Book Review: Bear Essentials by Mary Wine

Title: Bear Essentials
Author: Mary Wine
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: review copy from publisher
Published: February 2013 by Ellora’s Cave

Granger never lets his mother down, and when she wants a highly coveted toy, Granger knows he’ll move heaven and earth to get it.

Roslyn is used to men thinking they can jump the line to get a Wish Bear, her special creation. She’s never granted the request before, but then again, she’s never dealt with Granger before.

As Granger and Roslyn face off, neither can deny the attraction that thrums between them. Wild need draws them closer. A stuffed bear could be the ticket to their happy ending, if only they can find common ground.

A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave.

Why I Read this Book: I was intrigued by this Wish Bear toy. What was so special about this bear that had men “jumping the line” to get one? And Granger sounds like a great guy to want to '”move heaven an earth” to get one for his mom.

What I Liked: Granger was a great son. He treats his mother great and will do anything to ensure her happiness. And he did Roslyn a solid by donning the Wish Bear costume for the kids at the hospital, enjoying it all the while.

Roslyn values her company’s integrity. She is a proud business owner and is dedicated to her company and its cause, making her an admirable person in this sense.

What I Didn’t Like: For the most part, I didn’t like the leads. I didn’t even get to know Roslyn well enough to like her or dislike her. Granger was nice in the beginning but as the story went on, I grew to dislike him more and more. He would say things like “You are joking, right? Every woman is on the Pill.” And when he was doing the deed with Roslyn, he said “I’m sorry, I’m a jerk.” and “I’m sorry I’m an asshole.” He was an insincere jerk, though he did own up to it. I have to wonder what in the world Roslyn saw in him.

One of my favorite parts of a romance is the build up and with Bear Essentials, there was none. There was no chemistry between Granger and Roslyn; it wasn’t even lust at first sight. I want to be shown that there’s chemistry between the two leads, not told. And Granger mentions marriage after only knowing Roslyn 48 hours.

Transitions from one to scene to another, and sometimes within one scene in itself, were rough and confusing. There was also a problem with continuity. Roslyn says that Granger’s “been making appearances [in the Wish Bear costume] for three months” yet this particular scene occurs “some month later” and Granger’s only been wearing the costume since he met Roslyn. It was a typo or an editing error; either way it was confusing and it contradicted the timeline.

Overall Impression: Bear Essentials had an interesting premise and potential but unfortunately it just wasn’t executed very well. The beginning was good but as the story went on it got worse and ultimately the story fell flat. There was no romance; it was just two characters slapped together even though it didn’t make any sense for them to be together. When the female lead thinks to herself ‘maybe the best way to stop being strangers was to share a lifetime together’, I have to question why the female lead is even in this ‘relationship’ and thus the relationship feels forced.

Brianna’s Rating: