So I Claimed a Polar Bear

The Mating Game #3

by Kristen Strassel

I made a massive mistake in the heat of the moment with bear shifter Bjorn. Not only is he my coworker, but I can’t stand the big, gorgeous beast. I haven’t been able to stop thinking of him since that night—okay, since we discovered an ancient mating relic on the last episode of The Mating Game.
After confiding my predicament to host and fairy dragmother Bibi le Bonnet, she convinces me to become a contestant on the show. Problem is, my last job in the public eye crashed and burned—thanks to Bjorn. I expect the paparazzi to have a field day, but they’re not the ones I need to worry about.
My mother sees my latest shot at fame as the perfect vehicle to revive the reality show that canceled us both.
I’ll get three questions.
Can I play by the rules this time? Will I ever be able to look at Bjorn with experiencing white-hot rage? Or thinking about our time together?
Three potential suitors.
When Bibi puts Bjorn on stage with me, I swear I won’t pick him. But I think the bear might actually want me. And worse, I might want him just as much.
And three dates to find my forever.
Bjorn’s a completely different bear when he’s not behind the camera. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure these feelings are for real, even if it puts me at odds with every shifter in Sunset Springs. And Mom will use every cheap reality show trick in the book to keep me away from him. But when the bear delivers a plot twist that none of us saw coming, our lives will never be the same.

430 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2023

About the author

Kristen Strassel is far cooler than she’ll make herself sound in this bio. She enjoys spending time with the voices in her head—nudging the characters toward those bad decisions and a happily ever after. When she’s not writing, she’s often still in the land of make-believe—doing makeup for film and television. And when she’s not doing any of that, she enjoys making her house look like a Pinterest board, watching football, and road trips to the middle of nowhere.

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Reviews

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marissa (h) and polar bear shifter Bjorn (H) work off-camera together on a reality dating show and things get complicated between the two of them after they sleep together. Nin, the host of the show, picks up their emerging relationship and convinces them to be contestants on the show and when Marissa chooses Bjorn to go on a series of dates, things get interesting when Marissa’s mother tries to use her daughter to restart her own career. Marissa had a lot to work through – her relationship with Bjorn, her job, her mother, the truth about her past, and more. Bjorn was super sweet trying to look out for Marissa, helping her navigate her troubles, and looking out for his own family and friends. Bibi was of course completely OTT and it was definitely fun having characters back from other books. Just wish they would have turned Suzanne over to the wolf shifters and let them deal with her.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I Claimed a Polar Bear is the third book in the Mating Game series. Marissa and Bjorn know each other professionally from her mom’s previous show, but now because of the ancient mating relic, they’ve connected in more ways than one - enough to get their own episode. As they get to know each other beyond the screen and glitz of the show, Marissa has to ask herself if what she’s feeling could be a true mating?

Wow, this book was completely full of twists and turns and I honestly enjoyed it from the beginning to end! Marissa and Bjorn had a lot to overcome, not only with their past, but also with their episode and the mating relic and what seems like any and all ways to possibly keep them apart. Marissa seemed to be a bit of a contradiction. She was competent and confident at times, but then other times, she needed her mom (who she knew would only bring extra trouble) or did some selfish actions. I didn’t always know what to think of her. Mostly, I liked her, I just questioned some of her choices. Bjorn was pretty fantastic, as he knew that Marissa was his mate and ultimately wanted to protect and love her. They made a good team together, and I did like their connection and chemistry! The side characters, like Bibi, helped make this book into a success! There’s lots of drama and plot twists that will leave you guessing right until the very end! I liked this book! I look forward to reading more!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the creativity of this author’s series, and the originality of a dating show featuring shifters matching with their mates. It’s a fun shifter story, which has a few plot twists before a HEA. I downgraded one star for two reasons. First, the book is not a 100% standalone, and the author’s Werewolves Mating Game books should be read first to understand the world building. Second, I didn’t find Marissa to be very likeable. Marissa is childish and selfish. I was troubled by Marissa thinking it was ok to “borrow” an amazing relic for her own benefit (including leaving it even temporarily in a random mountain ravine). She put herself before the needs and interests of her community, her employer and others who could have been seriously impacted by her selfish actions. It made it difficult to root for her to get a HEA. Ultimately, the other characters like Bjorn and fairy Drag-mother Bibi, and the plot twists were well-written enough to make the book interesting. I’ll be looking forward to the next story in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Marissa and Bjorn snuck off together after Wendy and Gabe's mating ceremony and did the dirty. It's bad enough that they are coworkers, but Bjorn ruined Marissa's last job and now it seems he is out to ruin this one! She wants to blame it on the shifter artifact currently residing in Bibi's safe, but she isn't even a shifter so it makes no sense. When Bibi offers the two offenders their own episode on the show, Marissa reluctantly agrees and Bjorn jumps at the chance. He knows that Marissa is his mate and just prays she will chose him and give him the chance to prove it to her. But when her mother comes to town and the Hudaknocker disappears, all bets are off. Everyone has secrets and a whole slew of them are about to be exposed!

I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is more drama going on behind the scenes of a reality show than on screen. An unexpected relationship, an unknown history and several more tidbits are revealed, truth or not, in this story. I love seeing Shifters find their mates, in this case two crew members are in the spotlight more then a normal episode would have. Wonderful characters, and Bibi always takes the spotlight, with so much personality. I really enjoy all these books.

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

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marissa hated Bjorn but found herself attracted to him.
Marissa worked on the Mating Games and so did Bjorn who she hated as she blamed him for the collapse of her family's reality show but when they attend the mating of one of the shows couple they argue then find themselves kissing. She blames it on the Hudaknocker an aancient relic to do with mating. She agrees to go on the show then finds Bjorn has also agrred to be on the show.

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

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was ambivalent about Marissa for most of the story, but when one secret after another came to light I can understand most of her actions. Bjorn was a loyal protector and supporter of Marissa despite her mom's actions. Suzanne was a selfish lethal bomb going off in all directions looking for the worst in everyone and everything to make it public and exploit it! There is no excuse for her. Looking forward to Hannah's turn next.

[PenelopeDawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was full of chaos and creative plot twists. I figured out the basics of the big plot twist about halfway in but that didn’t bother me. I wished the characters had more depth. I felt like BiBi was almost a bigger star of this book than both Marissa and Bjorn and I think that’s just because we had so much more inner dialogue from her than we did from our two MCs. All in all, still a fun read.

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

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fun third book in the mating game series and like all true mate stories it sizzle with attraction Bjorn shows so much patience with Marissa as she battles with her mother as she tries to make everything about her as usual. Meanwhile Bibi is her usual full blown self as she sees a opportunity to once again have a successful match. This is the perfect escapist read that allows you to forget about life for a while

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another entertaining addition to the series and I have to say I loved Bjorn ;) He was just so supportive of Marissa, patient and hopeful that she'd give him the right chance to prove he's her fated mate. Marissa, with her mother, well, no wonder she's made so many decisions that didn't initially jive with me ;P Meanwhile, Bibi is still her OTT self and just larger than life. I loved how this fated mates romance unfolded, with all the twists, sizzling chemistry and love :D

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

secrets in family and heritage make a hot matchup a lot more complicated - will they claim each other as mates? will manufactured drama and a complex backstory or several push them apart?

steamy action and drama filled shifter romance that really gets to the heart of personal, family and pack connections and identity

[S.R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so crazy good. These two are full of drama. I cannot believe the mess they make for themselves. It all ends with a happily ever after...but how they get there is a rollercoaster ride. The secondary characters play a big role in it too.

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

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome shifter romance! I enjoyed it very much.. It is steamy, fun, sassy... and full of surprises.. Love Bjorn!.

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

[tburbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great addition to the series. The characters were entertaining while the story line kept me coming back for more. I can't wait to see what Kristen Strassel has in store for us next.

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

[Cali Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An edge of your seat exciting adventure. Sexy, fun and emotionally thrilling journey filled with dangerous and engaging charters, witty banter, heart racing twists, exciting turns and undeniable passion.

[Michell sanders- Limonthas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book series was fun! I love the personality of the characters. In this story, I did not care for Marissa. I wanted so badly to empathize with her but she juts kept making stupid decisions. At some point, she couldn’t blame anyone else for her own decisions. Other than that, fun read.

[angela gunstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I claimed a polar bear

Absolutely loved this book loved the characters and the storyline so it's a well deserved five stars and I would recommend this book to everyone