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Bear Brawl: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 10 Nov 26Fight Club meets The Revenant in Bear Brawl, a heartfelt revenge-and-redemption story that asks, Could a man really take on a bear?
Brick Bridger is a two-time NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion and the winner of eight UFC fights before retiring. One summer night, running late to his mom’s barbeque, disaster strikes. A rogue black bear goes on a rampage, breaks into the cabin, kills his mom, and puts his brother in a wheelchair. Devastated, Brick knows that had he been there, he could have stopped the bear. With the help of a top zoologist, his old wrestling coach, and his training partner, Brick vows to get revenge.
Bear Brawl takes readers on a blockbuster adventure from the first page, with a cast of unforgettable characters you’ll root for like you’re watching your favorite action movie.
Brick Bridger is a two-time NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion and the winner of eight UFC fights before retiring. One summer night, running late to his mom’s barbeque, disaster strikes. A rogue black bear goes on a rampage, breaks into the cabin, kills his mom, and puts his brother in a wheelchair. Devastated, Brick knows that had he been there, he could have stopped the bear. With the help of a top zoologist, his old wrestling coach, and his training partner, Brick vows to get revenge.
Bear Brawl takes readers on a blockbuster adventure from the first page, with a cast of unforgettable characters you’ll root for like you’re watching your favorite action movie.
Audible Audio
Expected publication November 10, 2026
About the author
Jon Finkel
38 books18 followersJon Finkel is the award-winning author of 1996: A Biography, Hoops Heist, The Life of Dad, Jocks In Chief, The Athlete, Heart Over Height, “Mean” Joe Greene and more. His books have been endorsed by everyone from Mark Cuban and Tony Dungy to Spike Lee, Kevin Durant and Chef Robert Irvine.
He has written for GQ, Men’s Health, Yahoo! Sports, The New York Times and has appeared on CBS: This Morning, Good Morning Texas, and hundreds of radio shows, podcasts and streams. Jon was recently profiled in The New Yorker about the awesome community he’s built around his Books & Biceps newsletter. They describe him as “a gym rat’s Reese Witherspoon”.
His upcoming biography, Macho Man: The Untamed, Unbelievable Life of Randy Savage, comes out Spring 2024.
He has written for GQ, Men’s Health, Yahoo! Sports, The New York Times and has appeared on CBS: This Morning, Good Morning Texas, and hundreds of radio shows, podcasts and streams. Jon was recently profiled in The New Yorker about the awesome community he’s built around his Books & Biceps newsletter. They describe him as “a gym rat’s Reese Witherspoon”.
His upcoming biography, Macho Man: The Untamed, Unbelievable Life of Randy Savage, comes out Spring 2024.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Here is how I think it played out. Jon Finkel was sitting around with a group of friends bragging about how he could literally write a book about anything and make it interesting. One of his friends says, “Bet you can’t write a book a guy that fights a bear without any weapons.” Jon looks over at said friend. Hardened eyes pierce the soul of that friend as Jon says with a low, rumbling whisper that would shake the most hardened heart, “Bet.” Or he was high on Benadryl.
All I know is that he would win that bet.
I like to find a soundtrack to listen to that fits a book I am reading so it will drown out any noises in the house. Say, like a bear breaking in. For this book, the only thing that made sense was the soundtrack for the movie, “The Revenant”. Let me highly suggest you do the same.
What caught me off guard was how many scenes that Finkel’s writing had my heart racing. Think back to the first time you saw the movie “Jaws” and the anticipation had you covering your eyes, peeking through fingers. “Bear Brawl” was just like that. You assume the worst is about to happen but never let go of hope that people will survive.
The ending of the book may jump the shark a bit, or maybe jump the bear, but c’mon. We knew what we were signing up for. But I will say, it is never boring and you will be hanging on every word right up to the very end.
All I know is that he would win that bet.
I like to find a soundtrack to listen to that fits a book I am reading so it will drown out any noises in the house. Say, like a bear breaking in. For this book, the only thing that made sense was the soundtrack for the movie, “The Revenant”. Let me highly suggest you do the same.
What caught me off guard was how many scenes that Finkel’s writing had my heart racing. Think back to the first time you saw the movie “Jaws” and the anticipation had you covering your eyes, peeking through fingers. “Bear Brawl” was just like that. You assume the worst is about to happen but never let go of hope that people will survive.
The ending of the book may jump the shark a bit, or maybe jump the bear, but c’mon. We knew what we were signing up for. But I will say, it is never boring and you will be hanging on every word right up to the very end.
Displaying 1 of 1 review