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The Seafare Chronicles #2
Who We Are
This edition is out of print. For current Kindle edition [ We Are|48667603]
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B007Y4KV1I
Sequel to Bear, Otter, and the Kid.
Bear, Otter, and the Kid survived last summer with their hearts and souls intact. They’ve moved into the Green Monstrosity, and Bear is finally able to admit his love for the man who saved him from himself.
But that's not the end of their story. How could it be?
The boys find that life doesn’t stop just because they got their happily ever after. There’s still the custody battle for the Kid. The return of Otter’s parents. A first trip to a gay bar. The Kid goes to therapy, and Mrs. Paquinn decides that Bigfoot is real. Anna and Creed do… well, whatever it is Anna and Creed do. There are newfound jealousies, the return of old enemies, bad poetry, and misanthropic seagulls. And through it all, Bear struggles to understand his mother’s abandonment of him and his brother, only to delve deeper into their shared past. What he finds there will alter their lives forever and help him realize what it'll take to become who they're supposed to be.
Family is not always defined by blood. It’s defined by those who make us whole—those who make us who we are.
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B007Y4KV1I
Sequel to Bear, Otter, and the Kid.
Bear, Otter, and the Kid survived last summer with their hearts and souls intact. They’ve moved into the Green Monstrosity, and Bear is finally able to admit his love for the man who saved him from himself.
But that's not the end of their story. How could it be?
The boys find that life doesn’t stop just because they got their happily ever after. There’s still the custody battle for the Kid. The return of Otter’s parents. A first trip to a gay bar. The Kid goes to therapy, and Mrs. Paquinn decides that Bigfoot is real. Anna and Creed do… well, whatever it is Anna and Creed do. There are newfound jealousies, the return of old enemies, bad poetry, and misanthropic seagulls. And through it all, Bear struggles to understand his mother’s abandonment of him and his brother, only to delve deeper into their shared past. What he finds there will alter their lives forever and help him realize what it'll take to become who they're supposed to be.
Family is not always defined by blood. It’s defined by those who make us whole—those who make us who we are.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2012
248 people are currently reading
3444 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Klune
69 books60.9k followersTJ KLUNE is a Lambda Literary Award-winning author (Into This River I Drown) and an ex-claims examiner for an insurance company. His novels include The House in the Cerulean Sea and The Extraordinaries. Being queer himself, TJ believes it's important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive, queer representation in stories.
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April 26, 2012FYI--
I don't know why this says 350 pages (maybe DSP rounds up? Like by alot?) It's actually 329 pages, slightly shorter than BOATK.
Who We Are is my love letter to all the fans who have stuck by me through thick and thin, the good times and the bad, over these past eight months (doesn’t it feel like so much longer?) since I was first published. It’s my way of saying thank you for allowing me to be an author and to tell my stories. It’s my way of letting you know me better. Make sure you read the dedication and opening quotes in the book because it shows exactly how I feel.
TJ
I don't know why this says 350 pages (maybe DSP rounds up? Like by alot?) It's actually 329 pages, slightly shorter than BOATK.
Who We Are is my love letter to all the fans who have stuck by me through thick and thin, the good times and the bad, over these past eight months (doesn’t it feel like so much longer?) since I was first published. It’s my way of saying thank you for allowing me to be an author and to tell my stories. It’s my way of letting you know me better. Make sure you read the dedication and opening quotes in the book because it shows exactly how I feel.
TJ
February 26, 2015
**Re-read 6/16/14**
Loved it as much as the first time! It is about 1,000 times better than the first and I'm BEYOND pumped to start The Art of Breathing now. So much love for this one, so much love.
**Original review from 3/9/13**
Okay, I didn't just love this book. I LOVED THIS BOOK. I think I'm in the minority here when I say that I liked it even more than the first. Like I kind of want to make this book my boyfriend and snuggle it at night.
Why did I love this book so much? It is like a more amped up version of "Bear, Otter, and the Kid". It is funnier, sexier, more emotional... it make me laugh and it made me cry. I thought to myself before I started this book, "What else is there to be said about Bear and Otter? What else could they possibly give me?" What they gave me was a passage into their lives. I became inexplicably, totally invested in their story. I felt their tension, their love, their grief. I finished this book wanting to know more and more, which is a wonderful thing. I'm telling you, T.J. Klune has done magic with this book. It was made just for my tastes, apparently. I feel like I am in mourning that there isn't a 3rd book in this series. I swear to you T.J., if you don't write another book with Tyson's story I will haunt you for the rest of your life! That isn't over the top, is it?
Oh, I can't leave this review without casting photos for Bear and Otter. The pictures of them on the book cover made me throw up in my mouth a little. That is in no way what they are supposed to look like. Otter is supposed to be MUCH bigger than bear and both are supposed to be very hot. Better covers, PLEASE!
I give you Otter:
And Bear:
Loved it as much as the first time! It is about 1,000 times better than the first and I'm BEYOND pumped to start The Art of Breathing now. So much love for this one, so much love.
**Original review from 3/9/13**
Okay, I didn't just love this book. I LOVED THIS BOOK. I think I'm in the minority here when I say that I liked it even more than the first. Like I kind of want to make this book my boyfriend and snuggle it at night.
Why did I love this book so much? It is like a more amped up version of "Bear, Otter, and the Kid". It is funnier, sexier, more emotional... it make me laugh and it made me cry. I thought to myself before I started this book, "What else is there to be said about Bear and Otter? What else could they possibly give me?" What they gave me was a passage into their lives. I became inexplicably, totally invested in their story. I felt their tension, their love, their grief. I finished this book wanting to know more and more, which is a wonderful thing. I'm telling you, T.J. Klune has done magic with this book. It was made just for my tastes, apparently. I feel like I am in mourning that there isn't a 3rd book in this series. I swear to you T.J., if you don't write another book with Tyson's story I will haunt you for the rest of your life! That isn't over the top, is it?
Oh, I can't leave this review without casting photos for Bear and Otter. The pictures of them on the book cover made me throw up in my mouth a little. That is in no way what they are supposed to look like. Otter is supposed to be MUCH bigger than bear and both are supposed to be very hot. Better covers, PLEASE!
I give you Otter:
And Bear:
April 27, 2012
Note – If you have not read “Bear, Otter and the Kid”, you need to know there will be references in this review to events in that book. Don't read further, go buy the darn book. Then come back. If not, read on and take your chances...
“What is it about brothers that make us act so much differently than we normally would? Why is there a bond there that doesn't exist anywhere else?”
In BOATK, Derrick (Bear) is left to raise his six-year-old brother Tyson (The Kid) when their mom suddenly leaves with her boyfriend the day before Bear's eighteenth birthday. His girlfriend Anna and his best friend Creed and Creed's older brother Oliver (Otter), along with their families and next door neighbor Mrs. Paquinn support the two brothers as Bear has to give up his college dreams to take care of Ty.
During the course of the book, Bear slowly recognizes his love for Otter is more than friendly, and he and Anna break up over it. Bear and Otter begin a secret relationship, as do Anna and Creed. All hell breaks loose when the boys' mother suddenly shows up and threatens to take The Kid back with her unless Bear stops seeing Otter. Bear panics, breaks up with Otter and all the secrets come barreling out in the aftermath.
Ultimately, the family (because that's what they all are) come together, sans Otter, to help Bear file for custody of The Kid, and just when Bear's about to tell Otter what happened, Otter's old boyfriend shows up unexpectedly and makes a final play for him. Bear freaks out, necessitating another intervention, during which Otter is brought up to speed. Otter takes Bear to an ugly green house and tells him he bought it for him and The Kid, and they are his family now. In the Epilogue, sometime in the not -too-far future, The Kid is coaching Otter on how to propose marriage to Bear.
Got it all? Good, cause now we start “Who We Are”...
...and I really don't want to tell you too much about what happens here, other than to say it starts immediately after Bear and Otter visiting the Green Monstrosity for the first time. The three guys are getting ready for the move, the custody case is still looming, Creed has gone back to school and he and Anna are maybe sorta still dating, Mrs. Paquinn is still babysitting and serving as surrogate Mom/Grandmom to the bunch.
So much happens – The Kid goes back to school and skips a year and we meet his new teacher, who has a link to one of our guys. Bear also goes back to school. There's two new playmates for the boys, one a teen named Dominic and the other a college boy named Isaiah. Otter and Creed's parents come back from volunteer work in Africa and are none-the-wiser about the new relationships their kids are in. The dinner party at Casa Thompson where all the family members come together? Not. To. Be. Missed.
There's a visit to a gay bar, a...I just really can't tell you.
What I can tell you is this...
This book is beautiful. It's about brothers, first and foremost.
It's a love song to the relationship that exists between two guys, and the love that only brothers have for each other. And that love isn't about blood.
It's trust and respect and giving and putting your heart on the line for your guy.
It's crying on each others shoulders and pounding his back with laughter and celebrating life.
It's loving with your heart in your throat and being vulnerable and being scared to death and stepping out there anyway.
It's two guys who share a bond that nobody else can share, and that nobody can break.
And that's what this books is about. It's about Bear and The Kid, and Bear and Otter, and Bear and Creed. How, no matter what else happens, there's a bond of love and care and family that nothing can break.
There's love and death and surprises and confrontations and reunions and tears and laughs (so damned many laughs) and simple joy in this wonderful, open-hearted beauty of a story. And the end? It left me wanting more.
Bear. So much stronger than I thought, but still himself.
Otter. Still the heart of the book, but this time we see him with the blinders off.
The Kid. Still amazing, still the most exasperating, fabulous and breakable boy on the planet.
It's their relationship.
Brothers of the heart.
Set aside a few hours and just...soak it up.
Tom
“What is it about brothers that make us act so much differently than we normally would? Why is there a bond there that doesn't exist anywhere else?”
In BOATK, Derrick (Bear) is left to raise his six-year-old brother Tyson (The Kid) when their mom suddenly leaves with her boyfriend the day before Bear's eighteenth birthday. His girlfriend Anna and his best friend Creed and Creed's older brother Oliver (Otter), along with their families and next door neighbor Mrs. Paquinn support the two brothers as Bear has to give up his college dreams to take care of Ty.
During the course of the book, Bear slowly recognizes his love for Otter is more than friendly, and he and Anna break up over it. Bear and Otter begin a secret relationship, as do Anna and Creed. All hell breaks loose when the boys' mother suddenly shows up and threatens to take The Kid back with her unless Bear stops seeing Otter. Bear panics, breaks up with Otter and all the secrets come barreling out in the aftermath.
Ultimately, the family (because that's what they all are) come together, sans Otter, to help Bear file for custody of The Kid, and just when Bear's about to tell Otter what happened, Otter's old boyfriend shows up unexpectedly and makes a final play for him. Bear freaks out, necessitating another intervention, during which Otter is brought up to speed. Otter takes Bear to an ugly green house and tells him he bought it for him and The Kid, and they are his family now. In the Epilogue, sometime in the not -too-far future, The Kid is coaching Otter on how to propose marriage to Bear.
Got it all? Good, cause now we start “Who We Are”...
...and I really don't want to tell you too much about what happens here, other than to say it starts immediately after Bear and Otter visiting the Green Monstrosity for the first time. The three guys are getting ready for the move, the custody case is still looming, Creed has gone back to school and he and Anna are maybe sorta still dating, Mrs. Paquinn is still babysitting and serving as surrogate Mom/Grandmom to the bunch.
So much happens – The Kid goes back to school and skips a year and we meet his new teacher, who has a link to one of our guys. Bear also goes back to school. There's two new playmates for the boys, one a teen named Dominic and the other a college boy named Isaiah. Otter and Creed's parents come back from volunteer work in Africa and are none-the-wiser about the new relationships their kids are in. The dinner party at Casa Thompson where all the family members come together? Not. To. Be. Missed.
There's a visit to a gay bar, a...I just really can't tell you.
What I can tell you is this...
This book is beautiful. It's about brothers, first and foremost.
It's a love song to the relationship that exists between two guys, and the love that only brothers have for each other. And that love isn't about blood.
It's trust and respect and giving and putting your heart on the line for your guy.
It's crying on each others shoulders and pounding his back with laughter and celebrating life.
It's loving with your heart in your throat and being vulnerable and being scared to death and stepping out there anyway.
It's two guys who share a bond that nobody else can share, and that nobody can break.
And that's what this books is about. It's about Bear and The Kid, and Bear and Otter, and Bear and Creed. How, no matter what else happens, there's a bond of love and care and family that nothing can break.
There's love and death and surprises and confrontations and reunions and tears and laughs (so damned many laughs) and simple joy in this wonderful, open-hearted beauty of a story. And the end? It left me wanting more.
Bear. So much stronger than I thought, but still himself.
Otter. Still the heart of the book, but this time we see him with the blinders off.
The Kid. Still amazing, still the most exasperating, fabulous and breakable boy on the planet.
It's their relationship.
Brothers of the heart.
Set aside a few hours and just...soak it up.
Tom
May 18, 2021
First of all, this is the second book in this series and it should not be read as a stand-alone. Book 1 was awesome, so my advise, go read that one if you haven't already, you won't be sorry ;)
I finished the first book in this series and I was so captivated by all the wonderful characters, that I jumped right into this second installment.
Again, to me this book was magical, I liked it even more than the first one. Once again, TJ Klune has managed to make my laugh my ass off and cry my eyes out. I love how his books make me feel so many different emotions. I went from happy to sad, to angry, to worried, to relieved, to elated (not necessarily in that order lol)
The prologue of this book had me a bit confused to be honest. After reading the first page, I actually started to worry. Damn but this was awesome start !! Were-bears and Were-otters.
"You made me pregnant and said I was fat with my love for you?"
Once again we get a look into Bear, Otter and the Kid's lives and see how they are doing. I loved seeing them all grow emotionally. I loved seeing (Papa) Bear coming to terms with who he really is and what he wants. I loved the little "vegetarian ecoterrorist in training", also known as "the kid", he still makes me laugh my ass off. As I understand his story will be book 3 and I can't wait to start that one.
I loved getting introduced to wonderful new characters and I hated saying goodbye to old ones :(
I love this band of disfunctional family-members !! I can't wait to see what will happen next.
Re-read over and over again.
June 24, 2021
Audio reread June 2021
Ugh, I can't believe I forgot how bad some things hurt. I cried. 😭😭 But I laughed too, so much! I love these book-people even more! 🥰
I have to confess, Charlie David's narration was kind of grating at first. I felt a little bad for feeling that way, as it's not really his fault, I just hate it when they change narrators in an audio series, and Sean Crisden was so good with Bear, Otter, and the Kid. But by the end of the book, I had forgotten all of that and was just living in the story, so well done by CD on that! Loved it again! 💜
****
First read April 2017
I loved it so much! One of the things I loved the most was getting to see Bear & Otter work as a unit, a couple that was strong together. Bear was still Bear *he really does think too much* but he learned to trust Otter, to trust that he would be there.
All of them did so much growing together, all of them. It wasn't all easy, and there was pain and sorrow but they all had their family to back them up. LOL, one of my favorite things was The Kid's custody hearing, with everybody arriving late! That's family, can't take them anywhere. :) And damn, jealous, possessive, growl-y Otter is freaking hot!
TJ really knows how to bring out every single emotion you're capable of, all in one book. He writes characters that you don't merely love, you're invested in them and their lives.
While this deserves so much better than this as a review, sorry, I have to get back to The Art of Breathing.
Ugh, I can't believe I forgot how bad some things hurt. I cried. 😭😭 But I laughed too, so much! I love these book-people even more! 🥰
I have to confess, Charlie David's narration was kind of grating at first. I felt a little bad for feeling that way, as it's not really his fault, I just hate it when they change narrators in an audio series, and Sean Crisden was so good with Bear, Otter, and the Kid. But by the end of the book, I had forgotten all of that and was just living in the story, so well done by CD on that! Loved it again! 💜
****
First read April 2017
I loved it so much! One of the things I loved the most was getting to see Bear & Otter work as a unit, a couple that was strong together. Bear was still Bear *he really does think too much* but he learned to trust Otter, to trust that he would be there.
All of them did so much growing together, all of them. It wasn't all easy, and there was pain and sorrow but they all had their family to back them up. LOL, one of my favorite things was The Kid's custody hearing, with everybody arriving late! That's family, can't take them anywhere. :) And damn, jealous, possessive, growl-y Otter is freaking hot!
TJ really knows how to bring out every single emotion you're capable of, all in one book. He writes characters that you don't merely love, you're invested in them and their lives.
While this deserves so much better than this as a review, sorry, I have to get back to The Art of Breathing.
July 7, 2017
There is a part of this story - and those of you that have read it will know which part I am talking about - that, even knowing what was happening and how it all turned out, ripped my heart out. But you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. Bear's family, as crazy, weird and unique as they are, are worth the emotional investment. We should all be so lucky.
I love this series so much! And as much as I need The Long and Winding Road (like I need to breathe)...I don't want it to end.
----------Original Review 31 May 2015------------
Who We Are continues the story that began with Bear, Otter and the Kid started. I cannot tell you how happy I am to finally read this series.
A lot happens in this book. Bear, Otter and Ty move into the Green Monstrosity, Ty skips a grade, Bear is in the middle of trying to get custody of the Kid, Bear goes back to school...some other stuff I won't mention here... I mean, a lot.
I found Who We Are to be a bit funnier than Bear, Otter and the Kid, and I laughed a lot during that book. And the family dinner scene? That one scene, alone, was worth reading the book for. Trust me. If you manage to get through it without tears of laughter streaming down your face, I'd be surprised. I had to read it twice, I was laughing so hard the first time through.
But not everything is light hearted in this book. Otter has an insecurity or two that peaks out a time or two, and a couple things happened that made me ugly cry. But that's because when your family and/or friends hurt, you do too. I love the characters and I am emotionally invested in their happiness, so good job TJ Klune! Invested, I am.
And Ty makes a friend, who's older that I swear is his Otter. Dominic is able to calm Ty in exactly the same way that Otter does Bear. I look forward to reading book 3 when Ty is all grown up and can maybe find some happy of his own.
Oh, and the ending - absolutely, positively perfect. And the epilogue, told from Otter's POV again, sets us up pretty well for book 3, of course.
And the big message I've gotten from this series is family (sorry Kid, it isn't that 'meat is murder' ... tasty tasty murder..). Family is not dictated by DNA, but rather who you know will have your back. It's an important message.
"Family is not defined by blood. It's not always who you're born to that you're stuck with. It's what you want it to be, what you make of it. It's the people around you who see you at your worst and are not afraid to pick up the pieces when you fall apart. It's the people who you can call you on your bullshit. It's tough to hear, but if you do hear it, it means that someone gives a damn about you and chances are you should probably listen."
I love this series so much! And as much as I need The Long and Winding Road (like I need to breathe)...I don't want it to end.
----------Original Review 31 May 2015------------
Who We Are continues the story that began with Bear, Otter and the Kid started. I cannot tell you how happy I am to finally read this series.
A lot happens in this book. Bear, Otter and Ty move into the Green Monstrosity, Ty skips a grade, Bear is in the middle of trying to get custody of the Kid, Bear goes back to school...some other stuff I won't mention here... I mean, a lot.
I found Who We Are to be a bit funnier than Bear, Otter and the Kid, and I laughed a lot during that book. And the family dinner scene? That one scene, alone, was worth reading the book for. Trust me. If you manage to get through it without tears of laughter streaming down your face, I'd be surprised. I had to read it twice, I was laughing so hard the first time through.
But not everything is light hearted in this book. Otter has an insecurity or two that peaks out a time or two, and a couple things happened that made me ugly cry. But that's because when your family and/or friends hurt, you do too. I love the characters and I am emotionally invested in their happiness, so good job TJ Klune! Invested, I am.
And Ty makes a friend, who's older that I swear is his Otter. Dominic is able to calm Ty in exactly the same way that Otter does Bear. I look forward to reading book 3 when Ty is all grown up and can maybe find some happy of his own.
Oh, and the ending - absolutely, positively perfect. And the epilogue, told from Otter's POV again, sets us up pretty well for book 3, of course.
And the big message I've gotten from this series is family (sorry Kid, it isn't that 'meat is murder' ... tasty tasty murder..). Family is not dictated by DNA, but rather who you know will have your back. It's an important message.
"Family is not defined by blood. It's not always who you're born to that you're stuck with. It's what you want it to be, what you make of it. It's the people around you who see you at your worst and are not afraid to pick up the pieces when you fall apart. It's the people who you can call you on your bullshit. It's tough to hear, but if you do hear it, it means that someone gives a damn about you and chances are you should probably listen."
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November 7, 2022
4.5 stars ☆
this was just as angsty and humorous as the first book and i loved it just as much. 😭 there were so much jealousy/possessiveness in this (honestly, it made sense for Bear bc he's an over thinker and i relate to the way he overthinks every little thing lol but i admit it was also nice seeing Otter be just as possessive of Bear🥺) and, as someone who loves that shit, i ate this up. <3
oh, and
“The fight for you is all I've ever known.”
~ something about this quote HITS me in the feels whenever either Bear or Otter (especially Otter) says it. 🥹
this was just as angsty and humorous as the first book and i loved it just as much. 😭 there were so much jealousy/possessiveness in this (honestly, it made sense for Bear bc he's an over thinker and i relate to the way he overthinks every little thing lol but i admit it was also nice seeing Otter be just as possessive of Bear🥺) and, as someone who loves that shit, i ate this up. <3
oh, and
“The fight for you is all I've ever known.”
~ something about this quote HITS me in the feels whenever either Bear or Otter (especially Otter) says it. 🥹
May 1, 2012
If you liked BOATK, you will love this one. Bear is still Bear, with his inner monologues driven by anxiety and free-association. The Kid is still sweet, scarily smart, a little manipulative, and a little fragile. Otter is still the rock they cling to, except when they can't. This book is tighter than the first, and funnier. The plot has some wonderful twists, and some less so. The mood swings are almost bipolar, but you will be sucked along for the ride. And the love is steadfast and gorgeous and if I could give everyone in the world an Otter of their own I damned well would. This will be a reread.
December 11, 2012
2.5 Stars
Stop while you’re ahead
Too much of a good thing
Sophomore slump
Ahhh yes, all those warnings that make you worry about reading a sequel to a book you really liked. I never listen. I should’ve listened.
I loved “Bear, Otter, and the Kid” (surprisingly). And though I had no need for a sequel, there it was…and so I read it. I almost DNF’d this book. If I hadn’t loved the characters from book 1, I would have been so aggravated by how this was written.
It felt like TJ Klune took all the good things about the original book and just decided to raise the volume…because more of a good thing makes it better, right? I don’t know if it’s that simple.
Everything that was sweet became sappy.
Everything that was charming became manipulative.
Everything that was subtle became over-the-top.
Everything that was quirky became neurotic.
I actually found myself annoyed with the very things I loved the most about book 1 – the characters!
Bear’s inner monologue drove me nuts!
”…aren’t you sick and tired of hearing from me by now? Christ, I know I can go on and on. Sometimes I get sick of hearing myself, so I know how it must be for you.” Yes, Bear, you’re right.
The Kid starting being such a brat at times I wanted to put him in Time Out. And Otter (oh, but I do love me some Otter) fell to the background as a supporting character.
*sigh*
There were some highlights (few, but some) and I can’t entirely hate on this book no matter how annoying it was. I just kinda wish it wasn’t ever written…
May 2, 2017
4 stars!
“... it's not about where you come from. It's about who you are.”
This is such a sweet series. I am dying to read the next book so I am very quickly gonna review this one so they don't blend. Who We Are is the second part to Bear Otter & the Kid, a continuation. Bear and Otter have moved in together and are in the process of adopting the Kid. It's an adjustment period in their lives and while nothing is perfect, they are very happy together.
First thing I have to get off my chest. The cover of this book is HORRIBLE. It didn't affect my rating or how I felt, but I put off reading these books because of the covers. Yes I judge a book by its cover, and I honestly think these would sell better with a cover update. That being said, I loved the story. I love how in this book Bear seems to have gotten over his "no homo" phase as my friend Eva and I call it (referring to the numerous times he said in the first book "I'm not like that"). Bear is working out his feelings for the opposite sex, and what seems to be GFY may not necessarily be the case.
I laughed a lot while reading this, all of the family dynamics and antics are so much fun to read. This being my 5th book by Klune I do see some of his patterns in his writing (older/younger couple, meet when one is a kid, family support systems, tragic moments, etc...)
But what I loved most was Otter and his unwavering devotion to Bear and Ty. He's such an amazing man and I wish we got more of his POV and how he feels about everything. He's got a touch of alpha in him and I love it!
If you haven't read this series (or Klune's books) yet, please do yourself a favor and just read them already. Guaranteed lots of smiles and feels.... in a good way.
“Nothing's too fast if it means forever.”
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“... it's not about where you come from. It's about who you are.”
This is such a sweet series. I am dying to read the next book so I am very quickly gonna review this one so they don't blend. Who We Are is the second part to Bear Otter & the Kid, a continuation. Bear and Otter have moved in together and are in the process of adopting the Kid. It's an adjustment period in their lives and while nothing is perfect, they are very happy together.
First thing I have to get off my chest. The cover of this book is HORRIBLE. It didn't affect my rating or how I felt, but I put off reading these books because of the covers. Yes I judge a book by its cover, and I honestly think these would sell better with a cover update. That being said, I loved the story. I love how in this book Bear seems to have gotten over his "no homo" phase as my friend Eva and I call it (referring to the numerous times he said in the first book "I'm not like that"). Bear is working out his feelings for the opposite sex, and what seems to be GFY may not necessarily be the case.
I laughed a lot while reading this, all of the family dynamics and antics are so much fun to read. This being my 5th book by Klune I do see some of his patterns in his writing (older/younger couple, meet when one is a kid, family support systems, tragic moments, etc...)
But what I loved most was Otter and his unwavering devotion to Bear and Ty. He's such an amazing man and I wish we got more of his POV and how he feels about everything. He's got a touch of alpha in him and I love it!
If you haven't read this series (or Klune's books) yet, please do yourself a favor and just read them already. Guaranteed lots of smiles and feels.... in a good way.
“Nothing's too fast if it means forever.”
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not-for-me
April 6, 2012This is the ugliest cover!
LMAO just looking at it.
Probably shouldn't let "the kid" paint your book cover. Was amusing to laugh at though.
LMAO just looking at it.
Probably shouldn't let "the kid" paint your book cover. Was amusing to laugh at though.
April 28, 2012
There is a lot going on in this sequel but for me the center of the universe is again, our narrator, Bear. He has a lot to learn this time too but what never ceases to amaze about him is his ability to be the grounding center of the universe for everyone in his life. Outwardly there seem to be people stronger than him, Otter certainly, Creed, arguably, and the villains of the piece. But what I loved was seeing the change in him. At the beginning of the book he is the same sort of gun-shy guy in the face of change he was at the end of BOATK, but by conclusion of this one he is not to be messed with. I laughed out loud in some parts, I cried (again), and when Bear stood up to his mother I cheered. I loved seeing the love between Otter and Bear grow, loved seeing the Kid bloom and laughed hysterically when Bear was mortified. When Otter took the ring off the chain and put it on his finger, I was sobbing. I loved this book, loved Bear’s inner thoughts most of all. But there of course needs to be another book, we must know what happens with the Kid. Simply must. It’s not to be missed.
June 11, 2023
Relisten #4
Otter my darling, I love you
Relisten #3
Sigh. TJ is my kryptonite and this series has the perfect combo of humor, sexiness and angst.
TJ also never write a book without one of more of the characters suffering. And lemme tell you, they SUFFERED. I cried towards the end.
I won't write a full on review...it's my 3rd relisten after all lol.
TJ, you are a genius and can you please publish a new book already?
Note: Charlie David did a good job with the audiobook. Not as well as Sean, but I still enjoyed it.
Otter my darling, I love you
Relisten #3
Sigh. TJ is my kryptonite and this series has the perfect combo of humor, sexiness and angst.
TJ also never write a book without one of more of the characters suffering. And lemme tell you, they SUFFERED. I cried towards the end.
I won't write a full on review...it's my 3rd relisten after all lol.
TJ, you are a genius and can you please publish a new book already?
Note: Charlie David did a good job with the audiobook. Not as well as Sean, but I still enjoyed it.
August 31, 2017
Not a standalone : let’s get back to where it ended with Bear, Otter, and the Kid. So much stuff still going on : what about Ty’s custody, what about the burgeoning relationship between Bear and Otter and between Creed and Ana, what about Bear and Creed’s friendship, what about….???
The prologue is absolutely hilarious and the ending and the epilogue ? 5 stars and more.
What got me confused was the big coming out to the family and, as Karen said, Mrs Paquinn going to Lalaland. Let’s not mention the weird shrink, Eddie. I love TJK’s “OTTness”, but it got a bit too much for me. Thus one star down :-(
Apart this niggle, it was so funny and moving to see Bear fighting and being strong, Bear and Ty’s bouts of jealousy…and Bear’s battle with the dreadful seagull. And sad to lose one member of this unorthodox family but nice to get a new member. The ride is crazy as Hell, but what's surprising : it's TJK, after all :-)
So, still a lot of stones unturned, and I’m now rushing to get more of Ty…Bear is going to freak out about the Kid, that's for sure !!!
The prologue is absolutely hilarious and the ending and the epilogue ? 5 stars and more.
What got me confused was the big coming out to the family and, as Karen said, Mrs Paquinn going to Lalaland. Let’s not mention the weird shrink, Eddie. I love TJK’s “OTTness”, but it got a bit too much for me. Thus one star down :-(
Apart this niggle, it was so funny and moving to see Bear fighting and being strong, Bear and Ty’s bouts of jealousy…and Bear’s battle with the dreadful seagull. And sad to lose one member of this unorthodox family but nice to get a new member. The ride is crazy as Hell, but what's surprising : it's TJK, after all :-)
So, still a lot of stones unturned, and I’m now rushing to get more of Ty…Bear is going to freak out about the Kid, that's for sure !!!
March 2, 2016
My words fail me when I'm about to review a book of this series.
First of all, I would like to say that the cover is just awful. PLEASE DON'T judge this book by its cover. . This is the most wonderful story you'll ever read.
The story in this book is told by Bear- The DRAMA QUEEN . He tends to dramatize everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. He gets annoyed by everything and complains about LITERALLY EVERYTHING. But this is nothing compared to the love he has for his partner OTTER and his brother 'KID'. He is funny, jealous, possessive, but he has such a big heart that you can't do anything but adore him. A young man dealing with all the lemons that life throws at him, HARD.
I loved this book more than the first one. There are so many funny situations, as well as sad ones.
This author loves to make me suffer. There are some scenes that I can't even!
So many feelings. It feels like your heart gets split in two. You cry and you cry and you cry...
" I told him we'd build a little house on the beach. and we'd sit on the porch wrapped up in a blanket and that the world would pass us by and that it was okay. It was okay because we'd have lived it already. We'd have seen everything there was to see and that we'd be content to just sit and watch. I'd feel his hand in mine just as it was now, and our rings would scrape together, faded and scratched from the toil of years. I'd look up into his eyes and while the rest might fade, the gold and green would be as bright as it'd always been, and it would be mine. It would be for me."
But the funny moment are AMAZING! I haven't laughed so much in months. I just couldn't control myself. Bear is the funniest character EVER. THE BEST.
OTTER is his pillar in life. They just adore each other and their love reaches you throughout the pages. It's so real and so beautiful. The feelings are so intense.
I can't wait to read the next book, which is going to be told by THE baby KID (grown now). It was told in the previous books hat he is so similar to Bear, and I'm sure that his story will be Epic as well.
I loved the secondary characters as well, especially Dr. Eddie (crazy) and Dominic, who's gonna play a big part in the next book (can't wait!!!)
I hate that Bear told us goodbye (kinda), but The Kid has his story to tell.
"Saying goodbyes can hurt, because you don't know when and if you'll ever see the other person again. You don't know what will happen to them, what their lives will be after you part. "
ONE OF THE BEST m/m series I've read. It's deep and the author is simply a genius. He has such a perfect way with the words. This book couldn't be better. I'm so glad (AND HAPPY) i read it.
September 22, 2024
5 Stars
This was easily a 5 star read for me, and I don’t just hand those out willy-nilly. This story put me through the wringer; on occasion, I like to be emotionally thwacked by a good book – I tend to revere any book that can bring me to tears, and I’ll happily dish out bonus points to any book that can produce a good ugly cry (which this one did).
As much as I worshiped the first book, I think I enjoyed this one even more. I have a thing for sequels that follow the everyday lives of established couples, which is what transpires here. The story picks up where the last left off, with Bear and the Kid moving into the Green Monstrosity with Otter. A page has been turned and the three guys are now beginning to settle into a happier and more secure life, together. This isn’t to say that everything is now sunshine and rainbows, because Bear is still dealing with his own insecurities and daily stresses, as well as his ongoing battle to legally become the Kid’s guardian. Sure enough, drama and angst is rife in this one, but it’s mixed in with lots of good humour, great romantic moments and plenty of epic family feels.
As for the characters themselves, I love being inside Bear’s head. He’s a total trip, though I often want to smack him around a bit when I disagree with his decisions, I can’t help but adore the guy and I want nothing more than to see him happy and loved. And there is no one more up to that task than Otter. I mean, could this guy be any more perfect? I think not. He epitomises the loving and possessive alpha male that I read romances for, and he has a heart of gold and an unrelenting drive to protect and cherish what is his. Plus, he’s hot as hell. Basically he’s the perfect male specimen. Bear is a really lucky dude and I’m so freaking glad that he realises and embraces his good fortune in this book.
Then there is the Kid. I can’t express enough how great I think this character is. This 9 (and one quarter) year old eco-terrorist-in-training makes my heart explode on a page-to-page basis, while repeatedly forcing me into fits of hysterical laughter with his brilliant and hilarious antics. He’s even done the impossible and made me a fan of poetry. I can’t get enough of him and I’m beyond eager to get to his own story.
I may be a total newbie when it comes to reading T.J. Klune’s stories, but I can already tell he’s going to be a favourite author of mine. I just click with his writing style and his fabulous characters, and I anticipate my 2017 will be full of Klune-reading goodness.
This was easily a 5 star read for me, and I don’t just hand those out willy-nilly. This story put me through the wringer; on occasion, I like to be emotionally thwacked by a good book – I tend to revere any book that can bring me to tears, and I’ll happily dish out bonus points to any book that can produce a good ugly cry (which this one did).
As much as I worshiped the first book, I think I enjoyed this one even more. I have a thing for sequels that follow the everyday lives of established couples, which is what transpires here. The story picks up where the last left off, with Bear and the Kid moving into the Green Monstrosity with Otter. A page has been turned and the three guys are now beginning to settle into a happier and more secure life, together. This isn’t to say that everything is now sunshine and rainbows, because Bear is still dealing with his own insecurities and daily stresses, as well as his ongoing battle to legally become the Kid’s guardian. Sure enough, drama and angst is rife in this one, but it’s mixed in with lots of good humour, great romantic moments and plenty of epic family feels.
As for the characters themselves, I love being inside Bear’s head. He’s a total trip, though I often want to smack him around a bit when I disagree with his decisions, I can’t help but adore the guy and I want nothing more than to see him happy and loved. And there is no one more up to that task than Otter. I mean, could this guy be any more perfect? I think not. He epitomises the loving and possessive alpha male that I read romances for, and he has a heart of gold and an unrelenting drive to protect and cherish what is his. Plus, he’s hot as hell. Basically he’s the perfect male specimen. Bear is a really lucky dude and I’m so freaking glad that he realises and embraces his good fortune in this book.
Then there is the Kid. I can’t express enough how great I think this character is. This 9 (and one quarter) year old eco-terrorist-in-training makes my heart explode on a page-to-page basis, while repeatedly forcing me into fits of hysterical laughter with his brilliant and hilarious antics. He’s even done the impossible and made me a fan of poetry. I can’t get enough of him and I’m beyond eager to get to his own story.
I may be a total newbie when it comes to reading T.J. Klune’s stories, but I can already tell he’s going to be a favourite author of mine. I just click with his writing style and his fabulous characters, and I anticipate my 2017 will be full of Klune-reading goodness.
December 4, 2013
If you’ve read Bear, Otter and the Kid by TJ Klune and loved it than you will not be disappointed by the second installment, Who We Are. The book begins with what I think is perhaps the best prologue ever! Seriously, you should read it, especially if you read a lot of M/M paranormal stuff. Hilariousness ensues!
Who We Are picks up almost right where Bear, Otter and the Kid left off and we are treated to the fascinating and warped (in a good and endearing way) inner workings of Bear’s view of the world and his life. The custody issues continue, Bear struggles to come to terms with the fact that it might be really gay and not just gay for Otter, the Kid continues to steal the show, and loose ends are tied us. In many ways this book reads like Bear’s journal shared with the readers. All of the characters from the first book are present along with a few more fun and entertaining ones, and we are introduced to one very important character, Dominic, the Kid’s new best friend.
This story made me laugh out loud, cringe, yell at the characters and cry like a baby, then laugh and cry at the same time! (Which is kinda weird to do alone as the dog stares!) But I digress and perhaps Bear’s world view and Mr. Klune’s writing style are rubbing off of this reviewer. The trademark angst is present in this book, and so is the enduring theme that family is what you make of it and that we are who we choose to be!
I would recommend reading Bear, Otter and the Kid before you read Who We Are because if you don’t you will be lost. This book is fabulous and if you like epic, family stories with a REALLY smart nine year old who will steal your heart, than these stories are for you. I hope you will fall in love with these characters and enjoy the crazy way Bear processes life as much as I do.
Who We Are picks up almost right where Bear, Otter and the Kid left off and we are treated to the fascinating and warped (in a good and endearing way) inner workings of Bear’s view of the world and his life. The custody issues continue, Bear struggles to come to terms with the fact that it might be really gay and not just gay for Otter, the Kid continues to steal the show, and loose ends are tied us. In many ways this book reads like Bear’s journal shared with the readers. All of the characters from the first book are present along with a few more fun and entertaining ones, and we are introduced to one very important character, Dominic, the Kid’s new best friend.
This story made me laugh out loud, cringe, yell at the characters and cry like a baby, then laugh and cry at the same time! (Which is kinda weird to do alone as the dog stares!) But I digress and perhaps Bear’s world view and Mr. Klune’s writing style are rubbing off of this reviewer. The trademark angst is present in this book, and so is the enduring theme that family is what you make of it and that we are who we choose to be!
I would recommend reading Bear, Otter and the Kid before you read Who We Are because if you don’t you will be lost. This book is fabulous and if you like epic, family stories with a REALLY smart nine year old who will steal your heart, than these stories are for you. I hope you will fall in love with these characters and enjoy the crazy way Bear processes life as much as I do.
July 24, 2020
There are plenty of amazing reviews out there for this series.
I'll just say this, I was super hesitant about Bear, Otter, and the Kid. Thinking it would be YA. Or just the cover turned me off... or the title.. idk. But it sat in my TBR forever, and well I seriously regret waiting as long as I did.
Excellent series, this particular book had me in tears, the angst was real.
I'll just say this, I was super hesitant about Bear, Otter, and the Kid. Thinking it would be YA. Or just the cover turned me off... or the title.. idk. But it sat in my TBR forever, and well I seriously regret waiting as long as I did.
Excellent series, this particular book had me in tears, the angst was real.
December 19, 2013
♥♥♥ 5 'Hilariously Crazy' STARS ♥♥♥
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Family is not defined by blood (...) It's the people around you who see you at your worst and are not afraid to pick up the pieces when you fall apart. It's the people who look at you each time they see you like they haven't seen you in years. It's the people who you fight for. It's the people you'd lay down your life for. It's the scariest thing in the world, but, if you let it, it's also the greatest.
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Another amazing book to the series. I freaking LOVED this one so much. First off, I was thrown off track with the Prologue. I was like "What is happening? My eyes can't be reading correctly!!" (T.J. really had me there for a moment) and then I couldn't stop laughing so hard! Seriously... Best. Prologue. Ever. And the book only got better from there.
♥♥♥♥ BEAR ♥♥♥♥
This book starts off a while after the last book ended. They are finishing up their move to the new house, The Green Monstrosity. Things are going well. Ty is happy, and Otter and Bear are in love. But Bear is still trying to get custody of Ty. Things might get nasty if his mother protests. Then there is the fact that, Otter's parents have returned (from wherever it was that they were at.) and they have to tell them of what is going on. So Bear, again, has to come out, to them this time. And it was epically awesome! I swear I thought I bust a kidney, or lung maybe, by how much laughing I did in this book. I just loved the writing style. I never tired of Bear's inner ramblings. They don't make sense at times, but that is what was so entertaining about them. I still LOVE any interaction Bear has with his younger brother Ty, The Kid. They were so sweet, and adorable, as well as funny. Reading about Otter and Bear was also so beautiful!
Things are changing in their lives and Bear is scared of that change. Ty seems to be growing up way too fast. Bear doesn't want to lose him. All of sudden he has a friend to hang out with who gives him what he can't, and that does not go well with him. He want Ty to go to him for everything, even if that's not possible. But the love and support between these two brothers is always there. That's what I love about their relationship. How they are always there to teach each other things, and support one another when they need it the most. I LOVED that!
♥♥♥♥ OTTER ♥♥♥♥
Otter was still his sexy and swoony self. Things between Otter and Bear seem to be getting more serious since they have moved in together. I loved how they both seem to be working together to give Ty the parental figures he needs in his life. Otter and Ty have such a sweet relationship. I love how Otter considers Bear and Ty his. His family to care and love. This man is just so perfect. I LOVE him so much! He can be so freaking alpha that he makes my panties melt. Bear is very lucky guy. Well, Otter is too, because Papa Bear is pretty damn awesome himself. But Otter was just the best "Partner" Bear could ever have. Otter offers unconditional support to both Bear and Ty when they need it. Either as a group or individually. So beautiful!
Otter in this books seems to be thinking more about the future. He tries to envision what that will look like for all of them. He knows that he will do whatever he can to have them still in his life. Even if we never get Otter's POV, except for in the Epilogue, I was glad that I was able to still understand him and guess his thoughts. I would yell at bear sometimes, I mean how could he not see what was coming. Otter really does wear his emotions on his sleeve. LOVED him! Oh, and he made Bear to a gay bar, it was awesome. There were some new characters introduced, like David (Otter's ex and now Ty's teacher) and Isaiah (Bear's classmate who LOVES to hit on Bear). The jealousy that both Otter and Bear felt was funny and HOT!!
♥♥♥♥ THE KID ♥♥♥♥
Ty was still his lovable 'vegetarian ecoterrorist-in-training' self. I didn't think it was possible, but he was more adorable than ever. His "amazing" poems melted my heart. His passion for his beliefs made me so SO proud of him. He was so intelligent. I would lie if I said I didn't feel like Bear, Ty was growing up way too fast. Soon, he would graduate and leave and I felt sad. He is the bestest little brother ever. But it broke my heart when Ty started getting scared of being abandoned again.
Ty has made a new friend, his name is Dominic. I loved Dominic, he was older than Ty but somehow their friendship worked. I loved that Ty now had someone else in his life he could rely on. You can see that Dominic truly cares about Ty. Through the whole custody battle, Dominic was there for Ty. There were many moments where Ty made me laugh with his eco message t-shirts, drag name, Anderson Cooper backpack, and some of his questions. He is definitely not a normal child, but that what I love. He is himself, and doesn't try to be anybody else. Sure, he gets scared and insecure, but he sticks to his convictions. I love this kid to pieces and I'm so proud of how far he has come since the first book.
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"I love you, Papa Bear. Like I've never loved anyone else in my life. I will always love you, no matter what happens in the future, no matter what happened in the past. You are my family now, you and Ty."
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I loved the ending! I'm running out of words to describe how much I freaking LOVED it! I want to marry this book, or pretty much the whole series. I loved every single character in their own way. The only character I didn't love and will probably always hate, is Ty and Bear's mother. But even the new characters introduced I loved to hate, and hated to love. Creed, his parents, Anna, and her parents, were also so hilarious as well. There was a funny moment in the courtroom and the longest hug ever that made my stomach cramp from my laughter. The ending was in the perfect Bear, Otter, and The Kid style. I really enjoyed it. The epilogue was epic. I just found out that T.J. will be making a third book, for which I am squeeing like a schoolgirl for. Thank you, thank you, T.J. for working on another book. He just can't end the book the way he did and NOT make another book. Don't worry, there was no cliffhanger. I can't wait for it, though. I miss them all already. Just like the first, this has become one of my favourites. I seriously recommend EVERYONE give this book a try.
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'...Bear and Otter were meant to be,
Even if I was the only one that knew it.
You should thank God, Bear, that you had me,
Or else you would have choked and blew it...'
--Poem By Ty "The Kid"
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April 15, 2016
1st read - 13 January to 15 January 2015. Which was 5 stars and awesome.
Audio - 8 April to 15 April 2016. DNF'ing because it is absolutely awful. The quality is shit. The narration is shit and even though I only got as far as 18% there is a very real possibility it's ruined this book for me. 1 Star. I now need to go carve out time to reread this so that I can remind myself of its greatness and just hope like fuck those voices aren't stuck in my head. Mrs. Paquinn had an English accent FFS!!!!
**************************
Awww man, I think TJ Klune broke me.
Rude.
I was doing totally fine and then in the last third of this book he ripped my heart out of my chest, bounced up and down on it, picked it up and fucked it back at me.
Seriously!
‘Who We Are’ has us back in the turbulent, slightly scary and neurotic mind of Bear as he, the Kid and Otter begin their lives as a family. Things don’t go smoothly. It’s Bear so that is not altogether surprising. I really enjoyed Bear’s voice in this, I wasn’t completely convinced in the first book about the narration but I just LOVED it in this.
By the end of this I was very smitten with Bear as well as Otter. I really enjoyed his thought processes, they were completely insane and so much fun to read.
The family dinner scene with his thankful prayer was totally and utterly over the top and I laughed myself silly. Actually this book is over the top but you know what it also is? Awesome.
This book is also absolutely heart breaking and the angst in chapters 9, 10 and 11 just destroyed me. Witnessing a family that I have really begun to love go through something so difficult was incredibly sad.
Even though this part of the story was difficult to read it was wonderfully written and it showed that even though he might not think it, Bear really is very strong, it’s just that Otter helps steady him when the ground shakes and makes everything a little less dark.
"Family is not defined by blood. It’s not always who you’re born to that you’re stuck with. It’s what you want it to be, what you make of it. It’s the people around you who see you at your worst and are not afraid to pick up the pieces when you fall apart."
They have turned me into a big sap.
But sap or no I am racing onto Ty and Dom’s story The Art of Breathing. I am pretty sure there is a crying headache in my future. I’m already in love with Dom and his story has already bruised me so this is going to hurt.
"...there's sometimes when he smiles at me, that one smile he only does for me, and my heart starts to race and my skin starts to itch, and I feel sweaty and alive and like I could take on anything that was thrown at me, if only he would smile at me like that again."
(I’m really not.)
Audio - 8 April to 15 April 2016. DNF'ing because it is absolutely awful. The quality is shit. The narration is shit and even though I only got as far as 18% there is a very real possibility it's ruined this book for me. 1 Star. I now need to go carve out time to reread this so that I can remind myself of its greatness and just hope like fuck those voices aren't stuck in my head. Mrs. Paquinn had an English accent FFS!!!!
**************************
Awww man, I think TJ Klune broke me.
Rude.
I was doing totally fine and then in the last third of this book he ripped my heart out of my chest, bounced up and down on it, picked it up and fucked it back at me.
Seriously!
‘Who We Are’ has us back in the turbulent, slightly scary and neurotic mind of Bear as he, the Kid and Otter begin their lives as a family. Things don’t go smoothly. It’s Bear so that is not altogether surprising. I really enjoyed Bear’s voice in this, I wasn’t completely convinced in the first book about the narration but I just LOVED it in this.
By the end of this I was very smitten with Bear as well as Otter. I really enjoyed his thought processes, they were completely insane and so much fun to read.
The family dinner scene with his thankful prayer was totally and utterly over the top and I laughed myself silly. Actually this book is over the top but you know what it also is? Awesome.
This book is also absolutely heart breaking and the angst in chapters 9, 10 and 11 just destroyed me. Witnessing a family that I have really begun to love go through something so difficult was incredibly sad.
Even though this part of the story was difficult to read it was wonderfully written and it showed that even though he might not think it, Bear really is very strong, it’s just that Otter helps steady him when the ground shakes and makes everything a little less dark.
"Family is not defined by blood. It’s not always who you’re born to that you’re stuck with. It’s what you want it to be, what you make of it. It’s the people around you who see you at your worst and are not afraid to pick up the pieces when you fall apart."
They have turned me into a big sap.
But sap or no I am racing onto Ty and Dom’s story The Art of Breathing. I am pretty sure there is a crying headache in my future. I’m already in love with Dom and his story has already bruised me so this is going to hurt.
"...there's sometimes when he smiles at me, that one smile he only does for me, and my heart starts to race and my skin starts to itch, and I feel sweaty and alive and like I could take on anything that was thrown at me, if only he would smile at me like that again."
(I’m really not.)
August 15, 2022
4.5 Stars ✨ Livro tão bom como o primeiro! Para mim, kid continua sendo o personagem mais legal dessa história. Estou apreensiva para ver como será sua vida adulta. Pelo que vi no final do segundo livro.... Teremos Kid como o protagonista do terceiro livro ( que já irei ler agoraaa)
Senhora Paquin para sempre em meu coração ♥
Senhora Paquin para sempre em meu coração ♥
August 5, 2017
Reread July 2017:
And I loved it just as much! It is simply a masterpiece of "verbosity"! Omg, that play around words at 23% - such brilliant writing and so funny! And as in many other books TJ Klune defines his (imo very true) idea of family:
Family is not defined by blood. It's not always who you're born to that you're stuck with. It's what you want it to be, what you make of it. It's the people around you who see you at your worst and are not afraid to pick up the pieces when you fall apart. It's the people who can call you on your bullshit.
And every single word of my original review still stands:
a 5 stars + book I will love forever. Yeap. It's as simple as that.
Bloody brilliant (sorry I didn't want to swear, but in the end it did come out after all, and may I add it did come straight from the heart), entirely amazing, blooming awesome, staggeringly breath-taking, deliciously heart-wrenching, wickedly good, gut-clenching in the best sort of way, I must read this again and again, so so clever and so so beautiful.... Of course I could throw a much longer list of superlatives at this book - I assure you it's totally, utterly deserved in every possible way.
At least as good (and Mr Klune, pardon me for taking this down to that non-descriptive word) as the first one. Basically I'm throwing lists of badly composed vocab about because I just finished this book, and my mind is completely blown, and I can't think of anything else describing how overwhelmed and swamped with emotions I am.
Anyone ever needing a lesson in how to do some A +++ character building, on how to write some in depth character study, how to take you and make you part of a story, please take note and buy this book (and the first one in the series, too). This book just hits you right in the heart, and there is no way you won't laugh and cry and feel for Bear and Otter and the Kid. Feel for them in a big, kind of all encompassing way. Feel so much for them your heart groans and moans and jumps with joy and laughter, sometimes all at the same time.
Yes, it IS that good. I promise. So thank you Mr. Klune. Thank you for this wonderful, crazy, touching, funny story and the equally brilliant characters.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
And I loved it just as much! It is simply a masterpiece of "verbosity"! Omg, that play around words at 23% - such brilliant writing and so funny! And as in many other books TJ Klune defines his (imo very true) idea of family:
Family is not defined by blood. It's not always who you're born to that you're stuck with. It's what you want it to be, what you make of it. It's the people around you who see you at your worst and are not afraid to pick up the pieces when you fall apart. It's the people who can call you on your bullshit.
And every single word of my original review still stands:
a 5 stars + book I will love forever. Yeap. It's as simple as that.
Bloody brilliant (sorry I didn't want to swear, but in the end it did come out after all, and may I add it did come straight from the heart), entirely amazing, blooming awesome, staggeringly breath-taking, deliciously heart-wrenching, wickedly good, gut-clenching in the best sort of way, I must read this again and again, so so clever and so so beautiful.... Of course I could throw a much longer list of superlatives at this book - I assure you it's totally, utterly deserved in every possible way.
At least as good (and Mr Klune, pardon me for taking this down to that non-descriptive word) as the first one. Basically I'm throwing lists of badly composed vocab about because I just finished this book, and my mind is completely blown, and I can't think of anything else describing how overwhelmed and swamped with emotions I am.
Anyone ever needing a lesson in how to do some A +++ character building, on how to write some in depth character study, how to take you and make you part of a story, please take note and buy this book (and the first one in the series, too). This book just hits you right in the heart, and there is no way you won't laugh and cry and feel for Bear and Otter and the Kid. Feel for them in a big, kind of all encompassing way. Feel so much for them your heart groans and moans and jumps with joy and laughter, sometimes all at the same time.
Yes, it IS that good. I promise. So thank you Mr. Klune. Thank you for this wonderful, crazy, touching, funny story and the equally brilliant characters.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
March 14, 2016
'Who We Are' was a mixed bag for me. There were things that I really liked as much or more than the first book and then there were other things that didn't click quite as well for me. But at the end of it all was a story that I really enjoyed.
The humor was stronger in this book more than once I found myself laughing out loud and sharing bits of it with hubby which as he will tell you is not something that I do unless I'm really enjoying a story. There were also parts of the story that I related to very strongly and made it a little painful at times.
I loved how much more this felt like I was just listening to a friend ramble on about their life and once again the last 20 to 25% of this book really made a huge difference in how I felt about it. Especially the Epilogue with Otter's perspective.
Now what didn't click for me, at times the Kid. He was just a little too full of himself and I wanted to give him a time out.
Mrs. Paquinn's random ramblings a couple of times had me wondering if she'd wandered into Dementia-land and if so why the hell was she being left in charge of a young child?
Isaiah and David. Isaiah was too arrogant bordering on conceited and I'm sorry but someone tells you their in a relationship you back the hell off. Same with David except he was a bit of a sad story and by sad I mean pathetic. He dated Otter for a few months years ago and it's obvious to everyone that Otter is now in a serious, committed relationship. Come on David get a clue and move on, really. He's just not that into you. But no he's hanging on like a pathetic little puppy that someone kicked.
Last of all the cover, sorry but it just has to be said the Kid on this cover looks like he just got out of juvie and needs some serious dental work for that overbite and Bear and Otter? Seriously? People are drooling and mooning over that? I just don't buy it. Ok that's my rant over the cover because I really don't factor that in when I'm rating a book so if the cover really bothers me, I feel I'm at least entitled to take a potshot or two at it.
The humor was stronger in this book more than once I found myself laughing out loud and sharing bits of it with hubby which as he will tell you is not something that I do unless I'm really enjoying a story. There were also parts of the story that I related to very strongly and made it a little painful at times.
I loved how much more this felt like I was just listening to a friend ramble on about their life and once again the last 20 to 25% of this book really made a huge difference in how I felt about it. Especially the Epilogue with Otter's perspective.
Now what didn't click for me, at times the Kid. He was just a little too full of himself and I wanted to give him a time out.
Mrs. Paquinn's random ramblings a couple of times had me wondering if she'd wandered into Dementia-land and if so why the hell was she being left in charge of a young child?
Isaiah and David. Isaiah was too arrogant bordering on conceited and I'm sorry but someone tells you their in a relationship you back the hell off. Same with David except he was a bit of a sad story and by sad I mean pathetic. He dated Otter for a few months years ago and it's obvious to everyone that Otter is now in a serious, committed relationship. Come on David get a clue and move on, really. He's just not that into you. But no he's hanging on like a pathetic little puppy that someone kicked.
Last of all the cover, sorry but it just has to be said the Kid on this cover looks like he just got out of juvie and needs some serious dental work for that overbite and Bear and Otter? Seriously? People are drooling and mooning over that? I just don't buy it. Ok that's my rant over the cover because I really don't factor that in when I'm rating a book so if the cover really bothers me, I feel I'm at least entitled to take a potshot or two at it.
dnf
January 17, 2015I'm sorry book I tried, but I just can't do it. The Kid drives me insane. He is rude, dismissive, disrespectful, arrogant, and almost mean. He needs boundaries not someone who supports his poor behavior, and treatment of his brother.
August 4, 2022
4.5 Stars!!
Solid gold entertainment!
Again, front and center is the love that is Otter and Bear, and I basked in all its insecurities, strengths, and possessiveness. Despite what may seem like a whirlwind romance, these two have been circling each other for years. It was very nice to see snippets of them in the past, as well as the tender, bonding moments between Bear and the Kid.
I have to hand it to Klune - he doesn’t skimp on the emotions, the humor, or the swoon factor. This was one entertaining, emotional ride.
That extra half star? That goes to Otter - the bestest boyfriend, lover, soul mate, husband ever. *dreamy sigh*
Solid gold entertainment!
Again, front and center is the love that is Otter and Bear, and I basked in all its insecurities, strengths, and possessiveness. Despite what may seem like a whirlwind romance, these two have been circling each other for years. It was very nice to see snippets of them in the past, as well as the tender, bonding moments between Bear and the Kid.
I have to hand it to Klune - he doesn’t skimp on the emotions, the humor, or the swoon factor. This was one entertaining, emotional ride.
That extra half star? That goes to Otter - the bestest boyfriend, lover, soul mate, husband ever. *dreamy sigh*
May 27, 2015
I couldn't have loved it more. Going right in book 3,
August 8, 2023
4.5 stars - I see now why people gush over this series. I am loving T.J. Klune's humor and the way it mixes so well with some pretty tough and tender subject matter. Bear, Otter and the Kid officially have my heart, as does their patchwork quilt of a family. I laughed and cried in equal measure, though I have to admit, the drama during the last quarter of the story screamed of 2012 and made me think of the time I tried to write a book and threw all sorts of OTT plot devices at my poor heroine (including but not limited to PTSD, an associated fear of driving that of course she overcame with the help of the hero, a 3rd act break up, a secret love child and, as a bonus, a soundtrack that was basically just a bunch of songs by Iron and Wine). Contrived angst was a sign of the times, I guess. Obviously, this author managed it a whole lot better than I did because I loved this book and, if the reviews are anything to judge by, I'm not alone in that feeling.
Two books in and I'm very attached to these characters. It's going to hurt when I have to let them go for good. It's also going to be so weird reading about a grown up Kid next! On to book #3!
Two books in and I'm very attached to these characters. It's going to hurt when I have to let them go for good. It's also going to be so weird reading about a grown up Kid next! On to book #3!
August 20, 2017
*** 'Hey you. Hey yourself'. Listening my way through this series, and even though Charlie David narrated this particular story for some inexplicable reason 😕 [thank you Dreamspinner...not!!], I will listen to it again. Sean Crisden is by far the better narrator. This old cover is horrendous, the new one is SO much better. One of my favourite series in all of the M/M genre. Thank you so much TJ.***
WANTED
A Man like Otter, straight (preferably) but who cares really, just being friends would be great. Let me know where he is and I'll be there like a shot.
Outstanding follow-up to Bear, Otter and The Kid. TJ Klune is a really eloquent writer.
Well Papa Bear, yet again you and that awesome family of yours have taken me on an emotional roller-coaster ride which I never wanted to end.
I've sniggered, snorted, giggled and laughed out loud, I've also had tears in my eyes and let the waterworks flow. Bear's interaction with his 'vegetarian eco-terrorist in training' sibling is superb, but the best part for me - the tangling of the fingers that the Kid does, as if to re-assure himself that his elder brother and protector Papa Bear is still there - gulp! (sloppy mum coming out there, but a magical moment every time).
I've loved the way the Kid is growing up and spreading his wings, that Bear is finally learning to lean on others (even if I did still want to smack him upside the head sometimes for being a dimwit!), that Otter is well, still Otter and Mr Wonderful and loves his family so much. I loved the birth (but not so much the death I have to say, but hey, it happens to us all eventually), the wedding, well what can I say? Hilarious! I adored all the friends (Isaiah & Mr Ass Muscles - there's a pairing made in heaven!), and was over the moon when Bear was more than strong enough to stand up to his complete 'cow pat' (thank you Prince George!) of a mother, and she finally got hers!
I absolutely adored these two books, and can't wait until we meet the characters again.
WANTED
A Man like Otter, straight (preferably) but who cares really, just being friends would be great. Let me know where he is and I'll be there like a shot.
Outstanding follow-up to Bear, Otter and The Kid. TJ Klune is a really eloquent writer.
Well Papa Bear, yet again you and that awesome family of yours have taken me on an emotional roller-coaster ride which I never wanted to end.
I've sniggered, snorted, giggled and laughed out loud, I've also had tears in my eyes and let the waterworks flow. Bear's interaction with his 'vegetarian eco-terrorist in training' sibling is superb, but the best part for me - the tangling of the fingers that the Kid does, as if to re-assure himself that his elder brother and protector Papa Bear is still there - gulp! (sloppy mum coming out there, but a magical moment every time).
I've loved the way the Kid is growing up and spreading his wings, that Bear is finally learning to lean on others (even if I did still want to smack him upside the head sometimes for being a dimwit!), that Otter is well, still Otter and Mr Wonderful and loves his family so much. I loved the birth (but not so much the death I have to say, but hey, it happens to us all eventually), the wedding, well what can I say? Hilarious! I adored all the friends (Isaiah & Mr Ass Muscles - there's a pairing made in heaven!), and was over the moon when Bear was more than strong enough to stand up to his complete 'cow pat' (thank you Prince George!) of a mother, and she finally got hers!
I absolutely adored these two books, and can't wait until we meet the characters again.
December 11, 2012
I am not big on series that focus on the same couple throughout. I want my happy ending after the first book. I don't want to go into book 2 where the couple has been together for however long and then more issues arise. It's like "here we go again". I really hate that so I tend stay away from those types of series or books with any type of sequel. This book wasn't like that. It picked up immediately after Bear, Otter and the Kid. It was necessary considering all the unanswered questions in the first book. While Bear and Otter finally got together (in book 1), there were so many things not resolved. This book definitely took care of that and answered all the questions that were left when BOATK ended. You literally go from one to the other. I loved that.
I should also point out that if you haven't read Bear, Otter and The Kid, you won't appreciate this book as much. You'll still laugh and probably shed a few tears but it's not the same if you don't know the entire story. You HAVE to know the characters and the back stories before you could possibly get this one. That's my opinion and I'm sure others agree.
I am at a loss as to where to start. It is no secret that I am a huge fan of this author. I love his writing style. I love his sense of humor. What he did with this story and how it progressed was even better to me than the first one.... and I loved the first one. In BOATK you have the drama of the entire cast of characters, both main and secondary. You know Bear and Otter will get together eventually but there is a long road to get to that point. Same applies to the other characters and their own problems. You meet and fall in love with the Kid (seriously... who wouldn't fall in love with the Kid?) But in this one, you follow along as they try to be a family with a lot of major issues still hanging over their heads. The love between Bear, Otter and the Kid shines through. There are Anna and Creed (who I really did not like in the first book) who somewhat redeem themselves. Mrs. P is there as a surrogate mother to all of them... always there to lend a hand and to add a little hilarity to the mix. There is a coming out scene that had me laughing so hard I was in tears. But then again, I started laughing from the very first pages and only stopped long enough to shed a few tears along the way. Bear and Tyson's mom makes an appearance, as we knew she would. Questions are answered in that regard and Bear finally learns why she threatened to take Tyson away months earlier. There are a couple of other dramatic moments that broke my heart on one hand and made me go "aww!" on the other.
This was perfectly written. I laughed. I cried. I didn't want it to end. I was halfway through the book before I realized I had read so much. My battery almost dying on my Kindle is the only reason I didn't sit and read it mostly in one sitting. Yes, it is that good. The prologue was freakin' genius. The entire book was. I mentioned being a big fan of the author. BUT... I'm not one of those who will write a perfect review or rate a book 5 stars simply because of who wrote it. I absolutely loved this book. I now will read BOATK again to remind myself of where and how it all began.
The ending? Also genius. It gives me hope that this isn't all we'll be seeing of Bear, Otter and the Kid.
Another excellent book by T.J. Klune.
A top pick (by Cindi) of books published in 2012 at On Top Down Under Book Reviews:
http://bookreviewsandtherapy.blogspot...
I should also point out that if you haven't read Bear, Otter and The Kid, you won't appreciate this book as much. You'll still laugh and probably shed a few tears but it's not the same if you don't know the entire story. You HAVE to know the characters and the back stories before you could possibly get this one. That's my opinion and I'm sure others agree.
I am at a loss as to where to start. It is no secret that I am a huge fan of this author. I love his writing style. I love his sense of humor. What he did with this story and how it progressed was even better to me than the first one.... and I loved the first one. In BOATK you have the drama of the entire cast of characters, both main and secondary. You know Bear and Otter will get together eventually but there is a long road to get to that point. Same applies to the other characters and their own problems. You meet and fall in love with the Kid (seriously... who wouldn't fall in love with the Kid?) But in this one, you follow along as they try to be a family with a lot of major issues still hanging over their heads. The love between Bear, Otter and the Kid shines through. There are Anna and Creed (who I really did not like in the first book) who somewhat redeem themselves. Mrs. P is there as a surrogate mother to all of them... always there to lend a hand and to add a little hilarity to the mix. There is a coming out scene that had me laughing so hard I was in tears. But then again, I started laughing from the very first pages and only stopped long enough to shed a few tears along the way. Bear and Tyson's mom makes an appearance, as we knew she would. Questions are answered in that regard and Bear finally learns why she threatened to take Tyson away months earlier. There are a couple of other dramatic moments that broke my heart on one hand and made me go "aww!" on the other.
This was perfectly written. I laughed. I cried. I didn't want it to end. I was halfway through the book before I realized I had read so much. My battery almost dying on my Kindle is the only reason I didn't sit and read it mostly in one sitting. Yes, it is that good. The prologue was freakin' genius. The entire book was. I mentioned being a big fan of the author. BUT... I'm not one of those who will write a perfect review or rate a book 5 stars simply because of who wrote it. I absolutely loved this book. I now will read BOATK again to remind myself of where and how it all began.
The ending? Also genius. It gives me hope that this isn't all we'll be seeing of Bear, Otter and the Kid.
Another excellent book by T.J. Klune.
A top pick (by Cindi) of books published in 2012 at On Top Down Under Book Reviews:
http://bookreviewsandtherapy.blogspot...
August 3, 2017
10 Stars!!!!
Damn you TJ Klune!!!
Off to find some comfort food, and cuddle with my hubby! In need of some smut!
It was so hard for me to pick up book 2. I wanted some space between my emotions and this series, but do I ever listen? Hell no! :)
I loved that in this book it was so much less angst( Thank the GODS), more sexy time, and more THE KID!!!!
Okay, I liked Isaiah, I thing he reminded Bear of what he has, what he is, and what is what people. I like the horny twink, buff thing he had going on! I'm all for Bear kicking David's ass though! Yeah he can exit stage left for me! Otter, Otter, Otter, before you, I had, Zsadist Alpha wolfs, Demons, Blay+Qhuinn, Reyes Farrow(Satan's Son) and ZANEas my love of book boyfriends, but someway between San Diego, Seafare and my mind. You jumped shipped and landed on the island know as Mika! I love you Otter, to me you can't do any wrong. Let me say if TJ would have messed with Otter in any way shape or form. I would be putting my hands on him right now, and not in a pleasant way. Otter reminds me of my husband so much so I can say with absolute certainty I love him!
The Kid was amazing in this book, yeah we know he is a freaking genius, but he is growing up and his emotions and actions this book was really amazing. I damned cried in the car scene.
Creed & Anna(<-- I saw that coming), but Creed's dinner scene had me in a laughing fit. Wow, a straight man is feeling like his gay bf is leaving him and wanted to seduce him! Hmmm, stranger things have happened!
83% is where I decided that maybe possibly that TJ Klune could be an auto-buy author from now on! Reading this scene you can almost put yourself in Bear's shoes, how can you decide on who to split your time with, your surrogate grandma or the love of your life. Yeah I'm still reeling from that whole scene/chapter/heart wrenching time of the book.
Favorite moment: Bear vs Seagull part 2!!! This was so hilarious, I didn't know what to do. I am so happy I decided to give this series a chance, and I have book 3 but I am not drunk enough to start reading anytime soon!
PS, I can't forget about DOM!! Yeah buddy me and him will be getting acquainted real soon, I can feel it!
PPS: These people who have children, and don't want them go kill yourselves!
Damn you TJ Klune!!!
Off to find some comfort food, and cuddle with my hubby! In need of some smut!
It was so hard for me to pick up book 2. I wanted some space between my emotions and this series, but do I ever listen? Hell no! :)
I loved that in this book it was so much less angst( Thank the GODS), more sexy time, and more THE KID!!!!
Okay, I liked Isaiah, I thing he reminded Bear of what he has, what he is, and what is what people. I like the horny twink, buff thing he had going on! I'm all for Bear kicking David's ass though! Yeah he can exit stage left for me! Otter, Otter, Otter, before you, I had, Zsadist Alpha wolfs, Demons, Blay+Qhuinn, Reyes Farrow(Satan's Son) and ZANEas my love of book boyfriends, but someway between San Diego, Seafare and my mind. You jumped shipped and landed on the island know as Mika! I love you Otter, to me you can't do any wrong. Let me say if TJ would have messed with Otter in any way shape or form. I would be putting my hands on him right now, and not in a pleasant way. Otter reminds me of my husband so much so I can say with absolute certainty I love him!
The Kid was amazing in this book, yeah we know he is a freaking genius, but he is growing up and his emotions and actions this book was really amazing. I damned cried in the car scene.
Creed & Anna(<-- I saw that coming), but Creed's dinner scene had me in a laughing fit. Wow, a straight man is feeling like his gay bf is leaving him and wanted to seduce him! Hmmm, stranger things have happened!
83% is where I decided that maybe possibly that TJ Klune could be an auto-buy author from now on! Reading this scene you can almost put yourself in Bear's shoes, how can you decide on who to split your time with, your surrogate grandma or the love of your life. Yeah I'm still reeling from that whole scene/chapter/heart wrenching time of the book.
Favorite moment: Bear vs Seagull part 2!!! This was so hilarious, I didn't know what to do. I am so happy I decided to give this series a chance, and I have book 3 but I am not drunk enough to start reading anytime soon!
PS, I can't forget about DOM!! Yeah buddy me and him will be getting acquainted real soon, I can feel it!
PPS: These people who have children, and don't want them go kill yourselves!
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