She's his fated mate, but is the price of true love too high for her to pay?
Her big, close-knit family and her hometown mean everything to bear shifter Hannah Swanson. As a devastating wildfire threatens Bearpaw Ridge, she meets and falls for a handsome firefighter who's traveled all the way from Australia to help save the town. Becoming his mate would mean leaving everything and everyone Hannah loves, but how can she live without her fated mate?
Note: This is a standalone version of the novella included with Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters Boxed Set #2. It's book 9.5 in the series, and takes place between Ember and Inferno.
Ophelia Sexton is an author of paranormal romance. She has previously published historical romance under a different name, but has always loved reading about were-creatures, vampires, and other supernatural beings. She lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area.
This book is one of those hidden gems in my opinion. I was expecting a book where they see each other and hit it off right away. With a great deal of hot steamy sexy times. That the hero was into having control. Well, he is but not the way I thought. What I got was something more. They have great chemistry and attraction. I also got heavy drama, I would recommend this to anyone!! Who loves Holiday Romances!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I like that with this one Hannah finds her place in the world. The connection was there from the start, but having always lived where she did with her family, following her heart required a big leap of faith. I hated how she was initially talked out of it, but loved the support she got later. Hannah deserved her HEA.
This is a good shifter romance, with decent editing, but I did have some issues with it. I think it would have been better if it had been a full book, though, since it was way too short to have as much character development as I like. It gets 3.5 stars from me, rounded down to 3 stars. It probably would have gotten 4 stars if it was longer.
My main issue with this short story was the way Hannah's mother Margaret tried to talk her OUT of mating with Sam, since she would have to move to Australia. It bothered me that Margaret was so selfish in not wanting to miss her daughter, that she didn't care about Hannah's happiness. Margaret finally realized she was wrong, but not before Hannah was sad for a long time (and then only because someone else convinced her).
I liked both Hannah and Sam a lot, and thought they were perfect for each other. Sam was a sweetheart, and Hannah has been a character I've liked throughout all the books in the series.
My rating system is below. 1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it. 2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws. 3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating. 4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one. 5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
This is a NON-SPOILER REVIEW. Christmas in July by Ophelia Sexton is actually presented as book 9.5 in the Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters series. I absolutely love this series! I have not read this series in order, but have tremendously enjoyed it anyway! At some point I'll instigate a re-read and run through the series in the written order because the series is that good. I love books that leave you feeling good after the read is done and Ophelia Sexton writes amazingly euphoric reads. Each story follows a different Swanson and includes the entire clan in some way. This community of shifters makes you feel like they are sharing a secret with you. A quick sweet and spicy (Yes, Mature Readers Only Please) read that will have you grinning like a fool and tearing up. Grab a tissue and enjoy this fun read.
This honest and voluntary review was made possible by reading a copy through Booksprout.
Narrator does a good job. She gives a clear, quality performance. Good listen.
Sweet and steamy short shifter romance! This story features bear shifter, Hannah Swanson, and Australian firefighter/bear shifter, Sam. Sam is helping in Bearpaw Ridge because there are some wildfires causing problems. Sam and Hannah instantly connect, but how are they going to work out when he lives in Australia and her whole life is in Bearpaw Ridge. I liked the connection between Sam and Hannah; both are likable and sweet characters. The ending did feel rushed though, so I’d say this is a 3.5 rating for me, rounded up to a 4 because I’ve enjoyed many other books in this series. Still an entertaining, romantic, cute story!
Hannah is a bear shifter just waiting to meet her mate, so when she meets Sam, she knows he is hers. As does he. There is only one problem for them... her whole life is in Montana with her family and he's from Australia. 😲 ❣️
I really enjoyed this story about Sam and Hannah. Making a choice between family and love is never easy but I think they worked it out really well. 💗 🔥💕
This is book 9.5 in the Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters series and can easily be read as a standalone but it does build onto the series. 😉🥰
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a fun holiday read that's focussed around the community of Bearpaw Ridge and the horrible fires impacting their area. That out of country firefighters come together with the local ones opens the door to the meeting new people. Of course, romance blooms from this but things aren't so simple with family interference and a relocation required to make for an HEA. I enjoyed the steamy journey this couple went on and the support everyone offered to help survive the fires.
Christmas in July is wonderful shifter romance that offers small town charm, family and sweetness. This is Sam and Hannah story they are both enjoyable characters along with all of side characters that are well written. Their attraction was strong and their chemistry generated lots of sparks. The storyline was engaging and fun but offers a solid amount of drama and emotional turmoil as this couple relationship evolves into more than they ever imagined.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A firefighter and a baker Hot Hot Hot! Hannah wants to find the love of her life and the mate of her dreams she never thought it would be in the form of a firefighter from across the ocean. Sam put out the Flames everywhere he goes that includes when he leaves Australia for America. But some Flames are best when the are stroked. What a fun book to read. Another love story for the “BearPaw Ridge Firefighters” series. Christmas in July could be a new tradition. Enjoy
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved the book it was great, the story was well written and the characters are interesting. Once I started I could not put the book down from start to finish you just could not get enough with hot and steamy when Bearpaw Ridge had fire on the hill Sam a firefighter travelled a fair distance to help with the fire and that is when he met Hannah we the chemistry between them is intense hot and steamy. Thank you for allowing me to review your book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love this series. I love how each couple is connected through the series, but unique and intriguing enough where it's not the same story and issues over and over again. Sam and Hannah are a great couple. Both are really well developed with great chemistry and interactions. The storyline was engrossing but has the right amount of drama and feels.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A group of hot Australian firefighters come to help put out a big California blaze. While helping her sister pass out food to everyone, Hannah is introduced to Sam. They both feel an instant attraction and before long realize they're meant to be mates. Only he's going home to run the family ranch and she is scared to leave everyone she knows. Wish there had been just a bit more....an epilogue showing them settled and happy.
I really enjoyed this sweet, heartfelt story! It's Hannah and Sam's whirlwind romance, and how Christmas in July came to be for the couple and their families. You won't want to miss it! I would highly suggest that you read this book between books #9 & #10. It can be read as a stand alone, but it's certainly much better to read the entire series. I would definitely recommend this book, series, and fantastic author.
Back to Bearpaw Ridge for another rousing episode of love...bear shifter style. And I do love these stories about the brave, sexy and often sassy shifters. This story is short, but oh, so sweet when Hannah finds Australian firefighter Sam during the fight to save Bearpaw Ridge from a massive fire. Will she stay in Bearpaw or follow her love to Australia. It may be July in the U.S., but it's the season of miracles in Australia.
Very short and sweet novella from Hannah (Margaret's youngest daughter) and Sam, a visiting Australian firefighter. I loved the sweet and hot feeling of this book.
But I almost didn't finish this book because I listened to the audiobook and, as an Australian, the accent used by the narrator was all wrong for Australians and the "Australian lingo" was excessively used by the author in a way that ended up being almost off putting.
Hannah works in a bakery and meets Sam, an Australian firefighter, while handing out food to the Bearpaw firemen. There's an instant attraction. But he has to go home to his elderly parents, can she leave everything behind and go with him?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A fantastic and interesting fast pace romance. The storyline is well written, steamy, fascinating, consistent, and flows smoothly. There is drama, hard decisions, humour, and so much more. The characters (fated mates) are likeable, endearing, and well developed. Definitely recommended!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Christmas in July by Ophelia Sexton is an amazing story that I have loved reading. This is book Nine .five in this amazing series that I have loved reading. I highly recommend this amazing story to everyone who loves reading about bear shifters, holiday and paranorml romance
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sam and Hannah meet while he's fighting a wildfire. He's far from his home of Australia, but they quickly realize they are made for each other. But where will they live? Bearpaw Ridge is far far away from Australia. And Australia is far from Hannah's large and loving family. The dilemma they face is a tough one, but love wins the day!
Hanna Swanson a Bear shifter, in Bearpaw Ridge was helping her boss with food, water,and deserts for the firefighters. Great California fires was out of control! Firefighters all over the world was helping. Sam Wilson, Grizzly Bear Shifter and a firefighter from Australia and his crew came to help. Hanna and Sam are Fated Mates!
In this story we read about Hannah and Sam who is an Australian firefighter. When these two meet it is magical. This story is more about following your heart even though it may not be what those close to you want. It is short and sweet but just right.
I have read, and I am now listening to this amazing series on Audible. Somehow I missed this quick read novella... I am seeing the possibility of a spin off series on the future?
A great stand alone novella about a small town full of shifters.Awesome read and you feel like you're keeping the shifter's identity a secret. Wonderful feeling of being with good people and family. This author fives you a fascinating world.
This was a wonderful read with lovely characters, Wells hot bear character. Will she give up everything for love. Find out you will not be sorry I recieved a free copy and this is my honest review
It's a very emotional journey for the characters and finding love in unusual circumstances with twists and turns. Finding the courage to see new places.