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A Bear Creek Christmas #1
The Bear's Christmas Wish
A cozy, small-town fated mates romance set in Bear Creek.
Christmas has always been Michael North’s favorite season—fresh snow, twinkling lights, and the scent of pine through the valley. But this year, the tree farmer and bear shifter makes a wish on the first falling star of to find the one thing missing from his life—a mate to share it all with.
When single mom Sarah Carter turns up at North Peak Pines searching for the perfect Christmas tree, Michael knows the universe has just answered his wish. She’s everything he’s ever wanted—kind, strong, and utterly captivating. But Sarah isn’t looking for forever. Not again. Her focus is on her daughter, Emmy, and building a new life after heartbreak.
For Sarah, Bear Creek was supposed to be a fresh start—not the place she’d lose her heart again. After years of broken promises, trusting someone new feels impossible. Yet when Michael’s quiet strength and gentle warmth begin to thaw the walls she’s built, Sarah starts to wonder if love—real, lasting love—might still be waiting for her beneath the falling snow.
And when she discovers Michael’s biggest secret—that he’s a bear shifter bound to her by fate—she must decide if she’s ready to believe in Christmas magic again.
Because sometimes the greatest gifts aren’t found under the tree… but waiting in the arms of a man who was wishing for you all along.
The Bear's Christmas Wish is perfect for readers who
🎄 Fated mates & protective bear shifters
💖 Single mom & found family romance
🏡 Small-town charm & cozy Christmas vibes
🔥 Slow-burn chemistry with low angst and heartwarming HEAs
Come home to Bear Creek, where Christmas wishes come true.
Christmas has always been Michael North’s favorite season—fresh snow, twinkling lights, and the scent of pine through the valley. But this year, the tree farmer and bear shifter makes a wish on the first falling star of to find the one thing missing from his life—a mate to share it all with.
When single mom Sarah Carter turns up at North Peak Pines searching for the perfect Christmas tree, Michael knows the universe has just answered his wish. She’s everything he’s ever wanted—kind, strong, and utterly captivating. But Sarah isn’t looking for forever. Not again. Her focus is on her daughter, Emmy, and building a new life after heartbreak.
For Sarah, Bear Creek was supposed to be a fresh start—not the place she’d lose her heart again. After years of broken promises, trusting someone new feels impossible. Yet when Michael’s quiet strength and gentle warmth begin to thaw the walls she’s built, Sarah starts to wonder if love—real, lasting love—might still be waiting for her beneath the falling snow.
And when she discovers Michael’s biggest secret—that he’s a bear shifter bound to her by fate—she must decide if she’s ready to believe in Christmas magic again.
Because sometimes the greatest gifts aren’t found under the tree… but waiting in the arms of a man who was wishing for you all along.
The Bear's Christmas Wish is perfect for readers who
🎄 Fated mates & protective bear shifters
💖 Single mom & found family romance
🏡 Small-town charm & cozy Christmas vibes
🔥 Slow-burn chemistry with low angst and heartwarming HEAs
Come home to Bear Creek, where Christmas wishes come true.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2025
315 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Harmony Raines
294 books703 followersHarmony Raines loves to write romance filled with magic and love. Her men are usually not so alpha, but they know how to treat their fated mates, or alien lovers well.
Email: harmony@harmonyraines.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harmonyraine...
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From the author:
If you love shifter romances, sign up to my newsletter at http://www.harmonyraines.com/newslett... and you'll receive an exclusive subscriber only book - Fated & Mated: Love at First Site - absolutely free!
Just my way of saying thank you for giving my books a try.
Email: harmony@harmonyraines.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harmonyraine...
-----------------------------------------------------
From the author:
If you love shifter romances, sign up to my newsletter at http://www.harmonyraines.com/newslett... and you'll receive an exclusive subscriber only book - Fated & Mated: Love at First Site - absolutely free!
Just my way of saying thank you for giving my books a try.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 31, 2026
6 / 10 ⭐️
Romantasy / Sobrenatural (cambiaformas - oso) / Navideña / Novela corta
Michael lleva mucho tiempo esperando a su compañera predestinada y ya está perdiendo la esperanza.
Coincidiendo con la época navideña, Sarah vuelve a casa de su madre con su pequeña hija Emmy, para empezar de cero tras su divorcio.
Es una novela corta que juega con lo de que son parejas predestinadas para juntarlos en menos de una semana.
Aunque todo es muy romántico, suena todo muy precipitado.
Romantasy / Sobrenatural (cambiaformas - oso) / Navideña / Novela corta
Michael lleva mucho tiempo esperando a su compañera predestinada y ya está perdiendo la esperanza.
Coincidiendo con la época navideña, Sarah vuelve a casa de su madre con su pequeña hija Emmy, para empezar de cero tras su divorcio.
Es una novela corta que juega con lo de que son parejas predestinadas para juntarlos en menos de una semana.
Aunque todo es muy romántico, suena todo muy precipitado.
November 18, 2025
story inconsistencies and missing information
Sarah made comments to Pat about returning to her childhood room but the story was that she was new to town and the town’s holiday traditions. The contradiction didn’t make sense.
Sarah had coffee in the morning, hot chocolate and three cups of coffee with Michael, hot chocolate at home, hot chocolate at the tree lighting, and tea at home, all in one day! Nobody can drink that many hot drinks and not get sick. The author needs to be realistic with the number of hot drinks in cold weather.
It would have been helpful to give the characters’ ages. I had no clue how old Emmy was, which makes a difference on how she is handled about the divorce and the new relationship. Also, how old Michael was made a difference to how long he waited to meet his mate.
Michael’s friends were waiting to meet their mates, but one of them had two kids. A brief explanation would have been nice.
These are just a few examples of inconsistencies in the story and questions that detracted from following. There were several more. I don’t plan on reading the other books in the series.
Sarah made comments to Pat about returning to her childhood room but the story was that she was new to town and the town’s holiday traditions. The contradiction didn’t make sense.
Sarah had coffee in the morning, hot chocolate and three cups of coffee with Michael, hot chocolate at home, hot chocolate at the tree lighting, and tea at home, all in one day! Nobody can drink that many hot drinks and not get sick. The author needs to be realistic with the number of hot drinks in cold weather.
It would have been helpful to give the characters’ ages. I had no clue how old Emmy was, which makes a difference on how she is handled about the divorce and the new relationship. Also, how old Michael was made a difference to how long he waited to meet his mate.
Michael’s friends were waiting to meet their mates, but one of them had two kids. A brief explanation would have been nice.
These are just a few examples of inconsistencies in the story and questions that detracted from following. There were several more. I don’t plan on reading the other books in the series.
November 6, 2025
Magical
My thanks to Harmony Raines for including this book on Kindle Unlimited. My limited book budget goes to my KU writers, every time!
This is a delightful magical read and while it is not a complex read with profound challenges or multilayered plotlines, it does not need to be. The writing is well done, well edited, with good character and world development. Shifting is magical; Christmas is magical; and the mate bond is the most magical of all. I smiled all the way through this read--a gift I appreciate. I so enjoyed being immersed in Bear Creek and its Christmas traditions.
I can personally say mate bonds are real. I met my mate in 2021. We both recognized each other and felt the bond slip into place. It's been just as amazing as depicted in books like this, and still is. So now I read books like this delighting in the knowledge mate bond magic is real.
Content: No violence or crude language. One intimate scene with some details, though the focus is mostly on the impact of being mated.
I have no interest in the intimate lives of my book people; I'm all about the story. Writer Harmony gives us plenty of story, so 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.
Happy Christmas & Happy Reading!
My thanks to Harmony Raines for including this book on Kindle Unlimited. My limited book budget goes to my KU writers, every time!
This is a delightful magical read and while it is not a complex read with profound challenges or multilayered plotlines, it does not need to be. The writing is well done, well edited, with good character and world development. Shifting is magical; Christmas is magical; and the mate bond is the most magical of all. I smiled all the way through this read--a gift I appreciate. I so enjoyed being immersed in Bear Creek and its Christmas traditions.
I can personally say mate bonds are real. I met my mate in 2021. We both recognized each other and felt the bond slip into place. It's been just as amazing as depicted in books like this, and still is. So now I read books like this delighting in the knowledge mate bond magic is real.
Content: No violence or crude language. One intimate scene with some details, though the focus is mostly on the impact of being mated.
I have no interest in the intimate lives of my book people; I'm all about the story. Writer Harmony gives us plenty of story, so 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.
Happy Christmas & Happy Reading!
November 11, 2025
Great introduction to a new Bear Creek series!
