The Brooding Bear's Omega

Male-Order Mates #3

by Lorelei M. Hart

Sheppard Knox is the alpha of his bear pack.
And that takes up all his time. He’s always been taught his life as a leader should be pack first and self second. Such thinking leaves little time for a mate, much less dating.

When his beta goes behind his back and signs him up for the Male-Order app, he blows it off, thinking it is all nonsense. Except his pack takes it one step too far. Out of nowhere, an omega knocks on the door claiming he was ordered from the app .

He’s carrying suitcases, and he’s a polar bear.
Toklo Chase is a polar bear who has spent his life raising his siblings, caring for each of them until they were old enough to leave home. His parents died fighting for what they believed in, but now, he wants to take his own life by the horns...or the claws. So when he matches almost 100 percent with a grizzly from the Pacific Northwest, he recognizes his chance.

Without a second thought, he packs everything and takes it.

Genres: M M Romance, Omegaverse, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Romance, Fantasy, Novella

92 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 22, 2020

About the author

Lorelei M. Hart is the cowriting team of USA Today Bestselling Authors Kate Richards and Ever Coming. Friends for years, the duo decided to come together and write one of their favorite guilty pleasures: Mpreg.

Reviews

[Len Evans Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite of the series so far!

The author took this book to awhile new level. Love the two MCs, especially Shep, he grew and changed so much for the better as the book progressed. What a fun and happy read! Love this series!

[Penumbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Brooding Bear’s Omega Is the third story in the ‘Male-Order Mates’ series. It stars two bear shifters, Sheppard Knox, the Alpha Grizzly, and Toklo Chase, an omega Polar Bear shifter. The story is told in third person from Sheppard and Toklo’s pov.



The blurb does a good job of describing what the plot is about so I won’t go into it too much. Since the story is at Sheppard’s compound, we learn a little more about him, than we do about Toklo. The readers hardly learn anything about Toklo’s background.

The authors did a good job of making Sheppard and Toklo’s personalities distinct and continued that throughout the book compared to the Mannie’s series where the characters sounded more alike as the stories progressed. For being such a short story, this book had character growth. By the end, Toklo had more confidence and Sheppard no longer lashed out as often. Actually, I found this book rather funny and that was mostly due to Sheppard’s stubborn, bratty behavior. If it weren’t for the help of his beta friends, he’d still be without a mate.

My main questions for these mpreg stories is still, why do the omega males give birth? There were females in this particular story, so unless told otherwise, they can produce cubs. So why are male omegas needed? Did Mother Nature conveniently create gay baby-bearing omegas? Luckily, since this story is about shifters, it sets this story in a paranormal/fantasy world that makes it easier to pass over the factual answers of why males give birth. It would still be more interesting if the authors provided clear answers to the world they’ve built.

I liked The Brooding Bear’s Omega mostly because of Sheppard and his silly mind-set at the beginning. It lent humor to this story. Therefore, I give this book, 4 Stars.



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

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A standard omegaverse romance. I was hoping the scenario of a male order mate would be more ...extra. Good standalone.

[Hazel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was missing something...

I felt like everything was rushed, the alpha didn’t even bother to get to know his omega no real bonding other than sexual attraction and the fact that the Omega was a hard worker but that’s it. It lacked feeling and nothing to show that these two loved each other. It was stated but like I said it lacked feeling. Just words thrown in there sorry if I make no sense it’s just a very disappointing story.

[Joanna Grosz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7*
It was an okay book, pleasant to read. I loved the idea that the omega was a polar bear, as it's usually the human who is the omega and not a shifter. So I was happy to encounter another creative idea from L. Heart. However, the pace of the book was quite quick, and I didn't feel their chemistry as much as I would have liked. Since I enjoy possessive and intense love, I felt it was a bit lacking in that regard. Nonetheless, it was still an entertaining read.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good story

This is a paranormal queer romance with mpreg, the third book in the “male-order mates” series. The betas of the pack secretly sign up the Alpha for an App that matches them with an omega mate. Showing up on the doorstep, the polar bear is turned away but with no where else to go, they ask to join. This was a good story.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fave for me. Sheppard was quite an ass to Toklo, and then did nothing to earn his forgiveness, but he got forgiven anyway because the plot needed him to. Mid book he became a completely different character, which gave the book an odd vibe.
I don't know why Toklo took it all and decided to stay and that's not a good feeling to leave after the happily ever after.

[Badh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Toklo

I really like Toklo. He knew what he wanted and was willing to take a chance on it. He was also a great exampke.

[Judy Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise

Sheppard is the lone alpha. His pack betas set him up with a male-order mate. Toklo knows he can't go home. Let fate decide. A great book!

[Anne Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need a little help.
Sheppard Knox is the alpha of his bear pack. But over the years he has got moody and bored and a little mean. SO his betas Ren and Holt go behind his back and sign him up for the Male-Order app. Pretending to be him they match him with to a Polar Bear 100% so they make arrangement for him to come to Pacific Northwest. It all sounds so simple but can they get their Alpha to take a chance on this Polar Bear??
Toklo Chase had the no other choice but to sign up for the Male-Order app. He had backed the wrong Bear when his Alpha of his pack was challenged. And the Alpha didnt forget so to move on was the only thing he could think of in the hopes he would leave his family in peace. When he matched up with the grizzly he was so happy. A new start but that wasn't what happened. As he stood at the gates waiting to meet the man of his dreams it quickly became obvious that he had been tricked. Leaving him no where to go. When the Beta's explain what happened and take him to meet the Alpha all he can do is hope that he will let him stay as part of his pack???
But will there be a connection between Sheppard and Toklo when they spend time together???
This is a brilliant read. that is super sweet. Toklo really brings out the softer side of Sheppard and their slow courtship where Sheppard starts to listen to his heart is just a heart melting read. Sometimes listening to your Betas is the right thing to do. Just lovely

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

[jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s... ok. 2.5 to 3 Stars

When I read the description of this book, I thought, this I going to be funny because come on, “ordering” a fated mate through an app? And the person or shifter in question, the one being ordered a mate has no idea? That have to be handle with humor, because other wise it’ll be just plain human trafficking, or should I say “shifter trafficking”? Well, the point is, I thought this book was going to be a romantic comedy, and it has the potential to be, but unfortunately it’s not. Also, there’s almost no character development. In some part it’s almost like the author it’s trying to write more about Sheppard or Toklo’s background and their life’s and why they’re in the circumstances they are, but then stops, and just gives generic information that doesn’t answer any of the questions as to why the characters are the way they are, or what happened to them before they met. The description has more information about the characters and the world they live in than the actual book. The book was rushed, with no enough information nor entertainment to draw you in, and there is zero to no romance and chemistry between the two main characters, and last but not least, it has grammatical errors, repeated words and misspelling everywhere. I gave it 2.5 to 3 stars because the plot itself and the world the characters live in, it’s a great idea. It’s very unfortunate that this book could have been good, but It was so horribly executed.

[Michele (_LivesBtweenPgs_) · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tough one this one was for me.
This one actually got me in my feels but left me wanting more from the backstory a bit.

Sheppard & Toklo took me by surprise.
A grizzly & a polar bear in the woods, that would be a sight for sure.

Toklo's pain and feelings throughout were hard to swallow but it felt unfinished and not enough to understand why he had this thinking all along. Still a great story but it felt lacking in that aspect. Toklo definitely needed more.
Sheppard is the typical stubborn male, I don't need anyone and I can do it on my own. Except he can't. He needs a mate. His betas know it and so does his pack.

I will say I wanted to just shake Sheppard at times and just wrap Toklo in a hug because he needed one. I hope to see more of these two in the rest of the books because I was left wanting more.

[Mstay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just didn’t work (spoilers)

I like this series and the premise of this book seemed good to start off. Then we get an omega tricked into coming and an alpha that gives him the hardest work as some sort of punishment or proving himself. I’m not sure what was happening since he was already ignoring how lazy his other pack members were being.

Another sticking point was how he said it was the Alpha’s job to put pack first and self second. Then later he says he was taught that a pack needed mated pair to lead. If that’s the case, then why was he even ignoring his loneliness if a mate would have been the best for all involved?

This all made for a contradictory and confusing read.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheppard Knox is the grizzly Alpha of his bear pack. He puts the pack ahead of everything and gives no thought to searching for his mate. So his pack Beta signs him up on a Male-Order app and he is matched at almost 100%! An Omega shows up and the stubborn Sheppard wants no part of him.

Toklo Chase is a polar bear who had dedicated himself to caring for his siblings until they were grown. Now he is ready to take care of his own needs. When he matches with a grizzly from the Pacific Northwest, he sees his future ahead of him, packs everything he owns, and heads for Sheppard Knox. Unfortunately, Sheppard lets Toklo stay and work only until he can find another home. So Toklo works hard and the pack starts to accept him. And finally, when he gets his scent, Sheppard has recognized that Toklo is his mate.

Toklo becomes pregnant but wants to wait to tell the others. His old pack had so many miscarriages. He was afraid to worry Sheppard. But when he collapses on the floor and has to go to the hospital, he is sure he has failed. He wakes up with no pain, no dizziness, no nausea – and he knows what that means. Has he lost the baby as he feared all along?

[Claudia Lezár · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*

PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings:
A 3,5* is clicked with a 4* but in review marked as 3,5*:

5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-Away-book like ‘Jesse's Smile’ or ‘Joey’ from Angelique Jurd, ‘Save the the kids’ series
from EM Leya, ‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or ‘Liberty’ from Seth King),
it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises (like most of Andrew Grey books and Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series)
it's like an A

3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times (most romances where you can enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+

3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader (2-3 times a year),
it's like a B

2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-reader (I wouldn't recommend it heartily, but it was ok)
It's like a C-, D

1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an absolute NO-GO). It's like failure in the
whole line, dismissed, repeat the class

[Aelter G · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 stars

I really liked the start of this book but I was left thinking there was a lot that was left out. Like the other books, we get a lot of telling instead of showing which wouldn't be so bad if the book did try to handle a bigger issue than it could in 100 or so pages.

Apparently, the pack was slowly falling apart because no one respected their alpha anymore. And Shepard only kept control over then by using his Alpha energy. Even his Betas had lost patience and respect for him. Lazy workers, and contempt all around.

It was so bad Sheppard had considered handing over his title to another alpha to solve the issue. Yet, somehow, loyal and hardworking Toklo had helped the pack get back on track and to respect their alpha.

I don't disbelieve he did so, it's just we didn't have those moments were we see them changing by being around Toklo. We are just told they do. And we get some glimpse into how he help Sheppard gain their support but it was very quick and wasn't something he even did intentionally.

I wish we got to see how Toklo taught by example but it was a good read nonetheless.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheppard Knox is the alpha of his bear pack. And that takes up all his time. He’s always been taught his life as a leader should be pack first and self second. Such thinking leaves little time for a mate, much less dating. When his beta goes behind his back and signs him up for the Male-Order app, he blows it off, thinking it is all nonsense. Except his pack takes it one step too far. Out of nowhere, an omega knocks on the door claiming he was ordered from the app . Toklo Chase is a polar bear who has spent his life raising his siblings, caring for each of them until they were old enough to leave home. His parents died fighting for what they believed in, but now, he wants to take his own life by the horns or the claws. So when he matches almost 100 per cent with a grizzly from the Pacific Northwest, he recognises his chance. Without a second thought, he packs everything and takes it.

I enjoyed this story although some of the incidents with the pack members were a bit silly. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content set in the omegaverse with MPREG.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

3.5 stars

I liked the second half of this book a lot than I liked the first half. In the beginning, Sheppard was a real jerk to Toklo. I didn't really get why Sheppard thought that he couldn't have a mate (even his own thoughts on the issue seemed contradictory at times). I also thought the time-line* didn't flow right in the first part of the book, the characters kept referencing things like more time had passed then is actually mentioned in the book. I also thought that Toklo and Sheppard's relationship went from strangers to mates way too quickly (even for the trope). Once they did get together I thought they were cute together. I like that Toklo not only helped Sheppard, but really became part of the pack.

*I had an ARC edition, so this may have been fixed in the final version.

**Also, I thought it weird that Toklo's family didn't come up more in the story given the blurb. Other than a passing reference there wasn't much about them at all.

[Laura Quevedo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved how it started, and the couple in this book was adorable.

So, Toklo, an omega polar bear arrives at the pack thinking that his Male Order's app match told h8m to come and have a relationship... Only, Shepherd a bear alpha, had absolutely no idea his betas had gone behind his back to get him a mate.

I liked seeing how everything developed, I liked seeing a bit of pack dynamics since until now we've mostly read about shifters living away from the pack... I do wish that we could see more though, once both of the main leads get together everything else takes a step back and we only get superficial information...

Overall it was a really nice read but I wished we could have seen more of how the pack chaged after the couple's official mating.

POV: dual
Tropes: misunderstandings, meddling betas, pack setting, alpha bear shifter/polar bear omega shifter, mpreg.
Spice: low (short detailed scenes)
CW: some talks about past pack violence (superficial), talks about pregnancy issues in past pack and a scare with the pregnancy because of it.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars Polar Opposites

I didn't enjoy the 3rd Book in the Male Order mates Mates series as much as I did the first two. To me the Bear Clan the Alpha was a real mean jelly bean. Being overworked, lonely, patient frustrated by the disobedience of his clan was no excuse for how he treated the displaced (homeless) Polar Omega. Creating angst & anger by being unreasonable and a blockhead was not pleasant to read.

The Omega didn't deserve this treatment. The Betas should've been punished (by relentlessly chopping wood). The Omega was tougher than imagined, but he was also smart and a good guy. The Alpha would have realized all this much sooner if he wasn't being such a jerk, only partially because his Betas secretly placed him on a Dating App. The Betas were trying to make the Alpha to make him realize there was so much more to life in the first place. Next: The Mistrustful Lion's Omega.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beside every great Alpha, is his Omega. Sheppard, Alpha used to be a fun guy. But the burden of Alpha has taken it's toll. He has faithful dedicated Betas, but no on personal. The Betas, Ren and Holt took it upon themselves and registered Shep on the dating app. Toklo, is his 100% match. So, Beta, Holt took it upon himself to communicate with Toklo on the Alpha's behaf without telling either. Toklo, shows up at pack gates expecting to mate with the Alpha after exchanging emails. Shep is upset. Does he punich Ren and Holt? Does Shep give Toklo a chance? Can Toklo fit in with the pack? Nice story. Shep and Toklo are absolutely likeble people. It would be nice to get a history of the pack and a deeper dive into the pack members. Great story, well done! I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet fated romance between an alpha grizzly and his omega polar bear. I am enjoying this series so far and love Sheppard and Toklo match up. Their romance had a rocky start with a lot of misunderstandings and heartache. Sheppard was reluctant to even entertain the idea of a mate but Toklo sweetness, sexiness, dedication to the pack and hard work broke down his defenses and he gave in to his attraction to the omega. To Toklo, it wasn't even a doubt in his mind he wanted the alpha...the male order app matched him 99 percent and plus he saw all the qualities he wanted in a mate with Sheppard. Their romance was lovely and it was a good match. I love the ending to these books because it always ends with a brand new sweet and adorable addition to the family/pack.

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

[Amy Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest book in the Male-Order app series is absolutely amazing! Another wonderful love story of an Alpha finding his Omega through an app. This time, it's Sheppard's turn but he didn't sign up for the app, his betas did it for him. So when Toklo, a polar bear Omega, shows up at the gate, Sheppard has no idea what he is talking about. At first, Sheppard wants nothing to do with him, but allows him to stay for the time being. As time goes by, Sheppard starts to realize that he has feelings for Toklo and finally agrees to take him as his mate. Things go well, Toklo gets pregnant and gives birth to a son.

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

[Terry Sasada · Rating 5 out of 5]

If alpha Shepherd didn’t know what do you needed, his two beta/friends did. Shepherd put all his time and energy into the bear pack, and with all the work he hast to do even though he felt he was doing everything he was getting pretty ill tempered. What better way to soothe him did you find him an omega? And of course, on the famous app to find an omega for their Alford they succeeded. Toklo it’s not exactly a big brown bear, but he was a bear. A polar, bear, and one ready for change. But when he showed up, he did not understand that his alpha knew nothing. Shepherd knew there was an attraction right away, and he could not just send him on his way. A true love story, and one where they really needed each other, not just for themselves, but for the pack.

[Shelley Chastagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheppard is a colossal jerk at the outset. He’s positive that he doesn’t need an omega. Pack first, others second and then himself as his father taught him. Only it leaves him lonely and unhappy. His pack is tired of his nasty attitude and it cracked me up that they had the cojones to find him a mate on an app. I was so impressed with Toklo. No matter what crap he was saddled with he did it with a great attitude. He might be an omega but he’s not a wilting flower. Sheppard’s attitude shifts completely once he accepts that he wants Toklo by his side. He became sweet, nurturing, happy, and very protective.

[ReadToFilth · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I am constantly surprised at my new-found love of shift romance stories. I want to say novels but sub-100 to sub-200 pages, depending on the title, I don't consider a novel or book. They are GREAT stories though and I'm very happy to have found them.

Simple, formulaic, romances w/ cute characters, a continuity of community, and celebrations of love. What's not to come back for? Each book in the series is like a new episode of your favorite tv show. I didn't read them in order and I don't feel like it harmed the stories at all, so grab whichever one comes to you first and plow through them.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheppard is a good alpha to his bear pack, but lately he becomes a little unbalanced and with that his pack also becomes more unruly. His two betas decide to intervene and order him a mail order bridegroom.
But when Toclo, a polar bear shifter arrives, Shep is anything but happy. Still, he cannot deny the draw to the man, who is beautiful in and out.
An entertaining story with a strong omega character and a rather stubborn alpha. Easy to read and enjoyable
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Justine Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Brooding Bear's Omega is book 3 in The Male Order App series though it can be enjoyed as a standalone. Though Sheppard is Alpha of his bear pack, his beta took it upon himself to use the app and get an omega for Sheppard. Toklo, a polar bear shifter, shows up to be Sheppard's husband. Sheppard's not too excited at first but he realizes the pack is so much better with Toklo there and he himself is better as well. This is a sweet mpreg story and I look forward to the next one.

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

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this has been my favorite book of the series so far. Maybe a close tie with book 1.

Toklo and Sheppard are perfect for one another. At first Sheppard was a real pill and kind of harsh to Toklo, but he quickly gets his head out of his ass.

One thing I’d like to know more about is Toklo’s back story. We get a blip about his old pack, but I was kind of curious if his leaving had any impact on his family.

If you’re looking for a low-angst quick and fun read, pick this book up.

[Roxanne MacKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toklo found a near 100 percent match on the app and left everything behind for this new beginning. Sheppard gets ambushed by the appearance of Toklo. He was not the one to get the app or chat with his match but he's starting to regret his initial reaction. The characters are resilient, determined, and strong. The storyline is intriguing, passionate, and suspenseful. Great read!

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