Book Review: Wilde Bear (Blue Bear Rescue) by Terra Wolf, Holly Eastman

Wilde Bear is the first book in the Blue Bear Rescue series by Terra Wolf and Holly Eastman. Everyone is hiding something. Ever since his father died Xavier Wilde has thrown himself into his work. As the leader of the Blue Bear Search and Rescue Team, his job is simple, save lives. However, things become a lot more complicated when a cute curvy brunette from the Department of Transportation comes to help the team with a new job. Now Xavier is forced to show her his true self, in order to convince her to be his mate. Laurel doesn't let anyone tell her how to do her job. Especially not some polar bear shifter who thinks he's God's gift to Search and Rescue. But when Xavier begins to break down her walls, Laurel finds herself unable to say no. In their line of work, mistakes can cost people their lives. So how can they trust each other to keep everyone they care about safe when they're both hiding their own secrets?

Wilde Bear is a short book, I read it in a night, but the characters are still multidimensional and have plenty of baggage to deal with. I like that Xavier and Laurel each have reasons to want to stay single, and are reasoning adults that talk through the issues (for the most part) rather than allowing those issues to become even bigger conflicts. I also enjoyed that Xavier, even though an alpha in his own right, respected and supported Laurel's abilities and strength rather than trying to cushion her from any discomfort- no matter how much he might have wanted to. Since I had already read book two in the series, River Bear, I already knew some of the characters and the larger plot line that was begun in this story. Although there was one thing from the mentioned in the second book I expected to see here, but did not, so was a bit disappointed that I did not get the insight on one of the other search team members that I had hoped for. I was impressed that the book was able to do the world and character building it needed to in order to set up the rest of the series while still getting a solid romance written as well.

Wilde Bear is a quick read with more going on than one might expect. Solid characters and a good start to a series that I expect to be keeping up with.