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Bear Protector #1
Mated to the Mountain Bear
My stalker has taken everything from me. My job, my freedom, my peace of mind. When he breaks into my apartment, I barely escape with my life. My only option is trusting a gruff private investigator who promises he can keep me safe.
He delivers me to his brother, a massive, silent mountain man who has barely left his remote cabin in fifteen years. Ben barely speaks, watches me with intense dark eyes, and makes my rescuer look downright chatty. He's supposed to protect me, keep me hidden until it's safe to go home.
He's not supposed to make me feel like I belong here.
*******
I don't do people. Haven't since I was a teen. Then my brother dumps a terrified woman on my doorstep and asks me to keep her safe from some psycho who won't take no for an answer.
She's everything I've avoided for fifteen years. Soft. Fragile. Human.
She's also mine.
My bear knew it the second she walked through my door. Now I have to keep her alive long enough to convince her that the safest place she'll ever be is right here with me. Even if it means facing the violent world I left behind.
Even if it means becoming the monster I swore I'd never be again.
A bear shifter romance with a protective mountain man hero, forced proximity, and a guaranteed HEA. No cliffhangers.
He delivers me to his brother, a massive, silent mountain man who has barely left his remote cabin in fifteen years. Ben barely speaks, watches me with intense dark eyes, and makes my rescuer look downright chatty. He's supposed to protect me, keep me hidden until it's safe to go home.
He's not supposed to make me feel like I belong here.
*******
I don't do people. Haven't since I was a teen. Then my brother dumps a terrified woman on my doorstep and asks me to keep her safe from some psycho who won't take no for an answer.
She's everything I've avoided for fifteen years. Soft. Fragile. Human.
She's also mine.
My bear knew it the second she walked through my door. Now I have to keep her alive long enough to convince her that the safest place she'll ever be is right here with me. Even if it means facing the violent world I left behind.
Even if it means becoming the monster I swore I'd never be again.
A bear shifter romance with a protective mountain man hero, forced proximity, and a guaranteed HEA. No cliffhangers.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2025
1333 people are currently reading
645 people want to read
About the author
Reece Barden
37 books540 followersReece is a steamy paranormal romance author writing wickedly wild romance. She is currently working on the shifter romance series, The Shifters of Grey Ridge and the Steel Pack Alphas.
She loves creating steamy stories about hot, growly alpha men and the women who love and torment them.
She writes for people just like her who love a little light-hearted fun with their naughty heroes and edge-of-your-seat storylines.
She loves creating steamy stories about hot, growly alpha men and the women who love and torment them.
She writes for people just like her who love a little light-hearted fun with their naughty heroes and edge-of-your-seat storylines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
September 27, 2025
Did I enjoy this aside from the ending? Yes. Were there inconsistencies that took me out of the story? Also yes. Overall, this was a fun read, but the ending really killed me.
Now the inconsistencies were weird. It's like the author would forget the details of the story she was weaving. I'm talking about things being one way in paragraph one, and all of a sudden, that same situation is completely different 3 paragraphs later. I had to start rereading passages because I thought I was the one misremembering. It was weird. I hope this isn't something this author does regularly because this will make me start thinking twice about picking up her books in the future.
Ben was overall fun in a grumpy and curmudgeon-y way. He liked the things he liked, the way he liked them. No one was changing his mind. It was great to see him slowly adapting to Zara being in his space and how much he liked her there.
Zara was also a great character. She had a lot going wrong in her life in the past month or so, and she was understandably emotionally wired. I know we all deal with big capital T traumas differently, but if I'm being honest, she was lowkey too calm throughout it all. Her inner monologues only reflected the situations she's going through while she's actively in them. Ben had more panic in his inner monologues when it came to her and her situation than she did with her own situation.
Had I known the ending was going to be that, I would have thought twice about reading this book. It's an ick for me, and it's been so long since I've encountered that kind of ending that it didn't occur to me that this could be the ending.
Now the inconsistencies were weird. It's like the author would forget the details of the story she was weaving. I'm talking about things being one way in paragraph one, and all of a sudden, that same situation is completely different 3 paragraphs later. I had to start rereading passages because I thought I was the one misremembering. It was weird. I hope this isn't something this author does regularly because this will make me start thinking twice about picking up her books in the future.
Ben was overall fun in a grumpy and curmudgeon-y way. He liked the things he liked, the way he liked them. No one was changing his mind. It was great to see him slowly adapting to Zara being in his space and how much he liked her there.
Zara was also a great character. She had a lot going wrong in her life in the past month or so, and she was understandably emotionally wired. I know we all deal with big capital T traumas differently, but if I'm being honest, she was lowkey too calm throughout it all. Her inner monologues only reflected the situations she's going through while she's actively in them. Ben had more panic in his inner monologues when it came to her and her situation than she did with her own situation.
Had I known the ending was going to be that, I would have thought twice about reading this book. It's an ick for me, and it's been so long since I've encountered that kind of ending that it didn't occur to me that this could be the ending.
September 3, 2025
3 - 3.25 stars!
Ben is a reclusive bear shifter for various reasons and his family that deals in private security throws Zara at him to protect while they try to find her stalker. Lucky for him (unluckily in Ben’s initial opinion) she is his fated mate and to add to that…well she’s human.
Now they’re racing against time to not only find her stalker but maybe figure out where her sister disappeared to AND give in to their fiery chemistry.
Not gonna lie, the slow burn in this about sent me over the edge. Or maybe I’m just a slut for smut. Honestly that tracks with the books I’ve been devouring.
So overall, yeah this was cute and a little dirty and set the scene for the next book in a great way. I enjoyed both characters and their characters arcs and the action was decently well written. I’ll definitely read the next book.
Ben is a reclusive bear shifter for various reasons and his family that deals in private security throws Zara at him to protect while they try to find her stalker. Lucky for him (unluckily in Ben’s initial opinion) she is his fated mate and to add to that…well she’s human.
Now they’re racing against time to not only find her stalker but maybe figure out where her sister disappeared to AND give in to their fiery chemistry.
“Mine,” I growl, the word torn from somewhere deep in my chest. My voice doesn’t even sound human anymore. "No man will see you like this, or hear you like this, ever again.”
“Yours,” she agrees breathlessly, and that single word destroys what’s left of the man, leaving only the beast.”
Not gonna lie, the slow burn in this about sent me over the edge. Or maybe I’m just a slut for smut. Honestly that tracks with the books I’ve been devouring.
So overall, yeah this was cute and a little dirty and set the scene for the next book in a great way. I enjoyed both characters and their characters arcs and the action was decently well written. I’ll definitely read the next book.
December 28, 2025
We are dropped right into the action as Zara has a stalker who broke into her apartment, and the security specialist she called (the stalker somehow chased her out the window and down the street AND managed to lock up her apartment and make it look like nothing ever happened so the police are skeptical) takes her to his brother Ben's mountain cabin to hide. As one does.
One thing that I do love with Barden's writing is the way her humans with no knowledge of shifters are inexplicably drawn to their mates. Zara is immediately like, "a zing of something passes straight through me" and she is like, well I am being chased by a crazy stalker AND my sister is missing for weeks (I'm assuming this is a future plot because not resolved at all) but totally Would with this mountain recluse I just met. Actually the best part of these relationships are how the shifter is SO TORTURED like oh she'll never accept me and once I tell her she'll leave and it will be Too Much and then they tell the human and she's like "ok! well....you are naked anyway since you just turned back from being a bear so maybe we could..."
The plot literally doesn't matter, the whole stalker situation is easily cleared up, the sister situation never gets resolved in this book, and that dog-as-metaphor who didn't have a True Home and is now highly protective of Zara, who used to be "a wanderer, who stopped by on his way through, he's well and truly domesticated now." Lots of future series set up happening. Oh! One thing did happen that like jeez lady boundaries - Zara rearranges Ben's kitchen AND HIS BOOKS without asking because she is bored. Straight to jail.
I had read the first few books Barden wrote in her Shifters of Gray Ridge series, which was her debut, and I was curious to see how she developed as a writer and if some of the issues I had with those books (I gave up on the series) had been resolved. Spoiler, not really.
When I mean dropped into the action here, Barden has many side characters in her books, and she never gives context for them, so the reader is doing a lot of scrambling. I would love it if she would assume that maybe I haven't read the ten book series before this and need a little "my cousin the sheriff" or "my brother the leader" to waypoint me. It's unnecessarily confusing. Plus if you are building a universe of shifters and their specific traits, etc, maybe lay it out just a tad.
