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Holiday Mates #3
Bear Creek Thanksgiving
On the outskirts of town, bear shifter Gruff Cunningham leads a solitary life with only his cat for company. Disfigured by a horrific attack as a cub, he shuns interaction with others in favor of quietly tending his apple orchard. Now on the verge of an exciting expansion, he’s in need of someone to manage the new enterprise and cautiously sends out a help wanted ad.
Down in Harrisburg, Dustin Mowry is at a crossroads in life—between jobs, ready for a change, and looking for his place in the world. When he responds to Gruff’s advertisement, sparks fly, and Dustin quickly finds himself with a new job, a hot boss, and big problem!
While Gruff thinks the sweet human would never want him, Dustin is afraid of jeopardizing his job if he gets involved in a work related romance. Bit by bit, their undeniable attraction grows, but what will it take to overcome Gruff’s painful past and secure a happy future?
Return to Bear Creek for a fall romance that culminates in a sweet and sizzling Thanksgiving holiday you’ll never forget! (Book three of the Holiday Mates series. Contains steamy M/M content.)
Down in Harrisburg, Dustin Mowry is at a crossroads in life—between jobs, ready for a change, and looking for his place in the world. When he responds to Gruff’s advertisement, sparks fly, and Dustin quickly finds himself with a new job, a hot boss, and big problem!
While Gruff thinks the sweet human would never want him, Dustin is afraid of jeopardizing his job if he gets involved in a work related romance. Bit by bit, their undeniable attraction grows, but what will it take to overcome Gruff’s painful past and secure a happy future?
Return to Bear Creek for a fall romance that culminates in a sweet and sizzling Thanksgiving holiday you’ll never forget! (Book three of the Holiday Mates series. Contains steamy M/M content.)
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2025
55 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Alexander Elliott
17 books74 followersAlexander Elliott lives in the upper Midwest and is the author of books in multiple genres, including science-fiction, fantasy, paranormal, and romance. His work is replete with themes of love, passion, family, humor, hope, and acceptance.
The author is praised for masterful storytelling and creative world-building. His books feature realistic, well-developed characters, emotional depth, sizzling romance, and all the adventure, action, and intrigue necessary for a great read.
If you have enjoyed his work, Alexander would love to hear from you!
Email: aelliottbooks@gmail.com
Website: https://aelliottbooks.com/
The author is praised for masterful storytelling and creative world-building. His books feature realistic, well-developed characters, emotional depth, sizzling romance, and all the adventure, action, and intrigue necessary for a great read.
If you have enjoyed his work, Alexander would love to hear from you!
Email: aelliottbooks@gmail.com
Website: https://aelliottbooks.com/
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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November 13, 2025
Bear Creek Thanksgiving is book three in the Holiday Mates series by Alexander Elliott. This is my first book by this author. I had no problem jumping in the middle of the series. This is a very sweet bear shifter/human romance. In this world, bear shifters are common and pretty much accepted.
Gruff Cunningham is twenty four years old. He owns an apple orchard that came with an old farm house that he’s been slowly renovating all on his own as his budget allows. Gruff is very aware of the effect his scars have on others when they see him so he keeps to himself out on his farm. Gruff is trying to expand his business and is having a huge new barn built that will house a market with apples and cider from his farm, as well as baked items. There will also be a large gift section that will carry an assortment of items. Now all he needs is a manager to help him run the business.
Dustin Mowry lives about ninety minutes from Gruff. He has worked at his parents restaurant since he was old enough to work. After his parents retired and sold the restaurant, Dustin isn’t happy working for the new owners. He needs to figure out what he wants to do with his life. When he sees the ad for the job, helping to set up and run the new market, he is convinced this is the perfect job for him. And it is! As soon as he meets his potential new boss, he knows they will be a perfect fit.
First, Dustin is a marketing genius and a gifted baker. The things he created in the kitchen to sell in the bakery made me want to try it all! His ideas and creations of gift ideas to sell in the store were unique and amazing. He was meant for this job. I would LOVE to shop in this store! Dustin didn’t have any experience with shifters but he and Gruff got along perfectly. Both were attracted to the other but neither felt the other would ever be interested in him. At the same time, they were boss/employee and both were afraid to rock the boat so to speak. But the more these two worked together, the harder it became to deny their attraction.
These two were so sweet together. I loved Gruff’s bear side as well. And his cat Baxter was adorable. Gruff had a sad start to life and some of the both emotional and outer scars remained. But Dustin was by his side through everything, giving him strength and helping him to move forward. I really did enjoy this and plan to read the first book soon, Bear Creek Christmas.
Gruff Cunningham is twenty four years old. He owns an apple orchard that came with an old farm house that he’s been slowly renovating all on his own as his budget allows. Gruff is very aware of the effect his scars have on others when they see him so he keeps to himself out on his farm. Gruff is trying to expand his business and is having a huge new barn built that will house a market with apples and cider from his farm, as well as baked items. There will also be a large gift section that will carry an assortment of items. Now all he needs is a manager to help him run the business.
Dustin Mowry lives about ninety minutes from Gruff. He has worked at his parents restaurant since he was old enough to work. After his parents retired and sold the restaurant, Dustin isn’t happy working for the new owners. He needs to figure out what he wants to do with his life. When he sees the ad for the job, helping to set up and run the new market, he is convinced this is the perfect job for him. And it is! As soon as he meets his potential new boss, he knows they will be a perfect fit.
First, Dustin is a marketing genius and a gifted baker. The things he created in the kitchen to sell in the bakery made me want to try it all! His ideas and creations of gift ideas to sell in the store were unique and amazing. He was meant for this job. I would LOVE to shop in this store! Dustin didn’t have any experience with shifters but he and Gruff got along perfectly. Both were attracted to the other but neither felt the other would ever be interested in him. At the same time, they were boss/employee and both were afraid to rock the boat so to speak. But the more these two worked together, the harder it became to deny their attraction.
These two were so sweet together. I loved Gruff’s bear side as well. And his cat Baxter was adorable. Gruff had a sad start to life and some of the both emotional and outer scars remained. But Dustin was by his side through everything, giving him strength and helping him to move forward. I really did enjoy this and plan to read the first book soon, Bear Creek Christmas.
February 7, 2025
BEAR CREEK THANKSGIVING is the third book in the Holiday Mates series and you don't have to have read the previous stories, although I would recommend it as they are all enjoyable and recommended by me.
In this book, we meet Gruff and Dustin. Gruff is the shifter and owner of an orchard that he is expanding to include a shop plus other additions. Dustin is a young man who can cook but also knows how to manage, well, pretty much anything.
This is a slow-burn story with no unnecessary angst or miscommunication. Gruff and Dustin have their reasons for what they do, and both of them support each other. Not only that, but Dustin (the mere human) will also defend Gruff and his choices to his last breath.
I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the series and found it well-paced throughout. A great story that I definitely recommend.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 3, 2025
In this book, we meet Gruff and Dustin. Gruff is the shifter and owner of an orchard that he is expanding to include a shop plus other additions. Dustin is a young man who can cook but also knows how to manage, well, pretty much anything.
This is a slow-burn story with no unnecessary angst or miscommunication. Gruff and Dustin have their reasons for what they do, and both of them support each other. Not only that, but Dustin (the mere human) will also defend Gruff and his choices to his last breath.
I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the series and found it well-paced throughout. A great story that I definitely recommend.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 3, 2025
November 15, 2025
…………. 3.5 stars ………….
This was really sweet and perfect for a little bit of holiday reading. I loved that it felt like a Hallmark movie, with a really cozy atmosphere and a bit of spice. It definitely had me laughing at specific word choices in certain scenes (iykyk 😂) and I really do love the world of Bear Creek. So, with that being said, this was not my favorite book in the series. I felt like parts of this could have been fleshed out a little more so they didn’t feel quite so surface level. I also think there were some scenes that just didn’t add much to the overall story? But I’m also kind of here just for the vibes. So, Bear Creek Thanksgiving is getting 3.5 stars from me.
This was really sweet and perfect for a little bit of holiday reading. I loved that it felt like a Hallmark movie, with a really cozy atmosphere and a bit of spice. It definitely had me laughing at specific word choices in certain scenes (iykyk 😂) and I really do love the world of Bear Creek. So, with that being said, this was not my favorite book in the series. I felt like parts of this could have been fleshed out a little more so they didn’t feel quite so surface level. I also think there were some scenes that just didn’t add much to the overall story? But I’m also kind of here just for the vibes. So, Bear Creek Thanksgiving is getting 3.5 stars from me.
September 8, 2025
So So Good!!
Well written story and well developed characters. Each book in this series is a stand-alone. But you get a better experience if you read them in the correct order.
Moving to Bear Creek is frightening, but he is determined to do it! Dustin has never seen, or met, a shifter. He has done a lot of research and is determined to succeed!
Gruff has spent years hiding behind his beard and on his property. Now he's expanding and needs help! Can they help each other?
Well written story and well developed characters. Each book in this series is a stand-alone. But you get a better experience if you read them in the correct order.
Moving to Bear Creek is frightening, but he is determined to do it! Dustin has never seen, or met, a shifter. He has done a lot of research and is determined to succeed!
Gruff has spent years hiding behind his beard and on his property. Now he's expanding and needs help! Can they help each other?
May 20, 2025
A sweet story!
Wonderful characters, one of whom dealt with a traumatic incident when young. I loved Dustin's patience as he waited for his mate to accept his offering to become a mate. A really sweet story!
Wonderful characters, one of whom dealt with a traumatic incident when young. I loved Dustin's patience as he waited for his mate to accept his offering to become a mate. A really sweet story!
May 12, 2025
Bear
I will give this book a 4/5. It is a very cute love story about a bear shifter and a human. It is a bit long but good.
I will give this book a 4/5. It is a very cute love story about a bear shifter and a human. It is a bit long but good.
November 26, 2025
I really enjoyed this sweet read. My first read by this author, nice job.
did-not-finish
November 26, 2025DNF at 49%.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a modern romance in third person omniscient POV, and unfortunately, I wasn’t a fan. The story itself was cute enough, but I just couldn’t get over it.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a modern romance in third person omniscient POV, and unfortunately, I wasn’t a fan. The story itself was cute enough, but I just couldn’t get over it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews