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Christmas, Pursued by a Bear
Andie is on the hunt for the perfect photograph. She's broke, her career is stalled, and her friends keep ghosting her. Winning the Christmas wildlife photography competition is her only chance to change her life - but stumbling into a bear in the woods might end up changing more than she bargained for.
Cat has a secret. A big, furry secret. She's working sixty hours a week to keep her sister and the rest of her found family safe, when the terrible news arrives in the morning paper. Syndicorp, the huge multi-national company, is about to tear down half of their local wildlife reserve! To make matters worse, poachers find a cub in the woods, and Cat barely manages to save it.
With the bulldozers waiting to rip apart the forest they both love, sparks fly between the two women. But will Andie discover Cat's secret, putting them all into even more danger?
Cat has a secret. A big, furry secret. She's working sixty hours a week to keep her sister and the rest of her found family safe, when the terrible news arrives in the morning paper. Syndicorp, the huge multi-national company, is about to tear down half of their local wildlife reserve! To make matters worse, poachers find a cub in the woods, and Cat barely manages to save it.
With the bulldozers waiting to rip apart the forest they both love, sparks fly between the two women. But will Andie discover Cat's secret, putting them all into even more danger?
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2020
97 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Ryann Fletcher
19 books37 followersRyann Fletcher is a card-carrying geek with a love of sci-fi and fantasy in all their forms. She is also an unapologetic foodie with a carb addiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 21, 2021
2.75 stars. This was a DNF at the 55% mark. The book is okay, and normally I might have powered through it, but it’s the end of the year and I have too many books to read and not enough time. If a book is not grabbing me, and as long as it is not a review copy that was given to me, then I’m not going to force myself to finish. I’ve done that too much in the past and it makes reading feel more like a chore when I'm not enjoying it.
I thought this was going to be a sweet holiday story, with a light paranormal flare, and maybe even some funny moments. There are were-bears in it, which is normally right up my alley, but it wasn’t funny, happy, or about the holidays. Maybe that will change but unlike the title, I did not see the word Christmas once in the whole first half of the book. It’s possible I missed it, but I was looking and because of the time of the year, I want some holiday reads and this just wasn’t that. I also did not like the characters or the way they were all treating each other. Everyone’s situation felt a bit depressing and it was bringing my mood down. I don’t know why I thought this was maybe even romcom-ish, (I guess from the title and cover) but I sure was wrong.
My rating is for the 55% of the book that I did read. Yes, this book could get a lot better, and I hope it does, but I think 50% is enough for me to get a good feel about it. While this book wasn’t keeping my attention, Fletcher has a sapphic sci-fi series that looks very interesting so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will work better for me.
I thought this was going to be a sweet holiday story, with a light paranormal flare, and maybe even some funny moments. There are were-bears in it, which is normally right up my alley, but it wasn’t funny, happy, or about the holidays. Maybe that will change but unlike the title, I did not see the word Christmas once in the whole first half of the book. It’s possible I missed it, but I was looking and because of the time of the year, I want some holiday reads and this just wasn’t that. I also did not like the characters or the way they were all treating each other. Everyone’s situation felt a bit depressing and it was bringing my mood down. I don’t know why I thought this was maybe even romcom-ish, (I guess from the title and cover) but I sure was wrong.
My rating is for the 55% of the book that I did read. Yes, this book could get a lot better, and I hope it does, but I think 50% is enough for me to get a good feel about it. While this book wasn’t keeping my attention, Fletcher has a sapphic sci-fi series that looks very interesting so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will work better for me.
December 5, 2022
2 stars. Christmas in the title but this isn’t a Christmas story? I’m confused as hell. That was certainly a choice. Besides that this did not hold my attention in the slightest. I kept putting my kindle down to do other things. I also didn’t like or care about any of the characters. Especially Cat the werebear shifter. She annoyed me and I didn’t feel the chemistry between her and Andie. The writing was easily the best thing about this as it was well written but other than that this completely missed the mark for me.
