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Grizzly List #1
Bear Wanted
He always wanted a bear to keep him warm at night…
Lane knows what he wants in a lover, but hasn’t been able to find the perfect bear of a man in his small Colorado hometown. So he turns to the Grizzly List, a regional personal ad service for bears and their lovers. He’s not sure what to expect when he meets Fin, but what he gets might be his perfect man.
Bear shifter Fin has been looking for someone with whom to spend his days, nights, and winter hibernation. He’s a happy guy, but needs someone who wants a big, burly, slightly dominant mate. When he meets Lane, Fin knows he’s found what he needs, but will he be able to convince Lane that they’re made for one another, in human form and bear?
Lane knows what he wants in a lover, but hasn’t been able to find the perfect bear of a man in his small Colorado hometown. So he turns to the Grizzly List, a regional personal ad service for bears and their lovers. He’s not sure what to expect when he meets Fin, but what he gets might be his perfect man.
Bear shifter Fin has been looking for someone with whom to spend his days, nights, and winter hibernation. He’s a happy guy, but needs someone who wants a big, burly, slightly dominant mate. When he meets Lane, Fin knows he’s found what he needs, but will he be able to convince Lane that they’re made for one another, in human form and bear?
93 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2015
5 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Julia Talbot
307 books266 followersJulia Talbot lives in the great Southwest, where there is hot and cold running rodeo, cowboys, and everything from meat and potatoes to the best Tex-Mex. A full time author, Julia is a hybrid author, and has been published by many presses as well as self publishing. She believes that everyone deserves a happy ending, so she writes about love without limits, where boys love boys, girls love girls, and boys and girls get together to get wild, especially when her crazy paranormal characters are involved. Julia also writes as Minerva Howe. Find Julia at @juliatalbot on Twitter, or at www.juliatalbot.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 4, 2017
A bear shifter and a cub (who doesn't yet realize he's a shifter) meet via a personal ad placed on the Grizzly List. Their first date includes eating, fucking bareback, and napping. In that order. Repeatedly.
Julia Talbot's writing style doesn't agree with me. It's choppy and relies too much on simple sentences.
This book lacks plot but is heavy on sex and dialogue, which consists mostly of one-word exclamations: Oh. Yummy. Tickles. Yes, Bear! Please. Yay! Sweet Cub. Hungry. Food! Grown men talking like toddlers just isn't attractive.
The ending is very abrupt, and there is absolutely no world building or character development.
I made it to 60 percent before I started skimming. I was craving some shifter fun, but sadly this story didn't hit the spot.
Closer to 1.5 rounding up because I want to be nice.
Julia Talbot's writing style doesn't agree with me. It's choppy and relies too much on simple sentences.
This book lacks plot but is heavy on sex and dialogue, which consists mostly of one-word exclamations: Oh. Yummy. Tickles. Yes, Bear! Please. Yay! Sweet Cub. Hungry. Food! Grown men talking like toddlers just isn't attractive.
The ending is very abrupt, and there is absolutely no world building or character development.
I made it to 60 percent before I started skimming. I was craving some shifter fun, but sadly this story didn't hit the spot.
Closer to 1.5 rounding up because I want to be nice.
September 20, 2017
2.5 Stars
I don't know if my current mood is to blame or whether I simply didn't mesh well with Talbot's writing style, but whatever the reason, this shifter story just didn't do it for me.
By all accounts, this seemed like a sure thing for me. I love M/M shifter stories and just the mere mention of the word "werebear" had me sitting up and taking notice. Unfortunately, the plot fell a bit flat for me, and the awkward dialogue, paired with the weird one and two word exclamations, along with the countless editing issues, made the whole reading experience kind of odd.
On the plus side, this was a short, breezy read, and the characters, Lane and Fin, were both very cute and endearing, sharing an immediate bond that led to (insta)love and some heated sexy-times.
This was simple and sweet, but I'm hoping for a bit more out of the sequels.
I don't know if my current mood is to blame or whether I simply didn't mesh well with Talbot's writing style, but whatever the reason, this shifter story just didn't do it for me.
By all accounts, this seemed like a sure thing for me. I love M/M shifter stories and just the mere mention of the word "werebear" had me sitting up and taking notice. Unfortunately, the plot fell a bit flat for me, and the awkward dialogue, paired with the weird one and two word exclamations, along with the countless editing issues, made the whole reading experience kind of odd.
On the plus side, this was a short, breezy read, and the characters, Lane and Fin, were both very cute and endearing, sharing an immediate bond that led to (insta)love and some heated sexy-times.
This was simple and sweet, but I'm hoping for a bit more out of the sequels.
January 2, 2016
Okay, so...
this was SO cute!!
What a fun story!
Lane is a graphic designer looking for love. He places an ad looking for a "bear"...
--Personal Ad in the Grizzly List Weekly--
Bear wanted for cute bottom. Looking for 30-40yo bear, ddf, kind but firm. Seeking companionship/ relationship. Want to cook for you, cuddle, and explore physical possibilities. Hairy a must, uncut a plus. Send photos and response to inbox 4125.
Lane gets back an answer from bear shifter and mystery writer, Finley, who, more than anything, wants a cub to cuddle with and pamper.
As soon as they meet Fin is captivated by Lane. As they get to know each other Fin begins to suspect that Lane isn't just the perfect man for him, but may just also be the perfect bear.
This was such a sweet, cute and hot novella. There were a lot of stereotypical "bear" things, but the relationship between Fin and Lane was sweet as honey.
Keep in mind this is an erotic romance, and it doesn't disappoint in the heat department.
My only complaint is I wanted more. I would have liked to have seen how Lane handles being a shifter and hibernating with Fin for the winter. But this is Book #1 in the new Grizzly List series so I hope Fin and Lane will make another appearance and we'll get to find out how things are going with them in the future.
Recommended!
Copy generously provided by ARe Books in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave
this was SO cute!!
What a fun story!
Lane is a graphic designer looking for love. He places an ad looking for a "bear"...
--Personal Ad in the Grizzly List Weekly--
Bear wanted for cute bottom. Looking for 30-40yo bear, ddf, kind but firm. Seeking companionship/ relationship. Want to cook for you, cuddle, and explore physical possibilities. Hairy a must, uncut a plus. Send photos and response to inbox 4125.
Lane gets back an answer from bear shifter and mystery writer, Finley, who, more than anything, wants a cub to cuddle with and pamper.
As soon as they meet Fin is captivated by Lane. As they get to know each other Fin begins to suspect that Lane isn't just the perfect man for him, but may just also be the perfect bear.
This was such a sweet, cute and hot novella. There were a lot of stereotypical "bear" things, but the relationship between Fin and Lane was sweet as honey.
Keep in mind this is an erotic romance, and it doesn't disappoint in the heat department.
My only complaint is I wanted more. I would have liked to have seen how Lane handles being a shifter and hibernating with Fin for the winter. But this is Book #1 in the new Grizzly List series so I hope Fin and Lane will make another appearance and we'll get to find out how things are going with them in the future.
Recommended!
Copy generously provided by ARe Books in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave
December 3, 2016
Ok, this was just freaking adorable. Reminiscent of BA Tortuga's Wolf Run, this is just a charming little feel-good story, perfect for a Saturday morning curled up on the couch. Not going to go into all the details as the blurb pretty much tells you all you need to know. I will be reading book two post haste.
July 5, 2015
2.5 stars. This was......well, it was something. The story itself was interesting. A bear shifter looking for someone to love on a Craigslist-type medium for Bears (not the shifter kind but the hairy human kind). Fin and Lane started off cute together. First date, getting to know each other, learning new things by asking questions.
But it just had too many issues for me to get over. First, the editing. Does no one have at least one beta reader? "Yes, this Fin." and "I was doing to suggest that, too" and Fin was Finn at one point. It was really annoying.
Second, this author couldn't decide if she wanted to cross over into BDSM. She never really did, outside some spanking. I personally don't consider spanking by itself to be very BDSM, but even before sex was had, Fin was talking about "his cub" needing "a strong, loving hand" and they were discussing safe words. Does one need a safe word for spanking? I didn't think so, but I digress.
Some of the words used just threw me, and I was lost from the story. There were two in particular that got under my skin that were used multiple times throughout the story. The first was "wee." Did I miss that this book took place in Scotland? No, I checked. We are definitely in the US. Did I miss that the MCs were from Scotland? (They both used the word) No, no mention of that. So why the hell does this word keep popping up? The second is "neat." I must've been transported into an episode of Leave it to Beaver. It was used that often and in the context you'll recall from the reruns of the black and white shows from TV Land.
Third, some of the things that were supposed to be sexy were just.....not. At one point, Fin carried Lane to bed. After Fin put him on the bed, Fin saw that Lane liked being carried around, so
"Fin struck a pose, all 'grr' and bearlike. 'Arrgh.'
'God, you're gorgeous.' Lane groaned."
Posing and growling is sexy? I didn't get that memo.
But I stuck it out. And got all the way to the end. And it just ended. Abruptly. Kind of in the middle of a plot line that needed more resolution. But whatever. I really didn't care at that point. Sorry, but this was not good.
But it just had too many issues for me to get over. First, the editing. Does no one have at least one beta reader? "Yes, this Fin." and "I was doing to suggest that, too" and Fin was Finn at one point. It was really annoying.
Second, this author couldn't decide if she wanted to cross over into BDSM. She never really did, outside some spanking. I personally don't consider spanking by itself to be very BDSM, but even before sex was had, Fin was talking about "his cub" needing "a strong, loving hand" and they were discussing safe words. Does one need a safe word for spanking? I didn't think so, but I digress.
Some of the words used just threw me, and I was lost from the story. There were two in particular that got under my skin that were used multiple times throughout the story. The first was "wee." Did I miss that this book took place in Scotland? No, I checked. We are definitely in the US. Did I miss that the MCs were from Scotland? (They both used the word) No, no mention of that. So why the hell does this word keep popping up? The second is "neat." I must've been transported into an episode of Leave it to Beaver. It was used that often and in the context you'll recall from the reruns of the black and white shows from TV Land.
Third, some of the things that were supposed to be sexy were just.....not. At one point, Fin carried Lane to bed. After Fin put him on the bed, Fin saw that Lane liked being carried around, so
"Fin struck a pose, all 'grr' and bearlike. 'Arrgh.'
'God, you're gorgeous.' Lane groaned."
Posing and growling is sexy? I didn't get that memo.
But I stuck it out. And got all the way to the end. And it just ended. Abruptly. Kind of in the middle of a plot line that needed more resolution. But whatever. I really didn't care at that point. Sorry, but this was not good.
June 6, 2017
3.5 Stars
Complete and utter fluff that descended into so much cute and sweet that I forgive the typos and some minor plot holes.
Lane just wants to find a big “bear” to cuddle with and care and cook for. He’s been unlucky in love and hopes for the best when he puts his “ad” on Grizzlies List. Fin has equally been unlucky, never connecting with anyone but wanting that special someone to share his life with.
This is insta-like/love/smex. These two fit each other like gloves and apparently they’re mates - hence never gelling with anyone prior. It seems bear shifters are my thing because who in the hell can resist a gentle giant?? Anyone? Apparently, not me. It’s not going to win a Pulitzer but this was sexy, entertaining, and now a favorite trope.
Complete and utter fluff that descended into so much cute and sweet that I forgive the typos and some minor plot holes.
Lane just wants to find a big “bear” to cuddle with and care and cook for. He’s been unlucky in love and hopes for the best when he puts his “ad” on Grizzlies List. Fin has equally been unlucky, never connecting with anyone but wanting that special someone to share his life with.
This is insta-like/love/smex. These two fit each other like gloves and apparently they’re mates - hence never gelling with anyone prior. It seems bear shifters are my thing because who in the hell can resist a gentle giant?? Anyone? Apparently, not me. It’s not going to win a Pulitzer but this was sexy, entertaining, and now a favorite trope.
July 20, 2015
DNF @ 63%. I just could not get into the dialogue, it made them both sound like 12 year old girls. Too many "yay!"s and "Yummy!"s and overuse of nicknames. And the writing made it feel like there was no *story*, just stilted dialogue back and forth. Sorry, but I cannot recommend this one.
August 15, 2015
It was flufftastic and fun. The story didn't take itself too seriously and there was insta-lust/love but I was OK with it. It wasn't like the story was trying to be something that is wasn't meant to be anyway. It was two country boys shifting into stereotypical bear behavior and then getting all busy. There were no assassins or territory battles it was a story stripped down to the mating with added fluff.
April 19, 2016
Well, this was a bit…. weird, yet cute.
Very OTT shifter story with bears.
Big, hairy, bear shifter Fin is looking for a hookup/mate/partner/someone to cuddle with? Well, he finds what he is looking for in sweet, small Lane. Who turns out to be a latent bear shifter.
Fin coaxes Lane into his first shift. After massive amounts of sex of course.
Very OTT shifter story with bears.
Big, hairy, bear shifter Fin is looking for a hookup/mate/partner/someone to cuddle with? Well, he finds what he is looking for in sweet, small Lane. Who turns out to be a latent bear shifter.
Fin coaxes Lane into his first shift. After massive amounts of sex of course.
August 4, 2015
What a fun, entertaining, and very hot story about a twink looking for a bear and finding more than he could have ever wished for. The idea of the “Grizzly List”, a website specializing in personal ads for bears and those who are looking for them, made me smile when I first read about it. Then I got curious, and was very happy I didn’t resist the urge to buy this book. With a nice little twist at the end, it’s one of the cutest shifter books I’ve read in a while.
Lane is looking for a bear. He’s tried a few times, but none of the men were like the one man he is secretly dreaming of. But all of that changes when he puts a personal ad on the Grizzly List, blushing all the way, and someone actually responds! Even though Lane is doing his best to be careful and wants to take things slow, the chemistry between them is off the charts from the first time they meet for coffee. Needless to say, coffee is not all they have on that first date.
Fin is hesitant to respond to the ad he sees, fearing he won’t be what the cute twink is looking for after all. But once they meet and get to know each other, he senses there is far more to Lane than what’s visible on the surface. And once he starts digging, his dominant personality definitely in charge, what he finds surpasses his expectations. And no, I am not going to tell you what it is, you’ll have to find out for yourself. I thought it was a great twist and a wonderful surprise!
If you like stories about bear shifters and the men they fall for, if you think two men meeting and falling into insta-lust might be good entertainment, and if you’re looking for a read that is as cute and hot as it is fun and surprising, then you will probably like this novella.
Lane is looking for a bear. He’s tried a few times, but none of the men were like the one man he is secretly dreaming of. But all of that changes when he puts a personal ad on the Grizzly List, blushing all the way, and someone actually responds! Even though Lane is doing his best to be careful and wants to take things slow, the chemistry between them is off the charts from the first time they meet for coffee. Needless to say, coffee is not all they have on that first date.
Fin is hesitant to respond to the ad he sees, fearing he won’t be what the cute twink is looking for after all. But once they meet and get to know each other, he senses there is far more to Lane than what’s visible on the surface. And once he starts digging, his dominant personality definitely in charge, what he finds surpasses his expectations. And no, I am not going to tell you what it is, you’ll have to find out for yourself. I thought it was a great twist and a wonderful surprise!
If you like stories about bear shifters and the men they fall for, if you think two men meeting and falling into insta-lust might be good entertainment, and if you’re looking for a read that is as cute and hot as it is fun and surprising, then you will probably like this novella.
July 18, 2015
2.5 stars
This was a cute/sweet story that ended abruptly, like there should've been more. Wish there had been. It definitely needed more editing, Fin was Fib more than once.
This was a cute/sweet story that ended abruptly, like there should've been more. Wish there had been. It definitely needed more editing, Fin was Fib more than once.
July 26, 2015
Lane writes an ad requesting a bear, cuddly, firm, kind, likes sweets and Fin answers it. They meet and instantly find a strong connection. Fin knows he’s a bear and thinks Lane might be one as well but can’t be sure…
Together they explore one another and find more than they bargained for.
**
This is a very sweet, very hot novella about a man finding his mate (not in the “destined for” sense, but very close). What I loved about it was how much “bear” was in it. So often shifter romances use the animal part for a few things here and there, mostly to speed along the “mating” and maybe some growly “mines” or some super-human senses.
Fin is very bear like and does a number of things as a human that mimic his animal and when they do shift it’s adorable! Very fun, frolicky and cute.
I really enjoyed this and look forward to more in the series.
4.5 of 5 stars
Together they explore one another and find more than they bargained for.
**
This is a very sweet, very hot novella about a man finding his mate (not in the “destined for” sense, but very close). What I loved about it was how much “bear” was in it. So often shifter romances use the animal part for a few things here and there, mostly to speed along the “mating” and maybe some growly “mines” or some super-human senses.
Fin is very bear like and does a number of things as a human that mimic his animal and when they do shift it’s adorable! Very fun, frolicky and cute.
I really enjoyed this and look forward to more in the series.
4.5 of 5 stars
July 11, 2015
This is a short M/M romance perfect length for lunch or a hot soak. Lane and Fin meet through a personal ad in the Grizzly List Weekly. Lane is looking for a bear and gets one in Fin, literally. Fin is a bear shifter. Some good hot sex and romance definitely not for the under 18 crowd. I really liked it and always enjoy a good M/M and this doesn't disappoint. Independent reviewer for Paranormal Romance & Authors That Rock.
December 3, 2015
This book somehow managed to hit all my shifter checkpoints. Definitely one of the best shifter stories I've read in a bit. Short, sweet and enjoyable.
August 6, 2015
A short, but fun, read.
Bear Wanted by Julia Talbot is the first in a new series called the Grizzly List. Lane is a graphic designer that places a personal ad in the Grizzly List Weekly, looking for a "Bear". Mystery writer Fin is the big bear of a man (in more ways than one) that answers.
This way a short, but fun, read. With less than a 100 pages the pace has to move, and it does. From their first meeting, Lane and Fin have an extremely strong instant attraction. They follow through on that attraction in short order. With Fin's guidance, Lane finds out about and deals with a secret he didn't even know he had. I found it to be a sweet and entertaining. Some of the scenes at Fin's house had me cracking up.
It's times like this that I wish we could give fractional star ratings. If so, I would have give this one 3 3/4 stars. I gave it the 4 starts because it deserves it more than it does a three star rating.
I purchased this book for myself. All opinions within this review are true, honest, and completely my own.
Bear Wanted by Julia Talbot is the first in a new series called the Grizzly List. Lane is a graphic designer that places a personal ad in the Grizzly List Weekly, looking for a "Bear". Mystery writer Fin is the big bear of a man (in more ways than one) that answers.
This way a short, but fun, read. With less than a 100 pages the pace has to move, and it does. From their first meeting, Lane and Fin have an extremely strong instant attraction. They follow through on that attraction in short order. With Fin's guidance, Lane finds out about and deals with a secret he didn't even know he had. I found it to be a sweet and entertaining. Some of the scenes at Fin's house had me cracking up.
It's times like this that I wish we could give fractional star ratings. If so, I would have give this one 3 3/4 stars. I gave it the 4 starts because it deserves it more than it does a three star rating.
I purchased this book for myself. All opinions within this review are true, honest, and completely my own.
August 2, 2015
Lane and Fin are both looking for their perfect man and when Fin answers Lane's ad in the Grizzly List, they meet up and hit it off right off the bat. Lane isn't aware that he's a bear shifter but Fin helps him ease his way into that side of himself.
This was a sweet book with a little spice thrown in. The insta-love threw me off but otherwise this was a good storyline and I liked the characters. This book would have been just as good without the bear shifter part of the story. It seemed like that was added in as an afterthought so this could be counted as paranormal romance vs. regular romance. Either way works for me as the storyline remains the same with or without the paranormal aspect.
Book provided in exchange for review.
This was a sweet book with a little spice thrown in. The insta-love threw me off but otherwise this was a good storyline and I liked the characters. This book would have been just as good without the bear shifter part of the story. It seemed like that was added in as an afterthought so this could be counted as paranormal romance vs. regular romance. Either way works for me as the storyline remains the same with or without the paranormal aspect.
Book provided in exchange for review.
July 6, 2015
This was a cute little story of Lane who tries a new dating service for bears. He likes his men big and furry and maybe a bit dominant. Little does he know he's going to get a real bear out of the deal in Fin. The only thing that kind of confused me (and annoyed me a little) Still, it was a cute story and Lane and Fin were an adorable couple.
July 25, 2015
I can say with 100% honesty this is the worst thing I have ever read. The dialogue is flat, and boring, everything is rushed and thoughtless. The MCs talk to each other like....horny caveman babies. Two word sentences with grunting and growling and thats not even during sex. Not to mention the whole "bear shifter" thing is so poorly stereotyped. The shifters love of honey is childish and most of the time I just imagined him as a grown man walking around in a Winnie The Pooh fursuit. It was just....just terrible. Please, Talbot. No more.
July 8, 2015
I like the idea of a Bear dating site, where some of the men are actual grizzly bears! Lane and Fin are made for each other! The idea of hibernating for the winter? well it does sound good. A quick and enjoyable read.
July 22, 2015
It was a cute idea but the execution was lacking.
The dialogue was mundane and the details uninteresting.
That had to be the most boring first date I’ve ever read.
The dialogue was mundane and the details uninteresting.
That had to be the most boring first date I’ve ever read.
March 20, 2016
Cute, short, sweet... with a little spice.
Read
April 21, 2016This is a great book. Kept me riveted and didn't want to put the book down. Totally recommend. Would say more but never want to give anything away. It's a journey you need to take on your own.
June 22, 2022
Likeable characters and an ok story. On the short side and not much plot - a bit insta-love. Would have liked it more without the BDSM stuff, and if they had figured out how they were going to deal with Lane’s job, now that he has to factor hibernating into his future.
May 25, 2017
2.5 stars. Cute story was too short. Not enough human relationship time after Lane shifted. Writing style similar to Sean Michael.
Read
July 24, 2020DNF
February 13, 2023
Cute, quick read. A happily ever after meet cute.
August 10, 2015
I received this book for free by the author for an honest and impartial review. My receiving the book in no way affects my review.
I didn’t expect much when I started Bear Wanted. It’s a bear shifter story, so I can’t take it too seriously. I did have some expectations though—basic ones that all readers have, including quality writing, engaging characters, and a sense of belief. The concept behind Bear Wanted is a really fun idea. I think shifter stories, when done right, can be really fun quick readers. They’re great for when you’re killing time and want something light to get lost in. Plus, some of them can be really steamy. I love bears. They’re cuddly and cute. I also like the other bears, the big burly men with a thatch of hair on their chest and a well-groomed beard (yum!). This story was supposed to encompass both of those things, and it did.
For the most part, Ms. Talbot’s writing wasn’t bad. I think the biggest issue with the story was that she took a story that needed to be more than 80 some pages and condensed it down, so her writing was stilted and the characters didn’t have enough time to develop a true voice. While Lane and Fin each have their own personalities, they start to blend together rather quickly, until neither voice is distinguishing.
I have to give props to Ms. Talbot though for writing an authentic first day. When Lane and Fin meet its awkward, but not in a bad way. It’s the kind of awkward you get when you’re meeting a blind date. As someone who has done her fair share of the online dating, I can say that she accurately showed how anxiously and fumbling those first few moments in your date can be.
Of course, after the initial first date, my belief starts to go out the window. Lane and Fin sleep together on the first date. Which, sure, that happens. But it was really random and felt rushed and forced, like she was trying to get the sex out there immediately to snag the reader.
Then there was the issue with the lore of the story. I wasn’t sure what was going on. Fin is not only a bear as in a big hairy man, but he’s also a bear shifter. Okay, that’s fine. That’s what I expected when I went into this story. But nothing is explained about shifters. Are they accepted? Does society know about them? Are there others? Ms. Talbot gives us a vague and convoluted answer, which only makes me more confused. So there are others, but not everyone knows about them…but they’re accepted? And then there are some people who don’t even know they’re shifters, even when they’re well into their twenties? Wouldn’t they have been affected by the moon? Or by a heat cycle? Or something!?
Once Lane started finding out he was a shifter (because he had sex with Fin??), that’s when the story really lost me. My sense of belief went out the window. Plus, Lane’s dependency on Fin and the abrupt way their relationship developed really turned me off. Their relationship didn’t feel authentic. It felt written.
The idea she had was good. I think if she’d allowed herself another hundred pages or so to develop Lane and Fin’s relationship healthily and to focus on world building, than this story would have been a four star story. It has potential, but right now it feels like a first draft.
I didn’t expect much when I started Bear Wanted. It’s a bear shifter story, so I can’t take it too seriously. I did have some expectations though—basic ones that all readers have, including quality writing, engaging characters, and a sense of belief. The concept behind Bear Wanted is a really fun idea. I think shifter stories, when done right, can be really fun quick readers. They’re great for when you’re killing time and want something light to get lost in. Plus, some of them can be really steamy. I love bears. They’re cuddly and cute. I also like the other bears, the big burly men with a thatch of hair on their chest and a well-groomed beard (yum!). This story was supposed to encompass both of those things, and it did.
For the most part, Ms. Talbot’s writing wasn’t bad. I think the biggest issue with the story was that she took a story that needed to be more than 80 some pages and condensed it down, so her writing was stilted and the characters didn’t have enough time to develop a true voice. While Lane and Fin each have their own personalities, they start to blend together rather quickly, until neither voice is distinguishing.
I have to give props to Ms. Talbot though for writing an authentic first day. When Lane and Fin meet its awkward, but not in a bad way. It’s the kind of awkward you get when you’re meeting a blind date. As someone who has done her fair share of the online dating, I can say that she accurately showed how anxiously and fumbling those first few moments in your date can be.
Of course, after the initial first date, my belief starts to go out the window. Lane and Fin sleep together on the first date. Which, sure, that happens. But it was really random and felt rushed and forced, like she was trying to get the sex out there immediately to snag the reader.
Then there was the issue with the lore of the story. I wasn’t sure what was going on. Fin is not only a bear as in a big hairy man, but he’s also a bear shifter. Okay, that’s fine. That’s what I expected when I went into this story. But nothing is explained about shifters. Are they accepted? Does society know about them? Are there others? Ms. Talbot gives us a vague and convoluted answer, which only makes me more confused. So there are others, but not everyone knows about them…but they’re accepted? And then there are some people who don’t even know they’re shifters, even when they’re well into their twenties? Wouldn’t they have been affected by the moon? Or by a heat cycle? Or something!?
Once Lane started finding out he was a shifter (because he had sex with Fin??), that’s when the story really lost me. My sense of belief went out the window. Plus, Lane’s dependency on Fin and the abrupt way their relationship developed really turned me off. Their relationship didn’t feel authentic. It felt written.
The idea she had was good. I think if she’d allowed herself another hundred pages or so to develop Lane and Fin’s relationship healthily and to focus on world building, than this story would have been a four star story. It has potential, but right now it feels like a first draft.
December 31, 2016
Pure fluff. I quite enjoyed it. The saccharine sweet lovers' billing and cooing was a bit much. So, if you aren't a fan of cuddling and snuggles and "who's my bear? You mah bear" lovey-dovey dialogue, this won't be for you.
I liked it though.
I liked it though.
December 31, 2016
First I need to say that Julia Talbot has a very distinctive writing style (well it can be a lot like Sean Michael's but still). You have to just roll with it in order to enjoy the story. What I mean is that the sentences are short and read a lot like internal monologue. Often you will find a sentence of just "yum" (a word she uses a LOT). There will be lots of words/phrases/sentiments that are repeated, like how much the word "sweet" is used to describe--and even serve as the nickname--of one of the characters. In its favor, it's an extremely uncomplicated boy-meets-and-immediately-falls-in-love-and-love-with-boy. The two express the desire to move slow but have several wild, hot sex by the end of the first date. The whole relationship takes place over a very short time. There are a lot of bear references--of both kinds--in the story. The author often mentions how hairy and physically imposing Fin is and how much he likes honey, berries, and salmon. Apparently he also hibernates the winter away in a special den in his home. Lane is the typical twink foil to Fin, small, sleek, and nearly hairless with a love of cooking and a cute little apartment. If you read the Grizzly List books you will find a lot of these elements in the third book. The series is a little formulaic but I've enjoyed it because the stories are kind of cozy (they even take an insane amount of naps!). The book ends with a lot of questions: what's Lane's family background? will he quit his job and move in? and more. Not great or deep, you just have to take it as it is and enjoy it like a fun, snuggly read--if you like those--in order to enjoy it.
July 22, 2015
So I've been on a were-bear kick, but can't seem to find one that gives me exactly what I'm looking for. I want ferocious and huggable and growly and possessive and formidable and loving and did I mention huggable? This book seemed like a bunch of bouncing and juvenile speak. Forgive me but it did seem like Lane was a horny teenage girl. I don't read M/M because I want girl personas, I read M/F when I want that.
Not to mention the blurb made it seem like there would be some sort of angst, still waiting for that.
I'm not going to address the typos/editing issues/formatting problems in detail. They are there and yes, they threw me out of the story multiple times. I didn't see an editor credit in the beginning of the book so I have to think that is probably why all the technical stuff happened, which is sad.
I know Julia Talbot can write the hell out of a book, just not this one. Will I stop reading her, um no. Different tastes for different people. This one just wasn't for my taste. On to the next were-bear book, hopefully I'll get luckier.
Not to mention the blurb made it seem like there would be some sort of angst, still waiting for that.
I'm not going to address the typos/editing issues/formatting problems in detail. They are there and yes, they threw me out of the story multiple times. I didn't see an editor credit in the beginning of the book so I have to think that is probably why all the technical stuff happened, which is sad.
I know Julia Talbot can write the hell out of a book, just not this one. Will I stop reading her, um no. Different tastes for different people. This one just wasn't for my taste. On to the next were-bear book, hopefully I'll get luckier.
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