Bear with Me Now

By: Katie Shepard

Narrated by: Savannah Peachwood

Love makes life a little wilder in this romantic comedy by debut author Katie Shepard.

After a panic attack puts him in the hospital, charity executive Teagan Van Zijl is dragged by his sister to a wilderness therapy retreat in Montana. Lost in the woods while absconding from midafternoon meditation, Teagan is nearly eaten by a bear before his rescue by a furious angel in muddy hiking boots: the program’s handywoman, Darcy Albano, who was mostly worried for the bear.

Darcy thought she was going to work as a trail guide when she was hired onto the camp staff but ended up cleaning and hauling instead—merely the latest screwing-over she’s endured since her ex stole her car and her parents ruined her credit score. Teagan becomes the silver lining she didn’t expect, a man clearly going through something yet willing to commit to Darcy’s unique brand of wilderness education as the cure for what ails him.

After weeks in the mountains with Darcy, Teagan doesn’t want to return to New York without her. He hires Darcy as his sober companion—a position he doesn’t actually need filled and for which Darcy is completely unqualified—hoping she can help him figure out a way to move forward. But once they get to the city, all Teagan can think of is how to confess the truth without losing her. Together, they begin to imagine what their lives might look like if they could depend on each other for help—even in outrunning a bear.

©2023 Katie Shepard (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"I didn't even have to play dead, because this book already killed me. Shepard's nuanced wit and vibrant prose sparkle off of the page. Readers will go wild for this sexy and heartfelt romance between two unforgettable characters as they help each other make it out of the woods of life."—Thea Guanzon, author of The Hurricane Wars trilogy

"Angsty, swoony, sharply written, and full of heart, Bear with Me Now is a deeply compassionate romance about finding love in the midst of profound struggles and vulnerabilities, discovering the gift of entrusting all of yourself to a worthy someone to love and be loved by in return."—Chloe Liese, author of Two Wrongs Make a Right

"Bear With Me Now is a stellar debut. Witty, moving, and unique, it features two memorable characters in kind-hearted charity executive Teagan—too ashamed of his struggles with mental illness to admit that's why he's in wilderness rehab—and tough-as-nails handywoman Darcy who signs on as the sober companion he doesn't actually need. Shepard builds a beautiful, realistic love story about two damaged people finding strength in each other, and she addresses the serious issues of mental illness and addiction with a deft touch. I was rooting for Darcy and Teagan the whole time, and I can't wait to see what Shepard writes next."—Sarah Hawley, author of A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon

Cute story, the first half especially!

3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐️
2 / 5 🌶️
Spicy Chapters: 16, 23

Teagan (MMC) and Darcy (FMC)

Dual POV narration, and the narrator on Audiobook was fantastic 🙌🏻🤩.

Kate Shepard is a new author to me, and I must say that although this book has not been life changing, it was a very enjoyable read (4 stars at least) up until the 50% mark aprox, when Darcy leaves Montana to follow Teagan to New York.

The book has some very funny moments that made me laugh out loud. I.e.: There's a scene at the beginning of the book where the MMC gets attacked by a bear. After Darcey saves him, he's injured on his hip. When she's going to check the bleeding, she discovers that he's wearing Cookie Monster underwear briefs that say: "I'm nom nom" on his waistband. She thinks: the bear would've been embarrassed to eat this man 🤣 LOL.

I enjoyed how the author balanced it out between serious topics such as mental illness, anxiety, alcohol abuse, and lighter ones, as well as adding sprinkles of humor and lighter topics. I also found the dynamic between quiet, introverted Teagan and the more outgoing, decisive, confident Darcy pretty charming. They balanced and complimented each other out pretty well.

The spicy scenes aren't very hot 🌶, unfortunately. Teagan is self-conscious, and Darcy the one taking initiative pretty much throughout the book, including in bed 🛌. There's nothing wrong with that, but just not my personal cup of tea.

At the 2/3ds mark, the story started to get boring. Darcie was in NYC shadowing Teagan as her "sober companion," and not much happened for a long while.

Teagan has panic atacks, it's so sad and pitiful to read. I felt so much empathy towards him. He feels so much shame is embarrassed about it. I just wanted to wrap the amMac in my arms and give him a hug 🫂. Also, he's so oblivious to women and thinks so little of himself... it's kind of unrealistic. I mean, he's young, rich, has a good job (that he hates but doesn't quit because he feels responsible for the foundation that his mother used to manage but made a mess of), is considerate, kind, good and generous in the bedroom... the full package, really!

It's frustrating because there are so many situations in this book where the solution to the characters' problems is literally in front of them (i.e., the foundation needs donations. Teagan's sister is great at speaking to wealthy people, who'll make big donations & raise a lot of money. But Teagan refuses and won't won't allow her to help 😩🤦🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️). It's so frustrating to read at times!

Anyhow. this book had a lot of potential and started off great. I wouldn't re-read it again, but I don't regret having spent some time discovering a new (to me) author and finding out more about the characters.

Happy reading! 📚

Ok but…

This was ok but the story seemed to drag. I couldn’t get into it. I understood the theme running through it, but it didn’t capture my attention.

loved it

fun book, great jokes. Loved the otters and beavers. Unique and gripping. Great writing and will def. listen to again.

Loved it

Really good book. It's my first by this author. Well worth the credit. Looking forward to seeing more from the writer.

Amazing listen!

Cute, funny and engaging story! I appreciated the realistic detail to challenges faced by individuals with anxiety. I also loved how this storyline was different from typical romances. The narrator was wonderful! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more by this author.

Cringe if you are actually sober

Although I like this authors writing style, and her book idea was interesting, she does the world of people who are actually trying to get and stay sober no favors. I’d suggest actually researching what is helpful and what is actually potentially deadly to addicts and alcoholics. The enabling and codependency of the characters are cringe and made my stomach turn.

I didn't finish it

I got this as my free credit during a 2 for 1 sale, and I picked it up because either was being advertised as a rom-com and I felt like I could use something lighthearted. This is NOT lighthearted.

It literally starts with a list of trigger warnings. And both characters are chock full of trauma.

The author has a nice narrative style, though the characters are a little exaggerated perhaps but I got about 10 chapters in and it was 90% doom and gloom with only a few lines that I would actually consider comedy, and I had to give it a pass. It felt like someone tried to mix one of those Christian romances meant to show you the healing power of God with a dark romance (although there wasn't actually any religion in it) and came out with something resembling an awkward lifetime TV movie that can't decide what direction it's going in. Maybe it gets better but it definitely wasn't what I signed up for, though that's more Audible's fault than the author's.

Fun summer read- Character fell flat for me

First the good:
1. The narrator is excellent
2. The setting is fun, and the romance is different than other books in this genre

The things that bothered me:
1. There is little character development in the beginning, so while I know “about” them, I didn’t feel like I knew them or why they were the ways they were. I felt like I picked up a second book in a series without reading the first.
2. The relationship starts with weird power dynamics and the FMC is a bully to a Beverly sensitive MMC- I didn’t really see it actually working out other than a physical attraction so I felt less invested in their relationship.

Funny, romcom set in the woods of Montana

"Bear with me now" is an enchanting debut romcom by Katie Shepherd that combines unlikely circumstances with heartwarming romance. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Montana, this captivating tale of love blossoming after a bear attack is a delightful blend of humor, adventure, and genuine affection, leaving readers with a warm and fuzzy feeling long after they turn the final page.

Great narrator, cute story

narration was great! the story overall was really cute. glad I bought it on audible