Holy Smokes. Go read this book!!

If you love a gruff sexy shifter and a smart protective heroine then this is your jam.

I have to point out again how smart the heroine. There is a scene where she realizes as a human she is no help and stays in the truck where it’s safe researching first aid so that she can try to help when the time comes. This sounds so trivial but how many times have we yelled at a character for running head first into danger and making everything worse?!

I adored this book and went on to binge the next three. I cant recommended this enough!

Bound by Shadows (Grizzlies Gone Wild #1). By Kathy Lyons. 2020. Forever (ARC eBook).

Becca Weitz’s teenage nephew Theo has gone missing. But the man who shows up at her door to reassure her that Theo will be ok only adds more worry. Who is Carl Carman and why does he know Theo has vanished along with other teens?

Explaining shifters to normal humans is never easy, but Carl and the bear inside him, wishes the cute little baker wasn’t looking at him like he’s a nutjob. As the Max of his clan, he must find and protect the young, burgeoning shifters who have been abducted. But instinctively his bear wants Becca as his mate, and so he brings her as fully into his, and now her nephew’s world, as much as he can. But will she accept both the man and bear?

This is the first paranormal romance I’ve read by this author, who is also historical romance author Jade Lee. I think the introduction into the mechanics of this world was interesting but not unique. It’s clear that the alpha heroes and heroines will be struggling with their human and shifter components throughout the series. While Carl was afraid that introducing Becca to his world would endanger her and that as a full human she may be too fragile to handle his bear; there is also Mark, Carl’s best friend who is edging towards going feral; and Alan, Carl’s fully human brother who is afraid of losing respect when Carl demotes him from being his beta. Overall, Bound by Shadows by no means blew me away, but I am interested enough to continue reading on.

I'm new to paranormal romance, and I haven't read a shifter romance before! I felt like Bound by Shadows was a fun introduction to shifter romances! I don't know if I was necessarily in the mood for shifter romance when I read it, but the plot and characters kept me engaged. I will say, seeing Kathy Lyons in a virtual book event made me want to try her books even more, she is a delight! Looking forward to reading more from her in the future!

Becca is just about handling running her bakery and raising her teenage nephew. However, when her nephew goes missing her world turns upside down, could it be possible that bear shifters exist and that her nephew is one of them? But, bear shifter or not, he has disappeared and she needs the help of the Carl, the big and gorgeous clan leader of the bears to find him.

If a book has bear shifters in it, than I want to at least give it a try. I don’t know what it is about bear shifters that appeal to me more than wolves or cats, maybe because I imagine them as big fuzzy cuddly teddy bears who will rip off the heads of my enemies when needed. Who doesn’t love that? So, I was pretty excited to start Bound by Shadows; however, I realised halfway through was a rerelease of The Bear Who Loved Me, which I had read before.

Much like the first time I read this book, I liked the idea of it, but I very quickly lost interest in the book. Although it’s only short, there just doesn’t seem to be enough going on to sustain the number of pages. A lot of the time seems to be spent waiting around with Carl and Becca mooning after one another. However, there was some great banter between them and they definitely had some smoking hot chemistry, yet still, I did find myself bored by about halfway through and skimming the rest of the book.

I haven’t decided if I want to continue this series, I did like some of the characters from the bear clan and would be intrigued to see them get their HEA. But, this book, I guess if I dig right down to it, I found boring.

When Becca becomes guardian of her nephew, little does she know that it might be a lot more then she bargained for? When Theo disappears its a big bear of a man named Carl that sets out to help her find him!


I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

This one was a bit of a let-down for me. I enjoyed it enough, but I kept waiting for that magical <i>more</i> moment to happen to make this book great. I waited until the very end. I love paranormal romance and read a lot of it - and Bear shifters are so incredibly interesting! I've loved them ever since [book:Silver Silence|31867358] by Nalini Singh.

But this book just didn't capture that for me. Although I frequently enjoyed both characters and they each had their funny and feisty moments, it just felt like a bit much was happening in the fun/romance department when her son was kidnapped. Also, Carl and Becca both frequently annoyed me 🙈

In all honestly, this did not hit the mark. It was enjoyable, but this is definitely the "fluffy contemporary" version of PNR. The Bear community was all brute violence and *chest-pounding* and RAWR and VIOLENCE and FEAR ME and it got exhausting, especially with the way the hero kept talking about it. They view humans as lesser, and the whole time I was thinking ???

So I Googled characteristics of bears and got:
- not mean or malicious
- gentle and tolerant
- affectionate, protective, strict, attentive with their young
- playful, social and even altruistic.

Hmm. It felt like Carl was the leader of a violent cult gang, rather than a clan of playful but protective bear shifters. But that's the direction Ms. Lyons chose to go, so I can't fault her for it, it's just not what I was looking for.

4.5 Stars

This book was previously published as The Bear Who Loved Me. Okay before I get into the review let me say that I wasn't thrilled about Carl for a hero's name. I don't know Carl seems more like the villain for me. That is why I shaved a half star off. Although it really should be a full half more like a little slice off. I just cringed every time I mentally said his name.

Becca is your normal every day, run of the mill human who is raising her nephew Theo. The thing they don't know is Theo may be a bear shifter which could lead to some issues. Carl however does know and as Theo gets closer to the shifting age Carl has been watching him. When Theo goes missing on what should be his first shift Carl reassure Becca that he is okay. The only problem is that he has actually been kidnapped and is in trouble.

Becca reacts to learning about humans pretty much the way most humans would act. She thinks they're all crazy and I mean come on! she's also feels a pull towards Carl but since she thinks he's a nut she's not sure what to do. Carl feels the same pull but worries that his clan won't accept a human. He's the clan's Maximus and must do what is right for everyone.

They both struggle and I felt their reactions were genuine. They felt real and not as made up as some characters can seem. All of the characters in this book are great and I certainly plan to check out the other books in the series. One thing I would have liked, even if it had a page or two, was Theo's point of view. We don't get that and I understand why but it would have been nice to get just a little snippet of what he was going through and felt.

Becca is raising her nephew and trying to run her bakery and keep them both afloat. She thought things were normal, until her nephew disappears and everything she thought she knew? It was wrong. Carl is the leader of his clan and is trying to hold things together and keep his people safe while at the same time deal with the enemies that surround them. He has been keeping an eye on Becca's nephew for year to see if he would shift all while trying to keep his distance from the woman who tempts him like no other. But when the danger comes to them directly? He will have to not only embrace his other side but face how much she means to him and what it means to them.

I was sucked into this one from the start! Becca is this strong, snarky, and stand up woman who took on a child that wasn't hers but she loved like he is. I loved how she was willing to do anything to save him, even face the things that she never believed were real. Carl had to step up and become the leader of his clan when he never truly wanted it. He has a strong sense of responsibility to the point of giving up what he hopes and dreams for his own life. But when this man steps up and stands up for not only what is right but what he wants? I loved him! My only drawback? I didn't like how some of the clan were treated. It kinda annoyed me even if I somewhat understand why. This book still left me wanting to read more in this series though and I added them to my TBR pile!

Becca is raising her nephew and owns a bakery. Things are going alright until her nephew, Theo ends up missing. She melts down a little bit not knowing what to do until Carl walks in her bakery.

Carl is a bear shifter and the leader of his bear clan. He's been watching Theo because he knows the boy is a bear shifter from his clan. So he tries to tell Becca about shifters but she isn't having any of it.

Young shifters are going missing and Carl wants to find out what's happening to them. So when he tells Becca what he is and she doesn't believe him, he still wants to help so he believes he has no other choice but to kidnap her and bring her home so he can show her the truth about him and his clan.

The more time Becca and Carl spend together the more they seem to fall for one another. But Carl is the alpha of his clan and Becca is a human and he knows that she would never fully be accepted as the alpha's mate because of that. Plus he's seen how his brother who can't shift has been treated by everyone and doesn't want Becca to be treated badly.

While they are getting to know one another and getting closer, there's also the search on for the missing kids. When Becca finds herself in danger, I could only hold my breath and hope that Carl found her in time.

This book was a mix of fun, danger, sadness and action as well as a really well done romance. I very much enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next one.

Disclosure: I was given a free ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Shiter romance

Becca is a baker, mom, protector, and woman. She has been raising her nephew and knows that despite him being a teenager, he would never make her worry by just disappearing. Becca is going out of her mind when her nephew can't be found, but what makes her even more suspicious is that Carl comes out of the blue to let her know that he's also looking for him. She's somewhat confused but knows that Carl is also someone that her nephew and a few of the other kids in town talk about and respect.

Carl is the alpha to the local bear shifters. While he has some disgruntled members, he also knows that he doesn’t want to rule like his uncle – unyielding and cruel. When a few new bear shifters go missing, he and his team will set out to find out why and where they've been taken.

Becca is not sure why she's so attracted or drawn to Carl and the same goes for Carl. He has never thought he'd find a mate in a human. But when push comes to shove, he'll fight to the death to make sure that Becca is safe. This story has mystery, romance, funny banter, and a slow burn attraction with explosive results.

I can't wait to see what happens next.

Triggers: Kidnapping, torture, murder


Sarah – ☆☆☆
This is the story of an alpha grizzly shifter who falls for a human woman as they search for her missing nephew.

The two main characters are likeable in this story but I didn’t find either terribly engaging or relatable. Carl is a new alpha, gentler and more thoughtful than his pack’s previous leaders. Becca is a human baker brought into Carl’s world through her shifter nephew. For me, Becca is a little too mild, a little too domestic, and a little too accommodating. She’s a bit bland. Similarly, Carl doesn’t ever develop much beyond his identity as alpha shifter trying to keep his pack together.

This story relies heavily on some of the more problematic shifter tropes. Becca is kidnapped by Carl and some of their early interactions involve dubious consent and behaviour from Carl that would be considered gaslighting in most situations. The possessive alpha who can’t behave rationally around his fated mate is an old and very tired storyline and sadly, it is only the first of many tired shifter storylines in this book. The investigation into Theo’s disappearance is the most exciting part of this book but the main focus is on Becca and Carl’s relationship.

Honestly, shifter romances have been done so many times now that anything new needs to not only be very good – it also needs to feel fresh and add something new to the genre. This book pulls together several strands of preexisting shifter lore and only the grizzly thing seems at all fresh. And even then, Nalini Singh was writing brilliant grizzly shifter romances a couple of years ago.

Good

Carl and Becca have a fast paced journey with some big bumps along the way as they search to find their way together.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

First off-great cover! If you love a good shifter romance, look no further. I was impressed by the writing and overall story line in this book. It was fast paced, keeps you hooked, and is full of chemistry between our two leads. While the characters drove you a little crazy at times, they were overall likable. I'm looking forward to picking up more from this author.

Becca is at her wits end, when her teenage nephew that she is caring for up and disappears. Hunky Carl comes to the rescue to not only find her nephew, but the other teenage shifters who have all gone missing.

I really admired Becca's strength not only physically, but mentally throughout this novel. She is tried time and time again, and continues to have things pile up on her. She really is a lot like most grown women, and she really was an amazing character.

This shifter romance is STEAMY and I was living for it! I really enjoyed my time reading this one. I like shifter romances on a whole, but this one in particular was fantastic! The banter between Becca and Carl had me living my best life, and I love this kind of trope in a book.

I would recommend checking out this series. This is a repub, and I LOVE THE COVER CHANGES!!!

I love shifter romances and this was a great start to a series and a fun book to read. I love the characters, they’ve all got quirks and flaws which make them interesting. Lyons also did an amazing job of world building within the story. There’s no straight chapter that explains the way these grizzly shifters work, it’s built in to the story and I can’t express how much I love that. There’s drama and danger, surly teens and surly alphas, and hot sex. I really liked this book.

Becca’s nephew has gone missing. She doesn’t really start to worry until Carl, the grizzly alpha, shows up trying to explain that her nephew, Theo, is about to go through his first change. When Theo doesn’t show up the group discovers a mad scientist out to study shifters.

Becca and Carl were my favorite part of this book. Becca is human, but she’s understanding and smart. I like how she automatically started fitting in. Carl has a bad family history, but he is feeling all the things for Becca, he’s just not sure what to do with those feelings.

I’m really excited to read more books in this series.

BOUND BY SHADOWS, originally published as THE BEAR WHO LOVED ME, is the first book in the “Grizzlies Gone Wild” series by Kathy Lyons. I think the new cover for this book is more fitting and reflects the tone of the story and the atmosphere created by the author. As I read BOUND BY SHADOWS, I could almost feel the damp, and see fog and all the creepy yet natural things associated with being “in the woods”. Kathy Lyons balances attraction and sensuality with feelings of isolation, danger, and longing. Becca’s nephew she practically raised as her own is missing, and she discovers he’s also a grizzly shifter. The search for the missing teen brings Becca into the domain of Gladwin grizzly shifter alpha Carl Carman. Unbeknownst to Becca, Carl has carried a torch for her for quite some time. All these things, and more, make for a complex yet compelling and entertaining story.

Becca first knows Carl as “Mr. Max” – the head of Theo’s summer camp program. When Becca discovers Theo is missing, he’s also about to start shifting into a grizzly bear, and Mr. Max is actually the guy in charge of the grizzly shifters and that he also seems infatuated with her – it’s all a lot to take in at once. BOUND BY SHADOWS is told by alternating perspectives, so the reader gets a sense of Carl’s inner struggle with being a man, a shifter, and an alpha. In his mind, it’s like he has multiple personality disorder. When Becca enters his life and they get to know each other better, she helps him see himself as more of an integrated whole rather than three distinct personalities. Becca is the nurturer he desperately needs in his life right now. For Becca, Carl is the hottie and strong partner she needs in life.

BOUND BY SHADOWS is an atmospheric and erotic with complex characters and a dose of danger to add to the mix. The relationship hinted at between police officer, and bear shifter Tonya, and Carl’s brother Alan is fascinating, and I am very eager to read more about that in a future novel. Tonya is the type of strong, take-no-prisoners female character I love, and Alan is an intriguing character caught between two worlds – shifter and human. I look forward to reading the next “Grizzlies Gone Wild” book.

Bound by Shadows is the first book in Kathy Lyons Grizzlies Gone Wild series. It was previously published as The Bear Who Loved Me. This is a shifter romance filled with suspense, drama, good characters and a happily ever after.

I discovered Kathy Lyons and this series while searching netgalley. The cover drew my attention and once I read the synopsis I was hooked. I love paranormal shifter romances, with lots of non-stop action and great chemistry between the hero and heroine.

Becca Weitz has a simple and mundane life as a single woman running a bakery and raising her teenage nephew. But all that changes when she learns that her nephew has gone missing. It is part of Carl Carman’s job as Maximus of the Gladwin Grizzly Bear Clan to watch over young shifters approaching their first change. It’s also his job to inform Becca that not only has her nephew, Theo, gone missing but that he is also a grizzly shifter. The chemistry between Carl and Becca is instant and intense but can they rely on their feelings and learn to trust each other when everything around them is in chaos? Read to find out!

This is a voluntary review of an advanced readers copy.

I’m going to keep this review short. This was my first book by Kathy Lyons, but it won’t be my last. I was super intrigued by the plot and by this whole community of bear shifters. I enjoyed the story and the characters for the most part. Although Becca had her moments where I wanted to thump her. The attraction between her and Carl was intense and I loved all their steamy scenes together. The next book will be Mark’s book and I’m intrigued to see how they save him.

Thank you NetGalley, Forever Grand Central Publishing and Kathy Lyons for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I’ve only read two series with shapeshifting, but the Shiver series was one of my all-time favorites. I saw this book and figured I was up for the challenge. I’ve been reading almost exclusively light romances as of late so this was pretty left field for me.
Bound By Shadows (The Bear Who Loved Me on Goodreads) is the first book I've seen with bears which instantly caught my eye. I also want to get props for the title change. The first title is a bit cheesy but the new title is perfect!
The plot stayed consistently interesting and I finished this with just two sittings. There is romance of course, but the steam wasn’t anything crazy. The side characters were great and I think a series focusing on the bear clan is a great idea. If you’re looking for something with equal amounts of action and entertainment, this one's for you!

Great book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Carl is an alpha bear shifter. Becca is mom to her nephew and is willing to go to any lengths to protect him. Even jumping in the fray of a grizzly bear and men on motorcycles shooting bullets and darts! Theo has been kidnapped and the race is on to find him alive. Carl's bear knows Becca is his destined mate even though she knows nothing if his world. Can they find Theo, and make a relationship work?

A little bit mystery, a lot of romance. This bear shifter book is a great afternoon read. The story moves along quickly and the characters are likable.
Thank You NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for an honest review!