Hi, I’m Lola! I’m a book lover with a *slight* romance obsession. My books are all steamy romantic fantasy or paranormal romance, and there is always a happily ever after.
Stop by my Facebook group, Lola's Book Lovers, for updates, giveaways and other fun!
“You’re my mate, Wren. You know that means you’re it for me. I haven’t been with anyone else since we started sleeping together. I left because I knew I wouldn’t be able to walk away if I stayed any longer. If I’d known you weren’t on birth control, I wouldn’t have gone anywhere.�
nothing more romantic than your man saying if you hadn't gotten pregnant and had my kid, i would have stayed away even though you are my mate 👹
Así que, básicamente, te amo y fui miserable cada minuto en el que no estuvimos juntos, pero si no hubieras tenido un bebé mio no hubiera vuelto. ¡Que copado! ¡Este si que es el último romántico!
A ver, no es una historia lo suficientemente larga como para realmente hacer una reseña muy larga, o analizar mucho, el problema no fue la escritura (esta autora me encanta) sino las bases mismas de la historia. El chabon la dejo sin decir nada, se fue años y volvió solo porque se entero que tenían un hijo, perdón pero esta muy lejos de parecerme romántico.
3.5 stars. Very fast novella, a palette cleanser after a DNF. Nothing groundbreaking happened, but it was enjoyable and met all expectations. However, I wish bear shifters were more popular in shifter romances because bear>wolf any day.
Si el primer libro ya era una locura, Bearly Taken logra ser aún peor. La trama sigue siendo igual de superficial y sin sentido, con personajes inmaduros que toman decisiones ridículas a cada paso. No hay profundidad en la historia ni en el desarrollo de los personajes; todo se siente apresurado y mal estructurado.
Los diálogos son forzados, las situaciones carecen de lógica, y el romance (si es que se le puede llamar así) parece más un cúmulo de eventos aleatorios que una relación real. Siento que la autora intentó hacer algo entretenido, pero terminó creando un desastre que ni siquiera es lo suficientemente divertido como para disfrutarlo irónicamente.
Definitivamente, este libro no mejora nada respecto al primero. Si lo leí fue por pura curiosidad, pero la verdad es que no vale la pena.
Lola is back with the second book in the Cub Lake Shifters series. Barely Taken is Wren's and Reed's second chance story.
This book was short and sweet. I liked both Wren and Reed, and they're really good together. There's one trait that all bear shifters seem to have, they're stubborn. I loved that Reed was so determined to work everything and that Wren let him. In the past, they made some poor choices, and they owned them, but it led them here. There was open communication and both acted like adults, so there was no real angst. But there were a couple of surprises that I really enjoyed.
Bearly Taken was a quick romance, just enough to brighten the day. I'm really enjoying this series, I hope Lola has plans for more.
I really enjoyed this quick and easy read where get to see what happens when Reed finally finds out he is a dad and returns for Wren. Was funny, cute and had me laughing through most of it.
Lola Glass delivers a steamy, emotional ride with Bearly Taken, the second installment in the Cub Lake Shifters series. This novella dives straight into a whirlwind of love, regret, and second chances, giving readers a delicious mix of tension and romance with a dash of adorable family dynamics.
The story begins with a morally messy secret: the heroine had a baby with her bear shifter mate but didn’t tell him. Right from the start, this setup hooked me—it’s packed with emotional stakes and the promise of some serious drama. Glass skillfully balances the tension, ensuring you’re on the edge of your seat while rooting for the heroine’s difficult choices.
The hero, returning to town after leaving without a word, brings with him a compelling blend of guilt, determination, and undeniable charm. His discovery of their son shifts the dynamic in unexpected and heartwarming ways. Watching him step into fatherhood, while trying to win back the love he lost, makes his redemption arc deeply satisfying.
Their chemistry is undeniable, rekindling the sparks of their past while navigating the scars of heartbreak. The heroine’s internal conflict—torn between guarding her heart and embracing the family she’s always dreamed of—feels authentic and relatable. I appreciated how her strength and vulnerability were portrayed, especially as she faced the emotions stirred by his return.
The addition of their son adds a layer of warmth and charm to the story. His presence not only softens the hero but also serves as a reminder of what’s at stake. The interactions between father and son are sweet and genuine, adding to the novella’s emotional depth.
Bearly Taken is a perfect bite-sized read for fans of shifter romances. Glass excels at weaving a tale that’s both steamy and heartfelt, delivering a story that celebrates love, forgiveness, and the complexities of second chances. If you enjoy fast-paced, feel-good romances with a touch of paranormal intrigue, this novella is a must-read.
I can’t wait to see what’s next in the Cub Lake Shifters series—Glass has a knack for creating shifter stories that leave you smiling long after the last page.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you're looking for something short and sweet to cleanse your palette after reading a darker genre or just want a quick read with all the feels, this is the story for you. This bear shifter romantic novella is Happily Ever After Guaranteed!
What I love most about this second-chance romance is how both Wren (our female lead) and Reed (our male lead) take accountability for the situation they are in. I've read a lot of similar stories in which only one person is blamed, and no accountability is made by the other party, so it was refreshing to see such acknowledgment.
The commitment and determination Reed showed, after pulling himself together, were lovely. He was a little dramatic sometimes, but those scenes were entertaining. Wren's growth over her fears was beautiful and done in such a timely manner that it didn't feel rushed. Parker was the most adorable baby, and his part in this story didn't feel like canon fodder for Wren and Reeds' relationship, which I appreciate.
My favorite quotes:
"She was the love of my life—and I was going to make myself the love of hers, if it killed me."
"He would push my personal boundaries as much as he could without crossing a line, but he respected them when it came to my son. And I appreciated that, tremendously."
"The choices I’d made were mine as much as the choices he’d made were his."
A bear shifter, a secret baby, and a second-chance romance? I was so ready for this one to knock my socks off. But� it didn’t quite live up to the hype I had in my head.
The story had a solid setup—a single mom keeping her shifter baby under wraps until her ex strolls back into town, determined to claim his place in both their lives. I loved the potential for emotional drama and swoony moments, but what threw me off was the sheer number of errors in the book. Wrong names, spelling issues, and grammar mistakes—yikes! It felt like I was tripping over typos instead of falling for the romance.
Now, about the spice. I’m a self-admitted spice fiend, so maybe I’m a little hard to please, but this one barely registered on my heat radar. Don’t get me wrong, the chemistry was there, but it didn’t sizzle the way I hoped it would.
Overall, it wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t hit the bar I had after the first book. If you’re looking for a quick, light read with a shifter twist, it might work for you—but personally, I was left a bit disappointed. Here’s hoping the next one packs a punch!
A wonderfully cute second-chance bear shifter romance
This is another great quick-read romance by Lola Glass; with great chemistry between the characters, humor, love 💖, steam and possessive males. Set in a different part of the same world as the "Deceit & Devotion", "Wildwood" and "Mate Mountain" books.
In this we see Wren being reunited with Reed. After 'claiming' her with his mark he'd left her two years before, but when he hears from his friend Hudson (Bearly Mated) that she has his cub he returns to prove to her that she and the cub are his; and he knows he'll have to work hard to prove it to her.
Wren had felt Reed should have realised he would become a father after leaving his mark on her. But he'd disappeared the morning after leaving just a note to lock up. She hadn't wanted to lose any time with her son so had refused help from the bear clan, but then Reed comes back wanting to prove he's not leaving again. Can she trust him enough to let him into their lives and accept his help?.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Genre & Tropes : Paranormal romance x shapeshifters x bear x second chance x secret pregnancy x very short novella
Une petite romance sympa mais sans plus
C'était globalement une lecture agréable mais j'aurais voulu un livre entier avec beaucoup plus d'angst et j'aurais aimé que Wren reste plus longtemps sur ses positions avant de pardonner à Reed (dont la logique était plus que douteuse ...)
Bref, une romance sympa pour se distraire mais pas inoubliable !
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A nice little romance but nothing more
It was overall a pleasant read but I would have liked a whole book with a lot more angst and I would have liked Wren to stick to her guns longer before forgiving Reed (whose logic was more than questionable ...)
In short, a nice romance to have a light read but not unforgettable !
**Bearly Taken** had a great premise—bear shifters, secret babies, and second-chance romance—but it didn’t quite live up to the hype. Wren, a single mom, is forced to confront her ex, Reed, when he returns to claim his place in her and their child’s life. While the emotional drama was promising, the book was weighed down by editing issues, including typos and grammar mistakes, which made it hard to fully enjoy.
The chemistry between Wren and Reed was there, but the spice barely registered. I was hoping for more intensity and heat. I did appreciate that Wren didn’t forgive Reed immediately, adding depth to their relationship. However, many key moments with their child, Parker, were told instead of shown, which made them feel less impactful.
Overall, it wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t live up to expectations. If you’re after a quick shifter read, it might work, but it left me hoping for more in the next book.
Part of the Cub Lake Shifters series get comfortable you are going to be a moment trust me grabs a hold and don’t let you go until the last page has been turned 😊. Wren and Reed met and mated then of course he left her with his cub to raise like most bear shifters, but it also left a bad taste for her. Fast forward he runs into his friend who informs him that she had his cub of course he didn’t really think it was possible, but he heads back for his girl and cub, but he didn’t imagine her wanting nothing to do with him. Reed is no stranger to hard work wiling to work to prove he is in this and work for a second chance proving she can trust him with her heart and her child but will she give him another chance, will she allow him to be a father, the magnetic pull of the mate bond is there but is it enough, and can they find their second chance at happiness?
I read this series simply because i had really bad insomnia and was bored. Do I regret it .... yes and no. I think the story plot for these two books are great but do i think they are poorly told at the same time yes.
This book particularly just p*ssed me off, like girl yall was f*ck buddies and he dipped one night after yall f**ked when you said you was on birth control and you blaming him saying you should've known :/. Like everyone made me mad making it seem like it's all his fault but like dude really it's not. And she HID her pregnancy and blamed him for not knowing ......
Though to further dapper my mood comes the forgiveness because i will agree with the other reviews and be like if you was so mad to hide this man child for 2-3 years then you shouldn't cave for some d*ck that easily. And i will blame him for basically marrying this girl in bear shifter terms and saying he loves her and misses her so much for those years he was gone just to never reach out because of some hidden "rules".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was exactly what I was hoping we got from book two of this series.
You must read book one to know what's going on in this world because Lola dives right into the heat of it all.
Wren and Reed are so perfect for each other. And the fact that this man just KNOWS what she needs before she can even vocalize it... WHEW! It's romance gold.
This is an adorable and steamy novella perfect for anyone needing a short read to get them that HEA high we all love.
I would love more books in this world (or a world like it)!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He’d found out she’d had his cub and he was back to claim his family but it wouldn’t be easy. After marking her and claiming her, he left!
Reed knew he had a lot of making up to do, she didn’t trust him but he would do everything within his power to win the love of his life back even if it meant shadowing her to keep her safe.
Loving these Bear Shifter novella’s in this series, they are short packed with so much entertainment, love, steam, obsession and possession you won’t want to put them down!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Bearly Taken is a short bear-shifter story. I liked it better than book one. Because of the drama with Reed being the unknowing father to the toddler, there felt like there was more to the story than in book one. I also appreciated that Wren doesn't immediately forgive him. There is some back and forth as Reed acknowledges he broke her trust.
I was a little disappointed that a lot of the scenes with Parker were told instead of shown. What I mean by that is it wasn't written dialogue and action, it was Wren telling us what had happened. It made the touching scenes less dynamic and present.
Bearly Taken is the second sweet and spicy romance of the Cub Lake Shifters and the women who light up their bears. This is Wren and Reed’s story and a delightful one it is! They have a past history together which becomes a catalyst in the present when Reed finds out the son Wren has is his. I enjoyed the lovely writing, and world building surrounding bear shifter culture that made this short read an entertaining one as this couple find their way back to each other with communication being one of the keys they needed to work on!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cat’s Stats MMC/FMC- Reed and Wren Genre- Paranormal Romance Sub Genre- Shifters (Bear) Length- novella Heat- they do the thing and he’s very enthusiastic about visiting Australia. Series? Y Safety? Y Triggers- N Tropes- Second Chance, Fated Mates, Secret Baby, Adorable Moppet, Claiming Mark, Forced Proximity, Bakery-Bookstore-or-Inn. Mewsings This book was so cute and so fun! I thought Reed’s patience was the second most appealing thing about him (after the way he looks in athletic clothing). And I liked that Wren was fair-minded enough to admit that they had both made mistakes.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a super cute, quick read. I loved Wren when we got little glimpses of her in Bearly Mated. So seeing her star in her own story was nice. I really like how Reed knew her so well and I also kind of hated that he left her alone for so long. I know that had a lot to do with how they were raised and what they were expected to act like. So, it is what it is. I wish we could've seen a little more of Wren and Reed together but I'm glad they got their HEA. It was also nice to see a little glimpse of how Callie & Hudson were doing as well. If you like shifter romances definitely check this one out.
This was such a cute sweet 2nd chance romance. Reed was the sweetest and I enjoyed watching how he knew Wren so well he could put her at ease when she worried. I loved Wren's independence and Parker was so adorable it made my teeth hurt. It was a quick easy read that hit all the right spots. I love the continuous of this series. I always love book series where we get to read a HEA from other characters. I also loved how this book summed up everybody and how everyone is still living their best life.
Another great short story set in Cub Lake. When the father of Wren's 2 year old reappears, she is determined to not fall for him again fearing he will walk out on her again. Reed will do anything to prove to Wren that he is staying, As they dance around each other it becomes harder to avoid what will be the inevitable. Heartwarming and funny, this hot and steamy story is a lovely addition to this series which I am enjoying immensely. Highly recommended and I would give it more than five stars if I could.