Bear, Otter, and the Kid

By: TJ Klune

Narrated by: Sean Crisden

Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Three years ago, Bear McKenna’s mother took off for parts unknown with her new boyfriend, leaving Bear to raise his six-year-old brother Tyson, aka the Kid. Somehow they’ve muddled through, but since he’s totally devoted to the Kid, Bear isn’t actually doing much living. With a few exceptions, he’s retreated from the world, and he’s mostly okay with that - until Otter comes home.

Otter is Bear’s best friend’s older brother, and as they’ve done for their whole lives, Bear and Otter crash and collide in ways neither expect. This time, though, there’s nowhere to run from the depth of emotion between them. Bear still believes his place is as the Kid’s guardian, but he can’t help thinking there could be something more for him in the world ... something or someone.

©2011 TJ Klune (P)2012 TJ Klune

Compelling Story with Suspense

This story unfolds in a gradual manner where the tension builds to a climax. The plot is solid and the characters are very well developed. It will suck you in and you won’t want to turn it off.

WOW...why did I wait so long

This is an amazing story with great Narration. I don't know why it took me so long to read/listen to it but I am going to start the next one right away. I will write more of a review after the next book.

I loved it

Sweet, funny and interesting. I really enjoyed this story, Bear's self talk is so hilarious and entertaining, I had such a good time while listening. The narrator did an amazing job transmitting the emotions. I'm so happy. 10 stars to the author, this book deserves a movie.

uhhh

I get the need to tell a story but damn. The chapter with the mother was drawn out far too much.

Laugh almost cry and want to strangle Bear

The story is great and less predictable then most male/male romance books in many ways. it is funny, very few books can make me laugh out loud. The Kid quickly became a fav of mine funny smart and perceptive. The ocean metaphor got overdone for me. but that is a small thing. Bear is one of those people we are encouraged to like and I do for most part but some points you want to strangle him for missing what's staring him in the face.

The narrator is not the best is ok and i have noticed if like this type of book you're stuck with him

In short buy this book its cheap and fun and in today's world we all need some escapes

Love this story!

Any additional comments?

The way TJ Klune writes is sublime. He creates a world for the reader. Not of perfect characters with perfect lives, but of imperfect characters that you love because you know someone just like that.

I can re-read his novels time and time again.

I would think it's pretty hard to do narration with a kid who is prominently throughout the story - so I offer kudos to Crisden for his voicing of the Kid.

There are quite a few characters in this, and Crisden definitely gives all the characters their own discernible voices, and it's very easy to follow along with audibly.

While I can't say this is my favorite Sean Crisden narration - I did enjoy it overall.

Heart Warming

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES! I already have. This was one of the sweetest most heart warming stories that I have heard in a long time. It was totally worth the purchase and I will be listening to it again and again!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bear, Otter, and the Kid?

There are so many...but I think my favorite part, with out giving too much away, was Bear and the kid sitting in the tub to be safe from the "Earthquakes"

Have you listened to any of Sean Crisden’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I haven't, but this was pretty good. He has a good voice and he really seemed to portray everything the way it should be. The only negative thing I have to say is that sometimes his voice got so low that the word he was saying seemed to be whispered and was kind of hard to hear.

Good but not original

Wonderful narration - okay story - basically the gay flick from a few years back called Shelter in book form.

Amazing

I don't know how he writes characters I can so easily become. Every once in awhile I had to remind myself that they are fictional characters, those events aren't actually happening around me. There was maybe one piece of drama that felt a little unnecessary, but it is all great.

The family we make

🎧 The fight for you is all I’ve ever known

Bear, Otter, and the Kid is a truly beautiful love story! It’s packed with a lot of feelings, good and bad, and you are right there with them feeling what they are feeling. You are happy when they are and gutted when bad things happen. So many wonderful moments and heart-breaking ones.

🎧 You were the only thing that made me feel safe when the earthquakes threatened to break me. I needed you to come home because when you’re not here, I don’t have a home.

I enjoyed this book even more than the first time I read it. Possibly because of Klune’s writing. This was the first Klune book I ever picked up, and his writing can take some getting used to. It’s unique, but it also truly wonderful in it simplistic-ness. Sure, it can be a bit long-winded at times, but that’s just Klune for you 😉

Bear, Otter, and the Kid is all about family, friendships and above all love in all shapes and sizes. It’s about growing, daring to dream and being brave enough to jump off that cliff, to the unknown and hope there is someone to catch you.

🎧 I don’t care if you love differently than everyone else. It doesn’t matter because you’re still my brother.

The characters were all wonderfully flawed (is there anything more annoying than picture perfect and flawless people??) and everyone with their own issues coming out to play at times, and I’ll admit the book is a bit drama heavy at times, but I didn’t mind that. Klune makes it work for me.

Let’s focus on the audio for a moment. One thing that I’m really not a fan of with these older books is the music interlude whenever there’s a new chapter. It never fails to bring me out of the book and putting a scowl on my face. It just doesn’t belong there. I feel a long rant coming on but I’ll stop there and let you imagine the rest 😉

As for Sean Crisden, he did a great job narrating this book, bringing you into the story. Walking side by side with Bear, experiencing his insecurities, hopes, dreams, feeling lost and overwhelmed. Crisden is a talented narrator with a wide range of voices that makes it easy for the listener to follow the story and keeping the characters apart.

I’ll leave you with this… unique.. poem that will tell you a bit about the spirit of the book.

🎧 Otter! Otter! Otter!
Don’t lead cows to slaughter!
I love you, and I know
I should’ve told you soon-a
But you didn’t buy the dolphin-safe tuna!

A copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes.