4.5 starsI really, really loved this book. It was funny, had characters I loved and read so easily I didn't even realize how fast I was reading until I'd glance down and notice I just covered boat loads of kindle locations in under an hour. I very much enjoyed it.
First and foremost, this book is a bit angsty. However, it's offset by the comedic characters throughout the pages. I was either laughing or smiling throughout the book and when I wasn't doing that, I was aching for what these characters go through. Tyson, or the Kid, is a big part of why this story was hilarious. He's a nine year old that acts more like a forty year old. He's a freaking genius, funny, a vegetarian (so cute!) and an eco-terrorist which I found hysterical. He'd say these things and start babbling about it and get all heated over a discussion then whichever adult he was talking to would turn to another adult and whisper, "So and so wasn't a president?" it was extremely funny because the Kid was smarter than everyone else. He is one of the highlights of this story. Bear is the Kid's brother. The beginning of this story is so heartbreakingly sad and for a bit I was afraid it'd be really angsty but I was (thankfully) proven wrong. It's a complicated situation but after Bear and Ty's mom leaves, all they have is their little family made up of Bear's friends - Anna, Creed, Mrs. Paquinn and Otter. I seriously loved all these characters but Otter has to be my favorite. He's just so gentle and knows what he wants but tries to do what he thinks is best for Bear at the cost of his own happiness.
It's obvious the love Otter and Bear have for each other (and for the Kid) but Bear has a hard time coming to terms with what, and who, he is. Like I said, it's a complicated story that can't really be described without giving away spoilers. Either way, I loved this story a lot. It kept me interested throughout the whole book. The plot covers multiple scenarios ranging from becoming an unwanted parent to realizing you love someone you've known almost your whole life, who's a man. One thing I really liked about this story though was Bear's friends easy acceptance and willingness to help Bear when he got saddled with a kid. I thought it was very sweet and showed just how close they all were.
While I loved the story, I had a few problems with it. Bear's inner monologue was just a bit too wordy at times and his constant denial about what he is, or isn't, was a tad annoying towards the end. Even after he accepted loving Otter he still had bursts of denial and panics that just made me want to smack him. Then there's the mom situation. I didn't like the way it was handled. If there's anything I hate more in this world (whether RL or fictional) is ultimatums. They are just another form of manipulation and it pisses me off when parents use them. I don't necessarily have a problem with lovers or others doing it but for some reason it pisses me off so much when parents use it. So, it annoyed me how the mom situation played out and how Bear fell right for it without trying to fight it and her until after and only because Tyson pushed him to do something about it. This is completely a personal opinion based on personal experiences so don't take this seriously at all because it's probably just me that has this problem.. Now, this isn't really something I had a problem with but it kind of irked me that the scene on the cover is NOWHERE in the book. Granted, the Kid's shirt MEAT ISN'T NEAT is mentioned in the book but nowhere in the story do they go walking on the beach. Why is that?
Overall, I really loved and enjoyed this book. It was a very easy read for me even with it being a contemporary (my least favorite genre) and long. Definitely recommend it and looking forward to Klune's next book :)
Two things I loved most from the book:
I loved both these poems. This one was written for Otter by Bear and the Kid (mostly by the Kid) for how Bear would finally tell Otter he loves him:
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!
ROFLMAO
And this one was to Bear from Otter and the Kid (mostly from the Kid) for how Otter would propose to Bear:
Bear! Bear! Bear!
I've something to say! Don't be scared!
Bacon is bad! Beef is wrong!
Mad Cow Disease stays with you for a time that's long!
I want you to be mine, can't you see?
That's why I am down, down on my knee!
It may not yet be legal,
But it's better than eating a beagle,
So won't you please marry me?
Hehe, I love them! They are so adorable!
