What do you get when you mix one feisty sprite of a woman with one burly, sexy man and lots of patience, devotion, and peanut butter cups?

Cassidy Hackett knows all about life's hard knocks. After growing up in foster care, her only family is her friend Effie, who sees past Cassie's sarcasm to the heart she shields so carefully.

But now Effie is mated to a cougar shifter, and Cassie feels left behind. When a fateful decision to drown her sorrows one night leaves her broken and scarred, she's almost ready to give up on life.

Almost.

Grizzly shifter Cash Rochon loves his family and his job. But it feels like he's been searching forever for his mate - that special woman meant only for him.

When he hears about a human recuperating from a terrible accident at a relative's house, he's glad to help out. Little does he know that his greatest wish is about to be answered in a way he never expected.

Cassidy needs to heal inside and out, and it won't be easy. The one thing that keeps her going - not that she would ever admit it - is Cash, who refuses to give up on her.

He's willing to do whatever it takes to coax his sharp-tongued pixie out of her shell - even indulge her junk food habit. Cash wants nothing more than to show her the love she's always needed. But after a lifetime of wearing emotional armor, is Cassie ready to lower her guard?