Reviews

My Boyfriend Is a Bear by Pamela Ribon

the_introvert_dragon's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

ellytheskelly's review

adventurous medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

It had its moments. It was at its best when the bear felt like he was serving a metaphor instead of just being a strange, literal tale of a human woman being in a relationship with a bear.

However, the overall impression it gave me was.... bizarre and uncomfortable. Wouldn't recommend reading it unironically.

mogojojo1013's review

1.0

Upon picking up this book, I thought it was just going to be a silly and fun book, not to be taken too seriously. I thought I was going to laugh, and it was going to be a fun, easy read. I certainly was not expecting that I would come away just feeling unsettled and uncomfortable. Some of the book certainly was just silly and fun, but the author takes the idea of a bear boyfriend too far at a lot of moments. While the actual bear might be symbolic of something else, I don't feel this was a great way to symbolize this. It toes the line of bestiality and just makes me uncomfortable. In addition to that, it deals with some very heavy and emotional topics, which is fine in and of itself, but in a book that I expected from the cover and title to be frivolous and fun, it was rather jarring and just plain upsetting.

geekwayne's review

4.0

'My Boyfriend Is a Bear' by Pamela Ribon with art by Cat Farris is the story of girl meets bear.

Nora has had bad luck with men, so when she meets up with an actual bear, she decides to give that a try. Love is not always easy, but Nora and bear try to get past things like broken furniture and a mate who eats more than his fair share. When Bear has to hibernate, can Nora survive?

I'll admit that this one is a bizarre concept, and I wasn't sure how it would play out, but I was completely charmed by it. The art is lively and fun. Nora is an interesting and sympathetic protagonist. This was a delightful read.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

ludicrouspopinjay's review

5.0

This is my first graphic novel and I LOVED it! Very fun read and the illustrations are AMAZING!

tmspinks's review

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

romiewomie's review

thought the bear was a metaphor no she’s actually dating a bear…

moonafall's review

5.0

I got this book as a present from my boyfriend. It got the reaction he wanted.

I haven’t read many books that are similar to this (unless you count Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters). But I have played games that feel like this one. This book feels like Hatoful Boyfriend, and Jurassic Heart, and Dream Daddy (which doesn’t have a monster/animal/forbidden lust but does have a secret cult leader so).

My Boyfriend Is A Bear is more of a rom-com. It feels light and the ending is good. When I got home from holiday I made my roommate read it and more people should too.

Reason to read this book: you’ve been in a relationship that others didn’t approve of before
Best character: Carly

zorpblorp's review

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

foofers1622's review

3.0

That was one of the weirdest and sweetest love stories I've ever read. The whole mating season was kinda creepy