What a fitting end The Winners is to the Beartown trilogy. Backman is a master storyteller and captures the human spirit and psyche so well. The Winners continues the story of many familiar characters while introducing some new ones that are just as unforgettable. I loved this book just as much as the first two and cried when I turned the last page. It's long at 688 pages, but you'll be so engrossed in the characters' lives and what is happening that it flies by. Read this book now.

I was given an advance copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Fredrik Backman is a real gem and his writing evokes such thoughtfulness and emotion. Loved where the saga of Beartown ended up, highly recommend.

I am so glad to have received an advance copy of this book, the third in the Beartown trilogy. I have read every one of this author's books & loved them all. This story was fabulous, the perfect ending to a great saga. This book was a long one, but I'm sorry to see it end. I will miss Beartown & all its people.

I know that because Backman is a master storyteller and a beautiful writer, it is possible to read this third book without reading the opening works of the series, but DO NOT. It had been quite awhile since I read Us Against You; so much so that I went back to revisit the characters and relationships that were so intricately portrayed in books 1 and 2 of the trilogy before embarking on the final book in the series.

The frame of the storm in The Winners is an interesting backdrop for the plot and it makes the opening chapters of the novel quite cohesive. While the hockey rivalry is still at the core, this novel really focuses more intensely on the relationships of the characters; readers can see the growth and changes of some of our favorites and we are introduced to some new faces. Yes, it is long and is an investment of time. Every chapter is compelling and relatable. This book really is a winner!

The third Beartown book is just as amazing as the first two. You'll laugh, cry, fume, empathize, criticize, and everything in between. We get more of our favorites from Beartown and Hed, along with some new characters that add to the drama. This is not a book you should pick up if you haven't read the first two. There's so much history that you need to experience as you go, instead of learning in dialog and inner thoughts of the characters.

There is never a time that I will turn away the opportunity to read a Frederik Backman novel. The writing, characters and story are always wonderful and this book is no exception and will delight fans of the series. Thank you!

The Winners is a wonderful culmination of the saga of Beartown and their local hockey rivals in Hed. Many of the same characters are in this story, along with a new family, and a couple of new hockey players. The sports rivalry continues but there are several little surprises and a couple of big ones! -- and sadly, even a couple of deaths.

I liked that the author finished up by letting the reader know how the main characters go on with their lives and what lies ahead in their futures.

It is a very compelling story that keeps your attention throughout, and along with the author’s wonderful and unique writing style, I feel very satisfied with the ending.


I'd like to thank NetGalley, Fredrik Backman, and Atria Books for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

This is a hard review to write.
Bachman is a genius with words. I highlight more beautifully written prose within his pages than any other authors.
This series is one I have been invested in for years. I love these characters and this town.
This book has it all. Covers all of our favorite Beartown residents and we meet a few new ones as well and we have our heart broken all over again along the way.
It has a little bit of plot for everyone. Sports, love, death, lawsuits, family drama, rivalries, and so so much more.
These are my favorite books of all time and I have never been more happy to get an Advanced Reader Copy. Even at 688 pages I wanted to savor every page and every last day spent in Beartown.

Backman has a natural gift for storytelling. This title, the third title in the Beartown series, is just as good as the previous two. Hockey is once again a part of the story, but much like in Us Against You, the sport is much less of a major part of the story than it was in Beartown. This is more of a reflection of the characters' lives that we have seen evolving in the three books. By this point, readers who have been along for the entire ride are emotionally invested in these people, feeling like they actually know them. This title will allow you to experience a small part of their lives again - and I am glad we had the chance.

God this book was infuriating! Firstly, it was wayyyy to goddamn long. Why, when the first 2 books of this series were a huge success, would he double the length for the 3rd book? It was so unnecessary. I love a long book I can get lost in, but half of this book was not needed. Backman added like 10 new characters and spent too many pages introducing them. Backman is a character builder, it's what he does best. His characters are all complicated and unique and you fall in love with them all always. But part of that strength in this series, has been his ability to prolong the love we have for these characters through 3 books. I was distracted by the new characters and less invested and while they were good characters, they couldn't even begin to live up to the other characters. They just felt like side characters, when Backman intended for them to be new main ones. Also every hundred pages added what felt like a new plot point, when the core of the book/series is already so amazing and strong. He didn't need to do that.

The ending, it was worst than the Killing Eve finale. Benji is the best character of the series. He's also the only gay one. And he killed him off. And I know it was meant to be heroic and be the biggest end of the biggest series, but it really just came off homophobic in the same way Jody Comer's death did. To be honest, it felt lazy. Backman spent 3 amazing books, culminating to the death of his best character. Similarly, there were stories I was so excited for Backman to explore from Us Against You that he didn't- namely the girls team. Alicia was barely mentioned until the last 25% of the book, but she was who I was most looking forward to reading about. This also felt lazy.

I know i just spent 2 paragraphs complaining, but my god Backman's writing is my favorite. Which totally redeems the book. That and the fact that he didn't have to try very hard given the fact that I am utterly obsessed with Beartown and Us Against You. Every sentence I feel like my heart is getting ripped out of my chest. I learn something new about people and life and friendship and parenthood in every paragraph and he does it in a way that is just, simply beautiful. I'm so sad this series is over. I read Beartown for the first time a few months ago, spent the law few months anticipating this book, and I'm said to see an end of Maya and Ana and Amat and Benji and Bobo's special lives. 4 stars because despite my complaints, I can't bare to give these people anything less. If you love Beartown, whether it be the team, the town, or the book, you should read it. You might be frustrated, but you will love it just the same.

The Winners by Frederick Bachman does not disappoint ! It is a novel about two towns that have hockey clubs and how these clubs seemingly control the various dynamics within the towns. How important should sports be in a person’s life and to what extent should people go to become winners? This novel raises these issues and allows the reader to explore just how far they will go to protect their hockey family? The characters are well developed and the various dilemmas encountered allow the reader to enjoy this well done novel. Thank you to Frederick Blackman for writing another excellent novel. Thank you also to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for allowing me to read this novel.

This is the third book in the Beartown series and if you loved the first two, then don't miss this one! It starts a few years later with a big storm coming. By the time it's done, someone has died and people travel back to Beartown for the funeral. I don't want to give away too much, but expect a few twists and life lessons.

The Winners by Fredrik Backman is so good! A great end to the trilogy. The book is really well written and a pleasure to read. It is a commitment at 600+ pages. All of the favorite characters from the previous books are included in this book plus some new friends. It might be good to go back and refresh your memory on what happened in Us Against You. It has been a couple of years and several 100's of books since I read Us Against You so some of the details were not top of mind any longer.

People want this to be Benji's book but he does not show up until later in the book. The book foreshadows some of the tragedy that will befall Beartown and Hed by the end of the book. Maya and her friend Anna are an interesting duo now that it is two years later and they have grown up. Peter and Kira are back. Peter seems like a lost sole working in Kira's law firm. Kira is as strong as ever and able to clean up other peoples messes. Many of the players are back in this novel as well as the coaches. Everyone in the book has grown as a person and for the most part for the better. There are still some slimy people hanging around Beartown and Hed.

This book is hard to summarize and I do not want to give spoilers. My best suggestions is to reread or read Beartown and Us Against You this summer and prepare yourself for a fantastic fall read. I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review. #NetGalley #FredrikBackman #TheWinners #Beartown

This is a book that will absolutely tear you apart.

Backman takes his time getting to the point- the first 1/4 of the book, we see what our old friends have been up to, are introduced to new players, and are warned: this is not a happy ending.

A death is the catalyst for events that will both tear Beartown apart… and maybe put it back together. Either way, bring the tissues because Backman is ready to destroy your universe with this gut-wrenching read.

Who doesn't love Fredrik Backman? No one writes about the realities of life and interpersonal relationships with more depth or humanity. "The Winners" is another must read.

It was so wonderful to get to know all these characters. I love the way a long book gives intimate thoughts, background and connections. The unfolding / storytelling technique by this author is so interesting. You have time to speculate before finding out. I enjoyed the variety in ages, backgrounds, intellectual and physical abilities of everyone. Would definitely be interesting bookclub discussion as to how they might represent current people and situations in the news. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I love Fredrik Backman's work, even his hilarious Instagram anecdotes about his family and the dog. FB has a magical way with words, putting incredible human feelings on the page, and creating characters who endure painful lives. THE WINNERS is the last book of a trilogy about hockey in two forest towns in northern Sweden. I treasured this new book as much as Beartown. I was thrilled to get the chance to read the last of the trilogy.

Most of the previous characters are present in this last book. I cared about what happened to all the players and families but especially Maya and her family. And who doesn't want to know about Benji's life after all the torment of Beartown? I could definitely see Benji in Bali or on a beach in Thailand, probably Samui or Phuket. I felt deeply for Peter and Kira, trying to keep their lives together for the sake of Leo and Maya.

I can't write too much about the plot, the characters, and the narrative without giving away all of FB's gifts of THE WINNERS. I can say that I admire the author's ability to create a huge game board filled with people who have secrets and fears. He moves them around while giving away huge hints at the end of many chapters. I cheered and I grieved. It is a perfect book and I recommend it to everyone!

Thank you, NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC.

As a fan of Beartown, I was thrilled to get this last in the series of three books by Fredrik Backman. It was nice to get closure with the characters I know from Beartown, and Backman is a great storyteller. I would recommend this book for those acquainted with tBackman's characters, those who appreciate hockey, and those who love books about "ordinary people." Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Lovers of Beartown will be drawn to this. I really liked Beartown and LOVED Us Against You, but I could have done without a third book. The Winners dragged on for me. I didn’t feel emotionally connected to the characters the way I’ve felt with the other two books. If I wasn’t already a Beartown fan, I don’t think this would even get three stars from me. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you for the preview of this long awaited book that completes the Beartown Trilogy. This book wrapped up the story of these characters and their struggles so well. The author does an excellent job of reacquainting the reader with these characters after 2 years. This book is so well written with its descriptive language of setting, feelings, situations. I am sad this trilogy is over but feel very satisfied as a reader. I will definitely be recommending it to my school librarians, book clubs and others. 5 stars!