A Holiday Stowaway

by Dria Andersen

Essence didn't expect to find an injured grizzly bear stowed away in the back of her truck. She certainly didn't expect to wake up the next morning to find him shifted into a six foot six hot man, or to be stuck at her house with him for the holiday…

Shot by poachers, Amir jumped into the running semi truck to hide for just a moment. But, when he woke up, he was an hour away from home, with the roads too icy to travel, stuck with a beautiful woman his grizzly was ready to claim as his own.

Genres: Novella, African American Romance

105 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2025

About the author

Dria Andersen is a full-time photographer, mother of two, and lifelong storyteller. After the birth of her first child, she made a promise to pursue her dreams boldly-starting with writing the kinds of stories she always wanted to see in the world. That leap of faith became her debut novel, and she's been writing ever since.

Dria crafts love stories that center brown girls with heart, strength, and agency. Blending romance with elements of fantasy and wonder, her books invite readers into richly imagined worlds where anything is possible and everyone deserves a happy ending.

Reviews

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love me a good shifter story!

I absolutely loved Amir from the first moment he was mentioned. Essence was also a breath of fresh air & they were truly the perfect match! Essence’s brothers were also a highlight for me, they were NOT playing about her lol! And they will go against a man or a bear (literally) to protect their sis! Overall such a great read!

[Symone · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Amir + Essence 🐻🥰.
The fated mate love will always do it for me.

[Nikita · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Erin Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You meet your fated mate and rearrange your whole world?” “Well, you’re my whole world now, pretty baby.” -Amir

4.75⭐️ Amir 🐻 x Essence. I’m in love with Amir the bear lol If this is how Dria writes her MMC’s I’m here for it!!!!

I did not know how much I would enjoy reading a shifter romance until now 😮😍

This is my first introduction into Dria’s catalog & I will be reading more of her books. I lovedddd this!

*this was a book she sent out in her email newsletter

[perfectlyamberb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and sweet

This was super cute and quick holiday read. Essence and Amir were all gas no breaks but I expect nothing less in a shifter romance.

[bree ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. insta insta-lovey bear shifter romance. 🐻

[Mybookscafe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and cute

Love me a cute novella. Essence and Amir story is just the right combination of sweetness and entertainment. Whenever a shifter finds their mate is always my favorite part of the story

[hea booktubes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute holiday shifter

[charlita allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a fan of this author. Short sweet simple shifter story. I loved the FMC relationship with her family, especially her brothers.