Bear With Me

Un-bearably in Love #1

by Opal Andrews

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Romance, Slow Burn

236 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2026

About the author

OPAL ANDREWS is a 40-something professional living in the eastern United States. She’s always been a storyteller - many, many NaNoWriMos and fanfics have been written in the past - and has finally decided to pursue publishing her work. She’s passionate about LGBTQIA+ rights and stories. She’s also a total homebody, and when she’s not writing you can usually find her curled up with a cup of tea, reading, crocheting, and/or snuggling with her cats.

Reviews

[Annette✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3 stars ⭐️

Thank you GRR for providing me with an eARC, this is my honest opinion.

Okay so, I read that this is the authors debut novel. It was enjoyable. Bjorn, a bear shifter is just such a cinnamonroll and a ray of sunshine. I want to cuddle him and never let go. Dennis, our grumpy human bar owner, does not believe in Fates Mates and at first didn’t want anything to do with Bjorn.

It was a cute read, but there were some things that bothered me. Like, Bjorn in bear form, laying down in a bed.. and for whatever reason it doesn’t break? I mean bears are HEAVY. Plus…. A bear in the car… in the passengers seat. I tried to picture that, I really did.
I liked the whole Shifters and humans living in harmony. But the thing I was missing is worldbuilding. How did the humans found out shifters excisted? It was just there… without explanation.

I loved loved loved Bjorn’s Gran. She was absolutely delightful.
Bjorn’s parents are…. Something else. (No they are aweful) They are anti humans, but after one volunteering morning, his dad suddenly changed his mind and doesn’t dislike humans all of a sudden? After only one day? There are alot of questions marks through out the story that don’t make sense. But overall, I did like it.

TROPES
Bear shifter x human
Fated Mates
Only one bed
Grumpy x Sunshine

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

so .... that was that.
I have to confess, this was difficult for me to get into.
I normally love the sunshine-grumpy romance but here, I had real troubles.

I just could not like Dennis. yes, I do understand that the fated mate thing could be difficult but he just didn't give Bjoern any chance at all.

and yes, it got better but the start was really difficult and I just could not forget that.

so, essentially it was a me-issue because in all it was sweet

[Duncan Husky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5, rounded up

This book was simply delightful! There's not a lot of surprises here if you are familiar with the genre, but as always the quality is in the writing. Sure, Bjorn is a total cinnamon roll and Dennis is a grumpy misanthrope, but I really liked that Andrews took the time to show why the characters are they way they are (well, mostly - I'd have liked more of Dennis' backstory). The evolution of their whirlwind relationship played out in logical ways, and by the end I loved how they were all in for each other. There were a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, and the running gag of "Oh no, there's Only One Bed!"made me chuckle. This was a lovely comfort read, and I recommend it!

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm rounding this up from 3.5. It was a good start for a debut novel. I did enjoy it but there were some things that didn't work well for me.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one. It made me laugh and feel a bit sad all at the same time. I have read a lot of shifter books but this one was a first. Bjorn loses all control of his shifts when he meets his mate, Dennis. The problem is Dennis doesn’t want a shifter for a mate. Dennis is a bit of a grump and likes things his way-with as little chaos as possible. I don’t think it ever occurred to him that he was a bit prejudiced against shifters until he got to know Bjorn during their impromptu road trip. Bjorn’s parents can go get lost but the rest of his den grew on me, especially his grandmother. Dennis and Bjorn actually fit together pretty well and it was a lot of fun watching him realize it - and the sweet bear needs someone on his side to help him stand up to his awful mother.

[Kier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear With Me by Opal Andrews was such a comforting, low-angst read for me, and one that genuinely surprised me with how realistic and grounded it felt for a fated mates shifter romance.

I went into this knowing it would be a softer story, which is absolutely my favourite kind of read, but I wasn’t expecting to love the way fate was handled here quite as much as I did. I’ve read a lot of fated mates romances, and they so often rely on instant love from both characters. This book took a very different approach, and it felt incredibly refreshing.

Dennis is a grumpy human who just wants a quiet vacation in a secluded cabin, only to find it double booked with Bjorn, a sunshiney bear shifter who calmly informs him that they are fated mates. Dennis is not having it. He refuses to be told who he is supposed to love and wants no part in that kind of chaos. Still, he agrees to share the cabin, because despite his frustration, he’s a good person at heart.

Bjorn, meanwhile, was impossible not to adore. He never tries to force the bond or pressure Dennis into anything. In this world, shifters are unable to control their shifts once they meet their mate until the bond is claimed, which adds some genuinely funny and tender moments as they try to coexist in close quarters. The forced proximity and small space living were handled so well, allowing their connection to grow slowly and naturally.

My absolute favourite part of this story is that Dennis sticks to his principles. He doesn’t suddenly decide fate knows best. Instead, he falls in love with Bjorn because of who Bjorn is, his patience, warmth, and kindness. Watching that happen, especially alongside Bjorn’s quiet hope and unwavering respect, was really quite special.

When Bjorn receives news that his grandmother is ill and can’t travel alone due to his uncontrollable shifting, Dennis stepping up and offering to take him home felt like a turning point that was both emotional and completely earned. Their relationship develops through shared moments, care, and choice, not destiny alone.

When they return to Bjorn’s den, the story definitely becomes it's best, in my opinion. Bjorn warns Dennis that his parents are very traditional and unlikely to approve, especially of a human mate, and those fears are quickly proven right. What really stood out to me was how both Bjorn and Dennis stand their ground in these moments, defending each other even before either of them is fully certain where the bond will lead. That quiet, unwavering loyalty added so much heart to their relationship.

Overall, Bear With Me was a genuinely lovely read. It’s cozy, low-angst, and character driven, with a grumpy sunshine dynamic that worked beautifully. If you enjoy MM shifter romance, slow burns, and fated mates stories that prioritize choice and even realism to an extent, I would absolutely recommend this one.

Content Safety Warnings
Cheating: No
Other Person Drama: No
Breakup: No
HEA: Yes

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

[Katriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

(((4.5!!)

Have you ever had a book cover catch your eye so much that you want to read it from the cover alone? I've never had that happen until this book. When I saw this cover I was immediately intrigued, it reminded me of the movie Brother Bear, and when I read the blurb, I knew I HAD to read this!

I am so glad I read this amazing book, not only did I get introduced to a new-to-me author's writing style, but I also got to enjoy a lovely book with fantastic characters!!

Bjorn is a bear shifter with a sunshine personality, who rented a cozy cabin in the woods for a bit of rest and relaxation, he's always wanted to meet his fated mates but knows he has to be patient... He never expected to meet his mate while naked and holding a fish in his mouth...

Dennis is the storm cloud to Bjorn's warm rays, he is a bar owner who finally booked a cabin for his time off work. He's long overdue for a break and time away from chaos, so when he arrives at his cabin and finds a naked man who swears to be his fated mate, he's not pleased. Add in the fact that they double booked the same cabin, and now Bjorn's shifts are uncontrollable, let's just say Dennis isn't getting the vacation he planned on having.

I really enjoyed this book and I loved the way it was written. Both characters are full of so much personality that you can easily tell them apart, they contrast each other while also complimenting each other beautifully! I love that juxtaposition at work! I also am a huge fan of the slow burn that occured in this book, I'm glad it wasn't insta-love or insta-lust, I'm really happy they took their time to get to know each other first before doing anything else.

Bjorn is such a sweetheart and I love him so much, he's literally a real life teddy bear, who just wants Dennis to accept him. And Dennis, while being a grump, does have some good attributes too, he does care for Dennis even if it takes him a bit to admit it.

I thought the way Dennis had Bjorn's back in regards to Bjorn's cruel family was so sweet, and showed that while Dennis might've not accept being mates completely, he still cares about Bjorn and wanted to help protect him.

I thought everything in this story was fantastic! The characters were excellent, the plot was great, the writing and the pace of the story was really well written, and the side characters provided an extra spice to the story. I absolutely loved Bjorn's Gran, she's such a hoot, and a meddler of epic proportions but that's why she was so amazing. Overall, I really adored these characters, and loved this story.

[Ibiliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was hard to rate. I settled on 3.5 because I do see potential in Opal Andrews’s writing and I’m curious to see what she’ll do next.

I don’t read a lot of shifter books, for various reasons. The fact that this book is marketed as no mpreg and no a/b/o dynamics caught my interest because it negates some of those reasons. It was cute and low-angst, and it read fairly well even though the dialogue was a little awkward in some places.
If you like shifters, cinnamon rolls and a very heavy grumpy/sunshine. Give this book a chance for sure.

However…
Although I liked the idea of the shifters in this book, I do think the worldbuilding in what is supposed to become a series requires more work. Dennis puts it pretty accurately when he says that shifters really do get the short end of the stick in the whole mate business. And throughout the book I felt like Dennis just didn’t have a choice when he was very clear he wasn’t interested because he would literally doom Bjorn to not only a life without love, but even live as a non-shifter. That bothered me.
And before you say it: Yes, I know it was fated mates. So, of course, they would end up together. But I didn’t feel much chemistry between them and honestly, I also don’t know why Bjorn liked Dennis and vice versa. I do like that Dennis showed some character growth, but it was kept too shallow.
There were also some continuity errors that I noticed and I felt that Bjorn’s parents were very over the top for what is otherwise a cute book.
Lastly, I didn’t get them saying Escalus was such a foul-mouthed hard ass. He didn’t come across that way at all. He seemed to me like a very fair and honest Alpha, but a little too oblivious to what’s going on around him.

Despite this, I will probably read the next book in the series. I’m pretty sure Opal Andrews is going to surprise me in the future.

I received this book as an ARC through Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.

[Jack Harkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

scrambled egg projectiles, 'giant flashing red arrow', bear in leggings, Business Barbie, helicopter penis, PIP, ass calluses, bear wedgie

This book is like Bjorn--warm, sweet, and gooey inside. He's a bear shifter with his parents from hell. Growing up they made his life un-bear-able. He we to live with his firecracker Gran who made sure he knew he was loved. It's how Bjorn became a nice, gentle, and sunshiney soul despite his parents.

Dennis arrives at the cabin he rented for two weeks only to find a naked handsome man with a fish in his mouth at the creek behind the cabin. The naked stranger claims that Dennis is his fated mate. Because they aren't mated, the man can't control his shifts. He was in his bear form enjoying a trout he caught when he unexpectedly shifted to his human form. Dennis being human and not really exposed to shifters, scoffs at fish guy's pronouncement. Fish guy introduces himself as Bjorn.

What's worse, both men have been double booked for the cabin in the middle of nowhere. Even worse, there's only one bed! Dennis is is beyond angry at his whole situation. Dennis's baseline is already grumpy, so Bjorn's high energy and sunshiney personality grates on Dennis, making him even angrier. They decide to both stay at the cabin. And they are forced to share the bed. Because he can't control his shifting to his huge bear form, Bjorn knocks Dennis out of bed while they're sleeping.

The minimal angst comes from Bjorn's rigid and bigoted parents. They're the reason he moved from the South Dakota den to the East Coast. It's Gran and den alpha Escalus who provide the comedic relief. She's feisty and he makes the term 'potty-mouth' a vast understatement.

This book is not only entertaining, it's entirely enjoyable. I recommend it.

[Jovie Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear With Me by Opal Andrews ended up being such a warm and comforting read for me. I expected something soft and low drama, but I did not expect to appreciate the way the fated mates trope was handled as much as I did. It felt surprisingly grounded for a shifter romance.

What stood out most is that the story does not rely on instant love. When Bjorn tells Dennis they are fated mates, Dennis does not just accept it. He questions it, resists it, and refuses to let fate decide his feelings for him. I really loved that. It made everything that followed feel more meaningful.

Dennis just wants peace and quiet, and instead he gets a cabin roommate who claims they are destined to be together. Bjorn, however, is patient and kind from the start. He never pressures Dennis or tries to force the bond. That patience made him very easy to love. The forced proximity and small cabin setting gave them space to slowly understand each other, and their connection developed in a way that felt natural instead of rushed.

The emotional turning point for me was when Dennis chose to support Bjorn during a difficult family moment. That choice showed that his feelings were growing because of who Bjorn is, not because of destiny. When they face disapproval from Bjorn’s parents, the way they stand up for each other added even more depth to their relationship.

Overall, this was a cozy, character focused romance with a grumpy and sunshine dynamic that truly worked. If you like MM shifter romances that focus on choice, patience, and emotional growth rather than just fate, this one is definitely worth reading.

I received a copy from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest opinion.

[Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will round this up, as I had a couple of small issues, but on the whole, it was so stinking cute and had me giggling out loud at times. Yes, Dennis was a bit of an asshole but I appreciated that he admitted that to himself. And it was "only one bed" repeatedly. Everytime he thought he'd finally get a break, nope, only one bed.

It was interesting the idea that until mated he would just keep randomly changing with no control. What a pain. I also liked the idea that shifters are not all that uncommon or strange and I could understand Dennis's frustration with large shifters randomly changing in his bar. I also appreciated that the awful parents got a bit of a commeuppance and that the alpha of the den was not a raging jerk. So all in all, a cute story that only takes place over 7 or 8 days, but Bjorn was such a ray of sunshine and just what Dennis needed to pull him out of his grumpiness.

The thing that bothered me a bit was timings. They got a bunch of food at the cabin and he was going to BBQ for dinner and then he goes for a big walk and simply goes to bed. Never eats. They say they are going to be at the den around dinner time, it's 11 hours away. They leave the hotel at 10ish and then arrive and there is no mention of food or dinner and they go to bed. EAT PEOPLE. More than junk food in the truck. They finally get back to the cabin after the roadtrip and simply leave and leave all the food rotting in the fridge. Dude, your Airbnb rating is going to be shit.

But I'll let those little niggles go because it was cute and I was glad Dennis finally pulled his head out and Bjorn got his mate.

[Susi June · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the cover and thought, yup I want it! I'm glad that the book is not just cute on the outside but also on the inside!

The meet cute was *chefs kiss
I don't know how I would react to seeing a naked man with a fish in his mouth, so I almost get Dennis's reaction.
Though let's be honest, Dennis was a specieist but confronted his own biases throughout the book and definitely changed his views. What a self reflected king.

Bjorn (38) was the happiest sweetest bear shifter, I ever read. He was such a sweetie pie, I just wanted to hug him. Especially when he was sad because of Dennis's refusal.
Dennis (40) was a grumpy dick. After a while he was just grumpy, so yay. I loved them both.
I didn't like that he is best friends with his ex wife. I personally don't like it when an MC is still friends with their ex, especially here. They would still be married, if she wouldn't be a lesbian, so does this mean he still loves her? Don't like it. Granted he really falls in love with Bjorn so I can ignore the whole my ex wive is my bff thing.

I liked the added drama with Bjorn's parents. They pissed me off, of course, but it added something to the story. Gran on the other hand was great!

My only issue with this book is the epilogue or the lack of one. Sure we get one but it's only eight days later. That's not an epilogue to me.
The good news though is, that it's supposedly a series. I'm really excited about it! I guess we get to see more of Bjorn's den, which is great but unfortunately Dennis and Bjorn live far away, whomp whomp. Oh well, I'm excited anyways.
Totally recommend this book if you are looking for a low angst reluctant mate story!

[Michelle N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear With Me is a fun MM shifter novel. Opal Andrews is a new writer to me. I enjoyed her storytelling and character development in this book so much.
Dennis rents a cabin in the woods for two weeks of peace and quiet. He wants time away from running his bar and just wants to enjoy the solitude. On his first day of vacation, Dennis stumbles across a brown bear at a stream who promptly turns into a man. Bjorn is a shifter who just flashed human because Dennis is his fated mate. Now that he has met Dennis, Bjorn will be unable to control his shifting until he and Dennis bond. I thought this was a great twist in a shifter book, because it led to some great plot points and fun adventures for Dennis and Bjorn. Dennis not want a mate, and he is less than thrilled to find out that both he and Bjorn are double-booked for the same cabin. They do not stay at the cabin for long because Bjorn needs to get across the country to his home den to see his sick grandmother. Due to his uncontrollable shifting, he needs Dennis to help him get there. Along the way, they learn about each other and if the fates were right in matching them.
This is an adorable grumpy/sunshine story with a slow burn, low-angst story. Bjorn is such a sweet, lovable character and Dennis is definitely French bread. Hard on the outside but soft and squishy on the inside. They make a great couple and watching Dennis come to his senses is one of the best parts of the book. I am looking forward to reading more from Opal Andrews.
I received an ARC for my honest review.

[Libros y Citas · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 first book from this author.

It’s a slow burn, but there’re a lot of references to ass and dick showing and watching. One character is a shifter who spent a lot of time nude, there’s no need to force that though. I think it makes things unnecessary sexual (I know it’s what others readers are looking for, just not me).

There’s a couple of things I don’t get, at the beginning Bjorn was the one who remained in bed longer in the mornings (chapters 3 and 7), later though (chapter 21) Dennis wasn’t a morning person.

Why is Bjorn wearing pyjamas when he’s going to shift and rip them off? Makes no sense to me, a sheet would have been better.

On chapter 22 Gran was using reading glasses and on 27 Bjorn says a perk of bonding would be that reading glasses won’t be needed as Dennis age.
I liked the enormous amount of cuddling.

Some vocabulary choices were a bit… different for me at the beginning, I got used to iit and even found them refreshing after a while. Well, except for the serial killer thing, that’s soooo cliché that has become annoying, and the “thighs flexing”, and “his large feet flexed”, which is anatomically inaccurate since joins are the ones doing the movement, not muscles or body parts.

Despite of all this I’ll probably read the next book, specially if it’s about Escalus.

«You are entitled to your beliefs, but you are not entitled to impose them on others.»

[DebbieReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.

I LOVED this!!

It's sweet and smexy, it's emotional and fun and it pushed so many buttons!

I loved the flip to the fated mates thing. That Bjorn knew Dennis was his mate, but Dennis was so very against it. Dennis knew about shifters, and what happens when they meet their mate: uncontrollable shifting. And Bjorn is shifting to his bear at random points, stressing Dennis out.

I loved the way Bjorn grew on Dennis, even he Dennis was adamant that he would NOT mate with Bjorn. The super sweet bear weedled his way under Dennis' skin and he really didn't stand a chance. Bjorn is sweet and Dennis is grumpy but they really are a match made in Heaven!

Because Dennis is so against mating, it is a real slow burn but I loved it, the emotional and physical connection grows over time and it was great watching Dennis let Bjorn in!

I loved Bjorn's gran, Dennis's ex-wife as well but Bjorn parental units were a piece of work, his mother especially. Dad does redeem himself slightly here though.

Lots of interesting side characters, too many to mention but please tell me there will be more in this world?? I really did love!

OH! One more thing. I can only find one other book by this author, so please PLEASE write more. I need to go and read After Everything (the other book) now!

5 full and shiny stars

* same worded review will appear elsewhere

[Ashley Carrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What should have been two weeks of peace and privacy for Dennis is a nice cabin away from everything turns left when he finds a naked man, who turns out to be named Bjorn, where he's supposed to be staying and finds out they're double booked. Not only that but Bjorn is a bear shifter and claims that they're fated mates.

Bjorn is so happy to have finally found his fated mate. Dennis doesn't seem to be all too thrilled by Bjorn's revelation but that's okay because they're stuck together in a cabin with one bed and he'll show Dennis that they're meant to be. That was until he gets a call that calls him home early and he has to leave but there's a catch. Bjorn can't control his shifting since he met his mate and won't be able to until he's claimed and him and Dennis arent there yet. That leaves traveling by plan or car alone and he now finds himself traveling home with his hope to be mate. On this journey and while they're at Bjorn's home they finally get to know each other more and more as things between them shift to more. I really liked that this book had a different spin on shifters and claiming and that even though this book fell on the more slow burn side it worked for them and I loved that they actually got to know each other before anytying else and created a bond outside of the one they were fated to have. I flew through this book and I can't wait to read more as the series goes on.

[Emilyrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to start by saying that I do enjoy a slow burn romance and this was definitely a slow burn. I loved Bjorn as a character; he was kind, interesting, funny and so well-developed that I felt like I knew him! I also enjoyed the world building with the bear den and thought that the secondary characters were all well-developed and interesting too - I'd like to see more set in this world because it definitely has a lot of potential. Bjorn and Dennis' initial meeting was funny and I was ok with the surprise and grumpy response from Dennis at this point. What dragged this down for me in terms of rating what that Dennis became so annoying like a broken record with his denial of mates and reasons why. It dragged on for the entire story and, even when he recognised he was being a hypocrite, he still didn't change. I felt that his character became defined by this rather than all the other qualities he showed and he just generally made me more and more cross. It's probably something that won't bother other people as much and, like I said, I loved Bjorn and the whole world set up. If there's more in the series I'll give them a go because of all the positives here.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet, slow-burn MM paranormal romance that leans into warmth rather than high drama.

A double-booked cabin throws together Dennis, a holidaymaker craving solitude, and Bjorn, an exuberant bear shifter who’s convinced they’re fated mates. The twist? Dennis has absolutely no interest in letting destiny make his romantic decisions. Instead of instant love, the story gives us reluctant proximity, awkward cohabitation and a hero determined to fall in love on his own terms.

The dynamic between grumpy human and endlessly patient shifter really shines. Bjorn’s inability to control his shifts after meeting his mate leads to some genuinely funny moments, but what stands out most is his respect for Dennis’s boundaries. Their relationship grows through shared space, road trips, family chaos and small, thoughtful gestures – not magical compulsion.

The visit to Bjorn’s den adds emotional depth, especially as both men quietly defend one another in the face of disapproval. It’s tender, comforting and character-focused, with a well-earned happily ever after.

If you’re after a low-angst shifter romance where choice matters just as much as fate, this is a lovely one to pick up.

I received an arc copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Before he could get the name out, though, the man’s gaze sharpened and he snapped out, “Nope.”
Bjorn blinked. “What?”
“Nope. I said ‘nope’,” the man repeated. “I am not doing this. I’m goddamn sick of normal people hulking out randomly just because they met their fuckin’ mate or some shit. At least once a week, someone wrecks my bar and then is all like ‘Well I met my mate, and I couldn’t stop the shift’ and I’m like ‘Well maybe you should think about stuff like that ahead of time when you shift into a goddamn motherfucking rhino.’” He paused, catching his breath after that rant. “So no. No, we are not doing this.”

Challenge accepted! lol I loved this book. It was such a fun adventure romance. Great world building and wonderful characters. This story is unique in that I love that a shifter finding their fated mate makes them unable to control their shifts until claimed- and a great excuse for forced proximity. I loved both Bjorn and Dennis. The shifter was the sunshine to the human's stressed grumpy. I loved the dynamic between them and the way their relationship developed. This is the first story I've read by this author and I would read more. 5 stars

[Kata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit, when I started the book, I had no idea what would come out of it.
It sounded insanely good, I had never read a book about a bear shifter before, and I have to say — now I know what I’ve been missing all this time. Because it was really good.

The only thing that — I wouldn’t say I disliked, but rather felt wasn’t developed well enough — was Dennis’s emotional arc. In my opinion, the change in his feelings wasn’t very noticeable; he seemed to change his mind about Bjorn quite suddenly.

That aside, it was a light, enjoyable read. Bjorn was a total sweetheart, Dennis was a true grumpy character, yet somehow they fit together perfectly. Bjorn’s horribly mistimed shifts were absolutely hilarious at times — I laughed my head off more than once — and Dennis’s constant “you pushed me off the bed” tantrums were just as funny 😂

I absolutely loved Gran — that woman is a beast 😂
Bjorn’s parents, though… ugh. Let’s not even talk about them.

This was a real low-angst book, perfect for switching off when you’re just looking for an easy, feel-good read.

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opal Andrews had me from the title, I love title puns. The cover made me smile. The blurb had me laughing. With only a little teensy bit of angst, family drama, this was a fun quick read. A perfect book to read under a snuggly blanket, with a cuppa.
It's a fated mates, grumpy/sunshine, shifter story. With a little twist. Human, Dennis, is the grump and bear shifter, Bjorn, is the shiny one. They have a meet cute. Dennis finds a naked man sitting in the creek with a fish hanging from his mouth. Bjorn is aware right away that he's met his mate, he loses control of his shifts. Dennis is aware of what that signifies, but he doesn't want a mate.
Both characters were adorable.Dennis with his desire for a quiet, unchaotic shifter-less life. A bit skeptical in the beginning, he slowly falls under Bjorn charms. Bjorn is a real cuddly teddy bear with a golden retriever energy. They end up on an emergency road trip to Bjorn's den. The close proximity is both a blessing and a curse.
This was Opal Andrews' inaugural novel. I really can't wait to see what more is to come.
I received an advanced e copy of this book and this is my review.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.25 stars

This is the first book in a series by a new-to-me author, and though it wasn’t without its small problems, I enjoyed it. There’s definitely an opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine thing going on between them and Andrews fleshes that out well. I enjoyed the world building and the interesting take on mates; the uncontrolled shifting is a twist I haven’t seen before and it could definitely be a problematic situation.

The other thing I really liked was that Dennis had his mind set by his experiences, but he wasn’t opposed to learning and changing. When he allowed himself to really think about things, and to get to know Bjorn for who he was, the shift from tentative friendship to much more was easy.

The story was fun and fluffy, while having some heavier themes to give it weight. If you’re a fan of fated mates and shifters, check this one out.

Read Kris’s review in its entirety here.

[Bretton Coppedge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is unbearably adorable. Their not so meet cute is cute short by needing to drive cross country on a road trip. Nothing like a road trip to meet the parents to trauma bond you. Bjorn is the sweetest thing ever and you will want to cuddle his big bear butt. Dennis is definitely the black cat to Bjorn's teddy bear.

The fantasy level is very low. Shifters are just a very known thing in this world and we never get indication that there are other creatures. There are some pack dynamics like Alphas and Betas but seemingly no Omegas. Mpreg is not a thing. Therefore the story could almost be classified as a contemporary romance if turning into a bear was not such a pertinent plot point.

I really loved Dennis' gradual realization that his life is brighter for having Bjorn in it and that chaos isn't always a bad thing. Highly recommended for lighter shifter story and a masterfully done slow burn.

[KB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, fun story, low-angst and slow-burn. It starts a little rough — the meet-cute felt a bit clunky and the early chapters could have done with some more focused world-building, but I felt the character development and growth was engaging.

Dennis, our grumpy human, balks at the sky fairies (fate) handing him a mate out of the blue. Bjorn, our sunshine bear-shifter, doesn’t understand his reticence. A crisis ensues and Bjorn can’t drive himself halfway across the country, so our forced proximity / only one bed tropes get employed to humorous lengths.

I appreciate that Bjorn does everything in his power to not force Dennis into the mating and that Dennis holds his ground until he grows to appreciate Bjorn’s presence in his life.

Opal Andrews is a new author to me, thanks to Gay Romance Reviews. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Crystal Maynard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I thought this book looked and sounded cute, but I quickly found out that it was much more!

This book was very story-focused with very little spice throughout most of the book, but I did not miss it. Dennis and Bjorn's story was fantastic, and I was invested the whole way through as Dennis and Bjorn get to know each other.

Just so sweet and funny! I loved Gran. What a badass she is, and I despised Bjorn's parents. Just ew. :(

This was my first Opal Andrews book, but I am hoping it will not be my last. I am hoping since this is the first in the Un-bearably in Love series that maybe we get Alpha and maybe Ted from the community center?

I tried to find Opal on any socials and didn't have any luck. I hope they do find a way to connect with their audience in the future.

[Meg Birch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone send for an editor

I went into this expecting a low-angst, easy read. And I got mostly that. The story is low stakes and even has some nuanced aspects to shifter/fated dynamics.

Now the bad news:

It reads like a (decent) draft rather than the finished product. There's a lot to be desired in terms of dialogue, setting, character development, etc.

My biggest problem: I didn't find Dennis to be very likable (Bjorn is a doll). I understand that Dennis is meant to be the "grumpy" to Bjorn's "sunshine" but he was SO grumpy he became unlikable. If I had to pick two words to describe him they would be 1) selfish and 2) rude.

To put it plainly, Dennis's character needs reworking.

I also think we need better grounding in our settings:
📍Pennsylvania Cabin Rental
📍Bjorn's Den
📍Dennis's Pub

It didn't give us enough space to appreciate the depth of these locations and the people in them.

Overall, if you're looking for a low-angst shifter romance that doesn't ask too much of you, go for it. Otherwise, there are better options out there.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it!

I fell in love with Bjorn faster than Dennis did, because he’s so adorable! Sunshine personified, a big teddy bear! And Myrah… wow, she’s incredible. I was so glad he helped Dennis put things into perspective. And the take on mates that Bjorn has is the best. You don’t drop everything for them right away, but the sky fairies are simply pointing a big, red, lit up arrow towards your perfect match, so let’s take a chance. I loved how it twisted the tropes (one bed, insta love with fated mates, grumpy-sunshine, etc). It’s a great read, and I’m giving it extra stars because the cover is perfect! Such a comforting read, I recommend it.

[Jvles · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This was a delightfully cozy story with a grumpy/sunshine pairing. I liked the humour in it. The characters were an interesting pairing but one of them was quite close to asshole territory. I don't usually prefer stories about fated mates because I feel it's a lazy tool to avoid having to focus on relationship development. In this book the relationship had a chance to develop because the characters didn't immediately give in to the fated mates narrative. I really liked that.
The writing could use a little work. There were some inconsistencies, the dialogue felt rough some times and the characters feel a little shallow. I still enjoyed this low-angst, cozy love story.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review:

I enjoyed this low-stakes fated mates romance. It was a cozy read that showed a more realistic response to finding a fated mate - Skepticism. I liked reading the process of dating and falling, even if it was abbreviated, but I really liked seeing one of the MMC question the fates while working through his own biases.
This book had a good portrayal of familial expectations and toxic family relationships, but Bjorn's grandma made up everything.
While the writing style wasn't everything I could hope for, I would be interested in continuing the series.

[Ann-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this ARC from Gay Romance Review this is my honest review.

This story was such a great read and honestly so funny. I loved the parts when Bjorn would change into a bear and then he would accidentally kick Dennis out of the bed — those scenes had me laughing.
It was really easy to get into and I found myself just enjoying the whole vibe of the story. The mix of humor and romance worked really well, and it didn’t feel heavy or over the top.
The only thing that got me was how the story just ended, I felt like there could have been more to the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. If you like shifter romance with funny moments, has one bed trope, then I would definitely recommend it.