If I could offer Barden one piece of easily executable advice, it would be to have a beta reader or developmental edit reader go through for a consistency read. It was impossible to mark the passage of time, there were none of the normal signposts authors use, like meals or even just stating the time of day. Characters would have a full day of activities and then make breakfast, when she gets to the cabin they have one meal in the middle of the night, and then nothing for days. There were a LOT of inconsistencies like someone is naked (for shifter reasons) and then we hear his "boots heavy on the porch," or a dog is inside and also outside, or a character is in another room and then taking someone's hand, or a gun is specifically unloaded and then immediately shot for target practice, or at a cabin with no wifi or cell service a character is being online with no mention of getting satellite installed. It took me RIGHT out of the story every time. I don't need details but give me a "she woke up the next morning" or "after a day of..." or "X [he loads the gun] happened so Y [target practice] could happen" to let me know where I am in the story. I don't mind things happening for Romance Reasons, but I do mind when, to use an example, a big deal is made about how there's no contact with the outside world and we don't get a "we had satellite installed so I could work from here" when it was such an obstacle before.
Two stars? Three stars? Eh.
One thing that I do love with Barden's writing is the way her humans with no knowledge of shifters are inexplicably drawn to their mates. Zara is immediately like, "a zing of something passes straight through me" and she is like, well I am being chased by a crazy stalker AND my sister is missing for weeks (I'm assuming this is a future plot because not resolved at all) but totally Would with this mountain recluse I just met. Actually the best part of these relationships are how the shifter is SO TORTURED like oh she'll never accept me and once I tell her she'll leave and it will be Too Much and then they tell the human and she's like "ok! well....you are naked anyway since you just turned back from being a bear so maybe we could..."
The plot literally doesn't matter, the whole stalker situation is easily cleared up, the sister situation never gets resolved in this book, and that dog-as-metaphor who didn't have a True Home and is now highly protective of Zara, who used to be "a wanderer, who stopped by on his way through, he's well and truly domesticated now." Lots of future series set up happening. Oh! One thing did happen that like jeez lady boundaries - Zara rearranges Ben's kitchen AND HIS BOOKS without asking because she is bored. Straight to jail.
I had read the first few books Barden wrote in her Shifters of Gray Ridge series, which was her debut, and I was curious to see how she developed as a writer and if some of the issues I had with those books (I gave up on the series) had been resolved. Spoiler, not really.
When I mean dropped into the action here, Barden has many side characters in her books, and she never gives context for them, so the reader is doing a lot of scrambling. I would love it if she would assume that maybe I haven't read the ten book series before this and need a little "my cousin the sheriff" or "my brother the leader" to waypoint me. It's unnecessarily confusing. Plus if you are building a universe of shifters and their specific traits, etc, maybe lay it out just a tad.
If I could offer Barden one piece of easily executable advice, it would be to have a beta reader or developmental edit reader go through for a consistency read. It was impossible to mark the passage of time, there were none of the normal signposts authors use, like meals or even just stating the time of day. Characters would have a full day of activities and then make breakfast, when she gets to the cabin they have one meal in the middle of the night, and then nothing for days. There were a LOT of inconsistencies like someone is naked (for shifter reasons) and then we hear his "boots heavy on the porch," or a dog is inside and also outside, or a character is in another room and then taking someone's hand, or a gun is specifically unloaded and then immediately shot for target practice, or at a cabin with no wifi or cell service a character is being online with no mention of getting satellite installed. It took me RIGHT out of the story every time. I don't need details but give me a "she woke up the next morning" or "after a day of..." or "X [he loads the gun] happened so Y [target practice] could happen" to let me know where I am in the story. I don't mind things happening for Romance Reasons, but I do mind when, to use an example, a big deal is made about how there's no contact with the outside world and we don't get a "we had satellite installed so I could work from here" when it was such an obstacle before.
Two stars? Three stars? Eh.
September 1, 2025
I enjoyed the plot and the concept but I felt like there was a lot of holes in the story and it went very fast pace and skipped over some things. the writing was done okay, the spelling incorrect words drove me crazy, there was at least a dozen spelling errors. over all it was okay! I did enjoy the plot and the characters.
August 30, 2025
I am so excited that we get a spin off series with the Lennox family at the centre! The grumpy, bear family trying to move past their criminal family name and past.
I love Reece Barden’s books and how she portrays the romance in all the different stories and Ben & Zara’s story is no different. Ben is a isolated (by choice) grumpy, surly bear shifter who is drafted in to help Zara (a human) when she hires the Lennox private security company when her apartment is broken into by a stalker, three weeks after her sister goes missing.
What follows is high stakes and drives them closer to together as they navigate the mate bond. I’d love to know what’s happened to Amber and her potential mate in future books.
I can’t wait for Bodhi’s instalment now.
Thank you to the author for the ARC, all views are my own.
I love Reece Barden’s books and how she portrays the romance in all the different stories and Ben & Zara’s story is no different. Ben is a isolated (by choice) grumpy, surly bear shifter who is drafted in to help Zara (a human) when she hires the Lennox private security company when her apartment is broken into by a stalker, three weeks after her sister goes missing.
What follows is high stakes and drives them closer to together as they navigate the mate bond. I’d love to know what’s happened to Amber and her potential mate in future books.
I can’t wait for Bodhi’s instalment now.
Thank you to the author for the ARC, all views are my own.
October 19, 2025
This started out pretty strong with the stalker in her apt and her getting away. That was the strongest part of this book, unfortunately. There are continuity issues throughout the book, and the pacing could have been much better. One of the big issues I had was with the FMC. Her personality seemed to be "sister of a famous person," that was about it. She also did things that were very rude and annoying, like rearranging the stranger she's hiding out with entire kitchen, and bookshelf when they were outside. I mean, who does that, and she'd only been there two days? The MMC's entire personality seemed to be "I have extreme anxiety, so I isolate." I'm really surprised this has such high ratings, but to each their own, I suppose.
September 12, 2025
Formal request as a paranormal reader for people to name their books something I don't mind showing up on my goodreads. 🙄
Spoilers.
Okay, this started off so strong and then slowly fell apart for me. We start with this high intensity stalking and break in, she needs help, heads to the woods.....then we all get as bored as she should for 60 percent of the book. Nothing happens. They fix water heaters, and have awkward sexual run ins that are supposed to cause tension but overall come off as weird and socially awkward.
Then we get the stalker and the confrontation in the same few chapters and it feels anticlimactic. He only shows up twice but is the main protagonist in the book? Even if this dude had a misunderstanding why would his behavior get him a mate in the first place? None of it makes sense. And her sister is still just gone, and no one knows where? Maybe she's close since Ben's brother clearly noticed her from the bar not from the movies.
Alright, then he can't stay in the city for 2 days to help her clear out her sisters belongings and finish up her life? She is moving somewhere with no modern tech including not being able to use her laptop for school and giving up her whole life and you can't make it two days? Why is that so childish to me? 2 days. That really just made me over them together.
Overall this isn't a bad read and there are things I liked but I think what could have been a pretty cool suspense fell flat.
Spoilers.
Okay, this started off so strong and then slowly fell apart for me. We start with this high intensity stalking and break in, she needs help, heads to the woods.....then we all get as bored as she should for 60 percent of the book. Nothing happens. They fix water heaters, and have awkward sexual run ins that are supposed to cause tension but overall come off as weird and socially awkward.
Then we get the stalker and the confrontation in the same few chapters and it feels anticlimactic. He only shows up twice but is the main protagonist in the book? Even if this dude had a misunderstanding why would his behavior get him a mate in the first place? None of it makes sense. And her sister is still just gone, and no one knows where? Maybe she's close since Ben's brother clearly noticed her from the bar not from the movies.
Alright, then he can't stay in the city for 2 days to help her clear out her sisters belongings and finish up her life? She is moving somewhere with no modern tech including not being able to use her laptop for school and giving up her whole life and you can't make it two days? Why is that so childish to me? 2 days. That really just made me over them together.
Overall this isn't a bad read and there are things I liked but I think what could have been a pretty cool suspense fell flat.
August 26, 2025
This hooked me from the first page. The tension and anxiety of the FMC Zara is so palpable from the getgo and I ate that up! The tension and angst between the two main characters is palpable right away 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻
The storyline with the stalker/missing sister is pretty suspenseful, and the pacing on this was pretty well done. You feel Zara's anxiety and sadness jump off the pages. I thought this storyline was pretty engaging, and I loved how protective the MMC Ben was right from the getgo (albeit reluctantly at first). He is a big protective teddy bear (sorry sorry)
I've read pretty much all of Barden's books, and I have to say this is probably one of the best written ones. I liked how the romance and plot were woven together seamlessly without being heavy-handed. Nothing is better than furtive looks and yearning gazes to set up romantic chemistry. I feel like a lot of romance books skip this to their detriment, but I was pleased to see it so well done here. The spice was spicing (🔥🔥🔥), and the angst was delicious
"If I’m his, then he’s mine." 🥰🥰🥰
Overall, I thought this was an engaging read with a sweet romance. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest opinion, etc.
