Reviews

The Good Bear by Sarah Lean

womanvsbooks's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

f33lthesun's review against another edition

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3.0

This is a heartwarming book for the festive season.
It examines cultural differences around Christmas, the relationships of blended/separated family and the changing perceptions they have of each other, alongside the relationship between a girl and a bear. The bear impacts greatly on the family ties and brings them closer than ever.

girlreading's review against another edition

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4.0

a beautifully written, heartwarming and perfectly christmassy story of a girl, a bear and how they help each other find their place in the world. (I would very much like this to get a movie adaptation please and thank you.)

veritygrahams's review against another edition

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3.0

I have to be honest, this isn’t my kind of book, and that’s more the reason for the rating it’s got. As part of a book club I had to read this, and it was a poor pick for the age range.

It’s a sweet story, thought felt like it was dealing with heavy stuff for the age it’s targeted at. That being said, it had great touching moments.

jade314's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

koyasten's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

‘Do you know what people say about writers? … They say that they either write things worth reading or they do things worth writing … And sometimes a rare one does both’

claire60's review against another edition

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4.0

Wonderful book about a young girl who wants to be a writer, who goes to Norway to visit her estranged father and his new family before Christmas. She's cold, grumpy which is refreshing for a heroine, making friends with a local shopkeeper who lends her a typewriter, she begins to adjust. She also meets a bear in the forest who is also cold and hungry, so she begins to take care of him. Through looking after the bear she begins to discover the real meaning of Christmas and that things and people can change if you allow them space, but can she save the bear and persuade everyone he is good? A delightful heartwarming story for any adventurous child that loves animals.

With thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

lampje's review against another edition

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4.0

Lovely

lydiahephzibah's review against another edition

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4.0

this would make a lovely animated Christmas film a la klaus

polly_lilith's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

3.25

very sweet for winter but nothing very memorable