An Alpha Bear For Lucian

Bruin Ridge Bear-Ginnings #1

by Lorelei M. Hart, Colbie Dunbar

Aspen didn’t know you could accidentally become Alpha of a Den, but that’s exactly what he just did.

Alpha bear shifter Aspen was ready to begin his new life in the big city. He has a job lined up, a lease signed, and his truck packed. All he has left is to get there. Too bad that’s easier said than done because his truck picked the middle of nowhere to break down—alongside a bear den’s land of all places. When Aspen seeks permission to spend the night, he plans to keep his head down and just mind his own business and he does, until he hears the scream that changes everything.

Omega bear shifter Lucian hated his den. No, that wasn’t fair. It wasn’t the den he hated as much as it was the leadership. When the Alpha he had most of his life died, he crossed his fingers the new one would bring their den into this century. He didn’t—the alpha was not only old-school, but also cruel. When rumors of an alpha bear seeking refuge until his truck is repaired reach him, Lucien forms a plan. If he can convince the shifter to take him when he leaves, he can escape this horrible life.

Sneaking out to find the new bear sounded like a great idea, until Lucian gets caught. His den Alpha is a strike first kind of guy, and strike he does. Lucien knows better than to scream, it only makes the punishments worse, but scream he does, the pain too much to hold inside. A flurry of fur, teeth, a dead Alpha, and the scenting of his fated mate leaves the visiting shifter as their new Alpha.

So much for best laid plans.

An Alpha Bear for Lucian is first book in the anticipated Bruin Ridge Bear-ginning series, a sweet with knotty heat M/M Mpreg Shifter Romance by the popular writing team of Colbie Dunbar and Lorelei M. Hart. It features an alpha bear thrown into a role he is woefully unprepared for, an omega whose plans for the future very much did not include being his den’s Alpha Omega, a pack on the verge of collapse, the challenge that changes everything, true love, fated mates, and of course an adorable baby. If you love your shifters hawt, your omegas strong, and your mpreg with heart, download your copy of An Alpha Bear for Lucian today.

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

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2022

About the author

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

Reviews

[Trio · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second chance with this author, and they do write a solid three star romance. If you're looking for a sweet story, without anything too dark or complex, you'll do well with this one.

[Bourbon, Books and Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great shifter romance!

*****
Rating: 4 stars
Steam: 2.5 flames
Genre/Tropes: PNR / Shifters / Alpha & Omega / Fated Mates
*****
Lucian is an omega, and omegas are treated horribly in his pack. The pack's alpha is abusive and controlling. The alpha is only concerned with himself and uses fear and isolation to keep everyone in line. Lucian's life is miserable, and he fantasizes about leaving.

Aspen is an alpha who has spent his entire life outside of the pack structure. Aspen is about to relocate to a new city to begin a new job/life when his beloved truck breaks down just outside the Bruin Ridge pack lands. Although he prefers not being a part of a pack, he needs help getting to town to fix his truck...and that's when everything changes.

I adored these two characters. Aspen was such a good man/bear, supremely patient, caring and selfless. Lucian was a fantastic character as well, he was intimidated by the outside world… but so open and trusting. Fantastic characters.

An Alpha Bear for Lucian was a fun story with layers of suspense and betrayal, great characters, and steam. I was also intrigued by the secondary characters, and I eagerly await the next book in the series.

[Joelle Mendes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one because I don't get to read as much MPreg anymore. I used to read it all the time but there just aren't enough hours. When I read the blurb, I really liked the idea of Aspen finding his mate by chance and saving him. The story played out a lot differently than I imagined but I really enjoyed it. It was interesting to see the den's transformation (thanks to Aspen). I felt awful for Lucian at first and I was glad to see him mate with Aspen. The mating was a bit overshadowed by things within the den but we did get knotting, pregnancy and a birth. Plus a bit of a mystery for good measure. And I'm adding the rest of the series to my TBR

[Ashleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

cute but it did start to bore me a bit and i skimmed some of the middle

[Colleen (colleenreads40) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐

An Alpha Bear For Lucian is the first book in Lorelei M. Hart and Colbie Dunbar's Bruin Ridge Bear-Ginnings series. It's a MM shifter mpreg romance. It's told from a first person dual point of view and has a guaranteed happily ever after. You can expect an alpha bear thrown into a role he's unprepared for, a strong omega, a pack on the verge of collapse, fated mates, and true love.

I picked this up as a Pride month giveaway and it seemed like the perfect, easy read. I don't read a ton of mpreg romance, but this wasn't too bad! I've also never read bear shifters before, and I always like seeing an author's take on these omegaverse kind of romance. This romance was a super easy read! I wish it had focused a little more on Aspen and Lucian themselves, as opposed to Aspen rebuilding the den (although I'm glad he did, their last Alpha was such an arse). Because Aspen and Lucian were fated mates, I felt like that aspect of the romance happened very quickly. I thought there would be a little more spice with it being described as "sweet with knotty heat" but I can't deny that Aspen and Lucian were very adorable. I'm torn whether or not I'll continue the series because the other books do look interesting. We'll see how it goes!

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice. Most of Lorelei's books tend to go the "shifter amongst humans" route, so having an isolated community is a nice change of pace

[Jesslan Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Alpha Bear For Lucian
By Lorelei M. Hart

Omega bear shifter Lucian lives in a den with an abusive Alpha and Betas. When he hears Alpha Aspen, who has no den and lives among the humans, is staying overnight he hopes to find him and ask him to take him away with him. Lucian's plan doesn't go as he hoped and he's caught by his Alpha and Betas and is given a brutal beating for it, but Aspen comes to his rescue.

The story was okay. I liked both Lucian and Aspen, and the storyline. Everything was there for a successful book, but I just wasn't feeling it as deeply as I hoped.

Triggers: Physical and Mental Abuse

[Badh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is unpredictable

Aspen certainly didn't expect everything that happened when his old truck broke down, but Lucian is sure that it happened for a reason.

I worried about these guys for a while, but they were so fierce together.

[Stephanie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good I liked how this book came together. The old alpha was a dick and I'm soo happy Apen took over. Cant wait to read the next book

[Gustaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect going in to this book but I was pleasantly surprised. I liked a lot of this one. But I especially liked Aspen and Lucien together. It could've been a little shorter though as it was dragging a bit in the middle.

[SC]

DNF at 10%
It just wasn’t pulling me in. Kinda boring, kinda predictable already.

[Anne Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read
This is the first in a brand-new series from Colbie Dunbar and Lorelei M Hart and it is brilliant.
Omega bear shifter Lucian absolutely hates living in the pack. Life at the den was awful the alphas and beta’s treated the Omegas like they were rubbish making them work hard with hardly any rewards sometimes leaving them without food they just didn’t care. The present alpha was an awful person who like to show how strong he was but really he was just a bully and a coward. When the Omegas were told to go back to their hut rumour has it that there is a new shifter at the den. And the Alpha was keeping him far away. But Lucian knew that this was his only chance to get out and he was going to take it.
Alpha bear shifter Aspen was on his way to start his new life new job new apartment but still the same old truck. Yes she is old but she did get him nearly everywhere he wanted to go. But it seemed that she didn’t want him to go anywhere at the moment because they had broken down. When he tried to get assistance from the locals they all were quite sheepish and quick to vanish. Aspen could sense that there was a bear den close by maybe they could help. But it seemed they didn’t want to help at all when he is put in a run down hut and the Alpha brings him a bowl of soup, his inner bear tells him it’s dangerous don’t eat it it seems like the alpha is trying to poison him. But when he hears shouts outside and he has this strange scent that tells him his true mate is out there he doesn’t stop but you get out there and save his mates. Even if that means going up against the Alpha. But what would that mean for them now??
That’s all you’re getting from me because there’s so much to this story . Basically it’s about how Lucian and Aspen come together as fated mates and live within the den. So many things to overcome so many changes but will he have everybody’s support??
The romance between Lucien and Aspen is super cute it was so nice to see Lucian come into his own and build his confidence back up. And that’s all to do with Aspen and the fact that they are fated mates Aspen bends over backwards for this pack. I really enjoyed the characters around them as well so I really look forward to future books from this series to read what happens to them. But I really nice reading

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

[Rebecca Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alpha Bear shifter Aspen has been without a den almost his whole life. His parents left their den around the time he was born. Den politics are mostly a mystery to him. Aspen is traveling across country in his old truck Gertie to a new city and a new job. He has time to spare before his start date so he is taking things slow. As he gets closer to his final destination, Gertie breaks down in the middle of nowhere near a bear den. Every local he runs into refuses to help him because the local den makes them nervous. Finally having no other choice, he enters the den's land and asks for shelter for the night. His welcome isn't warm but they give him a shack to stay in. That night he hears an argument and looks out to investigate. The alpha is beating up an omega. Normally Aspen wouldn't get involved but he quickly scents that the omega is his fated mate. Aspen is so angry that he ends up killing the alpha. The alpha who never lived in a den is now the alpha of one of the most traditional and messed up dens around. At least he found his mate.

Lucian is an omega in a den with an abusive control freak alpha. All the alpha cares about is keeping control. The alpha has brought back all the old traditional and oppressive laws. Only alpha's and betas can leave den lands. Omegas are treated almost like slaves where they do whatever someone tells them unless they decide to get mated. Lucian would love to escape but he has no hope until a strange alpha enters the den's territory. Lucian was going to ask the alpha to take him with him when he overhears his alpha plan to kill Aspen. Lucian is horrified because he is close enough to scent that Aspen is his fated mate In shock he finds himself caught sneaking out by his alpha and is in the middle of being beaten and force mated. Luckily Aspen comes to the rescue and kills the alpha. Now Lucian and Aspen will have to figure a new future for the pack.

[Manuela · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an easy read. The plot was moving along steady. It was a bit predictable but I enjoyed the beginning when Aspen's bear took on the cruel Alpha. The relationship between Lucian and Aspen is solid, they communicate and bring the den into the 21st century after it was stuck in the clutches of a cruel and dictatorial Alpha, who killed and maimed to keep his den members under his thumb. Aspen has probably the most developing character. He goes from a relatively clueless and self-reliant Alpha to Alpha to a den of bears, just because he finds his mate among them. From a guy who breaks down with his car and can't decide whether to go hiking to the next town or knocking on the gates to a bear den that is locally known as not very inviting, he trusts his bear and fights and kills to rescue his mate and the other den members and turns philanthropist Alpha by spending his own money when he realises that there aren't any funds and the bears are in desperate need of food and other essentials. Lucian, who's grown up in this den, is extremely upbeat once his knight in shining armor has arrived and claimed him. The emotional turmoil he's in by having been forced into a mateship with the cruel Alpha before Aspen saves him is touched but not explored further. There isn't much heat between the sheets either but it only needs to have happened once for the Omega to fall pregnant. In the end everyone who's staying in the den is happy and not much mention of trauma from years of abuse is heard.

Overall it is good read when one is between angsty books.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Bruin Ridge Bear-ginning series and it is off to a great start. This is the story of Aspen and Lucian. Aspen is an alpha bear that has lived his life outside a den. His vehicle breaks down and he is unable to get it fixed until the next day. He requests and is granted to stay overnight at the Bruin Ridge Den. Lucian is an omega who is tired of living a life filled with abuse and fear. He decides to ask the alpha who stopped overnight for a ride out of the den. Unfortunately he is caught and punished by his current pack alpha. Lucian screams during the punishment. Aspen and his bear hear the screams and runs to help. By the end of the fight the old pack alpha is dead and Aspen has found his fated mate. Lucian is sorry he dragged his fated mate into this problem. By right of surviving, Aspen is now the new alpha. Whether he wants it or not is irrelevant. And not growing up in a den, he is completely ignorant of pack politics. It is there where Lucian steps up and tries to keep Aspen safe. This is their story. There is lots of action and attempts to overthrow the newly appointed pack leader. Aspen and Lucian must work together to try and build a better pack life for all involved. Unfortunately, not everyone welcomes the changes. This story is well written and easy to read. I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

