by: Fredrik Backman
Goodreads description:
After everything that the citizens of Beartown have gone through, they are struck yet another blow when they hear that their beloved local hockey team will soon be disbanded. What makes it worse is the obvious satisfaction that all the former Beartown players, who now play for a rival team in Hed, take in that fact. Amidst the mounting tension between the two rivals, a surprising newcomer is handpicked to be Beartown’s new hockey coach.
Soon a new team starts to take shape around Amat, the fastest player you’ll ever see; Benji, the intense lone wolf; and Vidar, a born-to-be-bad troublemaker. But bringing this team together proves to be a challenge as old bonds are broken, new ones are formed, and the enmity with Hed grows more and more acute.
As the big match approaches, the not-so-innocent pranks and incidents between the communities pile up and their mutual contempt grows deeper. By the time the last game is finally played, a resident of Beartown will be dead, and the people of both towns will be forced to wonder if, after all they’ve been through, the game they love can ever return to something simple and innocent.
Helen says: 🤓🤓🤓1/4
Sorry we have been reading so many sequels lately….You may want to read Beartown first. It’s kind of necessary to do so in order to follow the next one- Us Against You.
To be honest, I liked this series okay. It kind of reminded me of a Jodi Picoult book. Men and sports enthusiasts might find it enthralling with all of the hockey references. So many books, so little time….Beartown quasi hooked me, but I was tired of the subject matter by the time I got to the sequel. I am still listening on Audible…not quite finished.
Holly says: 🤓🤓🤓1/4
I really love Fredrik Backman – A Man Called Ove is a favorite, but this one is not. Somewhat depressing, and a little unrelatable for me. This is not “hockey does for Beartown what football does for Friday Night Lights“. Also, there are A LOT of similar characters to keep straight, and I struggled with that. If you are a hockey buff, go for it.
Helen and Holly Hit the Books 