His Stubborn Bear

Bears of Asheville #1

by Skye R. Richmond

After losing his Papa and breaking up with his boyfriend, Kian finds himself alone in the world. Accepting a job and moving across the country to Montana spur of the moment is crazy, right?  

And then there’s Gabe, his best friend’s older brother. Kian has no idea why the man makes his pulse race the way it does. But there is one thing he does know, Gabe hates every idea Kian comes up with for the ranch’s rebranding.

Gabe is set in his ways. The last thing he needs is a human coming in and changing things. Yet the moment he lays eyes on Kian, he knows he found his mate. There’s just one problem. Kian doesn’t know that shifters even exist.

Will his mate be able to handle the truth of what Gabe is and accept that they’re fated?

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

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 12, 2021

About the author

Also publishes as Rheland Richmond.

For as long as she can remember Skye had her nose stuck in a book, getting lost in the world of someone else's creation (She still does). Her love for writing came from her love for reading. She could never have one without the other.

Writing was always a hobby and a cathartic experience for her. There are many stories lost to the never to be completed or published pile but needed to be written at the time.

Just a girl that loved stories so much she decided to write hers.

She would love to hear from her readers and learn more about Y'all. So if you get a chance... Get in touch.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkyeRRichmond/
Twitter: @RhelandRichmond
Instagram: @RhelandRichmond
Newsletter: https://www.rhelandrichmond.com/newsl...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/skye-...

Reviews

[cal · Rating 3 out of 5]

hmmm it was fine.

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

~2.5~

I love the idea of a grumpy alpha bear (literally) and shy human omega being fated mates.

The first half of the book is very sweet, although Gabe drove me crazy with his hot/cold act. Stop sniffing around Kian and just tell him already!

Then Kian gets pregnant the first time he and Gabe have sex (but of course), and the story takes a bit of a nosedive imo. I don't mind mpreg, but being pregnant is not glamorous or romantic.

The pregnant people stereotypes abound. Kian has weird cravings. He cries at the drop of a hat. Blah blah blah. Not every pregnant person acts like this!

The ending is a true HEA though, and I do like the idea of a bear shifter owned farm, so I'm rounding up.

[L Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a really sweet story and I enjoyed it up until the two MCs became a couple, after which it quickly went downhill.

Kian is a newly single omega who moves to Montana to live and work with his best friend on rebranding his family’s business. When he gets there he meets his oldest brother, Gabe, who appears to be disgruntled about him staying on their ranch, as well as the whole rebranding thing in general. He actively avoids Kian and makes him feel unwelcomed. What Kian doesn’t know is that Gabe recognized him as his mate the moment he laid eyes on him and he’s worried about him finding out that his family (as well as most of the people living in Asheville) are shifters. He doesn’t know how Kian will react… will he be scared? Will he tell other humans? Will it completely destroy their mate bond? That sort of thing.

From the beginning the MCs had great chemistry and I loved how supportive Gabe’s family was about the relationship. They didn’t mind that Kian was a human and just wanted Gabe to be happy. Kian didn't have any siblings and his papa had recently passed away so he was more than happy to become a part of Gabe’s large than life family. It was all very sweet/fluffy and even though it was kind of shallow I still would’ve given it a high rating for being what it was. However, once the MCs got together and found out that Kian was pregnant the story completely stagnated. The last 75 to 80 pages should’ve been condensed into maybe 20 or so pages. It was full of over the top declarations of love and was basically us following Kian’s pregnancy until the birth of his twins. I completely checked out and ended up skimming in order to finish the story.

Overall, I thought this was a pretty good start to the series and, assuming each story gets a little better each time, I look forward to continuing it. There were three-ish sex scenes (one was a fade to black type of thing, ergo the ish) and they were really well written, so if smut is your thing you won’t be disappointed. 2.5 stars

[any · Rating 1 out of 5]

boring

[❀ Jess ( Semi hiatus ) · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 70%

I love fluff, domestic scenes, slice of life. I also love shifters and fated mates. I’ve really just been in the mood for easy books where I can just enjoy it and turn off my brain.

Unfortunately, even going into this knowing it was going to be pretty bad,I still couldn’t finish it 🙈

A little about me, if I’m enjoying a book, I tend to go into hyper fixation mode until I finish reading. If I’m putting the book down to do random things then there’s a very high chance that I’m not going to finish and that was the case with this one.

I liked the idea of the story but I wasn’t the biggest fan of how it was executed.

