Stout Bear

by Scarlett Grove

This ugly duckling is about to discover her bear-sized destiny.Max Bock pours his heart and soul into Fate Mountain Brewery, safeguarding his family's legacy and crafting beers that keep the town buzzing. He’s steadfast, responsible, and ready for love. When a dating app for shifters finally pairs him with his perfect match, Max can't wait to meet her—until she abruptly deletes her profile, vanishing from his life before it even begins.

Laney Collins, an environmental scientist, has always felt like an outsider—half-fox shifter, never quite belonging in either the human or shifter world. Haunted by insecurity and fearful of rejection, she withdraws from Max before their relationship can start. When her research reveals dangerous contamination threatening Fate Mountain Brewery’s water supply, she must face Max—and her deepest fears.

Determined not to lose his mate a second time, Max will do whatever it takes to win Laney’s trust. But as the sabotage at the brewery escalates, Laney’s insecurities might drive her away again—this time, forever. Can Max protect the business and community he loves, convince Laney to believe in their bond, and finally claim the mate who’s stolen his heart?

233 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2025

About the author

Scarlett Grove is a USA Today Bestselling Paranormal and Science Fiction Romance Author. Scarlett started publishing her adventurous, sexy stories in 2014 and now has dozens of titles spanning multiple worlds.

Her Best Selling Series Include:
Fate Mountain Shifters
Braving Darkness
Draconians and Elemental Dragons
The White Queen

She is currently obsessed with reverse harems, all things paranormal, and super steamy space operas.

Sign up for her mailing list at:
http://eepurl.com/bURRZz

www.scarlettgrove.com

Reviews

[Laure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laney Collins is an environmental scientist and has recently moved to Fate Mountain to work at the Bright Insitute. Max Bock has taken over running his family business, the Fate Mountain Brewery, and with the annual festival quickly approaching he is determined to prove himself by making this the brewery’s best year ever. Unfortunately, Laney will uncover dangerous levels of contamination in the brewery’s water supply.
I loved these characters. Laney a fox shifter was always made to feel like and outsider, ever by her own family, is stunned to discover her fated mate is Max Bock and is afraid that he could never accept someone like her. Max knows he couldn’t love anyone but Laney and is determined to prove it to her. A little suspense, plenty of steam, a surprise twist or two in the plot, and a happily ever after. I loved this book!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC received from the author.

[Jamoz23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max is an idiot, his arrogance was obnoxious and put me off him. He may be in charge overall, but it is a family run business.
Making expensive executive decisions without discussing it first is wrong.
But he then compounds it by lying and hinting that Laney okayed the decision.
Liked Laney’s brains and expertise but her insecurities were annoying.
When it all goes wrong she wants to run again, rather than fight for what she knows is truth.
Don’t think much of her family, especially her father. Glad she outgrew needing their approval.
Their romance was bumpy but okay, though it felt slow. Nice ending though.
We still have an ongoing back story, which, to be truthful, I’m not interested in.
I also wonder if the brewery could claim back the huge amount of money they paid Bioclean?
Read through KU.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another exciting addition to the series and I loved following Max and Laney to their HEA. He has such a burden on his shoulders, handling the family business, and Laney, well, she wants to be seen and to save the water supply. With Fate Mountain and mate.com, you know they'll get their happy ending but the journey wasn't easy. And the mystery of who is behind the sabotage continues. I'm looking forward to the next book to see how it continues to unfold. Good fun!

[Janet Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laney and Max

I'm very happy to be back on Fate Mountain. The Bock family is upstanding, community oriented and my favorite shifter...bears! Something is poisoning the community's water supply and Laney is determined to discover how and why. Max is her fated mate. Together they will bond over the need to save Fate Mountain. Enjoy!

[Trixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am glad that our FMC grew from an insecure, half-shifter to a confident and brilliant scientist. I guess that is what love does. The MMC was not perfect, he was like every one of us who makes mistakes. But what I liked most about him is his dedication and love for his mate.

[Sharon Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

Max has taken over the brewery from his parents & is planning the beer festival but something is wrong with their brew. Laney is a scientist who is looking into the water in the area!

[Stacy Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max is in charge of the family business.
He's doing all he can with his siblings to keep
the family legacy going.
This book has mystery, sabotage and suspense.
Definitely would recommend reading.
I was given a copy and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Cynthia Siermienski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stout Bear (Return To Fate Mountain Book 3)

Wonderful story. It was sad about how her family treated her. The way she felt like she didn't belong or was so different from her family was heart wrenching.

[Joanne Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

omg

This, the third book was so very good. The twist and turns the drama and the love was something delightful to read lies and truth were the drama through this gripping story about Fate Mountain. Hope the series continues want to read more from Scarlett Grove

[Nancy Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful book

We all want to be accepted and that is what this story brings out in the characters. I hope others read this book.

[Sandy Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belonging

The validation of the heroine was needed for her insecurities to be reconciled,but her mate's acceptance was the key issue.

[Wanda Grier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read🐻

This is the second book📚 from this series. It was filled with family, friendship, loyalty, romance and love❤. I await the next book!

[MARIE-CLAIRE DEBONVILLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you

[Mary B. Rezaiekhaligh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and Spicy

This book was both. It has mystery and love. The characters were vivid as was the description of the spaces and people. A wonderful read !!!

[Tena Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

😊

I loved the story. I loved finding this author and series. I'm off to start this series from the beginning

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

We visit Fate Mountain and another match mafe through mate.com. It's a reluctant start as the water supply to Fate Mountain seems to be altered. As our two lovebirds do their best to find the truth, their path to each other isn't an easy one either.
But it is Fate Mountain after all...