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Bear Creek Forever: Thornberg Restaurant #2
The Bear's Chosen Mate
She came to Bear Creek to help her best friend.
She didn’t expect to fall for her best friend’s boss…
Or discover he’s a bear shifter.
Tessa has come to Bear Creek to heal. When her best friend Rachel twists her ankle, Tessa steps in to cover a few shifts at Thornberg Restaurant—just until Rachel’s back on her feet. Simple. Sensible. Temporary.
Just until she meets Matt Thornberg.
He’s calm, capable, broad-shouldered…and watching Tessa like he’s been waiting his whole life for her. Which, as it turns out, he has. Because in Bear Creek, fate doesn’t whisper.
It roars.
Matt knows Tessa is his mate the moment she walks through the door. But winning her heart comes first…even if every instinct in his bear is ready to claim her. Between busy shifts, stolen glances, a fairy-house building project with two adorable little girls, and one wildly romantic dinner at his cabin, Tessa starts to wonder if “temporary” is just another word for “running scared.”
But when a dream job threatens to pull her away, Tessa has to make a
Play it safe…
Or take a chance on the home—and the mate—she never saw coming.
A cozy small-town, fated mates bear shifter romance filled with found family, protective hero energy, single-mom best friend vibes, workplace proximity, and a happily-ever-after.
She didn’t expect to fall for her best friend’s boss…
Or discover he’s a bear shifter.
Tessa has come to Bear Creek to heal. When her best friend Rachel twists her ankle, Tessa steps in to cover a few shifts at Thornberg Restaurant—just until Rachel’s back on her feet. Simple. Sensible. Temporary.
Just until she meets Matt Thornberg.
He’s calm, capable, broad-shouldered…and watching Tessa like he’s been waiting his whole life for her. Which, as it turns out, he has. Because in Bear Creek, fate doesn’t whisper.
It roars.
Matt knows Tessa is his mate the moment she walks through the door. But winning her heart comes first…even if every instinct in his bear is ready to claim her. Between busy shifts, stolen glances, a fairy-house building project with two adorable little girls, and one wildly romantic dinner at his cabin, Tessa starts to wonder if “temporary” is just another word for “running scared.”
But when a dream job threatens to pull her away, Tessa has to make a
Play it safe…
Or take a chance on the home—and the mate—she never saw coming.
A cozy small-town, fated mates bear shifter romance filled with found family, protective hero energy, single-mom best friend vibes, workplace proximity, and a happily-ever-after.
- GenresParanormal Romance
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2026
About the author
Harmony Raines
303 books709 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...
-----------------------------------------------------
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 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 17, 2026
Some books stroll into your life politely.
This one kicks the damn door open, tosses a dish towel over its shoulder, and says, “Sweetheart, sit down—Bear Creek is about to rearrange your emotional furniture.”
The Bear’s Chosen Mate is the kind of cozy, fated‑mates romance that sneaks up on you like a warm breath on the back of your neck. It’s gentle. It’s tender. It’s the literary equivalent of being handed a mug of hot chocolate by a man with forearms carved by destiny.
Tessa arrives in Bear Creek with one mission: help her best friend Rachel, who has managed to injure herself in the most “Rachel” way possible. Tessa’s plan is simple—cover a few shifts, keep her head down, heal her heart, and absolutely not get involved with anyone.
Enter Matt Thornberg.
Matt doesn’t just notice her.
He locks on like his soul has been waiting for her since the dawn of bear‑shifter time. He’s calm, steady, quietly intense—the kind of man who could fix a broken chair, a broken restaurant rush, or a broken heart with the same gentle competence. And he watches Tessa with that soft, devastating awareness that says, “There you are.”
The book leans into sweetness, not spice, but don’t underestimate the heat simmering under Matt’s restraint. Every time he reins in his bear instincts to give Tessa space, the tension spikes. He’s choosing patience. He’s choosing respect. He’s choosing her comfort over his craving—and that is its own kind of delicious.
And then there are the fairy houses.
Two little girls, a pile of tiny sticks and moss, and Matt Thornberg kneeling in the dirt like the world’s most devastatingly attractive gentle giant? That’s not a scene. That’s a weapon. Harmony Raines knew exactly what she was doing.
The cabin dinner?
Romantic enough to make the moon blush.
It’s the moment Tessa stops pretending she’s immune to him. The moment “temporary” starts sounding suspiciously like “lie I tell myself so I don’t fall apart.”
But the real conflict hits when Tessa’s dream job appears like a shiny exit sign. Safety. Stability. The life she planned. The life she fought for. The life that doesn’t include a bear shifter who looks at her like she’s the missing chapter of his story.
Matt never cages her.
Never pressures.
Never demands.
He simply stands there—solid, steady, heartbreakingly willing to let her go if that’s what she chooses.
And that’s what undoes her.
Because love that doesn’t trap you?
Love that lets you breathe?
Love that says, “I want you, but I won’t hold you hostage”?
That’s the kind you stay for.
This book is warm, comforting, and full of that soft, inevitable fated‑mates magic that wraps around your ribs and refuses to let go. It’s workplace proximity, found family, gentle healing, and a hero who chooses love with quiet devotion instead of roaring dominance.
This one kicks the damn door open, tosses a dish towel over its shoulder, and says, “Sweetheart, sit down—Bear Creek is about to rearrange your emotional furniture.”
The Bear’s Chosen Mate is the kind of cozy, fated‑mates romance that sneaks up on you like a warm breath on the back of your neck. It’s gentle. It’s tender. It’s the literary equivalent of being handed a mug of hot chocolate by a man with forearms carved by destiny.
Tessa arrives in Bear Creek with one mission: help her best friend Rachel, who has managed to injure herself in the most “Rachel” way possible. Tessa’s plan is simple—cover a few shifts, keep her head down, heal her heart, and absolutely not get involved with anyone.
Enter Matt Thornberg.
Matt doesn’t just notice her.
He locks on like his soul has been waiting for her since the dawn of bear‑shifter time. He’s calm, steady, quietly intense—the kind of man who could fix a broken chair, a broken restaurant rush, or a broken heart with the same gentle competence. And he watches Tessa with that soft, devastating awareness that says, “There you are.”
The book leans into sweetness, not spice, but don’t underestimate the heat simmering under Matt’s restraint. Every time he reins in his bear instincts to give Tessa space, the tension spikes. He’s choosing patience. He’s choosing respect. He’s choosing her comfort over his craving—and that is its own kind of delicious.
And then there are the fairy houses.
Two little girls, a pile of tiny sticks and moss, and Matt Thornberg kneeling in the dirt like the world’s most devastatingly attractive gentle giant? That’s not a scene. That’s a weapon. Harmony Raines knew exactly what she was doing.
The cabin dinner?
Romantic enough to make the moon blush.
It’s the moment Tessa stops pretending she’s immune to him. The moment “temporary” starts sounding suspiciously like “lie I tell myself so I don’t fall apart.”
But the real conflict hits when Tessa’s dream job appears like a shiny exit sign. Safety. Stability. The life she planned. The life she fought for. The life that doesn’t include a bear shifter who looks at her like she’s the missing chapter of his story.
Matt never cages her.
Never pressures.
Never demands.
He simply stands there—solid, steady, heartbreakingly willing to let her go if that’s what she chooses.
And that’s what undoes her.
Because love that doesn’t trap you?
Love that lets you breathe?
Love that says, “I want you, but I won’t hold you hostage”?
That’s the kind you stay for.
This book is warm, comforting, and full of that soft, inevitable fated‑mates magic that wraps around your ribs and refuses to let go. It’s workplace proximity, found family, gentle healing, and a hero who chooses love with quiet devotion instead of roaring dominance.
July 5, 2026
Reviewed at Shifter Haven
The Bear’s Chosen Mate is the second title in the Bear Creek Forever: Thornberg Restaurant series. This time, Tessa, a woman in need of the healing she’d denied herself, makes a stop in Bear Creek to visit a friend, Rachel. Simple enough. Yet, Bear Creek isn’t just another small town, and Matt isn’t just another restaurant owner who needs a bit of help when one of his servers is injured. He’s her fated mate, in a world she doesn’t understand… but finds herself wishing that just once, she could choose what felt right to her instead of always taking the safe path. She’d been a caregiver for her deceased mother, journaling that situation with ideas to help other people in the same position. She hesitates to get involved with Matt, believing that this small town is not the path she’d chosen… until leaving the man she’s come to love, and the community here that welcomed her, feels like the wrong choice. Add in Rachel’s adorable little girls and their building a fairy house project, and you’ll find all the sweet and tender moments and the steamy moments of mates finding each other.
I enjoyed The Bear’s Chosen Mate so much. I love coming back to the connected world of Bear Creek, time and time again. Their story is well-written, emotional, and passionate, with understanding family (that meddles a bit with love) and a found family in so many ways for Tessa. As a caregiver myself, I appreciated Tessa’s devotion to helping others in similar situations, sharing her insights through her drawings and journal. Rachel’s daughters, Lucy and Aria, stole every scene they were in. If that sounds like your kind of Paranormal/Shifter Romance, then you’d love Tessa and Matt’s story. You don’t “need” to have read the earlier series to completely enjoy this story, but I would highly recommend getting caught up in the amazing world of Bear Creek. I’ve followed the adventures of the residents of the small town full of shifters from the very beginning… and I’ve loved every moment spent there.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
The Bear’s Chosen Mate is the second title in the Bear Creek Forever: Thornberg Restaurant series. This time, Tessa, a woman in need of the healing she’d denied herself, makes a stop in Bear Creek to visit a friend, Rachel. Simple enough. Yet, Bear Creek isn’t just another small town, and Matt isn’t just another restaurant owner who needs a bit of help when one of his servers is injured. He’s her fated mate, in a world she doesn’t understand… but finds herself wishing that just once, she could choose what felt right to her instead of always taking the safe path. She’d been a caregiver for her deceased mother, journaling that situation with ideas to help other people in the same position. She hesitates to get involved with Matt, believing that this small town is not the path she’d chosen… until leaving the man she’s come to love, and the community here that welcomed her, feels like the wrong choice. Add in Rachel’s adorable little girls and their building a fairy house project, and you’ll find all the sweet and tender moments and the steamy moments of mates finding each other.
I enjoyed The Bear’s Chosen Mate so much. I love coming back to the connected world of Bear Creek, time and time again. Their story is well-written, emotional, and passionate, with understanding family (that meddles a bit with love) and a found family in so many ways for Tessa. As a caregiver myself, I appreciated Tessa’s devotion to helping others in similar situations, sharing her insights through her drawings and journal. Rachel’s daughters, Lucy and Aria, stole every scene they were in. If that sounds like your kind of Paranormal/Shifter Romance, then you’d love Tessa and Matt’s story. You don’t “need” to have read the earlier series to completely enjoy this story, but I would highly recommend getting caught up in the amazing world of Bear Creek. I’ve followed the adventures of the residents of the small town full of shifters from the very beginning… and I’ve loved every moment spent there.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
March 6, 2026
Another sweet Thornberg story
Tessa is visiting her friend Rachel and her 2 daughters when Rachel sprains her ankle, putting her new job in jeopardy. Tessa agrees to work as a waitress in the Thornberg Restaurant, in Rachel's place until she is back on her feet...literally! Matt Thornberg is the cook and manager of the lunch shift where Tessa will be filling in. He recognizes Tessa as his mate before she even walks through the door. But she doesn't know about shifters or mates and is only here visiting. Will she accept his bear and the mate bond? Can Matt convince her to stay or will he have to follow her wherever she goes? Read this to find out!
The pace is fast and the tone is hopeful with a character centered storyline that has some steamy scenes. The characters are vibrant and endearing. The scene making the fairy house is adorable! Read this series in order, or read all of Thornberg Ranch series in order first, then Thornberg Vineyard series in order and then this one in order. OR you can go to the very beginning and read the box set of the Bear Creek Clan and Bear Bluff Clan, and then the box set of Return to Bear Bluff, and the Return to Bear Creek box sets and singles in order. Then there are a number of series set in and around Bear Creek and Bear Bluff, about16 or more by my last count! Enjoy this wonderful world of shifters and their mates.
Tessa is visiting her friend Rachel and her 2 daughters when Rachel sprains her ankle, putting her new job in jeopardy. Tessa agrees to work as a waitress in the Thornberg Restaurant, in Rachel's place until she is back on her feet...literally! Matt Thornberg is the cook and manager of the lunch shift where Tessa will be filling in. He recognizes Tessa as his mate before she even walks through the door. But she doesn't know about shifters or mates and is only here visiting. Will she accept his bear and the mate bond? Can Matt convince her to stay or will he have to follow her wherever she goes? Read this to find out!
The pace is fast and the tone is hopeful with a character centered storyline that has some steamy scenes. The characters are vibrant and endearing. The scene making the fairy house is adorable! Read this series in order, or read all of Thornberg Ranch series in order first, then Thornberg Vineyard series in order and then this one in order. OR you can go to the very beginning and read the box set of the Bear Creek Clan and Bear Bluff Clan, and then the box set of Return to Bear Bluff, and the Return to Bear Creek box sets and singles in order. Then there are a number of series set in and around Bear Creek and Bear Bluff, about16 or more by my last count! Enjoy this wonderful world of shifters and their mates.
March 13, 2026
Tessa is in town to relax, work on her art & visit her best friend & kids. When Rachel twists her ankle on a hike, she is worried about losing her new job. Tessa offers to take her place & serve at Thornberg restaurant. Little does she know that entering the building will change her life forever.
Matt has resigned himself to the fact he may never find his mate, even though his brother Caleb just found his. Then he senses her coming through the door & he can hardly believe his luck!
Tessa has a plan & it really doesn't include staying in Bear Creek, but the longer she's there & the more time she spends with Matt, the less she wants to leave. The question is, can she be happy here? This pull that she feels towards Matt, what the heck does it mean?
Matt knows that he needs to tell Tessa about his bear & his bear is very anxious to meet their mate. If he tells her too soon it could scare her away, if he doesn't do it soon, his bear might lose his mind! HA
This was a sweet, sexy kinds spicy story with friends & family pushing them together any chance they got & two little girls that had both of them wrapped around their fingers & building fairy houses! Enjoy!
Matt has resigned himself to the fact he may never find his mate, even though his brother Caleb just found his. Then he senses her coming through the door & he can hardly believe his luck!
Tessa has a plan & it really doesn't include staying in Bear Creek, but the longer she's there & the more time she spends with Matt, the less she wants to leave. The question is, can she be happy here? This pull that she feels towards Matt, what the heck does it mean?
Matt knows that he needs to tell Tessa about his bear & his bear is very anxious to meet their mate. If he tells her too soon it could scare her away, if he doesn't do it soon, his bear might lose his mind! HA
This was a sweet, sexy kinds spicy story with friends & family pushing them together any chance they got & two little girls that had both of them wrapped around their fingers & building fairy houses! Enjoy!
March 6, 2026
A good solid pleasant read.
No major fireworks or drama, just a bear and his mate and a sweet journey to their HEA.
Matt was a nice guy and a chef in the family restaurant. Loved his interactions with Rachel’s two girls.
Tessa has just arrived to spend time with her best friend Rachel to try and find some direction with her life after the death of her mother.
It seems Tessa had been caring for her ailing mother for years and was writing and drawing a journal of that journey and how caring and support comes in different forms.
But when Rachel sprains her ankle on a hike, Tessa steps into Rachel’s shoes at the restaurant, meeting Matt.
Fate certainly works its magic in various ways.
I am hoping Rachel is the mate to one of the brothers, I think I know which one too.
Read through KU.
No major fireworks or drama, just a bear and his mate and a sweet journey to their HEA.
Matt was a nice guy and a chef in the family restaurant. Loved his interactions with Rachel’s two girls.
Tessa has just arrived to spend time with her best friend Rachel to try and find some direction with her life after the death of her mother.
It seems Tessa had been caring for her ailing mother for years and was writing and drawing a journal of that journey and how caring and support comes in different forms.
