Review: Sadly, not for me but others may enjoy it.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 11 30, 2013
I absolutely love shapeshifter romances and have read more than a few over the years. The more popular shifter books typically focus on wolves or big cats but bear shifter stories are increasing in popularity, so I was happy to buy Love to Bear. And, the cover is smexy so I was sold.Unfortunately, I was not at all impressed with the story. My feelings for the hero, heroine, and general story flow was neutral around the 50% mark. My expectations for a redeeming ending plummeted as I read further. The story felt contrived. I understand that this is fiction but Sam was agreeable to stay with Don in a hostile shifter commune. She was with her friend Jenn but makes no ruckus about getting word to her that she is alright. Later in the story there is a search for a missing teen but Jenn didn't even report her friend missing when she never came back. She just packs up their campsite and goes home and Sam doesn't connect with her until much later in the story. Jenn only makes a cursory mention of Sam's absence, and spends most of her time making doe-eyes at Don. Again, I understand that this is fiction but Sam's actions and Jenn's reactions just weren't believable.The insertion of the mild-BDSM play was unexpected...and not in a good way. Sam and Don were cruising along and he was being sweet and attention and then WHAM! Don is spanking her and she is getting "wet" because of it. I had to backtrack a few pages because I thought I missed something. Sadly, I did not and that story was completely thrown in. I know that BDSM romances are hot fiction right now but it doesn't need to be included in every story, and this was one of them. It honestly did not add to the story at all. In fact, it made it feel a bit splintered for me.Finally, Sam is pregnant. How does she know? She doesn't take a pregnancy test or mention being late or having any other signs of pregnancy. Yet, she tells Don that she is pregnant. Now, shouldn't he have been the one to tell her? Emmerick could obviously smell her pregnancy so then why couldn't Don? That didn't jibe. And, the thing that totally knocked me off-kilter. Don suggests that they get "lit" knowing that Sam is pregnant. The three of them work their way through two pitchers of Sangria. I know shifter babies are hearty but lordy that just felt irresponsible of mommy and daddy to-be.The ending fell flat for me. Emmerick obviously went through a lot of trouble to keep humans out but I never felt that the "why" question was answered satisfactorily. There was a lot of evidence but the explanation was left wanting.I did not hate the book; I just did not enjoy it over much. However, someone else may not be bothered at all by the elements that troubled me