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Bears of Asheville #3

His Determined Bear

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Graham’s biggest passion is baking delicious treats. So when his favorite teacher asks him to bake a wedding cake, he can’t turn it down! However, he isn’t prepared to meet Cooper, the son of the bride who looks good enough to lick. One sniff and he knows Cooper’s his mate. But what does the man do? He criticizes Graham’s brownie recipe! Now Graham is determined to show his mate who’s boss… of the kitchen. 

Cooper takes his first vacation in years to attend his mother’s wedding. He thought his world would be turned upside down when he learns about shifters, but a neurotic baker has him in a full tailspin! Forget the brownies, Cooper could eat Graham. Too bad his visit to Asheville is only temporary. In a few weeks, he’ll be back to work and Graham will be a very warm and fuzzy memory. 

Or so he thinks. 

What happens when a cranky opinionated omega meets a sweet yet determined bear?

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 14, 2022

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About the author

Skye R. Richmond

37 books136 followers
Also publishes as Rheland Richmond.

For as long as she can remember Skye had her nose stuck in a book, getting lost in the world of someone else's creation (She still does). Her love for writing came from her love for reading. She could never have one without the other.

Writing was always a hobby and a cathartic experience for her. There are many stories lost to the never to be completed or published pile but needed to be written at the time.

Just a girl that loved stories so much she decided to write hers.

She would love to hear from her readers and learn more about Y'all. So if you get a chance... Get in touch.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkyeRRichmond/
Twitter: @RhelandRichmond
Instagram: @RhelandRichmond
Newsletter: https://www.rhelandrichmond.com/newsl...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/skye-...

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5 stars
181 (42%)
4 stars
141 (32%)
3 stars
81 (18%)
2 stars
18 (4%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 24, 2022
I'm not sure why Cooper decided he needed to run from Graham when he suspected he was pregnant. Graham was too good to be true, but Cooper was prickly.

Thankfully, this time around, the pregnant stereotypes were kept to a minimum.

Final verdict: cute, easy read but forgettable.

P.S. Why do all the brothers have twins when none of them are twins? Are twins like the pinnacle of mpreg achievement?
Profile Image for Ollie.
328 reviews12 followers
January 17, 2022
The characters and the plot were all over the place. In the first chapter, Cooper is shocked by his mother and the idea of shifters. And then there is no talk of shifters and their existence from Cooper's POV until the very end. It basically jumps from 'omg, my mom is crazy' to 'oh okay he's also a shifter'. There is no discussion of how he realized shifters are real, no learning curve, nothing.

Why I didn't enjoy this book was mostly because of Cooper and his mother, they were just infuriating. First, the mother sprouting her getting married out of nowhere and then all hurt when Cooper is not coping with it right from the get-go. If my mom introduced me to my to-be-stepfather as a surprise and through Skype, I would flip shit too.

Second, Cooper trying to break them up afterward was not great. Yea, you can be suspicious about the relationship but not be determined to break it up because you are mommy's boy. Going through the guy's house and his office was a tad too much.

And third, Cooper's mom being nosy and intrusive af about Cooper's love life after she didn't tell Cooper about her new relationship for ten months? Ma'am, focus on your own shit if you didn't care to share before. Especially, when her reasoning is she wants him to move across the country so they can still live close. She wasn't hesitant about moving herself away from Coop and now she's prodding him to move too?

Oof, this was rough. I keep reading this series only because of Rhys (and of course, the most interesting character is left to the last book).
Profile Image for Jessi.
901 reviews104 followers
February 8, 2022
Oh, boy! I hate saying this, but I didn't enjoy this one as much as I was hoping I would. I adored Graham but Cooper bothered me. Not only was he a little too invested in his mother's love life he was putting far too much of his issues on Graham when Graham didn't deserve it. I get it, you've been traumatized in the past and you're scared to let someone in because of fear but he had already made his mind up about Graham after one night and I just couldn't get behind that no matter how hard I tried.

Bears of Asheville has been a good series and there were even parts of this book I really enjoyed so I am hoping that the next book with Hunter will living up to my expectations.
Profile Image for Len Evans Jr.
1,450 reviews204 followers
January 19, 2022
Best of the series so far!

Absolutely adore Cooper and Graham... These two make me want to find a hot bear shifter and vet preggies! Yeah I know... Shifters don't exist and my anatomy is not built for popping out cubs. But a guy can dream can't he? So happy there are still two books coming! This is on of my all time favorite series!
Profile Image for Cynthia Osborne.
332 reviews4 followers
January 18, 2022
moving forward

I enjoyed the story line. I liked that they didn’t just jump into a living relationship both took time to get to know each other.

This is part of a series and I think would be best to read in order.
Profile Image for Amos24601.
1,055 reviews28 followers
January 19, 2022
This one rests soundly on the 3.25 stars category for me. While I found it mostly enjoyable, a few factors skew my review.

Graham was downright lovable. He was affable, smart, considerate, tolerate and adorable. I loved his family and his general outlook on life. He was the real winner for me throughout the book. And then there was Cooper.

I had a really difficult time connecting with Cooper. He was very nearly unbearable for me. He came off as selfish, entitled and even slightly controlling when it came to his mother. (Let’s not talk about how ‘close’ they were and the fact that she kept a ten month relationship from him.) I really disliked how Cooper treated Graham. He ran from him and then ignored him in all the ways that counted. If Cooper had not been Graham’s mate, I would have voted that Graham leave Cooper high and dry.

I had a hard time with the author’s use of the word “clean” when referring to STI/STD status. The implication that someone with an STI or STD is “dirty” seems somewhat antiquated to me. But that’s a personal presence on my part, I suppose.

In the end, Cooper and Graham seemed comfortable enough with one another and their lives settled nicely. And babies. Babies are always fun.

*I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Kathryn Manzella.
3,408 reviews26 followers
May 9, 2022
Great read

Great charactes that are well written and interesting. Great story that is sweet and entertaining. Definitely recommend this book. Loved it.
Profile Image for Jamie Lee Zonneveld.
1,283 reviews34 followers
January 31, 2022
His Determined Bear is the third book in the Bears of Asheville series by Skye R. Richmond. This book is about Cooper and Graham. I liked their story. It was sweet, sexy and well written.
February 3, 2022
this book takes it’s time to insult the intelligence of one of it’s MC’s and by association the readers.

It HAD the chance to create an excellent conflict, imagine if you had a loved one who suddenly got married and settled down with a random stranger they met only a few days or weeks ago. Which is what happens in Fated Mate stories. The MC has all of the very valid concerns of somebody in that situation trying to figure out wtf is going on, help and be supportive in a situation they have little to no chance to understand.

Yet, instead of working on that, the author treats him as though he’s a whiny, stubborn brat who’s not the independent, emotionally intelligent, successful adult man he was presented as. His concerns and criticism are dismissed, and is often punished. According to this book he’s not a concerned son worried that his mother just sprang that she’s getting married to a man who she’s only met about a dozen times after less than a year of knowing him, all the keeping the relationship a secret from him while also telling him he’s a shifter with no evidence, explaination or forethought. He’s a needy man-child whose upset and lashing out because he thinks he’s losing mommy to another person.
Keep in mind this is the MC who is the main PoV, the one we’re supposed to relate to and understand and empathize with the most. We’re supposed to see a part of ourselves in this MC. That is frustrating and insulting, to say the least. I did not get particularly far in this book, as you might imagine, as I cannot imagine enjoying having all of the extremely valid issues dismissed in the face of, what I expect would have been a HEA where the MC gives up everything he worked for in his life to move to a small town and be happy to be demeaned by a bear shifter.
246 reviews4 followers
January 20, 2022
His Determined Bear by Skye R. Richmond is Book 3 in her Bears of Asheville series. It is the story of Cooper and Graham. Cooper is a food critic and lives with his mother in L.A. They have been very close all of their lives because it’s always been just the two of them. Then his mother finds Aaron online and that turns into love. He is a cougar shifter who lives in Asheville, Montana, and when they decide to marry she wants to move there. This totally throws Cooper for a loop. He is very suspicious and needs to check Aaron out before he can give his blessing to the marriage so he travels to Asheville with his mother. Graham owns and runs Crazy Bear Pastries and is a bear shifter. He comes from a very close family that works together and he is also a good friend of Aaron and agrees to make his wedding cake. When Graham meets Cooper he realizes he is his mate but doesn’t want to scare him away so he says nothing. They get to know each other and eventually spend the night together. This has consequences that send Cooper running back to L.A. and leaves Graham very lonely and wanting to go to him but he knows he can’t or he could run even farther away. Eventually Cooper comes back to Asheville for the wedding and the more they are together the more they feel the pull of being mates. The story continues with them realizing they are in love but their work situations keep them apart. Eventually this becomes too much and it leads to their HEA. I really enjoyed this story as I like ones that involve shifters and Mpreg. The main characters were so cute together even though falling love was difficult for Cooper and that made it hard for Graham to be patient. I also liked the side characters, especially Cooper’s mom and Aaron and Graham’s parents and brothers. They all added to the story as they tried to help with the situations everyone was in. I also loved the descriptions of Asheville as it sounds like a place that I would like to visit and maybe live. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to more from Ms. Richmond.
Profile Image for Dawn Siemer.
880 reviews3 followers
January 20, 2022
I argued with this book

I liked the other books in this series, so I finished this one, too. The problem is, there are several problems.

The conflict is basically that Cooper is reluctant to move to Asheville based on his Mom moving there and one good date. If that sounds like a reasonable position to you, it comes across as less so in the book. Mostly, this is not real conflict for half the book, so it's boring.

Graham is a sweet baker. He has a close knit family with a big company that makes lots of money, and his own little bakery cafe on the side. Inexplicably, he has low self esteem and doesn't n value his contribution to the family or community. This book would've benefited from a nasty ex or a critic to explain his lack of confidence, and maybe Cooper could help him with that. Instead, Cooper just pokes him in that soft spot.

Cooper had some potential to be more of a unique character. He's a critic of high end restaurants, based in LA. He has issues because his Dad was never part of his life, and he has no extended family. It seems reasonable to me that moving to Asheville would end his career. Does he earn enough per review to justify travel and hotel expenses for every restaurant? Is travel going to be reasonable whenever he has a baby?

Oh, and he has every right to be angry that his Mom, who he considered his best friend, told him she was getting married by introducing him to her fiance in a Skype call. That was super rude, and frustrating that everyone acted like he was a brat for not just accepting it.

Instead of exploring Cooper's issues and giving his situation real pathos, all of those issues are pushed aside so he'll move to Asheville and be part of the super nice Hallbjorn clan that all lives on the ranch in HEA bliss. It makes Cooper come off as a bratty kid, jerking Graham around.
Profile Image for Red Talisman.
137 reviews2 followers
September 20, 2022
There was some fun and some sexy in this book to make the read entertaining... but not much.

Graham was an ok character in the previous 2 books, nothing to endear him to me or make me want to read about him. The plot line, for a shifter story also feels between simple and lame. Reading the book, it got better, he has a nice personality and pushes the quality of the story and definitely works for the romance factor. I liked how he was actually determined, passionate, loyal, patient... and understanding and open to chances.

Cooper on the other hand... started with a great idea. Opinionated, strong, independent and the fact that he's new to the whole shifter scene and the way he finds out about them was entertaining... during the first few chapters of the book. After it feels more and more dragged on, just a plot device to make Graham and Cooper share time together... which could've made sense if used purely as an excuse but often his thoughts make it clear he's still doubtful and worried. Later on some decisions he makes are dumb, stupid and reckless, only for them to make even less sense with how they're fixed. While I can understand there's an "explanation" within his back story it just doesn't match what he's lived during the timeline of the book.

So, while some parts of the story where entertaining and interesting, most of it was... meh. I'll give a 2.5 (3 because of goodreads...) and let it be. I'm still somewhat excited for book 4, since Hu nter, last alpha brother is finally gonna get his HEA and we're finally gonna find out what's the deal with his partner's reaons to ignore him yet ask about him to everyone and the dog.
Profile Image for  ☔️ Stormy Day Reader .
1,132 reviews40 followers
December 11, 2022
So confusing

I think either the author forgot what they said Cooper does for a career in the beginning or I remembered wrong. At the start, Cooper's mom said he could do his job from anywhere but that he'd have to occasionally travel for articles for the magazine. He was worried there wouldn't be anywhere close to do his Instagram posts but agreed he could do that. He was even thinking he could rent out his condo and his Mom's old house if he moved.

Then, he was suddenly needed in California most of the time. I was sooo confused! Why was he torturing them forcing them apart for a job he could do from anywhere from a laptop? At the very end, Graham said Cooper no longer runs the magazine. Wait. What? Maybe I skipped a paragraph or zoned out because that was never mentioned that I know of.

I actually did like Graham and Cooper. I just felt like the drama was needlessly drawn out with no real resolution. I thought maybe Cooper would announce his pregnancy on social media and review pregnancy foods or baby foods or the food his mate's family makes. But no.

Obviously I won't give away what actually happens but it's very anticlimactic after the big deal that was made. Oh, and since I'm apparently ranting, I thought the way his mom told him about her relationship with Aaron was messed up.
Profile Image for Alis Renzi.
Author 1 book8 followers
June 25, 2022
Allora non posso dire di essere una grandissima fan di questi paranormal romance. Ma non posso neanche dire che non mi sono piaciuti perché le storie mi hanno preso fin da subito.

Ho letto il primo, il terzo e il quarto libro, che sono bellissimi. Hanno delle trame che mi hanno veramente invogliata a leggere le storie di questi Shifters.

Questi tre libri parlano di Fratelli che cercano le loro anime gemelle. Sono degli orsi e non pensano di poter trovare la loro anima gemella ma nella loro cittadina arrivano queste tre persone che gli fanno cambiare idea in pochissimo tempo ma non con pochi problemi!! Infatti sono delle letture molto veloci medio corte.

Le storie non hanno nulla di banale infatti non ho mai letto paranormal romance come questi e non mi sono neanche mai immaginata potevano esistere.

Abbiamo una bellissima parte che parla della relazione che si instaura tra i due personaggi principali, abbiamo anche le scene erotiche che non sono scritte malissimo. (non sono quelle che preferisco ma non sono anche da buttare.)

La cosa bella è vedere come la relazione cresce e si instaura tra i due personaggi... per quanto riguarda le gravidanze lasciamo perdere perché non ho ancora capito come funzionano 🤣😶!
Profile Image for Raven and Chris.
1,970 reviews19 followers
January 20, 2022
This is a sweet little story in the Bears of Asheville series. I haven’t read any of the other books in this series but that didn’t really affect my reading of this one. Cooper and Graham make a good pair and my only problem with the book was the way Cooper refused to admit the possibility that he could move his life to Asheville. He is so convinced that nothing will ever work that he doesn’t really try and misses out on a chance to get to know Graham better the right way. He runs and hides and then doesn’t want to admit that his home wasn’t in CA anymore from the moment he met Graham. Communication people! That being said, it is a good book and I will probably go back and read the rest of the series. It is a low angst, mpreg story that is honestly about admitting you might have found your happily ever after. And kudos go to Graham for being patient and determined to wait Cooper out.
3,073 reviews12 followers
March 8, 2022
You do what you need to for family. Graham, went a different path than his brothers. He prefers baking and nurtures the family from within. Cooper, is a food critic. He travels a lot, but he always makes time for his Mom. She threw an unexpected surprise to him when she introduces him to Aaron, her intended. Coop, goes into protective mode and wants to ensure Aaron is the man for his Mom. He travels to Asheville to meet Aaron in person and meets, Graham. Graham is baking Aaron's wedding cake. Aaron, is his old teacher, mentor and father figure. They develop a close relationship that devolves into the opportunity for choices. Can a long distance relationship work? Does Coop, like the family? Will Coop, grow to love Aaron? Can he put his Mom before his personal feelings? Great story. I understood Coop, but it took me awhile to like him. The family is still amazing. Graham is a peach. Good story. Well done!
Profile Image for Danyelle Williams.
777 reviews5 followers
February 2, 2022
Missing something for me

This book featured Graham and Coopers, the food critic and the Baker. Sadly I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first two in the series.

I was missing the connection with the characters intially. I think it was mostly on the side of Graham. I completely understood how he felt about him mom ( I would probably feel the same way). It was just something about him I didn't connect with, which in turn made it hard to feel the chemistry between the characters.

I felt like the A/B/O was an after though in this book. It wasn't mentioned until well into the book. Also the character came to fact with shifters off page would have liked to see that. There wasn't a huge conflict in this book.

Overall not my favorite but I'll still be reading the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Janet Hunt.
3,451 reviews29 followers
January 27, 2022
Graham and Cooper were perfect together!! Cooper takes a vacation to meet his mother’s fiancée, there he meets the local baker Graham. They have instant chemistry and before too long he ends up pregnant and tries to hide it. Graham isn’t having a mate hiding from him so he decides to make things work between them even if he has to leave his home. Love this series and cannot wait for more! Sweetness overload at times! Overall, a great read, kept me engaged! The story was really well written, the pacing flowed smoothly, highly recommend. I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received. My review is solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
Profile Image for FHR.
529 reviews14 followers
January 22, 2022
Graham is an accomplished baker who never expected to meet his mate.
When Cooper comes to town, he is unexpectedly surprised.
But. Cooper is a little bit standoffish and has his own insecurities and hesitations.
Together they will need to compromise if they will accept what fate has in store for them.

This was a story that took me a while to get into. The characters were a bit hard to connect with and the plot felt a bit disjointed and rushed at times. Grahams insecurities, Coopers moms deception and Coppers attitude were a bit over the top for me.
Overall it’s an entertaining read.
9 reviews
June 29, 2022
Nothing matchef

I wanted to like this book but I couldn't get over the different pieces that made it.
Let's just start with the way Cooper's mom told him about her new beau. Really, she tells him about her fiance that she never talked about or introduced Cooper to and they both expect him to be ok?
Then you are introducing these two humans to this new shifter world where they don't know anything and all of a sudden Cooper knows about alphas and omegas? And it goes on from there with basically a new plot, no discernable timeline for when things occur, and Cooper running away.
At that point I had to stop reading this book. I didn't know what book was going to be next.
Profile Image for Ali.
1,828 reviews12 followers
January 30, 2022
I enjoyed Graham and Cooper's story. While Cooper acts like a jerk at the beginning it's more because he is afraid of losing his family but ends up gaining so much more with Graham. I had some problems with Cooper fearing being a single parent and running from Graham when Graham had never given any indication that he wouldn't be there and how he continued to try and stay separate from Graham until quite close to the birth. I continue to love this family and look forward to the other stories.
Profile Image for Marie.
492 reviews6 followers
January 14, 2022
Book 3

I was really looking forward to Graham’s book. I liked his character and enjoyed the secondary ones. I kind of wanted to shake Cooper at times. But he did grow on me towards the latter part of the book. Looking forward to more from this series and Hunter and Rhys getting their HEA’s
1,341 reviews4 followers
January 17, 2022
I enjoyed a lot this addition to the series, and witnessing Graham finding his mate. More amazing characters, another sweet love story, and a couple of surprises that made my day. A wonderful reading!
517 reviews2 followers
January 19, 2022
This is such a sweet series - Graham and Cooper are adorable together (to say nothing of Aaron and Kelly - second chances for the win!) The bears of Asheville are wonderful - there’s so much sweetness and heat and I was so glad to see another story - can’t wait for the next!
434 reviews5 followers
January 19, 2022
LOVE THIS SERIES❤️❤️❤️

I enjoyed reading Graham and Coopers story! They definitely had a lot of bumps in the road but they made it to their HEA. I can’t wait for the next brother to find theirs!
742 reviews2 followers
January 22, 2022
love Asheville and thr Hallbjorn families

I love this series but another round of proofing would have been good. Loved Graham and Cooper and always love seeing the rest it the family. Looking forward to Ryhs story!
Profile Image for Flick.
587 reviews2 followers
January 29, 2022
Cute and fun read

I liked this one, though it’s not my favourite of the series. I had a bit of trouble with how Cooper acted sometimes which took a bit away from my enjoyment. That being said it was still a cute read!
Profile Image for Sarah Mitcham.
1,016 reviews7 followers
February 2, 2022
Unexpected Attraction.

MM, Mpreg, Shifter, Romance. Easy to read story with lots of heat, Love and angst. Could be read as a stand-alone without loss of enjoyment or understanding. A great read, thoroughly enjoyed. Guaranteed HEA.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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