The storyline with the stalker/missing sister is pretty suspenseful, and the pacing on this was pretty well done. You feel Zara's anxiety and sadness jump off the pages. I thought this storyline was pretty engaging, and I loved how protective the MMC Ben was right from the getgo (albeit reluctantly at first). He is a big protective teddy bear (sorry sorry)
I've read pretty much all of Barden's books, and I have to say this is probably one of the best written ones. I liked how the romance and plot were woven together seamlessly without being heavy-handed. Nothing is better than furtive looks and yearning gazes to set up romantic chemistry. I feel like a lot of romance books skip this to their detriment, but I was pleased to see it so well done here. The spice was spicing (🔥🔥🔥), and the angst was delicious
"If I’m his, then he’s mine." 🥰🥰🥰
Overall, I thought this was an engaging read with a sweet romance. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest opinion, etc.
October 26, 2025
I loved being up in the mountains. It really felt isolated.
It was annoying not knowing any characters though.
Usually in these kind of series the author do write 2-3 sentences reminding the reader who’s who when they get introduced.
But here you would have had to have read all the other books first. Which isn’t fair since this is clearly a new series..
But anyway.
I have never read about a bear shifter staying in its bear body while being… overly friendly. That was new!!
I really liked both Zara and Ben! They are so cute together.
And I was so happy that this book didn’t have any 3rd act break up. I was waiting for it and was so pleased when they stayed together the whole book.
3/5 guess we’ll never know what happened to Amber.
It was annoying not knowing any characters though.
Usually in these kind of series the author do write 2-3 sentences reminding the reader who’s who when they get introduced.
But here you would have had to have read all the other books first. Which isn’t fair since this is clearly a new series..
But anyway.
I have never read about a bear shifter staying in its bear body while being… overly friendly. That was new!!
I really liked both Zara and Ben! They are so cute together.
And I was so happy that this book didn’t have any 3rd act break up. I was waiting for it and was so pleased when they stayed together the whole book.
3/5 guess we’ll never know what happened to Amber.
January 12, 2026
3.5✨
*sigh*, Ben, the man/bear you are…
I had fun with this!
But I have to say that sometimes I got a bit confused because who are all these people? And why are most of them Ben‘s siblings no one had ever mentioned before? When his sister showed up, I was so sure it was a trap because there had literally not been any mention of her before that.
Also: what about Amber??? Hello?? Where is my girl? How is there not a single (!) clue on that?? I thought we‘d have at least a little progress, even if she isn’t found (in this book…)
OH, and calling Ben‘s penis a “weapon“ during a sex scene and meaning it seriously is so freaking funny😭
*sigh*, Ben, the man/bear you are…
I had fun with this!
But I have to say that sometimes I got a bit confused because who are all these people? And why are most of them Ben‘s siblings no one had ever mentioned before? When his sister showed up, I was so sure it was a trap because there had literally not been any mention of her before that.
Also: what about Amber??? Hello?? Where is my girl? How is there not a single (!) clue on that?? I thought we‘d have at least a little progress, even if she isn’t found (in this book…)
OH, and calling Ben‘s penis a “weapon“ during a sex scene and meaning it seriously is so freaking funny😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2025
5 ⭐️ for the grumpy bear shifter!!
Zaras sister is missing, and she has now found herself with a stalker. Scared and running out of options for safety makes a call to a security company for help. She is relocated to a secure cabin in the woods where she meets the grumpy bear Ben. Only she is human and doesn't know about shifters, and that she is Ben's mate.
This is such a good book, and the way he kept her protected and the way she just accepted him!! Total swoon!!
Zaras sister is missing, and she has now found herself with a stalker. Scared and running out of options for safety makes a call to a security company for help. She is relocated to a secure cabin in the woods where she meets the grumpy bear Ben. Only she is human and doesn't know about shifters, and that she is Ben's mate.
This is such a good book, and the way he kept her protected and the way she just accepted him!! Total swoon!!
August 31, 2025
This series kicks off with Zara and Ben’s story and it’s filled with suspense, heat and a whole lot of intriguing new characters!
Ben embraces the grumpy mountain bear vibes and isn’t too pleased to be sharing his cabin hideaway with Zara. The mysteries in Xara’s life keep piling up, but hopefully with Lennox Security on the case, she’ll have answers soon (or maybe not 😉).
Ben embraces the grumpy mountain bear vibes and isn’t too pleased to be sharing his cabin hideaway with Zara. The mysteries in Xara’s life keep piling up, but hopefully with Lennox Security on the case, she’ll have answers soon (or maybe not 😉).
January 15, 2026
Despite the fact that Amber's disappearance is one of the main plot points there is no resolution. Like when they brought up her mate as the stalker I was like "Wait what" and I had to read the end because I could not believe that there is no resolution. Also they started saying Amber is dead but like how accurate is this moon madness thing cause Zara is like no she can't be dead and then immediately accepts that Amber is dead.
Outside of the massive gap that the author just left out, I didn't love Zara and Ben's relationship cause it felt like they had nothing in common, and I kept getting taken out of the romance cause why is she thinking about sex when her sister (her only living family) is missing/dead/who knows. Also also the third act breakup was like the most unnecessary thing and really only served to add another 75 pages that didn't change anything. The only way I would continue with any of the books in this series is if one of them is like Amber is actually alive cause I just want to know what happened.
Outside of the massive gap that the author just left out, I didn't love Zara and Ben's relationship cause it felt like they had nothing in common, and I kept getting taken out of the romance cause why is she thinking about sex when her sister (her only living family) is missing/dead/who knows. Also also the third act breakup was like the most unnecessary thing and really only served to add another 75 pages that didn't change anything. The only way I would continue with any of the books in this series is if one of them is like Amber is actually alive cause I just want to know what happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2025
Plot hole galore ☹️
October 19, 2025
Too many inconsistencies
I’ve read many of Reece Barden’s books, and while I particularly enjoyed the Grey Ridge series, her later offerings didn’t quite hit the mark. When I saw she had launched a new series, Bear Protector, I downloaded book one, Mated to the Mountain Bear, intrigued by the premise. Although the storytelling had promise, the execution ultimately let the book down.
Zara’s sister, Amber, disappeared three weeks before the story begins—coinciding with the emergence of a stalker targeting Zara. Things escalate when the stalker breaks into her apartment, forcing her to flee and seek help at a local diner. There, she contacts an investigative firm. Enter Beau Lennox, brother to the male main character (MMC). Beau takes on Zara’s case and drops her off at his brother Ben Lennox’s remote cabin for safekeeping while he investigates. Reclusive and initially resistant to company, Ben soon realizes Zara is his mate. Zara, in turn, is strongly attracted to Ben, but with the stalker threat looming, both understand their situation is temporary.
The book opens with a strong hook—the break-in at Zara’s apartment—and the later fight scene with the stalker adds a few suspenseful moments. Ben’s character arc, evolving from an antisocial grump to a devoted protector, was satisfying. Once he recognized Zara as his mate, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her happiness. However, several issues significantly detracted from my reading experience.
Despite decent storytelling, the book was riddled with inconsistencies and logic gaps. Characters’ attire, actions, presence, and dialogue shifted from one page to the next with little continuity. It felt as though the author had vivid scenes in mind but failed to translate them coherently to the page. For example, Ben is shirtless one moment, then removes his jacket to give to Zara because she’s cold. Jerry, the dog, runs from the window to the front door—only to somehow reappear at the window while barking from the door. There were far too many moments like these.
The chemistry between Ben and Zara felt forced, largely due to a series of contrived scenarios: Zara “accidentally” touching Ben, being stark naked in front of him, and even bringing herself to orgasm—loudly—within his hearing. These moments felt like a checklist of every possible sexual tension trope, bundled together without nuance or buildup.
As for Zara, I found her deeply unlikable. She had no discernible personality or motivation beyond her devotion to her sister, which was never explained. Her character came across as bland and one-dimensional. Much of the story revolved around her lusting after Ben, which read more as physical desperation than emotional connection. She also made several TSTL (Too Stupid To Live) decisions—turning on her phone after Beau explicitly warned her not to, wandering into the woods alone despite the stalker threat, and uttering baffling lines like “Including me?” when Ben mentioned a bear marking its territory. At that point, she didn’t even know about the shifter world. Later, she joins in teasing Ben with his brothers, despite having only spent a couple of awkward days with him. The familiarity felt out of place.
Ben, while appealing in his alpha protectiveness, remained underdeveloped. We’re told he built his cabin eight years ago and has lived there since—but what does he do for a living? Where does his income come from? Similarly, neither Ben nor Zara have any romantic history mentioned. Who were the people in their pasts?
Characters were introduced haphazardly, with the reader seemingly expected to know who they were. The backstory of the Lennox patriarch was alluded to but never explained. Zara accepted the shifter world far too easily and later seemed knowledgeable about it, despite no scenes showing her being educated on the subject—aside from the mating aspect. There was no reflection, no analysis, no attempt to understand what this new reality meant for her. She remained dull and superficial throughout. At one point, Ben reflects on a cozy moment with Zara curled up reading a book—but that scene never happened. And given the pacing, there was no room for it to have occurred off-page.
I wanted to DNF multiple times, but my curiosity about the stalker kept me going. Repetitive phrasing and a few editing issues further hampered the experience. Aside from the suspense elements, the book was largely boring. I’m rating this one a 2.
I’ve read many of Reece Barden’s books, and while I particularly enjoyed the Grey Ridge series, her later offerings didn’t quite hit the mark. When I saw she had launched a new series, Bear Protector, I downloaded book one, Mated to the Mountain Bear, intrigued by the premise. Although the storytelling had promise, the execution ultimately let the book down.
Zara’s sister, Amber, disappeared three weeks before the story begins—coinciding with the emergence of a stalker targeting Zara. Things escalate when the stalker breaks into her apartment, forcing her to flee and seek help at a local diner. There, she contacts an investigative firm. Enter Beau Lennox, brother to the male main character (MMC). Beau takes on Zara’s case and drops her off at his brother Ben Lennox’s remote cabin for safekeeping while he investigates. Reclusive and initially resistant to company, Ben soon realizes Zara is his mate. Zara, in turn, is strongly attracted to Ben, but with the stalker threat looming, both understand their situation is temporary.
The book opens with a strong hook—the break-in at Zara’s apartment—and the later fight scene with the stalker adds a few suspenseful moments. Ben’s character arc, evolving from an antisocial grump to a devoted protector, was satisfying. Once he recognized Zara as his mate, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her happiness. However, several issues significantly detracted from my reading experience.
Despite decent storytelling, the book was riddled with inconsistencies and logic gaps. Characters’ attire, actions, presence, and dialogue shifted from one page to the next with little continuity. It felt as though the author had vivid scenes in mind but failed to translate them coherently to the page. For example, Ben is shirtless one moment, then removes his jacket to give to Zara because she’s cold. Jerry, the dog, runs from the window to the front door—only to somehow reappear at the window while barking from the door. There were far too many moments like these.
The chemistry between Ben and Zara felt forced, largely due to a series of contrived scenarios: Zara “accidentally” touching Ben, being stark naked in front of him, and even bringing herself to orgasm—loudly—within his hearing. These moments felt like a checklist of every possible sexual tension trope, bundled together without nuance or buildup.
As for Zara, I found her deeply unlikable. She had no discernible personality or motivation beyond her devotion to her sister, which was never explained. Her character came across as bland and one-dimensional. Much of the story revolved around her lusting after Ben, which read more as physical desperation than emotional connection. She also made several TSTL (Too Stupid To Live) decisions—turning on her phone after Beau explicitly warned her not to, wandering into the woods alone despite the stalker threat, and uttering baffling lines like “Including me?” when Ben mentioned a bear marking its territory. At that point, she didn’t even know about the shifter world. Later, she joins in teasing Ben with his brothers, despite having only spent a couple of awkward days with him. The familiarity felt out of place.
Ben, while appealing in his alpha protectiveness, remained underdeveloped. We’re told he built his cabin eight years ago and has lived there since—but what does he do for a living? Where does his income come from? Similarly, neither Ben nor Zara have any romantic history mentioned. Who were the people in their pasts?
Characters were introduced haphazardly, with the reader seemingly expected to know who they were. The backstory of the Lennox patriarch was alluded to but never explained. Zara accepted the shifter world far too easily and later seemed knowledgeable about it, despite no scenes showing her being educated on the subject—aside from the mating aspect. There was no reflection, no analysis, no attempt to understand what this new reality meant for her. She remained dull and superficial throughout. At one point, Ben reflects on a cozy moment with Zara curled up reading a book—but that scene never happened. And given the pacing, there was no room for it to have occurred off-page.
I wanted to DNF multiple times, but my curiosity about the stalker kept me going. Repetitive phrasing and a few editing issues further hampered the experience. Aside from the suspense elements, the book was largely boring. I’m rating this one a 2.
December 28, 2025
3.7 I love the Grey Ridge shifters so I was glad to see this is a spin off of the Lennox bears. It’s a Bear clan who is trying to break free from their dad’s criminal past/bad reputation.
Yes, there were a few plot holes or missing info, but I would assume, like Grey Ridge, this series will fill in those details as more books are released. (Possible spoilers ahead)
This is a standalone, but it’s probably helpful if you’ve read the grey ridge and alpha games series.
The tension in the first few chapters was intense. h’s sister has been missing for 3 weeks. h now has a stalker who has just broken into her house. She has to escape him. The police have not been very helpful, but h has a phone number for a private security company. The security picks her up and takes her to a “safe” place.
That safe place happens to be Ben’s(H) house in the mountains. Ben is NOT happy about her being there. He’s an antisocial grump.
The MCs have an instant connection because they are mates. h doesn’t know that, yet. She doesn’t even know about shifters. I did like their connection, but I wish we could’ve seen more.
Ben has a dog, named Jerry. 😂 yes, Ben and Jerry. I loved Jerry.
So..for a couple of weeks, they both fight the attraction, but it’s mainly H.
Then the stalker arrives. It turns out to be a case of mistaken identity basically. The stalker is an alpha werewolf who got a glimpse of his fated mate, Amber (h’s missing sister) weeks ago. He’s is so out of his head that he think h is his mate because she smells/looks like Amber. (This is where the book lost me some)
There is NO DOUBT in my mind that Amber is still alive and will be a future book. It sounds too much like Hadley and her sisters from grey ridge. (Hadley was a human who mated with an alpha werewolf in book 1. She also had a stalker. And she had 2 sisters who later had books)
It also makes me wonder if at some point, we find out h and Amber are also some type of dormant shifters????? Since the “alpha games”’series (also a spin off of Grey Ridge) is still ongoing, I wonder how/if that’s going to tie into this series?
The big reveal on H being a bear shifter- the h’s reaction was strange. I felt letdown by this. It was the perfect opportunity to do something funny, but her whole reaction was basically 🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️
Anyway, there is minimal spice in this book. A few moments but no actual smex until close to the end. Usually this authors’ books are spicer, so I was a little surprised.
There is a “sort of” 3rd act separation at the end. h has to tie up loose ends in the city and H goes back to the mountains. It only lasted a few days. She comes back for good and he marks her. 🙃 Baby on the way.
I’m invested enough to see where this goes.
Yes, there were a few plot holes or missing info, but I would assume, like Grey Ridge, this series will fill in those details as more books are released. (Possible spoilers ahead)
This is a standalone, but it’s probably helpful if you’ve read the grey ridge and alpha games series.
The tension in the first few chapters was intense. h’s sister has been missing for 3 weeks. h now has a stalker who has just broken into her house. She has to escape him. The police have not been very helpful, but h has a phone number for a private security company. The security picks her up and takes her to a “safe” place.
That safe place happens to be Ben’s(H) house in the mountains. Ben is NOT happy about her being there. He’s an antisocial grump.
The MCs have an instant connection because they are mates. h doesn’t know that, yet. She doesn’t even know about shifters. I did like their connection, but I wish we could’ve seen more.
Ben has a dog, named Jerry. 😂 yes, Ben and Jerry. I loved Jerry.
So..for a couple of weeks, they both fight the attraction, but it’s mainly H.
Then the stalker arrives. It turns out to be a case of mistaken identity basically. The stalker is an alpha werewolf who got a glimpse of his fated mate, Amber (h’s missing sister) weeks ago. He’s is so out of his head that he think h is his mate because she smells/looks like Amber. (This is where the book lost me some)
There is NO DOUBT in my mind that Amber is still alive and will be a future book. It sounds too much like Hadley and her sisters from grey ridge. (Hadley was a human who mated with an alpha werewolf in book 1. She also had a stalker. And she had 2 sisters who later had books)
It also makes me wonder if at some point, we find out h and Amber are also some type of dormant shifters????? Since the “alpha games”’series (also a spin off of Grey Ridge) is still ongoing, I wonder how/if that’s going to tie into this series?
The big reveal on H being a bear shifter- the h’s reaction was strange. I felt letdown by this. It was the perfect opportunity to do something funny, but her whole reaction was basically 🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️
Anyway, there is minimal spice in this book. A few moments but no actual smex until close to the end. Usually this authors’ books are spicer, so I was a little surprised.
There is a “sort of” 3rd act separation at the end. h has to tie up loose ends in the city and H goes back to the mountains. It only lasted a few days. She comes back for good and he marks her. 🙃 Baby on the way.
I’m invested enough to see where this goes.
August 31, 2025
Was soll ich sagen, Reece Barden ist für mich einfach die Queen des Shifter Romance Genres und hat mich auch mit ihrem Bären Debüt wie immer überzeugt.
Ich war sehr gespannt, wie die Autorin die neue Reihe aufbauen und an welchem roten Faden sich die Bücher wohl orientieren würden, aber an die Security-Firmen von Beau und Chase (siehe „Shifters of Grey Ridge“ Reihe) hätte ich nie gedacht. Ich finde die Idee richtig gut und schon das erste Buch in dieser Reihe dient für mich als Beweis, dass hier noch einige richtig gute Stories und Überraschungen auf uns Leser warten werden.
Der Plot in diesem Buch wirkt relativ einfach, hält aber wesentlich mehr als er verspricht. Die Hauptprotagonistin Zara engagiert „Lennox Privat Security“ um ihrem Stalker zu entfliehen. Um Zara aus der Schusslinie zu bekommen bringt Beau sie kurzerhand bei seinem Bruder Ben unter, der tief in den Bergen lebt. Ben’s Bär ist sofort klar, dass Zara etwas ganz Besonderes für ihn ist, allerdings verkompliziert es natürlich die Situation, wenn die auserwählte Gefährtin ein Mensch ist und nichts von Shiftern, Schicksal und der Gefährtenbindung weiß. Die knisternde und emotionale Spannung, die sich dann kontinuierlich zwischen Zara und Ben aufgebaut hat, war auf jeden Fall nicht nur für die beiden, sondern auch für mich, kaum auszuhalten. Die restliche Storyline wurde dann total stimmig rund um die beiden aufgebaut und obwohl ich mit einem recht vorhersehbaren Verlauf der Geschichte gerechnet hatte, hat mich die Autorin dann doch mit der ein oder anderen unerwarteten Wendung positiv überrascht.
Reece Barden hat auch hier wieder mal zwei großartige und liebenswerte Charaktere geschaffen, die mich als Leser emotional total abgeholt haben. Am Ende hat die Story für meinen Geschmack leicht nachgelassen, weshalb es „nur“ 4 1/2 statt der vollen 5 Sterne von mir gibt. Ben als erster Bären-Shifter mit eigener Story hat auf jeden Fall großen Eindruck bei mir hinterlassen und ich denke, dass diese Reihe enormes Potential hat.
Ich war sehr gespannt, wie die Autorin die neue Reihe aufbauen und an welchem roten Faden sich die Bücher wohl orientieren würden, aber an die Security-Firmen von Beau und Chase (siehe „Shifters of Grey Ridge“ Reihe) hätte ich nie gedacht. Ich finde die Idee richtig gut und schon das erste Buch in dieser Reihe dient für mich als Beweis, dass hier noch einige richtig gute Stories und Überraschungen auf uns Leser warten werden.
Der Plot in diesem Buch wirkt relativ einfach, hält aber wesentlich mehr als er verspricht. Die Hauptprotagonistin Zara engagiert „Lennox Privat Security“ um ihrem Stalker zu entfliehen. Um Zara aus der Schusslinie zu bekommen bringt Beau sie kurzerhand bei seinem Bruder Ben unter, der tief in den Bergen lebt. Ben’s Bär ist sofort klar, dass Zara etwas ganz Besonderes für ihn ist, allerdings verkompliziert es natürlich die Situation, wenn die auserwählte Gefährtin ein Mensch ist und nichts von Shiftern, Schicksal und der Gefährtenbindung weiß. Die knisternde und emotionale Spannung, die sich dann kontinuierlich zwischen Zara und Ben aufgebaut hat, war auf jeden Fall nicht nur für die beiden, sondern auch für mich, kaum auszuhalten. Die restliche Storyline wurde dann total stimmig rund um die beiden aufgebaut und obwohl ich mit einem recht vorhersehbaren Verlauf der Geschichte gerechnet hatte, hat mich die Autorin dann doch mit der ein oder anderen unerwarteten Wendung positiv überrascht.
Reece Barden hat auch hier wieder mal zwei großartige und liebenswerte Charaktere geschaffen, die mich als Leser emotional total abgeholt haben. Am Ende hat die Story für meinen Geschmack leicht nachgelassen, weshalb es „nur“ 4 1/2 statt der vollen 5 Sterne von mir gibt. Ben als erster Bären-Shifter mit eigener Story hat auf jeden Fall großen Eindruck bei mir hinterlassen und ich denke, dass diese Reihe enormes Potential hat.
January 27, 2026
READ
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 3/5⭐
𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝖴𝗋𝖻𝖺𝗇 𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗌𝗒 / 𝖲𝗎𝗌𝗉𝖾𝗇𝗌𝖾
𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘: 𝖨𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗇𝖾𝖼𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝖲𝗍𝖺𝗇𝖽𝖺𝗅𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌
𝗔𝗚𝗘: 𝖭𝖾𝗐 𝖠𝖽𝗎𝗅𝗍
𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬: 🟡
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:
𝖢𝗈𝗇𝖼𝖾𝗉𝗍 𝗂𝖽𝖾𝖺: 4/𝟻 🤔
𝖯𝗅𝗈𝗍: 3/𝟻 📖
𝖶𝗈𝗋𝗅𝖽 𝖡𝗎𝗂𝗅𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀: 2/𝟻 🌎
𝖶𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀: 3/𝟻 📝
𝖯𝖺𝖼𝗂𝗇𝗀: 3/𝟻 ⏱
𝖫𝖾𝗇𝗀𝗍𝗁: 2/5 📏
𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌: 3/𝟻 👥
𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾: 2/𝟻 ❤️
𝖲𝗉𝗂𝖼𝖾: 2/𝟻 🔥
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦 / 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘:
🐺 𝖲𝗁𝗂𝖿𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌
🕵️ 𝖲𝗍𝖺𝗅𝗄𝖾𝗋
💖 𝖥𝖺𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝖬𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗌
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:
I did enjoy the story, but expected more action and suspense. The main mystery remained unresolved, and the stalker issue was too easily dealt with. It did leave me disappointed, and I wasn't fan of the third act issue (the focus should've been the stalker)
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬:
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝖶𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗆𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝖻𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖺𝗎𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗋? ✔️
𝖶𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗇𝖽? ✔️
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗧𝗪 / 𝗖𝗪:
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 3/5⭐
𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝖴𝗋𝖻𝖺𝗇 𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗌𝗒 / 𝖲𝗎𝗌𝗉𝖾𝗇𝗌𝖾
𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘: 𝖨𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗇𝖾𝖼𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝖲𝗍𝖺𝗇𝖽𝖺𝗅𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌
𝗔𝗚𝗘: 𝖭𝖾𝗐 𝖠𝖽𝗎𝗅𝗍
𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬: 🟡
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:
𝖢𝗈𝗇𝖼𝖾𝗉𝗍 𝗂𝖽𝖾𝖺: 4/𝟻 🤔
𝖯𝗅𝗈𝗍: 3/𝟻 📖
𝖶𝗈𝗋𝗅𝖽 𝖡𝗎𝗂𝗅𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀: 2/𝟻 🌎
𝖶𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀: 3/𝟻 📝
𝖯𝖺𝖼𝗂𝗇𝗀: 3/𝟻 ⏱
𝖫𝖾𝗇𝗀𝗍𝗁: 2/5 📏
𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌: 3/𝟻 👥
𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾: 2/𝟻 ❤️
𝖲𝗉𝗂𝖼𝖾: 2/𝟻 🔥
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦 / 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘:
🐺 𝖲𝗁𝗂𝖿𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌
🕵️ 𝖲𝗍𝖺𝗅𝗄𝖾𝗋
💖 𝖥𝖺𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝖬𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗌
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:
I did enjoy the story, but expected more action and suspense. The main mystery remained unresolved, and the stalker issue was too easily dealt with. It did leave me disappointed, and I wasn't fan of the third act issue (the focus should've been the stalker)
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬:
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝖶𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗆𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝖻𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖺𝗎𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗋? ✔️
𝖶𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗇𝖽? ✔️
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗧𝗪 / 𝗖𝗪:
August 26, 2025
An amazing start to a new series from Reece! I pretty much love everything that Reece writes and this is no exception.
This is Zara and Ben’s story. Zara is human and has no idea about the supernatural world, after her sister goes missing and she finds herself being stalked by someone, she turns to Lennox private security when the police don’t take her seriously and finds safety staying in the remote mountain lodge with grumpy recluse bear shifter Ben. Ben doesn’t like people and barely tolerates socialising with his family when suddenly his brother asks for his help to protect his latest client Zara. A mate was the last thing Ben was expecting to find but the longer Zara stays with him the more he comes to realise that’s exactly who she is to him, but before he can work out how to tell her about the supernatural world he needs to ensure her safety and that means finding her stalker and dealing with it.
I was hooked from the first page! Omg Ben is the grumpiest, surliest bear but behind all that he is caring, thoughtful and just so dreamy 😍 the story is very well written and paced, and the spice builds slowly but an alive is it steamy once they give in to their attraction to each other! 🥵
I loved the snippets of characters from previous books related (shifters of grey ridge - if you haven’t read them yet, go now they are amazing, some of the best shifter books you can find!) and I can’t wait for more to come in this series! This is a standalone book, but as mentioned some characters do pop up from some of Reece’s other books (seriously go now and read them!) but theres no need to read them before this one.
Now I’m off to go and find a way that I can move me to this mountain to find me a bear shifter ⛰️🐻😍 whilst everyone just needs to go and read this book and find their own mountain 😉
This is Zara and Ben’s story. Zara is human and has no idea about the supernatural world, after her sister goes missing and she finds herself being stalked by someone, she turns to Lennox private security when the police don’t take her seriously and finds safety staying in the remote mountain lodge with grumpy recluse bear shifter Ben. Ben doesn’t like people and barely tolerates socialising with his family when suddenly his brother asks for his help to protect his latest client Zara. A mate was the last thing Ben was expecting to find but the longer Zara stays with him the more he comes to realise that’s exactly who she is to him, but before he can work out how to tell her about the supernatural world he needs to ensure her safety and that means finding her stalker and dealing with it.
I was hooked from the first page! Omg Ben is the grumpiest, surliest bear but behind all that he is caring, thoughtful and just so dreamy 😍 the story is very well written and paced, and the spice builds slowly but an alive is it steamy once they give in to their attraction to each other! 🥵
I loved the snippets of characters from previous books related (shifters of grey ridge - if you haven’t read them yet, go now they are amazing, some of the best shifter books you can find!) and I can’t wait for more to come in this series! This is a standalone book, but as mentioned some characters do pop up from some of Reece’s other books (seriously go now and read them!) but theres no need to read them before this one.
Now I’m off to go and find a way that I can move me to this mountain to find me a bear shifter ⛰️🐻😍 whilst everyone just needs to go and read this book and find their own mountain 😉
August 30, 2025
🐻Bear Shifter MMC x Human FMC
🧡Forced Proximity
🐻Fated Mates
🧡Suspense
🐻Heroine in Peril
🧡Grumpy and Reluctant Hero
I’m a sucker for fated mates and if you add shifters into the mix? I’m sold. I’ve read one Reece Barden book and really enjoyed it, so I couldn’t pass up this opportunity ARC read a bear shifter x human romance.
Ben was a grumpy, brooding, loner by choice MMC who at the reluctantly agrees to “host” Zara while his brother investigates her stalker and her missing sister case. Ben’s bear fairly quickly realizes Zara is his mate but Ben is more hesitant to accept the truth. He does his best push her away and not let a connection form because she doesn’t know about the paranormal world and feels it would be too much on top of everything else she is dealing with. Despite being hurt and embarrassed by his resistance, Zara cannot fight the unexplainable pull she feels.
Mated to the Mountain Bear was a quick and easy read, i wouldn’t say it was a cozy read but it wasn’t full of overwhelming angst. I enjoyed the balance. I was in my feels reading this one, I felt Ben’s rejection and each time it hurt more. But when tension snaps and the danger and suspense come to a head i couldn’t stop reading. I was giddy and couldn’t help kicking my feet and swooning. The steamy moments worked well within the story. Despite resisting the pull of his mate, when Ben does give in he is an utter simp for Zara and even more protective. I loved his family and how they embraced and showed off for Zara and how she gave the Lennox me. Hope for finding their own mate. I am very excited to see what else this will bring!
________________________________________________
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
🧡Forced Proximity
🐻Fated Mates
🧡Suspense
🐻Heroine in Peril
🧡Grumpy and Reluctant Hero
I’m a sucker for fated mates and if you add shifters into the mix? I’m sold. I’ve read one Reece Barden book and really enjoyed it, so I couldn’t pass up this opportunity ARC read a bear shifter x human romance.
Ben was a grumpy, brooding, loner by choice MMC who at the reluctantly agrees to “host” Zara while his brother investigates her stalker and her missing sister case. Ben’s bear fairly quickly realizes Zara is his mate but Ben is more hesitant to accept the truth. He does his best push her away and not let a connection form because she doesn’t know about the paranormal world and feels it would be too much on top of everything else she is dealing with. Despite being hurt and embarrassed by his resistance, Zara cannot fight the unexplainable pull she feels.
Mated to the Mountain Bear was a quick and easy read, i wouldn’t say it was a cozy read but it wasn’t full of overwhelming angst. I enjoyed the balance. I was in my feels reading this one, I felt Ben’s rejection and each time it hurt more. But when tension snaps and the danger and suspense come to a head i couldn’t stop reading. I was giddy and couldn’t help kicking my feet and swooning. The steamy moments worked well within the story. Despite resisting the pull of his mate, when Ben does give in he is an utter simp for Zara and even more protective. I loved his family and how they embraced and showed off for Zara and how she gave the Lennox me. Hope for finding their own mate. I am very excited to see what else this will bring!
________________________________________________
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 15, 2025
Fated to the Mountain Bear
This is a standalone book and the first in Reece Barden’s new Bear Protector Series. It tells the story of Zara, a human with a stalker on her trail, and Ben Lennox, the grumpiest, most solitary of the Lennox Family of bears.
The story begins with Zara racing for her life after her apartment has been broken into. The police are already investigating her sister’s disappearance when Zara calls in Beau Lennox to protect her from a seemingly similar fate. Beau deposits Zara at a remote mountain cabin and pleads with his reluctant and reclusive brother to protect his new client.
Ben is grumpy and disillusioned and wants no part of the Lennox family business, but has a protective streak a mile wide and finally agrees to provide a sanctuary for Zara.
Isolated and without outside communication they are thrown together and it doesn’t take long before Ben realises he had found his mate in the scared but sassy girl he is supposed to protect. Zara is fun and brings the sunshine to Bens grumpy life and sparks fly.
When the pair are faced with the arrival of Zara’s stalker, Ben is forced to reveal his bear. The shock is enough to send Zara running if it weren’t for the stalker beating down the door. Ben does what he does best - protect. Zara and he acknowledge they are fated mates. They face challenges but ultimately this story has a HEA.
Overall, this was a really entertaining read, achieving a balance between romance, spice and a good background story, with likeable characters and plenty of groundwork laid for the next book (or two). It was nice to have brief references to characters we’ve seen before in Reece’s other series, and I will definitely be preordering the next book asap.
I received an ARC copy and this is my honest review.
This is a standalone book and the first in Reece Barden’s new Bear Protector Series. It tells the story of Zara, a human with a stalker on her trail, and Ben Lennox, the grumpiest, most solitary of the Lennox Family of bears.
The story begins with Zara racing for her life after her apartment has been broken into. The police are already investigating her sister’s disappearance when Zara calls in Beau Lennox to protect her from a seemingly similar fate. Beau deposits Zara at a remote mountain cabin and pleads with his reluctant and reclusive brother to protect his new client.
Ben is grumpy and disillusioned and wants no part of the Lennox family business, but has a protective streak a mile wide and finally agrees to provide a sanctuary for Zara.
Isolated and without outside communication they are thrown together and it doesn’t take long before Ben realises he had found his mate in the scared but sassy girl he is supposed to protect. Zara is fun and brings the sunshine to Bens grumpy life and sparks fly.
When the pair are faced with the arrival of Zara’s stalker, Ben is forced to reveal his bear. The shock is enough to send Zara running if it weren’t for the stalker beating down the door. Ben does what he does best - protect. Zara and he acknowledge they are fated mates. They face challenges but ultimately this story has a HEA.
Overall, this was a really entertaining read, achieving a balance between romance, spice and a good background story, with likeable characters and plenty of groundwork laid for the next book (or two). It was nice to have brief references to characters we’ve seen before in Reece’s other series, and I will definitely be preordering the next book asap.
I received an ARC copy and this is my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2025
Excellent start to a new series! Hot shifters, touch her and perish vibes, one bed, forced proximity, a cute and fluffy dog, it's all here in this book!
This book follows Ben and Zara. Zara has a stalker, and she needs protection while the security team tries to find him and stop him. The team of brothers (Lennox Security) has a brother, Ben, who lives in a remote mountain cabin, perfect for hiding Zara until she is safe. Ben is more then reluctant. He does not want his peaceful life interrupted. Oh, and he is also a bear shifter, which Zara knows nothing about. But he agrees because there is something about the stranded, hurting woman that gets to him. As they spend more and more time together, just the two of them, Ben becomes aware that she is his mate, and that he will do anything to protect her. Zara herself is struggling with the devastation of a missing sister, a stalker, and no WiFi. She is drawn to Ben, he is hot and massive, but she doesn't want to disrupt his life with hers, it's a mess.
There is a lot of great, steamy tension in this book and when we finally get to the good stuff, whoo, it's hot! We really feel like we are in the mountains, with the beauty and serenity. Her writing is wonderful, in that we really feel not only the scenery and the stage, but also the emotions and the feelings of our characters. All the brothers are big, massive teddy bears who love family and will do anything for each other. We also get little glimpses into their stories as their characters unfold.
I am so excited for the next book in this series! This is going to be another great run by Reece!! 4.5 stars!
This book follows Ben and Zara. Zara has a stalker, and she needs protection while the security team tries to find him and stop him. The team of brothers (Lennox Security) has a brother, Ben, who lives in a remote mountain cabin, perfect for hiding Zara until she is safe. Ben is more then reluctant. He does not want his peaceful life interrupted. Oh, and he is also a bear shifter, which Zara knows nothing about. But he agrees because there is something about the stranded, hurting woman that gets to him. As they spend more and more time together, just the two of them, Ben becomes aware that she is his mate, and that he will do anything to protect her. Zara herself is struggling with the devastation of a missing sister, a stalker, and no WiFi. She is drawn to Ben, he is hot and massive, but she doesn't want to disrupt his life with hers, it's a mess.
There is a lot of great, steamy tension in this book and when we finally get to the good stuff, whoo, it's hot! We really feel like we are in the mountains, with the beauty and serenity. Her writing is wonderful, in that we really feel not only the scenery and the stage, but also the emotions and the feelings of our characters. All the brothers are big, massive teddy bears who love family and will do anything for each other. We also get little glimpses into their stories as their characters unfold.
I am so excited for the next book in this series! This is going to be another great run by Reece!! 4.5 stars!
August 29, 2025
Brand new series and I am already ready for book 2!
If you are looking for a book with fated mates, forced proximity and of course touch her and die energy, this is the one for you!
This was an amazing spin off from Grey Ridge and of course all the Lennox Brothers show up. I LOVE them!!!
Zara (FMC), being stalked by the same man she believes took her sister, unable to give up hope she is alive, she continues to hound the police. One night, the stalker crosses a line and Zara’s life is put in danger. With no other option, she calls a private security company to help with her safety and look for the man who is stalking her.
Ben (MMC), being dragged into the security business by his brother, he is the “safe house” and guard for Zara. Unable to say no and turn her away when he catches the scent of her fear and her appearance. He steps up to help.
Both characters are use to their own space and routine. Being stuck in a small one bedroom cabin helps build the sexual tension between them. It’s a slow burn but the attraction is definitely there. I loved that he fell first and fell hard. He is grumpy to her sunshine, which is absolutely adorable!
This book had a nice twist towards the end regarding Zara’s sister and stalker. I am interested to see if anything happens with that aspect of the story. This book had been laughing one second and then holding my breath the next. Reece Barden has a wonderful way of weaving authentic emotions into the story without taking the reader too far from the plot.
Thank you for letting me ARC this book ahead of time, absolutely loved it!! 🥰
If you are looking for a book with fated mates, forced proximity and of course touch her and die energy, this is the one for you!
This was an amazing spin off from Grey Ridge and of course all the Lennox Brothers show up. I LOVE them!!!
Zara (FMC), being stalked by the same man she believes took her sister, unable to give up hope she is alive, she continues to hound the police. One night, the stalker crosses a line and Zara’s life is put in danger. With no other option, she calls a private security company to help with her safety and look for the man who is stalking her.
Ben (MMC), being dragged into the security business by his brother, he is the “safe house” and guard for Zara. Unable to say no and turn her away when he catches the scent of her fear and her appearance. He steps up to help.
Both characters are use to their own space and routine. Being stuck in a small one bedroom cabin helps build the sexual tension between them. It’s a slow burn but the attraction is definitely there. I loved that he fell first and fell hard. He is grumpy to her sunshine, which is absolutely adorable!
This book had a nice twist towards the end regarding Zara’s sister and stalker. I am interested to see if anything happens with that aspect of the story. This book had been laughing one second and then holding my breath the next. Reece Barden has a wonderful way of weaving authentic emotions into the story without taking the reader too far from the plot.
Thank you for letting me ARC this book ahead of time, absolutely loved it!! 🥰
September 1, 2025
Zara's sister has been missing for a few weeks and now someone is stalking Zara. When she realizes that someone's in her apartment, she runs but not before she spots a dark outline of a man in her window who tells her not to run. After running into a diner and asking for help, the two police officers who are there check out her apartment but can find no signs that anyone was there. No one believes her once again. So she calls Lennox Private Security, a phone number someone gave her and told her might be able to keep her safe and he comes to get her within a few minutes.
Beau picks her up and decides to take her her to his brothers cabin in the woods where he knows she'll be safe while he can look into the stalker. When Beau gets to Ben's cabin, Ben is not happy, he's a loner but he agrees to let Zara stay with him for a few days while his brothers work her case.
Ben's cabin is out in the middle of the woods, no TV, no Wi-fi and no cell service. So they just have each other to keep them company. The sexual tension between these two was off the charts especially once Ben realizes that Zara is his mate. Ben is a Bear shifter and Zara is a human who knows nothing about shifters. So he doesn't think that it could possibly work between them so even though he wants her, he keeps his distance and she tries to even though she's completely infatuated with him.
When Zara's stalker doesn't stop looking for her there's a huge twist about him. Oh what a good twist, sad though. I won't say more about that. You'll just have to read this one to find out more.
Disclosure: I was given an ARC copy of this book via the author but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Beau picks her up and decides to take her her to his brothers cabin in the woods where he knows she'll be safe while he can look into the stalker. When Beau gets to Ben's cabin, Ben is not happy, he's a loner but he agrees to let Zara stay with him for a few days while his brothers work her case.
Ben's cabin is out in the middle of the woods, no TV, no Wi-fi and no cell service. So they just have each other to keep them company. The sexual tension between these two was off the charts especially once Ben realizes that Zara is his mate. Ben is a Bear shifter and Zara is a human who knows nothing about shifters. So he doesn't think that it could possibly work between them so even though he wants her, he keeps his distance and she tries to even though she's completely infatuated with him.
When Zara's stalker doesn't stop looking for her there's a huge twist about him. Oh what a good twist, sad though. I won't say more about that. You'll just have to read this one to find out more.
Disclosure: I was given an ARC copy of this book via the author but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 27, 2025
"This is what being mates mean. It means you're it for me. First thing I think about when I wake up, last thing before I sleep... It means knowing you're mine, whether we're here or in the city. Means my bear will always know where you are. Will always find you. We're obsessed with making you happy."
4 stars
This quote is the perfect example of why I love this genre--obsessed, protective mates who will do anything for you. Where do I sign up for a shifter mate of my own?? Sighhh. Ben was the perfect grumpy yet obsessed mate; he didn't understand Zara's sunshine personality or her constant need to fill the silence but was inexplicably drawn to her with a need to protect her against her stalker. Zara was equally bemused by Ben's quiet and solitary nature, but she quickly came to cherish how safe and beautiful he made her feel. The middle was a little slow and repetitive for me, but the second half was thrilling and sexy as Ben and Zara finally explored their attraction surrounded by outside threats. I loved the dynamic between all of the Lennox brothers and cannot wait for their stories🖤
Tropes: fated mates, grumpy/sunshine, obsessed loner hero, heroine-in-danger, touch her and die, forced proximity, reluctant bodyguard, she's hiding from her stalker, mutual pining, found family, slow burn, STEAMY🔥
*ARC provided by the author, and I voluntarily reviewed it*
January 15, 2026
While a good story that kept me locked in, the inconsistencies and the way time was kind of funky threw me off a little too frequently for my liking.
Spoilers ahead, beware...
The random addition of more siblings... like how many siblings does Ben have?! We heard nothing of a sister until the very end then all of a sudden she's buddy buddy with Zara who knew nothing of her it seemed before she showed up at her door. But wouldn't Zara be skeptical after Ben told her some of his family are still not out of what his father started...?! It just doesn't make sense.
The ending... I was looking for a standalone, HEA shifter romance. The description for this book, in both the Kindle store and Goodreads has at the end of the description a note that this book is a standalone with a guaranteed HEA and no cliffhanger.
I'd say the still missing sister, that was seemingly a major plot point since it was pretty constantly mentioned and was the whole "why" behind the stalking, not being found is a cliffhanger. And as a sister, I'd not consider my life an HEA if my sister's still missing.
A more accurate note would include that this book is not a standalone, does have a cliffhanger, and has a sort of HEA if you're only considering a romantic relationship in what constitutes a HEA.
