Privately Cherished: A Shifter Secret Society Vacation Romance by Lily Cahill

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Daphne Jessup has spent a decade searching out every last corner of paradise.
Sun-drenched beaches, luxurious resorts, a never-ending holiday…no paradise has ever compared to the star-crossed Christmas week in Vienna with Xander Gaillard. Hoping to discover a bit of that lost magic, she escapes to a lavish Scottish castle for the holidays. But when she arrives in a blinding snowstorm, she finds Xander waiting for her…all sinful smiles, dark secrets, and the same irresistible pull she’s tried to forget.

Xander Gaillard has never forgotten the woman who stole his heart in a single week. 
He fell for Daphne in an instant, but their week in Vienna ended in disaster before he could reveal the he’s a bear shifter, born to recognize his fated mate. One look at her told him she was the one. One year of chasing her across the globe proved he’d risk anything to win her back. But the secrets that haunt Daphne may be more dangerous than his own.

Snowbound in a castle full of old memories and new threats, Daphne and Xander can’t ignore the pull between them.
Love alone may not be enough to overcome the shadows of Daphne’s past—or the truth Xander has waited too long to share. Can they turn a holiday reunion into forever?

Around the world, there are powerful men living with a dangerous secret. They’re architects, entrepreneurs, playboys at the pinnacle of society. If their secret was revealed, it’d all come crashing down. These men aren’t just billionaires, they’re also bear shifters. And they pledge their allegiance to the secretive Billionaire Bear Brotherhood.

These sexy billionaire bears are too busy living large to look for love. But fate has other plans. Sparks fly when smart, curvy women meet the alpha shifters who are determined to win their mates. Each standalone book features a hot happily-ever-after where dreams come true. The Billionaire Bear Brotherhood series can be read in any order, so find your favorite!

Second Chances in the Snow

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜🤎💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋😀😍☺️🥰

📚 Book Review: Privately Cherished (Billionaire Bear Brotherhood)

Author: Lily Cahill
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Shifters

🦸🏼‍♀️ The Heroine: Daphne Jessup

Daphne Jessup is a woman shaped by profound loss. After the tragic fire that claimed her wealthy parents, she endured the emotional abandonment of a sister who married a man openly hostile toward her, followed by the heartbreak of a fiancé who walked away. In a matter of months, her entire sense of family and belonging collapsed. By the time she meets Xander Gaillard during a Christmas trip to Vienna, she’s spent years surviving rather than living, craving connection but expecting disappointment.

Their week together feels like a rare gift — tender, exhilarating, and full of promises she desperately wants to trust. Yet Daphne is painfully aware of how fleeting vacation romances can be, and she guards her heart even as she leans into the magic of their time together.

🦸🏻‍♂️ The Hero: Alexandre Christof Wolfgang Leonardo Galliard (Xander)

Xander is the embodiment of quiet strength. Rooted in the Swiss Alps among four generations of family, he lives in a world where tradition matters, life moves slowly, and the biggest annual event is the cheese festival. But beneath that gentle exterior lies a secret: he’s a bear shifter whose clan believes deeply in fated mates.

Many of his people have bonded with humans, though acceptance is never guaranteed. Xander fears Daphne’s reaction, so he plans to reveal his truth on Christmas Day — a choice that proves both hopeful and disastrous.

📚 The Story

On Christmas Eve, Daphne and Xander’s peaceful night in their Vienna chalet is shattered when an intruder breaks in. Daphne witnesses Xander shift into a bear mid‑fight, and terror sends her fleeing into the night. Heartbroken and overwhelmed, she spends the next year traveling the world — using her wealth not as a shield, but as a way to keep moving, keep breathing, keep from feeling too much.

As the next Christmas approaches, she finally secures a coveted reservation at Glen Mathen Castle in Scotland — a place she’s dreamed of visiting for years. But instead of a quiet escape, she finds Xander waiting for her, having orchestrated the entire setup in a desperate attempt to explain, reconnect, and reclaim the bond he believes destiny forged between them. Their forced proximity in a two‑bedroom suite becomes the crucible where truth, fear, longing, and fate collide.

🌟 Highlights

• Daphne’s relationship with wealth is refreshing and grounded. Instead of the overused “rich but works nonstop anyway” trope, she uses her resources to explore the world, support philanthropic causes, and invest in green energy. Her generosity — both material and emotional — makes her feel authentic and deeply human.
• The character development is strong, and the supporting cast adds warmth and texture. Xander’s brother Zane, in particular, brings humor, loyalty, and a spark of intrigue that enriches the story’s emotional landscape.

💔 Where It Fell Short

• Daphne’s instinct to blame herself for every tragedy in her life becomes emotionally heavy. While her trauma explains her mindset, it takes her a long time to recognize that she isn’t responsible for the choices or failures of others.
• Her reaction to Xander’s protective instincts sometimes feels overly harsh. Independence is vital, but when danger is real, accepting help isn’t surrender — it’s survival. Her immediate assumption that he’s trying to control her occasionally undermines her otherwise strong character arc.

💬 Final Assessment

This story blends fated‑mate romance with emotional healing, sweeping travel, and a cozy holiday atmosphere. Daphne and Xander’s journey shines when it leans into vulnerability, second chances, and the idea that love can be both destiny and deliberate choice. While Daphne’s self‑blame and defensiveness occasionally slow the emotional momentum, the lush settings, heartfelt character work, and warm supporting cast make this a satisfying, comforting read — especially for fans of shifter romances with a wintry, fairy‑tale glow.

💭 Quotes

“Permanence, Daphne knew, was a lie people told themselves to deal with the inherent instability of the world.”

“She refused to own anything she couldn’t carry with her, but she still enjoyed shopping. So, she bought things she loved and gave them away to people who could love them properly.”

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