The stand alone first title in a brand-new shifter trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Vivian Arend.Get mated—or else!When their meddling, match-making family patriarch lays down the law, Giles Borealis’ three polar bear shifter grandsons agree to follow his edict. Only James, Alex and Cooper each have a vastly different plan in mind to deal with their impending mating fevers. Will any … their impending mating fevers. Will any of them be able to fight fate?
Spoiler: not likely!
First up: James, the youngest of the brothers….
He’s going to accept his fate—but only with the woman he chooses!
Youngest brother James Borealis figures if he has to get mated, it should be with someone he already knows and cares about—his best friend Kaylee. But when the mating fever hits, she’s still stuck in friendshipland while he’s ready to move all the way to true love and forever.
Kaylee has heard about polar bear mating fever, but while James has held the starring role in her fantasies for a long time, she’s not about to leap into a permanent relationship that’s all wrong for him. He’s the PR powerhouse for Borealis Gems while she’s a quiet bobcat shifter with massive family baggage. He loves the spotlight; she wants to hide in quiet corners.
But mating fever knows best, and when the storm settles, there’s no use in arguing with a polar bear’s choice.
Borealis Bears series:
Book 1 – The Bear’s Chosen Mate
Book 2 – The Bear’s Fated Mate
Book 3 – The Bear’s Forever Mate
more
I’m always keen to read anything by Vivian Arend, so a brand-new shifter series was definitely well received. The Bear’s Chosen Mate is the first book of a trilogy about the Borealis brothers who have been presented with an ultimatum by their cagey, adorable and meddling grandfather, as it seems that Giles is anxious for some great-grandbabies!
While the storyline about interfering families and forcing one’s hand to ensure mating and the continuation of the species isn’t exactly new; Ms Arend puts a nice twist on the plot with the introduction of a mysterious “Mating Fever” that’s exclusive to bears. This is also a friends to lovers story and highlights the insecurities inflicted by careless parenting and the effect it has on a beautiful and caring soul.
With some mystery and intrigue thrown in around the family business, Borealis Gems and their fierce competitor Midnight Inc. and an unusual delivery to Kaylee’s parent’s house; The Bear’s Chosen Mate is definitely and exciting platform to the next in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed Jason and Kaylee’s story, as they are just the perfect couple, but you have to love a sexy and hilarious ending too, and this one leaves me anxious to see what happens next. Watch out Alex, the “Mating Fever” is coming for you!
***4 Stars***
After I read the blurb, I basically made grabby hands at this baby ~ okay, I would have anyways considering who the author is, but still ~ because it sounded like it was going to be a whole lot of fun and it was! It was a fun, quick, low on drama but hella smexy read filled with characters I want more of.
I really liked James and Kaylee and their journey from friends to mates was a lot of fun to experience, especially when it came to all that goes on during the mating fever *fans face and grins*. Their friendship was solid, but I loved watching as they both FINALLY dove into something deeper and showed just how well they truly knew who the other was and how open and honest they were about their insecurities, wants and desires.
This was an easy, very character driven read that I absolutely enjoyed. While the romance side was easy, the world is complex and vibrant when it comes to the unique characters that inhabit it. Grandpa Giles is a character and I loved seeing how similar and yet not Alex, Cooper and James were ~ considering they are polar bears. And then there are Lara and Amber, who couldn’t be more different and yet find common ground. So, I’m definitely looking forward to getting my hands on the next two books and getting to spend a lot more time with all of them!
~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
A lovely and enjoyable read about three shifter brothers, whose grandfather decides to meddle in their lives by forcing them to seek mates.
Though this plot has been done before, this differs in that these men are polar bears and go into mating fever once a year which makes their grandfathers timeline a bit difficult.
James and Kaylee have been best friends for years but have never moved forward from that position even though both have feelings of wanting more.
James decides Kaylee will be his mate instead of fate deciding.
Kaylee believes she is not good enough for James and would not be able to support him as the public face of Borealis Gems.
But when the mating fever, a storm and a lightning strike combine, decisions must be made as to what will happen between them.
Really enjoyed the internal dialogues, found them both humorous and snarky, between James and his bear and Kaylee and her mountain lion.
A thoroughly enjoyable read with characters you feel invested in and barrack for.
The next book with Alex and Lara has already grabbed my interest. Then we will have Cooper and his HEA.
This is my honest review of this book.
Oh, how I love bears! Big, grumpy, clumsy, single-minded, bears.
Faced with an ultimatum, youngest Borealis brother James, knows who he wants in his life. His best friend, and bobcat shifter, Kaylee, has had him lusting after her forever. But things don’t go smoothly, and while James is all in, Kaylee and her kitty need some convincing. There is no question of the heat of the attraction between them, and their emotions are fully involved, but getting fate on their side isn’t easy
Sexy and funny, and setting us up with a wonderful cast of characters, this was an awesome read!