If it didn't feel like I had been lied to and tricked into reading it with false advertising I probably wouldn't be so annoyed right now.
Spoilers ahead, beware...
The random addition of more siblings... like how many siblings does Ben have?! We heard nothing of a sister until the very end then all of a sudden she's buddy buddy with Zara who knew nothing of her it seemed before she showed up at her door. But wouldn't Zara be skeptical after Ben told her some of his family are still not out of what his father started...?! It just doesn't make sense.
The ending... I was looking for a standalone, HEA shifter romance. The description for this book, in both the Kindle store and Goodreads has at the end of the description a note that this book is a standalone with a guaranteed HEA and no cliffhanger.
I'd say the still missing sister, that was seemingly a major plot point since it was pretty constantly mentioned and was the whole "why" behind the stalking, not being found is a cliffhanger. And as a sister, I'd not consider my life an HEA if my sister's still missing.
A more accurate note would include that this book is not a standalone, does have a cliffhanger, and has a sort of HEA if you're only considering a romantic relationship in what constitutes a HEA.
If it didn't feel like I had been lied to and tricked into reading it with false advertising I probably wouldn't be so annoyed right now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2025
I love pretty much everything Reece wrights and this book was no different!
We find ourselves diving feet first into the story of Zara as she tries to escape her stalker and contacts the Lennox security team for help. Lennox brothers show up and realize she needs protection, take her into the mountains to stay with their brother Ben in his secluded mountain cabin. As fate would have it this distressed human woman is Ben's fated mate and he will do whatever it takes to make sure she is safe, and his.
This story did not have a ramp up, it really just takes off in chapter one and does not slow down till your near the end of the book. These two have pretty much an instant attraction, and out of all the humans fated to be mated to a shifter I will say Zara takes it really well. I love how Ben just becomes a soft teddy bear when she is around and that Ben helps make Zara feel safe and seen and fully cared for, which she really felt was missing in her life.
This book was also a contradiction between the soft and caring relationship these two develop to the absolutely steamy and spicy scenes that happen as they decide they are end game. You will not be disappointed in this book for sure!
Thank you Reece for letting me read this book early, it was so so good!
We find ourselves diving feet first into the story of Zara as she tries to escape her stalker and contacts the Lennox security team for help. Lennox brothers show up and realize she needs protection, take her into the mountains to stay with their brother Ben in his secluded mountain cabin. As fate would have it this distressed human woman is Ben's fated mate and he will do whatever it takes to make sure she is safe, and his.
This story did not have a ramp up, it really just takes off in chapter one and does not slow down till your near the end of the book. These two have pretty much an instant attraction, and out of all the humans fated to be mated to a shifter I will say Zara takes it really well. I love how Ben just becomes a soft teddy bear when she is around and that Ben helps make Zara feel safe and seen and fully cared for, which she really felt was missing in her life.
This book was also a contradiction between the soft and caring relationship these two develop to the absolutely steamy and spicy scenes that happen as they decide they are end game. You will not be disappointed in this book for sure!
Thank you Reece for letting me read this book early, it was so so good!
August 31, 2025
I started with Reece all the way back in Grey Ridge with her original series Shifter of Grey Ridge and keep following along as she keeps expanding her world of shifters and amazing characters and I don't plan to stop.
Ben and Zara's story will keep you HOOKED from start to finish. These bears fight for their mates just as much as the wolves do. Is it an easy ride for our characters? Of course it's not! We have a missing sister, a stalker, and grumpy bears. What's not to love about an action-packed spicy read?
Zara is a our FMC who is being stalked and looking for her missing sister. As a stalker gets bolder and bolder, she decides she needs to call in for help from the security company several Lennoxs work for. Ben, our MMC, is a solitary mountain man who's not just any normal man since he is actually bear shifter. He's not happy when his brother drops off the human for protection from her stalker. Ben wants no part in it....until he does. And we forget our super protective pet huskie Jerry either, he is such a good boy! Yes, even bears have pets and Jerry is the best good boy!
Thank you, Reece, for letting me ARC this addition to your world! I absolutely loved it from beginning to end!
Ben and Zara's story will keep you HOOKED from start to finish. These bears fight for their mates just as much as the wolves do. Is it an easy ride for our characters? Of course it's not! We have a missing sister, a stalker, and grumpy bears. What's not to love about an action-packed spicy read?
Zara is a our FMC who is being stalked and looking for her missing sister. As a stalker gets bolder and bolder, she decides she needs to call in for help from the security company several Lennoxs work for. Ben, our MMC, is a solitary mountain man who's not just any normal man since he is actually bear shifter. He's not happy when his brother drops off the human for protection from her stalker. Ben wants no part in it....until he does. And we forget our super protective pet huskie Jerry either, he is such a good boy! Yes, even bears have pets and Jerry is the best good boy!
Thank you, Reece, for letting me ARC this addition to your world! I absolutely loved it from beginning to end!
September 13, 2025
If you are a fan of a Shifter Romance with GROWLS, Grumpy x Sunshine, Forced Proximity, Touch Her and 💀, Reluctant Protector, Found Family and so much more, then do I have a rec for you!
Mated to the Mountain Bear is Book 1 in the new Bear Protectors series from @reecebarden Available Now!
After the threat of a stalker and Zara’s sister missing, she is reluctantly taken to a cabin in the middle of nowhere by Beau who insists his brother Ben will take care of her even if he is a grumpy man while he investigates.
Ben is our grumpy bear shifter who wants nothing to do with people when Zara is thrust into his life but the more he is around her, the more his bear recognizes she is his.
These two immediately are attracted to each other but try to deny their feelings until they no longer can. When the threat tracks Zara down Ben will stop at nothing to protect her even if he has to show her his animal side.
I loved Ben’s protectiveness of Zara and seeing her anxious side of being cooped up but also the guilt of her sister’s disappearance. Ben doesn’t want to force anything on Zara but when she finally snaps all bets are off.
I am excited to see what happens in the next story with one of Ben’s brothers!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Mated to the Mountain Bear is Book 1 in the new Bear Protectors series from @reecebarden Available Now!
After the threat of a stalker and Zara’s sister missing, she is reluctantly taken to a cabin in the middle of nowhere by Beau who insists his brother Ben will take care of her even if he is a grumpy man while he investigates.
Ben is our grumpy bear shifter who wants nothing to do with people when Zara is thrust into his life but the more he is around her, the more his bear recognizes she is his.
These two immediately are attracted to each other but try to deny their feelings until they no longer can. When the threat tracks Zara down Ben will stop at nothing to protect her even if he has to show her his animal side.
I loved Ben’s protectiveness of Zara and seeing her anxious side of being cooped up but also the guilt of her sister’s disappearance. Ben doesn’t want to force anything on Zara but when she finally snaps all bets are off.
I am excited to see what happens in the next story with one of Ben’s brothers!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
September 2, 2025
I really like it!!
H: Ben Lennox
h: Zara Reeves
Zara's sister, a famous actress, disappeared, leaving her completely broken trying to pick up the pieces and also a stalker that just can't leave her alone. He is in her apartment she shared with her sister and she hears him trying to barge in her locked bedroom. She was able to get away by jumping out her bedroom window and ran to a cafe where cops normally hang around. She finally gets there and she feels that the cops don't believe her so she decides to call Beue from Lennox Private Security who was referred by the female cop/detective (Lisa Harris). She called him and he immediately took him to his brother's Ben's house , since he lives in the mountains he feels she will be safe there. The story is not bad at all. It was repetitive where Ben's bear recognized her as his mate but he (Ben) doesn't want to accept it. He actually talks to her about it probably after 50% of the story (which is dumb) . I think this story is a great read and I can't wait to read the next one. One thing I didn't like is the fact that we really don't know what happens with her sister (Amber) .There is no closure when it comes to her.
H: Ben Lennox
h: Zara Reeves
Zara's sister, a famous actress, disappeared, leaving her completely broken trying to pick up the pieces and also a stalker that just can't leave her alone. He is in her apartment she shared with her sister and she hears him trying to barge in her locked bedroom. She was able to get away by jumping out her bedroom window and ran to a cafe where cops normally hang around. She finally gets there and she feels that the cops don't believe her so she decides to call Beue from Lennox Private Security who was referred by the female cop/detective (Lisa Harris). She called him and he immediately took him to his brother's Ben's house , since he lives in the mountains he feels she will be safe there. The story is not bad at all. It was repetitive where Ben's bear recognized her as his mate but he (Ben) doesn't want to accept it. He actually talks to her about it probably after 50% of the story (which is dumb) . I think this story is a great read and I can't wait to read the next one. One thing I didn't like is the fact that we really don't know what happens with her sister (Amber) .There is no closure when it comes to her.
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