Release Day Review ~ The Long and Winding Road (Bear, Otter, and the Kid Chronicles #4) by TJ Klune (Giveaway)

Release Day Review ~ The Long and Winding Road (Bear, Otter, and the Kid Chronicles #4) by TJ Klune

Title: The Long and Winding RoadSeries: Bear, Otter, and the Kid Chronicles: Book Four
Author: TJ Klune
Release Date: August 11, 2017Category: Contemporary
Pages: 346

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Family is not always defined by blood. It’s defined by those who make us whole—those who make us who we are.

And here, at the end, Bear and Otter will be tested like they’ve never been before.

There’s a knock at the door from a little girl who has nowhere else to go.

There’s a phone ringing, bringing news they do not expect.

There’s a brother returning home after learning how to stand on his own.

As these moments converge, all of their lives will change forever.

Beginning in Bear, Otter, and the Kid and continuing in Who We Are and The Art of Breathing, TJ Klune has told a saga of family and brotherhood, of love and sacrifice. In this final chapter, the events of the past pave the long and winding road toward a future no one could have imagined.

5 Stars!

I remember when Bear, Otter and The Kid first came to my attention. It was Christmas 2011 and I was so sick I wasn't sure how I was going to even celebrate the holiday. I had strep, a double ear infection and an upper respiratory infection (my doctor wanted me to have my tonsils removed but I was unsure). I had a raging fever and could barely get out of bed and to top it all off, I was dealing with my daughter who was only two and hated anyone taking care of her besides me.

My husband decided to give me part of my Christmas gift early and so I was ecstatic to find a brand new Kindle Fire (I'd had the Kindle with the keyboard and the b&w screen) and a gift card. Now, at this time, I remember I would choose my MM books by going to the Amazon bestsellers list and if it had a bunch of good reviews then I'd go for it. Bear, Otter and the Kid was on that list and I kept passing over it. There was something about the title that just made me pass it by. However, now with this GC, I thought I'd give it a try.

Let me tell you, I'm so happy I took that chance. I started reading about Bear and his precocious little brother Tyson and I could not put it down. I fell in love, not only with the story and the wonderful characters but also with TJ's writing. I remember how emotional the story made me feel. I was crying and laughing and I actually forgot about how horrible I felt (the meds only added a little bit to it). It was really one of the highlights of those few days. Over the years, as other books in the series came out, I quickly grabbed them and lost myself in the world of Bear, Otter, The Kid and Dom.

Now with it at an end, it's bittersweet for me because I realize how long ago it was since I first met these characters and how exciting it was to discover new stories and new authors. To not feel as if things have been done to death. To find everything fresh and unique and to not be so jaded. Don't get me wrong, I still love this genre and I can't get enough of it, I'm not in any way insulting it. It's just now it feels different. So I loved reading Bear's ramblings and tangents and the way Otter would just follow along with his brand of adoration, it took me back and had me smiling.

TJ Klune is an extraordinary storyteller and his books never fail to have me laughing out loud until tears pour from my eyes. Each and every situation was a vividly painted picture I saw in my mind. From Easter decorations to conversations about Sea Monkeys and Dictators, babies with possible tails, I loved it all.

Bear was still Bear with his crazy over the top ramblings and worries about the absurd and ridiculous scenarios, he creates out of the most trivial of things. His connection to Otter is perfect as always and the banter they share is some of the best. Otter is one of a select few that seem to be able to just roll with the crazy that is Bear. I adore them together.

I loved how we got to revisit some of the best and worst times these guys have lived through. It made it all the better as they prepared for that next chapter in their lives. We get to see how they've grown and prepared for where they're going now and it was a great way for us to say goodbye.

I highly recommend this story and for those who've yet to read this series, you are missing out. Thanks TJ for allowing us the pleasure of meeting such a fun cast of characters and being able to see them get that special farewell. I will forever love BOATK.

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*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

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