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

The audio made a much-loved story even better!

Audio reread June 2021

A genuine case of history repeating itself, because apparently I'm too dumb to read my own reviews. 🙄 I was wanting fluffy after a certain author stomped all over my feelings. Why in the name of all that's holy did I think TJ Klune was the place to go for that?? 👀 Selective amnesia is definitely a thing, because all I was remembering was all the laughs. And there are those and they're still hysterical because Bear, of course. *hugs Bear and his sweet, neurotic self* (view spoiler) But though I had forgotten the angst and things that were painful, every bit of the rest was just as magical as I remembered from the first time. I missed this book-family something fierce, all of them. 🥰

Except that Bear and the Kid's mom and Jonah can still go DIAF. 👿

Sean Crisden's narration was spot-on for all of them, his performance was genuinely perfection! More please! 💕

****

First read April 2017

I don't know why it took me so long to get to this series considering my love of all things T.J., but somewhere along the way I convinced myself that this was one of his funny, hilarious books. And it had its funny, hilarious moments but boy, did I pick the wrong thing as a fluffy read to make me happy after Enemy Within turned me inside out. Because this one did the same in an entirely different way.

And funny that, in the end, it really did make me all the happy I could want. *heart-eyes* I freaking loved every single one of these book-people *except for mom & Jonah, who can go suck it* and that's about all the review you're getting from me because I have to go read Who We Are right now!

A sweet story.

Not my usual cup of tea, but I was testing out the Audible Romance package, and the ebook had good reviews. This is a sweet story that hit close to home for me. Raising your siblings is a bitter sweet endeavor, and the author portrays the emotional rollercoaster well.

Best book, audio ever

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

Yes, I have never cried, laughed and sighed so much in a book. I have already reread and relisten to this book 3 times. Great banter in this book.

What did you like best about this story?

Bear, Bear and Bear

What about Sean Crisden’s performance did you like?

The best, one of my favorite narrators!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! and it was a long day, but worth it

Any additional comments?

Best author, if you have not read this author, you are missing out!

LOVE this story & series

If you could sum up Bear, Otter, and the Kid in three words, what would they be?

Sweet, heart-rending, heart-warming

Who was the most memorable character of Bear, Otter, and the Kid and why?

The Kid, just so damn precocious and a huge heart. All 3 are great though.

Any additional comments?

I would love to see the whole series of 3 books (1 more promised) be made into a short streaming series on Netflix or Amazon. Seriously. Casting would be key though, and the internal monologues might be tough to pull off if not handled correctly.

Cute sweet and sometimes intense

If you could sum up Bear, Otter, and the Kid in three words, what would they be?
Funny, Entertaining, charming.

What other book might you compare Bear, Otter, and the Kid to and why?
Good to know by D.W. Marchwell. Good to know is similar to Bear, Otter, and the kid, a story of two men and a little boy, the boy in this story is very smart and sweet and funny just like Tyson. The two men found love with each other and there number one job is to take care of and love there son I enjoyed it.

Have you listened to any of Sean Crisden’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
Not that I know of.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
When bear was trying to get otter to tell him why he left. And when bear had a fight with his girlfriend about how he feels about otter.

Any additional comments?
This story is very charming and sweet there is so much love to go round I love how everyone loves and takes care of Tyson that's one little boy who doesn't lack for the love of everyone they all love him and they adore him. The relationship between Bear and Otter is sweet but intense it's sweet to see how much they love each other.

So many feels

Laughter, tears, and real characters. The characters are fantastic, relatable and lovable in a very well written story. Crisden does a wonderful job giving them voice.

Bear, Otter, and The Kid 👨‍👨‍👦 (nickname)?

This book about man name Bear 🐻 try take his 9 year old brother at the age 21. His best friends brother Otter comes back from Chicago. Now Bear has try found what feel has for his best friend bother. Then there more problems he has to deal with. His mom come back to town, girlfriend broke up with him , and best friend that he mean be gay for his bother Otter. This was a great 📖 book to listen to. I in enjoyed learning the character back stores and I want meant happen next in the store.

Really great book

What did you like best about this story?

This story is a tear jerker. I loved the range of emotions it evoked and that there was a happy ending.

What about Sean Crisden???s performance did you like?

His voice is always easy to listen to. The pronunciation is great and easy to understand. I will listen to books he narrates even if I don't know the author.

Who was the most memorable character of Bear, Otter, and the Kid and why?

The kid stole the show. If this is ever made into a movie the kid will be the Jonathan Lipnicki (from Jerry Maguire) who steals every scene.

Surprising

I can't express how much I loved this book. I found it very easy to get into and it held my attention like few books I have read recently have. I did not find the repetition a few others have noted a detriment to the overall feel of the story. I would recommend this book to anyone, as long as they aren't squeamish about gay sex.

just wonderful

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. it was so sweet. I loved the characters, especially the kid. bear did drive me crazy that he was so set on his independence that he wouldn't let anyone help him, but I love everything that he has done for his brother. now, I will say that there really isn't much steam with the love story but TJ Klune made up for it with such a touching and amazing story. I will admit that I was sobbing for about 3o minutes or so with some of it. but the HEA was worth it. Definitely recommend.