Backman does it again. In the small town of Beartown, The town faces another blow as the hockey club threatens to close. What will take for a town to save the one thing that keeps it together.

I am amazed once again at how Backman is able to take almost every current and timely topic facing humanity and weave it into a story that I just cannot stop reading. It is not easy reading or even pleasant to read all the time, but still I cannot stop. His characters and interesting and multi-dimensional. The narrator gives you just enough to keep you turning the pages, but not to much so that you would predict exactly what is happening. And through it all he speaks truth about life, relationships and everything in between. I will read anything he will write.

I felt a bit lost at the beginning of this novel because I hadn't read the previous story and I think that would have helped understand the mentality of the town. But I think the author did a good job of dribbling in the backstory to paint the picture of devastation, loss and pain rippling through this town.

I loved how the story picked up multiple POV's. Each character's story was individually tragic and linked together you have to wonder how any town could survive the anger and accusations. It also spoke volumes to how the treatment of sports and the mentality that winning is everything, your life must BECOME the sport is so destructive to society. The anger and violence inspired by the events in this town and the competition between these teams is destroying the people. And this picture is recreated every day in hockey rinks around the world. The belief that "my child will be a superstar" drives adults to behave unspeakably.

This story spoke truth and that truth is so sad. I think all parents with a child playing hockey should read this. Don't get to this point. The game, is just that...a game. And while yes, some will reach superstardom most will just play the game and enjoy it before moving on to the rest of their lives

I absolutely loved this book.
It was such an amazing follow up to Bear Town.
The juxtaposition of Maya's songs against what was happening in the town was so poignant.

Everyone: if you are NOT reading this book series, you MUST read it immediately. Set in a small town in Sweden that is 'all about' its hockey, what happens when a major incident involving the star hockey player goes down? How does the town fracture around it?

This is the second book, and it follows the fracture lines farther.

Backman's writing is simply exceptional here, and the way in which he writes flash-forwards into the narrative is inspired.

LOVED LOVED LOVED.

“It’s so easy to think that what we post online is like raising your voice in a living room when it’s actually more like shouting from the rooftops. Our fantasy world always has consequences for other people’s realities.”

Us Against You was equally as good as Beartown. I don’t want to give too much away but these books have reserved a very special place in my heart.

I’ve heard some people say they liked Us Against You even better than Beartown and I’ve heard the opposite … for myself, I don’t think I have a preference. They were both amazing in their own right and they both covered very crucial topics about our society today. I truly love this town and the people in it. These are the types of books that you find yourself rooting for the characters and I ended up feeling very invested in their lives.

Seriously though, all I can say is read these books. They are extremely powerful and relatable to our world.

I’ve also heard rumours that there will be a third book …? I cannot wait for that if it’s true!

Incredible. After finishing Beartown I couldn't put the characters of this small town aside, so when I heard that Us Against You followed the same characters I was ecstatic. The book is full of heart, moving, and provides closure after processing the events from Beartown. I love the way the author writes, bringing life to his characters, and dropping you into a town full of conflict and complexities. I highly recommend this book!

I found the first book, Beartown on the shelf of my local Chapters book store and fell in love with the community of Beartown and its many characters. A few favourites stood out from the start; Ana, Benji, Bobo and Maya. I finished the first book within a few days and the anticipation for this second book built quickly.

Thanks to another reviewer on Goodreads, I found out about Net Galley and signed up in hopes that "US Against You" would be available. I had already pre-ordered a hard copy but September is a long way away when you are excited for something.

Luckily, I received permission to read this book and I devoured it as quickly as I could. Emotions ran high with this one as the communities of Hed and Beartown go head-to-head, both on and off the ice. My favourites have returned and each are faced with their own hardships and battles of strength. I can see pieces of myself in all of them.

This series is a definite Not-Miss and I highly recommend it to book lovers everywhere.

Thank you Fredrik Backman, Simon and Schuster, Net Galley and Goodreads.

I loved this book, just like the first one. Backman has the great ability to get you invested in everyone in this story, which is surprising considering how many characters are in it! I found the story to have a fantastic mix of elements, and there wasn't anything I particularly disliked. The one thing I a bit less enthusiastic about was how the author used "deceptive foreshadowing", where he made us think something was going to happen and then something else happened. Other than that though, a book that was just great as the first one.

The lesson here: people are much more complicated than "good" or "bad". It's always a mix.

I have read and enjoyed all of this author's works, but I think this may be his best one yet. Not just for hockey fans, this is a wonderful story filled with observations on life. It is told in a bit of different style that takes a bit of time to get used to, but is a fabulous story and so worthy of your time.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel.
“Us Against You” by Frederick Backman is the sequel to Backman’s “Beartown”, the hockey-loving town where both stories takes place. After a trying year, and the loss of their team’s star player, the citizens of Beartown are hit again by devastating news- the team may lose their much-loved hockey team. The entire team rallies together to try and save it because, after all, what are they without hockey?
I adored “Beartown”, I thought it was funny, poignant and entertaining. Sadly, “Us Against You” did not meet the same standard. I found this novel to be more about the politics of hockey, the sponsors and the importance of keeping the funding, and not so much about the players and the town, which was what made the previous novel so endearing. I feel “Beartown” was about how a hockey team rallied together (and divided apart) when tragedy struck. “Us Against You” focused more on the politics of keeping the hockey team together.
Although most of the usual players return in this novel, nothing of any particular note happens to them. Sure, events transpire-the death of a sick woman, teenage romantic drama, a fire- but none of these events kept my interest long enough. In fact, if I had not loved “Beartown” so very much, “Us Against You” would have made my DNF list. I kept trying, wishing and hoping that a plot twist (or any plot event at all) would come along and blow me away.
“Us Against You” was a task to finish. It wasn’t because the novel was lengthy, or because the language was challenging but I feel that a follow-up novel to something as powerful as “Beartown” would have to just as endearing and quaint, as anything less would not do. Sadly, “Us Against You” did not do.
I am a huge fan of Backman and in general, I find his novels to be delightful and quirky, but this one fell flat for me. I feel that even fans of hockey may not like this one. I do look forward to reading future novels by Backman, of course, and am confident in a more positive result.

I enjoyed Backman’s insights as with his previous books but I found this book more difficult to get into. The repetitive foreshadowing I felt took away from the narrative and interfered with the flow of this book. The unique characters of Beartown again manipulated my emotions with the same anxiety and anticipation. I find books that show the worst of human nature difficult to get through so perhaps this book isn’t as good a fit for me as “A Man named Ove”.

This book, as Beartown was, is phenomenal!
This book starts from where Beartown ended. Do not read this book if you have not read Beartown.

Beartown is a town in decline. It needs its hockey team to boost morale. There is so much at play in this book- the politics behind sports; the hatred between towns and teams; the loyalty of friends and families as well as the betrayals.
In so many ways, the people in this book tore at my heart, but the hatred absolutely terrified me. But yet, I couldn't stop reading this book. Fredrik Backman has brought each and every person to life. He really knows people- he gets them and all their strengths and weaknesses.
This book is less about the time on the ice than what happens off the ice. My eyes were opened to everything that goes into supporting a team and its players. As well, what the players and families have to endure in the name of hockey!
This book was amazing-there was so much more tension than the previous book, that I felt on edge throughout.
Highly recommend this book!

Beartown made me teary eyed at the pharmacy waiting room but Us Against You made me bawl my eyes out in my living room. Thankfully my husband was not home at that time to mock me! I don't know how Backman can take a subject like young men playing hockey in a small town and completely break my heart with it. He has very quickly become one of my favourite authors and I can't wait to pick up more of his books! 5🌟

(Thanks to NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.)

Us Against You by Fredrik Backman is one of the most anticipated sequel this year. It all started in Beartown where hockey is everything to everybody. The lives of a young girl, a team captain and his best friend changed forever in the first book. The sequel picks up where the first book ended and it is a wild ride thereafter. How far will the people from Beartown go to support their hockey team? Too far? Most likely. This book is another tour de force by Backman. A must-read if you have read Beartown already.

A big shoutout to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this wonderful ARC of Us Against You. This book will be available at your favourite bookstore on September 4th, 2018.

#bookstagram #books #bookaddict #bookreviews #bookreview #usagainstyou #fredrikbackman #netgalley #simonandschuster

I read Beartown earlier this month and enjoyed it a fair bit, but it did have its shortcomings. So I went into Us Against You with some reservations. Those reservations proved to be completely unnecessary; this is without a doubt the best book I've read so far this year!

Us Against You felt much less repetitive than Beartown to me. It was much less focused on rehashing the same events over and over, and the foreshadowing felt a lot more successfully applied here than in the previous book. I think it also helped a lot that I was already invested in the characters' lives from having read the previous book, so the connection I felt with them this time around was much stronger. I was fully invested in this novel from the very beginning and couldn't put it down.

This book was absolutely emotionally devastating. I found myself tearing up nearly every other chapter, and I got literal chills more than once while reading. Beartown's inhabitants each have a distinct voice and personality, fears and motivations all their own. The emotions that Backman manages to convey through his characters are raw and real. It's what truly makes his novels stand out, and that skill felt exceptionally well-honed in this novel.

This is an absolutely gorgeous novel by an author with an incredible skill for handling difficult subjects with grace and tact, while not shying away from the uglier aspects of the subject. I cannot say enough good things about this novel, and I urge anyone looking for an engrossing read to pick up both Beartown and Us Against You!

Wow. What an emotional read. This novel, a sequel to Backman’s Beartown, follows the people of Beartown and Hed as they continue to see the full impact one persons actions can have. Maya was the one raped but the fall out goes so much farther beyond her. This story was emotionally challenging to read at times but so well written. If you liked Beartown then you need to read this. And if you haven’t read Beartown you should read that too.

Us Against You continues where Beartown left off. Peter Andersson is struggling with the ruins of Beartown Hockey. The majority of the old team has gone to play in Hed, Beartown’s rival club.

The rest of Peter's family is left dealing with the aftermath of the rape of his daughter, Maya. His son, Leo, is left with pent up anger over failing to protect his sister. With nowhere to turn, he attracts the attention of the Pack, Beartown's gang.

Benji, one of the Beartown players left on Maya's side, is dealing with his own demons. He is a closeted gay boy, in a very small, isolated community. When Beartown Hockey gets new sponsors, the coach wants Benji to be the captain of the new A team.

The book follows the creation of a new Beartown A team, which creates friction between Beartown and Hed. As the friction comes to climax, the two towns are left wondering what it's going to cost them to keep their team.

MY THOUGHTS
I grew up in a small mining community in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. I was a rink rat, I grew up being dragged to my brother's hockey games. Cheering for our local junior hockey team, The Flin Flon Bombers. Long Canadian winters are made for hockey.

I saw so many parallels between my own community and the fictional one created in the book. The mine is our only industry and if it shut it's doors, our community will cease to exist. I know what that fear is like. I also know what a lifeline hockey has been to my community. I understood Beartown intimately.

I was so excited to read this book because I loved Beartown so much. Us Against You did not disappoint.
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Us Against You had the task of continuing the story started in the first book. It did that beautifully, in the end. But I felt some of the other storylines got in the way. The politics of keeping the club running, the reasons for all the fighting between Hed and Beartown, the rebuilding of the hockey team, and then there was the the aftermath of the storyline from Beartown to deal with.

Then there were a few smaller storylines going, too. The hockey coach, the Pack’s involvement in the club, Benji’s sexual orientation, and the four-year-old phenom girl hockey player. It was a lot of balls to keep in the air, and some felt more necessary than others.

At the end of the day, I loved being back in Beartown. I loved seeing Benji come full circle, as he's my favourite character. I adored seeing where the Andersson's ended up, individually and as a family. I enjoyed seeing behind-the-scenes of Bobo's family.
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Backman is one of my favourite authors, his books make me think about humanity. I always end up saying, “YES!” out loud while reading them because he is great at creating characters that feel real, like people you know. His insights into human nature are incredible and he doesn't disappoint in Us Against You. I walked away with a ton of quotes that I will refer back to for years.

The second book in the Beartown series, I was happy to get to follow this small town again as they navigated life through a series of tensions again related to the local hockey team. As the original Beartown team disbands and falls apart after the tensions from the previous summer cause people to take sides. Hockey players end up either choosing to stay with Beartown and a rival team in Hed.
As the big game between Beartown and Hed approaches, all of the tensions between these kids pile up. The book continues to allude to the death of a member of the community, and I was continuously drawn in to figure this out,
Us Against You is more than a hockey book. It is about small town, love, and rising above our personal struggles.

*I received an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

I very much enjoyed revisiting the people from Beartown! While this book didn't focus quite so much on the game of hockey, it was a focal point. This book was more about the politics of having and keeping a hockey team in a particular town. It was about the rivalries that exist between teams and their supporters. But mostly, this book is about people and all of their faults and strengths and emotions.
This author has a way of describing events and people and how they react to things that is nothing short of amazing. He tugs at your heartstrings and leaves tears in your eyes. You feel the hurt or anger of the characters. Fredrik Backman certainly knows how to write a very good, character driven story.
I like how the people described are portrayed as all too human. They all have faults and do stupid, misguided things. They live their lives as best they can and they all love the Beartown Bears...

Us Against You is the second book in the Beartown series. You could say it is about hockey in a small town, and the survival of the Beartown team, but it’s really about all the different characters in the small town and their relationships with each other. In Us Against You, I think the author went even further into each character – the families, the neighbourhood gang members, the twelve-year-old boy, the local bar owner – no one is one dimensional. And just when you think you know how things will go, it doesn’t go that way at all. This book had me under its spell just as much, and probably more, than the first Beartown book, called Beartown. There is something about the atmosphere created by the author that keeps you pulled in. It was very captivating and moving, and I couldn’t put it down. I would recommend it to everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has already been released in the United States, however, the Canadian release date is set for September 4, 2018.

In this sequel to Beartown, we reconnect with all the characters that we loved or in some instances, drove us crazy.

The start of this book picks up pretty much where Beartown left off. The local hockey team is in jeopardy because the star players have gone to the rival team of Hed to play and the Beartown hockey club is bankrupt. Peter’s job is in jeopardy and his marriage is in trouble; Maya is still recovering from her rape, Leo is a lost soul and tensions are on the rise between Beartown and Hed.

Entering the scene is a new character, Theo, who is a politician and master manipulator. He starts pulling strings behind the curtains ratcheting up the tension between the two towns by deliberately setting people off against each other.

Once again Backman writes the story with compelling characters showing us that we can feel empathy and forgiveness to others even if we do not agree with their beliefs or actions.