December 24, 2024
Beary nice read but I wanted it to be a christmassy one and it's just not. Great environmentalist message though!!!
December 19, 2024
A solid book but I whished it was longer to get more back story about the characters and the city
December 3, 2025
2.8 ⭐️ A sapphic bear shifter romance.
I had mixed feelings about this one. I really enjoyed the focus on found family, gentrification and poaching and felt that portion of the story was really well balanced.
Delilah was a character I found really intriguing and even though she wasn’t an MC I felt she was incredibly well fleshed out.
However I struggled with the dialogue, especially in terms of determining who the speaker was at some points and found some villains felt more like caricatures. At times I felt like there was too much rapid dialogue, or no dialogue and dense text so that could be better balanced. I also wasn’t drawn in by the romance, and instead found the poaching portion of the storyline way more intriguing.
Rep// Sapphic MCs, central romance is Sapphic/WLW.
TWs listed below.
TW// gentrification, poaching, drugging (tranq), struggles with foster system, threats of violence.
I had mixed feelings about this one. I really enjoyed the focus on found family, gentrification and poaching and felt that portion of the story was really well balanced.
Delilah was a character I found really intriguing and even though she wasn’t an MC I felt she was incredibly well fleshed out.
However I struggled with the dialogue, especially in terms of determining who the speaker was at some points and found some villains felt more like caricatures. At times I felt like there was too much rapid dialogue, or no dialogue and dense text so that could be better balanced. I also wasn’t drawn in by the romance, and instead found the poaching portion of the storyline way more intriguing.
Rep// Sapphic MCs, central romance is Sapphic/WLW.
TWs listed below.
TW// gentrification, poaching, drugging (tranq), struggles with foster system, threats of violence.
November 22, 2024
Very, very bad.
The two main characters have absolutely no chemistry. The world building is virtually nonexistent. The editing may as well not have happened for how poorly done it was. The dialogue is so weird:
"What are you going to do, sneak in when I'm not here and leave plants on the windowsills?"
"Maybe."
"Well, then you'd better be ready to sneak back in to water them, too, or all your effort will be for nothing."
"Spaghetti is good."
That is an EXACT excerpt from the book, no changes. I don't even have words for how bad it is. It somehow manages to be both unbearably generic and utterly nonsense.
For some reason both of the main characters are so bad at cooking that they've burned water. As a self-proclaimed horrible cook, even I find this unfathomable.
One of the main characters has purple hair, a fact that isn't mentioned until 80% of the way through the book, when it is compared to her purple bra. I had been picturing her with long brown hair the whole time and it turns out it was a purple pixie cut. Also Cat's an asshole and I hate her. Andie got lowkey lovebombed by her and coerced back into a relationship because she was desperately lonely but she never should have taken her back.
Almost no Christmas for a book with Christmas in the title. Very little bears too, if I'm honest. This was just such a downer of a book. Where was the fun? I'm gonna tell on myself here, but as a connoisseur of Teen Wolf fan fiction in a past life my expectations for fun were-creature stories are pretty high and this was a major flop. Don't recommend whatsoever.
The two main characters have absolutely no chemistry. The world building is virtually nonexistent. The editing may as well not have happened for how poorly done it was. The dialogue is so weird:
"What are you going to do, sneak in when I'm not here and leave plants on the windowsills?"
"Maybe."
"Well, then you'd better be ready to sneak back in to water them, too, or all your effort will be for nothing."
"Spaghetti is good."
That is an EXACT excerpt from the book, no changes. I don't even have words for how bad it is. It somehow manages to be both unbearably generic and utterly nonsense.
For some reason both of the main characters are so bad at cooking that they've burned water. As a self-proclaimed horrible cook, even I find this unfathomable.
One of the main characters has purple hair, a fact that isn't mentioned until 80% of the way through the book, when it is compared to her purple bra. I had been picturing her with long brown hair the whole time and it turns out it was a purple pixie cut. Also Cat's an asshole and I hate her. Andie got lowkey lovebombed by her and coerced back into a relationship because she was desperately lonely but she never should have taken her back.
Almost no Christmas for a book with Christmas in the title. Very little bears too, if I'm honest. This was just such a downer of a book. Where was the fun? I'm gonna tell on myself here, but as a connoisseur of Teen Wolf fan fiction in a past life my expectations for fun were-creature stories are pretty high and this was a major flop. Don't recommend whatsoever.
November 23, 2022
.
3.75/5
A short but enjoyable sapphic romance about a photographer and a werebear who meet at a nature reserve.
- A fun and fluffy book. Is it the height of sophisticated literature? No, but I don't think that's the point. It's a sappy little paranormal romance that is mostly lighthearted and it definitely has a feel good vibe to it.
-I enjoyed the concept of the book and although a little rushed the romance was enjoyable. Who doesn't like the idea of werebears and people connecting as a community?
- The prose wasn't exactly high brow and there were a lot of sections that relied heavily on dialogue and felt like I was being told rather than shown. It didn't affect my enjoyment particularly but I was definitely aware of how it felt occasionally forced.
Enjoyable, mildly festive as set in winter and a wholesome little story.
3.75/5
A short but enjoyable sapphic romance about a photographer and a werebear who meet at a nature reserve.
- A fun and fluffy book. Is it the height of sophisticated literature? No, but I don't think that's the point. It's a sappy little paranormal romance that is mostly lighthearted and it definitely has a feel good vibe to it.
-I enjoyed the concept of the book and although a little rushed the romance was enjoyable. Who doesn't like the idea of werebears and people connecting as a community?
- The prose wasn't exactly high brow and there were a lot of sections that relied heavily on dialogue and felt like I was being told rather than shown. It didn't affect my enjoyment particularly but I was definitely aware of how it felt occasionally forced.
Enjoyable, mildly festive as set in winter and a wholesome little story.
December 31, 2024
As someone who grew up reading heteronormative werewolf books, I was so excited to finally read a book about a gay werebear and her girlfriend enjoying the holidays. I watch Hallmark Christmas movies every year and I was really hoping for a cheesy love story with a twist. Did I finish it? Yes. Did I enjoy it? In parts. Did it meet my expectations? No.
I was expecting a fun, fruity, festive tale of a wildlife photographer on the hunt for the perfect shot and a werebear trying to get by in a world not made to handle supernatural problems. This was not the story I read. I’m not sure about other readers, but I didn’t feel any chemistry between the main protagonists, Andie the photographer and Cat the werebear, and the only things they had in common are their love of nature and that they find each other attractive. Andie is constantly broke and Cat is always worrying about her sister and these two boys they took with them from the cultish werebear community they were raised in, they’re all werebears. They get a fifth one about the halfway mark, a teenager thrown out by her foster parents after her first shift.
Brief angst, the villain of the book (a company called Syndicorp) was dealt with quickly without much of a struggle. The stakes don’t feel particularly high so there’s no sense of reward for finding out the evil corporate business are pulling out indefinitely from the plan to build luxury condos in a local reservation. Andie was finally useful and caught some footage of poachers hunting the transformed werebears, who they thought were just bears, and that's how Syndicorp is chased away by the use of bad publicity.
I was expecting a fun, fruity, festive tale of a wildlife photographer on the hunt for the perfect shot and a werebear trying to get by in a world not made to handle supernatural problems. This was not the story I read. I’m not sure about other readers, but I didn’t feel any chemistry between the main protagonists, Andie the photographer and Cat the werebear, and the only things they had in common are their love of nature and that they find each other attractive. Andie is constantly broke and Cat is always worrying about her sister and these two boys they took with them from the cultish werebear community they were raised in, they’re all werebears. They get a fifth one about the halfway mark, a teenager thrown out by her foster parents after her first shift.
Brief angst, the villain of the book (a company called Syndicorp) was dealt with quickly without much of a struggle. The stakes don’t feel particularly high so there’s no sense of reward for finding out the evil corporate business are pulling out indefinitely from the plan to build luxury condos in a local reservation. Andie was finally useful and caught some footage of poachers hunting the transformed werebears, who they thought were just bears, and that's how Syndicorp is chased away by the use of bad publicity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2022
I love reading fantasies and shifters are my favorite paranormal beings. This was different than the usual shifter books, not just because they were bears. It starts inauspiciously with a bunch of hard-working, poor people trying to make ends meet. Andie is a down on her luck photographer trying to win a wildlife photography contest so she can get better equipment and at least pay her rent. Cat is trying hard to protect her group of young werebears and also pay the bills while staying discreet.
The two women meet early in the book under inauspicious circumstances. This section builds the background, characters’ stories and plot. Things come to a head later on and there’s plenty of action and misunderstandings, as well as a couple of plot twists. It was fun to read, even after reading nonstop all weekend because I had no power nor internet. I needed this book.
The two women meet early in the book under inauspicious circumstances. This section builds the background, characters’ stories and plot. Things come to a head later on and there’s plenty of action and misunderstandings, as well as a couple of plot twists. It was fun to read, even after reading nonstop all weekend because I had no power nor internet. I needed this book.
June 26, 2023
Very flat. Overly wordy (for example, an entire paragraph that could have been edited down to half a sentence). A few things didn’t completely make logical sense or were mentioned but not followed up on. It’s not a horrible book, it just needed more drafts and a better editor to make it more interesting and less clunky.
Also, I’m a theatre nerd, so I found it annoying that someone would put “pursued by a bear” in the title of their novel and then not have something in the book that is related to theatre. Literally, nothing at all. I do not find the existence of Werebears to be sufficient.
Also, I’m a theatre nerd, so I found it annoying that someone would put “pursued by a bear” in the title of their novel and then not have something in the book that is related to theatre. Literally, nothing at all. I do not find the existence of Werebears to be sufficient.
January 29, 2024
This seems cute, but after reading only 28 pages I've seen so many typos, annoying sentences, and grammar errors where the thing receiving the action isn't the thing that's meant to be getting it (example: "She set the box on the seat and fired it into gear...") that it feels like the author didn't take very much care with writing and editing this book. That leaves me with the impression that it wasn't very important to them, so why should I care?
December 6, 2024
Andie is trying to get her photography career back on track by shooting a winning photo for the wildlife photography competition. Unfortunately, the local park ranger, zealous about keeping poachers out of the nature reserve, keeps getting in the way. When Andie finally gets a good shot, she is confronted by a bear, who seems intent on making sure no photos leave the reserve. Meanwhile, Cat meets Andie at the campsite, and although Cat has a lot on her plate between shifts, trying to make money to support her younger siblings, and avoiding trouble with the local law, she can't help but notice how attractive Andie is.
This book had a lot of good ideas. I like that the author is obviously knowledgeable about nature reserves and the importance of maintaining large wild areas, even if there aren't bears in the vicinity. I care a lot about environmental justice, and I get the sense that this book does too. However, I was frustrated with the "corporations bad" message that just popped into this book without really explaining why. There were definitely opportunities for the characters to learn about environmental justice, but the book glossed over those scenes, which I think would be isolating to anyone who isn't already well-informed about these issues. I'm also going to complain about the third act breakup and miscommunication tropes because I really think people should just talk to each other and it's cringe when they don't. But when you read romance, you should probably expect these sorts of things, so I'm not mad, just disappointed. Overall, I think this is a fun read with a lot of good ideas, but it was just too short. It also was not humorous or festive, which was also disappointing.
This book had a lot of good ideas. I like that the author is obviously knowledgeable about nature reserves and the importance of maintaining large wild areas, even if there aren't bears in the vicinity. I care a lot about environmental justice, and I get the sense that this book does too. However, I was frustrated with the "corporations bad" message that just popped into this book without really explaining why. There were definitely opportunities for the characters to learn about environmental justice, but the book glossed over those scenes, which I think would be isolating to anyone who isn't already well-informed about these issues. I'm also going to complain about the third act breakup and miscommunication tropes because I really think people should just talk to each other and it's cringe when they don't. But when you read romance, you should probably expect these sorts of things, so I'm not mad, just disappointed. Overall, I think this is a fun read with a lot of good ideas, but it was just too short. It also was not humorous or festive, which was also disappointing.
August 4, 2023
Andie needs the perfect wildlife picture for the photo contest and goes to the nature reserve. She sees a bear and meets Cat and Ranger Dade and hunters who want to shoot bears.
Cat oversees her sister and the two boys who came with her. She can't get Andie out of her head, who lives with her chinchilla.
Both live on a tight budget and oppose a large construction and real estate company. If you look out for it, Christmas is coming later in the book.
I love stories about shapeshifters and even though the book is short, I was able to relate to what it's like to live at the subsistence level. Cat and Andie find each other, their first date is without a pompous restaurant, which I liked. It's also nice how Cat tries to get in touch again after the argument and helps Andie when it matters.
Cat oversees her sister and the two boys who came with her. She can't get Andie out of her head, who lives with her chinchilla.
Both live on a tight budget and oppose a large construction and real estate company. If you look out for it, Christmas is coming later in the book.
I love stories about shapeshifters and even though the book is short, I was able to relate to what it's like to live at the subsistence level. Cat and Andie find each other, their first date is without a pompous restaurant, which I liked. It's also nice how Cat tries to get in touch again after the argument and helps Andie when it matters.
December 7, 2022
Bears, wolves and what else!
Andie is a amateur photographer and taking pictures of a cub bear and a larger bear protecting the cub, unfortunately the larger one stepped onto the camera. A conglomerate wants to build a complex of condos, stores, gym, etc and lied to city council. It is up to five bears, a wolf and a human to search that lie out. By the way, the bears and wolf are shifters. Enjoy!
Andie is a amateur photographer and taking pictures of a cub bear and a larger bear protecting the cub, unfortunately the larger one stepped onto the camera. A conglomerate wants to build a complex of condos, stores, gym, etc and lied to city council. It is up to five bears, a wolf and a human to search that lie out. By the way, the bears and wolf are shifters. Enjoy!
January 11, 2023
This is a really sweet love story set in a beautiful location.
Ryann Fletcher brought her imagination with her in this lovely and touching story. It was a romance that I was not expecting to enjoy, yet it managed to grab me and held me in its charming grasp right to the end. I do recommend this light, touching tale. Purchase the book and support this writer. I am looking forward to my next read of her work, I hope you will join me.
Ryann Fletcher brought her imagination with her in this lovely and touching story. It was a romance that I was not expecting to enjoy, yet it managed to grab me and held me in its charming grasp right to the end. I do recommend this light, touching tale. Purchase the book and support this writer. I am looking forward to my next read of her work, I hope you will join me.
January 5, 2021
Real humans (more or less) dealing with real life problems. I like both Cat and Andie quite a bit. An enjoyable read all around. Low heat, some fantastic descriptive language and sweet cast of supporting supporting characters. The angst level is low, despite the conflict, and the loose ends are tied up nicely.
June 2, 2022
Lovely characters
The first book by Fletcher I really liked, and I loved it. I guess I don't need a complex, nonlinear plot to enjoy a story; senility is setting in, and simplicity is good! I do have to say that Luke and Felix are a little too well- behaved to fit the stereotype
The first book by Fletcher I really liked, and I loved it. I guess I don't need a complex, nonlinear plot to enjoy a story; senility is setting in, and simplicity is good! I do have to say that Luke and Felix are a little too well- behaved to fit the stereotype
December 25, 2022
This review is just for my own reference. To find out if the book would be good for you, get it, read it, decide for yourself.
This was a fairly straightforward, cutesy, “romance” story. It progressed fine and the characters were decently written. The ending was a bit abrupt and seemed a bit like the characters sold out for money, but it happened so quick it was hard to tell.
This was a fairly straightforward, cutesy, “romance” story. It progressed fine and the characters were decently written. The ending was a bit abrupt and seemed a bit like the characters sold out for money, but it happened so quick it was hard to tell.
December 29, 2025
I liked the premise of this, but eventually Andie became annoying, and the ending felt rushed and too neat. I was pleasantly surprised that this ended up being a sapphic, anti-corporation were- romance. (I mostly chose this for the silly title and the fact that it was Christmas-ey from my Kindle library of far too many titles I procured on a stuff your kindle day.)
December 29, 2020
A charming story about found family, finding an imperfect love and doing the right thing despite the lemons life throws at us.
The paranormal elements are light but nicely weaved into the plot. Main protagonists are funny and sweet too. This was a delightful read and I'll certainly be looking up more of this author's work.
PS. Love the book title's play on a plot point!
The paranormal elements are light but nicely weaved into the plot. Main protagonists are funny and sweet too. This was a delightful read and I'll certainly be looking up more of this author's work.
PS. Love the book title's play on a plot point!
December 9, 2021
Romances are not my genre by a long shot. But this one was so delightfully ridiculous that I ended up enjoying it. The four star rating is not for literary heft. I have to say, though, the sweet absurdity of it kind of got me.
December 12, 2022
Cute
Cute but not at all what I expected. The relationship made no sense. The lesbians want each other for no reason other than they're both lesbian? No attraction, no real reason or chance to fall for eachother. And they seem to swap personalities part of the way thru.
Cute but not at all what I expected. The relationship made no sense. The lesbians want each other for no reason other than they're both lesbian? No attraction, no real reason or chance to fall for eachother. And they seem to swap personalities part of the way thru.
December 17, 2022
A cute, cozy story that was just what I needed this winter! The characters go through so much development but I felt as though some things were a little rushed for me, which is why it I didn't give 5 stars. Would definitely read again!
December 18, 2023
This was definitely not what I was expecting to read. I did enjoy the story and that it was pretty fast paced. Not a whole lot of Christmas or romance in it like I was hoping and expecting it to have. I really liked that Andie and Cat were relatable with their day to day life issues and thoughts. I loved that I could relate to them and their views of the world.
While this was a good read, I wish there was a little more meat to it. I wanted more details on Andie and Cat's lives and some more romance scenes. But for the length it was, it wasn't too bad.
While this was a good read, I wish there was a little more meat to it. I wanted more details on Andie and Cat's lives and some more romance scenes. But for the length it was, it wasn't too bad.
July 9, 2025
Christmas Persued by a Bear
Another great book by Ryann Fletcher. Love the creativity on her stories, which keep you reading ‘til the end. The family dynamics on this one, is pretty cool.
Another great book by Ryann Fletcher. Love the creativity on her stories, which keep you reading ‘til the end. The family dynamics on this one, is pretty cool.
December 19, 2020
Great storyline
Great storyline I really enjoyed reading this book the main characters were perfectly balanced and believable the storyline was incredibly written congratulations
Great storyline I really enjoyed reading this book the main characters were perfectly balanced and believable the storyline was incredibly written congratulations
March 11, 2021
The main characters in this holiday romance are well matched and it is fun watching their relationship develop. A very nice read.
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December 5, 2022A cute sapphic holiday read!
December 7, 2022
Not the kind of bear you would expect in the LGBT+ sense of the word ;-)
December 18, 2022
Am I missing something? Why are the reviews so good? This was boring and the characters had no chemistry.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews