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kaydee_reads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beautifully written, and complicated in grief and abandonment, with the coming together of a family. I really enjoyed the pacing and writing style, and how Bear deals with his depression and repression felt very realistic. I also adored the Kid - I loved everything about him and am rooting for him so hard.
Well-written found family is my weakness and this book has it in spades.
The age difference is also handled well - I’m not usually a huge fan of a big age gap but having the main characters apart for as long as they were, to allow for time and experience to pass, helped immensely in making it feel like an earned romantic partnership.
Well-written found family is my weakness and this book has it in spades.
The age difference is also handled well - I’m not usually a huge fan of a big age gap but having the main characters apart for as long as they were, to allow for time and experience to pass, helped immensely in making it feel like an earned romantic partnership.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Homophobia
blupblup's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Homophobia
ladylaurenexplorer's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
So I found this book to be very heart fluttering. The dynamic is Bear and Otter is a little crazy. There’s so many ups and downs, along with a very uncertainty of the matter. Then you have Kid, who is way too mature for his age. But the wisdom that comes out of that boy is crazy and very needed. The mother on the other hand can catch some hands with that craziness she had going on in the ending and the beginning.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content
sarahandmatilda's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is a beautiful story with a powerfully compelling romance. The protagonist’s younger brother is sweet, funny, and extraordinarily smart. The friends who form their found family are a wonderful part of the book as well. I found my heart breaking a lot of times, because of how traumatized the main characters are and how long it takes them to overcome certain struggles... so you’re in for an emotional experience, though things ultimately work out and there’s plenty of humor and joy along the way. This book is also not a children’s book about animals, as the title may imply!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Panic attacks/disorders
The child abuse is in the form of neglect, in the past.erickabdz's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"The fight for you was all I've ever known."
I'm sobbing this was so raw and pure and beautiful and I have so much to say about it but I'm still crying. Bear, Otter, and the Kid made me laugh and cry so many times I can't really count. The book just felt... so... authentic. The feelings, both good and bad, were so real and went straight to my heart and I felt moved to tears more often than not.
Go ahead and ask him. Maybe he'll save you from drowning.
Bear is one of the protagonists I have liked the most in my life. He was relatable, his thoughts messy and not always something to be proud of. I just... love so much protagonist that are not good and kind and have a hard time being these things.
I don't have anything else to give you, so you give me something back for once!
The dialogues were also something that felt authentic; not too elaborate but raw with feeling. But I do think that what shines the most in this book are the relationships between characters; between Bear and Otter and the Kid, yes, especially, because it's the most bright and heartbreaking thing there is, but also the ones with Creed and Anna and the parents. Complicated, beautiful relationships that really exemplify how a family is not always defined by blood.
The only thing I slightly disliked was the big dramatic plot twist by the end, there was still much more to love and that's why I can't bring myself to lower the rating. This is one of the most beautiful, most real books I have ever read and T.J. Klune has shares of my soul now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Homophobia
madamepincers's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Homophobia
ticktock's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Homophobia
jamierose's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very strong cast of characters make and carry this book, and though some of the issues (homophobia including internalised, child abuse/neglect) make for difficult reading at times, the overall tone is hopeful and full of love for this messy but trying so hard group of friends who become a family. As far as the romance element goes, I was rooting for them the whole time.
The lost star, unfortunately, is almost entirely for The Kid. As someone in recent possession of my own 9-year-old (plus siblings), I find that children in books are very rarely convincing, and the common tactic of making them precocious little geniuses is rarely as cute as it's supposed to be. I loved the brotherly dynamics between Bear and The Kid, and equally between the Kid and the wider group of friends, but there was no way any 9-year-old really talks like that and has that level of emotional maturity.
Despite the big part The Kid plays in the story, though, my irritation with his character didn't majorly detract from my enjoyment of the book and I'll definitely be continuing with the series & the author's other books.
The lost star, unfortunately, is almost entirely for The Kid. As someone in recent possession of my own 9-year-old (plus siblings), I find that children in books are very rarely convincing, and the common tactic of making them precocious little geniuses is rarely as cute as it's supposed to be. I loved the brotherly dynamics between Bear and The Kid, and equally between the Kid and the wider group of friends, but there was no way any 9-year-old really talks like that and has that level of emotional maturity.
Despite the big part The Kid plays in the story, though, my irritation with his character didn't majorly detract from my enjoyment of the book and I'll definitely be continuing with the series & the author's other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse
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