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dogoodwithbooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Closed Door Modifications: Chapters 16-17 (some parts), Chapter 23 (some parts)
After suffering a very public panic attack, Teagan van Zijl is grudgingly sent off by his sister to a wellness rehab center in the middle of Montana. When Teagan runs into Darcy Albano, the center's unofficial handywoman, after getting attacked by a bear, they develop a close relationship within the mountainsides of Montana. To avoid losing his job at his family's foundation, Teagan brings Darcy back to New York with him as his sober companion even though he has no need of one. As their two worlds collide, Teagan and Darcy have to decide if they can make their relationship last outside of Montana.
Bear with Me was an interesting romance and I thought it was a worthwhile read despite the mixed reviews currently listed on GoodReads.
Shepard has a good writing style for a debut novel and you are able to get right into the book with the interesting plot Shepard provides, though I didn't necessarily thought the ending (via the "sort-of epilogue") wasn't that satisfactory. There's some complex character development and in some ways it works for Bear with Me. You get to understand Teagan and Darcy's backgrounds as well as their strengths and weaknesses. However,
This is one of those cases where you either like or hate a book. Personally, I liked Bear with Me and readers who want a unique meet-cute, a neurodivergent MC, and/or a rom-com with an emphasis on nature might enjoy this book.
After suffering a very public panic attack, Teagan van Zijl is grudgingly sent off by his sister to a wellness rehab center in the middle of Montana. When Teagan runs into Darcy Albano, the center's unofficial handywoman, after getting attacked by a bear, they develop a close relationship within the mountainsides of Montana. To avoid losing his job at his family's foundation, Teagan brings Darcy back to New York with him as his sober companion even though he has no need of one. As their two worlds collide, Teagan and Darcy have to decide if they can make their relationship last outside of Montana.
Bear with Me was an interesting romance and I thought it was a worthwhile read despite the mixed reviews currently listed on GoodReads.
Shepard has a good writing style for a debut novel and you are able to get right into the book with the interesting plot Shepard provides, though I didn't necessarily thought the ending (via the "sort-of epilogue") wasn't that satisfactory. There's some complex character development and in some ways it works for Bear with Me. You get to understand Teagan and Darcy's backgrounds as well as their strengths and weaknesses. However,
This is one of those cases where you either like or hate a book. Personally, I liked Bear with Me and readers who want a unique meet-cute, a neurodivergent MC, and/or a rom-com with an emphasis on nature might enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Misogyny
savvyrosereads's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Darcy is a no-nonsense wilderness guide and handywoman working at a wellness retreat/rehab in Montana when she saves Teagan from a bear attack—and becomes his sober companion (despite the fact he’s not in need of one) in New York.
I thought this one was a fun concept and the writing was funny and engaging. Darcy was one of my favorite rom-com heroines I’ve read in ages, and while Teagan wasn’t really my book boyfriend “type,” he was charming and endearing and I really rooted for both of them as a couple.
I also loved the message of this book—namely that you need to accept the people you love as they are and simply show up for one another—and the animals were an amazing added bonus (where can I get a duffel bag full of baby otters?!?!)
Overall, a really well done debut, and I can’t wait to read what Katie does next!
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: mental health rep; tough FMCs; baby otters and mildly murderous bears
CW: Death of parent; alcoholism/addiction; panic attacks/mental health
Darcy is a no-nonsense wilderness guide and handywoman working at a wellness retreat/rehab in Montana when she saves Teagan from a bear attack—and becomes his sober companion (despite the fact he’s not in need of one) in New York.
I thought this one was a fun concept and the writing was funny and engaging. Darcy was one of my favorite rom-com heroines I’ve read in ages, and while Teagan wasn’t really my book boyfriend “type,” he was charming and endearing and I really rooted for both of them as a couple.
I also loved the message of this book—namely that you need to accept the people you love as they are and simply show up for one another—and the animals were an amazing added bonus (where can I get a duffel bag full of baby otters?!?!)
Overall, a really well done debut, and I can’t wait to read what Katie does next!
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: mental health rep; tough FMCs; baby otters and mildly murderous bears
CW: Death of parent; alcoholism/addiction; panic attacks/mental health
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Mental illness, Addiction, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
katebrownreads's review against another edition
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
juliaegreene's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
2.25
I was really curious about the premise of this book, but the actual execution didn't work for me. I love a wilderness romance (think Christina Lauren's Something Wilder) and the first part of the book where Teagan and Darcy are in Montana was fun, but when they went to New York, the book lost a lot of its interest for me. The dual POV was good for understanding both characters fully, but there were times I got confused about whose chapter I was reading because it went back and forth with no explanation. The miscommunication was frustrating and went on for waaayyy too long. I thought Darcy's struggles were much more interesting than Teagan's, and would love to have read more about her dyslexia and past.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent
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