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Grayslake: More Than Mated Universe #19
Waking the Bear
After suffering the ultimate humiliation at her cousin’s wedding, Audrey Harris leaves her old life behind, and drives until she reaches Grayslake, Georgia. Faced with staying put, or heading north, she decides to stay. Unfortunately, the atmosphere at the B&B where she’s staying isn’t conducive to her plan to give up men, and soon, she ends up at the local bar looking for an ego boost.
Bear shifter, Tad Mitchell, knows first-hand what it feels like to be betrayed by a lover, and he has the physical scars to prove it. Once a romantic, he gave up on women five years ago when his ex-girlfriend threw him away like garbage. When his fated mate walks into his brother’s bar, he easily rebuffs her advances until he’s forced to do the right thing.
Now that Tad has Audrey in his home, he can’t get rid of the sassy, curvy beauty, and the worst part is, he’s not even sure he wants to. No, he definitely wants to, but she’s so stubborn. And sexy. And smart…and he really does need an office manager. When Audrey’s life is on the line, Tad has to decide whether or not to live in the past, or to claim his mate and embrace the future.
Bear shifter, Tad Mitchell, knows first-hand what it feels like to be betrayed by a lover, and he has the physical scars to prove it. Once a romantic, he gave up on women five years ago when his ex-girlfriend threw him away like garbage. When his fated mate walks into his brother’s bar, he easily rebuffs her advances until he’s forced to do the right thing.
Now that Tad has Audrey in his home, he can’t get rid of the sassy, curvy beauty, and the worst part is, he’s not even sure he wants to. No, he definitely wants to, but she’s so stubborn. And sexy. And smart…and he really does need an office manager. When Audrey’s life is on the line, Tad has to decide whether or not to live in the past, or to claim his mate and embrace the future.
74 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2016
234 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Shae
65 books248 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling Author
I write sizzling, sexy, shifter romance featuring women in all their beautiful forms and the alpha men who love them.
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I write sizzling, sexy, shifter romance featuring women in all their beautiful forms and the alpha men who love them.
Word Slayer | Coffee Drinker | Book Lover
Sign up for my Newsletter and stay up to date on all of my book news!
https://subscribepage.io/t6d7oI
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 22, 2019
I do enjoy Ruby Shae’s books and they are a guilty pleasure of mine this one was short, sweet and insta everything.
Tad had believed he would never find his mate especially and thought that he had found a woman he could trust with his heart but she betrayed him in a way he thought would scar his heart forever, so once his mate appears he pushes her away believing that she could never really want him but when they end up working together she surprises him at every turn. Can he really take the chance and show her his scars or should he continue to push her away but when she is in a very real danger he realises that he may have lost the only thing he really wants.
Audrey hurt and betrayed has decided to move and start again somewhere new and needing a morale boost decides to visit a local bar and let loose but when the man she is drawn to pushes her away and then ultimately rescues her from a risky situation she decides Grayslake is somewhere to stay for a while. Can she get past the walls that Tad has erected or is she destined to have her heart broken yet again?
Very enjoyable read and looking forward to more in this series.
Tad had believed he would never find his mate especially and thought that he had found a woman he could trust with his heart but she betrayed him in a way he thought would scar his heart forever, so once his mate appears he pushes her away believing that she could never really want him but when they end up working together she surprises him at every turn. Can he really take the chance and show her his scars or should he continue to push her away but when she is in a very real danger he realises that he may have lost the only thing he really wants.
Audrey hurt and betrayed has decided to move and start again somewhere new and needing a morale boost decides to visit a local bar and let loose but when the man she is drawn to pushes her away and then ultimately rescues her from a risky situation she decides Grayslake is somewhere to stay for a while. Can she get past the walls that Tad has erected or is she destined to have her heart broken yet again?
Very enjoyable read and looking forward to more in this series.
September 5, 2019
Good
This was a classic Ruby Shae story! Tad and Audrey both had extremely bad experiences with exes. Tad’s ex almost killed him and he has sworn off women. When he sees Audrey and realizes she’s his mate he fights tooth and nail against the bond. Audrey is extremely attracted to Tad but he made it clear that he is uninterested so she tries her best to tuck her feelings away and move on. It’s almost impossible when you work and live with the man of your dreams.
Safety and Spoilers
Completely safe. No ow drama, om Audrey meets at a bar and has drinks with causes drama at the end. He is mad she turned him down. Exes are mentioned throughout because they caused extreme damage in different ways to both characters and it’s shaped who they are. H has been celibate for five years h not a virgin and just broke up with her fiancé. No abuse.
This was a classic Ruby Shae story! Tad and Audrey both had extremely bad experiences with exes. Tad’s ex almost killed him and he has sworn off women. When he sees Audrey and realizes she’s his mate he fights tooth and nail against the bond. Audrey is extremely attracted to Tad but he made it clear that he is uninterested so she tries her best to tuck her feelings away and move on. It’s almost impossible when you work and live with the man of your dreams.
Safety and Spoilers
Completely safe. No ow drama, om Audrey meets at a bar and has drinks with causes drama at the end. He is mad she turned him down. Exes are mentioned throughout because they caused extreme damage in different ways to both characters and it’s shaped who they are. H has been celibate for five years h not a virgin and just broke up with her fiancé. No abuse.
February 6, 2017
3.5 stars
November 5, 2019
A short feel good book with enough story, romance and sex.
May 27, 2020
Really liked these characters.
I first read this as part of the Grayslake Mating World Series.
I am rereading this through kindle unlimited as it is now book one of a new series.
Nothing has changed too much except the different Alpha at the end and you can swear a blood oath which I liked better than the original option.
Having read the original series, I knew Tad and what he had gone through, so it is lovely to see Tad get a much need mate.
A great short read that kept me interested until the end. I liked the way the story came together.
Audrey and Tad have both been horribly hurt and even though Tad was a grumpy pants he really was a big idiot once he met his mate Audrey. He knew that mates were different and that Cindy had NOT been his mate.
Audrey was one of the nicest heroines I have read, she was rightfully outraged at what Cindy had done to Tad and her attitude was brilliant.
Laughed at his brother Declan dumping the lemonade over Tads head to get him to strip.
Apart from Tad’s brother Declan and the alpha Zane, we don’t met anyone else so not sure how this will open up to a new series.
Read through Kindle Unlimited.
I first read this as part of the Grayslake Mating World Series.
I am rereading this through kindle unlimited as it is now book one of a new series.
Nothing has changed too much except the different Alpha at the end and you can swear a blood oath which I liked better than the original option.
Having read the original series, I knew Tad and what he had gone through, so it is lovely to see Tad get a much need mate.
A great short read that kept me interested until the end. I liked the way the story came together.
Audrey and Tad have both been horribly hurt and even though Tad was a grumpy pants he really was a big idiot once he met his mate Audrey. He knew that mates were different and that Cindy had NOT been his mate.
Audrey was one of the nicest heroines I have read, she was rightfully outraged at what Cindy had done to Tad and her attitude was brilliant.
Laughed at his brother Declan dumping the lemonade over Tads head to get him to strip.
Apart from Tad’s brother Declan and the alpha Zane, we don’t met anyone else so not sure how this will open up to a new series.
Read through Kindle Unlimited.
August 29, 2023
Great
WOW this is a amazing story! One that you will definitely enjoy. There is so much excitement with these awesome characters, they have such great chemistry. It's funny, thrilling and very passionate with parts that will bring tears to your eyes along with their drama element, but there is a lot of laughter and it's one thing I enjoyed the most! What I enjoyed is the time spent with all of the couples their relationships are so beautiful and enjoyable ⭐I am totally devouring this series when I finished reading the last page, I still wanted more! I was so absorbed into how their relationship are developing, it wasn't a rushed tight story line either. The series just flows so smoothly one book into the next book. There are humorous parts in the story and their attraction towards their mates is off-the-charts! Plus this is an all around one of the best story I have read. I am enjoying their journey. I'm so excited for the next book!😍💑💃Overall this is a five star which l greatly enjoyed and again I'm excited about the next story.
WOW this is a amazing story! One that you will definitely enjoy. There is so much excitement with these awesome characters, they have such great chemistry. It's funny, thrilling and very passionate with parts that will bring tears to your eyes along with their drama element, but there is a lot of laughter and it's one thing I enjoyed the most! What I enjoyed is the time spent with all of the couples their relationships are so beautiful and enjoyable ⭐I am totally devouring this series when I finished reading the last page, I still wanted more! I was so absorbed into how their relationship are developing, it wasn't a rushed tight story line either. The series just flows so smoothly one book into the next book. There are humorous parts in the story and their attraction towards their mates is off-the-charts! Plus this is an all around one of the best story I have read. I am enjoying their journey. I'm so excited for the next book!😍💑💃Overall this is a five star which l greatly enjoyed and again I'm excited about the next story.
February 26, 2023
Generously rounding this up from 2 & 1/2 stars.
This was a frustratingly short 67 pages. This is only a novella, I hate novellas as they are vague and miss a lot of details to make a story better in order to make it short. I didn’t realize it was a novella, or I wouldn’t have gotten it. I definitely won’t be continuing with the series. The writing itself was ok, but the whole thing felt shallow & rushed.
This was a frustratingly short 67 pages. This is only a novella, I hate novellas as they are vague and miss a lot of details to make a story better in order to make it short. I didn’t realize it was a novella, or I wouldn’t have gotten it. I definitely won’t be continuing with the series. The writing itself was ok, but the whole thing felt shallow & rushed.
August 6, 2023
Method: ebook
Rating: 4/5 stars
Hero rating: 4/5 - Tad
Heroine rating: 4/5 - Audrey
Drama: 3/5
Trope(s): paranormal; shifter
Thoughts: Will continue!!
November 22, 2023
Short story
It was a very short story. Her family needs to have their priorities put in correct order what her ex did should never be accepted by her family especially her father. Her father needs his dad card burned. Unreal to take the ex side when he cheated and humiliated his daughter. At least Tad was "forced" to consider the mating. I like Declan!
It was a very short story. Her family needs to have their priorities put in correct order what her ex did should never be accepted by her family especially her father. Her father needs his dad card burned. Unreal to take the ex side when he cheated and humiliated his daughter. At least Tad was "forced" to consider the mating. I like Declan!
March 19, 2025
I need more!
Good storyline and I liked the characters, but everything was so rushed. There was so much potential but it wound up falling short for me. I have so many questions left unanswered. Since it's book 1 maybe there's more to come. I have a hard time accepting that a person would jump so quickly into a mate bond in this scenario but I'm jaded too. Moving on to book 2.
Good storyline and I liked the characters, but everything was so rushed. There was so much potential but it wound up falling short for me. I have so many questions left unanswered. Since it's book 1 maybe there's more to come. I have a hard time accepting that a person would jump so quickly into a mate bond in this scenario but I'm jaded too. Moving on to book 2.
October 27, 2021
Okay
Tad and Audrey make a likeable couple who have endured betrayal from their exes (Tad wins that contest hands down!). However, the storyline is rather average. The heat level is above average, though!
Tad and Audrey make a likeable couple who have endured betrayal from their exes (Tad wins that contest hands down!). However, the storyline is rather average. The heat level is above average, though!
March 15, 2022
i wanted an epilogue
But really I love instalove stories where they actually get to k ow each other beyond just oh the scent yada yada. They were both rebounding but it wasn’t added to the story in a depressing way. The book was fast and fun and the couple adorable
But really I love instalove stories where they actually get to k ow each other beyond just oh the scent yada yada. They were both rebounding but it wasn’t added to the story in a depressing way. The book was fast and fun and the couple adorable
March 29, 2023
okay
This book was just okay for me. I definitely didn’t like it as much as the dragon series. Audrey just didn’t come off real good in the opening scenes and it took a lot for Tad to win me over. Just not one of my favorites but okay for a fast read.
This book was just okay for me. I definitely didn’t like it as much as the dragon series. Audrey just didn’t come off real good in the opening scenes and it took a lot for Tad to win me over. Just not one of my favorites but okay for a fast read.
June 13, 2024
Goldilocks has only one Bear !
Cute, quick bear shifter story where both need help getting over past trauma inflicted by their significant other. Well written, great characters and takes place in Emerald Haven and has ties to other series by Ruby Shae. 4✨’s
Cute, quick bear shifter story where both need help getting over past trauma inflicted by their significant other. Well written, great characters and takes place in Emerald Haven and has ties to other series by Ruby Shae. 4✨’s
January 3, 2020
Waking the bear
Love books that keep you wanting more and this was a very good book kept me wanting more
Thank you
Love books that keep you wanting more and this was a very good book kept me wanting more
Thank you
March 7, 2020
Good book
I enjoyed reading this book it held my attention from begining to the end,if you enjoy a short but good book you should read this book
I enjoyed reading this book it held my attention from begining to the end,if you enjoy a short but good book you should read this book
November 30, 2020
Another great read
Enjoyed reading this book and reading about the characters and their story. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Enjoyed reading this book and reading about the characters and their story. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Want to read
February 28, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/28/2022)! 🎁
March 5, 2022
good read for the start of this series
Nice read and very well written with very good characters and a story that was easy to follow and enjoy.
Nice read and very well written with very good characters and a story that was easy to follow and enjoy.
June 17, 2022
Another great book..
I really enjoyed reading thus book.. I'm glad I found Ruby Shae's books.. Now to find another book of hers to read.
I really enjoyed reading thus book.. I'm glad I found Ruby Shae's books.. Now to find another book of hers to read.
July 14, 2023
Riveting
The Hero is sweet and sexy and the heroine is a strong woman dealing with self doubt. I couldn’t put it down, bring on the next book please!
The Hero is sweet and sexy and the heroine is a strong woman dealing with self doubt. I couldn’t put it down, bring on the next book please!
December 2, 2019
This is an OK shifter romance, but it is just too short to have as much character development as I'd like. It is actually just a short story, as it has under 80 pages.
I got really irritated at Tad, with his determination to blame all women on the betrayal of his ex. Yes, what she did to him was awful -- but that is no excuse to avoid all women, even his mate.
I thought Audrey fell for Tad a little too quickly to believe. She wasn't a shifter, so she wouldn't have felt the mate connection. I also thought her calm acceptance of shifters, when she hadn't previously known they existed, was a bit far-fetched.
There was one other issue, and this is minor, but it is a pet peeve of mine – the cover of a book should match the description of the characters in the book. Evan is described as having dark brown hair. Yet the cover shows a man with blond hair. This may not be the author’s fault, but it still bugs me.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
I got really irritated at Tad, with his determination to blame all women on the betrayal of his ex. Yes, what she did to him was awful -- but that is no excuse to avoid all women, even his mate.
I thought Audrey fell for Tad a little too quickly to believe. She wasn't a shifter, so she wouldn't have felt the mate connection. I also thought her calm acceptance of shifters, when she hadn't previously known they existed, was a bit far-fetched.
There was one other issue, and this is minor, but it is a pet peeve of mine – the cover of a book should match the description of the characters in the book. Evan is described as having dark brown hair. Yet the cover shows a man with blond hair. This may not be the author’s fault, but it still bugs me.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
December 9, 2019
Waking the Bear by Ruby Shae
I really liked this story about two people who have been hurt by ones who loved them. Audrey is looking for a hook up in a bar when she makes a pass at Tad. They begin to work together and fall in love with each other.
I really liked this story about two people who have been hurt by ones who loved them. Audrey is looking for a hook up in a bar when she makes a pass at Tad. They begin to work together and fall in love with each other.
January 21, 2019
3.5
Audrey shows up Grayslake after suffering a major self-confidence blow from her ex. She waltzes into a bar, spots sexy werebear Tad and starts to ask him out. He shoots her down, which doesn't help her self-esteem, so she proceeds to get drunk. Tad of course knows that Audrey is his fated mate but having been ripped apart by love in the past, he's not about to take the risk again, even for his mate. But he still rescues Audrey that night when she's had too much to drink and he still gives her a job and a place to live...with him. And although in his mind, he's determined to stay away from the curvy little human, his heart has other ideas.
This was a pretty cute story. I liked that once Tad makes it clear he's "not interested" Audrey hears and understands. I've read about pushy females that know there's an attraction and don't listen...I hate it when guys do it too. Although it's unfortunate that part of her ability to listen stems from her insecurities. But this also means that this isn't an insta-love story. Tad actually takes the time to get to know Audrey before he realizes he's completely head over heels for her. My only complaint here was that the ending was pretty abrupt and over in a snap. I wanted an epilogue or just a bit more happy times for them before it was over.
Audrey shows up Grayslake after suffering a major self-confidence blow from her ex. She waltzes into a bar, spots sexy werebear Tad and starts to ask him out. He shoots her down, which doesn't help her self-esteem, so she proceeds to get drunk. Tad of course knows that Audrey is his fated mate but having been ripped apart by love in the past, he's not about to take the risk again, even for his mate. But he still rescues Audrey that night when she's had too much to drink and he still gives her a job and a place to live...with him. And although in his mind, he's determined to stay away from the curvy little human, his heart has other ideas.
This was a pretty cute story. I liked that once Tad makes it clear he's "not interested" Audrey hears and understands. I've read about pushy females that know there's an attraction and don't listen...I hate it when guys do it too. Although it's unfortunate that part of her ability to listen stems from her insecurities. But this also means that this isn't an insta-love story. Tad actually takes the time to get to know Audrey before he realizes he's completely head over heels for her. My only complaint here was that the ending was pretty abrupt and over in a snap. I wanted an epilogue or just a bit more happy times for them before it was over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2018
I have read the Grayslake books more than once as I love them.
Loved how this tied in well to Grayslake and bought Tad a much need mate.
A great short read that kept me interested until the end. I liked the way the story came together.
Really liked these characters and even though Ty only made a brief appearance that was okay.
Audrey and Tad had both been horribly hurt and even though Tad was a grumpy pants he really was a big idiot once he met his mate Audrey. He knew that mates were different and that Cindy had NOT been his mate.
Audrey was one of the nicest heroines I have read, she was rightfully outraged at what Cindy had done to Tad and her attitude was brilliant.
Laughed at his brother Declan dumping the lemonade over Tads head to get him to strip.
Still don’t like the fact that you have to mate or be killed in this world.
Hope Audrey's friend Kaylee comes to visit, maybe she is Tad's brother Declan's fated mate.
This is my honest review of this book kindly gifted to me by the author.
Loved how this tied in well to Grayslake and bought Tad a much need mate.
A great short read that kept me interested until the end. I liked the way the story came together.
Really liked these characters and even though Ty only made a brief appearance that was okay.
Audrey and Tad had both been horribly hurt and even though Tad was a grumpy pants he really was a big idiot once he met his mate Audrey. He knew that mates were different and that Cindy had NOT been his mate.
Audrey was one of the nicest heroines I have read, she was rightfully outraged at what Cindy had done to Tad and her attitude was brilliant.
Laughed at his brother Declan dumping the lemonade over Tads head to get him to strip.
Still don’t like the fact that you have to mate or be killed in this world.
Hope Audrey's friend Kaylee comes to visit, maybe she is Tad's brother Declan's fated mate.
This is my honest review of this book kindly gifted to me by the author.
September 16, 2019
Good...but
3.5 Stars - I wanted to rate Tad and Audrey's story higher, but could not... because right when it was getting to the good part it ended after they mated. It was developing very nicely, but I guess someone was in a hurry to publish. As a reader, I wanted to know more about his ex. She is dead, but No explanation. He needed to know about her ex as well. There was so much to discuss between them and it never materialized. I have stuck with this author for a very long time and I always wish her books were longer. Her plots are really good but they are too short and under-developed at times. She takes us on these wonderful journeys, but sometimes leaves us hanging like in this case. There is so much potential. I want a longer Ruby Shae book that is complete in the future please. I love her plots.
3.5 Stars - I wanted to rate Tad and Audrey's story higher, but could not... because right when it was getting to the good part it ended after they mated. It was developing very nicely, but I guess someone was in a hurry to publish. As a reader, I wanted to know more about his ex. She is dead, but No explanation. He needed to know about her ex as well. There was so much to discuss between them and it never materialized. I have stuck with this author for a very long time and I always wish her books were longer. Her plots are really good but they are too short and under-developed at times. She takes us on these wonderful journeys, but sometimes leaves us hanging like in this case. There is so much potential. I want a longer Ruby Shae book that is complete in the future please. I love her plots.
September 30, 2016
I love this series I love this book.
This is Tad and Aubrey's story and what a story. Aubrey catches her fiance cheating humiliated and heart broken she does the only thing she knows to escape the pain she runs. Tad has been burned by love before literally he doesn't want a mate ever when he sees Aubrey in the bar he flat out rejects her. When trouble comes her way is he willing to save her life or let her die at the hands of the bears.
This is Tad and Aubrey's story and what a story. Aubrey catches her fiance cheating humiliated and heart broken she does the only thing she knows to escape the pain she runs. Tad has been burned by love before literally he doesn't want a mate ever when he sees Aubrey in the bar he flat out rejects her. When trouble comes her way is he willing to save her life or let her die at the hands of the bears.
October 6, 2016
This is the first of Ruby Shae's that I read. It's a novella so I don't expect much of the characterization or the plot. I've pretty much read about were bears before but not like this one. I was interested about the storyline though and I hope that it could have been longer.
Well, what comes to my mind when I think about the Hero is this:
Well, what comes to my mind when I think about the Hero is this:
April 15, 2018
Waking the bear...
This one was awesome. Short and sweet. Too short actually because I really wanted more from these two. I would've loved to read more about them after being mated, it wasn't enough for me! The chemistry was great and I love a good im-denying-myself-my-true-love story.
This one was awesome. Short and sweet. Too short actually because I really wanted more from these two. I would've loved to read more about them after being mated, it wasn't enough for me! The chemistry was great and I love a good im-denying-myself-my-true-love story.
June 12, 2018
Sounds Can Heal
Tad had been cruelly hurt in the past by the woman he thought returned his love. Audrey was running from her own hurtful past. when she finally decided to take a break in Grayslake, GA. After Tad had rescued Audrey at the bar from a night of to much alcohol, could Tad and Audrey get pass their hurts to become more then friends.?
,
Tad had been cruelly hurt in the past by the woman he thought returned his love. Audrey was running from her own hurtful past. when she finally decided to take a break in Grayslake, GA. After Tad had rescued Audrey at the bar from a night of to much alcohol, could Tad and Audrey get pass their hurts to become more then friends.?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews