When otter shifter Charlie’s secret past surfaces with devastating news about his missing brother, gruff grizzly shifter Mac realizes his feelings for his best friend are far from platonic.

Now Charlie must decide whether to keep hiding behind a stolen name and buried pain, or risk opening his heart to the shy bear who’s been there all along… and who might have secrets of his own.

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Tropes

friends to lovers, pining, mutual pining, slow burn, unrequited love, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, cinnamon roll hero, broken hero, secret identity, tortured hero, small town romance, found family, only one bed, forced proximity, return of the past, hurt/comfort, healing journey, love confession, emotional awakening, second chance at happiness, size difference

Content Notes

depictions of sibling grief, alcohol sobriety, memory of alcohol abuse, a high-water rescue, self-harm (cuts and scrapes) as a result of loss of control

Tags

m/m romance, gay romance, shifter romance, paranormal romance, contemporary paranormal, LGBTQ+ romance, bear shifter, otter shifter, grizzly shifter, animal shifter, Alaska setting, small town, wilderness, Alaskan wilderness, river town, grief and healing, secret identity, found family, emotional journey, bartender romance, river guide, size difference