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Forestville Silver Foxes #6
Befriending the Bear
Some fires you fight, some you let burn. With Calloway, all I want to do is feed the flames.
After thirty years as a firefighter and smokejumper, I’ve been forced into retirement by my injuries. Settling in Forestville was an easy decision, but what comes next? I have no clue who I am outside of my job.
When I meet Calloway, I recognize a kindred spirit. He’s hurting too, though for very different reasons. I wanna hug him, help him, hold him…and kiss the living daylights out of him because, god, he’s gorgeous.
But Calloway has created firebreaks around himself that are a bigger challenge than any burn I’ve ever faced. It’s gonna take time to convince him I’ll be a good friend…and an even better lover.
I've jumped out of planes into thousand-acre fires. Falling for Calloway? That's the scariest thing I've ever done. And I'm doing it without a parachute.
Befriending the Bear is a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers MM romance between two older guys who find comfort with each other. This gay romance novel is the sixth book in the Forestville Silver Foxes series, a contemporary small town MM romance series featuring hot silver foxes and the men who fall in love with them. Each book can be read as a standalone.
After thirty years as a firefighter and smokejumper, I’ve been forced into retirement by my injuries. Settling in Forestville was an easy decision, but what comes next? I have no clue who I am outside of my job.
When I meet Calloway, I recognize a kindred spirit. He’s hurting too, though for very different reasons. I wanna hug him, help him, hold him…and kiss the living daylights out of him because, god, he’s gorgeous.
But Calloway has created firebreaks around himself that are a bigger challenge than any burn I’ve ever faced. It’s gonna take time to convince him I’ll be a good friend…and an even better lover.
I've jumped out of planes into thousand-acre fires. Falling for Calloway? That's the scariest thing I've ever done. And I'm doing it without a parachute.
Befriending the Bear is a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers MM romance between two older guys who find comfort with each other. This gay romance novel is the sixth book in the Forestville Silver Foxes series, a contemporary small town MM romance series featuring hot silver foxes and the men who fall in love with them. Each book can be read as a standalone.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2025
227 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Nora Phoenix
127 books2,217 followersWould you like the long or the short version of my bio?
The short? You got it.
I write steamy gay romance books and I love it. I also love reading books. Books are everything.
How was that?
A little more detail? Gotcha.
I started writing my first stories when I was a teen…on a freaking typewriter. I still have these, and they’re adorably romantic. And bad, haha. Fear of failing kept me from following my dream to become a romance author, so you can imagine how proud and ecstatic I am that I finally overcame my fears and self doubt and did it. I adore my genre because I love writing and reading about flawed, strong men who are just a tad broken..but find their happy ever after anyway.
My favorite books to read are pretty much all MM/gay romances as long as it has a happy end. Kink is a plus… Aside from that, I also read a lot of nonfiction and not just books on writing. Popular psychology is a favorite topic of mine and so are self help and sociology.
Hobbies? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Just kidding. I love traveling, spending time near the ocean, and hiking. But I love books more.
Come hang out with me in my Facebook Group Nora’s Nook where I share previews, sneak peeks, freebies, fun stuff, and much more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/noras...
Wanna get first dibs on freebies, updates, sales, and more? Sign up for my newsletter (no spamming your inbox full…promise!) here: http://www.noraphoenix.com/newsletter/
You can also stalk me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoraFromBHR
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nora.phoenix/
On Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nora-...
The short? You got it.
I write steamy gay romance books and I love it. I also love reading books. Books are everything.
How was that?
A little more detail? Gotcha.
I started writing my first stories when I was a teen…on a freaking typewriter. I still have these, and they’re adorably romantic. And bad, haha. Fear of failing kept me from following my dream to become a romance author, so you can imagine how proud and ecstatic I am that I finally overcame my fears and self doubt and did it. I adore my genre because I love writing and reading about flawed, strong men who are just a tad broken..but find their happy ever after anyway.
My favorite books to read are pretty much all MM/gay romances as long as it has a happy end. Kink is a plus… Aside from that, I also read a lot of nonfiction and not just books on writing. Popular psychology is a favorite topic of mine and so are self help and sociology.
Hobbies? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Just kidding. I love traveling, spending time near the ocean, and hiking. But I love books more.
Come hang out with me in my Facebook Group Nora’s Nook where I share previews, sneak peeks, freebies, fun stuff, and much more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/noras...
Wanna get first dibs on freebies, updates, sales, and more? Sign up for my newsletter (no spamming your inbox full…promise!) here: http://www.noraphoenix.com/newsletter/
You can also stalk me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoraFromBHR
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nora.phoenix/
On Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nora-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
January 25, 2026
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS: Death of a spouse
Some fires you fight, some you let burn. With Calloway, all I want to do is feed the flames. After thirty years as a firefighter and smokejumper, I’ve been forced into retirement by my injuries. Settling in Forestville was an easy decision, but what comes next? I have no clue who I am outside of my job. When I meet Calloway, I recognize a kindred spirit. He’s hurting too, though for very different reasons. I want to hug him, to help him, to hold him…and to kiss the living daylights out of him because, he is gorgeous. But Calloway has created firebreaks around himself that are a bigger challenge than any burn I’ve ever faced. It’s going to take time to convince him I’ll be a good friend…and an even better lover. I've jumped out of planes into thousand-acre fires. Falling for Calloway? That's the scariest thing I've ever done. And I'm doing it without a parachute.
Fraser Strickland is new to town. He has relocated to Forestville, Washington after his latest injury. It had been 30 years ago after his being a firefighter and smokejumper. He was unable to continue doing what he loved and was forced into retirement. When a chance meeting with Calloway, after literally running into each other in the parking lot, he knew that he wanted to know this gorgeous man that he recognizes as not only a poetry enthusiast but also a hurting and kindred spirit.
Calloway Gilstrap is extremely guarded and elusive. Calloway has been dealing with his husband’s sudden death for over seven years. The grief of the former New York City librarian not being home when Marcus suffered the attack that led to his death had been crushing...plus Callaway has severe stuttering, the result of a childhood accident that haunts him making it easier to just retreat into his poetry books. The question becomes can the two men let down their walls and grasp something they thought was too late in their lives?
The book is extremely poignant and touching. The grief that consumed Calloway was heartbreaking. His caution about meeting new people with his constant stutter was understandable. Retreating into himself, his poetry and his gardening was also totally understandable. His mother’s help was suffocating, and her eventual confession made so much sense. The "what if’s" that loomed after something so traumatic was also understandable. It was too bad it took 43 years for her confession to come about.
I like how tender and cautious Fraser was with Calloway. Earning Calloway’s trust was a monumental task. A task that he was more than patient and considerate with. He recognized how special Calloway was when you were able to peel away the carefully built walls, he had constructed to protect himself. He needed someone as caring and special as Fraser to learn to trust again.
This series has been very moving. The books can be read out of order. This book will really grab your heart. You can’t help but have hope in this slow burn story that shows middle aged men overcoming their challenges to move forward with their new lives. Another good book by Nora Phoenix.
Some fires you fight, some you let burn. With Calloway, all I want to do is feed the flames. After thirty years as a firefighter and smokejumper, I’ve been forced into retirement by my injuries. Settling in Forestville was an easy decision, but what comes next? I have no clue who I am outside of my job. When I meet Calloway, I recognize a kindred spirit. He’s hurting too, though for very different reasons. I want to hug him, to help him, to hold him…and to kiss the living daylights out of him because, he is gorgeous. But Calloway has created firebreaks around himself that are a bigger challenge than any burn I’ve ever faced. It’s going to take time to convince him I’ll be a good friend…and an even better lover. I've jumped out of planes into thousand-acre fires. Falling for Calloway? That's the scariest thing I've ever done. And I'm doing it without a parachute.
Fraser Strickland is new to town. He has relocated to Forestville, Washington after his latest injury. It had been 30 years ago after his being a firefighter and smokejumper. He was unable to continue doing what he loved and was forced into retirement. When a chance meeting with Calloway, after literally running into each other in the parking lot, he knew that he wanted to know this gorgeous man that he recognizes as not only a poetry enthusiast but also a hurting and kindred spirit.
Calloway Gilstrap is extremely guarded and elusive. Calloway has been dealing with his husband’s sudden death for over seven years. The grief of the former New York City librarian not being home when Marcus suffered the attack that led to his death had been crushing...plus Callaway has severe stuttering, the result of a childhood accident that haunts him making it easier to just retreat into his poetry books. The question becomes can the two men let down their walls and grasp something they thought was too late in their lives?
The book is extremely poignant and touching. The grief that consumed Calloway was heartbreaking. His caution about meeting new people with his constant stutter was understandable. Retreating into himself, his poetry and his gardening was also totally understandable. His mother’s help was suffocating, and her eventual confession made so much sense. The "what if’s" that loomed after something so traumatic was also understandable. It was too bad it took 43 years for her confession to come about.
