex to make sure all that gets cleaned out properly. And yet, here is this sweet guy, making sure she's all cared for. SWOON!
Anyway, in this series, grizzlies don't have fated mates, but the two of them feel a deep connection and long to stay together, even though it's only been a few days. It's pretty believable, given the pace and their histories. This is just a sweet little read for those days when you need a quick fix or have been reading heavier stuff and need a break. I'm looking forward to reading the others in the series now :)
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