Things that annoy me
Rhys and Kian(MC1) are “best friends” even tho they have not kept in touch for YEARS. I can understand still being friends and then rebuilding that friendship but going YEARS without talking and all of a sudden one phone call makes you besties again? Nah, I don’t see it, months maybe more acceptable but years? No.

Gabe(MC2) is hot and cold.

The humans don’t know about shifters but the alpha/omega thing and male pregnancy is normal? 🤔 if male pregnancy is normal shouldn’t Gabe have thought about a condom? There’s no safety talk here whatsoever.

Gabe immediately regrets having sex with Kian and Kian sees it, bolts out of the house, is crying with Rhys.

During sex Gabe is constantly telling Kian he is his, ya’know the whole “ mine mine” mate thing but he lets Kian leave being hurt because Gabe regrets his joining.

Multiple people have to tell Gabe to just tell his mate he’s a shifter but Gabe is dumb. 🙄

At this point a couple of days have gone by and Gabe hasn’t tried to contact Kian even once, complete radio silence.

Kian should have left, should’ve made Gabe have to grovel and chase him down once he finally got his head out of his ass.

But once Gabe shows up after Kian and shows that he’s a shifter Kian completely excuses Gabe’s bad behavior because he understands how big the issue was 🙄

Being afraid to tell your mate you’re a shifter is no excuse to completely ignore him after having sex 🙄

Gabe knows Kian is pregnant but doesn’t tell him immediately, he gives him a mate bite first and they have lots of sex. THEN he tells him. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I guess they deserve each other. 🙄

My ratings always reflect my enjoyment of the story. ❀

[Ula'ndi Hart · Rating 1 out of 5]

Love the idea of the town and the family but I just can't with all the ridiculousness.

[Len Evans Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Bear Shifter Love Story!

Can't wait for book two! This book was packed full of laughs, happy tears and love! Love Gabe and Kian soooooo much!

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

lots of fluff 🥰

This was a cute read , The writing style is good . At first I thought it was set in college but as I read further and discovered it was adults I got a bit confused especially with how the characters were portrayed but other than that I actually enjoyed this story, I will continue with the series but in small doses

[Ed Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I think the I hate you to lovers might have been a bit quick, but it was a sweet romance

[XI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet for what it was. Enough turns to not be the usual fated mates. I will be reading book 2.

[Janet Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh!! I think this was the best story that I’ve ever read by this author!! It felt fluffy and steamy at the same time. I felt emotionally invested in the story. I loved Kian and Gabe so much!! I’m really excited to see where this series is going it. Loved all the troupes in it. Fated mates, best friend brother, found family!! I hope Rhys is next!! I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this even though Gabe is a twat and looking forward to a great alpha for Rhys.

[Leelah🍁♋️ Orion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy bear

Grumpy bears are the best. The was a story about finding ones family. Finding family even when it looks different then what you expected. Getting over insecurities and truly realizing you’re enough. I loved their journey to love. And I kinda wish there was a little freak out moment when he found out but I was good with the out come. The writing was great m. The world was great. I love the set up of this shifter world. The smexy was yummy with knots and claiming. The side characters are fun and I look forward to the other brothers books. Though I thinks we may need a 1.5 because I need to see G come through on his promise of the human side of claiming.

[Jess Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Stubborn Bear was one of those OTT stories that you can't help but fall for!! The whole aspect of this story was exactly what I needed today. It filled me with all the happy feels of love, family and finding your place when you never thought you would.

Gabe had always wanted to find his mate but the moment he senses him it as is if his world has turned on its axis because his mate isn't a shifter, he is human. Having a human mate can come with its own set of problems but when you are the Alpha you have to think of more than just yourself. Not only does Gabe have his family to worry about he also has the town his people come from to worry about. Letting his emotions get the best of him could mean trouble for everyone.

Kian is all alone with no family and nothing keeping him in Philly he takes a job his friend offers him and moves to Montana. As if a new job and a living in a new state isn't enough to have on your plate being attracted to your friends’ brother who also happens to be your boss is its own set of problems. Kian feels something intense for Gabe, but he can't get a good read on the grumpy man or what that might mean for his future in Montana.

Gabe immediately recognizes that Kian is his mate but how can he navigate a life with his mate when his mate doesn't even know that shifters even exist? Kian and Gabe skirt around their feelings until one explosive encounter leaves both men reeling for days until a choice between never or forever is the only option these two men have.

This was an incredible start to Skye R. Richmond's new Bears of Asheville series, and I am already half in love with all of Gabe's brothers and can’t wait to see what the rest of the series has in store for these men.

[Nadley Miller]

Loved it



I loved this book. It has all the joys of shifter books with a little knotty fun and a little baby for everyone to love. I love how it does not just make it instant love and Gabe had to work for his mates love. I would recommend this new series to anyone who loves a good love story.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family

This is a great start to a new series, good world building and character tree making. The books main characters are great a grumpy bear who is set in his ways and a sweet human who is going through grief. The book tackles the feelings of loss well, there are feel good moments and fun bits. Looking forward to more.

[Cynthia Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was a roller coaster ride with Gabe trying to protect his family and town but also wanting his human mate. This was a fun story to read and to see how someone needs to grovel to have their lives be better.

I did receive an Arc for a review.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating and sweet mpreg shifter romance with a delicious sprinkling of the My Best Friend’s Brother, Finding Family and Fated Mates tropes. All the good stuff! I’m totally enamored by Gabe and Kian. I liked that there were some obstacles to overcome before they lost themselves to the dreamy glow of their fated love. The angst was just on point, making the “honeymoon period” afterwards all the sweeter. I also really enjoyed the funny banter and the awesome secondary characters. Gabe’s family is completely lovable, especially Rhys!
Great start to a new series!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading. Fun and sweet-looking forward to book 2.

[Stacey Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a good one

I really wanted to like this book but I have to say that I don’t! I really dislike the I treat you good then I treat you bad! Gabe treats Kian very poorly he should have been long gone! This is what I call a yo-yo book (I can, I can’t, I can:; we should we shouldn’t) these are two adults acting like children not my cup of tea

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am definirely a PNR fan. I also adore fated mates - especially when they try to fight it and starts acting all weird and everyone knows what is going on. Add in the dynamics of the mate being a little brother's best friend and not aware of shifters and I have in front of me a good book. There were one or two things I struggled with. However overall I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to reading the others in this series.

[P Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and emotional - really enjoyed it.

[D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good (at first) but the story got dragged too long, made it less interesting and tend to be boring though.

[Tina Attanasio · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Stubborn Bear was a cute shifter story. There were times when I just wanted to shake Gabe and tell him to stop being dumb but he works so well with Kian. I can’t wait to get Rhys story because he deserves someone awesome for being such a great friend. I love the feeling of family this story gives you.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new series.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice sweet mates story. I enjoyed seeing Kian break through Gabe's walls, he was able to fully gain a family when he thought he was all alone. Gabe was just an extra stubborn man but his family made him see what was right in front of him.

I received a copy of this book and am giving an honest review

[tiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was really fast and i wasn’t expecting that, but the characters have an amazing chemistry so i enjoyed reading this one :) i just wish it had more scenes with the bears 🥺

[Robin L · Rating 2 out of 5]

Best thing about this book is that cover. Yummy.

[vrstal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5.

Tropes:

- Shifter x Human
- Omegaverse
- Age-Gap
- Size Difference
- Best friend’s brother

This book is so… okay? Like, just okay.

The premise itself has a good set up for tropes I like: age gap, size differences, omegaverse and mpreg. No issue with any of that. Having lived in northern Idaho and near Montana, it was amusing to think of how much they claimed to have in a town servicing just about a thousand people, as my own small town was around the same and definitely didn’t have all of that. Usually individual businesses (like a big farm, and multiple hospitals, etcetera) isn’t so common. Most everyone is middle class or lower, and it was usually something like mining that employees people.

Besides that though, the fictional town of Asheville itself sounded very nice. It was interesting to see the dynamic of omegaverse in humans and shifters, but fated mates only in shifters. I was a little confused why people would know about omegaverse but not shifters, but I guess it was to having it so no one had to explain you could get pregnant, etcetera.

The writing was okay! Not tons of errors, only a couple I noticed. I’m not sure Richmond’s writing is personally engaging. Third person, dual POV, but I never truly felt connected to either of the characters. So when there were emotional moments, I didn’t really feel invested enough to care which was unfortunate. They were easy to read however, so it’s not like it’s a bad book.

Kian and Gabe as characters also felt kind of lackluster. Kian’s thing was being shy and missing his dead parents. Gabe’s thing was being… caring about the whole family and a mini historian, I guess. Sex scenes between the two were so-so. Didn’t really do it for me. I ended up skimming most of them.

Felt like it should’ve ended at the 70% mark when they got together. Nothing really happened after that.

I’d be willing to read Rhys’ story just because he’s cute. His is the last book though, so it’ll be awhile before it is out.

[Sudsana Reads (mostly smut) · Rating 1 out of 5]

i have a lot to say about this book and none of them is pretty. Except for the sex. That’s what the 1 star is for. Also, why do i come across with only a-holes named Gabe??

My God what an infuriating story. Gods the amount of time i had to come across the word Gods. Cuz Gods that made it even more irritating. And Gods, wasn’t Kian a doormat? And Gods, i do believe both of the MCs should’ve just married the Gods instead of each other. See how infuriating it it?

Big guy x small guy, mpreg, shifter, fated mates, insta lust.

♦This boss just insults Kian’s designs and kinda humiliates him in those design meetings. And yet the boss says he’s his mate and that he’d do anything for him. AND YET keeps insulting Kian’s work? He says he’s doing this so that Kian can’t leave after the job is done. But that is NOT the case cuz this happens well after they’re together:

▪[Kian] “Did you pick the logo you liked from the options I submitted?”

Gabe came out, pulling his shirt on. “You don’t have to worry about any of that, babe. We can keep the design as it is or even hire someone else to do it.”

My stomach clenched, and I felt like I was going to puke.

-He doesn't have a time constraint anymore and YET YOU'RE THINKING OF HIRING SOMEONE ELSE?? Clearly this proves that Gabe hated Kian's designs all along. How on earth did Kian end up with him?

♦And don’t get me started on the whole design thing. Despite the boss not liking his work, Kian still decides to sleep with him! And the amount of mind games that boss does. Telling Kian one moment they can’t be together to then sleeping with him and saying he’ll always be with him. The amount of manipulation is astounding. The design problem goes into the back burner as if nothing happened. And then, it finally comes up well after Kian is already pregnant. The above scene happens then. And the boss is such an a-hole he even dares asking him what’s wrong?? Like brother, you just rejected his hard work again!

▪[gabe] “Baby, what’s wrong?” he asked, taking my hand in his. All I could do was shake my head even as tears threatened to fall.

“Kian, what’s going on?” Gabe squeezed my hand. “I can tell you’re upset.”

“Did you hate them that much?” I felt tears roll down my cheeks. “You hate my work.” It felt like my heart was being squeezed slowly.

“What? Why would you say that?” Gabe shook his head.

“You wouldn’t even consider my work.” I swiped my eyes with the back of my hands. “You’re still so set in your ways. How will that work for us?”

♦Kian has no self worth. Like, at all. As soon as his boss sleeps with him and regret fills that man’s face, that’s when he understands his mistake.

▪“Wow—” The words immediately stalled in my throat when I saw the stricken look on Gabe’s face. My heart stopped, and my stomach rolled. Was that confusion in his eyes? Oh my God, he looked like he regretted what we’d just done.

And then goes on to say:

▪Fuck, how had I screwed this up? Not only had I slept with my boss and my best friend’s brother, but I’d slept my way out of a home. One I’d fallen in love with.

But don’t worry! Apparently the a-hole boss LURVES him and is very very sad, yes! Poor sweet guy. He’s moping everyday. And then he says sorry. Most unsatisfying grovel cuz he lies here too. But you know, all is forgiven and he's back to being the best man in the world! 😊

▪[gabe] “Kian, I didn’t even know you were pregnant when I ran up in front of your car,” I admitted. “I didn’t know when I chose to tell you. I want you. I love you.

How easily this guy lies. He could smell from close proximity that Kian was pregnant. It was clear he could smell from close enough that Kee was pregs. Even before he went near and apologised. And even after that, Kian shameless asks to be bed!

▪“Take me to bed, Gabe,” Kian whispered.

I should say no…but I couldn’t… I should wait till he knew everything about me…but I just couldn’t.

Pg 76 Why?? Have you no self worth? He rejects your designs and clearly said to your face that there can't be anything between you and yet, you wanna bed him??

Then again, the whole insulting Kian goes to the backburner and he says the boss is the nicest guy in the world!

▪ Gabe made me feel more than I’d ever thought I could, but it was everything I’d ever wanted.

Pg 102 How? He hasn't even said he loves you??

▪ My papa had always said find someone that deserves you. I had a feeling Papa would agree that Gabe did.

Pg 111 How on earth does Gabe deserve you, my man?! What has he done to deserve this?

i should’ve DNF-ed. But like i said, the sex seemed good so i read it. Don’t even wanna pick up the next book even though it has bakery trope.