Embrace the Beast

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4.5 Stars<br /><br />Best one yet. And if you don't want to read the first one, again it's not pivotal to the goings on here. BUT I would recommend the second one...not only because it was really good but also those MCs do have more significant roles this time around as Mac &amp; Charlie's closest friends.<br /><br />Once again we have a less-than-perfect MC; Mac is a bear-shifter...and he embodies everything that is bear. Not so much the leather daddy aspect, but definitely the animal. Oh, and he's another MC that is overweight - and wears glasses because bears have shit sight! - and pursued by a younger, slinky, sexy otter-shifter. <b>Totes Adorbz.</b> (And honestly, Charlie's personality also perfectly embodies that animal's behavior. Playful &amp; fun, a bit possessive but totally free of inhibitions.)<br /><br />I think I'd have rated this the full 5 stars if it weren't for how Charlie's family situation didn't feel fully explained. I was left with unanswered questions about what happened to Denny - much like Charlie I guess. Also, I felt like there needed to be just <i>a little bit</i> more on Mac's struggle with <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="acd7214f-cf83-48c4-9328-ec99968a0ee3" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="acd7214f-cf83-48c4-9328-ec99968a0ee3">alcoholism. How did it manifest? How &amp; when did he get sober? I like that he had his own way of dealing with the cravings - not everyone is cut out for a 12-step program or the like - and that it didn't define who he was (well, except that he chose to be a brewer to prove he's stronger than his addiction)...but it <b>IS</b> a significant struggle (as seen by what he does to the brewery) and an important aspect of the character. Plus, there was a mention of wanting to <i>feel</i> something, so he broke all that glass to hurt himself; that deserved some more explanation and exposition as well</label>. <br /><br />Also, that epilogue. OMG I loved it. LOVED it. I think it would creep me out a little to have <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="5379159b-06e1-4a71-aece-2839cdb01afc" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="5379159b-06e1-4a71-aece-2839cdb01afc">a loved one's ashes on my clothes</label> but, like Real Nate said, it was fitting that Denny still be a part of Charlie's Big Day.<br /><br />Another great freebie from the 'Zon. I'm on a roll here. Which is worrisome because that trend tends to come to a screeching halt with a Seriously Bad Book. Luckily it was NOT this one.<br /><br />I hope that Real Nate has his own installment, eventually; as he's Coast Guard it probably wouldn't be set in Grizzly Rim (unless he retires) but I'd totally read it wherever it's set. Because Seal Shifter. *nods* Also, I think there may be more to Denny's story that only Real Nate can reveal...

This is my favorite of the series so far, I loved it. The MC's had the best friends-to-lovers thing going on. Their first time together was hawt with an "aw" and solidified these two as my favorite in this series.

He’s otter shifter that folks say is the best river guide in the region with an uncanny knack for finding the hottest fishing spots. Everything will be okay as long as nobody – especially Mac – finds out that Nate Landry used to be Charlie Beauchamp, a covert-ops rescue swimmer who failed to save the one person he loved most. McKinley Greer is a bear shifter and nobody knows why he brews beer but doesn’t drink a drop of it or why the vids he watches at night feature guys who look a helluva lot like his best friend. <br /><br />The third book in the ‘Grizzly Rim’ series is an emotional but sweet romance full of passion. The two heroes in this book have some issues that keeps them from moving from best friends to more but as the emotions flow, secrets are revealed, the closer to Mac and Charlie find themselves and soon the passion and chemistry is hard to deny. <br /><br />The plot is fast paced and full of suspense as twists and turns have the two heroes revealing parts of themselves they would have preferred to remain hidden and forcing them to deal with those issues and move forward and readers can’t help but become caught up in all the emotions that flows from the pages of this captivating romance.<br />

Well done. Really. Well done.<br /><br />There is no hotter pairing than a bear and otter (writes one ginger otter in his Goodreads review...), whether they’re shifters or not.<br /><br />It’s like this book was written just for me. Imagine my pleasant surprise when I quickly realized that Mia West (this one’s my first) is a very good writer. Dare I say, even literary? I’ve gotten too used to slashfic novels reading like the work of horny high-schoolers turning in their sexual fantasies for English class creative writing projects.<br /><br />Not a single cringe-worthy line in this one, unless it’s meant as adorable banter. Here’s my favorite:<br /><br />“I have old-growth wood for you.”<br />Mac snorted. “Nerd.”<br />“Serious. I’m loaded for bear.”<br />“Stop.”<br />“Just though you otter know.”<br />“You want to make out or not?”<br /><br />(Yes I have a mushy gooey soft cheesy center)<br /><br />This is a really sweet and satisfying friends to lovers story. The fact that they’re shifters seems more metaphor than reality, it’s that secondary (and again, literary.) The high drama of “secrets” promised by the abstract is also a bit misleading; who cares when all you need is the slow burn romance of Mac and Charlie discovering each other? It’s enough, more than enough. The heat is hot, but sweet and tender too. <br /><br />When browsing West’s entire catalog, this was the only one that spoke to me. But now? I’ll have to read more.<br /><br />It is not without some trepidation that I give this 5 stars. That’s some serious high praise. But it deserves it. My heart feels full. <br /><br />It’s really, really well done.<br />

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This was a quaint novella that is easy to read and passes the time without being anything overly special or memorable. Could have been four stars if not for the drama towards the end that felt unecessarily fabricated for the sake of drama rather than an actual conflict that needs to be resolved.

I love this series! (Previous reviews <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://openskyebookreviews.com/surrender-the-chase-grizzly-rim-book-2-by-mia-west/">http://openskyebookreviews.com/surren...</a>)<br /><br />This is definitely a series to read in order, though you probably won’t be lost if you start anywhere.<br /><br />We’ve already met Nate and Mac and wondered at the connection between the two. Well, this shows us their back stories and their present.<br /><br />Mac is a bear shifter – grumbly, solitary, fiercely independent and hiding something. Nate is an otter shifter – social, touchy-feely, fun loving and hiding something. When Nate’s friend returns to Grizzly Rim with disturbing news, Nate’s story tumbles out and Mac is there to help him in a time of need.<br /><br />The two explore another side of their relationship but without being completely honest the two won’t stand a chance.<br /><br />**<br /><br />One of the things I love about this series is that it’s sensual without being all about the sex. The relationship building is the key but we don’t lose any of the erotic nature to the relationship either. <br /><br />Another thing I love about the series is how flawed our characters are. No one is the perfect alpha this or omega that. No body is the “top” to someone else’s “bottom”. Just two partners making a go of it – equals.<br /><br />We also get to see a bit from the previous MCs – so that’s always fun – and see more about the town. But most importantly we get to finally understand what makes Mac and Nate tick and it’s a great story – but the author doesn’t pound away at us with the details – in fact we’re still left with several questions – but we know enough to understand and the rest we must fill in for ourselves. I love that. It gives room for interpretation and trusts that we can do that – no need to have it spelled out in block letter.<br /><br />I have really enjoyed each book in this series and think Mia is a fantastic writer. I only wish there were more – NOW! Highly recommended.<br /><br />6 of 5 stars<br />

This is the latest novella in Mia’s Grizzly Rim series. I’ve loved the previous books in this series, but you can definitely read this one as a standalone if you wish.<br /><br />Otter shifter Nate Landry might have come to Alaska under not-the-best circumstances, but he’s made himself a home amongst the other shifters in Grizzly Rim. Except none of them know he’s using a borrowed name, not even his best friend Mac. Mac’s got his own secrets that keep him from getting too close to anyone, but when he finds out that Nate’s real name is Charlie, and the circumstances surrounding his flight to Alaska, he can’t help but be drawn even closer to the man.<br /><br />One of the things I love about Mia’s Grizzly Rim series is that although the books are novella-sized, they are complete and whole stories that balance their paranormal and romantic elements very well. If you’re looking for a very well done paranormal snack, I highly recommend these books!

This is the third book in Mia West's Grizzly Rim series and to be honest, I think it's best read after you've read the second in the series. You can get away without reading book 1 but for maximum enjoyment I'd read book 2 first.<br />Anyway... <br />This book finally gives us the story of Nate and Mac, two characters I'd already grown to know and love from the previous books but who happened to still be full of surprises. Nate, aka Charlie, has been hiding his identity which is now revealed to everyone...but it takes a while for Mac's secret to be revealed. This book is all about the relationship, about building back the trust and realising that no matter what, someone has your back.<br />It also introduces us to the Rogue Rescue team...which just so happens to give us a spin off series so the stories don't end here! I'd definitely recommend reading this book and I can't wait to dig in to the first Rogue Rescue book that follows the story of the real Nate Landry!