Snowed in with the Bear Shifter: A Small Town Holiday Romance

Monsters and Mistletoe

by Mary Ashe

Sometimes, you crash into love; sometimes, love crashes into you

Eloise
Wild how a simple mental health hike on Solstice can go so disastrously wrong so fast. First, it starts to snow (never trust the forecast). Then, the biggest bear Eloise has ever seen tries to eat her. She runs (terrible idea) and crashes into a tree, only to wake up snowbound in a cozy cabin with her rescuer, an extremely attractive (and strangely familiar) bear shifter-slash-mountain man who calls her his mate.

Roarke
Roarke is looking for a little peace and quiet away from his large family’s holiday shenanigans. Instead, he finds himself rescuing his high school crush, tucking her into his bed, and calling her mate. Not how he expected his alone time to go. But she’s a sweet force to be reckoned with, one wilder than the storm keeping them trapped in his cabin.

Snowed In with the Bear Shifter is a spicy paranormal novella and part of the Monsters and Mistletoe shared author series. It features a cheerfully optimistic witch, a shy mountain man bear shifter, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Genres: Christmas, Romance

101 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2025

Reviews

[Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eloise is looking for some space from her overbearing family which has strong opinions on how she celebrates Solstice. The last thing she expects is to run into a dangerous bear while hiking solo in the woods.

Bear-shifter Roarke can’t believe he scared his high school crush, knocking her unconscious. With a winter storm brewing, he takes her back to his cozy cabin and tries to keep his distance, which is made difficult knowing Eloise is his mate.

Snowed in with the Bear Shifter is a cute holiday romance with a sexy bear shifter and vivacious witch. The story has the charm of a Hallmark special, complete with a beautiful tree and festive treats. Eloise and Roarke have a history as she was his sister’s friend when they were in school, but a romance with Roarke was the furthest thing on Eloise’s mind back then. This time around, the attraction is both mutual and strong.

Eloise and Roarke’s romance is both fated and instalove, which works in the shorter-form novella. There is enough space in the book for each to receive unsolicited advice that ultimately leads to the couple’s HEA.

In the end, Snowed in with the Bear Shifter is a fun holiday romance, a steamy read for a cold, winter evening.

My Rating: B

NOTE: This book is the second set in the small town of Stonyburn. If you want to read another, check out Ashe's book Rescued by the Dour Demon.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novella November 2025 #10
Witch x Bear Shifter 😍

[Helena · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good light holiday novella vibes. I'm only taking off a bit bc Eloise was a bit annoying and I wanted better smut, but it's a good palate cleaner for the holiday season

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s a witch with walls. He’s a bear who breaks them down.

Eloise, a strong-willed witch with no interest in holiday chaos, heads to the mountains for a Winter Solstice hike, looking for quiet, not complications. Instead, she gets caught in a storm, stalked by a bear, and rescued by a gruff but familiar stranger. She wakes in a cozy cabin with Roarke, a bear shifter, ex-Marine, and her former high school crush. The storm outside is relentless, but the tension between them is harder to outrun.

Roarke came to the woods to escape his family's festive noise, not to fall headfirst for the witch he never forgot. He didn’t expect her to be snowed in with him or be drawn to her. But when instinct meets memory, the bond hits fast and deep. She’s fierce, sharp, and impossible to ignore. Trapped together, the emotional stakes rise just as fast as the heat.

Eloise isn’t used to needing anyone. She’s spent her life protecting her space and sidestepping any bond that feels too permanent. But Roarke sees every part of her, and she doesn’t want to look away. When the snow clears, she leaves, but some things follow you, refusing to let go.

Eloise evolves from fiercely independent to open and ready to claim her place in love, while Roarke sheds solitude and steps into connection, fully and without hesitation. Their relationship grows from wary tension to deep trust, shaped by honesty, heat, and showing up for each other.

A steamy, snowed in, fated mates, bear shifter, witch, grumpy sunshine, small town, Christmastime romance exploring vulnerability, identity, found family, and the power of choice. It’s about crashing through fear, trusting someone enough to be fully seen, and finding the strength to let love in. At its heart, it’s about two people who don’t expect love but find it anyway and choose each other without needing to change.

The Elevator Pitch: A fierce witch. A gruff bear shifter. One cabin, one bed, and a bond too powerful to ignore. Their connection is instant, their heat undeniable, and the storm outside is nothing compared to what burns between them. It's a steamy, snowed in romance about fate, trust, and choosing love without losing yourself.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eloise and Roarke . . .

