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"Love Shifter Romance? Then I’d recommend this one without hesitation...a great start to the series." - Amazon reviewer "...a perfect Saturday afternoon feel-good read...If you're looking for a book that will leave you with a smile on your face, this is it." - Amazon reviewer "...just the right mix of suspense and sexual tension with a really hot bear and a damaged sexy woman" - Amazon reviewer
A shifter shouldn’t fall in love with a human. So why are they destined to be together? Curvy cupcake master Annabeth Jones has had enough of her fiancé’s dirty dealings. Determined to put him behind her and start over, she flees to the quaint Rocky Mountain town of Bearpaw Ridge and buys a bakery with her life's savings. And when a red-hot firefighter strolls through the door on opening day, she can’t keep her eyes off this tasty treat. Volunteer fireman Dane Swanson has given up on finding The One. So when the handsome bear shifter meets the captivating new business owner, he’s stunned to discover this normal woman is his fated mate. And now he has a heartbreaking he can’t tell her about his true nature, let alone spill the town’s secrets. Though Annabeth falls hard for the hunky hero, she struggles to believe he could be interested in a big girl like her. And as Dane wars with himself over giving his heart to a bubbly non-shifter, an unwelcome visitor from the past threatens to tear it all to pieces. When desire sparks, will the tortured couple fan the flames? A Bear Shifter + BBW Paranormal Romance is the first book in the steamy Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters series. If you like small-town meet-cutes, scintillating shifters, and a dash of adventure, you’ll love this paranormal romance.
A shifter shouldn’t fall in love with a human. So why are they destined to be together? Curvy cupcake master Annabeth Jones has had enough of her fiancé’s dirty dealings. Determined to put him behind her and start over, she flees to the quaint Rocky Mountain town of Bearpaw Ridge and buys a bakery with her life's savings. And when a red-hot firefighter strolls through the door on opening day, she can’t keep her eyes off this tasty treat. Volunteer fireman Dane Swanson has given up on finding The One. So when the handsome bear shifter meets the captivating new business owner, he’s stunned to discover this normal woman is his fated mate. And now he has a heartbreaking he can’t tell her about his true nature, let alone spill the town’s secrets. Though Annabeth falls hard for the hunky hero, she struggles to believe he could be interested in a big girl like her. And as Dane wars with himself over giving his heart to a bubbly non-shifter, an unwelcome visitor from the past threatens to tear it all to pieces. When desire sparks, will the tortured couple fan the flames? A Bear Shifter + BBW Paranormal Romance is the first book in the steamy Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters series. If you like small-town meet-cutes, scintillating shifters, and a dash of adventure, you’ll love this paranormal romance.
254 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2016
1419 people are currently reading
660 people want to read
About the author
Ophelia Sexton
84 books149 followersOphelia 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
October 4, 2023
Nice bear shifter story!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙🖤❤️💜
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍
Character development: 🤨😟😳😍
The heroine: Annabeth - she worked at a bakery since graduating from the culinary institute and she, along with the owner had made it quite a success. She was engaged to a man named Roger, whom her mother thought she was lucky to get since she was a curvy girl. Though ever since moving in with Roger he has become abusive. He doesn’t yell at her or hit her, but whenever he is unhappy with her, he thinks of a punishment that will really hurt her and enacts it. Once it was breaking every piece of china in her grandmother’s prized tea set, and this time he was mad at her for not taking a day off and he stole her keys and broke into the bakery destroying everything.
The Heroes: Dane - he is a grizzly bear shifter and a volunteer fireman in Bearpaw Ridge Idaho, along with his brothers. He also managed the Grizzly Creek ranch which his family owned. His father died a few years ago and now he runs it with his mother, it will be his someday. He didn’t ever plan on finding his fated mate, especially a human one, since that meant telling her what he was. He once had another girlfriend who didn’t react well to that news, and what happened back then had affected him more than he knew.
The Story: Annabeth knew that Roger would become more abusive as time went on, he was already very controlling, which included lots of calls and text messages whenever she wasn’t home with him and the acts of destruction that have been getting worse as time went on. It had gotten so bad that Annabeth started to think it was her fault for making him mad, not his fault for behaving psychotically when he didn’t get his way. So, when her boss told her about a bakery in Bearpaw Ridge Idaho that was for sale, she left to get away from Roger and her mother.
I am not a big fan of the BBW trope, I just don’t understand why a woman’s weight or lack of it should even be mentioned in a romance book. Plus, it seems like in all the curvy girl romances it always seems to be such an issue. It is never just a casual mention, it is always a ton of mentions and the heroine is usually not any happier with her body than other people. I like a woman who is confident and happy with her body no matter what weight she is, that is why I just wish it was a non-issue. I was glad, that this story didn’t focus too much on her weight though, this was one of the few that didn’t bother me at all.
It seems like quite a few romance books have the heroine as the owner of a bakery, which strikes me as odd since bakery owners/workers have to get up at like 3 am to make the baked goods for the day. It seems they wouldn’t have as much time to start up a new romance as people in other jobs, especially ones like Annabeth who is just starting up a business. Though this worked out well since Dane worked on a ranch and for the most part kept the same hours as Annabeth.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙🖤❤️💜
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍
Character development: 🤨😟😳😍
The heroine: Annabeth - she worked at a bakery since graduating from the culinary institute and she, along with the owner had made it quite a success. She was engaged to a man named Roger, whom her mother thought she was lucky to get since she was a curvy girl. Though ever since moving in with Roger he has become abusive. He doesn’t yell at her or hit her, but whenever he is unhappy with her, he thinks of a punishment that will really hurt her and enacts it. Once it was breaking every piece of china in her grandmother’s prized tea set, and this time he was mad at her for not taking a day off and he stole her keys and broke into the bakery destroying everything.
The Heroes: Dane - he is a grizzly bear shifter and a volunteer fireman in Bearpaw Ridge Idaho, along with his brothers. He also managed the Grizzly Creek ranch which his family owned. His father died a few years ago and now he runs it with his mother, it will be his someday. He didn’t ever plan on finding his fated mate, especially a human one, since that meant telling her what he was. He once had another girlfriend who didn’t react well to that news, and what happened back then had affected him more than he knew.
The Story: Annabeth knew that Roger would become more abusive as time went on, he was already very controlling, which included lots of calls and text messages whenever she wasn’t home with him and the acts of destruction that have been getting worse as time went on. It had gotten so bad that Annabeth started to think it was her fault for making him mad, not his fault for behaving psychotically when he didn’t get his way. So, when her boss told her about a bakery in Bearpaw Ridge Idaho that was for sale, she left to get away from Roger and her mother.
I am not a big fan of the BBW trope, I just don’t understand why a woman’s weight or lack of it should even be mentioned in a romance book. Plus, it seems like in all the curvy girl romances it always seems to be such an issue. It is never just a casual mention, it is always a ton of mentions and the heroine is usually not any happier with her body than other people. I like a woman who is confident and happy with her body no matter what weight she is, that is why I just wish it was a non-issue. I was glad, that this story didn’t focus too much on her weight though, this was one of the few that didn’t bother me at all.
It seems like quite a few romance books have the heroine as the owner of a bakery, which strikes me as odd since bakery owners/workers have to get up at like 3 am to make the baked goods for the day. It seems they wouldn’t have as much time to start up a new romance as people in other jobs, especially ones like Annabeth who is just starting up a business. Though this worked out well since Dane worked on a ranch and for the most part kept the same hours as Annabeth.
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April 29, 2018
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This was a decent shifter read.
Dane isn’t your normal aggressive, over the top, arrogant, alpha shifter. He is actually kinda like a beta. He is sweet and he doesn’t pressure her to move to fast. Which was a nice change from the general shifter books.
The romance is pretty slow but there was enough of side story to make up for it. I especially liked how Annabeth was a pastry chef and how she ‘escaped’ a quasi-abusive relationship. The beginning didn’t have much back story so I felt she ‘escape’ wasn’t delved into enough. I could have been more invested if we had more info. And who doesn’t love a firefighter? Anyone who risks their life for others is pretty damn sexy in my book.
Annabeth showed great strength and didn’t freak out when she was confronted with a scary situation. She stood her ground and showed a brave side that matched her sweet one, giving her a little more depth that I appreciated. The whole hiding the fact that they were shifter’s felt a bit tired to me though.
It was a short , cute read. No more no less.
This was a decent shifter read.
Dane isn’t your normal aggressive, over the top, arrogant, alpha shifter. He is actually kinda like a beta. He is sweet and he doesn’t pressure her to move to fast. Which was a nice change from the general shifter books.
The romance is pretty slow but there was enough of side story to make up for it. I especially liked how Annabeth was a pastry chef and how she ‘escaped’ a quasi-abusive relationship. The beginning didn’t have much back story so I felt she ‘escape’ wasn’t delved into enough. I could have been more invested if we had more info. And who doesn’t love a firefighter? Anyone who risks their life for others is pretty damn sexy in my book.
Annabeth showed great strength and didn’t freak out when she was confronted with a scary situation. She stood her ground and showed a brave side that matched her sweet one, giving her a little more depth that I appreciated. The whole hiding the fact that they were shifter’s felt a bit tired to me though.
It was a short , cute read. No more no less.
September 4, 2019
It’s getting hot in here 🔥
Annabeth works with her boss, Maggie at Cacao, when they return to work one morning...they’re disheartened to find all their hard work ruined. They discover the culprit is Annabeth’s fiancé Roger. Maggie suggests to Annabeth that moving to Bearpaw Ridge might be the answer as she can open up her own bakery 🧁
Annabeth makes the move and settles in with the locals nicely...and she meets Dane, a rancher and local volunteer firefighter👩🚒. It soon becomes clear that Roger is not letting Annabeth go quite as easily as she had hoped and she’s not willing to risk her new relationship with Dane and the town she’s learning to love💕
A really good story that I enjoyed😍🧁🔥
Annabeth works with her boss, Maggie at Cacao, when they return to work one morning...they’re disheartened to find all their hard work ruined. They discover the culprit is Annabeth’s fiancé Roger. Maggie suggests to Annabeth that moving to Bearpaw Ridge might be the answer as she can open up her own bakery 🧁
Annabeth makes the move and settles in with the locals nicely...and she meets Dane, a rancher and local volunteer firefighter👩🚒. It soon becomes clear that Roger is not letting Annabeth go quite as easily as she had hoped and she’s not willing to risk her new relationship with Dane and the town she’s learning to love💕
A really good story that I enjoyed😍🧁🔥
October 21, 2018
Cute story! I liked it. 4 stars
January 29, 2022
Meh.
A ver, si te gusta mucho el subgénero de la romántica paranormal sobre cambiantes, hombres lobo, etc., no estoy segura de que esta saga sea muy recomendable. Aparte de que es bastante simplona, tanto la trama como los personajes están poco desarrollados; en realidad, él podría haber sido un carpintero en vez de un cambiante y habría dado igual. No se diferencia mucho de cualquier libro de romántica contemporánea. La relación amorosa también está algo forzada.
He leído la edición de kindle Unlimited.
No voy a seguir leyendo esta saga.
A ver, si te gusta mucho el subgénero de la romántica paranormal sobre cambiantes, hombres lobo, etc., no estoy segura de que esta saga sea muy recomendable. Aparte de que es bastante simplona, tanto la trama como los personajes están poco desarrollados; en realidad, él podría haber sido un carpintero en vez de un cambiante y habría dado igual. No se diferencia mucho de cualquier libro de romántica contemporánea. La relación amorosa también está algo forzada.
He leído la edición de kindle Unlimited.
No voy a seguir leyendo esta saga.
October 30, 2016
Reviewed at Shifter Haven
Annabeth has rarely had anything truly good done for her, or for that matter, has she ever done anything good for herself… until now. She’s always been the one to make the compromise, to bend her will to the stronger force of others. Whether it was her mother’s indifference and constant put downs or her boyfriend’s manipulative actions and steaming temper which would erupt into punishments when she didn’t do as he wished. Oh, it’s true he never hit her.. yet… but he has sold her precious possessions, or destroyed antique family heirlooms in his attempt to teach her to not make mistakes around him
It was his final action that finally broke the spell he’d held over her. When Roger had broken into the bakery where she worked and systemically destroyed days worth of intensive decorative work for a wedding cake Annabeth had finally reached her limit. Was it timing, good fortune or fate that had Maggie encouraging her to head to Bearpaw Ridge and buy the bakery that was for sale in Maggie’s hometown. Whichever powers were at work, Annabeth’s life was about to change, forever. She has no idea that she’s banked all of her dreams on one small Shifter town. Or that one of it’s residents will discover more than delicious cinnamon rolls at her bakery, Dane is about to discover his mate.
After a late night fire call, Dane and his brothers with their very perceptive noses lead them straight to Annabeth’s bakery. This new spot that just opened was the perfect place for a quick coffee and delicious pastry. If the woman behind the counter’s presence hit Dane like a brick, well, he’d take that and run with the fact that his mate was standing here in front of him… his human mate. The last time his bear had interacted with a human girlfriend it hadn’t ended well at all. But he would deal with that, and telling his human about his true nature… later. For now, he was simply going to enjoy being with the woman who completed him.
As the first story in the Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters series I expected a bit of background and world building. To my reading pleasure, I discovered that everything I needed to know was seamlessly flowing as part of Annabeth and Dane’s story. As well as giving me a good feel for the folks who populate this Shifter town, and the following stories. Secondary characters matter to me, they bring a book alive and help me believe in this particular magic. I adored just about every person I met in Bearpaw Ridge. Roger is an exception of course, but he doesn’t count… the slime ball.
I enjoyed Heat very much. Annabeth and Dane’s romance moved along naturally, there was interesting interaction with his brothers (and hopefully more stories), and the tension from Annabeth’s past slowly built until it erupted in a very satisfying plot twist. I’ve already downloaded the second story, Smolder, so I guess you could say I’m committed to these characters. Once you pick this one up, I’m betting you will be too.
Lover Shifter Romance? Then I’d recommend this one without hesitation. A cute couple, believable situations and some hot, sizzlin’ sexy times.. yeah, you’ll like this one.
I read this story through my Kindle Unlimited subscription. For ten dollars a month you get access to thousands of really great stories across all genre, and the authors get paid for you reading the story through to the 100% mark. It’s a win-win. Probably the best 10 bucks I spend a month.
Annabeth has rarely had anything truly good done for her, or for that matter, has she ever done anything good for herself… until now. She’s always been the one to make the compromise, to bend her will to the stronger force of others. Whether it was her mother’s indifference and constant put downs or her boyfriend’s manipulative actions and steaming temper which would erupt into punishments when she didn’t do as he wished. Oh, it’s true he never hit her.. yet… but he has sold her precious possessions, or destroyed antique family heirlooms in his attempt to teach her to not make mistakes around him
It was his final action that finally broke the spell he’d held over her. When Roger had broken into the bakery where she worked and systemically destroyed days worth of intensive decorative work for a wedding cake Annabeth had finally reached her limit. Was it timing, good fortune or fate that had Maggie encouraging her to head to Bearpaw Ridge and buy the bakery that was for sale in Maggie’s hometown. Whichever powers were at work, Annabeth’s life was about to change, forever. She has no idea that she’s banked all of her dreams on one small Shifter town. Or that one of it’s residents will discover more than delicious cinnamon rolls at her bakery, Dane is about to discover his mate.
After a late night fire call, Dane and his brothers with their very perceptive noses lead them straight to Annabeth’s bakery. This new spot that just opened was the perfect place for a quick coffee and delicious pastry. If the woman behind the counter’s presence hit Dane like a brick, well, he’d take that and run with the fact that his mate was standing here in front of him… his human mate. The last time his bear had interacted with a human girlfriend it hadn’t ended well at all. But he would deal with that, and telling his human about his true nature… later. For now, he was simply going to enjoy being with the woman who completed him.
As the first story in the Bearpaw Ridge Firefighters series I expected a bit of background and world building. To my reading pleasure, I discovered that everything I needed to know was seamlessly flowing as part of Annabeth and Dane’s story. As well as giving me a good feel for the folks who populate this Shifter town, and the following stories. Secondary characters matter to me, they bring a book alive and help me believe in this particular magic. I adored just about every person I met in Bearpaw Ridge. Roger is an exception of course, but he doesn’t count… the slime ball.
I enjoyed Heat very much. Annabeth and Dane’s romance moved along naturally, there was interesting interaction with his brothers (and hopefully more stories), and the tension from Annabeth’s past slowly built until it erupted in a very satisfying plot twist. I’ve already downloaded the second story, Smolder, so I guess you could say I’m committed to these characters. Once you pick this one up, I’m betting you will be too.
Lover Shifter Romance? Then I’d recommend this one without hesitation. A cute couple, believable situations and some hot, sizzlin’ sexy times.. yeah, you’ll like this one.
I read this story through my Kindle Unlimited subscription. For ten dollars a month you get access to thousands of really great stories across all genre, and the authors get paid for you reading the story through to the 100% mark. It’s a win-win. Probably the best 10 bucks I spend a month.
April 14, 2021
One of my absolute fave shifter books! I love Dane and AnnaBeth! I love that undeniable pull to each other and a big growly guy going all soft for his woman.
Actually seeing it again, I'm going to go in a reread... this whole series is amazing!
Actually seeing it again, I'm going to go in a reread... this whole series is amazing!
April 27, 2020
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
This was the first time I have read anything from this author and it won't be the last. I'm definitely going to be reading more from her
Shoot it! Shoot it now! Please!" he begged in a panicky tone. "It's a bear!"
Dane shifted smoothly back to human and saw Roger gape at him.
"I don't see a bear," he said to Bill. "Do you?"
Bill shook his head. "Just a big naked guy."
September 24, 2023
Not enough bear shifting for my taste but it was cute!
December 31, 2017
Bear shifter firefighters, oh my!
I have been debating about this series for a while. I got an Amazon gift card for Christmas, and got the whose series, to this point. I enjoyed this first story a lot. Great characters, like the strong, yet sensitive Dane, Annabeth who is trying to get a new start and some great secondary characters, rest make the story.
The story deals with some tough issues, like emotional abuse and the difficulties first responders face, very well. There are some things to make you laugh and to make you think. The steamy scenes are well done with a few curse words in there, but not too many. The pace is sow at times and super fast at other times if you like shifter stories with all of this, I know you will enjoy this one. I did. Now I get to read book 2 and see who is next! Enjoy! I know I will.
I have been debating about this series for a while. I got an Amazon gift card for Christmas, and got the whose series, to this point. I enjoyed this first story a lot. Great characters, like the strong, yet sensitive Dane, Annabeth who is trying to get a new start and some great secondary characters, rest make the story.
The story deals with some tough issues, like emotional abuse and the difficulties first responders face, very well. There are some things to make you laugh and to make you think. The steamy scenes are well done with a few curse words in there, but not too many. The pace is sow at times and super fast at other times if you like shifter stories with all of this, I know you will enjoy this one. I did. Now I get to read book 2 and see who is next! Enjoy! I know I will.
August 15, 2018
A quick, simple (and predictable) read. Would have given it three stars except for the "will you marry me" crap after being together for only a couple of weeks, especially when the heroine just got out of a bad relationship.
Is it just me or has any other reader picked up that most of these "small town" stories have their leading ladies owning or running a café/bakery? Women can do a lot more than just bake cakes, cookies and pies. I guess it makes it easy for the leading man to come in to purchase coffee and donuts everyday without being so obvious that he likes the leading lady. C'est la vie.
Is it just me or has any other reader picked up that most of these "small town" stories have their leading ladies owning or running a café/bakery? Women can do a lot more than just bake cakes, cookies and pies. I guess it makes it easy for the leading man to come in to purchase coffee and donuts everyday without being so obvious that he likes the leading lady. C'est la vie.
November 9, 2019
3.5 stars
Annabeth has left California and her abusive ex-fiance and mother behind for Bearpaw, Idaho. She has opened her own bakery and meets sexy firefighter Dane. Dane knows that she is his mate after the first meeting but he is afraid she won't accept that he is a shifter.
I really enjoyed this book and couple. They were instantly attracted to each other but their relationship was still slow building, which I appreciated. I liked the town and all the side characters and plan on reading the next one.
Annabeth has left California and her abusive ex-fiance and mother behind for Bearpaw, Idaho. She has opened her own bakery and meets sexy firefighter Dane. Dane knows that she is his mate after the first meeting but he is afraid she won't accept that he is a shifter.
I really enjoyed this book and couple. They were instantly attracted to each other but their relationship was still slow building, which I appreciated. I liked the town and all the side characters and plan on reading the next one.
August 11, 2016
This is the first book I've read by this author. I really enjoyed this. Great start to a new series. I look forward reading more in the future.
November 6, 2024
2.5
This is an instalove, fated mate, spicy, paranormal romance. The characters are fine but not very deep. The instalove is all consuming and suffocates any plot or character development in the story. All that considered though it wasn’t bad and I probably would have given this an unenthusiastic 3 star and moved on. It was the handling of Annabeth’s past relationship that knocks it down for me.
The book opens with Annabeth looking at the destroyed remains of a wedding cake she had been working on. She and her boss watch the cameras and it shows her fiancée destroying everything. All because she didn’t go furniture shopping with him and chose to work. This man was 100% abusive. He may never have laid a hand on her but he made lists of chores and duties she had to complete throughout the day. He belittled her job and appearance. If she did something to displease him he would break or donate something that was meaningful to her. He was without a doubt abusive. When Annabeth leaves and moves to Bearpaw there is no mention of her past relationship for a while. Like weeks of her being there and nothing about leaving behind her life or healing from the betrayal of a man she was supposed to marry treating her the way he did. It’s all about the sexy firefighter she met. When she revealed to Dane how her ex treated her and that he was still harassing her his response was “What an asshole?” No, sir. Not an asshole, abuser. His actions kept escalating and no one seemed overly concerned. I was waiting for her to realize that this was more than just a toxic relationship. When he shows up in town towards the end of the book she basically tells him she hopes he finds someone else. What?!? This man is crazy and seems to enjoy manipulating and beating his partners down. Why would you say that? I know abusive relationships are complicated but there wasn’t any real healing or dealing with what she had been through. Relationships like that leave emotional marks, it felt like it was used as a suspense plot to make the story interesting but ignored on an emotional level.
Final thoughts. While I am disappointed in the handling of the FMC’s past relationship I didn’t hate the characters or the book. Not always, but on occasion, I like an instalove, fated mates book. I might pick up book two in the future and hope the author gives more care to difficult topics.
This is an instalove, fated mate, spicy, paranormal romance. The characters are fine but not very deep. The instalove is all consuming and suffocates any plot or character development in the story. All that considered though it wasn’t bad and I probably would have given this an unenthusiastic 3 star and moved on. It was the handling of Annabeth’s past relationship that knocks it down for me.
The book opens with Annabeth looking at the destroyed remains of a wedding cake she had been working on. She and her boss watch the cameras and it shows her fiancée destroying everything. All because she didn’t go furniture shopping with him and chose to work. This man was 100% abusive. He may never have laid a hand on her but he made lists of chores and duties she had to complete throughout the day. He belittled her job and appearance. If she did something to displease him he would break or donate something that was meaningful to her. He was without a doubt abusive. When Annabeth leaves and moves to Bearpaw there is no mention of her past relationship for a while. Like weeks of her being there and nothing about leaving behind her life or healing from the betrayal of a man she was supposed to marry treating her the way he did. It’s all about the sexy firefighter she met. When she revealed to Dane how her ex treated her and that he was still harassing her his response was “What an asshole?” No, sir. Not an asshole, abuser. His actions kept escalating and no one seemed overly concerned. I was waiting for her to realize that this was more than just a toxic relationship. When he shows up in town towards the end of the book she basically tells him she hopes he finds someone else. What?!? This man is crazy and seems to enjoy manipulating and beating his partners down. Why would you say that? I know abusive relationships are complicated but there wasn’t any real healing or dealing with what she had been through. Relationships like that leave emotional marks, it felt like it was used as a suspense plot to make the story interesting but ignored on an emotional level.
Final thoughts. While I am disappointed in the handling of the FMC’s past relationship I didn’t hate the characters or the book. Not always, but on occasion, I like an instalove, fated mates book. I might pick up book two in the future and hope the author gives more care to difficult topics.
July 10, 2017
Annabeth Jones is a fantastic Baker, she works at Cacao with the owner Maggie Ornelas. But when she goes in one morning and found the place destroyed she wants to Cry. All her hard work for the wedding and the birthday party was smashed. when Maggie arrives she is beyond pissed. When they look at the security tape and find out the Roger, Annabeth's fiance is responsible she advises Annabeth to get a way from him. Maggie wants to press charges, but Annabeth know it will only make matters worse,so she said that she would take care of it. Maggie agrees not to press charges as long as Annabeth gets away for a couple of days.
Annabeth goes to her mother's but Roger calls and demands that she come home. Her mother doesn't see anything wrong with Roger and it is all her fault that is happened. Maggie called with a fantastic opportunity. The town of Bearpaw Ridge needs a Bakery since the last one close. Maggie's Manuel has agreed to help get everything up and running all Annabeth has to do is go.
Annabeth jumps at the offer and moves from California to Idaho and opens up Cinnamon & Sugar. The Bearpaw Ridge Volunteer Fire Department is just coming back from a call and they see that the lights are on in the bakery and decide to take a chance that it is open. Dane Swanson and two of his four brothers stopped in. The was the first day the bakery was open. One look at Annabeth and his bear knew they were mates. Annabeth served Cinnamon rolls to die for and the guys promised they would be a big hit. But Dane has had a bad experience with humans not accepting his bear, so he tries to stay away. His bear has other ideas and he winds up they on Monday when Annabeth gets back from the supply store.He helps unload all her purchased and then he moves the Hobart machine. Annabeth thinks that his strength is from working the ranch.
After Annabeth hires his cousin to work in the bakery, his cousin does the same thing when cleaning and when she questions it she is told to talk to Dane. When Roger starts calling and doesn't give up when he is told to Dane answers the phone tells him to leave his girlfriend alone.
Well that was the wrong thing to say to Roger and that just sends him off the deep end.
Can Dane keep Annabeth safe? How does his mother feel about a human after the last one. We know the brothers all love her, but still Dane hasn't told her his secret. What was the big bad terrible horrible day all about?
Please join me in reading this book. I would give it 5/5 stars. The author does a terrific job and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. Please either buy or borrow this book and remember to leave a review for the author she appreciates them.
Annabeth goes to her mother's but Roger calls and demands that she come home. Her mother doesn't see anything wrong with Roger and it is all her fault that is happened. Maggie called with a fantastic opportunity. The town of Bearpaw Ridge needs a Bakery since the last one close. Maggie's Manuel has agreed to help get everything up and running all Annabeth has to do is go.
Annabeth jumps at the offer and moves from California to Idaho and opens up Cinnamon & Sugar. The Bearpaw Ridge Volunteer Fire Department is just coming back from a call and they see that the lights are on in the bakery and decide to take a chance that it is open. Dane Swanson and two of his four brothers stopped in. The was the first day the bakery was open. One look at Annabeth and his bear knew they were mates. Annabeth served Cinnamon rolls to die for and the guys promised they would be a big hit. But Dane has had a bad experience with humans not accepting his bear, so he tries to stay away. His bear has other ideas and he winds up they on Monday when Annabeth gets back from the supply store.He helps unload all her purchased and then he moves the Hobart machine. Annabeth thinks that his strength is from working the ranch.
