3.85 stars rounded up to 4

I liked this book, and I liked all the cute Amy Bellows details in it, but I really didn't like one of the MCs for 64% of the book, so it's hard for me to rate it higher than I have.

Details:
POV: 1st Person Dual
Tense: Present
HEA?:

Spoiler

Yes

Breakups?:

Spoiler

No

Strict Top/Bottom?: Yes
Is Top or Bottom Bigger?: Top is stockier (unsure about height)
Angst: 2/5
Spice Frequency: 1.75/5
Spice Level: 3/5 (descriptive penetration)

Tropes:
Omegaverse
MPreg
Shifters (polar bear & penguin)
Single Parents
Fated Mates
Magic

Triggers:
Death of a partner (in the past, off-page)
Birth (on-page, egg)

Other Stuff:
Lingerie

Here are some notes that I took when I was reading--they're gonna make no sense and have spoilers:
-

Spoiler

I don't find it believable that Sam's character would have sex with Lu so early. After they kissed and pulled apart to talk a little, I would have imagined Sam running away.

-

Spoiler

After the first "I love you"s at 14% I was like Oh noooo, there's still so much book left.... bad things are gonna happen

- I dislike reading characters that cling tight to something that makes no sense to me. I was frustrated that Sam kept saying

Spoiler

he was cheating on his dead mate by being with Lu.

I know that's a valid feeling that even people in real life have, but it doesn't make sense to me so I don't enjoy reading it over and over AND OVER.
-

Spoiler

I felt so bad that Lu was willing to accept a hidden relationship from Sam. It also frustrated me (many things frustrated me lol). I wanted Lu to put Sam in his place. (But I understand that this was a major aspect of Lu's character. I'm not faulting the book for this.)

- Listen, at this point I just don't like Sam.

Spoiler

He suggested hiding a relationship for FIFTEEN YEARS?!

No, sir.
- Normally I don't like books where a MC keeps lamenting that they failed, because I really don't like the "guilt complex" trope. But in this case, the guilt was well-earned, because Sam--ARGH!
- ....until

Spoiler

Chapter 29, when Sam is suddenly a good character.

Too little, too late?
- Sam is now pancake daddy (!!!)
- Scooch & Mary Forever
- Characters of Amy Bellows always have the best/cutest/funniest nests!!!

Milestones:
First Kiss:

Spoiler

11% : Chapter 5 / Page 21

First Penetration:

Spoiler

13% : Chapter 5 / Page 24

First L Words:

Spoiler

14% : Chapter 6 / Page 28

Spoiler

They Part Ways:
16% : Chapter 6 / Page 31

Spoiler

Start of Secret Relationship:
25% : Chapter 11 / Page 54

Spoiler

Sam tells Allen's Mothers:
58% : Chapter 26 / Page 128

Spoiler

Sam offers a Necklace:
64% : Chapter 29 / Page 141

Spoiler

Sam tells his Fathers and the kids:
68% : Chapter 32 / Page 151

Spoiler

Birth (egg):
95% : Chapter 45 / Page 214