Bear with Me Now

By: Katie Shepard

Narrated by: Savannah Peachwood

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Love makes life a little wilder in this romantic comedy by debut author Katie Shepard.

After a panic attack puts him in the hospital, charity executive Teagan Van Zijl is dragged by his sister to a wilderness therapy retreat in Montana. Lost in the woods while absconding from midafternoon meditation, Teagan is nearly eaten by a bear before his rescue by a furious angel in muddy hiking boots: the program’s handywoman, Darcy Albano, who was mostly worried for the bear.

Darcy thought she was going to work as a trail guide when she was hired onto the camp staff but ended up cleaning and hauling instead—merely the latest screwing-over she’s endured since her ex stole her car and her parents ruined her credit score. Teagan becomes the silver lining she didn’t expect, a man clearly going through something yet willing to commit to Darcy’s unique brand of wilderness education as the cure for what ails him.

After weeks in the mountains with Darcy, Teagan doesn’t want to return to New York without her. He hires Darcy as his sober companion—a position he doesn’t actually need filled and for which Darcy is completely unqualified—hoping she can help him figure out a way to move forward. But once they get to the city, all Teagan can think of is how to confess the truth without losing her. Together, they begin to imagine what their lives might look like if they could depend on each other for help—even in outrunning a bear.

©2023 Katie Shepard (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"I didn't even have to play dead, because this book already killed me. Shepard's nuanced wit and vibrant prose sparkle off of the page. Readers will go wild for this sexy and heartfelt romance between two unforgettable characters as they help each other make it out of the woods of life."—Thea Guanzon, author of The Hurricane Wars trilogy

"Angsty, swoony, sharply written, and full of heart, Bear with Me Now is a deeply compassionate romance about finding love in the midst of profound struggles and vulnerabilities, discovering the gift of entrusting all of yourself to a worthy someone to love and be loved by in return."—Chloe Liese, author of Two Wrongs Make a Right

"Bear With Me Now is a stellar debut. Witty, moving, and unique, it features two memorable characters in kind-hearted charity executive Teagan—too ashamed of his struggles with mental illness to admit that's why he's in wilderness rehab—and tough-as-nails handywoman Darcy who signs on as the sober companion he doesn't actually need. Shepard builds a beautiful, realistic love story about two damaged people finding strength in each other, and she addresses the serious issues of mental illness and addiction with a deft touch. I was rooting for Darcy and Teagan the whole time, and I can't wait to see what Shepard writes next."—Sarah Hawley, author of A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon

Amazing listen!

Cute, funny and engaging story! I appreciated the realistic detail to challenges faced by individuals with anxiety. I also loved how this storyline was different from typical romances. The narrator was wonderful! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more by this author.

loved it

fun book, great jokes. Loved the otters and beavers. Unique and gripping. Great writing and will def. listen to again.

Loved it

Really good book. It's my first by this author. Well worth the credit. Looking forward to seeing more from the writer.

Fun summer read- Character fell flat for me

First the good:
1. The narrator is excellent
2. The setting is fun, and the romance is different than other books in this genre

The things that bothered me:
1. There is little character development in the beginning, so while I know “about” them, I didn’t feel like I knew them or why they were the ways they were. I felt like I picked up a second book in a series without reading the first.
2. The relationship starts with weird power dynamics and the FMC is a bully to a Beverly sensitive MMC- I didn’t really see it actually working out other than a physical attraction so I felt less invested in their relationship.

Funny, romcom set in the woods of Montana

"Bear with me now" is an enchanting debut romcom by Katie Shepherd that combines unlikely circumstances with heartwarming romance. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Montana, this captivating tale of love blossoming after a bear attack is a delightful blend of humor, adventure, and genuine affection, leaving readers with a warm and fuzzy feeling long after they turn the final page.

Great narrator, cute story

narration was great! the story overall was really cute. glad I bought it on audible