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

[Nicole D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested in this book because I hadn’t ever read a bear shifter story, and I did enjoy it. The characters were what drew me in the most, especially as the book is written in a dual POV. Both Aspen (alpha) and Lucian (omega) were likeable, and strong characters struggling with the sudden change in their lives that occur when they find each other. I am clearly in the mood for cozy books lately, because I liked that they leaned into each other to figure out how to lead their pack and make changes and improvements. I look forward to seeing more of the side characters in a bigger role in future books, as this is the first in a series.

The plot of this book is certainly predictable at times, but that didn’t make it less enjoyable for me. Overall, this is hopeful - a story about a community coming together, and a leader making progressive decisions to improve everyone’s situation (clearly, a needed theme for me right now as well.) I will say that I could have done with some more spice in this book - there isn’t much and the spice that is here is not very....descriptive. Fingers crossed for more in upcoming books! This was a good book to read in one sitting and not feel a ton of angst over, one way or the other, and I will certainly be reading the next when it comes out.

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

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book in one sitting, and I want to start at the beginning and read it again! It was that good. Sometimes after reading a lot of an author's books, I find that they become the same story with the same plot over and over again. No such worries here. The authors really delivered a unique gem. This book had a marvelous, slow development of the characters and their relationships while delivering an interesting plot. The sweet romance between alpha Aspen and omega Lucien just made it better. Aspen's car breaks down and lands him in Bruin Ridge Den whose evil alpha is viciously beating Lucien. Lucien's scent calls to Aspen's bear, and he knows he has just found his mate. Now he just has to save him. He gains a mate and a den all on the same night, and together Aspen and Lucien have to overcome the old ways of the previous alpha and show the people how good things can be if they all work together. The mated pair meet all the challenges they face and an enemy together. And we readers get a sweet hea.

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

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sudden decisions, can change a path lickety quick. Aspen, is on the road to starting his new life. He's motivated and excited, ready to enjoy life in the city. Aspen, wasn't Den locked, so he was adventurous. He understood there were Den politics, but was not well versed in the process. Then his truck, Gertie breaks down outside Barcombe. Lucien, is unhappy with the Alpha leadership. He hears about a strange bear stranged because of transportation issues and decides to escape. He is caught and tortured. Aspen hears, comes to the rescue and takes out the torturer and inherits the den. Now, Aspen has another new job. And he has a new omega. Will Aspen accept the newer new job? Is Lucien ready? Can Aspen bring the den into the 21st century? Will Aspen and Lucien build a good partnership? Will relationship with townspeople improve? Absolutely good start to a new series. Aspen and Lucien are likeable and I look forward to learning more about the den mates. The potential for story lines look like fun. Good story. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bob Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colbie Dunbar and Lorelei M. Hart have given us another great story and series. An Alpha Bear for Lucian which is book 1 of a new series, Bruin Ridge Bear-Ginnings, is a great read. This is actually the first bear shifter book I think I have read. As such, I am glad it was written by these two authors because they always come up with exciting stories that grab you from the very start to the end.

The storyline is one of my favorites. A mean crazy alpha shifter, (who needs to take his testosterone down a few notches) and his minion, have been tormenting and abusing the members of their clan (den). But an awesome and kind-hearted good bear shifter, who is minding his own business, serendipitously stumbles into the den, goes all kung foo on the den alpha and, well you can guess the rest. I am most certainly oversimplifying the storyline but I love a story that suggests there is good in the world. We just have to choose it. The romance is heartwarming with a very sweet happily-ever-after. I hope. Book two is on the way. Hooray!

[Ashley D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aspen was moving to the big city to begin a new life when his truck broke down on a country road. He tried to get a couple of cars to stop, but they kept implying that they didn't help his kind. Aspen knows there is a shifter community nearby because he can smell them, so he sets out to find them and ask permission to stay the night. Lucian is an omega in the bear community who detests the Alpha of the den. When the omega's are shut away for the night because of a stranger, Lucian sets out to find the stranger and ask for his help escaping. Aspen needs to kill the Alpha and take over the den.

Lucian and Aspen had an immediate connection since they were true mates. While Aspen is weary of being a den Alpha, Lucian helps him learn their den's ways. While the relationship between Aspen and Lucian is overshadowed by the troubles that are plaguing the den, the reader still gets to see the important parts of the relationship and watch it grow between them. I enjoyed watching the den grow weary of Aspen to love him.

[llamallamacallurmama]

**Most of my reviews contain detailed Content Warning/Trigger Warning (CW/TW) sections, which may include spoilers. I have tried to mark them appropriately, but please use caution.**

Audio (Tony Cross) DNF at 70%

Summary: After car troubles strands him near a cult-like shifter complex with a tyrannical leader, bear shifter Aspen finds his fated mate Lucien in dire straits.

Stats: CR/PNR omegaverse/bear shifter, M/M, stand alone, limited open door.

Notes: Flat characters, little reason to believe in the love part beyond the fated mating, mpreg isn’t for me. Narration style was a little melodramatic/theatrically saccharine.

Incomplete, but still spoilery, Content Notes Casually gay parents, violence, cult-like community with a violent, tyrannical leader, death of parent, forced mating (brief mention), mate bonding/gated mates, mmc is kicked/beaten/clawed, hunger/deprivation, mentions of religion (“goddess”), cremation, anal sex, hunting, illness/injury, pregnancy (mpreg)

[Stephanie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

One refreshing and solidly good, bear shifter series.
This book provided us with a well developed characterization of the bear shifter community.
Alpha shifter Aspen, is looking forward to his new life with humans, but fate had other ideas. Starting with the breaking down of his truck.
Omega shifter Lucian isn't happy with the circumstances of his current den, Bruin Ridge. The leadership is dangerous and unforgiving.

When Lucian is caught, the den alpha, viciously attacked him. As Aspen seeks help, he discovers the omega being beaten is his mate.
Aspen immediately goes to the aid of his mate - gaining his fate and a den-all at once. Changing ingrained ways and minds won't be easy, but what a ride to get there. All it takes are Aspen and Lucian, working together as a united front.
As always, enjoy the new additions and supporting characters.

**I received this ARC for my honest feedback.**

[LJ Henley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stranded on a country road..

When his truck breaks down beside a bear pack, Aspen doesn't want to go ask for help. His bear tells him that the place is bad and stay away. But not wanting to walk 20 miles to the nearest town, he approaches the main gate and is reluctantly admitted. Lucian wants out of his pack. The alpha and betas running it are mean and cruel. Realizing his mate is nearby, Lucian tries to sneak to him, but gets caught by Brett, the pack alpha. Aspen hears a cry and realizes quickly that it's his mate and kills the alpha.

The pack has been oppressed by previous alphas and Aspen and Lucian have their work cut out to bring the pack to being a healthy and happy place, in spite of someone in the pack doing all he can to kill the new alpha and his mate.

I was looking forward to reading this series and had a perfect opportunity to read it today! Now off to the next book in the series!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous and sexy, can't get enough of this, looking forward to what comes next in this series


An Alpha Bear for Lucian is first book in the anticipated Bruin Ridge Bear-ginning series, a sweet with knotty heat M/M Mpreg Shifter Romance by the popular writing team of Colbie Dunbar and Lorelei M. Hart. It features an alpha bear thrown into a role he is woefully unprepared for, an omega whose plans for the future very much did not include being his den’s Alpha Omega, a pack on the verge of collapse, the challenge that changes everything, true love, fated mates, and of course an adorable baby. If you love your shifters hawt, your omegas strong, and your mpreg with heart, download your copy of An Alpha Bear for Lucian today.

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

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aspen life will change forever when his truck breaks down and he encounters his mate.
Alpha bear shifter Aspen is heading for a new job in a new city and as a child of two shifters who had left their den he was used to life in the cities among humans. He was making his move a road trip to get there until his truck Gertie breaks down on an isolated stretch of road through the woods. While deciding what to do as he has no bars on his phone he notices that there are marks on the tree indicating there is a Den nearby. After trying to sleep in Gertie he decides to head to the Den and ask for help. He is given a small cottage to spend the night in but when hear a scream of agony he runs off to find the source and his actions will change his life forever.

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

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aspen and Lucien story was interesting, full of action and adrenaline, and the introduction to a new world that starts to change for the better when Aspen takes charge.
The characters dynamics was executed beautifully and it shows the way they developed during the adventure, the way greed and hunger for power could poison ones mind and actions.
I loved how their relationship blooms and how they learn to trust and support each other while they make a better world after eliminating the rotten ones.
I really liked the world development and their journey to happiness while forming a big family that is based on trust and love.
I loved the story and I'm looking forward to see what happens next.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely fantastic story to start this new series. Aspen is a bear shifter without a den. His fathers decided that they would not live in a den but would live amongst the humans and so he grew up not knowing the politics of what happened within a den. Lucien comes from a den where they are oppressed and the alpha uses violence against them to keep them in line. Aspen truck broke down outside the border of the Bruin Ridge den, the current alpha didn’t know what hit him when Aspen challenged him when he bullied his fated mate. There are emotional and physical changes that happen within this new den Aspen is now the Alpha of his something the Bears would never have dreamed possible.

I was given an advanced copy of this book to read and review with my honest and fair opinion.

[DENICE · Rating 4 out of 5]

ASPEN SAVES LUCIAN AND THE DEN

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Aspen is a bear shifter that has grown up in human society with occasional visits to his grandparents den. He is on his way to a job in the city when his truck breaks down outside of a den that his bear fears. He has to go into the den in order to get ready for his trek into the nearby town to get his truck fixed. I like the way the tyrant bear was eradicated early in the story. I also like the way that his attempt to ruin Lucian failed and how the story progresses and everyone feels and is free of the tyranny from the previous Alpha. Best of all is the fact that there is a pregnancy and baby.

[Booklover Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll get straight to it and say, I loved this book.
I normally read darker stuff, this however was such a contrast.

Aspen is an Alpha Bear shifter living away from a Den, he has a new job on the city and can't wait to get started.

Luvien is an Omega Bear shifter living in a Den he wants to escape from.

When Aspen & Lucian meet, let's just say, my heart turned to goo.
The relationship between these two is so sweet and loving.
There is a darker undertone running through the story, but this doesn't overtake the goodness of the couple.

MPreg Shifter Romance
Great start to a series, look forward to the next installment
5☆

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

[Laora · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5*, because I want to see how the series decvelops further.
This writing combination set this new series of with a bang. Aspen a bear shifter, who was raised outside of a den, finds himself stranded when his longtime car doesn't start. He finds himself near the gate of a bear den and has to spend the night. Things turn nasty pretty fast.
He saves local bear shifter Lucien who turns out to be his fated mate. Read along how Aspen with the help of others turns around the fortunes for the bear den and make them thrive Ofcourse Lucien and Aspen find their hea with sweet cub Oberon as icing on the (pan)cake.
If you like mm shifter mpreg this is your book, I am looking forward to follow the series along and see who Grant finds for a mate in book 2.
I was given arc through Booksprout