WHO WE ARE by TJ Klune

Sequel to Bear, Otter and the Kid
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date published: April 27th, 2012
ISBN 9781613724606
ASIN B007Y4KV1I
Contemporary Gay (M/M)
E-book ARC
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


Bear, Otter and the kid survived the summer of revelations, falling in love and secrets. Now they are on track to finally have the life they desire but just because life is running smoothly for a change for these three doesn’t mean life has given them a pass. They still have a battle with kid’s custody hearing; ex’s coming out of the woodwork and family issues to deal with as well. But as these three find out, family isn’t just blood; it’s who defines us as a whole. This is what makes us who we are.

TJ Klune delivers a stellar sequel to his acclaimed BEAR, OTTER AND THE KID. WHO WE ARE is a story that will make you laugh, cry and get angry then back to laughter. The writing is tight, storyline flows exceedingly well and the characters…well they are what makes this story. They are the heart of it and the readers will fall in love with them all. I know I did, especially the kid. He had me giggling with bad poetry, his zeal over PETA and Anderson Cooper and Bear and Otter’s love story made me sigh happily.

In BEAR, OTTER AND THE KID, we met Bear, Otter and the kid as well as their close friends. Now in the sequel, we find the three moving to a new place, the kid skipping a grade and more. With each page, the reader is drawn into the world that this author has created, eager to see what happens next for these beloved characters and their family/friends. TJ Klune is a masterful storyteller who delivers a story that will have you running the gauntlet of emotions-from sadness to laughter to anger and then in the end, happiness. I can’t get over how emotional I got with this book. I was crying one minute then laughing hysterically the next. You feel the emotion as the characters deal with life’s little and not so little issues that would make a regular person fall to their knees and scream. This author has a knack of creating characters that resonate with readers. They are vibrant, multi-dimensional and quite enjoyable as well as relatable. Even the secondary characters are well written and move the story along nicely.

WHO WE ARE is more than a story of three people overcoming the obstacles to be together. It is a definition of what family means. It isn’t just blood related but also those friends who help make us whole. Family is who you make of it and TJ Klune delivers a perfect story to showcase this. Bravo Mr. Klune for creating two books that make readers clamoring for more. I am just one more reader who is asking-More please!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.