But when Rachel sprains her ankle on a hike, Tessa steps into Rachel’s shoes at the restaurant, meeting Matt.
Fate certainly works its magic in various ways.
I am hoping Rachel is the mate to one of the brothers, I think I know which one too.
Read through KU.
April 7, 2026
The Bear’s Chosen Mate #2 04/06/2026
Tessa has come for a vacation with her friend Rachel and her two daughters. While out hiking Rachel sprains her ankle now she needs help with her job not wanting to lose it. Tessa goes to fill in for her that’s when feels the mating pull and it’s Tessa. So now he has to figure out how to tell her his secret and get her to stay. So enjoy another good read!!
Tessa has come for a vacation with her friend Rachel and her two daughters. While out hiking Rachel sprains her ankle now she needs help with her job not wanting to lose it. Tessa goes to fill in for her that’s when feels the mating pull and it’s Tessa. So now he has to figure out how to tell her his secret and get her to stay. So enjoy another good read!!
July 17, 2026
10 ⭐️
Absolutely Fabulous. I can’t recommend this book and series enough. This author gets to the heart of every emotion out there. With one paragraph I’m sucked into the world of Bear Creek, wishing I lived there. This book has all the feels…love joy laughter tears. I can’t get enough. Snuggle into your favorite reading place. Fix a cup of tea or your favorite Thornberg wine and start reading. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Absolutely Fabulous. I can’t recommend this book and series enough. This author gets to the heart of every emotion out there. With one paragraph I’m sucked into the world of Bear Creek, wishing I lived there. This book has all the feels…love joy laughter tears. I can’t get enough. Snuggle into your favorite reading place. Fix a cup of tea or your favorite Thornberg wine and start reading. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
April 22, 2026
dang that was good
Man, this was a good book. Really loved the flow of the book and the characters. I’m really liking how the brothers are introduced and how the author wrote loving parents who meddle his enough. Spicy moments were great and didnt take away from the substance of the book.
Man, this was a good book. Really loved the flow of the book and the characters. I’m really liking how the brothers are introduced and how the author wrote loving parents who meddle his enough. Spicy moments were great and didnt take away from the substance of the book.
March 9, 2026
Great Read
When Tessa volunteers to stand in and work in her friend Rachel’s place when Rachel twists her ankle, she never thought she would find love via Rachel’s Bear Shifter Boss, Matt. But that is exactly what she finds- love and the feeling of home.
When Tessa volunteers to stand in and work in her friend Rachel’s place when Rachel twists her ankle, she never thought she would find love via Rachel’s Bear Shifter Boss, Matt. But that is exactly what she finds- love and the feeling of home.
March 14, 2026
love, love, love the love!
Great build-up, nice pacing and lots of love. Well done mix-up of old friends and new character build-up to a satisfying finish.
Great build-up, nice pacing and lots of love. Well done mix-up of old friends and new character build-up to a satisfying finish.
April 18, 2026
Matt and Tessa
A heartfelt story of healing and renewal as Matt finds his mate and Tessa discovers that loving someone can help her fulfill her dreams of having a family and home.
A heartfelt story of healing and renewal as Matt finds his mate and Tessa discovers that loving someone can help her fulfill her dreams of having a family and home.
May 1, 2026
A lovely story
Loved this story, it had all the feels, friendship, steam and romance. Tessa and Matt had everything going for them, even his parents and siblings approved.
Loved this story, it had all the feels, friendship, steam and romance. Tessa and Matt had everything going for them, even his parents and siblings approved.
May 1, 2026
Good read
Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you
Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you
May 14, 2026
Loved it🐻
I really enjoyed reading this book📚 from this series! It was filled with family, friendship, loyalty, romance and love💘. Every romance reader dream a HEA!
I really enjoyed reading this book📚 from this series! It was filled with family, friendship, loyalty, romance and love💘. Every romance reader dream a HEA!
July 16, 2026
Loved it
How I wish I could visit Bear Creek, wandering through the mountains and visiting all my new book friends. A pleasure to read.
How I wish I could visit Bear Creek, wandering through the mountains and visiting all my new book friends. A pleasure to read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews