Choose the Bears

Ursa Shifters, Book 6

De: Sam Hall

Narrado por: Sofia Lette, Dorje Swallow

I met a man and a bear in the woods, and I chose the bear. Not just one either, but three hot bear shifters.

No sooner have I escaped my awful ex when a creepy stranger advances on me in the woods. I'm alone, exposed, vulnerable… until three massive men come charging out of nowhere to save me. When the creepy stranger turns scary stalker, they insist on sticking around to offer their protection.

It feels too good to be true, having them appear just when I need them and having them offer everything I've always wanted. So I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, for these three men to reveal themselves to be monsters as well.

But what if the scariest thought of all is one day losing them? What if I didn't get to choose the bears—because they've already chosen me?

This is a standalone romance with a new FMC.

©2024 Sam Hall (P)2025 Podium Audio

Growls, Grit, and Aussie Accents

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙🩷❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋🙂☺️😘🥰
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration

🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Imogen

Imogen’s story begins in a grocery store and a suffocating apartment she shares with Mike—a man whose only consistent traits are laziness, drunkenness, and a talent for undoing her hard work in seconds. She’s been quietly saving, dreaming of escape, and finally gets the call: her new apartment is hers. But before she can pack up and leave, Mike and his unsettling buddy Phil hijack her plans with a fishing trip demand—complete with booze and coercion. Imogen’s strength is quiet but fierce, and her moment of reckoning is near.

🦸🏻‍♂️ Hero Spotlight: Kyle, Lucas, and Asher

Enter the sleuth: three bear shifters with hearts as big as their paws. Kyle, Lucas, and Asher run a sanctuary for women and children escaping abuse, and when they find Imogen cornered in the woods, they don’t hesitate. They intervene, protect, and recognize her instantly—not just as someone in need, but as their fated mate. Their protective instincts are matched by their emotional intelligence, and their knowledge of Phil’s past makes their rescue all the more urgent.

📃 Plot Pulse

Even after Imogen moves out, Mike and Phil won’t let go. They show up at her workplace, proving that control—not love—was always their motive. Kyle, Lucas, and Asher stand firm, shielding her from the fallout and offering the kind of support that’s both physical and emotional. The story doesn’t shy away from the reality: abusers rarely go quietly, and healing requires more than just distance—it needs safety, community, and compassion.

💘 What Hit Home

• This story struck a deeply personal chord. Years ago, I walked away from my own abusive marriage. Unlike Imogen, I didn’t have three swoony shifters to back me up—but I felt every beat of her fear, her resolve, and her relief.
• The sleuth’s dedication to helping women was beautifully portrayed. They run a refuge, intervene in dangerous situations, and use sports to teach kids empathy and protection. Dodgeball as a metaphor for shielding the vulnerable? Brilliant.
• Imogen’s love for paranormal romance made her reaction to the shifter reveal feel authentic and endearing. She was ready for magic—and she got it.
• Jesse’s introduction was jarring at first. His POV chapters felt disconnected until I realized he was a redemption arc from the previous book. Once I pieced it together, I wanted more of him—a bear shifter without a bear, living among foxes, working as a mechanic? Intriguing. His growth was subtle but satisfying.

🧐 What Fell Flat

• The Mike and Phil drama dragged on longer than I’d hoped. I craved more emotional depth between Imogen and the sleuth, and less time spent on toxic masculinity. The payoff came, but the pacing tested my patience.
• I did wonder how the sleuth funded their expansive efforts. They never seemed short on cash, and a bit more backstory there would’ve grounded the fantasy in realism.

🎧 Narration Notes

Sofia Lette and Djorje Swallow deliver a solid performance, each bringing their own flavor to the multiple POVs. Their Australian accents were a personal delight—my favorite, hands down. I do wish the narration had been duet-style for smoother transitions, and while Djorje struggled a bit with character differentiation, the overall experience was immersive and emotionally resonant.

📝 Final Takeaway

This audiobook blends paranormal romance with real-world grit, offering catharsis, empowerment, and a trio of protective heroes who redefine what it means to be strong. Imogen’s journey is one of reclaiming agency, and the sleuth’s unwavering support makes it all the more powerful. A must-listen for anyone who’s ever fought to be free—and dreamed of finding love on the other side.

This is my favorite book of the series thus far!

Loved the dynamic between the FMC and her mates, especially how this book didn’t have any odd bristly emotions between one or two of them.

A must listen over and over

Incredible voice narration, story line and I was so consumed I had to listen to one story after another.

loved

I loved this series hoping it continues soon. Looking forward to finding out about Roxy