I like how tender and cautious Fraser was with Calloway. Earning Calloway’s trust was a monumental task. A task that he was more than patient and considerate with. He recognized how special Calloway was when you were able to peel away the carefully built walls, he had constructed to protect himself. He needed someone as caring and special as Fraser to learn to trust again.
This series has been very moving. The books can be read out of order. This book will really grab your heart. You can’t help but have hope in this slow burn story that shows middle aged men overcoming their challenges to move forward with their new lives. Another good book by Nora Phoenix.
July 28, 2025
This is another wonderfully mature romance from Nora and it's probably my next favourite after book one in the series.
Two men who've both had to learn to move on from unexpected loss, Calloway from the sudden death of his husband and Fraser from an injury which put paid to his smokejumper career.
On top of that, Calloway's struggled with a stutter since a traumatic incident when he was only a child and it's led him to become withdrawn and secluded again in the seven years since Marcus died.
You can feel the isolation and the hurt he's keeping tight inside because he doesn't know how to move on and so, after he and Fraser literally bump into each other at their first meeting, it's beautiful to see his walls slowly crumble in the face of someone who really sees him as he is and who doesn't want to change him.
Fraser's got his own demons, but they're not as deeply knotted as Calloway's, and so he finds it a bit easier to go with the flow and see where things might lead. He's looking for a friend, not a lover, when he first meets Calloway but slowly he falls for the quiet man with the gentle nature.
I loved this book, the only reason it wasn't a 5* for me, and it's totally a personal thing, is that I felt there was just a tiny bit of repetition in the middle of the book while both men come to terms with their feelings.
And by that, I don't mean literal repetition, just the same sort of I don't know if I can do this internalising etc each time they'd had a lovely evening together or done something in the town.
I got it, but it just dragged slightly for me, especially as obviously, for totally understandable reasons, this is also a slow burn in their physical relationship.
Other than that, everything else was wonderfully done, from Calloway finding the strength to tell his mother he wasn't broken and didn't need his stutter fixing (there's good reason for this plotline and I also really enjoyed that element), to Fraser's reuniting with is old crew and realising he's happy they've moved on.
Given the introduction of a new character in this book, I'm thinking there may be one more Forestville Silver Fox's story to come and I am definitely down for that. It's a refreshing change to read about men in their late 40s and 50s finding a HEA.
#ARC kindly receive from the author, I am voluntarily leaving a review
Two men who've both had to learn to move on from unexpected loss, Calloway from the sudden death of his husband and Fraser from an injury which put paid to his smokejumper career.
On top of that, Calloway's struggled with a stutter since a traumatic incident when he was only a child and it's led him to become withdrawn and secluded again in the seven years since Marcus died.
You can feel the isolation and the hurt he's keeping tight inside because he doesn't know how to move on and so, after he and Fraser literally bump into each other at their first meeting, it's beautiful to see his walls slowly crumble in the face of someone who really sees him as he is and who doesn't want to change him.
Fraser's got his own demons, but they're not as deeply knotted as Calloway's, and so he finds it a bit easier to go with the flow and see where things might lead. He's looking for a friend, not a lover, when he first meets Calloway but slowly he falls for the quiet man with the gentle nature.
I loved this book, the only reason it wasn't a 5* for me, and it's totally a personal thing, is that I felt there was just a tiny bit of repetition in the middle of the book while both men come to terms with their feelings.
And by that, I don't mean literal repetition, just the same sort of I don't know if I can do this internalising etc each time they'd had a lovely evening together or done something in the town.
I got it, but it just dragged slightly for me, especially as obviously, for totally understandable reasons, this is also a slow burn in their physical relationship.
Other than that, everything else was wonderfully done, from Calloway finding the strength to tell his mother he wasn't broken and didn't need his stutter fixing (there's good reason for this plotline and I also really enjoyed that element), to Fraser's reuniting with is old crew and realising he's happy they've moved on.
Given the introduction of a new character in this book, I'm thinking there may be one more Forestville Silver Fox's story to come and I am definitely down for that. It's a refreshing change to read about men in their late 40s and 50s finding a HEA.
#ARC kindly receive from the author, I am voluntarily leaving a review
July 28, 2025
Oooof. I love this series, I've loved all the stories that have come out of Forestville, but I think Calloway and Fraser are my favorite.
BEFRIENDING THE BEAR is a SUPER slow burn romance that tackles big topics like grief, loss, change, and transformation. It's romantic as hell, and the feelings practically poured off the page.
Calloway is a widower. His tightly controlled life is tightly regimented to ensure survival. His grief is overwhelming so many years after the death of his husband. My heart aches for him. The first chapter had me hooked with prose and gentle descriptions of his tea and his cabin and his garden. This sweet man was surviving and not living.
Fraser, the newly retired smokejumper, is learning who he is after having to retire from a job that was his identity. Learning how to navigate around his injury, no longer part of a team... this gentle giant sees Calloway and all of his walls and decides FRIENDSHIP and PATIENCE.
I love this title because that's what this whole story feels centered around; their beautiful friendship that blossomed into a brilliant love.
I think this is one of the best books Nora has written, and I loved these two and their story so much.
BEFRIENDING THE BEAR comes out August 8th, but you can buy it now, direct from Nora's website. I truly can't recommend this series enough! Especially if mature mcs finding love is your jam.
I'll be honest, I tend to enjoy the older mcs finding their HEAs a little more these days. Resonates a little better.
Anyway, ✨️sighs dramatically✨️ I loved them.
BEFRIENDING THE BEAR is a SUPER slow burn romance that tackles big topics like grief, loss, change, and transformation. It's romantic as hell, and the feelings practically poured off the page.
Calloway is a widower. His tightly controlled life is tightly regimented to ensure survival. His grief is overwhelming so many years after the death of his husband. My heart aches for him. The first chapter had me hooked with prose and gentle descriptions of his tea and his cabin and his garden. This sweet man was surviving and not living.
Fraser, the newly retired smokejumper, is learning who he is after having to retire from a job that was his identity. Learning how to navigate around his injury, no longer part of a team... this gentle giant sees Calloway and all of his walls and decides FRIENDSHIP and PATIENCE.
I love this title because that's what this whole story feels centered around; their beautiful friendship that blossomed into a brilliant love.
I think this is one of the best books Nora has written, and I loved these two and their story so much.
BEFRIENDING THE BEAR comes out August 8th, but you can buy it now, direct from Nora's website. I truly can't recommend this series enough! Especially if mature mcs finding love is your jam.
I'll be honest, I tend to enjoy the older mcs finding their HEAs a little more these days. Resonates a little better.
Anyway, ✨️sighs dramatically✨️ I loved them.
August 11, 2025
Befriending The Bear
Forestville Silver Foxes Book 6
Nora Phoenix
Calloway & Fraser
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
Grief
Hurt/ Comfort
Slow burn
Friends to lovers
Caretaking
Mature men
This was so sweet
I've adored every book in this series
They have all so so sweet, tender, and beautiful
They started out as timid friends. Fraser was ever strong and sturdy, giving Calloway the courage to try.
“No one’s done this for me in a long time. Stayed through the hard parts.”
Fraser was kind and patient. He saw Calloway. He saw and cared for who he was. They fit together so well.
The book clubs, the coffee dates, the dinners and fundraisers for the town. Fraser was able to give Calloway a purpose again. They were so sweet.
I loved this. So emotional and tender.
Calloway taking care of Fraser and Fraser accepting it was so cute.
They are truly perfect for each other.
“Sweetheart, I’ve been falling since the moment you talked to me in that cracked voice in the parking lot, shaking like a leaf but still inviting me to book club.” I smiled. “I think I fell a little more every time you let me in, every time you knocked down a wall just enough for me to see who was behind it.”
What a beautiful story
The strength Calloway had to try again. To try and love after loss
I adored this
This is the forever kind of love, sweetheart.”
So glad these two beautiful men got their hea.
Forestville Silver Foxes Book 6
Nora Phoenix
Calloway & Fraser
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
Grief
Hurt/ Comfort
Slow burn
Friends to lovers
Caretaking
Mature men
This was so sweet
I've adored every book in this series
They have all so so sweet, tender, and beautiful
They started out as timid friends. Fraser was ever strong and sturdy, giving Calloway the courage to try.
“No one’s done this for me in a long time. Stayed through the hard parts.”
Fraser was kind and patient. He saw Calloway. He saw and cared for who he was. They fit together so well.
The book clubs, the coffee dates, the dinners and fundraisers for the town. Fraser was able to give Calloway a purpose again. They were so sweet.
I loved this. So emotional and tender.
Calloway taking care of Fraser and Fraser accepting it was so cute.
They are truly perfect for each other.
“Sweetheart, I’ve been falling since the moment you talked to me in that cracked voice in the parking lot, shaking like a leaf but still inviting me to book club.” I smiled. “I think I fell a little more every time you let me in, every time you knocked down a wall just enough for me to see who was behind it.”
What a beautiful story
The strength Calloway had to try again. To try and love after loss
I adored this
This is the forever kind of love, sweetheart.”
So glad these two beautiful men got their hea.
November 21, 2025
Calloway (48) et Fraser (51) avec un Culomètre à 🍑
📣 Livre reçu en service presse.
Un ex-pompier parachutiste blessé prend sa retraite à Forestville, incertain de son identité sans son travail. Il rencontre Calloway, une âme en souffrance, et ressent une forte attirance. Calloway est distant, mais Fraser est déterminé à le conquérir, malgré la peur que cela lui inspire.
- Vive les hommes matures !
- J’ai eu peur parce que les protagonistes en deuil depuis plusieurs années, ce n’est pas du tout mon délire.
- Calloway est vraiment un personnage adorable, son bégaiement à la suite d’un traumatisme lui donne un côté tellement touchant.
- Fraser, ancien pompier parachutiste, tout pour me plaire, oh là là !
- C’est une romance si douce, pleine de compréhension. Fraser sait ce qu’il veut et il est prêt à attendre jusqu’à ce que Calloway se sente assez à l'aise pour s'ouvrir à lui.
- Ils n’ont pas des réactions de gamins et ça fait tellement de bien.
Bref, une romance bien "green flag", douce et où les protagonistes prennent leur temps. On remercie l’autrice pour cet instant de douceur !
📣 Livre reçu en service presse.
Un ex-pompier parachutiste blessé prend sa retraite à Forestville, incertain de son identité sans son travail. Il rencontre Calloway, une âme en souffrance, et ressent une forte attirance. Calloway est distant, mais Fraser est déterminé à le conquérir, malgré la peur que cela lui inspire.
- Vive les hommes matures !
- J’ai eu peur parce que les protagonistes en deuil depuis plusieurs années, ce n’est pas du tout mon délire.
- Calloway est vraiment un personnage adorable, son bégaiement à la suite d’un traumatisme lui donne un côté tellement touchant.
- Fraser, ancien pompier parachutiste, tout pour me plaire, oh là là !
- C’est une romance si douce, pleine de compréhension. Fraser sait ce qu’il veut et il est prêt à attendre jusqu’à ce que Calloway se sente assez à l'aise pour s'ouvrir à lui.
- Ils n’ont pas des réactions de gamins et ça fait tellement de bien.
Bref, une romance bien "green flag", douce et où les protagonistes prennent leur temps. On remercie l’autrice pour cet instant de douceur !
January 10, 2026
RECENSIONE A CURA DI LADY MARMELADE
Fraser e Calloway sono due uomini adulti, giunti alla mezza età, con un passato doloroso e complesso; non sono i soliti protagonisti giovani che popolano i romance, ma non per questo la loro storia è meno appassionante e avvincente.
Fraser è un ex pompiere specializzato in interventi per così dire acrobatici, visto che si lanciava dai mezzi di soccorso per debellare gli incendi boschivi, cosa che con l’andare del tempo ha minato la sua salute fisica facendolo finire in prepensionamento.
Soffre molto per non essere più con i sui colleghi in giro ad affrontare il fuoco, ma del resto il suo ginocchio malandato non può più essere “riparato” ed è giusto ritirarsi.
Continua sul nostro blog!
Fraser e Calloway sono due uomini adulti, giunti alla mezza età, con un passato doloroso e complesso; non sono i soliti protagonisti giovani che popolano i romance, ma non per questo la loro storia è meno appassionante e avvincente.
Fraser è un ex pompiere specializzato in interventi per così dire acrobatici, visto che si lanciava dai mezzi di soccorso per debellare gli incendi boschivi, cosa che con l’andare del tempo ha minato la sua salute fisica facendolo finire in prepensionamento.
Soffre molto per non essere più con i sui colleghi in giro ad affrontare il fuoco, ma del resto il suo ginocchio malandato non può più essere “riparato” ed è giusto ritirarsi.
Continua sul nostro blog!
October 2, 2025
My heart hurt so much listening to this story. Michael Dean did an exceptional job portraying such raw vulnerability, the stutter, the pain, the grief of Calloway. I was always on the brink of tears, it was so emotional. A second chance at love after loss so sudden that left him in pieces. I loved it.
August 19, 2025
Rating: 5
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: friends to lovers, love after loss, small town
I'm such a big fan of this series and I love every time I get to go back to this small town and meet new characters! Befriending the Bear was such a tender love story, a slow burn with a lot of emotion and sweetness to it. Nora Phoenix is great at writing mature characters and I simply adored seeing Calloway and Fraser go from strangers, to friends, to lovers. Their progression felt seamless and natural, and it was sweet seeing them bond over poetry and reading, gradually getting to know each other.
Fraser was very patient, and he was willing to let Calloway set the pace for their friendship and later on relationship. Calloway had a lot of walls up and he was hesitant to let anyone in, but something about Fraser made him curious and intrigued enough to let his guard down little by little. The hurt / comfort was fantastic, and I loved the quiet understanding they seemed to have with each other, sometimes content with just being in each other's space. There was no pressure, no rush, just two men falling in love, gently and quietly.
While it wasn't an angsty story, it still packed an emotional punch, and it was easy to feel for both Calloway and Fraser. They'd been through a lot in different ways, Fraser was trying to figure out who he was after being forced to retire, and Calloway was still grieving the loss of his husband. They took care of each other, offered support and comfort when needed, and there were a lot of tenderness and understanding between them as well.
Befriending the Bear was such a beautiful story, with the kind of romance that made my heart melt! I loved Calloway and Fraser so much and didn't want their story to end, it just hit all the right spots for me. If you’re a fan of mature characters and cosy small town romances, this series should definitely be on your TBR!
-
I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: friends to lovers, love after loss, small town
I'm such a big fan of this series and I love every time I get to go back to this small town and meet new characters! Befriending the Bear was such a tender love story, a slow burn with a lot of emotion and sweetness to it. Nora Phoenix is great at writing mature characters and I simply adored seeing Calloway and Fraser go from strangers, to friends, to lovers. Their progression felt seamless and natural, and it was sweet seeing them bond over poetry and reading, gradually getting to know each other.
Fraser was very patient, and he was willing to let Calloway set the pace for their friendship and later on relationship. Calloway had a lot of walls up and he was hesitant to let anyone in, but something about Fraser made him curious and intrigued enough to let his guard down little by little. The hurt / comfort was fantastic, and I loved the quiet understanding they seemed to have with each other, sometimes content with just being in each other's space. There was no pressure, no rush, just two men falling in love, gently and quietly.
While it wasn't an angsty story, it still packed an emotional punch, and it was easy to feel for both Calloway and Fraser. They'd been through a lot in different ways, Fraser was trying to figure out who he was after being forced to retire, and Calloway was still grieving the loss of his husband. They took care of each other, offered support and comfort when needed, and there were a lot of tenderness and understanding between them as well.
Befriending the Bear was such a beautiful story, with the kind of romance that made my heart melt! I loved Calloway and Fraser so much and didn't want their story to end, it just hit all the right spots for me. If you’re a fan of mature characters and cosy small town romances, this series should definitely be on your TBR!
-
I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
September 10, 2025
ordinary love that is entirely extraordinary
Befriending the Bear by Nora Phoenix is a super sweet book about facing grief, moving on, and falling in love again. This book meant so much more to me than I expected, having lost my first husband young to eventually finding a second love of my life. Nora wrote this book with beauty and grace. I adore these mean and can truly relate to finding that ordinary love that is entirely extraordinary.
Romance - ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Steam - 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor - 🤣🤣🤣
Angst - 😭
Writing - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Befriending the Bear by Nora Phoenix is a super sweet book about facing grief, moving on, and falling in love again. This book meant so much more to me than I expected, having lost my first husband young to eventually finding a second love of my life. Nora wrote this book with beauty and grace. I adore these mean and can truly relate to finding that ordinary love that is entirely extraordinary.
Romance - ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Steam - 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor - 🤣🤣🤣
Angst - 😭
Writing - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 14, 2025
What a lovely surprise this book was. For the majority of the book it was just the two MCs getting to know each other and getting the confidence that they had both lost in different ways back.
These two were just amazing to watch and I could actually picture them together. There was quite a bit about how they both enjoyed poetry, which is not really my jam but it worked so well in this story, that I ended up liking it.
Just a side note: I actually like that the twins did not show up as they were my least favourites in this series.
These two were just amazing to watch and I could actually picture them together. There was quite a bit about how they both enjoyed poetry, which is not really my jam but it worked so well in this story, that I ended up liking it.
Just a side note: I actually like that the twins did not show up as they were my least favourites in this series.
August 12, 2025
4.5☆
🅢🅟🅘🅒🅔:🌶🌶
🅛🅐🅤🅖🅗🅢:🤣🤣
🅣🅔🅐🅡🅢:🥲🥲
🅜🅒🅢: Calloway, Fraser
🅟🅞🅥: 1st Dual
🅣🅡🅞🅟🅔🅢: Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Small Town
Nunca me cansare se decir lo mucho que amo esta serie y cada uno de sus protagonistas y en este no es la excepción. Y es inevitable no amar a Calloway.
🅢🅟🅘🅒🅔:🌶🌶
🅛🅐🅤🅖🅗🅢:🤣🤣
🅣🅔🅐🅡🅢:🥲🥲
🅜🅒🅢: Calloway, Fraser
🅟🅞🅥: 1st Dual
🅣🅡🅞🅟🅔🅢: Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Small Town
Nunca me cansare se decir lo mucho que amo esta serie y cada uno de sus protagonistas y en este no es la excepción. Y es inevitable no amar a Calloway.
September 4, 2025
Fraser and Calloway
Started out a bit sad (understandably) but this was such a sweet story. It felt a bit different than the other books in this series. Mature MCs, slow burn, small town and found family.
Started out a bit sad (understandably) but this was such a sweet story. It felt a bit different than the other books in this series. Mature MCs, slow burn, small town and found family.
August 8, 2025
Nora does an exceptional job in telling the story of two men moving past loss onto after. Calloway lost his husband unexpectedly and has yet to move forward to what is now his new reality. Fraser moved to Forestville when his job as smokejumper was no longer an option. The two take the journey of moving forward day by day. With no expectations of more, these two begin the journey of friendship to hope for more to love. The love and kindness shown show that these two were made to have this second chance at a happy life. I truly appreciated Nora allowing these men yo grieve in their own way at their own pace, and only when both were ready they take each step forward. It is a truly beautiful piece of writing.
October 5, 2025
Even though this dealt with grief and loss this book was like a long, tight hug.
Absolutely gorgeous writing.
I'm an automatic Nora reader when she comes out with a book and I love the Forestville series - this one was different somehow but I loved it.
Absolutely gorgeous writing.
I'm an automatic Nora reader when she comes out with a book and I love the Forestville series - this one was different somehow but I loved it.
Review of advance copy received from Autore
Fraser si è trasferito a Forestville da poco, più precisamente da quando la sua carriera come vigile del fuoco paracadutista è stata interrotta forzatamente a causa di un infortunio. Non potendo più rientrare in servizio attivo per saltare negli incendi, egli è oramai in pensione anticipata. Adattarsi alla vita da civile non sarà facile per Fraser. Ma quando i suoi occhi verdi come una foresta si posano su un uomo meraviglioso con il quale si scontra durante una camminata, Fraser comprende che forse la sua nuova vita sta per prendere una piega totalmente diversa e inaspettata. Calloway, scrittore con un blocco notevole, non sta più vivendo, bensì sta sopravvivendo momento dopo momento per rimanere a galla. L'incontro casuale e inaspettato con Fraser lo scuote fin nel profondo. Purtroppo, il suo animo sta soffrendo e il processo di guarigione non sarà rapido e semplice. L'inaspettata amicizia che si instaura fra i due uomini è un toccasana per entrambi. Con un ritmo totalmente differente dalla costante adrenalinica a cui era abituato, Fraser con la sua gentilizza e tenerezza, riuscirà a dimostrare a Calloway che l'amore è in grado di guarire ogni ferita? A voi, lettori, non resta che fiondarvi sulla vostra copia di Un orso da amare e lasciarvi avvolgere dalla meravigliosa penna di Nora Phoenix.
Seguo l'autrice da anni, oramai, e a parer mio, è fra le migliori in assoluto del genere Romance M/M. Anche con questo volume autoconclusivo della serie I silver fox di Forestville si è rivelata sinonimo di garanzia. Questo volume è semplicemente pazzesco. Al suo interno racchiude tutto ciò che si potrebbe desiderare in un Gay Romance intenso ed emozionante, senza particolari colpi di scena, bensì una storia d'amore a cottura lenta e realistica fra due uomini maturi che, con tempo e pazienza, guariscono l'un l'altro con un sentimento forte e puro come solo l'amore può esserlo. Ho adorato come la Phoenix abbia focalizzato l'intera narrazione principalmente sui due protagonisti e narratori, grazie ai punti di vista di entrambi, lasciando comunque qualche personaggio secondario come cornice all'intreccio principale. L'amicizia fra Calloway e Fraser nasce in punta di piedi, ma grazie alla determinazione e dolcezza del secondo, nonché tanto coraggio da parte del primo, sboccerà pian piano una relazione meravigliosa e intensa, in grado di far sciogliere dalle emozioni e sensazioni. Un altro dettaglio che ho apprezzato tantissimo della scelta stilistico-narrativa dell'autrice è stata quella di darci una storia completa in ogni sua parte, dove i nostri protagonisti non si dichiarano amore eterno solo al capitolo conclusivo. Al contrario, abbiamo modo di gustare l'intero sviluppo della romantica storia fra Calloway e Fraser nella sua interezza, appunto. Quanto ho amato entrambi, sono semplicemente stupendi, si completano e si comprendono in un modo così spontaneo e realistico, vederli felici è stato così emozionante da rendermi serena e fiduciosa. Un tema importante che viene trattato con une delicatezza unica è quello del lutto. Nora Phoenix è stata, secondo me, abilissima nel dare lo spazio sufficiente al percorso di guarigione e su come affrontare la perdita di un partner, in modo ben contestualizzato e leggero, da non risultare mai pesante o predominante. Ammiro la capacità della Phoenix nel creare storie splendide e romantiche, in grado di entrare sotto pelle per l'intensità delle emozioni. Diversi sono stati i momenti in cui mi sono ritrovata con le lacrime agli occhi per la commozione, così come i sorrisi spontanei che mi spuntavano sul viso per qualche momento tenero e bellissimo. Penso che questa serie sia senza dubbio fra le più belle che abbia avuto il piacere di leggere e, per fortuna, mi manca ancora qualche titolo da recuperare, perché ne sono così affezionata da non voler lasciare il mondo di Forestville. Se il mio 2026 inizia con letture meravigliose come lo è stata Un orso da amare, sono sicura che si prospetti un anno splendido e ricco di sorprese letterarie! Se siete alla ricerca di un M/M contemporaneo romantico e dolce, slow burn, con protagonisti due uomini maturi che vi faranno venire gli occhi a cuoricino, non potete assolutamente perdervi questo volume. A me, nel frattempo, non resta che attendere il prossimo e magari, recuperare qualche precedente.
Voto? Senza ombra di dubbio 5 stelle!
Seguo l'autrice da anni, oramai, e a parer mio, è fra le migliori in assoluto del genere Romance M/M. Anche con questo volume autoconclusivo della serie I silver fox di Forestville si è rivelata sinonimo di garanzia. Questo volume è semplicemente pazzesco. Al suo interno racchiude tutto ciò che si potrebbe desiderare in un Gay Romance intenso ed emozionante, senza particolari colpi di scena, bensì una storia d'amore a cottura lenta e realistica fra due uomini maturi che, con tempo e pazienza, guariscono l'un l'altro con un sentimento forte e puro come solo l'amore può esserlo. Ho adorato come la Phoenix abbia focalizzato l'intera narrazione principalmente sui due protagonisti e narratori, grazie ai punti di vista di entrambi, lasciando comunque qualche personaggio secondario come cornice all'intreccio principale. L'amicizia fra Calloway e Fraser nasce in punta di piedi, ma grazie alla determinazione e dolcezza del secondo, nonché tanto coraggio da parte del primo, sboccerà pian piano una relazione meravigliosa e intensa, in grado di far sciogliere dalle emozioni e sensazioni. Un altro dettaglio che ho apprezzato tantissimo della scelta stilistico-narrativa dell'autrice è stata quella di darci una storia completa in ogni sua parte, dove i nostri protagonisti non si dichiarano amore eterno solo al capitolo conclusivo. Al contrario, abbiamo modo di gustare l'intero sviluppo della romantica storia fra Calloway e Fraser nella sua interezza, appunto. Quanto ho amato entrambi, sono semplicemente stupendi, si completano e si comprendono in un modo così spontaneo e realistico, vederli felici è stato così emozionante da rendermi serena e fiduciosa. Un tema importante che viene trattato con une delicatezza unica è quello del lutto. Nora Phoenix è stata, secondo me, abilissima nel dare lo spazio sufficiente al percorso di guarigione e su come affrontare la perdita di un partner, in modo ben contestualizzato e leggero, da non risultare mai pesante o predominante. Ammiro la capacità della Phoenix nel creare storie splendide e romantiche, in grado di entrare sotto pelle per l'intensità delle emozioni. Diversi sono stati i momenti in cui mi sono ritrovata con le lacrime agli occhi per la commozione, così come i sorrisi spontanei che mi spuntavano sul viso per qualche momento tenero e bellissimo. Penso che questa serie sia senza dubbio fra le più belle che abbia avuto il piacere di leggere e, per fortuna, mi manca ancora qualche titolo da recuperare, perché ne sono così affezionata da non voler lasciare il mondo di Forestville. Se il mio 2026 inizia con letture meravigliose come lo è stata Un orso da amare, sono sicura che si prospetti un anno splendido e ricco di sorprese letterarie! Se siete alla ricerca di un M/M contemporaneo romantico e dolce, slow burn, con protagonisti due uomini maturi che vi faranno venire gli occhi a cuoricino, non potete assolutamente perdervi questo volume. A me, nel frattempo, non resta che attendere il prossimo e magari, recuperare qualche precedente.
Voto? Senza ombra di dubbio 5 stelle!
July 27, 2025
4.5 stars
I love visiting Forestville, and this was no exception.
Calloway Gilstrap has been hiding from life for seven years, closed off from the world as best he can. Avoiding writing the hard stuff that is supposed to be his memoir. Living with guilt, regret, grief, pain, and a profound sense of loss. He is quiet and shy, but he also has more reasons to avoid speaking. But he loves books, poetry, and gardening.
Fraser Strickland is new to Forestville after retiring from being a firefighter and smokejumper for thirty years. His challenges are more pronounced due to his leg pain and its limitations. But he is also trying to start fresh and figure out what is next for him in his new circumstances while grieving the loss of his career.
One crash meeting sets off more attempts at tentative reaching out. They share a love of reading. They are both stuck at a crossroads and not sure which way to go and how to get there. Fraser is immediately interested in spending any time Calloway will give him. He is patient, kind, attentive, understanding, thoughtful, and persistent. He slowly begins to break down Calloway's walls brick by brick. I loved seeing Calloway start to climb out of his self-imposed prison of grief and how Fraser accepted and guided him, and just met him where he was at without pushing too hard. Fraser is such a gentle, caring bear, and I adored him. I loved seeing them bond and begin to live life more fully together, and begin to build confidence. They make their own rules and just try to progress day by day.
It is a heartfelt, small-town, slow-burn, new-friends-to-lovers, hurt-comfort story with mature characters dealing with grief, loss, fear, and trying to find purpose. These are two broken men who help put each other back together. They find companionship, trust, safety, passion, hope, and healing in order to ultimately move forward. But it takes take, perseverance, and they have to be willing to be brave and compromise along the way.
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I love visiting Forestville, and this was no exception.
Calloway Gilstrap has been hiding from life for seven years, closed off from the world as best he can. Avoiding writing the hard stuff that is supposed to be his memoir. Living with guilt, regret, grief, pain, and a profound sense of loss. He is quiet and shy, but he also has more reasons to avoid speaking. But he loves books, poetry, and gardening.
Fraser Strickland is new to Forestville after retiring from being a firefighter and smokejumper for thirty years. His challenges are more pronounced due to his leg pain and its limitations. But he is also trying to start fresh and figure out what is next for him in his new circumstances while grieving the loss of his career.
One crash meeting sets off more attempts at tentative reaching out. They share a love of reading. They are both stuck at a crossroads and not sure which way to go and how to get there. Fraser is immediately interested in spending any time Calloway will give him. He is patient, kind, attentive, understanding, thoughtful, and persistent. He slowly begins to break down Calloway's walls brick by brick. I loved seeing Calloway start to climb out of his self-imposed prison of grief and how Fraser accepted and guided him, and just met him where he was at without pushing too hard. Fraser is such a gentle, caring bear, and I adored him. I loved seeing them bond and begin to live life more fully together, and begin to build confidence. They make their own rules and just try to progress day by day.
It is a heartfelt, small-town, slow-burn, new-friends-to-lovers, hurt-comfort story with mature characters dealing with grief, loss, fear, and trying to find purpose. These are two broken men who help put each other back together. They find companionship, trust, safety, passion, hope, and healing in order to ultimately move forward. But it takes take, perseverance, and they have to be willing to be brave and compromise along the way.
January 15, 2026
Fraser ha un ginocchio mal fermo, un bastone a cui appoggiarsi e un passato che ha amato e che vorrebbe ancora avere nella sua vita. Sta affrontando un nuovo inizio a Forestville, ha voltato pagina dopo che il suo corpo ha deciso che non poteva riprendersi dall’ultimo salto in mezzo a un incendio. Ha cinquant’anni, è consapevolmente gay, è dichiarato e non vuole nascondersi. Oggi è alla ricerca di una nuova squadra, perché dopo tanti anni passati a dipendere dall’affiatamento con i colleghi, quando la tua vita è strettamente collegata a chi ti sta a fianco mentre affronti i pericoli, non vuoi essere un orso eremita, senti il bisogno, anche se fa paura, di trovare un appoggio. Fraser ha tanti interessi, ma soprattutto è empatico e intuitivo, ha la pazienza della maturità, è consapevole del suo corpo, non ama il suo ventre non più teso e magro, vorrebbe essere ancora il giovane pompiere scattante, ma il tempo passa e accetta di fare i conti con la sua situazione. Scontrarsi con Calloway è un “colpo di fulmine maturo”. Non pensa a una scappatella, non si trova interessato a un bell’uomo, ma lo trova intrigante come persona. Vuole conoscerlo, capirlo di più, scoprire perché mentre scappava gli lanciava una corda metaforica informandolo che il club del libro era alla ricerca di nuovi adepti.
Calloway non vive da sette anni. Tanto è il tempo in cui non sta respirando. Boccheggia, sopravvive, cerca di arrivare a sera e poi ogni mattina di ripetere il solito rituale. È un uomo di quarant’otto anni che non ha nessuna voglia di uscire dal limbo. Non trova il perché dovrebbe ritornare ad affrontare la vita, a rischiare di avere delusioni e sofferenze nuove, anche se vorrebbe significare rischiare di avere anche delle gioie e soddisfazioni. Calloway non vuole compagnia, crede che la sua balbuzie possa essere ridicola, teme di essere un peso o di essere preso in giro. Rischia troppo. Ma Fraser non vuole abbattere i suoi muri, ci gira attorno, li smonta mattone dopo mattone e quando è stanco vede Calloway smontarli al posto suo. Fraser è l’uomo di cui Calloway aveva bisogno per trovare lo stimolo a ritornare alla vita, per guardarsi con occhi nuovi, per affrontare il suo passato e accettarlo, senza mai dimenticarlo. Il passato sarà sempre con loro come un ricordo, come la base che li ha trasformati nelle persone che sono oggi.
Buona lettura!
Annalisa
Calloway non vive da sette anni. Tanto è il tempo in cui non sta respirando. Boccheggia, sopravvive, cerca di arrivare a sera e poi ogni mattina di ripetere il solito rituale. È un uomo di quarant’otto anni che non ha nessuna voglia di uscire dal limbo. Non trova il perché dovrebbe ritornare ad affrontare la vita, a rischiare di avere delusioni e sofferenze nuove, anche se vorrebbe significare rischiare di avere anche delle gioie e soddisfazioni. Calloway non vuole compagnia, crede che la sua balbuzie possa essere ridicola, teme di essere un peso o di essere preso in giro. Rischia troppo. Ma Fraser non vuole abbattere i suoi muri, ci gira attorno, li smonta mattone dopo mattone e quando è stanco vede Calloway smontarli al posto suo. Fraser è l’uomo di cui Calloway aveva bisogno per trovare lo stimolo a ritornare alla vita, per guardarsi con occhi nuovi, per affrontare il suo passato e accettarlo, senza mai dimenticarlo. Il passato sarà sempre con loro come un ricordo, come la base che li ha trasformati nelle persone che sono oggi.
Buona lettura!
Annalisa
August 18, 2025
Small Town, Emotional, Slow Burn Romance
I love a small town romance and Forestville has been a wonderful beautifully written silver fox series.
The book is set in Forestville, but this one moves away from the original couples and friends with two new characters.
As with the other books we get romance laced with some much deeper issues like Calloway who is locked in a cycle of grief for years after his much loved husband died unexpectedly, making his stutter, which he had after an accident as a small child, much worse. His walls were high and his ordered, regimented life was very lonely.
Frazier is also suffering a loss but his is the loss of a career he loved, a very dangerous job as a smoke jumper, being parachuted into wildfires. He has had to retire as he suffered an injury which has left him with painful nerve damage and having to use a cane and as well as losing his career he is grieving the the loss of his co-workers who, because of the nature of the job, were like a family.
Both men find themselves moving to the small, friendly town of Forestville where they literally bump into each other in a car park, a meeting which will change their lives forever.
This was a very slow burn, owing to Calloway being fragile, and they became friends first whilst Calloway became used to having feelings for another man and dealing with guilt even though his husband had been dead for seven years, three months and eleven days, yes he counted every day! Frazier was a lovely guy, supportive, understanding and a caregiver and he patiently bided his time, slowly demolishing Calloway’s walls and letting him set the pace and giving him a reason to start living again.
As always Nora Phoenix writes their struggles emotionally and brilliantly, two mature men finding their HEA in the magical town of Forestville.
Loved this book and highly recommend the series.
I love a small town romance and Forestville has been a wonderful beautifully written silver fox series.
The book is set in Forestville, but this one moves away from the original couples and friends with two new characters.
As with the other books we get romance laced with some much deeper issues like Calloway who is locked in a cycle of grief for years after his much loved husband died unexpectedly, making his stutter, which he had after an accident as a small child, much worse. His walls were high and his ordered, regimented life was very lonely.
Frazier is also suffering a loss but his is the loss of a career he loved, a very dangerous job as a smoke jumper, being parachuted into wildfires. He has had to retire as he suffered an injury which has left him with painful nerve damage and having to use a cane and as well as losing his career he is grieving the the loss of his co-workers who, because of the nature of the job, were like a family.
Both men find themselves moving to the small, friendly town of Forestville where they literally bump into each other in a car park, a meeting which will change their lives forever.
This was a very slow burn, owing to Calloway being fragile, and they became friends first whilst Calloway became used to having feelings for another man and dealing with guilt even though his husband had been dead for seven years, three months and eleven days, yes he counted every day! Frazier was a lovely guy, supportive, understanding and a caregiver and he patiently bided his time, slowly demolishing Calloway’s walls and letting him set the pace and giving him a reason to start living again.
As always Nora Phoenix writes their struggles emotionally and brilliantly, two mature men finding their HEA in the magical town of Forestville.
Loved this book and highly recommend the series.
August 6, 2025
Another Nora masterpiece!
All the men in Fosterville have been absolutely amazing. They all had their own baggage to carry but this one hit a little harder.
Calloway suffered an accident at five years old that left him with a permanent stutter. Despite being told it was temporary, the stutter never went away causing him become withdrawn.
Despite this, he fell in love with Marcus and was happy until he lost him. The grief and guilt of not being there when his husband died caused him to revert back to his old ways of withdrawing from people. He self imposed a life of loneliness and closed himself off to love.
Until one day when he literally ran into Fraser. The tall, burly new town resident who has baggage of his own.
The chemistry was instant and despite Calloway’s insistence of not wanting him, the pull was too strong to resist. Fraser awakened things in him that he never thought he’d feel again.
The patient way Fraser waited for him to finish speaking, the way he saw him past his stutter and the way he looked at him like he was the best thing that ever happened to him, was Calloway’s undoing.
Their love story began with a beautiful friendship that blossomed into an everlasting love that made their baggage a little lighter to carry. I normally don’t like slow burns, but this one was so sweet and tender that I didn’t notice.
I love the way Nora writes characters with disabilities. She makes them strong and brave, letting the world know that they’re more than their impairments.
I truly recommend this beautiful book. It will make your heart whole.
All the men in Fosterville have been absolutely amazing. They all had their own baggage to carry but this one hit a little harder.
Calloway suffered an accident at five years old that left him with a permanent stutter. Despite being told it was temporary, the stutter never went away causing him become withdrawn.
Despite this, he fell in love with Marcus and was happy until he lost him. The grief and guilt of not being there when his husband died caused him to revert back to his old ways of withdrawing from people. He self imposed a life of loneliness and closed himself off to love.
Until one day when he literally ran into Fraser. The tall, burly new town resident who has baggage of his own.
The chemistry was instant and despite Calloway’s insistence of not wanting him, the pull was too strong to resist. Fraser awakened things in him that he never thought he’d feel again.
The patient way Fraser waited for him to finish speaking, the way he saw him past his stutter and the way he looked at him like he was the best thing that ever happened to him, was Calloway’s undoing.
Their love story began with a beautiful friendship that blossomed into an everlasting love that made their baggage a little lighter to carry. I normally don’t like slow burns, but this one was so sweet and tender that I didn’t notice.
I love the way Nora writes characters with disabilities. She makes them strong and brave, letting the world know that they’re more than their impairments.
I truly recommend this beautiful book. It will make your heart whole.
August 9, 2025
I was so happy to be back Forestville. This book focuses on time Calloway and Fraser. Calloway is a semi reclusive loner. Its been 7 years since the death of his partner and his walls are sky high.
Fraser is an ex firefigher with some injuries and baggage of his own. He's stubborn and so so sweet.
It truly felt kind of special watching these two both falling together, bravely trusting the other enough to open up and let them in.
There were so many beautiful passages in this book. I've highlighted a few...
"patience isn't hard when the person is worth waiting for. "
" the battle inside me still had no victory. Guilt fought with shame, fear with hope sadness with pain, to the point where I wasn't even sure anymore what I felt. "
"How are you doing?
A simple question with such a complicated answer. How was I doing? I was terrified and hopeful and confused and more alive than I'd felt in seven years. "
"Thank you, " he mumbled.
"What for?"
"B-being patient. Being you. B-being here."
I pressed a kiss to the top of his head, breathing in his scent. "Nowhere else I'd rather be. "
"I could still feel the echo of Fraser's warmth, the solid weight of his arms around me in the dark. That stupid, stubborn man who'd limped his way into my life and didn't leave when things got hard. Who looked at me like I was whole. Who listened, even when I couldn't speak. "
I loved this slow burn, quietly developing friendship. The compassionate, brave way these men came together was a joy to watch.
I also enjoyed seeing some old friends around town. Highly recommend!!
Fraser is an ex firefigher with some injuries and baggage of his own. He's stubborn and so so sweet.
It truly felt kind of special watching these two both falling together, bravely trusting the other enough to open up and let them in.
There were so many beautiful passages in this book. I've highlighted a few...
"patience isn't hard when the person is worth waiting for. "
" the battle inside me still had no victory. Guilt fought with shame, fear with hope sadness with pain, to the point where I wasn't even sure anymore what I felt. "
"How are you doing?
A simple question with such a complicated answer. How was I doing? I was terrified and hopeful and confused and more alive than I'd felt in seven years. "
"Thank you, " he mumbled.
"What for?"
"B-being patient. Being you. B-being here."
I pressed a kiss to the top of his head, breathing in his scent. "Nowhere else I'd rather be. "
"I could still feel the echo of Fraser's warmth, the solid weight of his arms around me in the dark. That stupid, stubborn man who'd limped his way into my life and didn't leave when things got hard. Who looked at me like I was whole. Who listened, even when I couldn't speak. "
I loved this slow burn, quietly developing friendship. The compassionate, brave way these men came together was a joy to watch.
I also enjoyed seeing some old friends around town. Highly recommend!!
August 11, 2025
"It felt like breathing again after holding my breath for seven years."
"Two damaged sould creating something whole from their broken pieces."
I have been a big fan of Nora Phoenix for a while now, and Forestville has been my favorite series from her. After reading Comforting the Grump, I didn't think that any later couple could beat Ennio and Marnin, especially outside of the friend group. But was I wrong! The story of Calloway and Fraser was just beautiful.
One of the reasons why Befriending the Bear will continue to be one of my top reads for 2025 is the romance. This is not an insta-love story. It is the growth and development of a beautiful, equal, and symbiotic relationship between two grieving men. So much of their relationship is built on the little things that happen in the plot, and it really added to the realness and the relatability of the characters. The simple sleepovers, the quiet mornings... Ugh, I can't say enough about it. Overall, this is how a friends-to-lovers story should be written. The chemistry between Fraser and Calloway was amazing, and I could really tell why they worked so well together.
The author's handling of grieving was extremely well done. While Fraser and Calloway were experiencing two very different types of grief, Phoenix's writing demonstrated that no one's grief is above another's, and that's something that I really appreciated and loved seeing in print. I also appreciated the maturity of both the writing and the relationship.
Overall, this is one of the few books that I needed to rate 5 stars, and I will come back to it again and again and sing my praises, because this truly was a beautiful and stunning read.
"Two damaged sould creating something whole from their broken pieces."
I have been a big fan of Nora Phoenix for a while now, and Forestville has been my favorite series from her. After reading Comforting the Grump, I didn't think that any later couple could beat Ennio and Marnin, especially outside of the friend group. But was I wrong! The story of Calloway and Fraser was just beautiful.
One of the reasons why Befriending the Bear will continue to be one of my top reads for 2025 is the romance. This is not an insta-love story. It is the growth and development of a beautiful, equal, and symbiotic relationship between two grieving men. So much of their relationship is built on the little things that happen in the plot, and it really added to the realness and the relatability of the characters. The simple sleepovers, the quiet mornings... Ugh, I can't say enough about it. Overall, this is how a friends-to-lovers story should be written. The chemistry between Fraser and Calloway was amazing, and I could really tell why they worked so well together.
The author's handling of grieving was extremely well done. While Fraser and Calloway were experiencing two very different types of grief, Phoenix's writing demonstrated that no one's grief is above another's, and that's something that I really appreciated and loved seeing in print. I also appreciated the maturity of both the writing and the relationship.
Overall, this is one of the few books that I needed to rate 5 stars, and I will come back to it again and again and sing my praises, because this truly was a beautiful and stunning read.
July 31, 2025
One of my favorite fictional towns EVER is Forestville…but this book really made me fall deeper in love with this town set in the picturesque pacific northwest! I truly felt like I was sitting in a cozy chair with a cup of coffee in my hand while my new friends told me the story of how they fell in love. I can 100% picture Calloway and Fraser lovingly staring at one another laughing and correcting one another as their love story played out.
Calloway is grieving the loss of his husband and goes back to the place that feels most like home. Forestville. There he builds a life of solitude. He has his routine and avoids people. Honestly, I totally understood Calloway. And if there was anyone who deserved to be loved to fully it is Calloway. He has such a kind, generous loving heart.
And Fraser. Oh my goodness. This man is so loving, open, kind, and understanding. He sees things on a level that many don't. Fraser is a deep thinker and while everything is new to him he is taking in his new life day by day.
I thoroughly enjoyed how their friendship blossomed and then became more. They are so well matched and provide each other with balance.
If you love a low angst book filled with a deep emotional connection this most definitely is the book for you. If you have not read any of the Forestville books this is a great place to start, and I promise you will fall in love just as I have.
Calloway is grieving the loss of his husband and goes back to the place that feels most like home. Forestville. There he builds a life of solitude. He has his routine and avoids people. Honestly, I totally understood Calloway. And if there was anyone who deserved to be loved to fully it is Calloway. He has such a kind, generous loving heart.
And Fraser. Oh my goodness. This man is so loving, open, kind, and understanding. He sees things on a level that many don't. Fraser is a deep thinker and while everything is new to him he is taking in his new life day by day.
I thoroughly enjoyed how their friendship blossomed and then became more. They are so well matched and provide each other with balance.
If you love a low angst book filled with a deep emotional connection this most definitely is the book for you. If you have not read any of the Forestville books this is a great place to start, and I promise you will fall in love just as I have.
August 8, 2025
4.5 Stars
Calloway and Fraser's story is a slow burn, friends to lovers story. Both men have lost so much. Calloway lost his husband unexpectedly 7 years ago and has not only been struggling in his grief, but other ways alone since. Fraser had to retire from a job he loved due to injury and is trying his best to move forward and find a new direction. I loved that these two kept bumping into each other. I liked that the Forestville people were there when needed, but let these two find their way together without too much interference. It was great to see how patient Fraser was and how he let Calloway do things in his own time. While they took their time getting to know each other, it was in a way that made perfect sense. I loved the support that Fraser gave Calloway and the reminders he gave Calloway that he was braver and stronger than he thought. I was so happy when Calloway finally was able to tell his mother a few long held truths and how she finally opened up in a way that might allow them to both heal and find better ground. I was glad that Fraser found a way to be involved with his old life, even as he has his new life with Calloway. It was great seeing Calloway find the beauty in more things in life and accept Fraser into his life. I enjoyed reading this one, and I really hope that we get a book about a certain quiet hermit sometime in the future.
Calloway and Fraser's story is a slow burn, friends to lovers story. Both men have lost so much. Calloway lost his husband unexpectedly 7 years ago and has not only been struggling in his grief, but other ways alone since. Fraser had to retire from a job he loved due to injury and is trying his best to move forward and find a new direction. I loved that these two kept bumping into each other. I liked that the Forestville people were there when needed, but let these two find their way together without too much interference. It was great to see how patient Fraser was and how he let Calloway do things in his own time. While they took their time getting to know each other, it was in a way that made perfect sense. I loved the support that Fraser gave Calloway and the reminders he gave Calloway that he was braver and stronger than he thought. I was so happy when Calloway finally was able to tell his mother a few long held truths and how she finally opened up in a way that might allow them to both heal and find better ground. I was glad that Fraser found a way to be involved with his old life, even as he has his new life with Calloway. It was great seeing Calloway find the beauty in more things in life and accept Fraser into his life. I enjoyed reading this one, and I really hope that we get a book about a certain quiet hermit sometime in the future.
August 14, 2025
I'm super excited and impressed with this story. Nora Phoenix's writing has greatly improved, and I've enjoyed her books before anyway, but wow, this was so well told. Not only were the older characters appealing, one a former smoke-jumper now healing from a career-ending injury, and the other a widower of seven years who can't get past his grief. He's lonely and isolated, and suffers from a stutter brought on by a near-death experience in childhood. Both are men I loved to love. The setup in Forestville, populated by other gay silver foxes, some of whom make a quick visit, is perfect. I enjoyed the entire story from the first meet-cute to the last moment when the men found their own quiet HEA.
The author's similes and metaphors of various scenarios carried me away. For example, Fraser reflects on his time with Calloway after they've become close: "Somehow we always fell into a rhythm in his kitchen, like a song we both knew by heart." Gah. Love that!!!! And then later, when Fraser attends a reunion with his former smoke-jumpers team: "Dinner was greasy and perfect -- burgers dripping with melted cheese, fries so salty they probably violated a health code." Wow. I can taste them. Yum!
I definitely recommend the full series and very highly recommend this one specifically. The stories just keep getting better.
The author's similes and metaphors of various scenarios carried me away. For example, Fraser reflects on his time with Calloway after they've become close: "Somehow we always fell into a rhythm in his kitchen, like a song we both knew by heart." Gah. Love that!!!! And then later, when Fraser attends a reunion with his former smoke-jumpers team: "Dinner was greasy and perfect -- burgers dripping with melted cheese, fries so salty they probably violated a health code." Wow. I can taste them. Yum!
I definitely recommend the full series and very highly recommend this one specifically. The stories just keep getting better.
November 19, 2025
Nous revoilà à Forestville, cette fois-ci en compagnie de Calloway, de retour au pays après la perte de son mari, sept ans plus tôt. Toujours en deuil, il reste essentiellement reclus chez lui, son bégaiement et ses angoisses ne facilitant pas les contacts. Mais parfois, les rencontres s’imposent à lui de manière impromptue.
Fraser, ancien pompier parachutiste blessé de manière permanente, s’est éloigné de sa base afin de se remettre de son accident et de s’adapter à sa nouvelle vie. Nouveau à Forestville, il va vite se rendre compte de ce que cette petite ville a à offrir. À commencer par le charmant Calloway, avec qui il partage l’amour de la lecture.
C’est une magnifique romance douce entre deux hommes blessés par la vie que nous offre ici Nora Phoenix. Elle nous décrit deux quinquagénaires crédibles, qui aspirent à une vie simple et tranquille. Leur relation évolue tout en douceur et avec beaucoup de naturel, Fraser s’adaptant au rythme de Calloway.
J’ai vraiment été séduite par toute cette tendresse et j’ai ressenti de très fortes émotions. J’ai eu l’impression de m’enfermer avec eux dans leur bulle.
Je vous encourage à découvrir cette romance douce, pudique mais incroyablement émouvante. Il n'est absolument pas nécessaire d'avoir lu les tomes précédents pour l'appréciation à sa juste valeur !
Fraser, ancien pompier parachutiste blessé de manière permanente, s’est éloigné de sa base afin de se remettre de son accident et de s’adapter à sa nouvelle vie. Nouveau à Forestville, il va vite se rendre compte de ce que cette petite ville a à offrir. À commencer par le charmant Calloway, avec qui il partage l’amour de la lecture.
C’est une magnifique romance douce entre deux hommes blessés par la vie que nous offre ici Nora Phoenix. Elle nous décrit deux quinquagénaires crédibles, qui aspirent à une vie simple et tranquille. Leur relation évolue tout en douceur et avec beaucoup de naturel, Fraser s’adaptant au rythme de Calloway.
J’ai vraiment été séduite par toute cette tendresse et j’ai ressenti de très fortes émotions. J’ai eu l’impression de m’enfermer avec eux dans leur bulle.
Je vous encourage à découvrir cette romance douce, pudique mais incroyablement émouvante. Il n'est absolument pas nécessaire d'avoir lu les tomes précédents pour l'appréciation à sa juste valeur !
November 22, 2025
Quand on met les pieds à Forrestville, il est difficile de ne pas tomber amoureux de cette ville.
Découvrir que Nora ajoutait des tomes à cette série, déjà riche, a été un vrai bonheur.
Nous rencontrons donc Calloway et Fraser dans cet opus et le moins que l’on puisse dire c’est que ces deux-là vont vous toucher en plein cœur. Calloway est hyper touchant et sa détresse se ressent dans chaque mot utilisé par l’auteur. Fraser est la bonté incarnée, sa bienveillance envers Calloway fait tellement de bien. Leur relation est basée sur la tendresse et l’écoute, chacun permettant à l’autre d’avancer sur le chemin du deuil. J’ai aimé leurs interactions et leur alchimie.
Cette romance est toute douce et parfaite pour se détendre. Malgré les sujets forts qui sont abordés, elle reste une lecture sans grand drame et j’aime ça. Elle rentre dans ma catégorie livre doudou tant elle est réconfortante.
La maturité de Calloway et Fraser joue énormément dans leur relation et cette dernière se construit pierre après pierre. J’ai aimé cet aspect-là également. Le respect prend une grand place dans ce duo et le rend plus fort.
La plume de Nora fait encore des merveilles ici et je ne peux que vous inviter à découvrir cette lecture. Ce nouveau tome est une lecture attendrissante à ne pas louper.
Découvrir que Nora ajoutait des tomes à cette série, déjà riche, a été un vrai bonheur.
Nous rencontrons donc Calloway et Fraser dans cet opus et le moins que l’on puisse dire c’est que ces deux-là vont vous toucher en plein cœur. Calloway est hyper touchant et sa détresse se ressent dans chaque mot utilisé par l’auteur. Fraser est la bonté incarnée, sa bienveillance envers Calloway fait tellement de bien. Leur relation est basée sur la tendresse et l’écoute, chacun permettant à l’autre d’avancer sur le chemin du deuil. J’ai aimé leurs interactions et leur alchimie.
Cette romance est toute douce et parfaite pour se détendre. Malgré les sujets forts qui sont abordés, elle reste une lecture sans grand drame et j’aime ça. Elle rentre dans ma catégorie livre doudou tant elle est réconfortante.
La maturité de Calloway et Fraser joue énormément dans leur relation et cette dernière se construit pierre après pierre. J’ai aimé cet aspect-là également. Le respect prend une grand place dans ce duo et le rend plus fort.
La plume de Nora fait encore des merveilles ici et je ne peux que vous inviter à découvrir cette lecture. Ce nouveau tome est une lecture attendrissante à ne pas louper.
July 30, 2025
This was the sweetest, most heartwarming and beautiful slow burn romance.
We're in Forestville, a fictional small town and we follow Fraser, a Firefighter who was forced to retire because of his injuries and Calloway, a lonely man grieving his dead husband. The two men find a kindred spirit in each other and their love for books help them grow closer, become friends and eventually heal their broken hearts and find love, companionship and joy.
I can't find the words to describe how much this book touched my heart. It was very emotional and at the same time comforting. The way Calloway and Fraser helped each other and supported each other was like a warm hug. It was such a pleasure following their journey. Calloway and Fraser felt like real people and I connected with them instantly. I adored them together.
It was a very hopeful and inspirational book and my new favorite in the series. The romance was a slow burn but the pacing of the book was perfect, I couldn't put it down, reading it just made feel so happy.
Honestly, if you enjoy slow burn romances and love deep and complex characters read this book. I promise you'll love it.
We're in Forestville, a fictional small town and we follow Fraser, a Firefighter who was forced to retire because of his injuries and Calloway, a lonely man grieving his dead husband. The two men find a kindred spirit in each other and their love for books help them grow closer, become friends and eventually heal their broken hearts and find love, companionship and joy.
I can't find the words to describe how much this book touched my heart. It was very emotional and at the same time comforting. The way Calloway and Fraser helped each other and supported each other was like a warm hug. It was such a pleasure following their journey. Calloway and Fraser felt like real people and I connected with them instantly. I adored them together.
It was a very hopeful and inspirational book and my new favorite in the series. The romance was a slow burn but the pacing of the book was perfect, I couldn't put it down, reading it just made feel so happy.
Honestly, if you enjoy slow burn romances and love deep and complex characters read this book. I promise you'll love it.
January 21, 2026
VOTO 4 stelle e mezzo
Adoro quest’autrice, ogni sua storia mi riempie di calore, vuoi per lo spicy, vuoi per i veri sentimenti che si annidano nei cuori dei protagonisti.
Pur essendo ambientato a Forestville, Fraser e Calloway sono estranei ai protagonisti che siamo stati abituati a scoprire volume dopo volume, eppure si incastrano alla perfezione in questa location così piccola, ma gentile e pronta ad accogliere tutti.
Bisognerebbe estrapolare capitoli per descrivere Calloway da una parte e Fraser dall'altra, ma lascio a voi il piacere di scoprirli e, come me, amarli.
Il dolore della perdita logora, dilania, lascia solitudine e fa paura, ma la vita riserve sempre delle sorprese, sapranno i nostri protagonisti aprirsi e sorridere di nuovo?
Ciò che mi perseguitava non era la prospettiva che se ne andasse per quattro settimane. No, era lo spettro della permanenza, la paura di diventare una nota a piè pagina nella storia della vita di Fraser, un breve intermezzo in una città che alla fine avrebbe potuto considerare troppo piccola per contenere la sua gioia di vivere, la sua sete di avventura.
Buona lettura e alla prossima ❤️
Adoro quest’autrice, ogni sua storia mi riempie di calore, vuoi per lo spicy, vuoi per i veri sentimenti che si annidano nei cuori dei protagonisti.
Pur essendo ambientato a Forestville, Fraser e Calloway sono estranei ai protagonisti che siamo stati abituati a scoprire volume dopo volume, eppure si incastrano alla perfezione in questa location così piccola, ma gentile e pronta ad accogliere tutti.
Bisognerebbe estrapolare capitoli per descrivere Calloway da una parte e Fraser dall'altra, ma lascio a voi il piacere di scoprirli e, come me, amarli.
Il dolore della perdita logora, dilania, lascia solitudine e fa paura, ma la vita riserve sempre delle sorprese, sapranno i nostri protagonisti aprirsi e sorridere di nuovo?
Ciò che mi perseguitava non era la prospettiva che se ne andasse per quattro settimane. No, era lo spettro della permanenza, la paura di diventare una nota a piè pagina nella storia della vita di Fraser, un breve intermezzo in una città che alla fine avrebbe potuto considerare troppo piccola per contenere la sua gioia di vivere, la sua sete di avventura.
Buona lettura e alla prossima ❤️
August 1, 2025
This is an amazing silver fox, very slow burn, friends-to-lovers romance.
While this book is set in Forestville, it now moves away from the original set of friends and has two new characters. But you still have a great sense of small town romance.
This book definitely has some deeper topics, Calloway is a great character who is frozen ever since the death of his husband and struggles with his stutter and especially his mother's wellmeaning but bad attempts to help.
Fraser is also struggling, having been forced to retire from smoke jumping on medical grounds, he is still coming to terms how to live his life now.
I absolutely love how these two slowly, very slowly start out as friends before deeper feelings develop. Seeing Calloway trying to come to terms with feelings towards someone else but still not being able to fully embrace them at first, is heartbreaking.
Nora Phoenix has done a brilliant job here, there is real struggle, no magically solution, a deep sense of feelings which take time to develop.
While this book is set in Forestville, it now moves away from the original set of friends and has two new characters. But you still have a great sense of small town romance.
This book definitely has some deeper topics, Calloway is a great character who is frozen ever since the death of his husband and struggles with his stutter and especially his mother's wellmeaning but bad attempts to help.
Fraser is also struggling, having been forced to retire from smoke jumping on medical grounds, he is still coming to terms how to live his life now.
I absolutely love how these two slowly, very slowly start out as friends before deeper feelings develop. Seeing Calloway trying to come to terms with feelings towards someone else but still not being able to fully embrace them at first, is heartbreaking.
Nora Phoenix has done a brilliant job here, there is real struggle, no magically solution, a deep sense of feelings which take time to develop.
August 11, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Befriending the Bear is the sixth book in Nora Phoenix’s Forestville Silver Foxes series. This is the first full-length novel in the series to branch beyond the original group of best friends, so I was curious to see how it would play out and I really enjoyed the story. The tone and setting brought me right back to Forestville, even without seeing the main group of characters beyond a couple of quick cameos. It also means this story is very accessible to new readers who may not be familiar with the original cast, but still brings back a sense of continuity with the same setting and various side characters.
I really liked this one and enjoyed reconnecting with this small town. I’d recommend Building the Bear both to series fans, as well as new readers looking to jump into this world.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Befriending the Bear is the sixth book in Nora Phoenix’s Forestville Silver Foxes series. This is the first full-length novel in the series to branch beyond the original group of best friends, so I was curious to see how it would play out and I really enjoyed the story. The tone and setting brought me right back to Forestville, even without seeing the main group of characters beyond a couple of quick cameos. It also means this story is very accessible to new readers who may not be familiar with the original cast, but still brings back a sense of continuity with the same setting and various side characters.
I really liked this one and enjoyed reconnecting with this small town. I’d recommend Building the Bear both to series fans, as well as new readers looking to jump into this world.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
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