Bear with Me Now - by Katie Shepard (Paperback)

About the Book

"Two people are ready for their lives to get a little wilder in this romantic comedy by debut author Katie Shepard. After being hospitalized for depression following his mother's death, charitable foundation CEO Teagan van Zijl finds himself at a wilderness therapy retreat in Montana. Lost in the woods, Teagan nearly gets eaten by a bear but is saved by an angel in muddy hiking boots-the program's handywoman, Darcy Albano, that is. After spending the summer with Darcy, Teagan realizes he 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 how to move forward. But once they get to the city, all Teagan can think of is how to confess the truth. Darcy Albano thought she was going to work as a wilderness guide when she was hired on the camp staff, but ended up a handywoman instead-only the latest screwing-over she's endured since her ex stole her car and her parents ruined her credit score. But Teagan van Zijl is the silver lining she didn't expect to appear-clearly going through something but willing to learn about wildlife from her. They form an unlikely bond, and he helps her in turn. The city is not how she envisioned it when she agreed to join him, but with Teagan, anything feels possible"--

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"A funny, poignant, romantic exploration of mental health and of the way love can help us heal. Katie Shepard has a unique talent for mixing gentle humor, weighty topics, and swoony moments. You will fall in love with Darcy and Teagan on page one and you will laugh, and cry, and cheer as they discover themselves and each other. A perfect, dazzling debut, and the start of my new favorite series! (And let's not forget the bear, the wolves, and all the otters...)"--Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of Loathe to Love You

"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

"Shepard's wonderful debut romance features characters who are so beautifully depicted, they become real.... This exquisite combination of issues, humor, and hot sex make Shepard a writer to watch."--Booklist, starred review

"I adored these characters, their meet-cute, and the mental health representation. Frankly, I can't wait to see what Katie Shepard writes next."--Culturess

About the Author

Katie Shepard studied Soviet history and worked in human rights law before burning way, way out, and achieved professional tranquility as a simple country bankruptcy lawyer. She lives in Texas with her husband, kids, and elderly rescue cat, but is often found hiking in the Rocky Mountains or the virtual woods of Thedas.