Amazon UK
Title: Bear With Me
Author: Jessica Redland
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Author supplied copy
Publisher: Little Bear Books
Publication Date: 25th April 2017
Rating: 4 Stars
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| Amazon UK |
Jemma has the job of her dreams as curator for the children’s section of a museum in London. She spends each day surrounded by the one thing she’s absolutely passionate about: teddy bears. When boyfriend, Scott, shows a genuine interest in her passion instead of laughing at her for “playing with teddies all day”, she knows he’s a keeper.
Returning home to the North Yorkshire seaside town of Whitsborough Bay to celebrate her birthday, Jemma thinks she’s heading for her happy-ever-after when Scott unexpectedly proposes. So, a few days later, why isn’t he retuning her calls or responding to her texts?
Julie has always been a wonderful single mother to Jemma and her little brother, Sean. As owner of specialist teddy bear shop, Bear With Me, and the creative genius behind the successful range of Ju-Sea Bears, she inspires Jemma with her ability to balance a demanding career with home life. So why is the shop now in disarray and why is Sean so upset?
Sam thought he had his future all worked out. With a promising career, a home, and a devoted fiancée, life was looking good. But now he’s all alone in a strange city, far from everyone and everything he cares about, struggling to rebuild the tatters of his life. Did he do the right thing by running away? What does the future hold and is he strong enough to face it?
Sometimes love finds us when we least expect it. But sometimes love leaves us, just as unexpectedly. When you’ve loved and lost, can you bear to let love in again?
Bear With Me, as all will be revealed …
I'm not really sure what I was expecting from Bear With Me, other than a lot of teddy bears. Now there is a bear bias, with beary honey jokes, but there is also a whole lot more to this book than may first meet the eye.
The book focuses on two main characters and for a fair amount of the story, I couldn't work out how their stories would connect, until I suddenly started to make the basic connections. Both Jemma and Sam have things in common, have both encountered recent heart ache, and in Jemma's case has a whole of of other things going on in her life.
The story covers grief, horrible disease diagnosis, mental health worries, secrets and lies, new friendships, family and the promise of a brighter future. Every now and then a revelation would appear in the story that left me reeling.
Neither Sam nor Jemma have an easy time of it in this book, both have been very unlucky in love for various reasons. Yet there are some light hearted moments too for balance, its just a really good book.
If you have read any of Jessica Redlands Whitsborough Bay series, then you will recognise a couple of faces that put in an appearance in this book., but its not necessary to have read them, as this works as a standalone. Was lovely to be able to return to the North Yorkshire seaside.
The story is a bit of a rollercoaster, in a good way. I found myself wishing that Sam and Jemma's lives were slightly less fraught with problems, but there is an ease and tenderness in the dialogue between the pair that I loved to read.
Overall a really well written story that touches on some difficult subjects in a sensitive way.
Thank you to Jessica Redland for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
The book focuses on two main characters and for a fair amount of the story, I couldn't work out how their stories would connect, until I suddenly started to make the basic connections. Both Jemma and Sam have things in common, have both encountered recent heart ache, and in Jemma's case has a whole of of other things going on in her life.
The story covers grief, horrible disease diagnosis, mental health worries, secrets and lies, new friendships, family and the promise of a brighter future. Every now and then a revelation would appear in the story that left me reeling.
Neither Sam nor Jemma have an easy time of it in this book, both have been very unlucky in love for various reasons. Yet there are some light hearted moments too for balance, its just a really good book.
If you have read any of Jessica Redlands Whitsborough Bay series, then you will recognise a couple of faces that put in an appearance in this book., but its not necessary to have read them, as this works as a standalone. Was lovely to be able to return to the North Yorkshire seaside.
The story is a bit of a rollercoaster, in a good way. I found myself wishing that Sam and Jemma's lives were slightly less fraught with problems, but there is an ease and tenderness in the dialogue between the pair that I loved to read.
Overall a really well written story that touches on some difficult subjects in a sensitive way.
Thank you to Jessica Redland for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Really glad you enjoyed your return to Whitsborough Bay, Rachel. Thanks so much for taking time to read and review Bear With Me. Wishing you a fabulous summer xx
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Jessica and enjoy the rest of your summer.
DeleteThis sounds like a really lovely read.
ReplyDeleteIt really was
Delete