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savanah's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Addiction
Minor: Death of parent
lindsm94's review
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Addiction
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
sohma4uesugi's review
- 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
Moderate: Car accident, Sexual content, Drug use, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
dogoodwithbooks's review
- 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
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.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Misogyny
savvyrosereads's review
- 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
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
Graphic: Death of parent, Mental illness, Addiction, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
mari1532's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Shepard did not disappoint!
I finished this book in one sitting and a week later I am still thinking about the story. This book was wild, both figuratively and literally. I am not entirely sure how Shepard was able to integrate the plot of this book so that bears and otters could have a prominent appearance in the story but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Synopsis: Teagan is struggling to manage his life and the pressure of a. not becoming like his parents and b. not failing at the family business. However, when he is convinced by his baby sister to attend an outdoor wilderness retreat his life gets a bit grizzly.
Darcy cannot believe that this is how her life has turned out. Nothing she hoped to accomplish by now seems even remotely within her grasp. Especially as she tries to juggle school and her overly demanding job at a wilderness retreat. However, she starts to think that maybe things are turning around for her when she meets a patient at the retreat Teagan in the woods.
Thoughts:
This book really tackled some heavy topics, while remaining positive and funny. I also really appreciated how the very personal side effects of anxiety medication were addressed with care, while also keeping the storyline sexy.
I also really enjoyed all of the characters in this book not just the main ones. Teagan's sister was so messy and lovable, while Darcy's coworker made me laugh out loud several times. To top it all off everyone, even the villains in the story felt like real nuanced people rather than just a caricature.
The only thing I really struggled with in this book is the miscommunication troupe. I kept having to remind myself that the characters do not have all of the information, that I the reader do, and thus cannot make the same informed decision. I did yell several times at the characters while listening to this book. However, this did not detract me from the story. If anything it made me more invested.
Shepard has become one of my new favourite authors. If you want a wild ride that has a wholesome story I'd recommend this romance.
Graphic: Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment and Drug use
katebrownreads's review against another edition
1.0
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
2.25
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent