"...we only pretend hockey is complicated, because it isn't really. When you strip away all the nonsense surrounding it, the game is simple: everyone gets a stick, there are two nets, two teams. Us against you."

Frederick Backman's Beartown (see my review) was probably the best or second-best book I read last year. This story of a Swedish town that is literally obsessed with hockey, and which faces a crisis that will practically tear the town apart, surprised, delighted, and devastated me, all over the course of a few short hours as I plowed through it very late one night.

Given how I felt about that book, I approached the sequel, Us Against You, with a bit of trepidation. Could Backman achieve magic in Beartown again? Were there new stories to tell, and would they affect me with the same level of emotion and, frankly, devotion, that the first book did? Once again, I plowed through the 450-page book within a few hours, and stayed up very late at night to finish it. Now I can answer my questions unequivocally: yes, yes, and oh my god, yes.

Beartown is struggling to right itself after the crisis which nearly destroyed the town, but so many lives will never be the same. The town is dealt another blow when it learns that their beloved hockey club will be liquidated, a decision of local politicians, and all of the funding will go to the hockey club of their rival town, Hed, where many of the former Beartown players have gone. This decision upends those for whom hockey was a job, a dream, an escape, a scapegoat, and a tradition.

But one crafty person isn't willing to let Beartown hockey die—it's all part of a larger master plan for power. A most unusual coach is hired, and they begin building a new team with an unlikely squad of players—Benji, the lone wolf battling between self-destruction and redemption; Amat, smaller than the other players but perhaps more talented than anyone; Bobo, Amat's best friend, who can't skate well but can't imagine a life without hockey; and Vidar, an exceptionally talented goalie with an exceptionally short (and dangerous) fuse.

As Beartown, and its residents, try to recover, marriages and long-time friendships will be severely tested, loyalties will be questioned, split-second decisions will damage and endanger lives, and hearts will break. Violence becomes a more-present part of their everyday lives as the rivalry between Beartown and Hed intensifies, and the big game draws near. Everyone will face moments which could utterly destroy them, but amidst all of the darkness, there are glimpses of hope.

"People will say that violence came to Beartown this summer, but that won't be true, because it was already here. Because people are always dependent upon other people, and we can't ever really forgive each other for that."

This book absolutely blew me away. I wasn't sure if Backman had it in him a second time, but he has written a sequel that is just as good as its predecessor, which was exceptional. I love these characters so much—the ones you root for and the ones you root against. Reading this book was like getting to visit old friends—you revel in every minute because you know you'll be sad when your time together is over. That was definitely the case here.

You really should read Beartown first, both because it provides a great framework on which this book is built, and because it is fantastic on its own. Even though these books are about a hockey-obsessed town, they are about so much more than that. That's where Backman keeps surprising you.

God, I hope there's a third book. I'm ready for another late-night read, where I'm laughing and sobbing and feeling sentimental all over again. Who can ask for anything more?

NetGalley and Atria Books provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!

I want to thank, Netgalley & the publisher for an eARC of this book. It has in no way, influenced my opinions, just saying!

I was very excited to get a copy of this! I LOVE Backman and Beartown is my second favorite book by him. I was a little nervous because the book ended perfectly and this is a continuation. I know a lot of people haven’t been sure about Beartown because it’s about hockey. I can assure you, it’s about so much more than hockey.

If you haven’t read Beartown, it’s a must before cracking this one open, in my opinion. It takes place after the events in the previous book. You need this background to understand where the town and people are at, emotionally and mentally. Us Against You, is basically about the good vs. evil, love vs. hate and the decisions that follow. The choices that these characters make that ripple into the life of everyone around them.

Backman, has an amazing way of storytelling. From the very beginning he tells you something is going to happen. Throughout the whole story, I was wondering, is this it? There are so many times, I thought I knew what was going to happen but wasn’t even close. He had me nervous and scared. I love that it’s not predictable! I swear, you will feel EVERY emotion possible with his books, this one included. I would laugh out loud and cry on various occasions.

He makes you fall in love with every character and you can’t help feeling what they feel. I love them all. Benji, Amat, Bobo, The Andersson’s, Ramona, The Pack and even the very small supporting characters. Everyone’s story is important and they all interweave with each other. Bobo is one character that really bloomed in this book. His story just hit my heartstrings the most. Everyone is fighting to stand up for what they believe in. Will they let their differences slide when the community needs to come together? You will have to read and find out! 🙂

This one starts off a bit slow, it took a while for me to get into the story. Once you get about 1/3 of the way into it, it really picks up. A lot of his books are that way. I always encourage those who stop to keep going, it’s so worth it. He talks about a lot of relevant issues today- sexuality, gender and politics. The conflict that ensues about each of these issues. He really makes you think. How would I act in this situation? Would I be different or would I follow the crowd?

Overall, it’s a great book. I did prefer Beartown a little more. What I got from this book and I hope many others do is HOPE. Hope that good will outshine evil, Hope that people can forget their differences and come together, Hope that we can make the world better. Be good. Be kind.

When I finish crying I'll come back to write a review.

Okay, five days later I can think about this book without having a sense of longing in my heart.

What did I just read? Just like the book before, <i>Beartown</i> this book is flawless. Man, Backman can write!

The characters have the same depth as before. I was so into it that I felt I was from Beartown too. Benji... has a more perfect character ever been written?

I am not going to go into details about the characters and the plot because the story picked up where it was left in the previous book. Do you need to read <i>Beartown</i> first? Not necessarily; enough background is given to engage in <i>Us Against You</i> without having to read <i>Beartown</i>.

The only thing that I felt was dragging were the parts about Peter and his wife. It could definitely have been shorter.

Is there a third book coming? I hope so! Maybe about Alicia?... I don't think Benji can be exploited any more. Lol!

I don't know what to write to express how much I loved it. I fucking cried at the end. Jesus! It is fiction!!! Yeah, well, tell that to <i>Us Against You</i>. It felt very real to me.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this title.

Another fantastic book from Fredrik Backman! I thoroughly enjoyed being back in Beartown with the characters that I grew to love in his first book. It is very difficult for for me to describe, but there is something magical about the way Fredrik Backman writes books. Hockey is most definitely not my thing, but it doesn't matter because this book is about so much more than hockey. It touches on politics, prejudice, fear, love, and family - both those we are born into and those we create. I will continue to read everything this man writes.

Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
Us Against You
by Fredrik Backman (Goodreads Author)
M 50x66
Lou Jacobs's review
Mar 10, 2018 · edit

it was amazing

Another tour de force by Backman! I first became acquainted with his storytelling skills in "A Man Called Ove" .... I somewhat reluctantly started this book at the urging of my wife ... apparently her book club members had devoured this book with heaping praise. After joyfully gobbling up this hors d oeuvre I couldn't help myself and quickly devoured "Beartown"
"Us Against You" is billed as a sequel, because of a continuance of some of the same characters in a later period of time . But, rest assured, it can be enjoyed and treasured as a standalone novel. I've never encountered an author that can say so much in so few pages as Backman .... he continues to amaze with his relentless insightful wisdom of the human condition.
The citizens of Beartown and it's nearby rival city of Hed are again featured in this complex plotted tale of gut wrenching conflict .... told in the framework of a hockey rivalry. The beloved team of Beartown is in danger of being dissolved. The best players of the "A" team have deserted to the rival team from Hed. This years team is rescued by political chicanery. This years team will be built around a few notable former players: Amat, a small but adept and quick skater ... Benji, the lone-wolf enforcer, and yet to be unfolded interpersonal complexities, and lastly, the star goalie Vidar, who needs to be released from police custody. And, an unlikely and controversial newcomer is installed at the new hockey coach.
Tensions ratchet up and tempers boil over as the rivalry match approaches. Conflicts and incidents pile up between the two communities. Leading to events that question the values of friendship, loyalty and love and even sexuality and death.
I admit it, I'm fully addicted to the prose of Fredrik Backman ... I don't recall ever being moved to near tears by a book. I look with great anticipation for his next opus. Thanks to Negalley and Atria Books for providing this wonderful Advance reading copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not much of a review writer and very seldom write one (insecure!) but having read Us Against You by Fredrik Backman I had to write something. If you have read "Beartown" by Fredrik Backman you HAVE to read US Against You, (If you haven't read "Beartown" rush out right now and get it!...then read Us Against You :-)) This was the perfect sequel for Beartown. Backman is the master at making you take sides on an issue and then turning it around so you have to see the other side and go hmmm maybe I'm need to look this over again. In Us Against You we find a devastated and divided Beartown. Will it survive? Throw in a rather shady politician, overseas sponsorship, an unique new hockey coach, and something is bound to happen. Be ready for an emotional rollercoaster.

Yet again Fredrik has captivated me once again. It started a little slow but as the story progressed I was hooked and hanging on to see what was to come next. If you loved beartown this is a must read.

Just wow. Another heart stopping book by this author. There is literally no one who can evoke the feeling he can with his wonderful writing. This book brings us back to Beartown with same characters dealing with the aftermath and new issues. Compassionately written. I wish there were enough words to say how much I love this author, but I really do!

I thoroughly enjoyed Beartown even though I have no interest in either hockey or indeed sport of any kind but Us Against You blew me away. Fredrik Bachman has exceeded himself. This novel takes every character and brings him or her to life, The characters are so finely drawn, the Prowse so beautiful, the story so emotional, I would hate to live in Beartown but I love these guys to bits.
Mr. Bachman I toff my cap to you and to your writing. Bravo.

Wow, Fredrik Backman has once again blown me away!! One of my favorite books from 2017 was Beartown and I remember not being able to put those characters away in my mind after finishing. So when I learned Fredrik Backman had written a follow-up novel, I was thrilled and couldn’t wait until I could get my hands on that book! Us Against You lived up to all of my expectations and far, far exceeded them!

Initially, I wasn’t sure If I should do a re-read of Beartown prior to starting Us Against You, but Fredrik Backman did a fantastic job of organically refreshing us on all of the characters and their situations/circumstances. In saying that, I loved being able to jump in and immediately get sucked into the storyline because I was already emotionally invested in the characters.

In true Fredrik Backman fashion, Us Against You is packed with with an enormous amount of depth and emotion. Woven throughout the storyline was the importance and power of commitment and loyalty- to family, to friends, to mentors, to our community, and most importantly, to ourselves. As I read the journey Fredrik Backman had created for the characters, I found myself many times self-reflecting - I love when can author can do that! Fredrik Backman’s writing always evokes so many emotions and I will recommend having some tissues ready! Us Against You is a complete 5+++ star read and I highly recommend everyone read this series!

Beartown is a hockey town by a forest in Sweden, but that won’t tell you much unless you know what it means to be a hockey town where lives are dominated by the sport and the thought of losing the team is devastating to so many. In “Beartown”, Backman says: “Why does anyone care about hockey?...Because it tells stories. " Indeed it tells stories once again in this sequel. This town feels familiar - the place in the forest, this hockey town , a community of parents and children still reeling from what happened there a couple of months before, characters that I came to care about. I was anxious to know what has happened with them - Maya, Leo , Amat, Benji , Ramona and others.

Beartown is about to lose its team and the resources will go to their rivals in the town of Hed. It’s a loss for the Five Uncles who sit at the bar each day and now won’t have anything to talk about . But for others, the pain and sadness is not because of hockey. It may seem that way at times but the pain that these characters are burdened with and the secrets they carry have more to do with life than with hockey. Leo is angry because he couldn’t protect his sister. Peter is devastated about his daughter but doesn’t really know how to show his love for his family and they are falling apart. Maya will forever be changed by what happened to her, silently breaking. Benji, the star hockey player and fighter is sad and angry over his dad and is keeping the secret of his true self. Ana, left by her mother and dealing with her alcoholic father on her own is a life saver to her best friend Maya.

It’s a slow churn at first and I thought somewhat repetitive, not with “Beartown” but within this book itself. I was feeling a little disappointed, but then something changed. I was captivated once again by Backman’s talent as he moves from one character to the next, as he creates a suspense which had me waiting for something awful to happen. It’s so introspective as we become privy to the thoughts and feelings of so many characters, so in-depth for such a cast of characters. The simple phrases that depict profound thoughts on what unconditional parental love is, about the depth of friendship, about marriage and ambition, expectations, rivalry, loyalty, love and hate are stunning. It’s so hard to really understand how hate can give way to violence in the guise of a sport rivalry, and perhaps it’s something more. In spite of my early reservations, I have to give this 5 stars since the rest of the book more than makes up for the slow start. Backman remains one of my favorite writers. If you loved ”Beartown”, this is a must read.


I received an advanced copy of this book from Atria Books through NetGalley.

“Communities are like ice, not water. They don’t suddenly flow in new directions because you ask them to, they change centimeter by centimeter, like glaciers. Sometimes they don’t move at all”.

When winter comes to Beartown and Hed....everyone talks about Hockey. Some people support the red team - others the green team. Both teams have had their share of wins.

I thought “Beartown” was *exceptional* - Backman’s darkest most complex book — It had ‘everything’: incredible stories about each of the characters.....centered around ice hockey- but it was much much more than that. We got to intimately know the kids - the parents- their struggles. It was soooo emotional ...
At times I felt angry as can be - other times sad, hopeful, afraid, fearful, worried, inspired....hanging onto every ‘emotion’ WITH the characters. “Beartown”was a big time favorite book for me.

In “Us Against You”....it took me longer to authentically feel emotional ‘with’ the characters. For the longest time - I felt I was reading ‘the news’ and more recaps of ‘the news’. I knew everything going on, but I wasn’t getting that ‘buzz’ feeling. I had the facts and information - but my heart wasn’t connected in the same was it was in “Beartown”.

The first place that I genuinely felt ‘something’ —13% into my Kindle book- was when I was imagining- Maya - YEARS LATER - in her future - writing music - performing songs she had written from years back when she was a teenager - about her good friend Ana. I imagine Maya doing well - a successful singer - grateful - opening her concerts with a song she wrote about her friend.....from the summer they spent hanging out on the island. I was really touched.
Something in Backman’s writing at that moment just got to me. Even after finishing the entire book - it was still one of my favorite moments in this book.

There are many characters in this story we re- visit from Beartown -- and new characters who join in.
I didn’t think the new characters were nearly as well developed as the original characters. Or as emotionally felt. As times, I even got a little bored with some of the star characters from the last book.

Overall we see how a sport can make people break - ( we clearly saw this in “Beartown” too)...Add more politics to “Us Against You”, ...and we see the problems elevate. - more evil - violence - bullying - prejudice- jealousy- anger - all elevated ...but I just didn’t ‘feel’ the intimacy in the storytelling as much this time.

The 2nd half of the book picked up for me....and ‘my heart’ became more invested, as the tension did.
One of the characters I really liked throughout this entire novel was Kira - wife of Peter Anderson ( who was General Manager of Beartown’s Ice Hockey team in the last book).
Peter - ‘not’ a warm cozy guy - feels betrayed by the entire community in Beartown ...but is offered a job in Hed. I was quietly screaming at Peter most of the novel to listen to his wife Kira!

Elizabeth Zackell is the new female coach hired. I liked her strength - her fearless attitude- but I still would have liked to know ‘her’ more.

Bobo was a character I adored ....he just took my heart. Everything about him....from the type of son he was to the type of big brother he was.

Amat, Benji, ( and his three older sisters), Leo, Ramona, Maya and Ana - etc. I definitely still cared for everyone in “Us Against You”....but - for me - there was no where near the deep emotional punch as in “Beartown”.

3.7 rating — a little shy of a full 4 strong stars. STRENGTHS & FLAWS.....but glad I read it!!! Backman is still one of my favorite authors. I’ll read every book he writes!

Backman at his best. This sequel to Beartown surpasses the original story. It is moving, poignant and, as always, so tuned in to the things that make us human. The good and the bad and how those things can get mixed up inside each of us. Beautiful. I want to immediately start again because I'm not ready to leave Beartown.