Stressed by the pending visit of relatives at her mother's house, located right across in direct line of sight from her own apartment, witch Eloise Fisk decided to go on what should have been a simple "mental health" hike on Winter Solstice but instead turned into a disaster. Despite the weather forecasting a clear day (they lie), it began sleeting halfway through her hike, miles away from her car, and a huge black bear then chased her in the woods. Immediately forgetting survival tips, she didn't know if she was supposed to run, play dead, or scream. Even so, she might have had a better chance to escape if she hadn't inadvertently stepped on ice, tumbled down the path, and cracked her head against a tree trunk. And most unusual of all, magic sparkled over her as the bear turned into a huge man! That was when she finally passed out, waking in a cabin with an attractive man who refers to her as his mate.

Roarke Hargrove was heading home as the weather got bad. It would give him an excuse to stay home and wrap presents for his family since this kind of storm would usually last 24 hours. Then he would head for his parents' house where all the relatives gathered. This wasn't his favorite time of the year. But on the path ahead, he saw Eloise, the woman he has had a crush on since high school days. When she lost consciousness, he took her to his cabin to recover. Will this time together let them find out that they are meant for each other? Or will Roarke not tell her that she is his mate?

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snowed In With The Bear Shifter by Mary Ash is a part of the monsters and mistletoe book series with multiple authors. In this book Witch Eloise is taking a walk in the woods to prove to herself and her cousins who aren’t there by the way they are visiting from up north That she too likes the outdoors in the winter they’re visiting for solstice and after three days has had enough of their company. At the same time bear shifter Rourke is in his bear form grumbling about holidays with his own family when he sees Eloise and Eloise sees him. To her he is a scary monstrous bear who’s going to eat her and despite Rourke keeping his distance she takes off running straight into a tree. Little does Eloise know but she knows this bear or at least when he’s in his human form and before everything is said and done she’ll want to get to know him better. Rourke on the other hand never needed anyone and is afraid that more than needing her he’s starting to want her. This was such a cute book I love the short Novelas And although they do have brief sex scenes it is hard to find books with shifters, aliens and other such abnormalities that don’t include a sex scene or two but I do believe even if they had plenty of them I would still want to read books like this I find them entertaining suite And a quick fun way to pass the time. #BooksSprout, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #MaryAsh, #SnowedInWithTheBearShifter, #MonstersAndMistletoe,

[Smart Cookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"But lucky her, she happened to be trapped in a beautiful cabin with one of the hottest men she'd ever seen, one who could cook, and one who kept sneaking her admiring glances when he thought she wasn't looking."

Mary Ashe’s Snowed In With The Bear Shifter is a sweet Solstice and Christmas story with a warm, snow-covered charm.

Roarke has had a crush on Eloise since high school. When he finds her on a trail in the middle of nowhere during a storm, he has no choice but to bring her back to his cabin. Roarke knows she is his mate and he wants nothing more than to keep her safe, warm, and protected. He is determined to make her happy in every small way he can, even bringing her a Christmas tree so she can decorate. What scares him most is the possibility that she will not accept the bond he feels so strongly.

This is a comforting, snowy, shifter romance perfect for readers who love protective heroes, holiday magic, and a touch of fate.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series !! love Eloise and Roarke.. this is their story... a fun fast paced rom/com drama short story... they both needed some me time... what with her aunt and cousins here and his entire clan gathering at his mom's house... it's a lot !! the noise, the chaos.. and her cousins and aunt being so judgy... a hike in the woods sounds great until, it starts to snow and snow and snow... the weather man didn't say anything about a storm !!! El is so mad about that... then, she sees a giant bear on the path and he's coming right at her.. she trips and falls down a small ravine and he keeps coming, she thinks this is the end !! he thinks that he's found his mate !! this is their meet/cute !! even though they've known each other for years... since high school.. he takes her home and it just feels right !!! El has no idea who he is.. a serial killer, an axe murderer ? this is so funny !!! so sweet !!! with angst on both sides but, mostly his !! so good !!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Plaizier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was honestly so fun to read. I read this while at the hairdressers and loved that it was a quick palate cleanser.

The characters were complex and the chemistry was there immediately, there was tension and romance and depth between the characters that was established super fast and effectively. There was a past between the mc’s that was mentioned but I didn’t feel like I was being retold a story in the middle of a story, it was a “hey haha remember this when we were younger” and not a retelling which I loved.

The characters were funny and it was honestly such an easy read. I loved that it’s a Christmas book but not “plot based around Christmas” and more “plot that just happens to be around Christmas” which has been hard for me to find recently.

This was written really well, I genuinely really enjoyed reading this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Paranormal Christmas novella featuring a bear shifter and a witch is absolutely adorable! It’s the kind of story you can read in one sitting—about two hours—and it leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling by the end.

The story arc is well-balanced, the characters are genuinely lovable, and I really enjoyed how the book explored holiday traditions and family visits from both sides. The way the two main characters navigate their differences—both magical and personal—feels relatable, funny, and heartwarming.

It’s a sweet, cozy, and engaging holiday romance that’s perfect for curling up with on a winter evening. If you love shifters, witches, and charming festive magic, this one’s for you!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun holiday romance and a fab series opener. Roarke is off to his cabin to have some peace for the holiday season - his family is louder than he prefers ;) When he finds Eloise whilst still in his bear form, well, this does not go too smoothly. However, it is the start of him getting time with his high school crush. Lol! Eloise didn't realize her rescuer was Roarke, who's now big and buff, but she's definitely feeling the hot chemistry between them... Expect to fall for this cute couple, with fun banter, as they work their way to a wonderful HEA. Good fun!

[Iluvbks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read. I liked the main female she was a fun character to read. So bubbly and she just took what she wanted. Even though he was a big bear you could still see that skinny timid high school boy who has loved her forever. But when she gets frisky he becomes very much a man. The descriptions the main female gives of him are thoughts I think we all would have ! Not instant love on her part but she got there.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Earth Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Roarke and Eloise's story very much. It's funny, spicy and romantic. I went from giggling to full belly laughing throughout the story.
Eloise is hilarious with her quips and mischief. Roarke is shy and so in love with Eloise.
Mary is a wonderful author. This Monsters and Mistletoe story is very well written. All the characters are fantastic. The story line is priceless. And a very HEA that warms your heart. I highly recommend this book.

[Andi Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in this Monsters & Mistletoe series. Our couple are Eloise and Roarke. She's taking a break to settle her emotions and while on a walk, sees a bear, then runs! Said bear is Roarke, he too is seeking some peace and quiet, when he finds her, an old school crush. Needless to say, their snowed in time is fun.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is on a hike when it starts to snow, she sees a bear and runs. He has loved her since high school and he is out in the woods for quiet time in his bear form and follows her, not intending to scare her. He takes her to his cabin to recover and hopefully she will feel the same about him. Very good fun fast read, loved this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Robin Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Snow Tale

He rescued her when she fell down an incline. She woke up in unfamiliar surroundings. His cabin. She finally recognized him as the brother of her high school bestie, but he knew who she was right away- his mate. After a couple of days, he confessed but the weather cleared and she went home. What they needed was to talk to friends and with her acceptance of the mate bond they got their HEA. Such a sweet romantic read.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eloise and Roark

This is a short, good, well written, Bear Shifter/Witch romance. Eloise works with healing magic and owns a sop with her mother. Her aunt and two cousins are visiting and personalities are clashing. She takes a long walk and gets caught in a storm. Roark has a cabin up the mountain and is in his Bear form when he realizes she needs help. He gets her to his cabin and realizes she is his mate. Read how they spar and things get interesting.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how a surprise encounter and a snowstorm finally brings Roarke and Eloise together as mates. Eloise took a bit of time to accept but does to both of their happiness. I like how they were attracted to each other since high school.

[PurpleLadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snowed In With The Bear Shifter, by Mary Ashe was a fun, quick read. The book starts with Roarke following his high school crush Eloise as a bear, scaring her out of her wits, and her fainting when he turns into man.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Monsters and Mistletoe series, another engaging story in this series. Eloise and Roarke's story is exceptionally well written story, featuring a compelling storyline and great, memorable characters. I was particularly pleased with the happy ending. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynthia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monsters & Mistletoe story of Roarke and Eloise. These two are just adorable and the most hilarious couple to find themselves mates. You will laugh and roll your eyes at these two and their courtship.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Monsters & Mistletoe series. A must-read short in this genre. Eloise, a human and Roarke, a bear shifter meet and the plot follows their journey to a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ladnamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short and sweet story with some spice. I couldn't really connect with Eloise but it was a nice chill holiday read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, The Weather Outside is Frightful

A hike gone wrong due to an accidental scare results in Roarke rescuing Eloise before a nasty blizzard blows in. There’s a bit a history between these two, and a whole lotta chemistry! I loved how these two sassed each other - always sweet, never mean, and just enough to get the juices flowing. These two had their quirks, who h made them a blast to read.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Sweet

A funny spicy tale of a bear shifter recognizing a former classmate as his true mate and hen panicking as he worries about how badly he can blow this! HEA with a twist and turn and highly recommended as a nifty reaf.

[Myra Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again I found a good read in this book. I would not mind more stories in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good holiday/mountain man romance.. I liked it.. It has fated mates and lots of sass..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roarke and Eloise's story was a sweet bear shifter Christmas story. I'm loving these Monsters and Mistletoe books. I look forward to reading all the books in the series.

[Victória · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non virgins
Few days separation
Kinda Hea

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it on one sitting! Fun holiday romance between a bear shifter and a witch. Humor and heat and holiday spirit.