After Annabeth hires his cousin to work in the bakery, his cousin does the same thing when cleaning and when she questions it she is told to talk to Dane. When Roger starts calling and doesn't give up when he is told to Dane answers the phone tells him to leave his girlfriend alone.
Well that was the wrong thing to say to Roger and that just sends him off the deep end.
Can Dane keep Annabeth safe? How does his mother feel about a human after the last one. We know the brothers all love her, but still Dane hasn't told her his secret. What was the big bad terrible horrible day all about?
Please join me in reading this book. I would give it 5/5 stars. The author does a terrific job and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. Please either buy or borrow this book and remember to leave a review for the author she appreciates them.
November 5, 2019
I had never read anything by Ophelia Sexton before, but I like shifter romances and this one had decent reviews, so I decided to give it a try. It was a good story, with decent editing. I had one minor issue with it, though. It gets 3.5 stars from me, rounded up to 4 stars.
My one issue with this book is the attitude of Dane's family toward Annabeth. Just because Dane had a bad experience when he told a previous human girlfriend he was a shifter, they automatically assumed he should never date a human again. It was almost like a prejudice against humans. I get that they didn't want him to get hurt again, but they should have let him make that decision.
Dane was a sweetheart, and I thought he was perfect for Annabeth. I liked Annabeth, too. Some reviewers commented that Annabeth seemed a bit weak -- but I think her behavior was typical for an emotional abuse victim. I did think she should have dumped her ex Roger a lot sooner, but again, decisions like that are difficult for emotional abuse victims.
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.
My one issue with this book is the attitude of Dane's family toward Annabeth. Just because Dane had a bad experience when he told a previous human girlfriend he was a shifter, they automatically assumed he should never date a human again. It was almost like a prejudice against humans. I get that they didn't want him to get hurt again, but they should have let him make that decision.
Dane was a sweetheart, and I thought he was perfect for Annabeth. I liked Annabeth, too. Some reviewers commented that Annabeth seemed a bit weak -- but I think her behavior was typical for an emotional abuse victim. I did think she should have dumped her ex Roger a lot sooner, but again, decisions like that are difficult for emotional abuse victims.
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.
August 4, 2019
Rating: R for sex and language
Sex: multiple detailed scenes
Language: 16 F words, 34 Lord's name in vain
Violence: bullying, threatened assault, arson, attempted murder
HEA: yes
Annabeth has an abusive fiancé (Roger) and mean mother. Her boss tells her about a bakery in the boss's hometown available for sale. Annabeth jumps at the opportunity and flees immediately. On opening day, Dane and his brothers come in after a fire call, eat her cinnamon buns, and spread the word that they're yummy. Soon she has to make another supply run because her bakery is doing so well. Dane lifts four 50lb bags of flour easily. Then he moves her floor mixer like it's a toddler instead of 400lbs. He keeps helping her, calls her beautiful, and she falls for him. He takes her home for family dinner, and proposes without telling her he's a bear shifter. Roger eventually finds her, and threatens her. Dane and his brothers scare him off. That night, the fire department gets called out, then her bakery and her loft above it are set on fire. She can't escape. Dane rescues her, then smells Roger with gasoline on him, shifts to chase him, and Roger gets arrested. In the hospital, Annabeth tells him she dreamed he'd turned into a bear, and he confesses. She still loves him. They rebuild the bakery and they get married.
This is a typical shifter romance, with the instant attraction to fated mate trope. I like seeing how the bad guy was bad (destroying the decorations for a wedding cake because she wouldn't go furniture shopping with him, smashing her grandmother's china because she hadn't run an errand for him).
Sex: multiple detailed scenes
Language: 16 F words, 34 Lord's name in vain
Violence: bullying, threatened assault, arson, attempted murder
HEA: yes
Annabeth has an abusive fiancé (Roger) and mean mother. Her boss tells her about a bakery in the boss's hometown available for sale. Annabeth jumps at the opportunity and flees immediately. On opening day, Dane and his brothers come in after a fire call, eat her cinnamon buns, and spread the word that they're yummy. Soon she has to make another supply run because her bakery is doing so well. Dane lifts four 50lb bags of flour easily. Then he moves her floor mixer like it's a toddler instead of 400lbs. He keeps helping her, calls her beautiful, and she falls for him. He takes her home for family dinner, and proposes without telling her he's a bear shifter. Roger eventually finds her, and threatens her. Dane and his brothers scare him off. That night, the fire department gets called out, then her bakery and her loft above it are set on fire. She can't escape. Dane rescues her, then smells Roger with gasoline on him, shifts to chase him, and Roger gets arrested. In the hospital, Annabeth tells him she dreamed he'd turned into a bear, and he confesses. She still loves him. They rebuild the bakery and they get married.
This is a typical shifter romance, with the instant attraction to fated mate trope. I like seeing how the bad guy was bad (destroying the decorations for a wedding cake because she wouldn't go furniture shopping with him, smashing her grandmother's china because she hadn't run an errand for him).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2025
2025 Review
This was such a cute shifter romance. I understand Dane's hesitance in sharing that he was a shifter with Annabeth, but I also wonder if his last girlfriend was his mate, like Annabeth was? It would also be interesting to know how many people in town are shifters are how many are humans. It seems like many of the law enforcement and firefighters are shifters, but it was never fully discussed how many humans lived in town. I can't wait to see who the rest of the brothers find for their mates and if they're humans or other shifters!
Original Review
A fresh start can make all the difference. Annabeth worked for an up-and-coming bakery in San Francisco and was engaged to be married. But when he breaks into her place of work and destroys all the things she’d worked on, her boss recommends getting out of that relationship. And she has the best place for her.
Annabeth moves to Bearpaw Ridge and opens her own bakery there, where she becomes an overnight success. And had caught the eye of Dane, a handsome volunteer firefighter and rancher. But Dane has a secret and worries it will be too much for her. But when Annabeth’s ex shows up in town, Dane shows her rather than tells her.
Annabeth and Dane get their HEA in this stand-alone book in a series.
This was such a cute shifter romance. I understand Dane's hesitance in sharing that he was a shifter with Annabeth, but I also wonder if his last girlfriend was his mate, like Annabeth was? It would also be interesting to know how many people in town are shifters are how many are humans. It seems like many of the law enforcement and firefighters are shifters, but it was never fully discussed how many humans lived in town. I can't wait to see who the rest of the brothers find for their mates and if they're humans or other shifters!
Original Review
A fresh start can make all the difference. Annabeth worked for an up-and-coming bakery in San Francisco and was engaged to be married. But when he breaks into her place of work and destroys all the things she’d worked on, her boss recommends getting out of that relationship. And she has the best place for her.
Annabeth moves to Bearpaw Ridge and opens her own bakery there, where she becomes an overnight success. And had caught the eye of Dane, a handsome volunteer firefighter and rancher. But Dane has a secret and worries it will be too much for her. But when Annabeth’s ex shows up in town, Dane shows her rather than tells her.
Annabeth and Dane get their HEA in this stand-alone book in a series.
May 14, 2019
☆☆☆☆☆ 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the first book I’ve read written by Ophelia Sexton and I am happy I read it! I love paranormal/shifter stories and this one is very good, nicely written, good strong characters, perfect twists in the story to keep it exciting and I love happy endings.
Annabeth was stuck in a bad relationship with a horrible, mean man who thought everything was suppose to go his way, well after he decides to punish her for working at her job instead of spending time with him, she sees the relationship is not a good one so she picks up and moves to Bearpaw Ridge and opens her own bakery and it’s a hit. Annabeth meets Dane the first morning the bakery was open, and sparks fly the attraction between the two is thick enough to cut with a knife.
Annabeth’s ex starts causing problems for her and Dane steps in to the rescue.
How will Annabeth handle finding out Dane is a bear shifter? Get yourself a copy via Kindle Unlimited or for purchase it for FREE from the Amazon Kindle Store.
This is the first book I’ve read written by Ophelia Sexton and I am happy I read it! I love paranormal/shifter stories and this one is very good, nicely written, good strong characters, perfect twists in the story to keep it exciting and I love happy endings.
Annabeth was stuck in a bad relationship with a horrible, mean man who thought everything was suppose to go his way, well after he decides to punish her for working at her job instead of spending time with him, she sees the relationship is not a good one so she picks up and moves to Bearpaw Ridge and opens her own bakery and it’s a hit. Annabeth meets Dane the first morning the bakery was open, and sparks fly the attraction between the two is thick enough to cut with a knife.
Annabeth’s ex starts causing problems for her and Dane steps in to the rescue.
How will Annabeth handle finding out Dane is a bear shifter? Get yourself a copy via Kindle Unlimited or for purchase it for FREE from the Amazon Kindle Store.
August 18, 2017
Smoking Hott!!!!
Dane and Annabeth have both been burned in past relationships. Dane was years ago when he was a senior in college, and Annabeth just recently. He's a bear shifter and she's a big beautiful woman who doesn't know shifters exist.
Together they want to give their relationship a chance. But will things work out? What will Annabeth do when she learns Dane's secret? What will happen when Annabeth's controlling and vindictive ex comes back into the picture?
I highly recommend this book if you want to know the answers. Meanwhile I'm going to read the next book in this series.
Dane and Annabeth have both been burned in past relationships. Dane was years ago when he was a senior in college, and Annabeth just recently. He's a bear shifter and she's a big beautiful woman who doesn't know shifters exist.
Together they want to give their relationship a chance. But will things work out? What will Annabeth do when she learns Dane's secret? What will happen when Annabeth's controlling and vindictive ex comes back into the picture?
I highly recommend this book if you want to know the answers. Meanwhile I'm going to read the next book in this series.
August 18, 2018
Enjoyable
I am very picky when it comes to shifter books, I usually dislike most of them. This story was very enjoyable and sweet. I liked Dane and Annabeth a lot. Both had a little baggage but knew what they found in each other was special and worth pursuing. This story is very sweet and super sexy! Dane is totally swoon worthy! After finishing I really craved a cinnamon bun, lol!
One question that I have about most shifter stories is if they know that they have fated mates why would you want to marry someone else? Wouldn’t you want to wait for your one true lesson love? This issue always confuses me.
I am very picky when it comes to shifter books, I usually dislike most of them. This story was very enjoyable and sweet. I liked Dane and Annabeth a lot. Both had a little baggage but knew what they found in each other was special and worth pursuing. This story is very sweet and super sexy! Dane is totally swoon worthy! After finishing I really craved a cinnamon bun, lol!
One question that I have about most shifter stories is if they know that they have fated mates why would you want to marry someone else? Wouldn’t you want to wait for your one true lesson love? This issue always confuses me.
May 17, 2019
An awesome, exciting, and entertaining adventure awaits her in her new town! Will her bakery make be a success! The towns are so kind and welcoming, they love her baked goods! She is fleeing an abusive and vengeful ex, will he find her! A new state, new town, and new boyfriend! The characters are amazing, big and handsome, the ex is evil and cruel, the townspeople are warm and welcoming! Will the secrets they are keeping from her, be too much to accept? Will Dane be able to save her? Will she survive her ex? Can she rebuild and start over? With the help of everyone can she start over or will she leave? Can she accept all the secrets and will their love survive and conquer all?
October 13, 2019
4&1\2🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐
Dane is a very sexy part time firefighter and rancher with a very powerful secret, he's also a bear shifter. Annabeth is a curvy bakery chef with a heart of gold and a mean crazy ex. When Annabeth leave California to escape her crazy ex she opens up her own delicious bakery in Bearpaw Ridge. She meets the sexiest man alive in Dane. He becomes her best friend a person she can lean on. Dane in turn falls in love with all of her curves and sees nothing but a beautiful and desirable woman. Together they embark on the adventure of learning to trust and fall deeply in love. It's totally worth reading and I look forward to more adventures for Bearpaw Ridge.
Dane is a very sexy part time firefighter and rancher with a very powerful secret, he's also a bear shifter. Annabeth is a curvy bakery chef with a heart of gold and a mean crazy ex. When Annabeth leave California to escape her crazy ex she opens up her own delicious bakery in Bearpaw Ridge. She meets the sexiest man alive in Dane. He becomes her best friend a person she can lean on. Dane in turn falls in love with all of her curves and sees nothing but a beautiful and desirable woman. Together they embark on the adventure of learning to trust and fall deeply in love. It's totally worth reading and I look forward to more adventures for Bearpaw Ridge.
April 14, 2019
Book 2 here I come!
Kindle Unlimited Purchase
By Ophelia Sexton
This was a cute book. Short and to the point.
Annabeth is human with one of the worse (ex) fiances out there. No, he has NEVER hit her, as he reminds her. But what he does is just as worse.
Dane is the oldest of the Swanson brothers. They are volunteer firefights in their town. When he meets Annabeth for the first time he knew she was his Mate. But he's been through this before and it didn't work out.
This is book one in the series. Looking forward to reading book 2.
Kindle Unlimited Purchase
By Ophelia Sexton
This was a cute book. Short and to the point.
Annabeth is human with one of the worse (ex) fiances out there. No, he has NEVER hit her, as he reminds her. But what he does is just as worse.
Dane is the oldest of the Swanson brothers. They are volunteer firefights in their town. When he meets Annabeth for the first time he knew she was his Mate. But he's been through this before and it didn't work out.
This is book one in the series. Looking forward to reading book 2.
July 28, 2025
This is a fun reading book. The characters are light hearted in many cases but also have solid sides (honor, integrity, determination). Community and family are emphasized. A small town community that rallied around their baker, a girl from the big city, who is hounded by an ex-boyfriend. She moved to this small town, hidden in the mountains. The bakery and coffee shop was a dream she had and made her own. A fire fighter and rancher discovered her baked goodies and, more importantly, his mate. He is a bear shifter and she is about to discover the world of shifters.
September 1, 2021
Annabeth and Dane are the first couple that we get to know in the Bearpaw Ridge Series. Annabeth is a sweet and generous woman who is trying to start a new life away from an ex who won't take no for an answer. Dane is a big, protective bear shifter who manages the family ranch. He instantly falls for Annabeth but she is human and he is a shifter.
This book is full of laughter, love, and some amazing moments that you don't want to forget! Ophelia Sexton captures our attention with this awesome story!
This book is full of laughter, love, and some amazing moments that you don't want to forget! Ophelia Sexton captures our attention with this awesome story!
August 27, 2018
So hot, it keeps you connected
Heat is the first book about the Beatles Ridge Firefighters. This first book is all about Dane and his new mate to be. Yes there are some very intimate scenes, but they are written with class. This is one of those books that once you start reading, you don't want to put it down. I can bearly (hint) wait to see what else happens to the town and their special citizens.
Heat is the first book about the Beatles Ridge Firefighters. This first book is all about Dane and his new mate to be. Yes there are some very intimate scenes, but they are written with class. This is one of those books that once you start reading, you don't want to put it down. I can bearly (hint) wait to see what else happens to the town and their special citizens.
May 23, 2019
Sweet, simple story
Clean editing merits one full star. The story itself is common: abused woman leaves her abuser and finds true love. However, it's charmingly told, "told" being the operative word. The writing could stand more conversion to active voice, but the amount of passive voice sets and maintains a steady pace. The romance builds with a sweet and sexy burn. I liked this book, because sometimes I prefer sweet, fluffy mind candy that's not too demanding to read.
Clean editing merits one full star. The story itself is common: abused woman leaves her abuser and finds true love. However, it's charmingly told, "told" being the operative word. The writing could stand more conversion to active voice, but the amount of passive voice sets and maintains a steady pace. The romance builds with a sweet and sexy burn. I liked this book, because sometimes I prefer sweet, fluffy mind candy that's not too demanding to read.
May 27, 2019
Best Bear-Shifter Book Ever
I had read a lot of Bear-Shifter books and I have to admit, this is my favorite 💖 I love the way everything plays out, the way Dane treats her and protects her. That's exactly how a man should treat and protect a woman. I got so lost in the story, I was wishing that I was Annabeth. And OMG 😲 Firefighters! Who doesn't fantasize about firefighters! Yeah, it's the best book ever. You just gotta read it!
I had read a lot of Bear-Shifter books and I have to admit, this is my favorite 💖 I love the way everything plays out, the way Dane treats her and protects her. That's exactly how a man should treat and protect a woman. I got so lost in the story, I was wishing that I was Annabeth. And OMG 😲 Firefighters! Who doesn't fantasize about firefighters! Yeah, it's the best book ever. You just gotta read it!
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