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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
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