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lindsm94's review
I rarely if ever DNF a book, but this story was beyond frustrating. I found myself more and more annoyed as it progressed. Just flipping talk to each other, the misunderstanding about being an alcoholic and hiding your mental health struggle just got to be too much for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Addiction
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
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
whenimreading's review
DNF Chapter 23… I got really far along waiting for something… anything… I’m bored. Don’t really like the characters. I was expecting more wilderness less rich New Yorker problems.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Drug abuse
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
whatemilysreading's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a tough one for me. On one hand, I really enjoyed the story and the dynamic between Teagan and Darcy. On the other, there are some major blurred lines and questionable ethics to contend with.
Teagan is one of my new favorite dandelion boys (albeit with a panic disorder, so actually not too far off from Peeta). Just the SWEETEST at his core. He read as the perfect balance to Darcy’s particular brand of chaos. So all in all, I like the romance of the book.
But then we get into the gray areas. I know it’s a misunderstanding, but Teagan goes along with the farce that he’s a recovering alcoholic. And then Darcy, with NO qualifications, experience, or professional training, becomes his full-time sober companion to help him through his “recovery.” ???? As much as I enjoyed the other aspects of the book, I just couldn’t shake the little bit of ick at this whole situation.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the advanced e-book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Drug abuse
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