Meeting was a mistake. Falling in love wasn’t.

After the death of her mother, Elsbeth moves to Bear Creek to fulfill a promise—and to finally build the cut-flower business she always dreamed of. Romance? That’s not even on the to-do list.

What she never expected was one stray text—and a case of mistaken identity.

When she meets Philip Thornberg, it doesn’t take long to realize there’s no mistaking the way he makes her feel. But Elsbeth isn’t ready to risk her still-healing heart—or her promise to her mother—for any man.

Philip, however, knows one thing the moment he senses Elsbeth:
She’s his fated mate.

But if this bear shifter has learned anything from years of tending vines, it’s patience. Elsbeth is grieving her mother and fighting for her dream. So Philip stays close. He protects her. And together, they begin to build something beautiful—one bloom, one seed at a time.

Until a sudden storm threatens everything they’ve created.

Can they save the farm—and their chance at love—before it’s too late?

Titles in the Bear Creek Forever: Thornberg Vineyard series include: The Bear’s Mail Order Mate ~ The Bear’s Blooming Mate ~ The Bear’s Reluctant Mate ~ The Bear’s Perfect Mate ~ The Bear’s Second Chance Mate ~ 

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  The Bear’s Blooming Mate
Series:  Bear Creek Forever: Thornberg Vineyard #2
Author:  Harmony Raines
Published:  May 22, 2025
My Rating:  4.5 stars

The Bear’s Blooming Mate is the second title in the Bear Creek Forever: Thornberg Vineyard series, bringing us Elsbeth and Philip’s romance as they work their way through Elsbeth’s grief over her mother’s death and the promise to fulfill a dream they both shared.  Philip knows immediately that he’s found his mate, but she’s hurting and needs tender loving care, which he’ll gladly provide. His approach to his mate will be slow-burning, building trust along the way.  Sometimes, only time can heal wounds and point the way to a better tomorrow.

I loved The Bear’s Blooming Mate by Harmony Raines so much.  Philip is a patient man; he’s used to the long-term plans as he tends and nurtures the vines to create some of the finest wines around Bear Creek.  So giving Elsbeth space is perhaps frustrating to his bear, for the long haul, yet showing patience as she begins to trust what is developing between them is the answer to help heal his mate.  While helping her set up her cut flower business, finding a hidden spring to help nurture the flowers, Philip is building a connection that Elsbeth can slowly accept.  A sudden storm may bring everything between them to a head very quickly, but the best things in life are worth waiting for.

If you’re looking for a well-written, emotional shifter romance with touches of humor and family shenanigans, then The Bear’s Blooming Mate by Harmony Raines would be perfect for you.  I loved Elsbeth’s and Philip’s story, and I believe you will, too.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

If you love this author’s work, be sure to visit our Harmony Raines page for reviews of other series, or just to discover series you might have missed.

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)