​​

Method: ebook
Rating: 3/5 stars
H rating: 4/5 - Dax
h rating: 4/5 - Allie
Drama: 3/5
Thoughts: I liked this, will continue!

I got this as one of those Load Your Kindle with All the Romance!! giveaways, and the fact that it didn't get deleted within the first chapter is a point in its favor! Am I into romantasy or shapeshifters or anything supernatural? Nope. Did I utter the words, "if this human woman fucks a bear, I'm out"? YES, YES I DID.

So this chick Allie (cool name btw) owns a bakery and it's a chaos monster because she's dealing with damage from a raccoon invasion and water damage and other chaos, but it's cool cool because this hot ripped dude Dax shows up and he's like I'll fix it all while not wearing a shirt and also I'll pay for all the repairs and also I'd like 1000 bacon cupcakes and oh by the way you're my mate and I have 3 days to find a Forever Mate or I lose the ability to have cubs and have to be Alone Forever. Which sure, except Allie has been burned before by a shitty shapeshifter boyfriend, and it's all Too Fast! And also she's very busy dealing with this crazy* lady who's trying to put Allie out of business by being a general asshole and also trying to seduce Allie's father by being a crazy lady.

There's a lot of gross mentions of mating and needing to have cubs which is weird because it's never clear if Allie is expected to have like ... human babies or shapeshifters or literal bear cubs, and it's all just ick the way Dax's family keeps talking about her as a Cub Receptacle. He transforms into a bear exactly twice, and never during sexy times THANK GOODNESS. The bear is for violence and letting out aggression, apparently! I don't understand.

2.5 stars. It was entertaining, but I won't be continuing the series. Could have used a little bit of editing, but nothing too egregious or anything.

TW: verbal and physical abuse by a former intimate partner, gaslighting, pregnancy

*I don't generally use the word crazy as a descriptor, but I literally can't think of any other way to describe her. She is a mustache-twirling villain, if mustache-villains threw fancy parties, and showed up at people's houses in trenchcoats with nothing on under them, and happened to have a mouse vendor for setting vermin loose in bakeries.

1.5 ⭐️ rounded up. It was very fine. Expected a bit more, but it was a bit dramatic especially towards the end. I felt nothing for the characters lol

"I've never been in love. Not until you."

4.5 stars

This book was exactly the light-hearted and sexy read I needed after my last book. Allie was a great heroine, and even though she was unsure of Dax at first, he was able to seduce her with his protectiveness and his tenacity. I loved how possessive Dax was towards Allie, especially when her shitty ex shows up. Dax wasn't afraid to dominate Allie with his 'caveman' tendencies and definitely knew how to please her in the bedroom (or in the back of his truck).

The only thing that bothered me was how much power and control MB seemed to have over everyone when no one seemed to like her. I didn't understand why everyone listened to her and played her games to the point of allowing her to dictate their lives. Nevertheless, I did enjoy this story and look forward to more from this author

This hooked me from right off the bat, thanks to a very witty female lead and lots of drama.

I loved Allie and while I did predict pretty much how everything would go, I very much enjoyed watching it play out ... and it was SUPER satisfying. The bullying was intense and you'll definitely 'smell a rat' ;) throughout this one.

The bakery setting just adds layers of fun (and sweetness), along with the small business and small town vibes. I absolutely loved Dax, while I loved to hate on the shady, abusive ex.

While Allie's ex is abusive, this book does manage to be more light than dark—the author did a great job of balancing everything out perfectly and producing a light, quick, fun read. Absolutely cannot wait to read on in the series.

This would make an excellent audiobook!

4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

SHORT AND SWEET

This was a great quick read. Loved the alpha bear shifter that’s really a cinnamon roll unless his mate is threatened. Wished we knew more about dad, it it had lots of steam, shifting, action, and the smexy times were great!!