Who We Are by TJ Klune

Title: Who We Are

Author: TJ Klune

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publisher’s URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

ISBN/BIN: 9781613724613

Genre: {M/M}, Contemporary, Sequel

Rating: Golden Blush Award

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Bear, Otter, and the Kid are ready for their lives to continue with a little less drama. Unfortunately for all three concerned, it’s going to be some time before their wishes are granted. As their lives continue to play out, will the events make their relationship stronger or will it tear them apart?

Who We Are is a great follow up to Bear, Otter, and the Kid. Readers may want to keep in mind that these are stories that need to be read in order, so if you have not read the first story yet, there may be spoilers below.

I was a big fan of Mr. Klune’s book Bear, Otter, and the Kid so when I saw the author had a follow-up story out, I could not help doing the happy dance. I love the characters, especially the Kid, and the way in which the author has written these two stories. Like the first book, Who We Are is written in the first person from Bear’s point of view. Normally, I am not a big fan of first person POV stories; however, Mr. Klune is one of the few authors whose stories in this style I just love. Bear pulls you right in as if you are sitting next to him on the couch while he tells you his life story. The prologue is sure to cause many of you to bust out laughing, especially by the time the ‘sixteen were-otter babies’ show up.

Only a couple of weeks have passed from the end of book one and the start of book two, and although the guys are still in the honeymoon stage, Bear can’t help stressing over the little things. Bear, Otter, and the Kid have many obstacles to overcome in this new story however, so some of Bear’s stressing is justified. While this small family continues to fight for custody of the Kid, they will also face numerous other challenges and by the end of the story, I found myself needing a tissue. The author really puts a lot into this story and one of the things I liked is that each situation the men find themselves in is true to life and comes across very realistically.

While the book is heavy in the angst department, there are some light hearted moments and this is generally where the Kid comes in. Some of the Kid’s poetry shows up and, of course, there are his over the top comments and questions. But while the Kid usually can be found behind the lighter moments in this story, he is can also be found at the center of some of the tougher moments as well. The Kid also wraps up the story so expect a couple of surprises.

On his blog the author hints at the possibility of a third story. While Mr. Klune claims that it could be some time before we see the next installment I hope it won’t be too far into the future.