Monsters, Vows, and Growls: A Shifter Romance

by Bella Blair

Sometimes fate gives you a second chance...
In a town built for monsters, two broken hearts get one more shot at forever.
Ella: I never wanted to be a successful businesswoman. I wanted to be Mrs. McCloud.
I wanted a house full of little Patricks, a garden, a porch, and a man who looked at me like I was his whole world.
But then Patrick broke my heart and vanished from my life like I never mattered at all.
Now I’m a successful chef, and the last thing I expect is to be lured into a mysterious new town for a business opportunity... only to find him there.
The boy who left me is now a man with secrets in his eyes and a bear shifter curled beneath his skin. He says he wants a second chance.
Too bad I’m still not good at saying no.
PATRICK: After the accident, I thought pushing Ella away was the right thing to do. I wasn’t whole anymore—not a man, not a shifter.
I built Cedar Hollow to prove I could still create something meaningful. But it’s missing one her.
When fate (and a scheming best friend) brings Ella back into my life, I know I only have one shot.
To win her trust. To earn her forgiveness.
And to prove that this time, I’m not going anywhere. Small town shifter romance Second chances, sizzling chemistry Cinnamon roll grump with a protective streak Emotional angst + cozy baking + bear growls And a wedding that might just go up in flames...
Monstrous grooms and beastly brides? Don't be afraid of falling in love... it's super-natural! Explore the entire Monster Brides series, one tantalizing happily-ever-after at a time!

Genres: Shapeshifters

274 pages, Paperback

Published August 18, 2026

Reviews

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cedar Hollow, Bear-Shifter Romance!!

Ah, second chances. Patrick was headed to football stardom (his brother Gabe achieves it) when an accident shatters his dreams and his C4 vertebra. Thinking he will never walk again at age 18, he breaks up with his girlfriend Ella.

Ella, heartbroken, goes on to become a successful chef with multiple restaurants. Patrick is offering her an opportunity to open a third within the shifter community. Ella barely survived losing the boy, she knows she wouldn’t survive losing the man. They have a best friend in common pushing them together.

An emotional story of trauma, fortitude, risk, and the inner bear Thorne. Wonderful!

***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ha sido una lectura muy dulce y entretenida, mis personajes favoritos son sin ninguna duda Carlo y Thorne, se han robado el show totalmente.

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️

What a cute, fun read about two people completely belonging together. Bella Blair always writes wonderful shifter romances and I love how she brings the paranormal and humans together, making it all work. This book is a second chance for our MCs, after one was left broken and didn’t want to hold the other back. When fate, ok a meddling best friend, brings them together again, their chemistry is undeniable and the romance is meant to be. As they try to move forward, while discussing past choices, the romance starts slow, but grows quickly.

Patrick suffered a tragic injury his senior year of high school that left him broken, literally and figuratively. Not wanting his then girlfriend Ella to give up the life they had always talked about he broke up with her and walked away. However, their love isn’t one he forgot easily. Being a shifter, he knows she is his mate, so no one else will ever do. When an opportunity has them working together, he still feels everything for her. He isn’t going to make the same mistake twice.

Ella thought she healed from Patrick leaving her, but seeing him again made it abundantly clear she still loves him, despite not wanting to. Their close proximity and fragile work relationship comes to a head one night and she sees a side of him she’s never seen before. As they begin to put their human feelings into perspective, she finds the other side of Patrick to be just as intriguing. She is now able to fall for him as an entire being, not just part of him. But she’s cautious because she doesn’t want to get hurt again.

I devoured this story and everything in it! Their mutual meddler, Carol, brought a different dynamic to each of their characters and I hope to see their story one day. Definitely more to tell there. Thorne, Patrick’s bear, is an immediate joy with his grumpy nature, but complete simp for Ella too. This book made me laugh so much, but left my heart happy and remembering why I love reading stories by Bella.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
🐻Fated Mates
🍳Second Chance
🐻It’s Always Been You
🍳Shifter Romance
🐻Decade of Pining
🍳Wedding Mayhem
🐻Shifter x Human
🍳Grumpy x Sunshine

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

He broke her heart to protect her. Now her shifter ex, and his bear, are back for good.

Patrick left Ella without a goodbye. An injury ended his football career and silenced his inner bear, leaving him feeling he was broken and unworthy. Letting her go was supposed to set her free. Now he’s rebuilding a haven for shifters in Cedar Hollow, and the chef designing his new restaurant is the woman he never stopped loving.

Ella’s furious, successful, heartbreakingly familiar, and not ready to forgive. She doesn’t want apologies. She wants answers. Patrick is different now, steadier, stronger, still the same man who once knew every piece of her. As they work together, old sparks reignite into wildfire.

Patrick is done hiding. Thorne, his grizzly side, is wide awake and just as drawn to Ella as ever. But rekindling what they lost means more than attraction. Ella has to face the part of him she once avoided, and Patrick has to prove he will not shut her out again. Especially when wedding chaos, family drama, and one coat closet scandal threaten to tear it all down.

Love like theirs was never going to be easy. The past is messy, the pain still raw, and their families are complicated. Patrick and Ella must decide if their bond is strong enough to survive history, honesty, and everything in between. Because this time, he is not walking away, and neither is she.

Their relationship is rebuilt piece by piece, through trust, vulnerability, and learning to meet each other in the hard places. Patrick lets go of stoicism. Ella lets go of control. Together, they find something stronger than what they lost.

A steamy, emotionally charged, second chance, shifter romance, exploring love, commitment, forgiveness, growth, family, vulnerability, identity, acceptance, healing, and transformation. It's about scars, stubborn love, claiming the future you almost lost, and choosing the whole person, beast included.

[Yugie Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, this is by far the most moving second chance romance that I've ever had the immense pleasure of reading. The story had been so exceptionally good that I found myself clutching my chest several times throughout the book as I read it, deeply moved by the experiences of the main characters, Patrick and Ella.

The parts that stood out for me were their unexpected meet-up after 10 long years of separation that had no proper closure for both of them; the painful moments when they both struggled about what meeting again finally meant for them and their future: and the profound realizations that came upon them as they navigated their renewed relationship. Of course, whether that relationship was one of a pure business connection or the much-longed for shot at a second chance was something they had to decide for themselves once and for all.

Apart from this overarching plotline, the story is made even more appealing because of the dynamic among the side characters, including Patrick's inner bear, Thorne. I quite enjoyed their snarky back-and-forth arguments as Thorne had quite the personality and attitude. And then there was Carol, best friend to both Patrick and Ella. The scenes that involved her were downright hilarious and endearing that you couldn't help but love having her around.

I truly had a good time reading this book and I am so glad I'd been able to pick it up.

I received a free review copy of this book from the author. I give this review voluntarily.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not prepared for what this story was going to do to me. I cried FOUR times and still managed to giggle and smile my way through. I cannot get over Patrick and Ella and just how cute the whole thing was. This story has pining, it has longing, it has desire, it has old wounds and raw emotion, it has the second chance that works out beautifully for both of them, it has fated mates, it has a super protective bear shifter with the desire to protect and claim his mate, and AND is has some really sweet spice that was the perfect cherry on top of this delicious vanilla bean sponge cake.

Patrick and Ella were high school sweethearts with the world in front of them. Ella is a human girl that comes from a single parent home and a parent that is less than accepting of people not like her. Patrick is a bear shifter from a family of shifters that knew he loved this girl even if her mom was less than happy about it. A sudden and severe injury leaves Patrick unsure of his future and ability so he abruptly ends their relationship and disappears for 10 years. Ella uses the time and opportunity to establish a career for herself as a chef. Patrick becomes an architect. Through some meddling from a mutual friend Patrick and Ella find their way back to one another in an unexpected business deal. After not being able to move on from one another for the last 10 years once they're back in each other's world they have to decide if they can forgive the past and move on.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick and Ella . . .

Patrick broke his neck, which changed his life. He was a shifter and thought he was invulnerable. But he had to quit football and the awareness of the truth that he could still be “broken” was a shock. Things he could always count on were no longer available to him. He had to lay without moving in the hospital bed. He had to allow others to help him. His bear had become silent for months, avoiding the pain meds and tubes in his arm. Was his bear Thorne actually gone? Fortunately he reappeared during physical therapy and gave Patrick a sort of pep talk. But by then, he had lost Ella and did not return to her because of his condition. Carol had now become his best friend and became his “rock” keeping him moving forward and he relied on her friendship.

For Ella, Patrick had been her future. But then he vanished suddenly with no explanation and she was devastated. Life goes on, however, and 10 years later Ella is now a chef. Invited to a new town to attend a business meeting set up by Carol, “Chef E” is as stunned to find Patrick as he is to find Chef E! He wants to get back together with her. He had designed Cedar Hollow to convince himself he could still create something worthwhile. But he still can’t stop thinking of Ella. Will Carol’s plan work to get them back together again? Will Ella finally forgive him if he explains why he couldn’t face her? Would their story be a HEA or a final goodbye?

[Gleeful Goblin Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gleeful Goblin Review: As someone who used to be super active in multiple sports and then had a massive, life changing injury oh wowsers did this story resonate for me. The author did such an amazing job of showing how sudden injury/disability changes not just your physical body but how you think, feel, and can make terribly rash choices. That loss/pain/shame/anger/grief that goes hand in hand with basically losing the future you thought you'd have but also your self perception. Patrick had a whole life laid out in his mind (at least to an extent) and a huge foundation of that life was going to be a successful football career. So, when an accident takes that future away especially at such a young age (18) Patrick lashes out and breaks up with his girlfriend (FMC Ella).

Disappointed, confused, and hurt from this sudden loss via breakup Ella picks herself up and becomes an absolute rockstar of a chef with multiple restaurants as an adult. Both Ella and Patrick have grown up and matured but certainly never truly got over that first love. So what happens when Patrick offers Ella an opportunity to open another restaurant but in the shifter community? Add in a friend in common who is playing Cupid and you've got a story of loss, recovery, growing up, and having a second chance at love. 5/5 Stars.

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

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was fun, funny, sweet, romantic, steamy, etc. I laughed a lot while reading this book. I also cried a few times & I also wanted to throw things at Patrick a few times as well as his brother, Gabe. Both are bear shifters. Both made pro for football, however, Patrick ended up breaking his neck at one of his games and it was his best friend, Carol, who saved his life. Patrick’s inner bear’s name is Thorne. When he got hurt, Patrick did something he didn’t want to because he didn’t know if he’d heal or not, even as a bear shifter. He broke up with Ella. After years and the fact that Cedar Hollow is now mostly shifters, and various businesses are opening up there- he is trying to find someone to run a new restaurant. Carol pulls Patrick to a meeting and he meets the chef. Both Patrick and Ella feel betrayed by Carol and her shenanigans. But, both of them have been moping for the last ten years since the break up as well. Since Carol is besties with both, she couldn’t stand it anymore. Carol is a riot, as is Thorne. Most of the book is watching Ella & Patrick drive the reader crazy, lol. I can’t wait to read Gabe’s book.

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

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! a great start for this new series !! love, love, love Pats and Ells... this is their heart breaking second chance story... have the tissues ready !!! a fun fast paced rom/com drama... in high school they were so much in love !!! you could feel the hearts surrounding them ... then, the accident... Patrick was broken, not only in body but, in his soul as well... he had to let his mate go.. to let her have a chance at life ... he broke both their hearts and they never got over it !!! today, he's a successful architect and creator of a town made for shifters and she's a successful chef with two restaurants... it's been ten long years and they missed each other every day, every minute... now, they can work together to make her third restaurant in his community... and it's all because of Carol, their best friend... she did it !! she had, too !!! and she doesn't regret it !!! you'll want a best friend just like her !!! this is one of the best second chance stories ever !!! it has all the feels... all the love.... all the misunderstandings... it's all there !!! it's just that great !!!.

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

[Toni]

PATRICK and his brother were football players in high school with an eye to being known as the up and coming brothers in the football field. Then he broke his C4 verterbra and his dreams and hopes died. He pushed away the girl he thought of his one. He finally settles in Cedar Hollow. and built buildings of all kinds.
ELLA has spent ten years trying to figure out what happened to her and Patrick. Then she finds that her meeting is with the boy who broke her heart.
With a little help from her best friend and as it turns out Patrick's best friend too she meets up with him. Now she is checking out a building that she hopes to be able to open a restaurant in Cedar Hollow. Unfortunately there's a lot of baggage to unload and she has no idea which way it'll go.
A story of a man's idiocy and a woman's stubborness. Who will win? Better yet will there be a winner?.

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

[Suze Prescot · Rating 5 out of 5]

At eighteen, Patrick, a bear shifter, suffers and accident on the football field that he's told will leave him wheelchair-bound. He decides that it is unfair to his girlfriend, his mate, for her to face that future and tells her it's over. Ten years later, both successful in their different fields, they meet again.
What a wonderful story! Witty, clever, romantic, and at times, very sexy. Patrick, and Thorne, his bear, have terrific conversations, which allow us to know more about Patrick than we otherwise would. He is loving, honourable, nervous around Ella and terrified of doing the wrong thing. For Ella, we have Carol, her (and Patrick's) best friend, a feisty romantic novelist who gets to the heart of things faster than any psychoanalyst.
I absolutely adore this story, and cannot wait to read Carol's! And Gabe's! And I hope the Hollow is the scene for future tales of shifters!

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monsters, Vows, and Growls is an entertaining bear shifter romance from author Bella Blair filled with the paranormal, and second chances, for leads Ella and Patrick who were once high school sweet hearts until a tragic accident changed the course of Patrick’s life and forced his decision to end things with Ella.
Now ten years later as the successful developer of small town Cedar Hollow a safe haven for the shifter community Patrick is ready to add a restaurant to the mix and has unknowingly been setup to meet with now successful chef Ella.
This was a splendid story of a love that never faded or was forgotten, friendship, angst, personal vulnerabilities, passion, emotion, and humor that is nestled within the pages of a perfectly written, nicely paced, immersive read. HEA.

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

[Guadalupe Cosme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick, and Ella dated while they were in high school. He suffered an accident, and was unsure of his future. Patrick broke up with Ella. They did not see each for ten years. A mutual friend set up a business meeting. Patrick wants to open a restaurant catered to shifters. They are both shocked at the meeting. Ella agreed to see the site for his restaurant. She eventually agrees to run Patrick's restaurant. Patrick is struggling with his feelings, and his bear's insistence. He tries to know Ella again, in hopes of dating her. Ella had not forgotten the pain he caused, and has not forgiven him. Eventually she agrees to date Patrick, but is unsure. The storyline flowed well. The characters were realistic, and likeable. This is a wonderful story of second chances. I enjoyed reading this book!!!!!!.

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

[Angela Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved about 95% of this book. Ella and Patrick have a lot of history that they had to work through. Ella had a lot of feelings of hurt and betrayal she had to work through. I do love how patient Patrick was and how, once he started, he really showed her how sorry he was and how she could trust him this time around. They were well written and I loved seeing them find their way back together. But I really struggled with the timing/place of the argument that happens in the third act. I won’t mention where to avoid spoilers, but it lessened my enjoyment of the story at that point. I did like how they made back up, but that argument was hard for me to love about this book. Also we never actually got an answer why his bear acted two different ways toward Ella. Thus the four stars.

I did receive an ARC and this is my honest opinion.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

PATRICK: The accident shattered more than just my body—it broke us. I thought pushing Ella away would protect her. I was wrong.

Ten years. A decade of silence, regret, and what-ifs. Patrick and Ella were once inseparable—high school sweethearts with stars in their eyes and the world at their feet. But one tragic moment tore them apart, leaving only memories and unanswered questions.

Now, fate throws them back into each other’s lives in a twist neither saw coming. The emotions are raw. The wounds, still tender. And the love? It never really left.

Will they finally find the closure they’ve been chasing—or will this unexpected reunion ignite a love powerful enough to rewrite their story?

Heart-wrenching. Bittersweet. Unforgettable.
This is not just a romance. It’s a reckoning.

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

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monsters, Vows, and Growls is part of the Monster Brides series. It's a steamy, paranormal, fated mates, grumpy-sunshine, girl gets her bear shifter second-chance romance. Patrick is a hunky, somewhat grumpy bear shifter, whose bear, Thorne, is really grumpy. Ella is a human who was his high-school sweetheart. He suddenly broke it off after he was seriously injured in high school. He felt broken and unworthy of her. Now, 10 years later, she is a chef who ends up in the same place as Patrick. Set back up by well-meaning friends, Ella is still hurt and afraid to let him back in. Patrick isn't letting her go. This one made me laugh and cry. Their chemistry was great and the ending was happy but it was quite the emotional ride getting there. I loved it so much.

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

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. This story is dual POV, well written, and a steamy, emotional, second chance, male bear shifter architect (Patrick)/female human chef (Ella), contemporary fantasy romance. I empathised with the historical pain of both characters. I enjoyed Patrick’s bear’s willingness to grovel. I chuckled at the banter between Patrick and his bear, Thorne. I applauded Ella’s determination to make the best choice for herself. I enjoyed their mutual best friend and her meddling support of their romance, as well as the background set up for her own story. I enjoyed the character development and the build up to intimacy. I chuckled at the awkwardness at various points and appreciated the ending.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nikki Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 years ago Patrick made a mistake. In thinking he was doing the right thing after a horrific accident left him not knowing if he would ever walk again, despite his shifter abilities, he pushed away the love of his life, Ella. Now he has a second chance, if she'll let him. A successful chef, Patrick offers Ella the chance of a lifetime, but first she will have to forgive his actions of 10 years earlier, something she's not sure is possible, despite his attempts. A beautiful story full of drama, angst and redemption. Full of depth and with moments of pure anguish, love and some funny moments, I loved the closet scene with Henry and Lisa, it is captivating and you won't be able to put it down.

[Trixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly hard to put down; you'll find yourself wanting to read every page for fear of missing something important. I loved the main character's journey, which is filled with heartbreak, tears of joy and sadness, and the reunion after realizing that their love is still strong. They not only give each other second chances but also every opportunity to correct their past mistakes together. Fortunately, they have an incredible support system that helps them reconnect after enduring misery apart.

I also appreciated the comedic relief included throughout the story. It effectively balances the more serious moments between the main characters.

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

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly entertaining story of second chance love. Patrick is a bear shifter and his shot at joining the NFL crashed when he broke his neck at eighteen. He broke up with his human mate not knowing if he would walk again. Ten years later Ella is a successful chef with two restaurants. Patrick is building Cedar Hollow for shifters to live without prejudice and includes a space for a restaurant. His lifelong friend, Carol, suggests Chef E who is looking for another venue. Turns out to be Ella. Their rocky road to HEA is witty and with Thorne, his bear she didn't ever meet, this is a must-read.

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

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrick and Ella, high school sweethearts, split after his back injury leaves him uncertain about his future. Ten years later, a mutual friend arranges a business meeting where Patrick, a shifter, pitches his dream of a shifter-friendly restaurant. Shocked to reunite, Ella agrees to visit the site and eventually manages the restaurant. Patrick, urged by his inner bear, wants to rekindle their romance, but Ella still harbors pain from their breakup. Though hesitant, she agrees to date him. The story flows smoothly with realistic, likable characters, delivering a heartfelt second-chance romance.

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

[Madelyn Cauffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit me in all the right places. This is a second chance, why choose romance where lots of groveling is required. Patrick and Ella were high school sweethearts when Patrick had a life changing back injury leaving him possibly paralyzed for life. Knowing that this could be permanent he broke up with Ella so that he would not hold her back. However, years later, he has healed due to his shifter genes and missing Ella more than ever. When their best friend mettles in their life's to bring them back together will they be able to make the second time work or will they be doomed to miss what could have been.

[JLH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrick's original dream of being a football star and having it all. The torment of how the injuries took over his life for the foreseeable future made him let go of his mate. But 10 years later their meeting to make arrangements for a restaurant. Surprised? Absolutely! Reminiscing, facing their fears and having a second chance was definitely in the stars for them. Thorn, his bear definitely had his biased opinion about his mate and how to get her back. With the bantering between Patrick and his bear versus Patrick and his mate was entertaining. Can they each call each other Home Again? good read.

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

[Cynkris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this second chance Shifter romance. Patrick and Ella were high school sweethearts who thought they would be together forever, then Patrick is badly injured. He feels Ella would be better off with someone who is whole. Ten years later, thanks to their best friend Carol, they meet again. Their road back to each other isn't easy but it worthwhile. My favorite character in this book is Thorne, Patrck's bear. He kept me laughing! Patrick is sweet and Ella is (rightfully) stubborn. Overall a very good book! 5 stars

[Sabelle C · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This book was adorably romantic!
I think I love Thorne, the Bear, the most! His sarcasm made so many tense moments utterly hilarious 😆 The perfect comedic relief. Between Thorne and Carol, I was in stitches.

Patrick and Ella have been through so much and watching this story play out was both gut-wrenching and redeeming!

I love how Carol & Gabe’s story was placed perfectly within to make the reader anxious to see what happens next

All around great read with intermittent spice perfectly placed throughout

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fab second chance romance for Ella and Patrick. These two reconnect 10 years after Patrick disappeared from Ella's life. He'd had a football injury and that left him disconnected from his shifter side and just not feeling worthy of love. Of course, he never stopped loving her and knew his life wasn't complete without her. Thankfully, their common bestie helps them reconnect and pushes to get them on the right track. Expect to feel all the feels when you dive into this engaging read. I love how their romance unfolded and look forward to the next book :D

[Gabriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this second chance fantasy romance

Great writing, lovely second chance story. Engaging plot, couldn’t put it down. Loved the banter, the history, the character development, their friendships with Carole, with their families. The historical and intergenerational trauma discussed is intriguing and really gives realistic depth to the characters. I super love the dynamic between side characters. I will definitely be signing up for the authors newsletter to get the related book!
Highly recommend, sweet and spicy with depth.

[Lyndsay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was soo good. I enjoyed every moment of the best friend meddling and getting these two back together. The journey of coming back together and a lasting love that was destined to always come back to one another. This couple had so many obsticles to get over in order to come back together, along with all the hurt that these two had inflicted on one another. It was a sweet romance of two wounded souls coming back together and I enjoyed every moment.

[lisa jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in this series I have read. And also a new author. But I enjoyed the setting and characters. This book is Patrick and Ella second chance at love. After a football injury, Patrick dumped Ella. But now, working on a restaurant project, it's time to reconnect and find love. With help from friends these two will find that.
I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of this series.