The Long and Winding Road: NULL (Bear, Otter, and the Kid Chronicles)

“Family is not always defined by blood. It’s defined by those who make us whole—whose who make us who we are.”“Bear, Otter, and the Kid” was the first book by T.J. Klune that I read, back in 2011 (alas, before I was saving my reviews at home). It was my first introduction to Klune’s signature style, exemplified by the character of Derrick “Bear” McKenna. Since then, I’ve read every book Klune has published, discovering new pleasure with each new angle on this rare (and not always easy to digest) writing talent.In this odd world in which I read for personal pleasure (gay fiction, gay romance), I have learned to ignore reviews and simply see what joy I can draw out of any book I read. I always am satisfied and emotionally filled by Klune’s books, because of the spirit that rests within each of his widely diverse backlist of titles. Some of them appeal to me more than others, but every one pushes buttons and touches me in some profound way. By contrast, for the (mostly straight) men’s book group to which I’ve belonged for years (who wouldn’t dream of reading a gay-themed novel, in spite of my attempts), I have only really liked about half of the books we’ve shared. These are, without exception, best-sellers in literature, Pulitzer-Prize-winners, much talked-about hot books of the day. The point is that this doesn’t make them any better than the best of the work that comes from the genre I care most about. In this library of over 1200 books on my Kindle, Klune is among those writers whose work stands out for me. Not everybody likes Klune’s writing. But for those who do, it’s a rare treat.I was glad to read the final chapter in the Bear, Otter and Ty saga. I needed this closure, every messy, overthought, drama-filled, hilarious page of it. I wanted to see Ty grown up. I was so pleased to see Otter and Bear get older—one more way for me to identify with them. I reveled in the big messy family of choice (and blood) that these men have put together to be their bulwark against the slings and arrows of the world (is that a mixed metaphor?).There’s some dark stuff here; but it is (for once) handled with a lighter touch, because Klune sees the long-awaited goal in the distance and doesn’t wallow too much in the tough things in his desire to get us all to the finish line. What’s adorable is that the author himself is a rather young man, and I found myself smiling knowingly at his vision of long-term marital bliss. But this is part of what makes his work so appealing; his ability to tap into universal emotional wells that make his characters’ travails resonate with his readers, even if they have never quite experienced what Klune’s characters go through.I laughed more during this book than I did with the previous volumes in this series. But I had plenty of emotions as well. This finale volume fairly beats you to death with love, and while that might not be for everyone, it’s just right for me.

This is the final book in the Bear, Otter and the Kid series. I loved every single word. I loved Bear's rambling, meandering, outrageously unrealistic monologues. I loved Otter's rock-solid assurances that everything will be okay. Loved watching the Kid grow. Grow out of some of his fear and panic and grow into a young man who is truly finding the place where he is a perfect fit. All the old friends and some new ones are here. There are real moments; real marriage problems and a hilarious struggle to figure out how to work through them.I love the writing style the author uses in these books. Very long monologues to short sentence fragments. The reuse of portions of the previous books (Otter's letter, Julie's letter, Kid and Otter's 'invitation' for Bear, etc.). I simply loved it all. I laughed many times. I cried many times. I breathed deeply (like Kid) when I was trying not to cry. This book has all the feels AND Bear changing his name to Valentino Valentine as well as Otter becoming a Mars-bound astronaut. JK, read the book.I noticed another review that said you didn't need to read the first 3 to 'get' this one. Well. Maybe. But if you were going to drive up the California coast, would you ignore the bulk of the journey, then soak in the last 3 miles and exclaim, "Wow, that was great!" You could. But you'd miss so much.Finally, I have to say: But, Tj! You could continue this! THERE COULD TOTALLY BE MORE. :)Thanks for these guys and their beautiful stories. I know you say no more. But I am kind of hoping we at least get to see some of these characters appear (even as a reference) in a future book. After all, even Gustavo Tiberius was mentioned in this series!

This is such a fantastic book. I can't say that enough this is the last book in the series of four starting with Bear Otter and the Kid. Before this book was released i took the time to do a re-read of the first three. I discovered something truly amazing that not a lot of writers can pull off. These books suck you tear you apart make you laugh and make you cry, not just cry but big snot face cry. But each page is golden every word is perfectly crafted to rebuild yourself gives hope back and most importantly love for this family. TJ Kline is an excellent story weaver he is one of the best I have ever read. I can't urge people enough to read this series trust me you will no regret it. Thank you TJ for this epic family that I know i will keep reading over and over.

In this last book in the series Bear, Otto and the Kid Chronicles the author, TJ Klune takes us on the last steps of a journey we have taken with a group of people we have come to love as if they were our own family. We have shared in their sorrows so deep we can feel it in our own chests but also their loves, triumphs and joy. This is one of those rare books where you keep checking to see how much is left, not because you want to get it over with but because you don’t want it to end! As I said in my review of the first book in the series, please, be sure to read the books in order and to read his “At First Sight Series” which has many of the secondary characters from this series in their own stories. TJ Klune has become one of my favorite authors with his skill at writing skillfully drawn characters and his precision. Again, may I say hats off to you, Sir, for allowing us the privilege of meeting Bear, Otter, the Kid, Creed, Anna, Dom, Corey/Kori and all the rest of their hodgepodge family and for allowing us to share their journey!

What a great read this series is, from the very start of the first book to this last one WOW just WOW. All the side characters had their own little stories each playing a part in the main story of Bear, Otter and the Kid. I sooo loved how Bear told you his thoughts I would and feelings it was like he was personally talking to you the reader. Definitely Worth more then five stars

I didn't realise, before i started, how much I truly needed this book. I needed the end so I could know for certain that these characters ended up OK, that life had finally given them a break. TJ created this family and in doing so he gave me, and so many others, a beautiful story of love and life, about overcoming hardships and being who we are.He taught me how to breathe.This was perfect, brilliant. it was everything. The most satisfying kind of goodbye.Thank you TJ, from the bottom of my heart. That is all.

Fantastic book to complete this story, so very sad to see that this is the last book TJ is writing on this story.

Happy, because this book was just the perfect way to end. And sad, well because it’s ended.Just brilliant loved every word that I read, Bear and Otter are just my absolute favourite will love these guys forever.

I never want the road to end! As usual, TJ will make you laugh out loud and cry hard! A book the you read faster and faster cos you NEED to know what happens next but are hating the idea of getting to the end! Loved it!

A great read which can be read alone or as part of the series. There are enough reference to what happened before to keep you on track.

Love TJs writing and I have all of his stuff. I adore this last book in the BOATK series and I'm sad it's the end ( yes I even thought of the next generation too) . It was worth the wait

The perfect ending to the Bear, Otter and the Kid series. I loved being back with these characters and genuinely was sad to say goodbye.

Outstanding... the whole series is beautiful.I read them all back to back... and plan on reading all of this author’s stories.

This book had me full of so many emotions. I am speechless, it's hard saying goodbye, happy and sad. A total emotional rollercoaster.

Perfect ending to an amazing series

When I was first introduced to TJ Klune's work he was on his own journey, as was I, I had just lost my Dad and I needed distraction from th pain, what I found was a Master, of words, a craftsman who used his pen to bring to life the journey, the life we all live at some point, because nothing is ever perfect.Well here is the thing! With this chronicle he shows that us that while life is far from perfect, it can be perfect for us. Life sometimes starts us on a road, not paved with gold or good intentions, it starts us on a winding, hilly, curvy, downhill, path only to climb and rise through the darkness to the light. While on it we traverse so many emotions, happiness, sadness, deep sorrow, joyful, anger, mistrust, and other emotions that grind into our bones and take away our breath.Through all of this we look to family, be they blood or not. Its the people we let into our lives that gives us the skills to drive on that road. Bear and the kid were as real as any family I have, then Otter comes and brings it all together, it works because at the heart of it all the ingredients are, love, trust and a deep sense of being.TJ weaves a spellbinding, heart breaking, wibbly wobbly face, ghost snot and all story to its final destination. One must ask why end it here, why not keep going, but I am glad it has ceased to be more, because it is already that, more than I imagined, more than I hoped, more, its just so much more than words on a page, its life. It so is the art of breathing.Again a craftsman chooses when his sculpture is finished, it looks at it with a discerning eye, is it what I thought it would be or is more, to me TJ allowed his characters to shine, to weave through the journey, to see them at their best and worst, he delved into their humour and brought laughter to life. We all love to joke and play the fool some of the time and this family cracked me up with their Dad jokes and eyes in the back of the head moments.Has it ended or has it begun, have we learnt to breath, just breath and no weed is not cool, no need to be impressed, because I was impressed way before this story begun, I have witnessed a master complete his art.

How do you leave a review that is SIX STARS.You laugh out loud more with this book than the first three.You cry about the same amount - just enough.I love every character.The story telling is honest and forthright.For me its the little things that the author includes, like more grey hair ........Like one other reviewer said, I savoured this book, choosing to read when I could truly enjoy, not wanting to miss anything...... and I left the last two chapters as I senses how TJ was going to wind it out and he did not disappoint in the least - FULL CIRCLE and the CIRCLE OF LIFE.BRAVO

Such a great ending for Bear Otter and Ty's journey. I mean their journey is still on but off the pages. The humor was just like always on point and the story telling was very moving and emotional. I also liked references to other Klune's books like How To Be Normal which made the story even more engaging and funny. Overall, I let out a tear or two at some parts of the book because feels and it's like a tradition for me to cry while reading Klune's books QQ so I'm very grateful for these series and for all thought-evoking breathtaking and absolutely hilarious moments I got to experience.

These books are LOL hilarious. Not to minimise the trauma, tragedy and injustice that underpins this series, but the dialogue is so engaging. You are right there with them all - loving them, living with them, crying and laughing. This is a REALLY REALLY great series. My first foray into MM and whilst there is a fair share of the 'hot and steamy' there is far more than that. These books have guts and grit and heart and soul. Recommend you start at book1. Read them and see. Congrat T J Klune - I'll be back to see what else you've written.