2017 reading challenge: a book that takes place at a holiday other than Christmas

Bear Naked for Valentine's by Edith Hawkes

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This came to me as a free kindle book that was available at Valentines Day. I needed a book for a reading challenge that was "a book that takes place at a Holiday other than Christmas" and there you go.

Well... it was short. And given that I went in, fully expecting it to be rather.. um... given the cliche of the title, it wasn't as bad as I expected. Though I probably should have done a little research to see if this might be in a series (which it is), as it was clear that there is a whole world that I've just been dumped into with no introduction that can only be in previous stories.

I used to love paranormal/shifting romance. Back in my early 20's I totally devoured the books I found in the genre. This book hit all the tropes for the genre... sexy guy who is a shifter of some flavor (in this case a bear - no surprise again due to the title of the book), instant and explainable soul wrenching connection when first laying eyes on the woman, overwhelming protective need to the point of risking exposure to normal humans, independent woman forgiving the over-protectiveness and falling hopelessly for him as well, some kind of mind-blowing sex, and "it all works out in the end and they all live happily ever after" ending.

I will say that I expected a lot of over-written purple prose for the sex scene (of which there is only one) but it wasn't. I wasn't completely moved by it, but I have certainly read way worse.

I don't think I will be looking for more of this series, but based on this one book, I wouldn't tell people to not read it, if it is a genre they enjoy.

I'd give it a 2.5 if I were able to do 1/2 stars.



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