Michael is working on his Christmas tree farm when he feels his mate approaching. Sarah has moved to Bear Creek with her daughter Emmy to live with her mom and recuperate from her divorce. She is immediately attracted to Michael, but feels it is too soon and she needs to focus on Emmy. Can Michael convince her that it's not too soon, and he will support both her and her daughter? Read this to find out!
The pace is fast and the tone is hopeful with a character centered storyline that has only one steamy scene and some kisses. The characters are vivid and endearing. This is a great introduction to the newest addition to Bear Creek. I can't wait to see the other three bear shifters find their mates as well! If you have never read Bear Creek books, you can start with this one. But if you want to start at the beginning, read the Bear Creek and Bear Bluff Clans box set first, then the Return to Bear Bluff box set, and all the Return to Bear Creek box sets and singles in order. From there you have a ton to pick from. By my count, this is the 15th series set in Bear Creek and Bear Bluff with Thornberg Ranch and Thornberg Vineyard just before this one! Enjoy these sweet and sometimes exciting shifter romances.
Michael is working on his Christmas tree farm when he feels his mate approaching. Sarah has moved to Bear Creek with her daughter Emmy to live with her mom and recuperate from her divorce. She is immediately attracted to Michael, but feels it is too soon and she needs to focus on Emmy. Can Michael convince her that it's not too soon, and he will support both her and her daughter? Read this to find out!
The pace is fast and the tone is hopeful with a character centered storyline that has only one steamy scene and some kisses. The characters are vivid and endearing. This is a great introduction to the newest addition to Bear Creek. I can't wait to see the other three bear shifters find their mates as well! If you have never read Bear Creek books, you can start with this one. But if you want to start at the beginning, read the Bear Creek and Bear Bluff Clans box set first, then the Return to Bear Bluff box set, and all the Return to Bear Creek box sets and singles in order. From there you have a ton to pick from. By my count, this is the 15th series set in Bear Creek and Bear Bluff with Thornberg Ranch and Thornberg Vineyard just before this one! Enjoy these sweet and sometimes exciting shifter romances.
November 7, 2025
A Wish For A Mate
A Christmas wish made by Michael, brings his mate to the North Peak Pines Tree Farm. He can’t believe that she is here, in the flesh & she has a beautiful daughter as well. Sarah has just moved to Bear Creek to live with her mom after her divorce. She has no intention of looking for anything romantic, that is until she lays eyes on Michael!
Their courtship is fast & instant. Michael is there for her when she needs him & he also saves the day with Emmy when her dad fails to show up. His bear is anxious to meet his mate, but Michael wants to wait for the right time. He doesn’t want to overwhelm her.
This was a sweet, sexy, slightly spicy story of a forever love, just waiting to be found! Enjoy!
A Christmas wish made by Michael, brings his mate to the North Peak Pines Tree Farm. He can’t believe that she is here, in the flesh & she has a beautiful daughter as well. Sarah has just moved to Bear Creek to live with her mom after her divorce. She has no intention of looking for anything romantic, that is until she lays eyes on Michael!
Their courtship is fast & instant. Michael is there for her when she needs him & he also saves the day with Emmy when her dad fails to show up. His bear is anxious to meet his mate, but Michael wants to wait for the right time. He doesn’t want to overwhelm her.
This was a sweet, sexy, slightly spicy story of a forever love, just waiting to be found! Enjoy!
December 22, 2025
Great Christmas Shifter Love Story
The Bear's Christmas Wish: A Cozy Small Town Shifter Romance is book 1 of Harmony Raines' A Bear Creek Christmas series. Michael, the local Beat Creek Christmas tree farmer and is friends make their same shooting star wish on the first shooting star of the Christmas season. Their wish is to meet their fated mates. Could it be time for at least one of them to have their wish come true? This Christmas story is full of hope and dreams. The characters are warm and lovable. The snow globe perfect town of Bear Creek is the perfect setting for a Christmas story.
The Bear's Christmas Wish: A Cozy Small Town Shifter Romance is book 1 of Harmony Raines' A Bear Creek Christmas series. Michael, the local Beat Creek Christmas tree farmer and is friends make their same shooting star wish on the first shooting star of the Christmas season. Their wish is to meet their fated mates. Could it be time for at least one of them to have their wish come true? This Christmas story is full of hope and dreams. The characters are warm and lovable. The snow globe perfect town of Bear Creek is the perfect setting for a Christmas story.
December 16, 2025
Sweet Christmas Shifter Romance
This is a sweet story of a newly divorced mom and her daughter moving to a picturesque town to start over, to build a new life.
The characters are lovely, the setting is picture postcard beautiful, and the Christmas theme makes the story extra magical.
I adore Michael and his friends, and family, and Sarah comes to feel the same way.
Dive into this sweet romance and enjoy!
Note: This is meant for adult readers.
There are a few explicit sex scenes; tasteful, but explicit.
This is a sweet story of a newly divorced mom and her daughter moving to a picturesque town to start over, to build a new life.
The characters are lovely, the setting is picture postcard beautiful, and the Christmas theme makes the story extra magical.
I adore Michael and his friends, and family, and Sarah comes to feel the same way.
Dive into this sweet romance and enjoy!
Note: This is meant for adult readers.
There are a few explicit sex scenes; tasteful, but explicit.
January 25, 2026
This was a sweet little cozy Christmas story. It’s a single mum and owner of the Christmas tree farm romance, where he just happens to be a bear shifter.
It’s got all the iconic holiday vibes and enough hot chocolate is consumed in four days to fill a bathtub.
The shifter part doesn’t play a huge part in the story beyond them being fated mates and Michael knowing instantly she’s meant for him.
It’s just a happy place story, no drama with the couple, no angst, no real conflict to be seen. Just a sweet slice of a Merry Christmas of new love and possibilities.
It’s got all the iconic holiday vibes and enough hot chocolate is consumed in four days to fill a bathtub.
The shifter part doesn’t play a huge part in the story beyond them being fated mates and Michael knowing instantly she’s meant for him.
It’s just a happy place story, no drama with the couple, no angst, no real conflict to be seen. Just a sweet slice of a Merry Christmas of new love and possibilities.
November 7, 2025
The Bears’s Christmas Wish
I’ve been waiting for a new Harmony Raines , Bear Creek book to come out. I wish they would come out closer together, but they really are worth the wait. I really love the way she writes when there are children involved. Emmy really comes across as adorable. And the story between Michael and Sarah is beautiful. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
I’ve been waiting for a new Harmony Raines , Bear Creek book to come out. I wish they would come out closer together, but they really are worth the wait. I really love the way she writes when there are children involved. Emmy really comes across as adorable. And the story between Michael and Sarah is beautiful. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
November 25, 2025
Brilliant Series
The Bear’s Christmas Wish (A Bear Creek Christmas Book 1) by Harmony Raines. Sarah moved her and her daughter Emmy to her mother’s in Bear Creek when she divorced her husband. Getting a Christmas tree she met Michael and immediately felt a connection. Bear shifter Michael knew immediately that Sarah was his fated mate and set about claiming her and Emmy as his family.
The Bear’s Christmas Wish (A Bear Creek Christmas Book 1) by Harmony Raines. Sarah moved her and her daughter Emmy to her mother’s in Bear Creek when she divorced her husband. Getting a Christmas tree she met Michael and immediately felt a connection. Bear shifter Michael knew immediately that Sarah was his fated mate and set about claiming her and Emmy as his family.
December 20, 2025
nice cozy bear shifter romance
Everything a small town cozy romance should have with a bear shifter :) It was such a lovely read, a little bit of spice but not a lot so it complemented the story well. Micheals charachter came over as a gentle,caring but also protective MMC and Sarah allowed her feelings to come forward even though she’d been let down in the past, a very doting mother who puts her daughter first but also allowed herself to find happiness too.
Everything a small town cozy romance should have with a bear shifter :) It was such a lovely read, a little bit of spice but not a lot so it complemented the story well. Micheals charachter came over as a gentle,caring but also protective MMC and Sarah allowed her feelings to come forward even though she’d been let down in the past, a very doting mother who puts her daughter first but also allowed herself to find happiness too.
December 25, 2025
Christmas with bear shifters
A fun read about bear shifters looking for their mates. This was a cute read. I did enjoy the book but personally had a little problem with how some parts just seemed to repeat for me. Yet, it is a fated mates connection set around Christmas with a cozy town feel. Overall, it was enjoyable.
A fun read about bear shifters looking for their mates. This was a cute read. I did enjoy the book but personally had a little problem with how some parts just seemed to repeat for me. Yet, it is a fated mates connection set around Christmas with a cozy town feel. Overall, it was enjoyable.
January 18, 2026
Quería algo corto, sin complicaciones. Y este lo es. ¿Tiene sus pegas? Por supuesto. Apenas hay profundidad en los personajes, todo sucede rápido, hay alguna inconsistencia... Pero en general son dulces, cuidadosos y es una historia bonita. Es agradable una historia de cambia formas que no se comporta como un neadertal
November 5, 2025
Starting Over
Love Bear Creek and the special shifters. Warm and romantic, colorful and family, the magic of Christmas. Harmony Raines has penned another great story of Bear shifters and family.
Love Bear Creek and the special shifters. Warm and romantic, colorful and family, the magic of Christmas. Harmony Raines has penned another great story of Bear shifters and family.
November 8, 2025
Love is all around
This story is just full of love. Michael was just so charming. I’m guessing his friends will find their mates too. Sarah was receptive to his charms and went with her feelings. Charming.
This story is just full of love. Michael was just so charming. I’m guessing his friends will find their mates too. Sarah was receptive to his charms and went with her feelings. Charming.
November 8, 2025
Sarah and Michael
This is an amazing insta love story, with endearing characters, lots of Christmas cheer, an all around feel good story. It has a happily ever after with no cliffhanger.
This is an amazing insta love story, with endearing characters, lots of Christmas cheer, an all around feel good story. It has a happily ever after with no cliffhanger.
November 24, 2025
2.5 stars.
Not well executed. Also a weird combo of PG Hallmark movie and then a graphic sex scene. The entire story happens over days, which was not believable even with the mating bond. The Christmassy stuff was fun though.
Not well executed. Also a weird combo of PG Hallmark movie and then a graphic sex scene. The entire story happens over days, which was not believable even with the mating bond. The Christmassy stuff was fun though.
December 7, 2025
Sweet Christmas story
Michael finally met his mate, Sarah, although was unaware of shifters, felt something too, but getting over her recent divorce, she wanted to concentrate on her daughter. A magical Christmas story with a hea.
Michael finally met his mate, Sarah, although was unaware of shifters, felt something too, but getting over her recent divorce, she wanted to concentrate on her daughter. A magical Christmas story with a hea.
December 28, 2025
Loved the overall storyline and the characters and being in this author’s Bear Creek world.
A really sweet Christmas themed shifter short story with a quick time slot for insta love.
Lovely overall but always unrealistic.
I find it so funny in all of these books, no woman ever faints, gets shocked, or screams like mad when a man transforms into a great big bear in front of them.
Read through KU.
A really sweet Christmas themed shifter short story with a quick time slot for insta love.
Lovely overall but always unrealistic.
I find it so funny in all of these books, no woman ever faints, gets shocked, or screams like mad when a man transforms into a great big bear in front of them.
Read through KU.
January 4, 2026
This is a sweet story
From being married to the man of her daughter that ended in divorce to a happy ending with her one true mate.I would like to say thank you for all your hard work and may fortune smile 😃on you 😁from a bookworm that loves to read
From being married to the man of her daughter that ended in divorce to a happy ending with her one true mate.I would like to say thank you for all your hard work and may fortune smile 😃on you 😁from a bookworm that loves to read
November 23, 2025
Sarah and Michael's Bond
Harmony Raines bear shifter stories are always a one click buy for me. Loving this new Christmas Bear Creek series.
Harmony Raines bear shifter stories are always a one click buy for me. Loving this new Christmas Bear Creek series.
December 13, 2025
Not what I expected
Not like other shifter books I've read. OK but somehow lacking. Where is the strength and power. Interesting take on shifters
Not like other shifter books I've read. OK but somehow lacking. Where is the strength and power. Interesting take on shifters
December 18, 2025
Loved it beary much
Michael was such a kind and stable and living shifter so deserving of the family that Sarah and Emily could provide him.
Michael was such a kind and stable and living shifter so deserving of the family that Sarah and Emily could provide him.
December 25, 2025
Right for the season!
Sometimes you just need to mentally get out of your head. For me it's a good paranormal romance and this book📚 from this series was just that!
Sometimes you just need to mentally get out of your head. For me it's a good paranormal romance and this book📚 from this series was just that!
December 28, 2025
an unexpected delight! Loved the whole story line.
January 26, 2026
Sarah & Michael
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